Oceanography Vocabulary

Spring Tide

• A rhythmic rise and fall of the water's surface primarily caused by wind

• Highest and lowest tides, sun moon and earth are lined up

• Current that moves due to changes in salinity and temperature

• Currents that bring cold, nutrient rich water to the surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Estuary

• Contains a broad shelf, rise, and slope, gradual border between ocean and continental crust

• Semi-enclosed body of water with connections to the open sea

• Contains a trench, between ocean and continental crust at a plate boundary

• More even tides, sun moon and earth form a right angle

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Thermohaline Circulation

• Large Scale density driven circulation in the ocean, caused by differences in temperature and salintiy

• Semi-enclosed body of water with connections to the open sea

• Contains a trench, between ocean and continental crust at a plate boundary

• Movement of wind and water to the right or left that is caused by earth's rotation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Passive Margin

• Contains a broad shelf, rise, and slope, gradual border between ocean and continental crust

• Highest and lowest tides, sun moon and earth are lined up

• Contains a trench, between ocean and continental crust at a plate boundary

• More even tides, sun moon and earth form a right angle

What is a net that is towed at the surface of the water and used to collect organisms or particulates from the surface to about 1½ feet down?

• Neuston Net

• Plankton Net

• Tucker Trawl

• Seine Net

What does an echosounder do?

• Measures the height of the sea surface

• Uses a single stream of sound waves to determine the depth of a body of water

• Maps the rocks beneath the ocean floor

• Measures the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What instrument is used to estimate transparency of seawater?

• Barometer

• Secchi disk

• Hydrometer

• Thermometer

What is a hydrophone?

• A hydrophone is a camera used to capture images underwater.

• A hydrophone is a type of sonar used for navigation.

• A hydrophone is an underwater microphone used to detect sound.

• A hydrophone is a device for measuring temperature underwater.

What is used to analyze sediment grain size composition with progressively smaller meshed trays?

• Sediment Sieves

• Bottom Grab Sampler

• Secchi Disk

• Niskin Bottle

What is the salinity of saltwater?

• Less than 0.5ppt

• Between 0.5ppt and 17ppt

• Greater than 17ppt

• No salinity