Lab_5_Hesterman_N_Section_403
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School
Texas A&M University *
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Course
101
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
5
Uploaded by PresidentKnowledge16163
MARS Lab
27 February 2023
Lab #5: Ocean Chemistry
Deliverable #1:
1.
Please insert a .png of your line plot for the Salinity and Depth Plot for the East
Flower Garden Banks (10 points)
2.
What is a Halocline?
a. Rapid Change in Salinity
b. Rapid Change in Density
3.
At what depth (s) is the Halocline in your East Flower Garden Banks plot?
●
The depths that the Halocline in my East Flower Garden Banks plot up to
around 200 m. The last plot on my graph is around 175 m.
4.
Is the surface salinity higher or lower than salinity below 100 m ? What might
impact that salinity?
●
The surface salinity is lower than the salinity below 100 m. Depth impacts
that salinity.
5.
At what depth is the maximum salinity (HINT you can look at the graph and the
data to help you)?
●
The depth that has the greatest salinity would be a little over 100 m.
6.
How was the data collected ?
a. YSI probe
b. CTD rosette
c. Ocean Glider
Deliverable #2:
1.
Before this lab, did you know that we have coral reefs off the coast of Galveston,
with an office that supports and protects them in Galveston?
a. Yes
b. No
2.
What does NOAA stand for?
●
NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
3.
Find the East Flower Garden Bank Icon (red dot). (HINT: around -93.61, 27.91, you
can scroll around the map and see the lat/long in the bottom right corner). Read the
overview description, what is an interesting fact about that sanctuary in regards to
salinity?
●
One interesting fact that I learned about the sanctuary in regards to salinity
was that it has a minimum salinity of 31.00 and a maximum salinity of 36.00.
It has pear shaped salt dome formation.
4.
Read the following article:
https://www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/ocean-topics/tools-technology/moorings-buo
ys/. What is a buoy?
●
A buoy is ultimately a floating device that has many purposes. It usually can
be anchored down or free floating allowing it to move with ocean currents. A
buoy can hold many tools such as rain, sun, and wind, gages. These all help
scientists gather information and data.
5.
Put on the ‘NCDC (National Data Buoy Center) buoys’ layer on the left side.
Comment on the amount of buoys around the Gulf of Mexico.
●
There are quite a few buoys located around the Gulf of Mexico. If I had to
guess the amount would either be a little less or around 50 buoys.
Deliverable #3:
1.
Highlight in green how ions are added to the ocean. Highlight in how ions are
removed from the ocean. If ions are both removed and added by the same process,
highlight it yellow.
biological processes
river discharge
volcanic eruptions
hydrothermal activity at the mid ocean ridge
sea spray
adsorption and precipitation
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2.
Read the following press release:
https://today.tamu.edu/2021/02/19/gulf-of-mexico-experiencing-record-low-water-te
mperatures/?fbclid=IwAR0sZkZyjQVlBxylo9NqMAe1PlIbozTwln_-NaMCFBGsG
Y-lYiw_2FxwBgw
How did changes in atmospheric temperature impact ocean
temperatures during our recent winter storm?
●
Changes in atmospheric temperatures impacted temperatures during our
recent winter storm by having the lowest ever temperature recorded since
1995, when they first put out the system. These low temperatures of 52.5
degrees impacted marine life and killed many sea turtles.
3. After looking at the buoy data on the NOAA website and reading this press release,
comment on the importance of ocean observing buoys.
●
After looking at the buoy data on the NOAA website and reading the press
release, I find it very important to have ocean observing buoys, so that people
can take extra precautions and try to save all of marine life when
experiencing these cold, harsh temperatures.
4. Does Texas A&M have an active buoy system in the Gulf of Mexico? What is it called?
●
Yes, Texas A&M has an active buoy system in the Gulf of Mexico. It is called
the TABS System, standing for Texas Automated Buoy System.
5. Why is measuring salinity important to understanding the Earth system (connect to the
lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere)?
●
Measuring salinity is highly important to understanding the Earth System’s
by providing important insight to the planet’s water cycle. The lithosphere is
impacted by salinity by degrading the Earth’s crust, as well as, sinking into
the Earth’s Layers. The biosphere is also impacted by salinity by reducing
growth and stopping plant production . The hydrosphere is impacted by
salinity and determines the density and how marine organisms interact with
it. Salinity also affects the atmosphere by climate change and weather.