Primary Productivity

Assignment #1: Plankton Questions

Answer the following questions:

1. What is biological oceanography?

2. What are phytoplankton?

3. Why are phytoplankton important to the health of the ocean?

4. What is the differences between plankton?

5. What determines the growth of plankton?

6. How does the circulation and differences from question 5 determine the population of plankton species?

Algae, Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll - Environmental Measurement SystemsPhytoplankton are single-celled algae and cyanobacteria found in water, classified together because they all contain chlorophyll, much like plants.

Assignment #2: Plankton Drop

Goal: You will be designing and constructing a phytoplankton model to be tested against sinking.

Step 1: Answer the given questions.

1. What is the best location for phytoplankton within the water column? (Where is the best location where phytoplankton have all of their needs met?)

2. What adaptations are used to help prevent sinking for phytoplankton?

Step 2: Design a phytoplankton with these characteristics above

Draw a model schematic (label the adaptations and the materials)

Step 3: construct a phytoplankton using everyday household supplies (or supplies provided by Ms. Burnett)

Step 4: Test your phytoplankton model in a tank of water (using a stop watch measure the sinking rate of your model)

Step 5: Reflection

1. Did your phytoplankton sink/ float? Why or why not?

2. Would your phytoplankton survive? Why or why not?

3. What would you change about your design? Why would you change this?

oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/PhytoGallery/phytolist.html

Assignment #3: Water Profiles

Step 1: Define thermocline, pycnocline, chlorophyll max, halocline,

Step 2: View the presentation. For each profile describe the changes in characteristics vs. depth.

Water Quality - Environmental Measurement SystemsWater quality is an important part of environmental monitoring. This section details all of the parameters that affect water quality in the environment.

Assignment #4: Patterns of Primary Productivity

Step 1: Reading the provided document about patterns of primary productivity in the ocean.

Step 2: Use the given image to describe what is in the picture. Record what is happening in a document.

Satellite Image

TWAP_VOLUME_4_TECHNICAL_REPORT_Chapter5.1_1DEC2016.pdf

Assignment #5: How does the circulation of a body of water affect plankton?

Goal: Identify and Explain the circulation and heat transfer within the ocean through the investigation of a body of water.

Step 1: Choose a body of water from options below

(North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Southern Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Sea of Japan, Arabian Sea)

Step 2: Background information.

Answer the following questions:

What are currents?
How are currents formed?
How does density affect the circulation in the ocean?
What is thermohaline circulation?
How is heat distributed throughout the ocean?

Step 3: Your ocean determine the following:

1. Major surface currents

2. Water column structure (water masses)

3. Water column profiles (Temperature, salinity, density)

Step 4: Create a presentation about the following:

Connection between temperature, salinity, and density with ocean circulation
Describe the circulation of water within your body of water
Explain how the changes in temperature, salinity and density affect the circulation of your body of water
The affects of your body of water on thermohaline circulation

Step 5: Present your presentation in front of the class.

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