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Introduction to Oceanography. Ru Morrison COOA University of New Hampshire. Oceanographic Disciplines. All to answer the question: How do phytoplankton grow?. Physical - stratification Chemical - nutrients Biological - phytoplankton. 1) Physical Oceanography. Seasonal Stratification.
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Introduction to Oceanography Ru Morrison COOA University of New Hampshire Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Oceanographic Disciplines All to answer the question: How do phytoplankton grow? • Physical - stratification • Chemical - nutrients • Biological - phytoplankton Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
1) Physical Oceanography Seasonal Stratification Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Amy Holt Cline COOA Kevin Kline Fish Called Wanda Seasonal Thermocline All over the place Introducing the Clines Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
A little regional Geography You are here Jordan Basin + + George’s Basin Wilkinson Basin George’s Bank Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Winter Spring Summer Fall Seasonal Thermocline COOA REACH station D Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Wind mix from the Surface down Summer Tides mix from the bottom up How to Mix things up a little (or a lot) If too shallow no seasonal stratification Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Something Strange afoot in Wilkinson Basin Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Deep Slope Water Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Stratification Summary • Due to density changes • During Winter months waters well mixed • Increased sun in Spring warms surface waters → less dense and floats • Decreased sun and increased storms begin to mix things up Fall • Back to mixed in Winter • Not that simple as you need to consider salinity as well Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
2) Chemical Oceanography Nutrients Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Nutrients From Thurman H.V. and Burton, E.A., 2001. Introductory Oceanography • Important and commonly measured elements needed for the growth of plants Too Complicated! Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Nutrients Plants Animals Nutrients Photosynthesis Thermo-cline Regeneration Detritus • Important and commonly measured elements needed for the growth of plants Land Runoff Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Biological Oceanography Run Video Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
What’s Alive?Drifters of the ocean - Plankton • Zooplankton • Eat phytoplankton • Get eaten by bigger things • Important in nutrient cycling Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
What’s Alive?Swimmers - Nekton • Squid • Mammals • Reptiles • Fish Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Food Webs Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Phytoplankton You can’t see a whale from space but you can see … Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Light – from the sun UV Visible Infrared Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Absorbed light of all colors reemitted as red light (683 nm, actually by chlorophyll-a) Can use it to measure phytoplankton biomass Fluorescence Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Fluorometer • Fluorescence used to estimate chlorophyll – a • Chl-a used to estimate phytoplankton biomass Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Photosynthesis & Biosynthesis 6CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 • Photosynthesis makes carbohydrates • What’s needed? • Light • Nutrients for Biosynthesis • i.e. To make other stuff such as DNA Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Winter Spring Summer Fall Seasonal Stratification -What does it do to phytoplankton? COOA REACH station D Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom
Phytoplankton Summary • Fluorescence estimate of Biomass • Requires • Nutrients • Light • Spring • Onset of Stratification keeps Phytoplankton in surface nutrient rich waters → Spring bloom • Summer • Nutrients in the surface mixed layer depleted during → decreased quantities • Fall • Mixing introduces nutrients from bottom water → Fall bloom usually smaller Incorporating Ocean Observation Data into the Classroom