oceans. a. importance 1.ocean evaporation is the primary source of precipitation and ocean...

Oceans

A. Importance

1. Ocean evaporation is the primary source of precipitation and ocean temperatures affect climate and wind patterns. (Regulates climate)

2. 250,000 life forms live in the oceans with many still undiscovered. (really important ecosystem)

3. Major role in hydrologic cycle and biogeochemical cycles (Nitrogen, carbon etc.)

Think back to NEMO

• What are the zones of the “Open Sea”?

B. Zones of the Ocean

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufxGw8EqY5Q

What do Marlin and Dori ride with the turtles?

C. Ocean Circulation

1. How does water affect temperatures?

Land Vs Water• Which hemisphere has the most water?• Which Hemisphere has the most land?

Lets think back to yesterday…

What are the properties of water?

Know that water does not like to change what do you think this means for those areas with mostly land?

SO IN OTHER WORDS LAND NEAR WATER DOES NOT CHANGE ITS TEMPERATURE AS EASY. (#1)

Cools Down and Heats up Quickly

2. What Causes Ocean Currents?

a) Tides (TIDAL CURRENTS)b) Thermohaline circulation: (DEEP OCEAN)c) Wind. Winds drive currents that are at or

near the ocean's surface. (SURFACE CURRENTS)a) These currents are generally measured in meters

per second or in knots (1 knot = 1.15 miles per hour or 1.85 kilometers per hour).

3. Great Ocean Conveyor Belt

What does this mean for climate?

• North-flowing currents from the equator = _____• South flowing currents from the artic = _______

4. Winds affecting Currents

a) Upwelling: when prevailing winds (Coriolis Effect) pushes warmer, nutrient-poor surface water away from a coastline and the result is cooler nutrient-rich deeper waters take their place.a) These deeper waters contain high levels of

nitrates and phosphates which give plankton the nutrients they need to survive

b) EKMAN TRANSPORT SPIRAL

Upwellings and Great Conveyor Belt

Ocean Uses

• With your partner make a list of all the uses you can think of. – Food– Animal and pet feed– Harbors, transportation– Recreation– Employment– Oil and natural gas– Minerals– Building materials