Podcast
Questions and Answers
The intertidal zone is always submerged under water.
The intertidal zone is always submerged under water.
False
Freshwater biomes typically have high salinity levels.
Freshwater biomes typically have high salinity levels.
False
Tides do not affect life in the seashore regions.
Tides do not affect life in the seashore regions.
False
Rivers provide more dissolved oxygen compared to lakes.
Rivers provide more dissolved oxygen compared to lakes.
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The faster a stream flows, the greater the amount of dissolved oxygen in it.
The faster a stream flows, the greater the amount of dissolved oxygen in it.
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Approximately 80% of solar energy striking the ocean is absorbed within the first 10 meters of water.
Approximately 80% of solar energy striking the ocean is absorbed within the first 10 meters of water.
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Oceans contain about 50% of the Earth's water supply.
Oceans contain about 50% of the Earth's water supply.
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Freshwater makes up over 1% of the total water on Earth.
Freshwater makes up over 1% of the total water on Earth.
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Thermal stratification occurs in deep water and affects the mixing of nutrients.
Thermal stratification occurs in deep water and affects the mixing of nutrients.
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Estuaries are classified as saltwater environments with a salinity of over 3.5%.
Estuaries are classified as saltwater environments with a salinity of over 3.5%.
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The salinity in the open ocean typically ranges from 34 ppt to 36.5 ppt.
The salinity in the open ocean typically ranges from 34 ppt to 36.5 ppt.
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A liter of seawater contains a maximum of 9 ml of oxygen.
A liter of seawater contains a maximum of 9 ml of oxygen.
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Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the aphotic zone of the ocean.
Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the aphotic zone of the ocean.
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Deepwater currents are responsible for preventing upwelling in the oceans.
Deepwater currents are responsible for preventing upwelling in the oceans.
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Phytoplankton are insignificant in aquatic food chains.
Phytoplankton are insignificant in aquatic food chains.
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Coastal wetlands are categorized as freshwater environments.
Coastal wetlands are categorized as freshwater environments.
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Coral reefs can be found in cold, dark waters.
Coral reefs can be found in cold, dark waters.
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Animal life in the aphotic zone is not specialized.
Animal life in the aphotic zone is not specialized.
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Chemosynthesis occurs near undersea hot springs.
Chemosynthesis occurs near undersea hot springs.
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Estuaries have lower nutrient levels compared to both salt and freshwater systems.
Estuaries have lower nutrient levels compared to both salt and freshwater systems.
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Bioluminescence is a common adaptation among organisms in the aphotic zone.
Bioluminescence is a common adaptation among organisms in the aphotic zone.
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Ponds are larger and deeper than lakes.
Ponds are larger and deeper than lakes.
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Sunlight penetrates all the way to the bottom of ponds.
Sunlight penetrates all the way to the bottom of ponds.
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The thermocline in lakes is characterized by a slow temperature change.
The thermocline in lakes is characterized by a slow temperature change.
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The deepest zone of the ocean is the Hadal zone, which is found at depths of 6,000 meters and deeper.
The deepest zone of the ocean is the Hadal zone, which is found at depths of 6,000 meters and deeper.
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Plant growth in lakes is uniform throughout the water column.
Plant growth in lakes is uniform throughout the water column.
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Study Notes
Life in Water - Chapter 3
- Water covers over 71% of the Earth's surface
- Oceans contain 97% of the water
- Polar ice caps and glaciers contain 2%
- Freshwater in lakes, streams, and groundwater make up less than 1%
Aquatic Life Zones
- Aquatic life zones are categorized into saltwater/marine (>3.5% salts) and freshwater (less than 1% salts)
- Saltwater/Marine
- Oceans
- Estuaries (mix of freshwater and saltwater, known as brackish)
- Coastal Wetlands
- Shorelines
- Coral Reefs
- Mangrove Forests
- Freshwater
- Lakes
- Ponds
- Rivers
- Streams
- Inland Wetlands
Limiting Factors in Deep Marine Water - Physical Conditions
-
Light
- Approximately 80% of solar energy is absorbed in the first 10 meters of the ocean
- Very little light penetrates beyond 200 meters
- Deep ocean water is mostly dark, with light only produced by bioluminescence
-
Temperature
- Sunlight increases water velocity
- Rapid water motion decreases density, causing warm water to float on top of cooler water
- Thermocline: a layer where temperature changes rapidly with depth, creating thermal stratification
- Thermocline blocks nutrient mixing, reducing productivity
-
Water Movements
- Oceans are constantly moving
- Wind-driven surface currents create gyres (rotating currents) that move right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere
- Deepwater currents cause upwelling
Limiting Factors in Deep Marine Water - Chemical Conditions
-
Salinity
- Salinity in the open ocean varies from about 34 ppt to 36.5 ppt
- Lowest salinity is near the equator where precipitation exceeds evaporation
- Highest salinity is in the subtropics where evaporation exceeds precipitation
-
Oxygen
- A liter of air contains about 200 ml of oxygen at sea level, while a liter of seawater contains a maximum of 9 ml
- Oxygen concentration is highest near the ocean surface and decreases with depth; typically the minimum is below 1,000 meters
Deep Marine Water - Biology
- Photosynthetic organisms are restricted to the upper epipelagic zone (photic zone)
- This zone contains both phytoplankton and zooplankton; due to size oceans contribute 1/4 of the global photosynthesis
- Plankton are microscopic algae, plants, and other organisms that float in water biomes
- Chemosynthesis occurs near undersea hot springs
Marine Biomes - Oceans
- Oceans can be divided into two main zones
- Photic Zone: sunlight penetrates this zone
- Aphotic Zone: No sunlight penetrates this zone
Photic Zone
- Above 200 Meters
- Made up of the euphotic zone
- Sunlight penetrates
- Plant and animal life is abundant
Aphotic Zone
- Below 200 meters
- Sunlight does not penetrate
- No plants
- Animal life is highly specialized
- Many deep-ocean organisms exhibit bioluminescence
Estuaries
- Area where a river meets an ocean
- Located near coastlines
- Nutrient levels are higher than both salt and freshwater
Coral Reefs
- Limestone ridges found in tropical climates
- Composed of coral fragments deposited around organic remains
- Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, supporting thousands of species of plants and animals
- Corals are predators that capture small animals like zooplankton with stinging tentacles
Seashores / Intertidal Zone
- Tides have a major influence on life in this zone
- The Intertidal Zone is the portion of the shoreline that is submerged at high tide and exposed to the air at low tide
- The Intertidal Zone can be sandy or rocky, and the tidal pools created at low tide can trap small fish, clams, and crabs.
Freshwater Biomes
- Freshwater contains little or no salt
- Flowing freshwater: rivers, streams
- Still freshwater: lakes, ponds
Streams
- Faster streams have more dissolved oxygen
- Slower streams have more nutrients
Rivers
- Water moves more slowly in rivers, allowing debris to settle on the bottom
- Rivers tend to have more nutrients and less dissolved oxygen than streams
Ponds
- Small, shallow bodies of water
- Sunlight completely penetrates to the bottom
- Filled with plant material
- Very high nutrient levels
Lakes
- Larger and deeper than ponds
- Plant growth is limited to the shoreline
- Sunlight does not penetrate to the bottom, so no plant life exists at a certain depth
Ponds/Lakes: Temperature
- Temperature varies seasonally in ponds and lakes
- Surface water is generally warmer than deeper water
- The thermocline is a layer between the warm surface water and colder deeper water where rapid temperature changes occur
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Description
Test your knowledge on various aquatic biomes, including their characteristics and the physical properties of water bodies. This quiz covers aspects such as the intertidal zone, freshwater and saltwater environments, and the factors affecting oxygen levels in water. Challenge yourself and learn more about oceans, lakes, rivers, and estuaries!
