Oceanography I
Professor Graus
Due: 30 April 2002

by OCEAN 6: Vonne (Shavonne L. Marshall ), Tina , Paul, Erik (Erik Fossum), Drew (Charles Rawls), Dianne (Dianne Mollica), Cassi (was sick)

Wallops Island Field Trip Report: Part 3

Skate and Seaweed

Conclusions

While geographically, the two sampling locations were close to each other, and share many similarities, they also shared many differences. Physically, differences were apparent in the temperatures of the seawater sampled. Seawater sampled at Station No.1 (oceanic) exemplified a slight thermocline by rising temperatures from bottom to surface waters. Station No. 2 (Cockle Creek) differed by exhibiting a slightly higher midwater temperature than surface and cooler bottom waters. Differences also appeared in the depth of the photic zone. For example, an extinction depth of 1.2 meters was observed at Station No.1, while Station No.2 provided an extinction depth of 0.8 meters.
Differences were further apparent in the chemical make-up of the seawater. The refractive index yielded a higher salinity in the seawater from Station No.1 as opposed to seawater sampled from Station No.2. The pH data collected showed seawater from Station No.1 to be slightly more alkaline than seawater from Station No.2. This slightly higher alkalinity from Station No. 2 appeared to be due to freshwater running out of the lagoon and the effects of low tide .

VII. Evaluation of Otter Trawl Obtained

Benthic Grab for Sediment

Rich Sediment Sample

< Trip Part 1> <Trip Part 2> <Trip Part 3>

Wallops Island Field Trip Report: Part 3

Conclusions

VII. Evaluation of Otter Trawl Obtained

Suggested Useful Web Link Resources