AICE Marine Final Exam Review

What are the steps to designing a laboratory based experiment?

-state amount of containers

-state constants (minimum of 3)

-state the amount of independent variable used.

-state how often you will be taking measurements

-state the duration

-state the method of calculating results (ex. counting or quadrant method)

-state the repeat experimentation and calculate mean and average of all trials)

What is needed to turn an experiment into a theory?

-rigorous testing

-repeated testing by many other scientists

-scientists get similar results.

Community

includes all the different species living in a habitat at the same time for example, the mollusk community on the rocky shore.

What do arrows in a food chain mean?

transfer of energy and biomass.

What is the energy source in most food webs?

Sunlight

What is the energy source at a hydrothermal vent ecosystem?

Hydrogen Sulfide

What are the possible effects of upwelling on the organisms in a food web?

Upwelling increases nutrients which increases productivity meaning the number of producers and primary producers and so on increase as well.

Shoaling

a large group of the same species of fish swimming in a coordinated or synchronized way. ex.tuna

What are the benefits of shoaling?

Overall:

- easier to move through currents

-easier for navigation

-better chance of finding a mate therefore a better chance of reproduction.

Benefits to the predator:

-more eyes to sense prey therefore a better chance at finding prey

-better chances at catching prey

Benefits to the prey:

-more eyes to spot predators

-less of a chance of being eaten

-try to intimidate predators by disguising or appearing to be bigger than they are.

-send out fear chemicals to warn others of predators

-confuse predators in bait balls

Succession

Tube worms. Tevnia first, then they are replaced by Riftia.

What are characteristics of extreme environments?

-low pH

-high temp

-low oxygen

-high salinity

-limited resources

-ex. hydrothermal vents & chemosynthetic bacteria.

What is an unstable environment?

-sandy environments where their is sand slippage; organisms are easily washed away.

-organisms (like crabs, worms and mussels) burrow to avoid being washed away, if they are exposed to air, desiccation can occur.

Chemosynthesis

the process by which chemical energy (hydrogen sulfide) is used to synthesize/make/convert to glucose by bacteria. ex. chemosynthetic bacteria

Why is most of the energy from the sun not used by producers?

Through reflection, light only reaches the surface (it doesn't penetrate down deep), Inefficiency of photosynthesis, not all wavelengths of visible light are absorbed by producer.

What are 3 ways energy is lost from the food chain?

-Heat/respiration/metabolism

-Egestion/excretion

-Uneaten/inedible parts

Assimilation

is the biomass (energy content generated per unit area) of the present trophic level after accounting for the energy lost due to incomplete ingestion of food, energy used for respiration, and energy lost as waste.

How does nutrients enter a food chain?

its assimilated by producers (phytoplankton) then passed to consumers.

What are some limiting nutrients?

Nitrate and phosphate

What is the biological use of Nitrogen?

to make proteins and amino acids.

What is the biological use of Carbon?

to make all organic materials; glucose, DNA, RNA. (Think carbon dating!)

What is the biological use of Magnesium?

to make chlorophyll.

What is the biological use of Calcium?

to make bones, corals and shells; formation of carbonates / corallites.

What is the biological use of Phosphorus?

used to make DNA/RNA, bones/teeth, ATP/ADP/ phospholipids; formation of calcium phosphate/apatite.

Key facts about the calcium cycle?

ABIOTIC -

i. Calcium is weathered from sedimentary rock, limestone containing calcium

carbonate (CaCO 3 )

ii. Brought into the sea by runoff from land/rivers

iii. Present in water as calcium ions

BIOTIC -

iv. As calcium ion it is used by marine organisms such as fish for bones, coral

uses to make coral skeleton/polyp (corallite) and mollusks use it to make up their

shells.

ABIOTIC -

v. Once an organism dies and sinks to seafloor

vi. Calcium can be compressed back into limestone.

vii. Land can be uplifted or sea level may fall which will expose the rocks on

land and allow weather and erosion to remove calcium from the rock.

viii. Can also be brought up by upwelling.

Key facts about the phosphorus cycle?

(cycling is similar to calcium except in is obtain from a different rock and

then used by marine organisms for different biological use.

ABIOTIC:

i. Phosphorus is weathered from sedimentary rock, apatite containing calcium

phosphates.

1. It is brought into the sea by runoff from land/rivers

2. Present in water as phosphate ion.

BIOTIC:

ii. As phosphate ions, it enters marine organisms such as fish, to be used for

bones/teeth, DNA/RNA, ATP/ADP.

OUT OF BIOTA, to ABIOTIC:

iii. Once an organism dies and sinks to seafloor

iv. Phosphorus can be compressed back into apatite.

v. Land can be uplifted or sea level may fall which will expose the rocks on land and

allow weather and erosion to remove phosphate from the rock.

vi. Can also be brought up by upwelling.

Key facts of the Nitrogen cycle?

ABIOTIC -

i. Runoff from agricultural waste/chemical/fertilizer/pollutants wash into sea as

nitrates

ii. Atmospheric Dissolution - dissolves nitrogen as N 2 which will be fixed by nitrogen

fixing bacteria to ammonia, NH 3 then by the process of nitrification done by

bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite NO 2 then nitrate, NO 3

*Note: nitrogen must be assimilated by algae/phytoplankton as nitrate.

BIOTIC -

iii. Assimilating by algae/phytoplankton

iv. Consumed by primary consumers, secondary, etc.

v. When either the producer or consumer dies, nitrates sink to the sea floor

ABIOTIC -

vi. Brought up by upwelling to be re-assimilated.

Key facts about the carbon cycle?

ABIOTIC

i. Does not dissolve into the water from the atmosphere as Carbon ... dissolves as

carbon dioxide, CO 2

ii. Once in the water, it forms Carbonate or Bicarbonate (HCO 3 or H 2 CO 3 )

iii. It can also dissolve from sedimentary rocks limestone containing calcium

carbonate, CaCO 3 .

iv. Brought into the sea by runoff from land/rivers

v. Present in water as carbonate ions, CO 3

BIOTIC

vi. Assimilated by marine organisms for shells, bones, and major molecules

such are glucose.

ABIOTIC -

vii. When organism dies and sinks their shells and bones form limestone.

e. Micronutrients: iron, copper and manganese - these nutrients are in smaller amounts, but

are needed for life processes as well.

In what ways are productivity limited by availability of nutrients?

Sunlight only penetrates to certain depths - SO, photosynthesis can only happen in

upper layer/photic zone.

- Therefore, the limiting factors for photosynthesis will limit productivity (Temperature,

concentration of CO 2 , availability of water, availability of minerals, intensity of sunlight, duration of

sunlight)

- Nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates are in short supply (they are limited) and

are found in the upper layer of the ocean/photic zone

- Nutrients may sink they are lost from the surface creating a 'shortage' in the

upper level of the sea (in photic zone).

How is nutrients lost in the upper/photic zone?

Organisms die/excretion (feces) - sink to the sea floor/sedimentation can occur.

b. Harvesting/Fishing - removes nutrients from the ecosystem.

c. When nutrients have sunk to the bottom, they are considered LOST. Why? Because

decomposition (to turn those body parts back into nutrients for assimilation) is very slow. WHY is

decomposition slow at the bottom? ANSWER: It is cold and there is less oxygen

How do humans impact nutrient cycles?

a.Runoff - agricultural waste/chemical/fertilizer/pollutants wash into sea

b. Dissolution - burning fossil fuels pollutes air then gases dissolve into water (like CO 2 )

c. Harvesting/Fishing - removal of nutrients

How do nutrients enter the surface water?

i. Dissolving or atmospheric dissolution of carbon dioxide and nitrogen

ii.Runoff from land - ROCK gets weathered and minerals are carried via erosion. Occurs with: calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus ions.

iii. Runoff from land from agricultural waste/chemical/fertilizer/pollutants that wash into sea (mainly nitrogen & phosphorous).

How do the nutrients get into the food chains?

i.Assimilation/uptake/absorption - producers absorb nutrients from water ii.Consumers either get the nutrients from what they eat or directly from the water (like Calcium ions).

What is Upwelling?

Upwelling is the process that occurs when wind blows across the ocean surface, pushing water away (displacement of surface water). The deeper colder water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away. Upwelling areas are regions where significant vertical movement of water occurs. This can happen near shore because of the slope of the land or in the open ocean. A mid-ocean ridge cause upwelling by deflecting deep water currents upwards. Upwelling brings nutrients to the surface.

How do you calculate (annual) change in a nutrient on a diagram with numbers?

First, identify where you are calculating the change (in the surface water or in the atmosphere, etc.). Then, identify which numbers are going IN to the area and which are going OUT (arrows). Next, add up all of the amounts of the arrows going IN. Add up all of the amounts of the arrows going OUT. Subtract those sums and that will be your answer - the total amount of change in a nutrient in the area you were asked to calculate. Do NOT include any numbers for arrows which are not DIRECTLY touching the area in which you are calculating (ie. If you are doing the surface water ... don't use numbers which are coming out of the organisms as detritus).

What is the Darwin-Dana-Daly theory for atoll formation?

a. Fringing reef forms on the edge of volcanic island b. Island subsides/sinks or sea level rises. c. Reef grows forming barrier reef d. Island completely subsides/sinks e. Forming a lagoon around an atoll.

*reference to time scale up to 30 Million years

What is some evidence that supports Darwin-Dana-Daly's theory?

i. Deep drilling examples Marshall Islands/Bikini Atoll;

ii.Coral deposits;

iii. Corals can only grow 50 m below surface;

iv. Carbon dating; v.Corals live 30 M - 65M years old;

vi. Soils on atolls relatively young. Matches dates of post glacial periods; Supports hypothesis that sea level fall exposed reef platform (erosion)

What is the process of carbon dating?

a. It is a radioactive isotope of carbon which is produced in the upper atmosphere by cosmic radiation. A very small amount of CO2 contains C14.

b. During photosynthesis - plants absorb C14 and then animals consume plants.

c. When an organism dies it stop taking in C14. At the time of death, C12 & C14 are the same for all living organisms.

d. But, the C14 starts to decay (breaks down). C14 has a half-life of 5,730 years

e. By looking at the ratio of C12 to C14 in the sample and comparing it to the ratio in a living organism, it is possible to determine the age of a formerly living thing fairly precisely.

What is a coral reef?

-High biodiversity due to high productivity

-Can support many different secondary consumers/ predators;

-Long food chains possible (due to lower energy losses);

-Relatively stable environment;

-Many different Niches

What do corals need for growth?

1. Light - clear water & low sedimentation/ low silt levels a. Allows zooxanthellae to photosynthesis

b. Allows coral polyps to feed 2.Shallow, WARM water

How does sedimentation reduce coral growth?

i. Sedimentation/silt covers coral

ii.Reduces light penetration iii. Inhibits/reduces photosynthesis

iv.Reduced photosynthesis reduces coral growth.

What happens to corals if seawater becomes acidic?

Too much carbon dioxide leads to acidic water - causes coral skeletons to dissolve

What is coral bleaching?

high water temp. kills zooxanthellae - coral bleaches - coral dies

What are artificial reefs and why are they beneficial?

A. Common materials used: concrete & steel (readily available, strong, non-toxic, good habitat, long lasting). Very important that the material is nontoxic. So it does not harm marine organism because toxic material will dissolve in water nor enter the food chain.

B. Benefits:

i. Boosts economy by attracting tourists for:

1. Fishing

2. Snorkeling/diving

3. More tourists = more local spending (give at least 3 examples - dive boats, bait shops, hotels, restaurants, etc.)

ii.Provides suitable substrate for coral attachment; promoting higher biodiversity

iii. Protects shores

What is plate tectonic theory?

o Earth's crust/lithosphere is made of plates.

o Continents lie on plates.

o Plates are float/moving slowly on top of asthenosphere.

o Plates move do to convection currents in the asthenosphere.

o Plates meet at boundaries; convergent, divergent, and transform

o Plate movement causes earthquakes, mountain building, and volcanic eruptions.

What is some evidence for plate tectonic theory?

o Spatial relationship of current continents (puzzle-like fit; S. America/Africa)

o Paleontology - Related fossils on continents separated by ocean - shows they were once joined.

o Mountain ranges - stratification/layering of mountain range match that are found on different continents indicating continents were once joined. o Magnetic reversal of rocks - seen at mid-ocean ridges

1. At mid ocean ridge, which is a divergent boundary magma is cooling forming new crust.

2. Molten lava has no magnetism but as cooling acquires magnetic orientation of the earth's polarity at the time.

3. Rocks show magnetic orientation is symmetrical to both side of ridge.

4. Rocks further from the ridge are older than rocks closer to the ridge.

o Seafloor spreading - measuring moving divergent plates at mid-ocean ridges

o Sonar - mapping of seafloor

How are hydrothermal vents formed?

i. Crack in ocean floor where cold water seeps in;

ii.Water is superheated by the underlying hot magma;

iii. Hot water builds up pressure, causing it to rise out of crack;

iv. Dissolves minerals on the way out;

v.Some minerals precipitate out along edge of crack forming a vent.

Isostasy

buoyant properties of layers of rocks which float on other layers, according to their density and thickness. This explains why the Earth's crust floats on the denser, underlying layer, just as an ice cube floats in a glass of water. The principle of isostasy shows that the Earth's crust is generally higher where it is thicker and less dense; lower where it is thinner and denser. Continental crust is less dense as compared to oceanic crust (at convergent boundaries, oceanic will subside - go under cont.).

What causes a tsunami?

UNDERWATER earthquakes at CONVERGENT boundaries. They can also be caused by underwater volcanic eruptions, underwater landslides and glaciers (basically any displacement of water).

Littoral zone

Area between high and low water marks/area submerged at high tide and exposed at low tide.

What are some environmental factors that affect organisms living at shores?

-need to be able to resist wave action

o rocky shore - cling to rocks/live under shelter/holdfast/attach/tough shells/

o sandy shore - burrow, have tough shells

- tide exposes to air - need adaptations to survive drying out/desiccation

- changes in temperature- must be able to adapt such as burrowing/look for shelter

- changes in salinity - tide pools evaporate = salinity increases; rains in tide pool = salinity decreases

- exposed to predators for part of the day- need to hide/camouflage

What is an estuary?

a semi enclosed area where river meets ocean contain brackish water.

High Primary Productivity (Food web support, Oxygen, Fish and Wildlife/ Provides a

shelter/habitat/nursery for marine life)

what do mangroves require to survive?

- Mangroves require subtropical or tropical temperatures (between 25°N & S)

- They also require fine particle (silt) and deep sediment layer for prop roots/root system

- They also require fairly sheltered/protected shore

what adaptions do mangroves have that allow them to survive?

- prop roots/root system is for support in deep sediments and traps sediment.

- pneumatophores stick out of the water for oxygen absorption.

- salt tolerance by having leaves and salt glands that excrete salt.

What are the two most abundant ions in seawater?

sodium and chloride

What are the sources of salt in oceans?

Weathering of rocks, volcanic eruptions and decomposition of marine organisms.

Halocline

a layer (interface) where the amount of salinity increases with depth.

Thermocline

a layer (interface) where temperature decreases with depth.

How do tides occur?

Tides occur mainly due to the gravitation pull between the Earth and the moon mainly as well as the gravitational pull between the Earth and the sun. The moon's pulls on the Earth, pulling water causing a bulge on the same side facing the moon. The opposite side has a bulge due to centrifugal forces. This creates two high and low tides in most places of the world.

What is tidal range?

the difference in height between the highest high and lowest low tide.

What factors affect tidal range?

Factors that affect tidal range are geomorphology (shape of the coast), size of the body of water, moon phases (alignment of sun, moon, and Earth), and wind.

What is El Niño?

Reduced winds or reversed winds (normal winds = east to west; El Nino winds = west to east). b. Water Temperature: warmer water going east toward S. America = no upwelling = less nutrients for phytoplankton = less food for fish = fish die

Why does india experience a wet summer monsoon?

In the summer months, from May until August, the land heats up quickly and there is relatively large temperature difference between Central Asia and the Indian Ocean. Air over the land warms, becomes less dense and rises. This draws in air saturated with water vapor from the Indian Ocean, from a south-westerly direction. The summer monsoons bring thunderstorms and exceptionally heavy rain. It has been estimated that these summer monsoons bring over 80% of India's annual rainfall.

What is a cyclone (aka hurricane, or typhoon)

a large, low-pressure center and many thunderstorms with strong winds and heavy rain.

What conditions are needed for the formation of a tropical cyclone?

Must be over warm sea water (with a temperature of at least 26 °C), and must be in a low pressure area where evaporation of water occurs. As the water vapor rises, it condenses and releases large amounts of heat energy (latent heat of condensation). This heat energy further increases evaporation, driving the development of the cyclone. As a result of the rotation of the Earth and the Coriolis Effect, the whole cyclone system starts to spin.

What are possible effects of cyclones on coastal communities

- High winds cause structural damage to property and homes.

- Damage to communication, infrastructure/roads

- Damage to trees/defoliation/habitat

- Reduced protection to shores affecting mangroves and sea grass areas

- Storm surges cause flooding

- Coastal wetlands become flooded with salt water.

- Destroy sea based industries such as mussel/oyster beds, shrimp farms, and tourism.

- Death and disease.

What are some benefits that occur when a cyclone reaches land?

- Rain to dry areas

- Replenish nutrients to areas that were drought

- Seed dispersal

- Destroys/removes nonnative plant

What is a storm surge?

rise of sea water above mean sea level caused by severe weather system