Ocean Marine Ecosystems Flashcards
What are two ocean ecosystems?
-Open ocean
-Vertical zones
What is the most productive ecosystem?
The open ocean
How much of the world’s oxygen is produced by the ocean?
70%
How many tonnes of phytoplankton are produced a year?
20 billion tonnes a year
How deep can light penetrate clear ocean water?
Approx. 100 m
Is ocean productivity uniform around the globe?
No, there is uneven latitudinal distribution
What does photosynthesis depend on?
Depends on the availability of light
What is the formula for compensation depth?
P = R
Production is equal to respiration
When does productivity occur?
Only when rates of photosynthesis exceed rates of respiration
Is growth and production greatest at the surface?
No, due to photo-inhibition
-Phytoplankton do not continue to increase growth with increased radiation
What factors regulate production?
Macronutrients
Micronutrients
What are examples of macronutrients?
C Carbon
H Hydrogen
O Oxygen
Ca Calcium
Mg Magnesium
Na Sodium
, K,
S Sulfer
, Cl
P, N,
Si Silicon
What are examples of micronutrients?
Fe,
Mn (Manganese)
Cu, Zn,
B (Boron)
Mo (Molybdenum (N fixation), V, Co, (B12)
What nutrients are abundant?
C, H, O
What nutrients are in limited supply?
P, N, Si
What are intermediate productivity waters called?
Mesotrophic waters
What are high productivity waters called?
Eutrophic
What are waters of low productivity called?
Oligotrophic
How much carbon does oligotrophic have?
<100 gC-2 year-1