ESCI D.S4.O3.A3 Properties of the Oceans

The ocean is the home to many marine habitats. These habitats and the creatures who live there are affected by a variety of abiotic factors.

Your Assignment:  

Please read the following article and then write a sentence or two on the role each of the following abiotic factors regarding life in the ocean.

http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/63526.aspx Links to an external site.

Write a sentence or two on how each of the following abiotic factors affect life in the ocean:

1. Light

2. Temperature

3. Salinity

4. Density and Water Movement

5. Nutrients and Chemistry

One of the physical dynamics (the movements that occur within ocean waters) mentioned in the previous article was upwelling, a process that brings cold, nutrient-rich waters to the surface. Upwelling plays a very important role in the ocean. Please read the following article and write a short paragraph for each of the following topics.

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/upwelling/?ar_a=1 Links to an external site.

6. What is upwelling and what causes it?
7. How is upwelling important to life in the ocean?
8. How is upwelling important to comercial fishermen?
9. How does upwelling affect the climate of areas where it occurs?