EXPLORING THE WATER PLANET

Earth’s Waters Textbook pp 2 - 5

Objective

Explore deep-sea habitats Recognizing the ocean currents affect

climate Relate eddies to the transport of ocean

nutrients Investigate oceans and local bodies of

water

Questions to Answer (p.3)

A. What region contains 98 percent of the living space on Earth?

The region that contains 98% of the living space on Earth is the deep sea.

B. What do people often discover when they explore the ocean?

People often discover new organisms when they explore the ocean.

Questions to Answer (p.4)

C. What is the source of energy for deep-sea vent organisms?

The source of energy for deep-sea vent organisms the material in vent water.

D. What increases Great Britain’s warmth?

A warm ocean current increases Great Britain’s warmth.

Questions to Answer (p.5)

E. What do you call a spinning water mass?

A warm spinning water mass is called an eddy.

F. What organisms form the base of the ocean food chain?

Tiny plantlike organisms form the base of the ocean food chain.

Unit Projects

As you study this unit, work alone on one of the following projects.

Projects are due to be presented in class on or before September 5, 2015.

Mr. Palmer will record which project you have decided to complete.

Track a Drop of Water Suppose you could follow a drop of

surface water as it journeys from your hometown to the ocean. Find out which rivers and lakes the drop

would travel through and which ocean it would join.

Present your finding. You might make a travelogue, a map, or both.

A PowerPoint or Prezi is required.

Life in the Water Investigate the different life forms that

live in the water in your area. Collect water samples from different

sources, such as indoor taps, fountains, puddles, marshes, lakes, and streams.

Examine a drop from each sample under a microscope. Sketch any living organisms you see.

Write a report to present your findings about the water samples.

A PowerPoint or Prezi is required.

Ocean News Report Imagine that your are part of a news

group assigned to report on major discoveries made about the world’s oceans over the past 25 years. Research the most important or unusual

facts uncovered about the oceans. Note what technology was used to gather the data.

Prepare a special TV or Web-site report about your investigation. Where possible, include photographs or illustrations.

Word of Advice

Pick the project that most appeals to you.

Each project is long-term and will take several weeks to complete.