Topic 2How the Oceans Impact Our WorldSummer 2013
Oceans cover over 97% of the Earth’s surface. Earth is called the “Water Planet”. When you look at a map of Earth, you see that all the waters of the oceans are one continuous mass. In studying the ocean we need to look at the physical features, life in the ocean, currents, tides, waves, and weather, exploration, conservation and protection of the ocean’s resources. In this class we will learn about Physical Geography that includes weather, climate, rock structure, fresh and salt water, ecosystems and habitats, and biogeography. . You will explore the importance of the oceans for all living things on Earth.Below are a list of questions and websites to help guide you in your exploration. These questions are to be a guide as you develop your paper. Do NOT give me a laundry list of answers to these questions. Your paper should cover this information but needs to be written in academic format. Your paper should be no less than 7 -8 pages in length.
You may select websites other than those given to help you get started as well as other sources for your paper. You must cite all sources (including those that I give you) that you use for your paper in proper academic format. Since the class comes from various disciplines, I do not specify a specific citation format. Please use the one that you are most familiar with (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). If you are unfamiliar with citation formats, APA may be the easiest for you to use. Here is a link that may help: Library Research Guide for Urban Studies:
You can contact Diane Kolosionek, Urban Affairs Librarian for suggestions. Her email is . Diane has office hours in Urban Affairs Office . Diane has offered this site to help: Library Research Guide for Urban Studies:
There are on-line guides to citation formats at the following link
Physical Features of the Oceans:
What are the oceans as we know them today? What are the properties of the water?
What are the physical features of the ocean floor? In answering this you will need to provide some of the facts about the oceans and the features that make up the ocean floor.
How did the oceans form? Why is the ocean water salty? What are other characteristics do the oceans have?
Life in the Ocean: From the seashore to the deepest depths, oceans are home to some of the most diverse life on Earth. What are the five broad zones? How do these zones differ? What plant and animal life is found in each of the zones?
What is the coral reef, where is it found and what type of life does it support? How is the coral reef becoming endangered? What can be done to protect the future of the reef?
Oceans in Motion: Effect of the ocean on climate, weather, and water reservoirs.
What is the motion of the ocean’s water and what is the reason for this movement? State how the oceans affect the climate, weather and water reservoirs in eastern and western United States. What is the sea breeze and its effect on land and sea temperatures? How is the El Nino Southern Oscillation affected by the ocean waters and how does it affect weather patterns?
Oceans and Climate Change: It is being said that the oceans can affect climate change. Why can this statement be true?
Ocean Exploration What current exploration of the oceans is taking place today and what discoveries have occurred? What is the human impact on the ocean and its resourcesOceans and humans are interconnected
How are humans and the oceans connected? What does the ocean do for us?
What Can You Do?
What have you learned from your readings that you can do to help keep the ocean waters, air and land free of pollution? What suggestions would you give to others? What have local and state government officials done and plan to do in the future to protect these invaluable resources?
Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center -
A note about plagiarism. If you feel the need to copy word for word from a source or to use the material with very few word changes (this includes changing the order of the words in a sentence) you must cite your source. If you are directly quoting be sure to put quotation marks around the copied area and then show where you copied this information from. Other material that is paraphrased from an outside source should be cited at the end of your paper. Anyone found not appropriately citing their sources will receive a grade of 40 (F) for this assignment.