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Light
Needed for photosynthesis. Must occur in the first few 100 m of ocean. Also trigger breeding some species.
Classification by Light:
Dissolved Nutrients
Nutrients are substances that provide nourishment and growth. Required for production of organic (carbon based) matter. Problems:
Phosphorous Loading detergents Nutrient Loading in Halifax Harbour
Dissolved Nutrients
Temperature
The mixed layer is near the surface where the temperature is roughly that of surface water. In the thermocline, the temperature decreases rapidly from the mixed layer temperature to the much colder deep water temperature. The mixed layer and the deep water layer are relatively uniform in temperature, while the thermocline represents the transition zone between the two.
Temperature
Cold Blooded:
Changes in temperature will directly affect metabolic rate.
Warm Blooded:
Have blubber that acts as insulation.
Salinity
Salt content in ocean directly effects buoyancy of organism.
Species have adapted physical features to combat this problem.
Eg. Fish Swim Bladder
Dissolved Gases
CO2 and O2 are needed to stay alive in the ocean. O2 does not dissolve easily in ocean.
100 X more gaseous oxygen in air than ocean.
pH
Pure Water = 7 Seawater = 8
Pressure
-Sea Level: 14.7 psi -Under 33 feet: 30 psi -Under one mile: 2 333 psi
1. Photic Zone
0-200m sunlit layer at the oceans surface upper part of photic zone is where photosynthesis occur
2. Disphotic Zone
200 1000m where animals can see but not enough light for photosynthesis
3. Aphotic Zone
1000m and below largest region, no light
2. Benthic = relating to the ocean bottom, living in or on the bottom of a body of water
Pelagic zone
Is subdivided into
1. Photic zone receives enough sunlight to support photosynthesis. 2. Disphotic zone, where only small amounts of light penetrate 3.Aphotic zone into which no light penetrates.
Marine Zonation
Littoral Zone
Benthic Zone
Neritic Zone
Oceanic Zone
Photic Zone
disphotic Zone
The Pelagic Zone is all the other open waters of the ocean.
Aphotic Zone
Benthic Zone