Chapter 1: Patterns

Question 1

The ocean covers what percent of the earth?

Answer 1

70%

Question 2

what is the mean oceanic depth?

Answer 2

~4000m

Question 3

how do patterns in the sea reassemble those on land?

Answer 3

large-scale gradients in solar radiation, altitude (depth), and geological age.

Question 4

How is zonation driven at the land/sea interface?

Answer 4

A combination of physiological tolerance and competition for space and predation pressure.

Question 5

name the three ‘clines’ in which can stratify marine waters

Answer 5

thermoclines
haloclines
pycnoclines (density)

Question 6

which current system dominates the Southern Ocean?

Answer 6

circumpolar current (clockwise)

• fastest
• spans whole depth of water column (5Km)

Question 7

what is a particularly important role that surface currents play?

Answer 7

mixing the water layers due to the frictional stress that occurs between two moving bodies of water

Question 8

what atoms make up seawater?

Answer 8

Hydrate sodium chloride:
2H
O
Na+
Cl-

Question 9

what are the 6 major ions of seawater?

Answer 9

Chloride
Sodium
Sulphate
Magnesium
Calcium
Potassium

Question 10

what ions in seawater are limiting factors for nutrient uptake?

Answer 10

PO4(3-) = Phosphate
NO3- = Nitrate

Question 11

Oxygen in seawater is temperature dependant. How many ml of oxygen can be found in the following temperatures?
OC
20C

Answer 11

0*C = ~8ml
20*C = ~5.4ml

Question 12

Name the 8 depths of the ocean, separated into pelagic and benthos areas.

Answer 12

Pelagic:
1) Epipelagic
2) Mesopelagic
3) Bathypelagic
4) Abyssopelagic
Benthos:
5) Littoral, Sublittoral
6) Bathyal
7) Abyssal
8) Ultra-abyssal

Question 13

define neritic, oceanic

Answer 13

Neritic: near coastal water masses, above the continental shelves
Oceanic: deep ocean, all other water masses

Question 14

define epipelagic

Answer 14

• the photic (euphotic) zone in the water column
• the upper illuminated fraction of the water column where radiation is high enough for photosynthesis to occur.
• varies seasonally, latitudinally, and with claritty

Question 15

define meopelagic

Answer 15

• the upper part of the aphotic zone, down to ~1000m.
• sometimes referred to as ‘disphotic zone’
• the zone where radiation levels may allow visual orientation

Question 16

Bathypelagic zone

Answer 16

Approx 1000- 2000(4000)m

-tropical areas temp ~ 10-4*C

Question 17

Abyssopelagic zone

Answer 17

water masses above the abyssal plains 2-4000m to ~ 6000m

Question 18

Hadalpelagic zone

Answer 18

water masses in the abyssal trenches (6000-10000)m

Question 19

Name all the benthic zones, and where they are found

Answer 19

• Estuaries: river mouths/fjords
• Littoral zones: tidal zones
• Sub-littoral/shelf: continental shelf
• Bathyal zone: shelf edge to 2-4000m
• Abyssal zone: Abyssal plains to ~ 6000m
• Hadal zone: trenches down to ~ 11000m

Question 20

what is the thermohaline current circulation called?

Answer 20

The conveyor-belt model

Question 21

Define Community

Answer 21

Populations of species that normally are found in the same area. Interact directly or indirectly.

Question 22

Define ecosystem

Answer 22

Combinations of ecological communities and the abiotic environment in a given area

Question 23

Define ecology

Answer 23

The study of relationships of organisms to their environment, both animate and inanimate. Increasingly quantitative, employing modelling and computer simulations.

Question 24

what is the ‘ecological niche concept’?

Answer 24

the range of conditions, resources and densities of other organisms that allow the survival, growth, and reproduction of an organism or species.

Question 25

Define ‘Equilibrium school’ in regard to diversity regulation

Answer 25

Perceives most ecosystems as in a state near equilibrium and sees high diversity as an expression of a high number of niches being maintained and that this allows for high degree of niche differentiation

Question 26

Define ‘Intermediate-disturbance school’ in regard to diversity regulation

Answer 26

Perceives most ecosystems as non-equilibrium systems that are more dynamic than stable. According to this view, diversity is a function of perturbations and density dependent factors (such as competition). Postulates that peak diversity occurs at intermediate perturbation frequencies.

Question 27

how many major biogeographic zones is the ocean divided into?

Answer 27

12

Question 28

why do areas such as Hawaii or Antarctica contain the majority of species found nowhere else? (endemism)

Answer 28

the greater the tendency towards endemism, the more extreme and longer isolated the geographic regions.

Question 29

The Trades, Westerlies, Polar, and Coastal biomes are all defined by what?

Answer 29

environmental factors that determine the depth of mixed layer of the water column.

Question 30

Name the 12 oceanic biomes

Answer 30

1) Antarctic polar
2) Antarctic Westerly Winds
3) Atlantic Coastal
4) Atlantic Polar
5) Atlantic Trade Wind
6) Atlantic Westerly Wind4
7) Indian Ocean Coastal
8) Indian Ocean Trade Wind
9) Pacific Coastal
10) Pacific Polar
11) Pacific Trade Wind
12) Pacific Westerly Winds

Question 31

what is a reason for Polar Gigantism?

Answer 31

Gigantism is correlated to Oxygen content of the water. Areas where there is a greater concentration of water can result in larger individuals.

Question 32

what is a reason for dwarfism?

Answer 32

not as much data as gigantism, but seemingly related to constraints of food and oxygen. Beneficial for colonies.