Marine BiologyMarine Biology

Fall 2005Fall 2005

Oceans

Bays

Estuaries

Tidal Salt Marshes

Nekton – Swimmers

Pelagic– Floaters – Carried by the currents and waves

Benthic – Bottom dwellers

Abiotic Factors( Marine Abiotic Factors( Marine environment)environment)

Salinity – Marine organisms Salinity – Marine organisms sensitive to a range of salinity sensitive to a range of salinity from 1. 018 -1.024 specific from 1. 018 -1.024 specific graavity. In terms of salt it is 33-graavity. In terms of salt it is 33-37 ppt NaCl. 37 ppt NaCl.

Other key elements in sea water, Other key elements in sea water, Mg++, Ca++, Zn++, K+, Cu++, Mg++, Ca++, Zn++, K+, Cu++, Fe++ or Fe+++Fe++ or Fe+++

Organics rain in a snow from top Organics rain in a snow from top to bottomto bottom

LightLight

Photic Zone – Critical – Photic Zone – Critical – Photosynthetic cyanobacteria and Photosynthetic cyanobacteria and algae live at the surface and the algae live at the surface and the edges where they can utilize lightedges where they can utilize light

Green algae lives near the surface Green algae lives near the surface because of the wavelength of blue because of the wavelength of blue and red light( particularly red) that and red light( particularly red) that are required for cholorophyll, the are required for cholorophyll, the main photosynthetic pigment.main photosynthetic pigment.

Light(continued)Light(continued)

Red and brown algaes can Red and brown algaes can live in deeper water because live in deeper water because the wave lengths of light that the wave lengths of light that they use in the purple range they use in the purple range are more energetic and can are more energetic and can penetrate in thepenetrate in the

depths of the oceandepths of the ocean

This is the case for Kelp This is the case for Kelp ForestsForests

WavesWaves

Organisms on the shore and Organisms on the shore and on the surface have to have on the surface have to have adaptations that permit adaptations that permit survival under harsh and survival under harsh and turbulent conditions.turbulent conditions.

Storms carry pelagic Storms carry pelagic organismsorganisms

Organisms need a type of Organisms need a type of attachment to substrates – attachment to substrates – bottom and shore featuresbottom and shore features

Marine BiomesMarine Biomes

AP BiologyAP Biology

20052005

Kelp ForestsKelp Forests

BiogeographyBiogeography• The larger forests extend

to the Arctic and Antarctic circles for the kelp grows well in sub 20°C waters. Although they may reach the arctic circles, their dependence on photosynthesis restricts them to shallow, clear waters of about 15-40m because if any deeper sunlight would not reach.

• Kelp Forests are found along the coasts of North and South America because of the nutrient-rich water swells from the seasonal winds. Kelp forests are also found along New Zealand, Australia , and South Africa.

Kelp

Urchins

Sea Otters

ROLE PLAYERS

Urchins enjoy a diet of kelp. Many molluscs and urchins live on and near the kelp. Sea lions swim through the kelp forest and thrive

on these delightful treats.

The Food Cycle of The Kelp Forest

•A coral reef is an accumulation of dead corals and other organisms with a limestone skeleton.

•It is an underwater biome shaped by limestone formations that resemble branching trees. Coral reefs range widely in area. They may vary from a few square yards to hundreds of square miles. Typically, they tend to grow faster in clear water.

Coral reefs lie mainly in shallow tropical or subtropical seas. They’re confined to such shallow water because the corals on which the reefs rely contain small algae called zooxanthellae. These algae help to supply food to the coral and require light to survive. Also, the number of species of corals on a reef declines rapidly in deeper water. Coral reefs are generally found within 30°N and 30°S latitudes, and most can’t live in water cooler than 61-68ºF

Located in the waters of:

Pacific Ocean

Southeast Asia (coastal waters)

Indian Ocean

Red Sea

Brazil (tropical eastern coast)

Caribbean Sea

Florida and Bermuda

Madagascar (Southeast African Coast)

Although coral reefs do not develop in colder seas, certain corals live as far north as the Arctic Circle.

Coral reefs are the home to an incredibly high diversity of organisms. They provide thriving ecosystems

for numerous species of plants, fish, and other marine life.

Coral reefs represent the most complex ecosystem found on Earth, which tens of thousands of living species inhabit.

the “rainforest of the oceans”. There are vast numbers of colorful fish, reptiles, and invertebrates. mollusks, as well as sea urchins, jellyfish, oysters, clams, turtles, and sea anemones.

• Storms

• Temperature increases in the ocean water - Bleaching

• Pollution• Man

ThreatsThreats

If coral reefs continue to be destroyed, in 20 years the living corals on many of the world's reefs will be dead and the ecosystems that depend on them will be severely damaged.

Therefore it is extremely important to enforce proper reef management. Many governments and conservation organizations are working to preserve these important ecosystems.

USGS is focusing on detailed mapping of reefs, developing monitoring techniques, studying reef geologic growth and development, and determining the effects of sedimentary and hydrologic processes and water quality

on reefs.

ConservationConservation

Mangrove swampsMangrove swamps

Mangrove TreesMangrove Trees

The radiating cable roots with The radiating cable roots with their tangle of anchor roots their tangle of anchor roots provide support against the provide support against the ocean's strong waves and tidesocean's strong waves and tides

Little nutritive roots grow up out Little nutritive roots grow up out from the main cable root and from the main cable root and feed on the rich soil just below feed on the rich soil just below the mud's surfacethe mud's surface

The third type of root collects The third type of root collects oxygen for the plant.oxygen for the plant.

    

More factsMore facts Mangrove swamps protect the land from Mangrove swamps protect the land from

soil erosion and the effects of storms. soil erosion and the effects of storms. They also act as a form of pollution They also act as a form of pollution control, naturally filtering out industrial control, naturally filtering out industrial and human waste. Mangrove swamps, and human waste. Mangrove swamps, like other wetlands, are important like other wetlands, are important components of the water cycle, components of the water cycle, absorbing excess water flow during times absorbing excess water flow during times of flooding. of flooding.       Mangrove swamps serve Mangrove swamps serve important functions:important functions:

They provide food, nesting and nursery They provide food, nesting and nursery areas for many animals which include at areas for many animals which include at least 220 fish species, 24 reptile and least 220 fish species, 24 reptile and amphibian species, 18 mammal species amphibian species, 18 mammal species and 181 bird species. The dead leaves and 181 bird species. The dead leaves and twigs in the water grow and twigs in the water grow microorganisms that provide food for microorganisms that provide food for young marine animalsyoung marine animals

Biogeography of Biogeography of MangrovesMangroves

Florida coastFlorida coastCentral American coastCentral American coastAustraliaAustralia IndiaIndia

BiotaBiota

Birds – Nest in the Birds – Nest in the branches/Boobies and the branches/Boobies and the frigate birdsfrigate birds

Roots – Sponges,molluscs, Roots – Sponges,molluscs, crutaceanscrutaceans

( crabs and shrimp)( crabs and shrimp)Nursery for the ocean – baby fish Nursery for the ocean – baby fish Barracuda, rays, pipefishBarracuda, rays, pipefishManateesManatees

Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors

Still ocean waterStill ocean waterMurky – filled with organicsMurky – filled with organicsShallow waterShallow waterLessened effect of wind and Lessened effect of wind and

waveswaves

ConcernsConcerns Mangrove forests are lost when they are Mangrove forests are lost when they are

torn up, filled in and dug under for other torn up, filled in and dug under for other purposes such as agriculture, aquaculture purposes such as agriculture, aquaculture and other development activities. and other development activities.

      People often wrongly perceive Mangroves People often wrongly perceive Mangroves

as unsightly and want them removed so as as unsightly and want them removed so as to enhance the environment. Mangroves to enhance the environment. Mangroves then often become garbage dumps. then often become garbage dumps.       Pollution adversely affects Mangrove Pollution adversely affects Mangrove Swamps. Swamps.

Pollution degrades the quality of the Pollution degrades the quality of the plantlife and the water in the swamp, which plantlife and the water in the swamp, which in turn adversely affects the insects and in turn adversely affects the insects and animasls that also live there. The roots of animasls that also live there. The roots of the mangroves can become easily clogged the mangroves can become easily clogged with man-made sediments and petroleum as with man-made sediments and petroleum as well as from other pollutionwell as from other pollution

Grass BiomesGrass Biomes Large seagrass meadows usually occur Large seagrass meadows usually occur

in the protected waters landward of in the protected waters landward of coral reefs. coral reefs.

Seagrasses are true flowering plants Seagrasses are true flowering plants with the male and female flower with the male and female flower capable of sexual capable of sexual reproduction ,although most of the reproduction ,although most of the reproduction is performed asexually via reproduction is performed asexually via the rhizome system in the sediment. the rhizome system in the sediment. The two main seagrass species, the The two main seagrass species, the turtle grass (turtle grass (Thalassia testudinumThalassia testudinum) and ) and the manatee grass (the manatee grass (Syringodium Syringodium filiformefiliforme), occur either in mixed or in ), occur either in mixed or in monospecific beds. monospecific beds.

SeagrassesSeagrasses

Turtle GrassTurtle Grass Thalassia Thalassia

testudinum:testudinum: Turtle Grass. Root-Turtle Grass. Root-

stalks are elongated stalks are elongated and creeping; and creeping; stems are short. stems are short. Leaves ribbon-like Leaves ribbon-like or strap-like. or strap-like. Common on soft Common on soft bottoms in shallow bottoms in shallow waters. Often waters. Often encrusted with encrusted with coralline algae. coralline algae.

ManateesManatees

Sea Grass MeadowSea Grass Meadow

BiotaBiotaTurtlesTurtlesSea urchinsSea urchinsStar fishStar fishSmall snailsSmall snails Jelly fishJelly fish Juveniles of many large Juveniles of many large

fish( red snappers)fish( red snappers)ConchsConchs

AbioticAbiotic

Roots of grasses stabilize Roots of grasses stabilize sedimentsediment

Helps to hold sediment in Helps to hold sediment in this area so that the water is this area so that the water is clear near the reefs which clear near the reefs which are dependent upon the are dependent upon the abolute clarity of the waterabolute clarity of the water

Rocky ShoreRocky Shore

BiogeographyBiogeography

Pacific CoastPacific CoastN. East Coast of N. AmericaN. East Coast of N. AmericaScotlandScotlandNorwayNorwayS. AmericaS. America

ZonationZonation

Splash ZoneSplash Zone IntertidalIntertidalSubtidalSubtidal

Rocky ShoresRocky Shores

BiotaBiota

Splash-Chitons,snails, and Splash-Chitons,snails, and limpets. Algaeslimpets. Algaes

Intertidal-Algaes, Intertidal-Algaes, crabs,shrimp, snails,and crabs,shrimp, snails,and small fish. Barnaclessmall fish. Barnacles

Subtidal – starfish, urchins, Subtidal – starfish, urchins, marine worms, crabs,and fishmarine worms, crabs,and fish

Sandy Shores and Sandy Shores and BeachesBeaches

Zonation

•High Tide - Wrack line

•Intertidal

•Subtidal

BiogeographyBiogeography

Carribean IslandsCarribean IslandsMexicoMexicoSoutheastern United StatesSoutheastern United StatesMediterraneanMediterranean

ZonationsZonations The intertidal zone is the area exposed between The intertidal zone is the area exposed between

high and low tides. In the intertidal zone, part of high and low tides. In the intertidal zone, part of the day is spent in open air and the rest of the the day is spent in open air and the rest of the day is spent covered in ocean water. day is spent covered in ocean water.

High tideHigh tide brings with it nutrients and food. When brings with it nutrients and food. When it goes out, the tide takes with it waste products it goes out, the tide takes with it waste products and disperses eggs and larvae. Because of the and disperses eggs and larvae. Because of the shifting sands, organisms living in the intertidal shifting sands, organisms living in the intertidal zone on a beach have adapted to these changing zone on a beach have adapted to these changing conditions. conditions.

Without the cover of water, many animals simply Without the cover of water, many animals simply shut down during low tide. Some of the animals shut down during low tide. Some of the animals spend most of their life buried under the sand. spend most of their life buried under the sand. Others burrow into the sand when the tide is low Others burrow into the sand when the tide is low or when the crashing waves hit the shore. Some or when the crashing waves hit the shore. Some of the animals feed on materials that washes of the animals feed on materials that washes ashore. Others filter food from the water. Still ashore. Others filter food from the water. Still others feed on tiny algae and bacteria among others feed on tiny algae and bacteria among the sand grains. the sand grains.

AbioticAbiotic

WavesWavesHigh and Low tides – 2X a High and Low tides – 2X a

day – require protection from day – require protection from heat( sun) and dessicationheat( sun) and dessication

Turbulence of the waterTurbulence of the water

BiotaBiota

IntertidalIntertidal

Sand crabs, calico Sand crabs, calico crabs,hermitcrabs,coquinas,smcrabs,hermitcrabs,coquinas,small fish like silver sides,flounder, all fish like silver sides,flounder, grass shrimp,and other grass shrimp,and other molluscsmolluscs

SubtidalSubtidal

Flounder, blue crabs, starfish, Flounder, blue crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, clams,small fishsea cucumbers, clams,small fish

BiotaBiota

Sand dunesSand dunes They represent flexible barriers, which absorb They represent flexible barriers, which absorb

wave energy during storms by moving and wave energy during storms by moving and adjusting their shape and position. adjusting their shape and position.

They form a crucial natural resource as a They form a crucial natural resource as a unique habitat for rich and diverse unique habitat for rich and diverse communities of highly specialised plant and communities of highly specialised plant and animal species. animal species.

However, their proximity to the ocean has However, their proximity to the ocean has made them desirable sites for locating coastal made them desirable sites for locating coastal real estate. Such alterations to the coastline, real estate. Such alterations to the coastline, as well as beach mining and renourishment, as well as beach mining and renourishment, dredging, and filling are of particular concern dredging, and filling are of particular concern in coastal areas because they have in coastal areas because they have considerable environmental impact. considerable environmental impact.

Sand dunesSand dunes

Sea weedsSea weeds

Tidal Salt MarshesTidal Salt Marshes

BiogeographyBiogeography

Salt marshes form on stable Salt marshes form on stable or emerging coastlines when or emerging coastlines when sediment accumulates in sediment accumulates in sheltered intertidal areas in sheltered intertidal areas in estuaries, behind spits, bars estuaries, behind spits, bars or islands, and in protected or islands, and in protected bays. bays.

Tidal Salt MarshesTidal Salt Marshes Commercial FisheriesCommercial Fisheries - 70% of - 70% of

commercial fish depend upon salt commercial fish depend upon salt marshes for all or part of their lives. marshes for all or part of their lives. Nursing, Habitat, and Breeding Grounds - Nursing, Habitat, and Breeding Grounds - 63 species of Narragansett Bay fish use 63 species of Narragansett Bay fish use salt marshes as nurseries, and many salt marshes as nurseries, and many more fish and shellfish depend on them more fish and shellfish depend on them for living and breeding. Wading birds such for living and breeding. Wading birds such as egrets and great blue herons feed in as egrets and great blue herons feed in the productive salt marshes during the the productive salt marshes during the summer months. Migratory birds such as summer months. Migratory birds such as shorebirds and ducks use salt marshes as shorebirds and ducks use salt marshes as stop-over points while traveling between stop-over points while traveling between summer and winter habitats. summer and winter habitats.

Tidal Salt MarshesTidal Salt Marshes

Flood, Storm and Shoreline Flood, Storm and Shoreline ProtectionProtection - Salt marshes - Salt marshes shield and protect coastal shield and protect coastal areas from storms, and are areas from storms, and are important shoreline stabilizers important shoreline stabilizers due to their wave dampening due to their wave dampening effect. Established marsh effect. Established marsh grasses are also highly grasses are also highly effective against erosion. effective against erosion.

Tidal Salt MarshTidal Salt Marsh

Clean and Filter WaterClean and Filter Water - Salt - Salt marshes clean water by marshes clean water by filtering sediments, nutrients, filtering sediments, nutrients, heavy metals, and other heavy metals, and other toxins from upland runoff. toxins from upland runoff.

GrassesGrasses

BiotaBiota

Highly Productive EcosystemsHighly Productive Ecosystems - - Salt marshes produce more basic Salt marshes produce more basic food energy per acre than any food energy per acre than any other known ecosystem including other known ecosystem including tropical rainforests and tropical rainforests and freshwater wetlands. freshwater wetlands.

Commercial FisheriesCommercial Fisheries - 70% of - 70% of commercial fish depend upon salt commercial fish depend upon salt marshes for all or part of their marshes for all or part of their lives.lives.

Salt Marsh Grass Salt Marsh Grass SystemSystem

ThreatsThreats Salt marshes are among the most Salt marshes are among the most

productive ecosystems in the world productive ecosystems in the world The key plant of the salt marsh is cord The key plant of the salt marsh is cord

grass, Spartina grass, Spartina A river of grass swaying in the breeze A river of grass swaying in the breeze

where the land meets the water, salt where the land meets the water, salt marshes are among the most marshes are among the most productive habitats found within the productive habitats found within the Indian River Lagoon. Because they Indian River Lagoon. Because they exist in areas which man has steadily exist in areas which man has steadily developed or altered over many years, developed or altered over many years, they are also among the most they are also among the most threatened habitats. threatened habitats.

Hydrothermal VentsHydrothermal Vents In 1977 colonies of animals were In 1977 colonies of animals were

identified in areas of the ocean with identified in areas of the ocean with volcanic activity and ventsvolcanic activity and vents

Geologists working in such an area Geologists working in such an area discovered 5 foot long worms near the discovered 5 foot long worms near the Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

The basis of this biome is the bacteria The basis of this biome is the bacteria that are able to produce energy by that are able to produce energy by chemoautotrophy chemoautotrophy

Hydrothermal VentsHydrothermal Vents In many vent areas the In many vent areas the

super heated water super heated water rises quickly from the rises quickly from the ocean bottom with so ocean bottom with so many minerals that it many minerals that it appears black. appears black.

As it rises from the As it rises from the seafloor some of the seafloor some of the minerals precipitate minerals precipitate out and form a out and form a 'chimney' around the 'chimney' around the water vent. These water vent. These chimneys may grow to chimneys may grow to over 40 feet high while over 40 feet high while venting the black venting the black mineral-rich heated mineral-rich heated water. water.

The Origin of VentsThe Origin of Vents Seawater, found Seawater, found

in cracks in the in cracks in the ocean bottom, is ocean bottom, is heated by heated by volcanic activityvolcanic activity and it becomes less and it becomes less dense and rises. dense and rises.

If this water has If this water has come into contact come into contact with newly solidified with newly solidified rock it will have rock it will have leached many leached many minerals from that minerals from that new rock. new rock.

Large vestimintiferan worms over six feet longLarge vestimintiferan worms over six feet long are one of are one of the most visible animals at the vents. These are tube worms, the most visible animals at the vents. These are tube worms, secreting a thick paper-like white tube along their body. secreting a thick paper-like white tube along their body.

The vestimintiferans do not have a mouth or gut instead they The vestimintiferans do not have a mouth or gut instead they rely on mutualistic symbiotic bacteria living in their tissue to rely on mutualistic symbiotic bacteria living in their tissue to produce the 'cell food' needed to keep them alive. produce the 'cell food' needed to keep them alive.

The discovery of the vent communities was the first time The discovery of the vent communities was the first time anyone had seen vestimintiferan worms - a new phylum. It is anyone had seen vestimintiferan worms - a new phylum. It is believed these worms are some of the fastest growing believed these worms are some of the fastest growing invertebrates known. invertebrates known.

Vent Biome Vent Biome InhabitantsInhabitants

ProfundalProfundal

The depths of the oceanThe depths of the oceanNo light in the depthsNo light in the depthsHigh PressureHigh PressureLow dissolved oxygenLow dissolved oxygen2000 – 6000 m in depth2000 – 6000 m in depth39oF39oF

Creatures of the DeepCreatures of the Deep

BioluminescenceBioluminescence Many of the Many of the

organisms in the organisms in the depths are depths are capable of capable of producing light- producing light- this phenomenon this phenomenon is called is called bioluminescencebioluminescence

Animals produce Animals produce red, green, and red, green, and blue lightblue light

The spectrum of lightThe spectrum of light

Blue lightBlue light Most bioluminescence Most bioluminescence

is blue in coloris blue in color

.. Blue light of wave Blue light of wave

lengths is 470 nm. It lengths is 470 nm. It transmits the furthest transmits the furthest in the depths of the in the depths of the oceansoceans

Most organisms are Most organisms are sensitive to blue light - sensitive to blue light - they lack the visual they lack the visual pigments which can pigments which can absorb longer (yellow, absorb longer (yellow, red) or shorter (indigo, red) or shorter (indigo, ultraviolet) ultraviolet) wavelengths.wavelengths.

BenthopelagicBenthopelagic These animals have These animals have

high levels of TMAOhigh levels of TMAO

TMAO enables TMAO enables marine organisms to marine organisms to retain hydration retain hydration while living in salt while living in salt waterwater

Live above the Live above the bottom of the ocean bottom of the ocean

Giant Grenadier Fish

Chilly OceansChilly Oceans AntarcticaAntarctica -2-2ooC water in C water in

many placesmany places 100100ooC water from C water from

volcanic actionvolcanic action IceIce Violent stormsViolent storms Winter darknessWinter darkness Short summerShort summer

OrcasOrcas

AnimalsAnimals

Antarctic fish – Antarctic fish – Antifreeze in the bloodAntifreeze in the blood

Antarctic fish Antarctic fish have lived at have lived at betweenbetween +2°C +2°C and -2°C for 5 and -2°C for 5 million yearsmillion years (- (-2°C is the 2°C is the freezing point of freezing point of sea water, below sea water, below zero because of zero because of the salt). They the salt). They are therefore the are therefore the best cold best cold adapted animals adapted animals that there are on that there are on the planet - now the planet - now or ever.or ever.

Adaptations to ColdAdaptations to Cold