a. What is tidal range? Tidal range is the difference in water level between successive high and low tides.
b. What causes high and low tides? High and low tides are caused by a combination of the gravity of the sun and moon and the centrifugal force that results from the rotation of the earth, moon, and sun.
Student Notes Only: Tides – The periodic, rhythmic rise and fall of the sea surface.
c. What causes Spring and Neap tides? Spring tides are caused when the sun and moon are in line with each other and their effects add together. Neap tides are caused when the sun and moon are at right angles and their effects partially cancel each other.
Student Notes Only: Spring Tides – The tides with a large tidal range; they occur around the times of full or new moon.
Neap Tides – The tides with a small tidal range. They occur around the times when the moon is in quarter.
d. How does tidal range effect the types of organisms and the shape and size of the organisms? I think the tidal range affects the types, shape and size of the organisms depending on their lifestyles. Below are a few samples of the differences in lifestyles and zones:
Intertidal
- unique among marine environments
- regularly exposed to the air
- organisms living here must have a way to cope with exposure
- Intertidal communities differ greatly depending on whether they have rocky or soft bottoms
- Plankton (Pelagic Organisms). Such organisms are sharks, dolphins, turtles and squids. These organisms are also called drifters because they move around a lot.
Subtidal
- part of the continental shelf
- never exposed at low tide
- consist of the bottom of the ocean from the low tide level to the shelf break (the outer edge of the continental shelf)
- Benthos (Benthic Organisms). Such organisms are stingrays, sessile, starfishes and sponges. These organisms live at the very bottom.
Student Notes Only: Intertidal (littoral) Zone – The area between the highest and lowest tide.
Subtidal (sublittoral) Zone – The bottom above the continental shelf.
Student Notes Only: Tides – The periodic, rhythmic rise and fall of the sea surface.
c. What causes Spring and Neap tides? Spring tides are caused when the sun and moon are in line with each other and their effects add together. Neap tides are caused when the sun and moon are at right angles and their effects partially cancel each other.
Student Notes Only: Spring Tides – The tides with a large tidal range; they occur around the times of full or new moon.
Neap Tides – The tides with a small tidal range. They occur around the times when the moon is in quarter.
d. How does tidal range effect the types of organisms and the shape and size of the organisms? I think the tidal range affects the types, shape and size of the organisms depending on their lifestyles. Below are a few samples of the differences in lifestyles and zones:
Intertidal
- unique among marine environments
- regularly exposed to the air
- organisms living here must have a way to cope with exposure
- Intertidal communities differ greatly depending on whether they have rocky or soft bottoms
- Plankton (Pelagic Organisms). Such organisms are sharks, dolphins, turtles and squids. These organisms are also called drifters because they move around a lot.
Subtidal
- part of the continental shelf
- never exposed at low tide
- consist of the bottom of the ocean from the low tide level to the shelf break (the outer edge of the continental shelf)
- Benthos (Benthic Organisms). Such organisms are stingrays, sessile, starfishes and sponges. These organisms live at the very bottom.
Student Notes Only: Intertidal (littoral) Zone – The area between the highest and lowest tide.
Subtidal (sublittoral) Zone – The bottom above the continental shelf.
CITE: picture obtained from http://www.mvariety.com/calendar/august/30/default.htm
1 comment:
Tidal power would be great.
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