Page 246 - NS-2 Textbook

OCEANOGRAPHY 241

ships and most u.s. pleasure craft are fitted with similar tacks of swimmers in the coastal areas of the United
equipment. States, particularly along the Florida seacoast. Do you
Biological Polluiallis. Besides the foregoing types of think the rate of such attacks has in fact increased over
waste pollution, in recent years various kinds of biological the last several years, and if so, what do you think are
poIlutants have also caused concern. These include both the primary causes of this phenomenon?
animal and plant organisms that find their way into bilge
and ballast water of ships visiting foreign ports, which is
then discharged into coastal and inland waters of the
United States. Once released into our waterways, these or- Study Guide Questions
ganisms can grow and spread without bound owing to the 1. What is marine biology?
lack of any effective control mechanisms that may be pre- 2. 1n what areas does marine biology have a direct im-
sent in their native environments. Two such instances of pact upon naval matters?
great concern in recent years have been the introduction of 3. What are the two basic families of plankton in the
the Zebra moIlusk into the Great Lakes and various rivers seas?
such as the upper Mississippi and Susquehanna by ships 4. A. What is upwellillg?
arriving from Europe, and a type of sprawling marine B. What is the effect of EI Nino?
weed called hydrilla that chokes out native vegetation in 5. What oceanographic phenomenon has given the Red
the Chesapeake Bay. Sea its name?
6. Why has the Black Sea been so named?
WHAT IS THE ANSWER? 7. Describe the steps in the marine food cycle.
8. What are some of the unique characteristics of ma-
One thing is very clear. If ocean poIlution continues at its rUle animals that live in the deep sea (abyss)?
present pace, instead of the sea becoming the aquaculture 9. What are some special characteristics of sea animals
garden of the future, it could become a biological desert. living at the edge of the sea?
This would have grave consequences for a worId that is 10. A. What are the smaIlest animals of the zooplank-
going to become increasingly dependent on the sea for food ton group?
and mineral resources. Instead of becoming a living and B. The largest?
recreation area for miIlions, it could become a poIluted, 11. How has the st. Lawrence Seaway affected the eco-
stagnant pool. Wastes that are disposed of in the sea must logical environment of the Great Lakes?
be treated before dumping so they will not poIlute. We 12. What are the four groups of marine aninmls with
must learn to recycle wastes. We must pass effective and jaws?
practical laws and then enforce them. Life on Earth is de- 13. A. What are the four groups of living marine rep-
pendent on the sea and will increasingly continue to be so. tiles?
There is still much hope. People are graduaIly learn- B. Where are the most dangerous of these animals
ing about the importance of our relationship with the sea found?
and the ecological balance that exists between the sea, 14. What part of the world is the penguin's native habitat?
the land, and all plant and animal life. All nations to- 15. A. What are the three groups of seals?
gether must develop an international policy that will B. Which are protected by hunting laws?
protect the common heritage of humanity. III 16. A. Wllat are the two main groups of whales?
B. What is the main difference between the two
groups?
17. A. Why is the Sargasso Sea so named?
B. Why is this area almost a "desert" in the sea?
CRITICAL THINKING
18. What are three things that can help increase food
1. Research the areas in the world in which the major production from the sea?
fisheries are located and the status of the yearly catch 19. To date, what types of ocean fish or shellfish have
of fish in these areas. What can be done to increase the proved to be most successful in aquafarming?
yields of food fish in these areas over the next twenty 20. A. How do the deep scatterillg layers affect naval op-
years? erations?
2. What are some techniques and strategies that can be B. What causes these layers?
used to reduce the amount of pollution now found in C. Because of biological noises in the sea, what spe-
the major ocean basins of the ''\Todd? cial training did the Navy begin for sonarmen?
3. Much concern has arisen in recent years over an ap- 21. A. What does bioluminescence mean?
parent increase in the rate and severity of shark at- B. What causes it?