Part One
In this activity, you will
compare phytoplankton pigment concentrations (instead of chlorophyll) to
sea surface temperature. When investigating the productivity of the
ocean, it is necessary to look at the first link in the ocean food chain.
These are often single-celled plants called phytoplankton. (Click
here to see pictures of phytoplankton taken with a microscope.) These primary producers,
which contain the pigment chlorophyll, require sunlight, nutrients, carbon
dioxide and water to continue the process of photosynthesis and respiration.
This is called plankton
primary productivity. The rate at which this process of primary
production occurs can be limited by nutrient supply and the amount of available
sunlight. Therefore, areas of the ocean where abundances of phytoplankton
pigment concentrations are found should, theoretically, be abundant in
nutrients supply and receive adequate amounts of sunlight.
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Use the saved images below
to answer the questions:
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According to these images, is
the Gulf Stream adding nutrient-rich or nutrient-deprived waters to the
northern Atlantic Ocean?
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Where will abundances of zooplankton
live in relation to abundances of phytoplankton?
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Sea
Surface Temperature
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Phytoplankton Pigment
Concentrations
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Phytoplankton Color
Key
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Part
Two...
In this section, you will
look at archived images to see changes in ocean productivity throughout
the year.
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Click
here to view the annual phytoplankton growth cycle in the North Atlantic
basin.
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Use the Real Time Data Link
below to access the SeaWiFS browser you used in the Real Time Data Section
of this lesson.
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Follow the directions and answer
the questions in the Q-button.
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(SeaWiFS Data)
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Part Three..
In this section, you will
access various internet resources to learn about the Sargasso Sea.
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Use the link below to access
the Gulf Stream Voyage's Reference Materials page.
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Using the on-line references
provided, answer the questions in the
Q-button.
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Return
to Lesson #8 Activity Page
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