MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Trujillo and Thurman, 10^th, Chapter 12 - Omit sections 12.1 and 12.4, omit boxes

Students should be able to

1. define and give examples of various plankton, nekton, and benthos
2. define and discuss the difference between the various pelagic zones
3. discuss the overall distribution of species varieties on earth as it relates to the oceans
4. discuss the influence that photosynthesis, respiration and decay have on the chemistry of the open ocean (oxygen and nutrients in particular)

MARINE ORGANISMS – General Overview

· Plankton

o Phytoplankton vs. zooplankton

o Holoplankton vs. meroplankton

· Nekton – very general

· Benthos

o Epifauna vs. infauna vs. Nektobenthos

ENVIRONMENTAL ZONES: What are they and why are they separated?

· Comparison of percentage of species on land vs. in the sea

· Pelagic zones (2% of marine species in these zones, why?)

o Coastal zone: neritic

o Oceanic zones: epipelagic, mesopelagic, and bathypelagic

o Photic zone vs. aphotic zones

o Distribution of oxygen and nutrients with depth in ocean….why this pattern?

· Benthic zones (98% of marine species in these zones, why?)