Ocean Color

From GeoClasses

1 Why is the Ocean different colors?
2 Why is knowing the color important?
3 How is the color of the ocean measured?
4 Ocean Life
5 Wonder how to make an ocean in a bottle
6 References

Why is the Ocean different colors?

By: Alorien Sadler

The color of the ocean can be determined by light and substances that is in the water.The free-floating photosynthetic organisms (phytoplankton) and inorganic particulates are some of the most important features that make up the oceans color. Phytoplankton contain chlorophyll,that absorb the light at blue and red wavelengths and then it transmits in the green. This is also called the "bloom". Phytoplankton will convert nutrients into plants by using sunlight. The chlorophyll pigments in the plants absorb light, and the plants themselves Particulate reflect and absorb light, that eventually reduces the clarity or light transmission of the water. The substances that are dissolved in water can also affect the color of the ocean. Plants can scatter light in the ocean and during this process it can appear to the viewer that the ocean is turning color.

Blue Ocean.

[edit]

Why is knowing the color important?

Knowing the color of the ocean is very important to understand global warming. Scientist study the ocean from space. By studying the color of the light in the ocean scientist can quantify the amount of chlorophyll. This is really important to know about the carbon cycle and therefore help in determining global warming.

[edit]

How is the color of the ocean measured?

NASA uses an instrument known as the Sea-viewing. It is a wide field-of-view sensor that was developed in the year 1997. The next year,1998, NASA developed another satellite known as EOS, Earth Observing System. The EOS will carry a color satellite called the MODIS, short for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer.

Blue Ocean.

Green Ocean.

[edit]

Ocean Life

Many different kinds of animals live in the oceans. Located on the ocean floor are crabs, worms, and starfish. Many of the plants and animals that live in the ocean must live together or near each other to survive. These kinds of animals are called invertebrates. In the shallow depths many plants bloom or flourish and the sun that beams down into the ocean creates the algae that is a source of food for many creatures of the ocean. The deeper parts of the ocean whales and dolphins, the largest ocean animals, are swimming around. There are two different types of plants in the ocean. The kind that are attached to the ocean and the other that simply drifts in the water. The rooted plants are only going to be located in the shallow areas of the sea. Because light from the sun can only going a few hundred feet in the water the process of photosynthesis is uncable of supporting the rooted life of the ocean. There are three groups of marine animals found in the ocean: zooplankton, nekton, and benthos. Zooplanktons are normally small in size and are animals that merely drift in the ocean like jellyfish. Netktons are known as "free-swimmers." This group of animals are the largest group of animals in the ocean such as the whales. The last group benthos are the animals that only live at the bottom of the ocean like crabs and lobsters. That is probably why crabs and lobsters are so expense to buy or even eat at a restaurant because they are harder to catch.

Ocean Life.

[edit]

Wonder how to make an ocean in a bottle

Courtesy of: http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/summer/crafts/ocean-bottle.html

What you need: - Empty 2 liter plastic bottle with a lid

- Clear vegetable oil or mineral oil

- Water

- Funnel

- Blue food coloring

- Small star fish, shells and other sea creatures

- Glitter

- White craft glue

- Hot glue (get an adult to help with hot glue)

Steps: 1. Wash and dry 2-liter bottle and remove all labels. 2. Fill bottle halfway with tap water. 3. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and swirl around to mix. 4. Add a little glitter. 5. Add sea cratures. 6. Using funnel, fill the bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil. 7. Make sure the rim and cap are dry, then apply white craft glue around the rim. Seal cap. 8. Have an adult use a layer around the outside edge to keep it from leaking. 9. Turn the bottle on it’s side and gently rock the bottle to create your very own waves!

HAVE FUN!!!

Green Ocean.

[edit]