Whale Watch Reflection

Whale Watching Reflection

    On the field trip yesterday I learned many interesting things about whales. We saw around 30 whales which was really cool. The ride out there was very cold but still enjoyable. The boat went out about 26 miles. I saw a seal on the way just poking their head out watching our boat pass by. When we finally reached the whales they were all gathered around eating. I found it really interesting how they make a bubble ring before they go in to eat. That is also how I could tell when the whales were about to come up to the surface. We also saw about two or three baby whales. Another whale that we saw was a Fin Whale. There was about 4 of them. Overall I really enjoyed this trip. I would do it again if i could. 

Relationships Among Marine Organisms

Marine Food Web

1.A) In the food chain I was bacteria. Protozoans are known to be an organism that eats bacteria the most. Also snails in the ocean live on a diet of  bacteria. Bacteria eat everything from sugar to starch. Bacteria is on the bottom of the chain. However,  it is still a very important organism. If this organism was to become extinct it would affect the rest of the chain. The whales would become extinct causing a chain reaction.
1.B) In class we did an activity involving everyone is the class. We all got assigned an organism then we had to create the food web. Many organisms depend on other organisms. Being reliant on other organisms can be tough. IF one organism was to die many other organisms would be affected. 
1.C)

http://www.lanesville.k12.in.us/lcsyellowpages/tickit/carl/Bacterium.jpeg


Phytoplankton
2.A) Phytoplankton is very important in the food web. Although it is at the bottom of the web, many other organisms depend on it. Phytoplankton  is one of the main producers in the food web. Phytoplankton  takes up most of the  earths surface considering it is found in the ocean. The ocean takes up most of the earths surface and that is where phytoplankton is found.

Energy  Flow 
This reduces energy transferred between different tropic  levels. About 10% of net energy is produced through the tropic levels.   

Human Impacts 
Human impacts affect the ocean life a lot. Throwing trash on the ground harms the organisms that are living in the ocean. The things that we do affect the ocean and damage all the organisms in it. Considering the food web is a chain, once an organism get harmed it could lead to many other organisms being harmed as well. 

conclusion/ question

1. Define the term salinity

The amount of salt in something

2. If you add salt to a water solution, will a hydrometer float higher or lower in the water?

lower because it was more dense

3. What effect does the addition of salt have on the properties of water?

it makes the salinity level's higher

4. Is it easier to float in the ocean than a swimming pool?

a pool because an ocean has more salt than in a pool

5. Define the term density 

a ratio of the amount mass per unit volume

6. The salinity of seawater is also affected by the temperature of a body of water. Explain how temperature causes differences in the salinity of water

because when it's hot, the molecules of the salt start to move more and multiply

It's all connected

Analysis of Results:

1.   Why do you think there are international laws for dumping waste/trash/chemicals in the ocean, rather than just local laws? Do these laws only need to extend to nearby neighboring countries? Explain. 

    There are international laws for dumping waste into the ocean so that  everyone has the same law to follow. Having this international law they are hoping that everyone around will not violate this law by throwing waste into the ocean. Now more people will follow this law because they would get more trouble having it be an international  law. 

2. What else can be done to protect the oceans from being the repository for waste?

Have larger fine given to the people that get caught. Also they can make a bigger deal about how important the ocean is and try to get peoples attention on how the waste in the ocean can harm our environment.          

3. You have been given a separate question to investigate.  Attach your piece for the display case to this assignment, or submit separately. Remember: colorful, near, accurate, source cited.