Chapter One The Science of Marine Biology. What is Marine Biology? Marine biology - the study of organisms that live in the sea (this includes all water

Chapter OneChapter One

The Science of Marine BiologyThe Science of Marine Biology

What is Marine Biology?What is Marine Biology?

• Marine biology - the study of organisms that Marine biology - the study of organisms that live in the sea (this includes all water that has live in the sea (this includes all water that has some degree of salinity).some degree of salinity).

• Marine biology is not a separate science. It is Marine biology is not a separate science. It is an applied field of biology and incorporates an applied field of biology and incorporates many other sciences as well such as:many other sciences as well such as:– GeologyGeology– Chemistry (organic and inorganic)Chemistry (organic and inorganic)– PhysicsPhysics– Meteorology Meteorology – ZoologyZoology

A Marine Biologist is not the A Marine Biologist is not the same as an Oceanographersame as an Oceanographer

• Marine Biologists study the organisms Marine Biologists study the organisms that inhabit the sea. (living things)that inhabit the sea. (living things)

• Oceanographers study the physical Oceanographers study the physical aspects of the ocean including tides, aspects of the ocean including tides, currents, waves and the chemical currents, waves and the chemical make-up of seawater. (non-living make-up of seawater. (non-living environment)environment)

Why Study Marine Biology?Why Study Marine Biology?

1. Since life is believed to have arisen in the 1. Since life is believed to have arisen in the sea, studying marine life forms can provide sea, studying marine life forms can provide clue about early life on earth.clue about early life on earth.

2. Many products come from the sea including 2. Many products come from the sea including medicines derived from marine species, food medicines derived from marine species, food resources and other items used for human resources and other items used for human use (examples: the agar used to culture use (examples: the agar used to culture bacterial samples and carrageanan used bacterial samples and carrageanan used thicken dairy products are both derivatives of thicken dairy products are both derivatives of marine algae).marine algae).


3. The marine environment and its 3. The marine environment and its habitats support recreation and habitats support recreation and tourism worldwide. tourism worldwide.

4. Marine organisms produce oxygen 4. Marine organisms produce oxygen used by aerobic organisms, including used by aerobic organisms, including humans.humans.


5. Oceans help to regulate climate. 5. Oceans help to regulate climate. (Reason: The ocean is slow to change in (Reason: The ocean is slow to change in

temperature because of the sheer volume temperature because of the sheer volume of water. This keeps land masses near the of water. This keeps land masses near the ocean more stable year-round)ocean more stable year-round)

Example: Ever notice how the temperature Example: Ever notice how the temperature at the coast is 10-15 degrees warmer in at the coast is 10-15 degrees warmer in the fall compared to inland, but also 10-15 the fall compared to inland, but also 10-15 cooler in the summer? cooler in the summer?

Why study marine biology?Why study marine biology?

6. Marine organisms can cause problems 6. Marine organisms can cause problems directly to human life or their property.directly to human life or their property.

As an example, many power plant facilities As an example, many power plant facilities use seawater pulled from the ocean or salty use seawater pulled from the ocean or salty rivers to cool internal parts in the power rivers to cool internal parts in the power plant. The intake pipes get clogged by plant. The intake pipes get clogged by marine organisms and the plant must be marine organisms and the plant must be periodically close to clear these organisms periodically close to clear these organisms from the pipes. from the pipes.


Marine organisms can cause Marine organisms can cause problems directly to human life or problems directly to human life or their property (continued).their property (continued).

Another example: there are Another example: there are microorganisms that can directly microorganisms that can directly affect human health or other affect human health or other organisms such as organisms such as PfiesteriaPfiesteria . .

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Stone blades and clam shells have been Stone blades and clam shells have been recently discovered in a cave in South recently discovered in a cave in South Africa that are approximately 165,000 Africa that are approximately 165,000 years oldyears old

• Additionally, shell harpoons and Additionally, shell harpoons and fishhooks have been found that are fishhooks have been found that are approximately 110,000 years oldapproximately 110,000 years old

• This shows that ancestors have been This shows that ancestors have been using the sea for a whileusing the sea for a while

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology• Early explorations were made by Pacific Early explorations were made by Pacific

Islanders as well as the Phoenicians who Islanders as well as the Phoenicians who extensively sailed the Mediterranean Sea, extensively sailed the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Black Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea, Black Sea, Indian Ocean and Eastern Atlantic Ocean.Eastern Atlantic Ocean.

• Ancient Greeks also had extensive Ancient Greeks also had extensive knowledge of the near shore environment of knowledge of the near shore environment of the Mediterranean Sea.the Mediterranean Sea.

• Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, described Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, described many marine forms and their features.many marine forms and their features.

Phoenician Ship- 800BCPhoenician Ship- 800BC

http://www.phoenician.org/phoenician_ship.jpg



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• Much exploration stopped during the Much exploration stopped during the Dark Ages.Dark Ages.

• An exception is the explorations of An exception is the explorations of the Vikings in the Ninth and Tenth the Vikings in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries.Centuries.

• During this time, Leif Eriksson During this time, Leif Eriksson discovered Vinland (in 995 AD), which discovered Vinland (in 995 AD), which is now known as North America.is now known as North America.


• During the Renaissance, explorations During the Renaissance, explorations began again. began again.

• At this time, Columbus At this time, Columbus “rediscovered” the “New World” or “rediscovered” the “New World” or North America in 1492.North America in 1492.

• In 1519, Magellan sailed around the In 1519, Magellan sailed around the world. world.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology• Also during this time, an English sea Also during this time, an English sea

captain, James Cook, began including a captain, James Cook, began including a naturalist among his regular crew at sea.naturalist among his regular crew at sea.

• Captain Cook and his crew sailed all the Captain Cook and his crew sailed all the oceans and were the first Europeans to oceans and were the first Europeans to view the Arctic ice fields, land on Hawaii view the Arctic ice fields, land on Hawaii and Tahiti as well as many other Pacific and Tahiti as well as many other Pacific Islands. Islands.

• His crew did extensive mapping and His crew did extensive mapping and brought back many specimens.brought back many specimens.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology• Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

– Sailed on the HMS Beagle from 1831-1836 as a Sailed on the HMS Beagle from 1831-1836 as a naturalist.naturalist.

– While the primary goal of the expedition was to While the primary goal of the expedition was to map coastlines, Darwin observed, collected and map coastlines, Darwin observed, collected and wrote detailed written descriptions of the wrote detailed written descriptions of the organisms he observed. organisms he observed.

– He described many organisms that were He described many organisms that were unknown to the scientific community until then. unknown to the scientific community until then.

– (Of course, you may also remember Darwin from (Of course, you may also remember Darwin from his theories on natural selection and evolution.)his theories on natural selection and evolution.)


• Edward ForbesEdward Forbes– Extensively studied the seafloor around the Extensively studied the seafloor around the

British Isles, Aegean Sea and other locales in British Isles, Aegean Sea and other locales in 1840’s and 1850’s.1840’s and 1850’s.

– His major contribution to the field of marine His major contribution to the field of marine biology is the discovery that species on the biology is the discovery that species on the seafloor vary greatly depending on depth. seafloor vary greatly depending on depth.

– This discovery nicely illustrates a major This discovery nicely illustrates a major underlying principle of marine biology- underlying principle of marine biology- zonation.zonation.

ZonationZonation

• Zonation is defined as the presence of Zonation is defined as the presence of organisms in a particular range (or zone).organisms in a particular range (or zone).

• In a nutshell, this means that organisms In a nutshell, this means that organisms will be found in distinct zones based on will be found in distinct zones based on their tolerance to the physical or their tolerance to the physical or environmental conditions found in that environmental conditions found in that zone.zone.


• Charles Wyville ThompsonCharles Wyville Thompson– He was the scientific leader of the He was the scientific leader of the ChallengerChallenger

Expedition that sailed from 1872-1876.Expedition that sailed from 1872-1876.– This expedition was the first major This expedition was the first major

exploration devoted to studying marine exploration devoted to studying marine organisms.organisms.

– The crew discovered thousands of species The crew discovered thousands of species never previously described and published 50 never previously described and published 50 volumes of information from the data volumes of information from the data collected on the trip over the next 19 years!collected on the trip over the next 19 years!

Modern Marine BiologyModern Marine Biology

• Today, several marine biology research Today, several marine biology research stations exist in locations around the stations exist in locations around the world.world.

• In the United States, several facilities are In the United States, several facilities are considered to be among the best in the considered to be among the best in the world, including:world, including:– Woods Hole Marine Biological Lab, MA Woods Hole Marine Biological Lab, MA – Scripps Institute - La Jolla, CA Scripps Institute - La Jolla, CA – Friday Harbor Labs, WA Friday Harbor Labs, WA

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade

• Remote sensingRemote sensing – satellites are used to view large – satellites are used to view large expanses of ocean at the ocean’s surface only.expanses of ocean at the ocean’s surface only.

• SonarSonar – used to map seafloor depths and – used to map seafloor depths and formations.formations.

• ScubaScuba – used for direct human exploration of – used for direct human exploration of oceanic environment for longer periods and at oceanic environment for longer periods and at deeper depths than would otherwise be available deeper depths than would otherwise be available to man.to man.

• Remotely operated vehiclesRemotely operated vehicles ( (ROV’sROV’s) – allows for ) – allows for direct exploration of marine environment when direct exploration of marine environment when scuba is not an option; these ROV’s can be scuba is not an option; these ROV’s can be manned (such as Alvin mentioned in chapter 1 manned (such as Alvin mentioned in chapter 1 readings) or unmanned.readings) or unmanned.

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade

• Research vesselsResearch vessels – these floating laboratories allow – these floating laboratories allow oceanographers and marine biologists to explore the oceanographers and marine biologists to explore the marine environments for weeks, months or even years marine environments for weeks, months or even years without returning to a land-based facility.without returning to a land-based facility.

• Underwater Research Station - Underwater Research Station - AquariusAquarius – underwater – underwater research and residential facility located in the Florida research and residential facility located in the Florida Keys. This underwater lab is located approx. 60 feet Keys. This underwater lab is located approx. 60 feet underwater and allows researchers to stay at this underwater and allows researchers to stay at this depth for days or weeks without surfacing (eating, depth for days or weeks without surfacing (eating, sleeping, laboratory work, etc. – everything is done sleeping, laboratory work, etc. – everything is done here (think of it like an airtight Winnebago!) Read here (think of it like an airtight Winnebago!) Read more about Aquarius at http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/more about Aquarius at http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/

The The Scientific MethodScientific Method is Used is Used to Perform All Scientific to Perform All Scientific Research, Including Research Research, Including Research in Marine Biologyin Marine Biology

• The scientific method is a systematic way The scientific method is a systematic way of testing ideas.of testing ideas.

• At the heart of the method is the need to At the heart of the method is the need to OBSERVE nature.OBSERVE nature.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

• Begins with a hypothesis, or a Begins with a hypothesis, or a testable statement constructed from testable statement constructed from observations and reasoning.observations and reasoning.

• The hypothesis must be worded so The hypothesis must be worded so that it is testable by scientific means. that it is testable by scientific means.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

• One important aspect of science and One important aspect of science and the scientific method is that you the scientific method is that you CANNOT PROVE any hypothesis – you CANNOT PROVE any hypothesis – you can only DISPROVE hypotheses can only DISPROVE hypotheses based on the evidence you have. based on the evidence you have.

• However, hypotheses that have been However, hypotheses that have been tested repeatedly and not disproved tested repeatedly and not disproved and considered to be true based on and considered to be true based on the available evidence.the available evidence.

Considerations in Scientific Considerations in Scientific ResearchResearch

• Variables- a researcher must look at only Variables- a researcher must look at only one factor at a time – these factors are one factor at a time – these factors are variables. variables.

• For example, if a researcher wanted to For example, if a researcher wanted to study the effects of temperature on study the effects of temperature on mussels, they could acquire similar mussels, they could acquire similar specimens of mussels from different specimens of mussels from different locations. locations.

Considerations in Scientific Considerations in Scientific ResearchResearch

• If only temperature is being tested, all other If only temperature is being tested, all other factors must be kept constant (ex: amount of factors must be kept constant (ex: amount of food given, mussel type, oxygen concentration, food given, mussel type, oxygen concentration, salinity, etc).salinity, etc).

• If the two tanks are kept at different salinities If the two tanks are kept at different salinities AND different temperatures, for example, a AND different temperatures, for example, a researcher cannot attribute altered growth researcher cannot attribute altered growth rates to only temperature (maybe it was the rates to only temperature (maybe it was the combination of salinity and temperature).combination of salinity and temperature).

What is a Theory?What is a Theory?

• In everyday language, a theory can be likened In everyday language, a theory can be likened to a “hunch.” In this everyday use, it just to a “hunch.” In this everyday use, it just means that it is what you suspect to be true.means that it is what you suspect to be true.

• In scientific language, a theory is a hypothesis In scientific language, a theory is a hypothesis that has been tested repetitively over time by that has been tested repetitively over time by many people and has not been disproven.many people and has not been disproven.

• Mountains of evidence support the theory and Mountains of evidence support the theory and it is regarded as truth in the scientific it is regarded as truth in the scientific community.community.

Limitations of Scientific Limitations of Scientific MethodMethod

• Due to the requirements for direct Due to the requirements for direct observations or measurements and a observations or measurements and a testable hypothesis, not all questions testable hypothesis, not all questions can be answered.can be answered.

• Science can offer no answers on Science can offer no answers on values, feelings and beliefs. These values, feelings and beliefs. These are beyond the scope of the scientific are beyond the scope of the scientific method. method.

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Chapter One The Science of Marine Biology. What is Marine Biology? Marine biology - the study of organisms that live in the sea (this includes all water