Marine Geography &
Biogeography
1
Continental Margin

Continental Shelf



Shallowest part of the oceans
Biologically richest part of the ocean
Ends at the shelf break
2
Continental Margin

Continental slope


3000-4000 m

Continental rise

Deep-sea fan
Submarine canyons
3
Deep-Ocean Basins


Abyssal plain
Submarine ridge: underwater mountain ranges
(Mid-Atlantic ridge)
4
Deep-Ocean Basins


Oceanic Trenches
Seamounts
5
Habitats & Life Habitats

Plankton



Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Nekton

Neuston

Benthic

Benthos

Infauna

Epifauna
6
Habitats & Life Habitats
7
Habitats & Life Habitats

Pelagic





Neritic
Oceanic
Horizontal zonation
Epipelagic
Mesopelagic
Bathypelagic, abyssopelagic,
and hadalpelagic (hadopelagic)
Vertical zonation
8
Habitats & Life Habitats

Intertidal or littoral

Subtidal or sublittoral
9
10
The Marine Environment
How physical and chemical
properties of water affect life in
the sea
11
Salinity


Seawater contains a
variety of dissolved
solids
Salinity is measured:
 Conductivity of Cl
 Refractometer
12
How salinity affects marine
organisms

Changes in salinity affect organisms through osmosis
13
Sea Surface Temperature
14
Temperature Stratification

Thermocline
15
Measuring Temperature
Niskin Bottles
CTD
Satellite Imagery
16
Temperature Regulation
Metabolism


Ectothermic
Endothermic
Environment


Poikilotherms
Homeotherms
17
Density, Salinity, and
Temperature Relationship

Seawater becomes
denser as it gets
saltier, colder or
both
 Halocline

Pycnocline
18
Dissolved Gases




Oxygen (O2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Nitrogen (N2)
The amount of oxygen in a body of water depends
on:
Sunlight + 6H20 + 6CO2
C6H12O6 (Glucose) + 6O2
19
Transparency
20
Transparency
21
Pressure

Atmosphere

14.7 psi

10 meters = +1 atm

4000 meters =
22