Oceanography - Salinity, pH, and Currents

Today students got an introduction to oceanography. We discussed the salinity of the ocean (an average of 35 parts per thousand), the pH (the ocean has a pH of 8, which is basic), and currents (water that moves at different rates than the surrounding water because of wind).

Currents can be identified by their temperature, salinity, and density. Students identified which currents were warm and cold by looking at where they are coming from.

Next students learned more about how scientists learn about currents. Students practiced latitude and longitude by plotting some points of a cargo lost overboard and where some of the shipment washed up beaches, then they read articles and answered questions, and finished up by listening to a podcast interviewing Curtis Ebbesmeyer, the oceanographer who studies sneakers, rubber ducks, and other floating debris. You can listen to the podcast here.

In the interview, and in the readings, gyres full of floating plastic debris are discussed. Here is a map showing some of the locations of these gyres. Cick on the picture to get a larger view.