The Science of Marine The Science of Marine BiologyBiology

Miss PlumleyMiss Plumley

Honors Marine ScienceHonors Marine Science

• SawFishSawFish, Sting Rays, Moray Eels, And Lots Of , Sting Rays, Moray Eels, And Lots Of Other Fish... VideoOther Fish... Video

What is Marine Biology?What is Marine Biology?

• The study of the organisms that live The study of the organisms that live in the sea.in the sea.

Why should we study Marine Why should we study Marine Biology?Biology?

• Food, medicine, raw materials and Food, medicine, raw materials and support tourism all over the world.support tourism all over the world.

• Marine organisms can erode sea Marine organisms can erode sea walls, ship bottoms and clog pipes.walls, ship bottoms and clog pipes.

• Studying marine organisms can Studying marine organisms can teach us a lot about life on earth.teach us a lot about life on earth.– Example: in the nineteenth century a Example: in the nineteenth century a

scientist discovered cells of the animal scientist discovered cells of the animal immune system in sea anemones and immune system in sea anemones and the larvae of sea stars.the larvae of sea stars.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Stone AgeStone Age– Food, jewelry and knowledge of marine Food, jewelry and knowledge of marine

organismsorganisms– Example: The tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh bears Example: The tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh bears

a warning against eating poisonous pufferfishesa warning against eating poisonous pufferfishes

• ExplorersExplorers– Leif Eriksson, Christopher Columbus, Leif Eriksson, Christopher Columbus,

James Cook (chronometer), Charles James Cook (chronometer), Charles Darwin, Charles Wilkes (Wilkes’s Darwin, Charles Wilkes (Wilkes’s expedition), ect…..expedition), ect…..

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• The The Challenger Challenger ExpeditionExpedition– Edward Forbes-carried out extensive Edward Forbes-carried out extensive

dredging of the sea floor.dredging of the sea floor.•Discovered many unknown organisms and Discovered many unknown organisms and

learned that sea-floor life varies at different learned that sea-floor life varies at different depths.depths.

– The The ChallengerChallenger Expedition brought back Expedition brought back more information about the ocean than more information about the ocean than any study previously done.any study previously done.

The Growth of Marine LabsThe Growth of Marine Labs

• Development of TechnologyDevelopment of Technology– SonarSonar

• sound navigation rangingsound navigation ranging• Used for submarine welfare (WWII)Used for submarine welfare (WWII)• Detection of underwater echoes-listening to the Detection of underwater echoes-listening to the

sea.sea.• Video: Killer Whales Blasted by U.S. Navy SonarVideo: Killer Whales Blasted by U.S. Navy Sonar

– SCUBASCUBA• Immediately after WWIIImmediately after WWII• Self Contained Underwater Breathing ApparatusSelf Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus• Gagnan and Cousteau invented the use of Gagnan and Cousteau invented the use of

breathing compressed air under waterbreathing compressed air under water

Marine Biology TodayMarine Biology Today

• Marine LaboratoriesMarine Laboratories– Research and education to publicResearch and education to public

• Remote sensingRemote sensing– Tracking ocean currentsTracking ocean currents– Tracking marine animals such as sea turtles, whales and fishTracking marine animals such as sea turtles, whales and fish

• Instrumental BuoysInstrumental Buoys– Drift with ocean currents while taking measurements and Drift with ocean currents while taking measurements and

collecting oceanographic data over long periods of time. collecting oceanographic data over long periods of time. – Data collected would include sea surface temps and tracking Data collected would include sea surface temps and tracking

ocean currentsocean currents• Modern ShipsModern Ships

– Research vessels for dredging and drillingResearch vessels for dredging and drilling• We even have underwater facilities….We even have underwater facilities….