Physical Oceanography Study Guide Concepts

Euphotic Zone

The euphotic zone is the upper layer of a body of water, where sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis occurs.

Disphotic Zone

The disphotic zone is the layer of water below the euphotic zone that receives limited light, insufficient for photosynthesis.

Aphotic Zone

The aphotic zone is the part of a body of water that receives no light, making photosynthesis impossible.

how organisms use the lack of visible light to their advantage

Camouflage, like red deep sea creatures

how sound waves work

Sound waves are vibrations, waves of pressure, that travel through a medium (like air, water, or solids) as compressions and rarefactions

the difference between sound wave movement through the water and air

Sound moves faster through water than air because water’s molecules are more tightly packed/condensed than air’s molecules

how organisms (especially whales and dolphins) rely to sound for survival

Organisms like whales and dolphins use sound through echolocation for communication, to find food, and to navigate the ocean

the effects of noise pollution on marine organisms (especially marine mammals)

It interferes with their communication, navigation, mating behaviors, and disrupting how they find their food. This leads to increased stress and potential harm

how temperature and salinity affect deep currents

Temperature and salinity drive deep ocean currents by causing water to become denser, sink, and create movement patterns that redistribute heat and nutrients

temperature drops as latitude increases

Temperature drops as latitude increases because regions farther from the equator receive less direct sunlight, resulting in cooler temperatures; there’s more direct sunlight year-round near the equator

the water cycle affects the salinity of ocean water

Evaporation increases the salinity of ocean water while precipitation decreases it

currents move heat around the world

Currents bring nutrient rich, warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water comes from the poles back towards the equator. This cycle regulates the global climate

the impact of the moon and sun on tides

The sun and moon’s gravitational pull causes high, low, neap, and spring tides to occur on Earth. Those tides play a crucial role in circulating nutrients and oxygen in the ocean, maintaining the health of marine ecosystems, supporting marine life, etc.

the movement of energy through waves

When wind transfers energy to the surface of the ocean the energy travels across the ocean's surface as waves

how ocean floor features affect ocean currents

Underwater mountains, trenches, ridges, and valleys can significantly influence ocean currents by altering their direction, speed, and behavior

how to identify ocean features using an ocean profile