Earth Science, Tarbuck Chap 14 Flashcards
What is Salinity
The amount of dissolved solids to liquid
Describe precipitation and evaporation rates of subtropical regions
Low precipitation and High evaporation
Generally, does salinity change based on ocean depth?
Yes, as surface water is affected by evaporation and precipitation
Which Ocean is the saltiest
Atlantic, due to high evaporation
What is the Thermocline
The layer of ocean water between
about 300meters (980 feet) and 1000 meters (3300 feet),
where temperature changes rapidly with depth,
Difference between temperature gradients of water columns in High vs Low Latitude
Water columns in high latitude usually show a temperature gradient that doesn’t that much, as it is much colder and there is less sunlight to heat the surface of the water. In high latitude areas, there is no thermocline.
Water columns in Low latitude usually show a drastic temperature gradient due to there being a lot of sunlight toward the surface, there is a thermocline.
Density difference between Fresh and salt water
Saltwater is denser due to having more dissolved materials in the water.
Relation of Salinity and Density
Higher Salinity means higher Density due to more dissolved solids
Relation of Temperature an Density
Higher temperatures means lower density due to the expansion of water
What is the Pycnocline
layer between about
300meters (980 feet) and
1000 meters (3300 feet), where
density changes rapidly with
depth
Where is the pycnocline absent
high latitudes, as water is usually uniformly cold
Why do high latitude ocean regions have good vertical mixing of water
minimal temperature differences between surface and deep waters. This reduces stratification, allowing easier mixing between layers.
What is the plankton classification of Marine organisms
All organisms that drift with ocean currents
What is the Nekton Classification of Marine Organisms
All animals capable of moving independently of ocean currents, by swimming or other means of propulsion
What is Phytoplankton
Algae
What is Zooplankton
Animals that are plankton
What is Benthos Classification of Marine Organisms
organisms living on or in the ocean bottom.
What are Epifauna
Animals that live on the surface of the seafloor,
What are Infauna
Animals that live buried in the sand or mud
What is the Upper Part of the Ocean where sunlight penetrates
Photic Zone
This zone is a portion of the photic zone near the surface where
light is strong enough for photosynthesis to occur.
Euphotic Zone
What is the Aphotic Zone
Zone beneath the photic zone where there is no sunlight.
What is the Intertidal Zone
Narrow strip of land between high and low tides;
dynamic area
What is the Neritic Zone
Above continental shelf; high biomass and diversity
of species
What is the Oceanic Zone
Open ocean beyond the continental shelf; low
nutrient concentrations
What is the Pelagic Zone
All water above the ocean floor; organisms swim
or floatW
What is the Benthic Zone
Bottom of ocean; organisms attach to, burrow into,
or crawl on seafloor
What is the Abyssal Zone
Deep-sea bottom; dark, cold, high pressure; sparse
life. Part of the Benthic Zone
What zones are categorized by Sunlight Availability in marine environments
Photic, Euphotic, and Aphotic Zones
What zones are categorized by Distance from shore in marine environments
Intertidal, Neritic, Oceanic Zones
What zones are categorized by Ocean Depth in Marine Environments
Pelagic, Benthic, Abyssal Zones
