Download Primary Productivity - Monterey Bay Aquarium Research

Primary Productivity
Effect
•The effect of abiotic factors(wind, currents,
topography and dissolved nutrients
ON
•Biotic processes (photosynthesis)
Measured by
•dissolved O2 levels (obs)
•Chlorophyll concentration (satellite)
•Temperature (obs)
Background
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Photosynthesis
Trophic Levels
Chemistry (dissolved oxygen)
Earth Science (topography, currents)
Physics (wind, energy transformations)
Activity
• Take a given geographic location
(Monterey Bay) and find two areas to
compare productivity – High verses low.
The more diverse the better. Use satellite data for color
images to determine areas
Why is there a difference?
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Possibilities
Look at wind patterns (obs)
Look at currents (obs)
Look at topography (GIS)
Look at dissolved nutrients (LOBO)
Look at surface temperature (obs)
Hypothesis
• Is there data to support the differences and
what would the Hypothesis be.
• What is the explanation?
(eg. Is cold temperature related to productivity?)
Is temperature related to upwellings/currents?
Confirmation of Satellite Images
• Chemistry –
– Dissolved O2
– Dissolved nutrients – phosphates, nitrates
Further Analysis
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Graph dissolved O2 vs. sunlight
Graph O2 vs. depth
Graph productivity vs temp
Look at algal blooms and nutrient runoff
Ecosystem energy movement
– Sun – Producers
– Breakdown by bacteria