Mangroves

Red mangroves are the most salt-tolerant of all mangroves, growing closest to the sea. They often stand "knee deep" in water and have prop roots to help anchor them in the loose mud and protect them from strong winds, waves, and tides.

Black mangroves grow closer to the shore in the intertidal zone in anaerobic soils. They have shallow roots called pneumatophores that grow horizontally and send up vertical shoots. The shoots bring oxygen to the rest of the root.

The white mangrove is the least tolerant of saltwater, growing furthest from the sea. it is usually found on higher ground and has no special root adaptations.

The tangled roots of the red mangrove provide a protective nursery for young marine animals and helps them to survive into adulthood. This is important to the fishing industry because fisherman want to catch adult fish and then sell them to potential consumers. Mangroves also provide a place for many species of birds to feed, nest, and roost, and they help guard homes from natural disasters. 

The Ocean Garbage Patch

The Ocean Garbage Patch is a gyre of high concentrations of plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris in the central North Pacific Ocean. It is thought to have been formed gradually as a result of marine pollution gathered by oceanic currents. The patch leads to illness and even death among marine animals because of the toxins released by the trash and by the physical size of some plastics, which makes it difficult for it to be digested. The effects of the Ocean Garbage Patch can be reduced if humans stop emptying wastes into the oceans.

Hawksbill Turtle

• Common Name: Hawksbill sea turtle
• Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata
• Habitat: Hawksbill turtles are found predominantly in tropical reefs of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.
• Adaptations: Their armored heads protect them from the stinging cnidarians they prey upon, and they are highly resilient to many toxic organisms.
• Status: Severely endangered
• Current Issue Facing Hawksbill Turtles: Though it is illegal to hunt hawksbills  in many countries, they are still taken by humans. They are eaten as a delicacy in some parts of the world, and some cultures use their shells for decoration. Efforts are being taken to conserve them.

I chose to research the hawksbill turtle because I love turtles, and since hawksbills are the only turtles we discussed in class so far, I wanted to learn more about them. 

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification, also referred to as "The Other Carbon Problem," is the process of the ocean becoming more acidic due to carbon dioxide pollution.

The ocean absorbs about a quarter of the carbon dioxide and alters the chemistry of the ocean, resulting in conditions that make it harder for animals to make their shells. Shellfish may cease to exist if the ocean becomes too acidic.

Corals are also unable to form their skeletons as quickly as they used to, which is a problem because 1/4 of the ocean's species live in the coral reef.

The extinction of ocean organisms affects food sources for both animals and humans. further ocean acidification can be prevented by reducing carbon dioxide pollution.

Karenia brevis

Karenia brevis is the dinoflagellate responsible for the red tide in Florida and Texas. When it is in high concentrations, it causes the water to take on a reddish or pinkish color.

It is harmful to marine animals and humans, causing death and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Symptoms of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning include vomiting, nausea, and a variety of neurological symptoms such as slurred speech. As a result, the Gulf coast economy is negatively affected because it prevents people from being able to consume shellfish.

Plankton Facts

1.Phytoplankton produce 80% of Earth's oxygen.

2.One type of phytoplankton, diatoms, are single-celled algae. They are the most important food source in the ocean.

3.The other type of phytoplankton, dinoflagellates, possess both plant and animal traits. They photosynthesize like plants and swim like simple animals.

4. Zooplankton are split into two categories as well. Meroplankton, such as eggs and larvae, are temporary zooplankton.

5. Holoplankton, such as jellyfish, are zooplankton that are in the floating state for their entire lives.

Dolphins

• Common Name: Dolphin
• Scientific Name: Delphinidae
• Habitat: Most species of dolphins live in shallow tropical and temperate areas throughout the world.
• Reproduction: Depending on the species, a dolphin's gestation period lasts from 9-17 months. They typically give birth to a single calf. In most cases, the calf is born tail first.
• Status: River dolphin species such as the Amazon river dolphin and the Ganges and Yangtze river dolphin are critically endangered.
• Interesting facts: Only half of a dolphin's brain goes to sleep while the other half stays awake so that the dolphin can continue breathing; dolphins use echolocation to navigate and hunt; the average lifespan for dolphins is 17 years.
• Major issue facing dolphins: dolphins are sometimes unintentionally killed by certain fishing methods.

I chose this animal because I knew that dolphins are extremely intelligent, so I wanted to learn more about them.

                                 

Plankton Race

Our assignment was to create "plankton" with the given materials that stayed afloat for as long as possible. The most challenging part of the assignment was constructing a plankton that could sink at a slow rate. It was easy for us to create a floating structure, but it took a while for us to figure out how to make something that could sink (at a slow pace). Our plankton ended up taking 10.25 seconds to sink.

If I could change the design of our plankton, I would make it flat with larger surface area so it would sink slower. However, it was fun to experiment with the different supplies to see what did and didn't work.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs, are large accumulations of toxic algae in marine and freshwater environments. They are caused by certain species of algae, such as Karenia brevis, that produce powerful neurotoxins causing mechanical damage and death.

Karenia brevis causes HABs along the Gulf Coast, frequently blooming along Florida coastal waters. It is a cause of red tide, causing the water to take on a reddish color when it is in high concentrations. Karenia brevis and other harmful species of algae cost the U.S. $75 million a year.

One way humans can help to prevent HABs is by not dumping waste into water. Dumping waste into the water makes it too rich in certain nutrients, increasing algal blooms.

Why Plankton Are Important

Plankton are important because nearly all other marine creatures, whether directly or indirectly, depend on them as a source of food. Phytoplankton use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make their own food, which rids the ocean of excess carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. Phytoplankton are crucial to our existence because they provide 80% of the earth's oxygen.

Diatoms are tiny unicellular algae. They are responsible for much of the oxygen produced by phytoplankton. They are probably the most important food source in the ocean because they feed not only smaller zooplankton, but also larger organisms.

Dinoflagellates are phytoplankton that resemble both plant and animal plankton. They are able to swim like simple animals, but they can also photosynthesize like plants.

Mantis Shrimp Facts

• Common Name: Mantis shrimp
• Scientific Name: Stromatopoda
• Adaptations: Some species are spearers, which have tiny appendages to help them snag and stab prey. Others are smashers, which have a more developed club to help them bludgeon and smash their victims. Mantis shrimp also have a complex eyes that each possess trinocular vision and depth perception.
• Habitat: Most species live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans between eastern Africa and Hawaii.
• Endangered: Though the mantis ship is commonly used for food in the Eastern hemisphere, especially in Asia, it is not endangered.
• Interesting Fact: Mantis shrimp exhibit complex behavior such as ritualized fighting and being able to recognize those with whom they frequently interact.

                               
                                 

I chose to research this organism because it is visually stunning and I had not previously known much about it.

The U.S. Exploring Expedition

Though the U.S. Exploring Expedition of 1836 is considered the first systematic scientific expedition made by the United States, it was not a success.

One reason why the expedition was a failure is that ships were disabled at sea. Many of the innovations contributed to the exploration of the sea had not yet been made, and treacherous weather often served as an obstacle to ships.

Another reason why the expedition was not completely successful was the lack of adequate data. Though plenty of samples were collected, they were lost or mishandled. Consequently, much of the scientific collection could not be thoroughly researched.

A third reason contributing to the expedition's failure was the insufficient funding for publication of the expedition's research. Due to the fact that nobody knew much about the ocean to begin with and that the people were unable to view the slim amount of data that had been collected, there was little public interest. Ultimately, the expedition's goal to learn more about the ocean and spread awareness of its findings was not met.

Though the U.S. Exploring Expedition did not achieve its goal, it is important because it allowed future ships and expeditions to learn from its mistakes.

History of Oceanography: The "Pathfinder of the Sea"

Some of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of oceanography were made by the U.S. Navy's Matthew Fontaine Maury.

Maury, also known as the "Pathfinder of the Sea", used data to establish the relationship between currents and oceanic weather. This research was important because weather can often be obstacle at sea; monitoring the ocean's currents gives a warning for troublesome weather, such as the formation of earthquakes.

Maury also published a book called The Physical Geography of the Sea and the first bathymetric map. Maury's publications have allowed sailors, explorers, and scientists to become more familiar with the ocean's topography.

5 Reasons Why We Should Study the Ocean

1. Historical Significance

The ocean floor is home to an abundance of human artifacts from sunken ships. Researching these artifacts can help us learn more about the world's history.

2. Preservation of Flora and Fauna

Learning more about the habitats of the ocean's wildlife can make us more knowledgeable on how to keep it safe. Also, monitoring the ocean's chemical structure can determine whether or not the water is suitable for life.

3. Monitoring the Ocean's Changes

Monitoring the conditions of the ocean can tell us more about our own environment. For example, increased acidity in the ocean suggests that there is a corresponding increase of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Also, movement on the ocean floor can be used to predict earthquakes and other natural occurrences.

4. Potential for New Medicines

Plants and animals from the ocean can potentially be used to make new medicines and remedies. Researching and discovering new wildlife can help contribute to this cause.

5. Gathering Natural Resources

The ocean can be studied in order to plot where oil and gas are most likely to be found. This can benefit the economy and provides an energy source.

Boat Assignment: Performance

Prior to testing my boat at school, I was a bit nervous. Even though my boat had seemed to work well at home, I was not sure how well it would perform in the stream table with marbles in place of the rock I had used.

At first, once it was my turn, I thought I was going to fail the assignment; I could not get my boat to travel the entire meter without hitting the sides of the table. However, once I figured out how to position the hairdryer, my boat was a success! During all three trials, my boat finished in under three seconds. I ended up with an average of 2.44 seconds.

If I had to do this project again, I would do more research for my design ahead of time to save myself some time, and I would figure out how exactly to position the hairdryer ahead of time. Otherwise, I am proud of the overall success of my boat during the race.

Boat Assignment: Design

The assignment was to construct a sailboat that is no larger than a half sheet of paper, can hold 20 marbles , and can travel one meter without sinking or touching the sides of the stream table. A hairdryer was used to imitate the wind. Grades are to be based on whose boat met all of these requirements with the fastest average time.

I started by building a base out of foil. The foil initially seemed to be an excellent choice because it was easy to mold, lightweight, and could hold all of the marbles without sinking.

Then, I attempted to make a sail out of pencils and plastic wrap by placing the plastic wrap between the two pencils and attaching it with tape. However, I found that whenever I tried to attach the sail to the boat, it was too flimsy. Even after I tried to reinforce it with layers upon layers of tape, it was not sturdy enough. I tried to put a layer of styrofoam in the center of the boat to hold the sail in place, but it was not thick enough to support the pencils. Since my original design had failed, I had to completely redesign my boat at home.

Once I got home, I did some research and received some suggestions from my parents. I cut out a piece of styrofoam and had the front pointed in order to guide the direction of the boat. I found a small cardboard box to hold the marbles and wrapped it in foil to make it waterproof.

I used the end of a plastic gift bag and two popsicle sticks to construct the sail. Duct tape was used to hold the box to the boat and to attach the popsicle sticks to the sides of the boat. After completing the boat, I tested it in my bathtub, using a large rock to mimic the mass of the marbles, and discovered that the base of the boat was not large enough to support the mass.

I made the base of the boat as large as I could (while falling in line with the size requirement) and tested it again. Though I still had to test it with the marbles in the classroom's stream table, my final product seemed to be a success.