Introduction
to Oceanography
Professor Graus
Oceanography
I.Introduction
Our Earth's
atmosphere and oceans came from outgassing from Earth's interior, especially
through volcanic eruptions. In addition, about 3.5 billion years ago,
stromatolites , phtosynthetic bacteria, produced lots of food, while
growing into larger and larger webbed colonies. One of the by-products
of their food-manufacturing is oxygen, which was poured into Earth's atmosphere
continuously for billions of years, helping to change the atmosphere's
composition.
Meanwhile,
the oceans teamed with life.We have 4 main oceans, but traditionally, the
"Seven Seas" are a popular classification of large ocean-type bodies of
saltwater. To try activities which will help you learn about the composition
of ocean water, why
not try these: Also,
here are some fun
discussion starters on the ocean topic.
II. Some Beach Activities and Information
Beaches are
loose sediment deposited along the shoreline. Wave action and longshore
currents move the sediment along the shore and build barrier islands and
other shoreline features. Wave erosion of headlands
produces wave-cut platforms and cliffs, sea stacks, sea arches, and sea
caves. For more on Beach Activities, go to: https://www.angelfire.com/sd2/siselectric2/beach.html
III.Water
Quality Testing (at Four Mile Run, Arlington, VA)
Seawater contains 96.5 percent water and 3.5 percent dissolved salts.The
average salinity of seawater is 35 ppt. The salinity of the ocean maintains
constancy because salts are removed from the ocean at approximately the
same rate as they are added. Ocean surface temperatures range from -2 degrees
Celcius in polar waters to 30 degrees Celcius inequatorial waters. Seawater
density changes with changes in salinity and temperature. (To get more
information about the composition
of ocean water, and influence of temperature, go to: [Beach Thurman]
IV. Other Field Trips
(Chesapeake Bay, MD)
NOVA
Community College Field Trip to Chincoteaque with Dr.Graus
Chincoteaque
Gallery 1 Chincoteaque
Gallery 2 Chincoteaque
Gallery 3
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