Marine Sciences - Orientation and Core Concepts
Core Concepts
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:-
Have an overview of Marine Sciences as a subject.
Have an insight into careers that a Marine Scientist can follow.
Explain the requirements for studying further in Marine Sciences at a tertiary level.
Describe a range of Marine Sciences equipment used to conduct research.
Introduction to Marine Sciences
Marine Sciences is presented as an exciting and new subject in South Africa's Matric curriculum.
The course comprises 85 topics organized into 4 themes, designed to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
The subject aims to:-
Nurture informed citizens who can communicate meaningfully about the ocean.
Make informed decisions about the wise use of ocean resources.
Address the challenge of false information and misinformation about oceans and climate change prevalent in social media.
Marine Sciences is an inter-disciplinary subject focusing on:-
The ocean, its workings.
Its impact on the planet.
Human impact on oceans.
It's crucial to avoid a domination of Ocean Zoology due to teacher's backgrounds and to make an effort for focusing on humans and oceans, and ocean ecology.
The content connects:-
Water.
Atmosphere.
Rocks and sediments.
Ocean habitats and living organisms within.
Human engagements with these elements.
The course highlights:-
Ocean ecosystems.
Their sensitivity to human activity.
Excessive resource use.
The course aims to equip learners with:-
A thorough understanding of the ocean.
The ability to think about ways to conserve and sustain the ocean for the future.
Background to Marine Sciences
Humans have a strong connection to the ocean, be it through aquariums, the taste of the sea, or the feel of sand and stones.
The ocean's impact on human life is significant, and human influence on the ocean is increasing.
Seventy percent of the planet is covered by water.
The ocean is home to countless known and undiscovered species.
The sea contains economically valuable natural resources.
Human activity affects sensitive ecosystems and habitats, requiring a balance to be maintained.
Earth’s weather and climate is strongly influenced by the sea.
Moisture and heat energy are transferred from water to air, which drives global weather patterns.
All land and ancestors of life were once submerged by seawater.
Geological processes in ocean basins cause the movement of mountains and continents.
Powerful forces in waves and currents can wreck ships, leading to names like Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast.
Seafood has been a source of sustenance, potentially contributing to human mental development.
The ocean has been a medium for exploration and trade, with early humans using currents and trade winds to improve travel efficiency.
The ocean provides:-
Food.
Mineral resources.
Transport.
Trade.
Tourism.
Recreation.
Inspiration.
Marine environments are crucial to the South African economy, recognized by initiatives like Operation Phakisa, which contributes to South Africa’s Blue Economy.
Significant human impacts on the ocean since the Industrial Revolution include:-
Ocean acidification.
Climate change.
Coral bleaching.
Over-harvesting of sea-life.
Destructive impacts from mining or transportation of minerals and oil, such as the Treasure oil spill.
Population increase has placed unprecedented pressure on resources.
Students will learn about the two-way relationship between humans and the ocean.
The curriculum aims to develop a sense of belonging and commitment to the oceanic environment, fostering informed global citizens.
The course aims to develop future scientists, journalists, teachers, and specialists who can contribute to ocean health and inform governmental policies.
'Ocean Literacy' aims to raise awareness of the impact humans have on the sea.
This approach is guided by international ideas and facilitated by the National Marine Educators Association of North America.
Seven Essential Principles About The Ocean
Marine Sciences teachers agree that all people should understand these principles:
The earth has one big ocean with many features.
The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the earth.
The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
The ocean made the earth habitable.
The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
The ocean is largely unexplored.
The Study of Marine Sciences
Marine Sciences is a wide field focused on understanding the ocean and its inhabitants.
It is informed by four integrated strands, making it ideal for trans-disciplinary learning.
Over 80 topics integrate factors from different strands.
Four Strands:
Oceanography:
Includes Marine Geology, Geography, Chemistry, and Physics.
Explains:-
The sea floor, sediments, origins of coastlines, and their changes over time.
The chemical composition and properties of seawater, and the effects of pollutants.
The ocean as a driver of weather and climate.
Waves, tides, and currents.
Sub-disciplines:-
Geological Oceanography: study of coastlines, rock structures, beaches, seafloor structure, geological formations, ocean basin development, sediment content, and Earth's geological history.
Physical Oceanography: study of water physics, including causes and characteristics of currents, waves, and tides. It includes gas laws relevant to diving science.
Chemical Oceanography: study of the chemical composition of water, its properties, salinity, pH, chemistry, and interactions.
Marine Meteorology: study of heat and water transfer between the ocean and the atmosphere, water cycles, and weather patterns.
Marine Biology:
Investigates the classification, fundamental biology of ocean plant and animal life forms.
Studies evolutionary processes, marine biodiversity, adaptation of organisms, their relationships, and their ecosystems.
Marine Ecology:
Explores ecosystems such as rocky shores, kelp forests, and sandy beaches.
Applies ecological concepts including nutrient cycles and food chains.
Humans and the Ocean:
Focuses on archaeological evidence and the historical relationship between humans and the ocean (food, travel, recreation).
Examines:-
The harvesting of renewable energy.
The opportunities to harvest ocean energy.
Marine Sciences considers the importance of research in understanding the ocean.
Examines the effects of human activities and practices on the ocean and global patterns (climate change, ocean acidification).
It supports sustainability and promotes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as models for managing ocean resources.
Sustainability is a foremost consideration.
Each of the four strands are studied each school term and increase in complexity over the three FET years.
Marine Sciences Careers
The number of careers related to Marine Sciences is vast and growing.
Established fields include:-
Geology, Geography, Geophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Meteorology, Botany, Zoology, Fisheries Science, Aquaculture, and Seafood specialists.
Newer fields include:-
Environmental and Ocean Resource Management (living and non-living resources).
These fields utilize the skills of ecologists, marine archaeologists, conservation biologists, etc.
Skills are used for coastal environmental impact assessments and to guide coastal city and regional planners and engineers.
Increasing focus on non-consumptive utilization of ocean resources:-
Eco-tourism facilitation, filming, and media coverage.
Careers at Marine Sciences centers or aquariums.
Marine and Maritime Law, Marine Management Practice and Policy Development, and Ocean Engineering (related to marine structures).
The field informs human interactions with the oceans, including:-
Resource extraction (minerals, oil, gas).
Fisheries.
Sustainable use of resources, such as Marine Protected Areas, marine tourism, and non-consumptive ocean use.
Ocean Exploration
Ocean exploration contributes to the sustainable economic potential of coastal areas and related employment opportunities.
Opportunities are related to the extraction of minerals and resources sustainably from the ocean.
South African Tertiary Studies
In South Africa, Mathematics and Physical Sciences subjects are required to continue studying Marine Sciences at Matriculation level.
For a BSc degree, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are required for undergraduate study.
See university science faculty websites for more information.
Test Your Knowledge
Explain what the subject matter of Marine Sciences contains, including:-
The four strands into which the content is divided and their learning goals.
The requirements for studying further in Marine Sciences at a tertiary level.
Select three pieces of Marine Sciences equipment and explain how they are used to conduct research.
Describe a Marine Sciences Career. Include:-
What a scientist in that career does.
Why the field is important to the broader field of Marine Sciences.
Where that scientist would have studied after Matric.
What subjects he/she would have studied.
Marine Science Definitions
bathythermograph: an instrument used to test the temperature of the ocean at any depth
quadrat: a portable frame to isolate a standard area for study
refractometer: an instrument that measures the degree to which light entering a liquid changes direction
Secchi disk: a device for measuring the transparency of water