WATER

FRESHWATER

The Water CycleIn the water cycle, water molecules travel between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere.

Ways water travels: * Condensation * Transpiration * Evaporation * Run-off * Precipitation * Discharge

Global Water DistributionApproximately 71% of the Earth is covered by water.

 * 97% of that water is salt water. * 69% of the water that is left is frozen in glaciers and ice caps.

Surface Water

Surface Water - is the fresh water on Earth's land surface including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands.

DividesDivides are ridges of land (such as a mountain range) that separates one watershed / drainage basin from another.

The Rocky Mountains are the “Continental Divide” which determine whether rainfall will make it eventually to the Pacific or to the Atlantic ocean.

WatershedsWatershed - land that is drained by a river. aka River Basin

 * Pollution anywhere in a watershed may end up polluting a river.

Watersheds of North Carolina

River Systems

River Systems - a flowing network of tributaries, streams and rivers.

Watch Basin Basics

The Rio Grande

Santa Elena Canyon

Pecos River

Headwaters of the Rio Grande

Amistad ReservoirOrigin: Dam, man-made

The Columbia

River

LakesLakes are depressions that have filled with water.

Natural lakes are made by:• Glaciers• Tectonic or volcanic activity• Meteorites• Oxbow (pinched off meander in a river) aka billabong

Man-made lakes (aka reservoirs) are created from the damming of a river.

The Great Lakes

Origin: Glacial

Lake Tahoe

Origin: Tectonic

The Cascades

St. Helens Before & After

Crater Lake

Origin: Volcanic

Lake Mattamuskeet

North Carolina’s Largest Natural Lake

Water Level• The water level of a lake is maintained typically by

a combination of stream outflow and evaporation.• Saltwater lakes have no stream outflow (the level

is maintained strictly by evaporation) which is why they do not eventually become freshwater lakes.

The Great Salt Lake

Racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats

Wetlands

dolphin

swamp

bogmarsh

Types of Wetlands

EstuariesAn estuary is where fresh water joins salt water.

• The water in an estuary is brackish meaning it is slightly salty.• Estuaries are important spawning grounds for many species of

fish and birds.

Pamlico Sound

North Carolina’s own Pamlico Sound is the 2nd largest estuary in the country only after the Chesapeake Bay.

Groundwater

Groundwater - Water beneath the Earth's surface in sediment and rock formations. Water table - when water travels beneath the Earth's surface, it eventually reaches a level where rocks and soil are saturated (filled), the zone of saturation.

AquifersAquifer – is an underground formation that contains groundwater.

 *The water table forms the upper boundary of an aquifer. *Aquifers are an important water source for many cities and for agriculture.

PorosityPorosity - is the percentage of the total volume of a rockthat has spaces (pores).

 *Water in an aquifer is   stored in the pore space  and flows from one   space to another.

 *The more porous a   rock is the more   water it can hold.  

PermeabilityPermeability: the ability of rock or soil to allow water to flow through it.  *Materials such as gravel that allow water to flow are permeable.

 *Materials such as clay that do not allow the flow of water are impermeable.

The Recharge ZoneRecharge Zone: An area of the Earth's surface from which water percolates down into an aquifer.

 *These areas are environmentally sensitive areas because any pollution can in the zone enter the aquifer.

The size of the recharge zoneis affected by the permeabilityof the surface.  * Structures such as   buildings and parking lots  can affect permeability.  * Communities should be  careful to manage recharge zones.

Wells* If you dig anywhere on Earth deep enough you will eventually find water.

* A hole that is dug or drilled to reach groundwater is called a well.

 * We dig wells because  they are a more   reliable source of   water.    

 *Note if the water table   falls below the well, you   will have to drill deeper   to continue getting water.

WastewaterWastewater

• After water flows down the drain in the sink, it flows After water flows down the drain in the sink, it flows through a series of sewage pipes that carry it to a through a series of sewage pipes that carry it to a wastewater treatment plant.wastewater treatment plant.

• At a wastewater treatment plant, water is filtered and At a wastewater treatment plant, water is filtered and treated to make the water clean enough to return to a treated to make the water clean enough to return to a river or lake.river or lake.

Sewer SludgeSewer Sludge

• Sewage sludge is the solid material that remains Sewage sludge is the solid material that remains after water treatment.after water treatment.

• Sludge that contains dangerous toxic chemicals Sludge that contains dangerous toxic chemicals must be disposed of as hazardous waste. must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

• Sewage sludge disposal has prompted creative Sewage sludge disposal has prompted creative uses for the waste uses for the waste – If the toxicity of sludge can be reduced to safe If the toxicity of sludge can be reduced to safe

levels, it can be used as a fertilizer. levels, it can be used as a fertilizer. –Sludge can be combined with clay to make Sludge can be combined with clay to make

bricks that can be used in buildings.bricks that can be used in buildings.

Water PollutionWater Pollution• Pollutants Pollutants are substance that does harm to the are substance that does harm to the

environment including toxic chemicals, human & environment including toxic chemicals, human & animal waste, fertilizers, herbacides and pesticides.animal waste, fertilizers, herbacides and pesticides.

• The two underlying causes of water pollution are The two underlying causes of water pollution are industrialization and rapid human population growth.industrialization and rapid human population growth.

• In developing parts of the world, often the only water In developing parts of the world, often the only water available for drinking is polluted with sewage and available for drinking is polluted with sewage and agriculture runoff, which can spread waterborne agriculture runoff, which can spread waterborne diseases.diseases.

Types of PollutionThere are two types of pollution:• Point Source - comes from a comes from a specific specific

sitesite• Nonpoint Source - comes from many comes from many

sources rather than from a single sources rather than from a single specific sitespecific site

Point Source Point Source PollutionPollution

Although point-source pollution can often be Although point-source pollution can often be identified and traced to a source, enforcing cleanup is identified and traced to a source, enforcing cleanup is sometimes difficult.sometimes difficult.

Non-point Source Non-point Source PollutionPollution

Controlling non-point source Controlling non-point source pollution depends on public pollution depends on public awareness of the effects of awareness of the effects of activities such as spraying lawn activities such as spraying lawn chemicals.chemicals.

Thermal PollutionThermal Pollution• Thermal pollutionThermal pollution is a temperature is a temperature

increase in a body of water that is caused increase in a body of water that is caused by human activityby human activity

• Thermal pollution can occur when power Thermal pollution can occur when power plants and other industries discharge plants and other industries discharge warm water into a lake or river.warm water into a lake or river.

• If the flow of warm water into a lake or If the flow of warm water into a lake or stream is constant, it may cause the total stream is constant, it may cause the total disruption of an aquatic ecosystem.disruption of an aquatic ecosystem.

EutrophicationEutrophication

• When extra nutrients enter the water, algae can form When extra nutrients enter the water, algae can form large floating mats, called algal blooms.large floating mats, called algal blooms.

• As the algae die and decompose, most of the dissolved As the algae die and decompose, most of the dissolved oxygen is used and fish and other organisms suffocate.oxygen is used and fish and other organisms suffocate.

Artificial EutrophicationArtificial Eutrophication

• Artificial eutrophicationArtificial eutrophication - an increase in - an increase in the amount of nutrients in a body of the amount of nutrients in a body of water through human activities, such as water through human activities, such as waste disposal and land drainage.waste disposal and land drainage.

• The major causes of eutrophication are The major causes of eutrophication are nitrates in fertilizer and phosphates in nitrates in fertilizer and phosphates in some laundry detergents.some laundry detergents.

Thermal PollutionThermal Pollution• Thermal pollutionThermal pollution is a temperature increase in is a temperature increase in

a body of water that is caused by human a body of water that is caused by human activity.activity.

• Thermal pollution can occur when power Thermal pollution can occur when power plants and other industries discharge warm plants and other industries discharge warm water into a lake or river.water into a lake or river.

• If the flow of warm water into a lake or stream If the flow of warm water into a lake or stream is constant, it may cause the total disruption of is constant, it may cause the total disruption of an aquatic ecosystem by an aquatic ecosystem by lowering the amount lowering the amount of dissolved oxygen.of dissolved oxygen.

Groundwater PollutionGroundwater Pollution• Pollutants usually enter groundwater Pollutants usually enter groundwater

when polluted surface water percolates when polluted surface water percolates down from the Earth’s surface.down from the Earth’s surface.

• Pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizer, Pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizer, and petroleum products are common and petroleum products are common groundwater pollutants. Other sources of groundwater pollutants. Other sources of pollution include septic tanks, unlined pollution include septic tanks, unlined landfills, and industrial wastewater landfills, and industrial wastewater lagoons.lagoons.

Cleaning up GroundwaterCleaning up Groundwater

• Groundwater pollution is one of the most Groundwater pollution is one of the most challenging environmental problems in the world.challenging environmental problems in the world.

• Groundwater recharges very slowly, so the Groundwater recharges very slowly, so the process for some aquifers to recycle water and process for some aquifers to recycle water and purge contaminants can take hundreds of years.purge contaminants can take hundreds of years.

• Pollution can cling to the materials that make up Pollution can cling to the materials that make up an aquifer, so even if all of the water in aquifer an aquifer, so even if all of the water in aquifer were pumped out and replaced with clean water, were pumped out and replaced with clean water, the groundwater could still become polluted.the groundwater could still become polluted.

Cleaning Up Water PollutionCleaning Up Water Pollution

• The Clean Water Act of 1972 The Clean Water Act of 1972 was to designed was to designed to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.”and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.”

• The Marine, Protection, Research, and The Marine, Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 strengthened the laws Sanctuaries Act of 1972 strengthened the laws against ocean dumping.against ocean dumping.

• The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires all oil The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires all oil tankers traveling in U.S. waters to have double tankers traveling in U.S. waters to have double hulls by 2015 as an added protection against oil hulls by 2015 as an added protection against oil spillsspills

Laws About Water PollutionLaws About Water Pollution• The Clean Water Act of 1972 The Clean Water Act of 1972 was to designed to was to designed to

“restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.”biological integrity of the nation’s waters.”

• The Marine, Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries The Marine, Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 strengthened the laws against ocean Act of 1972 strengthened the laws against ocean dumping.dumping.

• The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires all oil The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires all oil tankers traveling in U.S. waters to have double tankers traveling in U.S. waters to have double hulls by 2015 as an added protection against oil hulls by 2015 as an added protection against oil spillsspills

Monitoring Water QualityMonitoring Water Quality

• For the health of the environment and living For the health of the environment and living organisms (in particular HUMANS) it is of organisms (in particular HUMANS) it is of utmost importance that we monitor our water utmost importance that we monitor our water supply.supply.

• The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) sets the water quality standards for us.sets the water quality standards for us.

• There are many INDICATORS of water There are many INDICATORS of water quality, meaning things that tell us about the quality, meaning things that tell us about the health of the water.health of the water.

IndicatorsIndicators • TemperatureTemperature• Dissolved oxygen (ODissolved oxygen (O22) content) content• pHpH• Nitrate & phosphate levelsNitrate & phosphate levels• TurbidityTurbidity• Various bio-indicatorsVarious bio-indicators

TemperatureTemperature

LOW TEMPERATURELOW TEMPERATUREGOOD (high) dissolved GOOD (high) dissolved

oxygen levelsoxygen levels

HIGH TEMPERATUREHIGH TEMPERATUREBAD (low) dissolved BAD (low) dissolved

oxygen levelsoxygen levels

Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen

• Aquatic (water) animals require oxygen to Aquatic (water) animals require oxygen to breathe just as terrestrial (land) animals do.breathe just as terrestrial (land) animals do.

• They get theirs from oxygen that is dissolved in They get theirs from oxygen that is dissolved in water.water.

• Low dissolved oxygen is common when water Low dissolved oxygen is common when water temperatures are abnormally high.temperatures are abnormally high.

pHpH• pH = potential hydrogenpH = potential hydrogen• Measures a substances ability to create Measures a substances ability to create

hydrogen ions in waterhydrogen ions in water

AcidsProduce H+ ions in H2O

Ex: HCl H+ + Cl-

Properties:•Tastes sour• Corrosive reaction w/metal• Reacts w/CO3

2- to make CO2

• Turns blue litmus paper red

Examples of Acids• HCl – hydrochloric acid• Fertilizers – Nitric & Phosphoric Acid•CH3CO2H – acetic acid (vinegar)

• Ascorbic Acid – Vitamin C (citrus)• Lactic Acid•H2SO4 – sulfuric acid

Bases

Produce OH- ions in H2O

Ex: NH3 + H2O NH4+ + OH-

•Tastes bitter• feels slippery• Turns red litmus paper blue

Examples of Bases

• NaHCO3 – baking soda

• household cleaners including:• NH3- ammonia

• Drain Cleaner

StrengthThe strength of an acid or a base is based on how well it produces ions in water.Substances are given a number as a measure of their strength along the pH scale.Strong Acids• HCl – hydrochloric acid• H2SO4 – sufuric acidStrong Bases• NaOH – sodium hydroxide• Drain cleaner

Safety• KNOW the pH of the substance you are working with.• If you cannot know always ASSUME it is STRONG!• When working with a strong acid or base be sure to wear goggles…even if it’s a dilute solution!• For cleaning up spills…Pour acid on a base & base on an acid…because…

pH as a Water Quality IndicatorpH as a Water Quality Indicator• Freshwater should have a pH ~ 7Freshwater should have a pH ~ 7• Oceanwater should be ~ 8Oceanwater should be ~ 8• Low pH (acidic) indicates the presence of acid rainLow pH (acidic) indicates the presence of acid rain• High pH (basic/alkaline) indicates the presence of High pH (basic/alkaline) indicates the presence of

ammonia which is a by product of decay (from ammonia which is a by product of decay (from eutrophication). eutrophication).

• High pH can also indicate presence of fertilizers in High pH can also indicate presence of fertilizers in high concentration which could have caused the high concentration which could have caused the eutrophication artificially.eutrophication artificially.

TurbidityTurbidity

• Turbidity refers to how CLEAR the water is.Turbidity refers to how CLEAR the water is.• Turbid is the OPPOSITE of clear.Turbid is the OPPOSITE of clear.• Turbid water is UNHEALTHY because sunlight cannot Turbid water is UNHEALTHY because sunlight cannot

penetrate it well meaning that photosynthesis cannot penetrate it well meaning that photosynthesis cannot take place which could cause ecosystem collapse.take place which could cause ecosystem collapse.

• Turbidity is measured by what depth at which a Secchi Turbidity is measured by what depth at which a Secchi Disk disappears from view.Disk disappears from view.

Bio-indicatorsBio-indicators Bio-indicators are organisms that can live Bio-indicators are organisms that can live

only under unique environmental only under unique environmental conditions. conditions. Here are some examples: Here are some examples:

Ocean WaterOcean Water

SalinitySalinity

• SalinitySalinity is the amount of salt dissolved in the water. is the amount of salt dissolved in the water.• Salts in the ocean come from minerals that have washed off of Salts in the ocean come from minerals that have washed off of

rocks in the weathering process.rocks in the weathering process.• The salinity of the ocean varies from place to place (depending on The salinity of the ocean varies from place to place (depending on

how much freshwater is being added by heavy rains or rivers) but how much freshwater is being added by heavy rains or rivers) but on average it is around 3.5%.on average it is around 3.5%.

TemperatureTemperature• The temperature of ocean water The temperature of ocean water

varies depending on how much varies depending on how much sun the water receives.sun the water receives.

• Water at the poles is MUCH cooler Water at the poles is MUCH cooler (and therefore DENSER) than (and therefore DENSER) than water near the equator due to the water near the equator due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis. tilt of the Earth’s axis.

• The sun’s rays travel slower and The sun’s rays travel slower and they bend (scatter) in water. At a they bend (scatter) in water. At a certain depth (1,000 meters or certain depth (1,000 meters or 3,280 feet) sunlight can penetrate 3,280 feet) sunlight can penetrate no further and the water becomes no further and the water becomes extremely cold extremely cold

((0 °C/32 °F to 6 °C/43 °F)0 °C/32 °F to 6 °C/43 °F)

Dissolved GasesDissolved Gases• Carbon dioxide is about 60Carbon dioxide is about 60 times as plentiful in the times as plentiful in the

oceans as in the air.oceans as in the air. • Oxygen is scarcer in seawater than in air.Oxygen is scarcer in seawater than in air.• Just as in freshwater, the amount of oxygen in Just as in freshwater, the amount of oxygen in

seawater is affected by the water temperature; seawater is affected by the water temperature; ccooler ooler water has more dissolved oxygen than warm waterwater has more dissolved oxygen than warm water. .

• Gas exchange between plants and animals occurs in the Gas exchange between plants and animals occurs in the ocean just as it does on land.ocean just as it does on land.

• Pressure is the amount of force applied over an area.Pressure is the amount of force applied over an area.• Water is quite heavy (about 8 lbs per gallon) so it can Water is quite heavy (about 8 lbs per gallon) so it can

apply a great deal of force.apply a great deal of force.• The The deeper you go into the water the higher the deeper you go into the water the higher the

pressurepressure..• Since humans are full of dissolved gases that can Since humans are full of dissolved gases that can

come out of solution (and migrate to any part of the come out of solution (and migrate to any part of the body), they can only safely descend to ~ 40 meters. body), they can only safely descend to ~ 40 meters.

PressurePressure

CurrentsCurrents

Currents are large streams of water within the Currents are large streams of water within the ocean that provide the following things for living ocean that provide the following things for living organisms:organisms:

• FoodFood• TransportationTransportation• Suitable climatesSuitable climates

Surface CurrentsSurface Currents• Surface currents are Surface currents are

driven by the winddriven by the wind..• They are curved They are curved

around due to the around due to the placement of the placement of the continents and continents and spinning of Earth on its spinning of Earth on its axis (this is known as axis (this is known as the Coriolis Effect).the Coriolis Effect).

• Surface currents carry Surface currents carry warm water from the warm water from the equator to the poles.equator to the poles.

Deep CurrentsDeep Currents

• The density of water depends The density of water depends on its temperature and its on its temperature and its salinity.salinity.

• As ice forms near the poles, As ice forms near the poles, the salinity of the water the salinity of the water increases from the salt left increases from the salt left behind during freezing. As its behind during freezing. As its temperature decreases and its temperature decreases and its salinity increases, the water salinity increases, the water becomes denser and sinks. becomes denser and sinks.

• Deep currents carry cool Deep currents carry cool water from the poles to the water from the poles to the equator. equator.

Deep currents are Deep currents are caused by differences in the density of ocean caused by differences in the density of ocean water.water.

The Great Ocean Conveyor BeltThe Great Ocean Conveyor Belt The EarthThe Earth’’s climate exists as it does due to a continuous flow of s climate exists as it does due to a continuous flow of

ocean water in what is known as the great ocean conveyor belt.ocean water in what is known as the great ocean conveyor belt.

UpwellingUpwelling• At the shoreline, as winds blow away the warm surface water, cold At the shoreline, as winds blow away the warm surface water, cold

water rises to replace it.water rises to replace it. • Upwelling brings up tiny ocean organisms, minerals, and other nutrients Upwelling brings up tiny ocean organisms, minerals, and other nutrients

from the deeper layers of the water from the deeper layers of the water therefore zones of upwelling are therefore zones of upwelling are usually home to huge schools of fish.usually home to huge schools of fish.

Ocean PollutionOcean Pollution• At least 85 percent of ocean pollution,

including pollutants such as oil, toxic wastes, and medical wastes, comes from activities on land, near the coasts.

• Sensitive coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are the most effected by pollution.

Oil SpillsOil Spills• Each year, about 37 million gallons of oil from tanker Each year, about 37 million gallons of oil from tanker

accidents are spilled into the ocean.accidents are spilled into the ocean.

• Such oil spills have dramatic effects, but they are Such oil spills have dramatic effects, but they are responsible for only about 5 percent of oil pollution in responsible for only about 5 percent of oil pollution in the oceans. Most of the oil that pollutes the oceans the oceans. Most of the oil that pollutes the oceans comes from cities and towns.comes from cities and towns.

• Limiting these nonpoint-sources of pollution would go Limiting these nonpoint-sources of pollution would go a long way toward keeping the oceans clean.a long way toward keeping the oceans clean.

Cases of Oil Spill Cases of Oil Spill in Historyin History

• In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker went off course, hit rocks, and released large amounts of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

• This accident cost some US$2.1 billion to clean up.

Photo of tanker oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Photo of oil on the beach.

Cases of Oil Spill in HistoryCases of Oil Spill in History

In 2002, the oil tanker Prestige sank off the coast of Spain and over two years leaked twice as much oil as the Exxon Valdez.

Cleaning up the Oil

Spill!

Ocean AcidificationOcean Acidification

Anthropogenic COAnthropogenic CO2 2 is absorbed by the ocean & reacts is absorbed by the ocean & reacts with Hwith H22O to form carbonic acid (HO to form carbonic acid (H22COCO33) effectively ) effectively stealing away the calcium carbonate (COstealing away the calcium carbonate (CO33) that ) that shellfish and corals need to build their homes.shellfish and corals need to build their homes.

Ocean ExplorationOcean Exploration

There are 3 main obstacles to ocean There are 3 main obstacles to ocean exploration:exploration:

• Lack of LIGHTLack of LIGHT• Extreme COLD temperaturesExtreme COLD temperatures• Extreme PRESSUREExtreme PRESSURE

SOund Navigation And Ranging• Scientists send sound waves, or

pulses, down from a ship.• Sound waves moves through water,

bounce off ocean floor, and return to the ship.– Deeper water = longer trips– Depth calculated by multiplying half the

travel time by the speed of sound in water (1500 m/s).

SONARSONAR

• Continental Shelf: begins at the shoreline and slopes gently down toward the open ocean.

Continues until the ocean floor begins to slope more steeply downward.

• Continental Slope: begins at the edge of the continental shelf.Steep descent down from the continental shelf to the flattest part of the ocean floor.

• Continental Rise: the base of the continental slope, made of large piles of sediment.

Marks the boundary between the continental margin and the deep ocean basin.

• Abyssal Plain: the broad, flat part of the deep-ocean basin.Covered by mud and the remains of tiny organisms.

The Ocean FloorThe Ocean Floor

• Mid-Ocean Ridges: mountain chains at divergent plate boundaries.Creates cracks, or rifts, in the ocean floor, where magma rises to fill the spaces.

• Rift Valley: a valley on the ocean floor in between mid-ocean ridges.Normally consist of magma being produced within.

• Trenches: huge cracks in the deep-ocean basin.Form where one oceanic plate is pushed beneath a continental plate or another oceanic plate.

• Seamounts: individual mountains of volcanic material.Form where magma pushes its way through or between tectonic plates. If a seamount builds above sea level, it becomes a volcanic island.

The Ocean FloorThe Ocean Floor

Marine life is classified by how it moves and where it lives:

• PlanktonFree-floating microscopic organisms drifting in the

waters of aquatic environments.Phytoplankton – plant likeZooplankton – animal like

• NektonOrganisms swimming actively in the open ocean.Whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and other free-

swimming fish species.

• BenthosOrganisms living on or in the bottom of the ocean.Crabs, starfish, worms, coral, sponges, seaweed,

clams, oysters.

Ocean LifeOcean Life

The ocean floor is divided into ecological zones based on where different organisms exist.

Ocean HabitatsOcean Habitats

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zone

• The intertidal zone is where the ocean meets the shore between the low-tide and high-tide limits.

• Includes: salt marsh, beach, rocky shoreline, ESTUARIES

• This area is not covered by water all the time and strong waves can batter the creatures that live there.

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zone

The Neritic Zone

• Extends from the low-tide line out to the edge of the continental shelf.

• HUGE variety of organisms - nekton

• Sunlight and nutrients (from nearby land and upwelling) enable the growth of large plantlike algae which serve as a food source and shelter for other organisms.

NEKTON

• A very special neritic zone habitat in warm, shallow water with the largest concentration of marine life mainly because of abundant sunlight.

• Millions of tiny coral animals build limestone homes/shells. When they die other new corals build on them creating the “reef.”

• Atolls are islands made of coral that have raised up above sealevel.

Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

• Kelp are giant sheets of seaweed (sea plants). It grows in abundance in the neritic zone due to the abundant sunlight.

• Many marine organisms call kelp forests home including countless species of fish, sea otters & urchins.

Kelp ForestKelp Forest

The Open-Ocean Zone

• Extends from the continental shelf down into the abyssal plain (and mid-ocean trenches).

• Sunlight only penetrates into the surface zone which is where the majority of the organisms live.

• Organisms that live in the deep, dark abyss subsist mainly on what drifts down from the surface zone.

• Hydrothermal vents in the trenches create unique habitats.

• The DRIFTERS that move with the ocean current.

• Phytoplankton are plant-like so they create oxygen; they supply 60% of the oxygen we breathe.

• Zooplankton are animal – like and they eat the phytoplankton.

• Plankton are the base or foundation of all marine food webs; without them life in the ocean would not exist.

PlanktonPlankton

Zooplankton(Animal-like)

Phytoplankton(plant-like)

Krill

• Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction that produces light.

• It is rare on land; seen mostly just in fireflies and mushrooms but VERY common in the ocean, especially at great depths.

• It is used for defense and attracting food, & mates.

BioluminescenceBioluminescence

French Foodweb (just for fun)French Foodweb (just for fun)