1) Pycocline
–Surface zone (Less salty, Less dense)
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2) Photosynthesis (Photic Zone)
2. Light wavelengths bounce off the deeper you go
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Brown Algae – Kelp
•HOLD ON in Waves: Brown algae are commonly found attached to the substrate •Adaptations to survive life on the coast where they may be pounded by surf or submerged then exposed with the tide: •Large brown algae are used as shelter for some bottom-dwelling animals. •They also provide serve as substrate for other algae that grow as epiphytes, or plants that grow on other plants. (Reference 1) |
Phytoplankton
•What: •Single-celled plants •Essential component of the marine food chain. •At the bottom of food web as producers. •Role: •Role in regulating the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. •Photosynthesis: Adaptation:
•Shaped to prevent sinking and promote floating •Lots of surface area to volume Ratio (Reference 1& 2) |
Plastic Debris in the Ocean
•60-80% of marine debris overall and up to 90% of floating debris is plastic. •This marine debris presents a danger to marine wildlife. •In August 2013, theNRDC estimated that local California communities spend over $428 million each year to keep marine debris from polluting our waters--an average of $10.71 per resident. (Ref: 8)
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California Recycling Laws
•California's successful Bottle and Can Recycling Law diverts nearly 100,000 tons of plastic bottles from landfills every year •Efforts to expand the Bottle and Cans Recycling law have also revolved around its potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 270,000 metric tons CO2 and help California meet its green house gas targets. (Ref: 8) |