Marine Ecosystems, Plastic Pollution, and Oceanography

Flashcards covering the chemical composition of plastic, the mechanics of ocean and air currents, marine food chains, and the environmental impact of plastic pollution based on the lecture notes.

Water currents

Continuous, directed movements of water in oceans, seas, and rivers that can flow across the surface, between different depths, or along rivers.

Surface currents

Ocean currents occurring in the upper layer, mainly caused by wind, such as the Gulf Stream.

Deep currents

Ocean currents that flow far below the surface, driven by differences in water density caused by temperature and salinity.

Salinity

A measurement of the concentration of salt and minerals present in water.

Albedo effect

An effect where the sun warms the water; if the water becomes too warm, underwater plants may fail to adapt and die, reducing oxygen production.

Atmospheric Circulation

The global movement of air that transfers heat from warm places (usually near the equator) to colder places (north and south poles).

Coriolis effect

The apparent deflection of moving objects, such as air currents, ocean currents, or projectiles, caused by the Earth’s rotation.

Gyres

Large rotating systems of circular surface currents driven by global wind patterns, Earth’s rotation, and continental boundaries.

Major Gyres

The North Atlantic Gyre, North Pacific Gyre, South Atlantic Gyre, and South Pacific Gyre.

Producers

The base of the marine food chain, such as seaweed, seagrasses, and algae, which use sunlight and $CO_2$ to make food via photosynthesis.

Primary consumers

Herbivores in the marine ecosystem, such as krill, sea urchins, and certain fishes, that eat producers.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms such as small fishes (sardines), jellyfish, squid, and some crustaceans that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers and Apex Predators

High-level predators in the marine food chain, such as seals, sharks, and orcas, that eat other consumers.

Decomposers and Detritivores

Organisms like bacteria, fungi, worms, and crustaceans that break down the remains of dead organisms and recycle nutrients.

2050

The year in which it is speculated that most marine ecosystems will experience a major shift due to the rate of plastic pollution and environmental damage.

Microplastics

Smaller and smaller pieces of plastic that result from plastic not completely dissolving; they can irritate coral reefs and accumulate in the stomachs of fish.

EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)

A system requiring manufacturers to pay for the collection, recycling, and disposal of their products.

Virgin plastic

Plastic manufactured from new fossil fuels rather than from recycled materials.

Carbon

An element with atomic number $6$ and weight $12.011$ $u$, consisting of $6$ protons, $6$ neutrons, and $6$ electrons.

Hydrogen

An element with atomic number $1$ and weight $1.008$ $u$, typically consisting of $1$ proton, $1$ electron, and $0$ neutrons.

Unified atomic mass unit (u)

A unit of mass where one gram of mass is $6.02 \times 10^{23}$ heavier than a single unit.

Density

The amount of mass in a given volume; objects less dense than water float, while those more dense sink.

Polyethylene (PE)

A type of plastic often used for bags, specifically linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) for trash bags, identified by its transparent, waxy texture.