Oceanography and Marine Ecology

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes on oceanography and marine ecology.

Ocean Currents

Movement of ocean water driven by various factors including wind, temperature differences, and salinity.

Surface Currents

Currents that are driven primarily by wind and are located in the upper layer of the ocean.

Deep Currents

Currents that are driven by differences in water density, often associated with temperature and salinity.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving objects, including ocean currents, due to the rotation of the Earth.

Gyres

Large-scale circular current systems in the ocean, rotating clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Upwelling

The rising of cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, which supports marine productivity.

Downwelling

The sinking of warm surface water, often occurring in polar regions.

North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW)

A deep ocean water mass formed in the North Atlantic that drives thermohaline circulation.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs convert sunlight into sugars, forming the basis of the food web.

Photic Zone

The upper layer of the ocean where sunlight can penetrate and photosynthesis can occur.

Tsunami

A series of large ocean waves caused by underwater disturbances, such as earthquakes.

Spring Tides

Strong tides that occur when the Sun and Moon are in alignment, leading to high tidal ranges.

Neap Tides

Weaker tides that occur when the effects of the Sun and Moon partially cancel out.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that depend on others for food, including herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms classified under one of the three domains of life.

Eukarya

Organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Marine Ecosystems

Ecological communities in the ocean, including various habitats like coral reefs and kelp forests.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic plants that are primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.

Zooplankton

Tiny animals that feed on phytoplankton and other small organisms in the ocean.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, often intensified by human activities.

Greenhouse Effect

The natural process where certain gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere to maintain a warm temperature.

Sustainability

The practice of using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future generations.