Polar Environments

artic ovean

smallest and shallowest ocean basin

-1.8 degrees

temperature of artic ocean (constant)

Southern ocean

extension of other oceans with large fetch (= wind driven)

-2 to 10 degrees

temperature of southern ocean (variable)

deep water formation

Intense surface water cooling and ice formation leads to increased density of water that sinks down

runoff

what is something the artic ocean is stressed from because it is surrounded by continents (not seen in southern)

iron limitation

what causes a high nutrient low chlorophyll area (essential micronutrient)

polynya

open water areas in ice that promote heat loss and ice formation

Brine veins

areas with highly concentrated salt and microscopic organisms

krill

what is the top of a polar food web

psychrophiles

organisms that live in extremely cold environments (< 15C)

high metabolic rate

what adaptation do psychrophiles have for the cold (unusual, often the opposite is seen in cold)

osmolytes

protective shells around psychrophiles proteins

antifreeze proteins

seen in psychrophiles, protects DNA

slow metabolic rate

what is common for cold water animals that slows growth rate and conserves energy

hollow medulla

senn in polar bears where the middle of their hair is hollow to trap air and promote thermal regulation

countercurrent exchange

what process keeps blood flowing into the body warm

walrus

animal that lacks projecting extremities/groups in herds/rests on land

bearded seals

animal that uses ice breathing holes/rtravels large distance/has vibrissae

vibrissae

whisker-like, helps find way in darkness

leopard seal

An animal that had specialised teeth for diverse pray/large fore flippers/more blood/are solitary