MNS 307 Lecture Notes - Lecture 50: Hydrothermal Vent, Bacterioplankton, Zooplankton
Document Summary
Marine ecosystems are composed of diverse communities. Plankton - live suspended in water (floaters/drifters) Chemosynthetic - get their energy from something other than the sun (from chemicals) Nekton - free swimmers (sharks, fish, etc. ) Remarkably constant in 90% of the ocean, varying from about -1c to 4c. Plants and cold-blooded animals - can"t regulate. Temp -> water viscosity -> ability to float. Bacteria - microbial loop: bacteria consume dissolved organic matter (dom, dom -> pom (particulate om) or inorganic nutrients, pom or nutrients consumed by other organisms. Loop processes 50% of ocean"s primary production. Predator avoidance, metabolic advtanges, dispersal & transport, avoid uv damage) Rapid growth/shot lifespan -> liberate nutrients fast. Many zoos consume 50% of body weight daily. More co2 = decrease in ph (more acidic) Albedo changes with climate, influencing feedback loops. Cloud concentration nuclei are produced by phytoplankton. Earth"s climate regulated by positive and negative feedback. Changes in sea ice provide both +/- feedback.
