Marine Physical Environments

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Is defined as a set of organisms and abiotic components, linked by processes of energy transfer and cycling of materials

Question 2

What marine environmental gradients are there?

Answer 2

-Latitude (both magnitude and seasonality of solar radiation
-Depth (from the sea surface to the abyssal bed)
-Coast to Open Water (often coincides with depth)

Question 3

What is the salinity of the Mediterranean sea?

Answer 3

38 ppt

Question 4

What is the salinity of the Red Sea?

Answer 4

40 ppt

Question 5

What is the average sea water salinity?

Answer 5

34.7 ppt

Question 6

What is a biotope?

Answer 6

A biotope is defined as a habitat together with its recurring associated community

Question 7

What are the main habitat attributes that influence marine communities?

Answer 7

-Substratum
-Zonation
-Exposure to wave action
-Strength of tidal currents
-Salinity

Question 8

What is the water pressure at 40 m

Answer 8

4 bar

Question 9

What is the water pressure at 20 m

Answer 9

2 bar

Question 10

What is the nutricline?

Answer 10

The region of the water column where nutrient concentrations increase rapidly with depths

Question 11

Where is the maximum rate of photosynthesis?

Answer 11

Near the surface where light intensity is greatest

Question 12

How can nutrients be replenished?

Answer 12

-Physical processes (vertical mixing)
-Biological processes (recycling of organic matter)