Intro to Marine Biology

Study of all living things in the ocean –Their interactions with each other –Their interactions with the environment Involves chemistry, earth science, physics and biology Marine Biology

Source of food –80 million metric tons of marine fish and shellfish harvested annually. –We are catching fish faster than they can reproduce –60-70% of fish types are in danger Sources of wealth

Source of medicine –Vitamin A and D from cod liver oil –antibiotics from algae –heart rate controllers from some fish (venom, etc.)

raw materials –Oil, natural gas, minerals recreation and tourism animal models for research –Squid…..nervous system –Horseshoe crabs…..sight –Sea urchins….reproduction Sources of wealth

Harmful effects of marine organisms competition for resources –Fishing, territory some cause disease –Harmful algae blooms interference with weapons and technology –Sonar linked to marine mammal strandingSonar linked to marine mammal stranding

Determining the nature of our planet Oceans cover 71% of our Planet’s surface –Affects weather patterns More than half of our oxygen comes from the ocean Creating new landforms –beaches, islands, coastlines 20 trillion dollars worth of resources come from the oceans

Determining the nature of our planet Aug-Oct 2006