Scioly Water Quality Study

abiotic

non-living component

biotic

living component are other organisms

marine abiotic factors

water, salinity, light, pressure, temp, dissolved gases, pH, tides, currents

97% of the Earth is…

saltwater

2% of water is…

frozen in ice caps (freshwater)

1% of water is…

usable by organisms

salt water features

sulfide, chloride, sodium, potassium

numbers pyramid

compares the number of individuals in each trophic level; may be inverted

biomass pyramid

compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level; 10% rule

threats to marine ecosystems

oil spills, marine dumping of wastes, dredging wastes, overfishing, ocean acidification reducing CaCO3, population displacement, mangrove destruction, bycatch

threats to ocean health

marine pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing and exploitation, climate change, sea temp rise, ocean acidification, invasive species, ocean dead zones

estuaries

areas of water and shoreline where a freshwater stream or river merges with the ocean
-can be partially enclosed
-bordered by salt marshes or intertidal mudflats

importance of estuaries

-many orgs rely on them for nesting and breeding
-they filter out sediment and pollutants
-humans rely on them for jobs, homes, fish