Marine Ecosystems

EstuariesEstuaries are formed where ocean water

mixes with fresh waterThese calm waters contain an abundance of

Dissolved Oxygen, nutrients, and minerals supplied by the river water.

Because of this, lots of fish love to live there

Salt Marsh-Part of an estuaryProvide a habitat for fish

Ocean EcosystemsThere are 4 distinct life zones in the ocean in

relationship to the beach.Each life zone differs in physical conditions.

Life ZonesOpen Ocean-

Intertidal ZoneThis is the area near the beach between high

and low tide.Animals living in this area are adapted to

living both underwater and exposed to air.

Intertidal Zone Organisms-write down a few examples

Play Intertidal Zone Video..\..\Videos\The Intertidal zone [www.keepvid.

com].mp4

Neritic Zoneslopes down from the edge of the shoreline

toward the ocean floor. a few meters to 200 meters.temperature and salinity remaining fairly

constant in this zoneMOST OF THE OCEAN LIFE IS FOUND

HERE!

Coral Reef

Corals are tiny organisms that live attached to each other in large groups called colonies

As they die, their skeletons are left behind to create reefs.

Become habitats for many fish

Coral Reef

Real Nemo in Coral Reef Video..\..\Videos\Finding Nemo hiding in the live co

ral [www.keepvid.com].mp4

Oceanic Zoneopen waters of the ocean. from the ocean’s surface to its deepest

waters,sunlight can only penetrates a few hundred

metersDue to this, all producers (phytoplankton),

live in this zone.Larger animals, such as whales and dolphins,

live in this zone.

Open Ocean Zone (Oceanic)

Oceanic Zone

Abyssal ZoneThe floor of the deep ocean is called the

abyss.High pressure, low temperature, and the

absence of light Animals that live in this zone: worms,

bacteria, sea urchins, etc.These organisms survive by eating organic

material , like dead animals, that fall from the surface

Strangest fish on the planet live near the bottom-BUT NO FISH ON THE BOTTOM

Play Abyss Video..\..\Videos\abyss fish.mp4

Photic Zone vs Benthic ZonePhotic zone- sun light reaches ~200 meters

Ocean Pollution - What is the most common solid waste in oceans?Plastic

Never biodegrades Animals mistake it for foodVery buoyant and floats along with the ocean currents

Bird carcass that died from eating plastic in ocean.

Sea of plastic

Hidden PollutionChemicals such as lead and mercury are

widespread in the oceansMost dangerous chemicals are clearSome pregnant women who are highly

susceptible to chemicals are advised not to eat fish or tuna. WHY?

Dead ZonesZones of the oceans where nothing survives

because the currents have deposited these chemicals there

Where does most of the pollution enter the ocean?Run-off from landUrban run-off into rivers bring the pollution

to the oceans and then travel in the ocean currents.

What is the largest polluter of the oceans?

Discussion QuestionsWhere are coral reefs and most of the ocean

life located? a. in the oceanic zone

b. in estuaries.c. in the intertidal zoned. in the neritic zone

Which of the following organisms could not live on the bottom of ocean floor of the oceanic zone?A. fish

B. Sea urchins C. BacteriaD. worms

How do nutrients move in the ocean as a result of upwelling?A. from deep, colder areas to warm, shallow

areasB. from warm, shallow areas to deep, colder

areas.C. from the neritic zone to the intertidal zoneD. from the ocean floor into estuaries