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In what year did the Exxon Valdez disaster occur?
The Exxon Valdez disaster occurred in 1989.
Why do herring need to lay millions of eggs?
Herring lay millions of eggs to increase the chances of some eggs surviving predation and environmental challenges, ensuring the continuation of the species.
Temperature - why important, what it is influenced by, how humans change, what it effects
Temperature is important for regulating biological processes in organisms and ecosystems. It is influenced by factors such as sunlight, latitude, altitude, and ocean currents. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation contribute to global warming, altering temperature patterns. Temperature affects plant growth, animal behavior, and the distribution of species.
Dissolved oxygen - what is it, what it is affected by, what it can cause
Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, crucial for aquatic organisms' respiration. It is affected by temperature, salinity, and pollution. Low dissolved oxygen levels can cause fish kills and harm aquatic ecosystems.
pH - what is it, what is it affected by, what it can cause
pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, including water. It is affected by natural processes like photosynthesis and respiration, as well as human activities such as pollution and deforestation. pH fluctuations can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystem balance.
Phosphorus - where it comes from, what it can cause
Phosphorus originates from natural sources like weathering of rocks and human activities such as agriculture and wastewater discharge. Excess phosphorus in water bodies can lead to eutrophication, causing algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and harm to aquatic ecosystems.
Turbidity - what causes it, what effects does it have |
Turbidity is caused by suspended particles like sediment and algae in water. It reduces water clarity, blocks sunlight penetration, and affects aquatic life by disrupting feeding, breeding, and photosynthesis.
Salinity - What causes it, what effects does it have
Salinity in water is caused by the concentration of dissolved salts, influenced by evaporation, precipitation, and freshwater input. It affects aquatic organisms' osmoregulation, distribution, and behavior, impacting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Describe a behaviour that members of one marine species use to co-operate with each other. You should only discuss one species not two.
Members of the dolphin species cooperate with each other by engaging in coordinated hunting behaviors, such as herding prey into tight groups or taking turns to chase and capture prey, ensuring successful feeding for the entire group.
Describe, explain and contrast the reproductive strategies of two marine organisms (number of eggs laid, care of young etc).
The seahorse males carry and incubate fertilized eggs in a pouch until hatching, providing protection and ensuring offspring survival. In contrast, sea turtles lay hundreds of eggs in nests on beaches, but provide no parental care, relying on the environment for offspring survival.
What do zooplankton feed on?
Bacteria and algae, such as Phytoplankton
What does turbidity measure
Clarity of a liquid
What can cause turbidity to increase or decrease?
Turbidity can increase due to factors such as sediment runoff and algal blooms, and decrease with improved water clarity or reduced sedimentation.
Outline what factors can cause temperature of a river to increase / decrease?
The temperature of a river can increase due to factors such as urbanization, deforestation, and industrial runoff, while it can decrease with shade from trees, melting snow or ice, and cool groundwater seepage.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the high pressure water cleaning that was used on the rocks after the Exxon Valdex oil spill
Advantages: High-pressure water cleaning effectively removed surface oil from rocks and helped restore the appearance of affected areas.
Disadvantages: However, high-pressure water can damage delicate ecosystems and disrupt habitats, and it may not penetrate deep enough to remove all oil, leaving residual contamination.
5 Clean-up Methods Oil Spills
Clean-up Methods Oil Spills
Dredging: some oils are actually denser than water, and would sink.
Skimming: can be effective areas where the water is calm.
How have engineers enhanced ship designs to prevent oil spills, and what is the primary function of these modifications?
In order to reduce the chances of an oil spill, engineers have developed new ship designs with double -- and even triple hulls. The oil is stored in the most interior hull, so that if there was a leak, it would be captured in the next outer hull. These ships are more expensive.
How do oil spills impact birds, and what are some of the consequences for birds exposed to oil?
Birds are one of the creatures impacted by oil spills. Oil can sink into and reduce the functionality of bird feathers. A bird's feathers provide insulation, so a bird exposed to oil will be exposed to temperatures they are not used to. It also makes it difficult for a bird to float or fly. Birds try to clean themselves, and if they do they are likely to ingest some of the oil which can cause damage to internal organs.
How do oil spills affect marine mammals?
Marine mammals such as seals and otters gain insulation benefits from their fur. As oil permeates the fur, they are potentially exposed to temperatures beyond their normal range.
What is an Oil Spill?
An oil spill is an accidental release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons (usually during transportation of oil) into the environment.
How close can a boat be when approaching a dolphin?
Boats are not permitted to approach within 100 meters of a dolphin
How close can a boat be when approaching a whale?
Boats cannot be within 200 meters of a whale.
How close can a jet ski get to a whale or dolphin?
A jet ski cannot be within 200 meters of a dolphin or whale.
When is it ok for a boat to be within these distances from the animal?
If the animals approach you, then it is permissible.
What are three main reasons to justify the need for these regulations?
Animals need space to move, feed, and take care of their young. Moving within the restrictions can interrupt these behaviors and affect the animals' health and well-being. Additionally, it helps to prevent disturbances to the marine environment.
How close are you permitted to be to a seal in the water?
There are no specific restrictions regarding safe distances from seals in the water, except that dogs in the water must remain 50 meters away from seals.
In the water, dogs are not allowed within how many meters of a seal?
Dogs in the water must remain 50 meters away from seals.
What is the caution zone?
When whales are within 300 meters, dolphins within 150 meters, and seals within 50 meters of the boat, it is considered the 'caution zone'.
List three of the rules that apply in the caution zone:
Avoid sudden changes in direction.
Maintain a constant speed, not exceeding 8 km/hour.
Leave the caution zone if the animal shows signs of disturbance.
When is swimming with dolphins legal?
Swimming with dolphins is only legal if you are part of a licensed tour or if the dolphin chooses to approach you.
How close can you swim to a whale and dolphin?
You cannot swim or surf any closer than 50 meters to a whale or 30 meters to a dolphin.
Why is it illegal to feed marine animals?
Feeding marine animals is illegal because it is not necessary, they can adequately feed themselves, and it could also cause them to become dependent on humans for food, which is harmful to their natural behavior and well-being.
What is the safe distance to keep between yourself and a seal on land and why is this necessary?
The safe distance to keep between yourself and a seal on land is at least 30 meters. Approaching them may scare the seal back into the water, which could cause them injury.
Abiotic factors
Non living factors in the environment which affect ecosystems
Biotic factors
Living parts of an ecosystem
Examples of abiotic factors
Temperature, sunlight, soil, water, and air.
Examples of biotic factors
Plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and other living organisms within an ecosystem.
How do sharks hunt for their prey and explain why sharks have an advantage hunting at night
Sharks hunt using senses like smell and electroreception, with night hunting advantageous due to prey being less active and their heightened senses being more effective in low light.
Explain the role of the male in the reproductive strategy of banded pipefish
Males carry and care for the developing eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch, providing protection and ensuring their survival.
Explain/describe the mating strategy for humpback whales.
Humpback whales have a polygynous mating system where males compete for females through vocal displays and physical contests. They form temporary groups called pods for mating, and females mate with multiple males before migrating to give birth.
Describe what a coral reef's skeleton is made of
A coral reef's skeleton is primarily made of calcium carbonate, which is secreted by coral polyps. These polyps extract calcium and carbonate ions from seawater to build their hard, external skeletons, forming the structural framework of the reef over time.
Give an example of an animal that protects coral
Parrotfish protect coral by grazing on algae that competes with coral for space, helping to maintain the health of coral reefs.
Give an example of an animal that destroys coral
Crown-of-thorns starfish are an example of an animal that can destroy coral reefs by feeding on live coral polyps, causing widespread damage to reef ecosystems.
What are the animals that all other life on the reef depend upon?
The animals that all other life on the reef depend upon are coral polyps. They provide the structural framework for the reef and create habitats for a variety of other organisms.
Give an example of an open ocean animal that visits the reef :
manta ray.
What is the reef's skeleton made of ?
The reef's skeleton is primarily made of calcium carbonate. Coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons, which collectively build coral reefs over time.
What ocean conditions are required for reefs to form?
Reefs require specific ocean conditions to form, including warm water temperatures, clear and shallow water, and plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis.
What two animals/plants live together inside the coral?
The two animals/plants that live together inside the coral are coral polyps and zooxanthellae algae. Coral polyps provide shelter and access to nutrients for the zooxanthellae algae, while the algae provide the coral with energy through photosynthesis.
What is the sand on tropical beaches made from ?
The sand on tropical beaches is primarily made from broken down coral skeletons, shells, and other marine organisms.
What strategy to silversides use to avoid predation?
Silversides use the strategy of schooling to avoid predation. By swimming in large groups, they confuse predators and reduce the likelihood of being targeted individually.
What strategy to jacks used to catch silversides?
Jacks use the strategy of ambush hunting to catch silversides. They wait patiently near schools of silversides and then rapidly attack, often stunning or catching multiple fish in a single strike.
What are two ways in which the shrimp colony is similar to bees?
highly organized social structure and their division of labor among colony members.
What two major functions does the sponge perform for the shrimps?
protection by providing a hiding place from predators, and filter feeding by removing debris and maintaining water quality within the shrimp colony.
Give two examples of competition between species for the same resource
Two examples of competition between species for the same resource on the reef include coral and algae competing for space on the substrate, and fish species competing for food in the water column.
What two advantages do sharks have when hunting at night?
Two advantages sharks have when hunting at night are their heightened senses, particularly their keen sense of smell, and the reduced visibility for potential prey, making them easier to ambush.
What is significant about the male banded pipefish ? How does this help the species reproduce?
The male banded pipefish is significant because it carries and cares for the developing eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch. This helps the species reproduce by ensuring the survival of the offspring and allowing the female to produce more eggs.
How do mating male humpbacks establish the order of seniority?
Mating male humpbacks establish the order of seniority through physical contests and vocal displays. Dominant males typically mate first, followed by subordinate males.
What two factors determine when the corals spawn ?
The two factors that determine when corals spawn are water temperature and moon phase. Corals typically spawn during warm water temperatures and specific moon phases, usually around the full moon.
What caused the lobsters on the reef to move?
The movement of lobsters on the reef was caused by changes in water temperature or availability of food. Lobsters are known to migrate in search of optimal conditions for feeding and reproduction.
second level carnivores that eat both first level carnivores and herbivores(eg some gropers, sharks)
What are the five greatest threats to the Great Barrier Reef?
The five greatest threats to the Great Barrier Reef are climate change and ocean acidification, pollution from land-based runoff, overfishing and illegal fishing practices, coastal development and habitat destruction, and coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures.
What three things does climate cause that might affect the Great Barrier reef?
Climate change causes three things that might affect the Great Barrier Reef: increased sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events such as cyclones.
What can increased temperatures cause?
Coral Bleaching
What can logging and farming cause, which affects the reef?
Logging and farming can cause increased sediment runoff and pollution, which affects the reef by smothering corals and reducing water quality.
What does silt do to polyps?
Silt can smother polyps, preventing them from receiving sunlight and nutrients, which can lead to their death.
What do nutrients from fertiliser do to the reef?
Nutrients from fertilizers can cause eutrophication, leading to algal blooms that compete with corals for space and resources and can smother coral reefs.
Why are seagrasses important?
Seagrasses are important because they provide habitat and food for many marine organisms, including juvenile fish, and help to stabilize sediments, improving water clarity and quality.
Does it matter if too many large sea animals are fished?
Yes, it matters if too many large sea animals are fished because they play important roles in maintaining ecological balance and healthy ecosystems. Their removal can disrupt food chains and lead to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
Does it matter if too many adult fish are taken?
Yes, it matters if too many adult fish are taken because it can lead to declines in fish populations, affecting the reproductive capacity of the species and reducing overall biodiversity in the ecosystem.
What damage can tourists cause?
Tourists can cause damage to coral reefs through physical contact, anchor damage, pollution from sunscreen, and disturbance of marine life through activities such as snorkeling and diving.
What are things we can do to address these threats?
To address these threats, we can take actions such as reducing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change, implementing sustainable fishing practices and marine protected areas, managing coastal development and land-based pollution, educating tourists about responsible reef behavior, and supporting coral reef restoration and conservation efforts.
ocean acidification
Increased CO2 absorption in seawater, lowering pH and harming marine life.
coral bleaching
Stress-induced loss of algae in coral tissues, leading to white or pale coral.
mangroves
Coastal trees in saline habitats, providing habitat and protection.
seagrass
Underwater plants in shallow marine areas, supporting marine life and stabilizing sediments.
dugongs
Large marine mammals related to manatees, feeding on seagrass.
overfishing
Harvesting aquatic species at unsustainable rates, depleting populations.
algal blooms
Rapid growth of algae, often due to nutrient pollution, harming ecosystems.
Why do you think it would take a litre of crude oil and seven litres of water to produce one litre of bottled water ?
Due to the energy-intensive processes involved in extracting, manufacturing, and transporting the plastic bottles, as well as treating and packaging the water.
Why might drinking from the tap help 'keep the climate cool'
It reduces the need for plastic production and transportation associated with bottled water.
Describe how you measure turbidity - what equipment and steps
Fill the turbidity tube with water from the river and lower it until the black disc at the bottom disappears, recording the depth as the turbidity reading.
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