Open Ocean Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the open ocean, focusing on important definitions, differences, and characteristics of ocean currents, fish species, and sound in water.

Coriolis effect

A deflection of large objects moving a long distance to the left or right due to Earth's rotation.

Weather

Short term atmospheric conditions on a daily basis.

Climate

Long term atmospheric patterns, like an ice age that lasts thousands of years.

Surface currents

Currents powered by wind, transferring heat to cooler areas, making up 100% of all currents.

Deep currents

Currents driven by density differences (temperature + salinity), transporting oxygen and nutrients, making up 90% of all currents.

Gulf Stream

A warm, river-like current in the Atlantic Ocean that originates in the Gulf and makes England's temperature livable.

Upwelling

An upward vertical current that brings cold nutrient-rich water to the surface, increasing biodiversity.

Downwelling

A downward vertical current that brings warm oxygen-rich water to the deep ocean, with no significant effect on biodiversity.

Agnatha

The class to which lampreys belong.

Osteichthyes

The class to which perch belong.

Chondrichthyes

The class to which sharks belong.

Invasive species

A species that hunts native species (like yellow perch hunting young chinook salmon) and has no natural predators.

Use of sound in water

Can be used to measure ocean temperature, currents, waves, ocean floor features, and large objects like schools of fish.

Sound travel in water vs air

Sound travels faster in water because water is more dense compared to air.

Importance of sound to marine mammals

Used for avoiding predators, communicating, and navigating.