Lab 2 Oceans and Plastic (1)
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Feb 20, 2024
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LAB 2: OCEANS AND PLASTIC
100 points
Due exactly one week from lab start time. LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lab, you will be able to
1.
Explain where the ocean’s water and salt come from.
2.
Explain how sea level varies over geologic time.
3.
Define ocean currents and factors that influence them.
4.
Identify human-caused issues impacting the ocean.
INTRODUCTION
Oceans are an important part of Earth and necessary for humanity to exist. The ocean is important because it produces over half of the world’s oxygen, absorbs 50 times more CO
2
than
the atmosphere, transports heat from the equator to the poles, and it regulates climate and weather patterns (
NOAA
). The ocean is a dynamic environment in constant motion and full of life. Ocean waters flow over vast distances in currents, and the surface elevation changes due to tides and the development of waves. Despite constant motion, ocean waters are nonhomogeneous because salt content and temperature vary regionally and with depth.
Ocean pollution is a complex mixture of chemicals and trash. More than 80% of pollution comes from land-based sources and it reaches the ocean through rivers, runoff, atmospheric deposition, and direct dumping. Ocean pollution is heaviest near the coast and highly concentrated along coastlines of low-income and middle-income countries. Ocean pollution can also be found in the deepest oceanic trenches and along the shores of remote islands (
National Geographic
). Chemical pollution is a concern for health, environmental, and economic reasons. It is often related to human activities such as fertilizer use on farms, which will runoff into local waterways and eventually end up in the ocean. Increased concentrations of chemicals have negative effects on wildlife and human health (
National Geographic
). Trash encompasses all manufactured products created by humans that end up in the ocean. Trash poses dangers to both humans and animals. Sea animals can become tangled and injured in debris. Small organisms feed on bits of broken-down plastic and absorb the chemicals
into their bodies. The smaller organisms are eaten by larger and larger animals; thus, these chemicals migrate through the food chain and can be consumed by humans (
EHS
). 1 1
Solutions for ocean pollution include prevention and cleanup (
NOAA
). Disposable and single-use plastic is commonly used in society, so changing society’s approach to plastic use will take a long time and be an economically challenging process. Cleanup is possible to a degree; however, it will take an even longer amount of time. Some debris do not float and are lost deep
in the ocean. Plastics that do float collect in large patches in ocean gyres. The “Pacific Garbage Patch” is one example of a collection of plastics floating at the surface between California and Hawaii (
National Geographic
). Figure from NOAA
. 1 2
LAB 4: OCEANS AND VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP Name: _____________________________
Section: _____________________________
This lab has two parts: 1) a virtual group field trip and 2) an exploration of ocean properties. For the virtual field trip we will be visiting Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary in California. We will be investigating the geological and coastal properties of this region as well as examining some of the environmental issues of the area and the means of mitigating them. [100 pts].
Oceans and Plastic Pollution StoryMap Presentation
Part I: Virtual Field Trip Go to Google Earth
, and search for “Monterey Bay”
1.
Where is the bay? [2 pts]
Monterey Bay is located on the central coast of California, United States, extending from the city of Santa Cruz in the north to the city of Monterey in the south.
2.
What ocean is the bay in? [2 pts] Monterey Bay is in the Pacific Ocean.
Monterey Bay is a marine sanctuary. Visit this website
and answer the following questions.
(
https://montereybay.noaa.gov/intro/welcome.html
)
3.
Describe four physical characteristics of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. (size, shoreline, depth, etc.) [8 pts]
The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is one of the largest marine protected areas in the United States, covering approximately 6,094 square miles of ocean along the central California coast. Its shoreline consists by rugged coastal cliffs, sandy beaches, and rocky shores, providing diverse habitats for marine life. The sanctuary also has a wide range of depths, from shallow zones to deep submarine canyons, supporting a variety of ecosystems and species. Additionally, the sanctuary is known for its unique geological features, including underwater kelp forests, seamounts, and deep-sea trenches.
Now, let’s look at the current physical condition of the water in the Bay. Visit this website
and answer the following
questions. https://www.swellinfo.com/surf-forecast/monterey-california
Use data for tomorrow (it doesn’t have to be a specific day – just look at tomorrows forecast no matter what day you are completing this lab) for all your answers for question 4-9.
4.
Surf height at 9 a.m. (include units). [2 pts] 6.59 ft. 5.
Height and time of a.m. Low Tide. [2 pts] 3:03 AM at 2.39 ft.
1 3
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6.
Height and time of a.m. High Tide. [2 pts]
6.59 ft. at 11 AM
7.
Wind direction and speed at 9 a.m. [2 pts]
North at 4 MPH
8.
Swell direction and speed at 9 a.m. [2 pts] WNW 5.7 ft. at 8 seconds
9.
Ocean temperature (include units). [2 pts] 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is federally protected by the U.S. Department of Commerce. However, its proximity to the coastline makes it vulnerable to pollution from watershed areas that drain to it. Visit this website
to learn more. https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/water-pro.html
10.
Name three contaminants that can pollute the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary and describe why they are
dangerous. [8 pts]
Three contaminants that can pollute the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary are agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers, urban runoff carrying pollutants like oil, heavy metals, and sewage, and industrial discharges releasing chemicals and toxins into the water. These contaminants are dangerous because they can degrade water quality, harm marine life, and disrupt
ecosystem functions, leading to reduced biodiversity, fish kills, and human health risks from consuming contaminated seafood or coming into contact with polluted water.
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Today, most coastal regions are threatened by human activities and pollution. Although protected, Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is still at risk and currently experiences a variety of environmental issues. Visit this website
and answer the following questions. https://montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/resmanissues/issues.html
11.
Using the table below, list and describe 6 issues the bay is experiencing and describe their cause/effect. [4
pts each, 24 pts total]
Issue
Cause
Effect
Pollution
Pollution from various sources such as agricultural runoff, urban runoff, and industrial activities can contaminate the water,
leading to degraded water quality, harmful blooms, and negative impacts on marine life.
nutrient runoff can fuel algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water, causing fish kills and harming other marine organisms.
Overfishing
Overfishing can deplete fish populations, disrupt marine ecosystems, and threaten the livelihoods of fishermen.
This can occur due to excessive fishing pressure, lack of effective fisheries management, and illegal fishing practices, leading to declines in fish stocks and ecosystems.
Habitat Destruction
Coastal development, dredging, and other human activities can destroy or degrade important habitats such as wetlands, and kelp forests, reducing biodiversity and disrupting ecosystem functions.
For instance, the loss of kelp forests can impact species that rely on them for food and shelter, such as sea otters and various fish species.
Ocean Acidification
Increased carbon dioxide emissions from human activities can lead to ocean acidification, which can harm marine life with
calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as corals, shellfish, and some plankton species.
Ocean acidification can weaken shells and skeletons, making it more difficult for organisms to survive and reproduce, thus affecting marine food webs and ecosystem health.
Climate Change
Climate change can result in rising sea levels, changing ocean temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events, which can have impacts on coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
For example, sea level rise can inundate coastal habitats and infrastructure, while warming oceans can affect the distribution and abundance
of marine species.
Marine Debris
Marine debris, including plastics, metals, and other materials, can accumulate in Monterey Bay due to improper waste disposal, littering, and marine activities.
This can harm marine life through ingestion, entanglement, and habitat destruction, as well as
impact human health and coastal economies. Efforts to reduce marine debris include public education, coastal clean-up initiatives, and policy measures to regulate plastic use and disposal.
1 5
Part II: Overview of Ocean Properties
The ocean is different from other water bodies on Earth. This is because the ocean is a solution containing dissolved salts. Using this website
, answer the question below. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/why_oceans.html#:~:text=The%20ocean%20formed%20billions%20of,know
%20as%20our%20world%20ocean
. 1.
How did the ocean form? [2 pts]
The ocean formed over billions of years through processes such as volcanic activity, the release of water vapor from Earth's interior, and the accumulation of water from sources like rainfall and runoff.
Using your textbook or this website
, answer the following questions. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/whysalty.html
2.
What are the two main sources of ocean salts? [4 pts]
The two main sources of ocean salts are weathering of rocks on land, which releases minerals into
rivers that eventually flow into the ocean, and volcanic activity, which releases dissolved gasses and minerals into the ocean through underwater vents and eruptions.
3.
What three factors affect the salinity of ocean water? [6 pts]
Three factors that affect the salinity of ocean water are evaporation, precipitation, and freshwater input from rivers and streams. When water evaporates from the ocean surface, it leaves behind salts, increasing salinity, while precipitation dilutes seawater, reducing salinity. Additionally, freshwater input from rivers and streams can decrease salinity in coastal areas where they discharge into the ocean.
A layer of saltwater forms a single global ocean. The continents and the equator divide the ocean into distinct geographic regions, and partial enclosure of oceanic regions by land defines seas and bays. Mean sea level, the average elevation of the sea surface, has varied across geologic time. Using this website
, answer the question below. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-sea-level#:~:text=What's
%20causing%20sea%20level%20to,expanding%20as%20the%20water%20warms.
4.
What two main global warming factors are causing a change in sea level? How do they change sea level? [6 pts]
The two main factors causing a change in sea level are thermal expansion and the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers. Thermal expansion occurs as ocean water warms, causing it to expand
and occupy more space, leading to a rise in sea levels. Melting ice caps and glaciers add more water to the oceans, contributing to sea level rise by directly increasing the volume of water in the
ocean.
1 6
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Visit this website
.
The ocean conveyor belt circulates ocean water around the entire planet. Also known as thermohaline circulation, the ocean conveyor belt is essential for regulating temperature, salinity and nutrient flow
throughout the ocean. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_currents/04currents2.html
5.
What are ocean currents? [2 pts]
Ocean currents are large-scale movements of seawater that circulate around the world's oceans, driven primarily by factors like wind, temperature, and the Earth's rotation. These currents play a huge role in regulating Earth's climate by redistributing heat and nutrients, influencing weather patterns, and shaping marine ecosystems.
6.
Why do currents circle the ocean? [2 pts]
Ocean currents circulate due to a combination of factors including wind patterns, the Earth's rotation, and differences in water density, creating circular movements known as gyres.
7.
What is the pattern of oceanic currents in the Northern Hemisphere? The Southern Hemisphere? [4 pts]
In the Northern Hemisphere, oceanic currents generally circulate in a clockwise direction, forming gyres, with warm currents flowing forward on the western side of the ocean and cold currents flowing the other way on the eastern side. In the Southern Hemisphere, oceanic currents typically flow in a counterclockwise direction, with warm currents moving towards the poles on the eastern sides of the ocean and cold currents moving towards the equator on the western sides.
8.
If tons of plastic pollution were dumped off the coast of the California, where would they end up: Canada or Mexico? Why? (Visit https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/ocean/surface/currents/overlay=significant_wave_height/
orthographic=-122.75,27.93,266
set mode to ocean, animate to currents, overlay to currents) [4 pts]
If tons of plastic pollution were dumped off the coast of California, the currents and wind would likely carry the debris primarily in a clockwise direction due to the North Pacific, which would tend to push the pollution towards Mexico. However, some of it could possibly reach Canada's coast depending on other factors such as wind patterns, ocean currents, and the specific location of the dumping.
Ocean water is in constant motion due to currents, upwelling and downwelling, and thermohaline circulation. Visit this website
and answer these questions. https://ocean-climate.org/en/awareness/ocean-circulation/
9.
Describe ocean circulation. What drives it? [2 pts]
Ocean circulation refers to the movement of water within the Earth's oceans, driven primarily by wind, temperature, salinity differences, and Earth's rotation. Surface currents are primarily driven by winds, while deeper currents are influenced by variations in water density caused by temperature and salinity variances.
1 7
10.
Why does downwelling of ocean water occur at polar latitudes and upwelling at the equator? [2 pts]
Downwelling occurs at polar latitudes because cold, dense water sinks due to its higher density, placing less dense water below it. then, upwelling occurs at the equator because warm surface waters are pushed away by winds, allowing deeper waters to rise to the surface that are rich in nutrients.
Visit this website
about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and answer the following questions. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
11.
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? [2pts]
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a massive collection of floating debris, primarily composed of
plastics and other garbage. It forms due to ocean currents concentrating marine litter, posing significant threats to marine life and ecosystems.
12.
Where is it? What are the sources of pollution contributing to it? And where does the pollution come from (name countries)? [6 pts]
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is located in the North Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and California. Its sources of pollution come from various human activities, including improper waste disposal, littering, industrial runoff, and activities like fishing and shipping. Much of the pollution consists of plastics, ranging from larger items such as bottles and fishing nets to smaller plastics that originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris.
13.
How did it form? [2 pts]
The formation of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is primarily due to ocean currents and human activities. The North Pacific, a system of rotating ocean currents, collects and traps marine debris,
including plastics, in a concentrated area. Over time, these plastics break down into smaller pieces due to sunlight, and wave action, forming the huge space of floating debris known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
14.
Why is it a problem? [2 pts]
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a problem because it harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement, harms ecosystems, and poses risks to human health through the ingestion of microplastics and it affects the food chain.
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