Types of Algae

- Marine algae, more commonly known as seaweeds, come in all shapes and sizes.

- Algae are not plants, even though they sometimes look like them.

- They are all referred to as algae, the red, green and brown algae are classified into three different kingdoms: the protists, chromists and plantae.

- The algae all have cell wall structures and are capable of photosynthesis like our plants on land.

  Brown algae is the largest type of algae. It is brown or yellow- brown in color and found in temperate or arctic waters. Brown algae typically have a root-like structure called a "holdfast" to anchor the algae to a surface.

Examples of brown algae: kelp, rockweed (Fucus), Sargassum.

Brown Algae

Red AlgaeRed algae are reddish or purplish in color. There are about 6,000 species of red algae and they are protists in the phylum Rhodophyta. Red algae species range from simple one-celled organisms to complex, multi-celled, plant-like organisms. Red algae get their energy from photosynthesis. One thing that distinguishes red algae from other algae is that their cells lack flagella.

Green AlgaeThere are more than 4,000 species of green algae. Green algae may be found in marine or freshwater habitats, and some even thrive in moist soil. These algae come in 3 forms: unicellular, colonial or multicellular.Examples of green algae: sea lettuce (Ulva sp.), which is commonly found in tide pools, Codium sp., one species of which is commonly called "dead man's fingers."

What is phytoplankton?

" Plankton" is the term that generally refers to the "floaters," the organisms in the ocean that drift with the currents. This includes the algae, zooplankton ("animal plankton"), phytoplankton (plankton that are capable of photosynthesis), and bacteria.

1. Is phytoplankton a consumer or producer? Explain.2. Is zooplankton a producer or consumer? Explain.

Ocean Plant Life: Algae

Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that are the base of ocean ecosystems; they are so abundant that they are visible from space. Here, average chlorophyll from 1998 through 2006 is shown in green and indicates areas of high biological productivity.

Phytoplankton…

- They are possibly the most important group of organisms on the planet as they generate most of the oxygen that we breath.

- They convert inorganic nutrients and sunlight into vegetative matter

- Most marine food chains depend on their presence as a primary food source.

- A small proportion of species produce highly potent toxins and the monitoring of these are very important to ensure food safety.

- They generally photosynthesize to survive – although some eat other species.

Ocean Plant Life: Diatoms (type of phytoplankton)

Diatoms are small microscopic plants (algae) that go through the process of photosynthesis. Diatoms are abundant in nearly every habitat where water is found – oceans, lakes, streams, mosses, soils, even the bark of trees. Diatoms grow as single cells, or form simple filaments or colonies. They form the base of aquatic food webs in marine and freshwater habitats. There is a wide range in the number of species of diatoms present on earth, from 20,000 to over 1-2 million.

Ocean Plant Life: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton is a microscopic producer. Rising acid levels in the world's oceans appear to be robbing the tiny animals that form the bedrock of the marine food web of a vital nutrient. This shift in the ocean's chemistry could reduce populations of phytoplankton, which could touch off a cascade of changes to ocean life.

Continued: Algae

- A "red tide“ (above) is a common term used for a harmful algal bloom. - Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when

colonies of algae — simple ocean plants that live in the sea — grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds.

- Human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal.

The ocean plays a critical role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and providing oxygen. It regulates Earth's climate. The ocean is an increasingly important source of biomedical organisms with enormous potential for fighting disease.

Resources from the Oceans

Fisheries Tourism Mining

Drilling 1. What resources do humans get from the ocean?

2. What are the positives and negatives of obtaining resources from the ocean?

Ocean Resources Poster: Images, Captions, Pros/Cons and Information Below

Fisheries- Types of Fish- How much is provided - Provides 16% of total world’s protein (higher in developing nations)

Tourism

- Fastest growing division of the world economy- Provides 200 million jobs- Ecotourism and cultural tourism: favors low impact tourism, foster respect for local

cultures and ecosystem stewardship

Mining

- Ocean floor mining: diamonds, gold, silver, metal ores (manganese nodules), gravel, sand, etc.Drilling (oil or natural gas)

- Resources located use seismic surveys- Exploratory rigs are replaced by production rigs when drilling for oil or natural gas- An average well lasts from 10 – 20 years.

Ocean Resources

The ocean is one of Earth's most valuable natural resources. It provides food in the form of fish and shellfish—about 200 billion pounds are caught each year. It's used for transportation—both travel and shipping. It provides a treasured source of recreation for humans. It is mined for minerals (salt, sand, gravel, and some manganese, copper, nickel, iron, and cobalt can be found in the deep sea) and drilled for crude oil.

Fishing FactsThe oceans have been fished for thousands of years and are an integral part of human society. Fish have been important to the world economy for all of these years, starting with the Viking trade of cod and then continuing with fisheries like those found in Lofoten, Europe, Italy, Portugal, Spain and India. Fisheries of today provide about 16% of the total world's protein with higher percentages occurring in developing nations. Fisheries are still enormously important to the economy and wellbeing of communities.

Ocean FishingFishing FactsThe word fisheries refers to all of the fishing activities in the ocean. The oceans have been fished for thousands of years and are an integral part of human society. Fish have been important to the world economy for all of these year. Fisheries of today provide about 16% of the total world's protein with higher percentages occurring in developing nations.