Facts About the Ocean As a Marine Life Habitat

Facts About the Ocean As a Marine Life Habitat Within the worlds oceans, there are many different marine habitats. But what about the ocean as a whole? Here you can learn facts about the ocean, how many oceans there are and why theyre important. Basic Facts About the Ocean From space, Earth has been described as a blue marble. Know why? Because most of the Earth is covered by ocean. In fact, almost three-quarters (71%, or 140 million square miles) of the Earth is an ocean. With such an enormous area, theres no argument that healthy oceans are vital to a healthy planet. The ocean is not divided evenly between the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemispheres. The Northern Hemisphere contains more land than the ocean- 39% land versus the 19% land in the Southern Hemisphere. How Did the Ocean Form? Of course, the ocean dates back long before any of us, so nobody knows for sure how the ocean originated, but it is thought that it came from water vapor present in the Earth. As the Earth cooled, this water vapor eventually evaporated, formed clouds and caused rain. Over a long time, the rain poured into low spots on the Earths surface, creating the first oceans. As the water ran off the land, it captured minerals, including salts, which formed salt water. The Importance of the Ocean What does the ocean do for us? There are many ways the ocean is important, some more obvious than others. The ocean: Provides food.Provides oxygen through the photosynthesis of tiny plant-like organisms called phytoplankton. These organisms provide an estimated 50-85% of the oxygen we breathe and also have the ability to store excess carbon.Regulates climate.Is a source of important products such as medicines, and things that we use in food such as thickeners and stabilizers (which may be made from marine algae).Provides recreational opportunities.Contains natural resources such as natural gas and oil.Provide highways for transportation and trade. More than 98% of U.S. foreign trade occurs via the ocean. How Many Oceans Are There? The salt water on the Earth is sometimes just referred to as the ocean, because really, all of the worlds oceans are connected. There are currents, winds, tides, and waves that circulate water around this world ocean constantly. But to make geography a bit easier, the oceans have been divided and named. Below are the oceans, from largest to smallest. Click here for more details on each of the oceans. Pacific Ocean: The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean and the largest single geographic feature on Earth. It is bound by the western coast of North and South America to the east, the coasts of Asia, and Australia to the west, and the more newly-designated (2000) the Southern Ocean to the south.Atlantic Ocean: The Atlantic Ocean is smaller and shallower than the Pacific Ocean and is bound by North and South America to the west, Europe, and Africa to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north and the Southern Ocean to the south.Indian Ocean: The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean. It is bound by Africa to the west, Asia and Australia to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south.Southern, or Antarctic, Ocean: The Southern Ocean was designated from parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans in 2000 by the International Hydrographic Organization. This is the fourth largest ocean and surrounds Antarctica. It is bounded on the north by parts of South America, Africa, and Austral ia. Arctic Ocean: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean. It lies mostly north of the Arctic Circle and is bounded by Europe, Asia, and North America. What Is Sea Water Like? Sea water might be less salty than youd imagine. Salinity (the salt content) of the sea differs across different areas of the ocean, but on average is have about 35 parts per thousand (about 3.5 % salt in salt water). To recreate the salinity in a glass of water, youd need to put about a teaspoon of table salt into a glass of water. The salt in sea water is different from table salt, though. Our table salt is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine, but the salt in sea water contains more than 100 elements, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Water temperatures in the ocean can vary greatly, from about 28-86 F. Ocean Zones When learning about marine life and their habitats, youll learn that different marine life may live in different ocean zones. Two major zones include: Pelagic Zone, considered the open ocean.Benthic zone, which is the ocean bottom. The ocean is also divided into zones according to how much sunlight they receive. There is the euphotic zone, which receives enough light to permit photosynthesis. The disphotic zone, where there is just a small amount of light, and also the aphotic zone, which has no light at all. Some animals, like whales, sea turtles and fish may occupy several zones throughout their lives or in different seasons. Other animals, like sessile barnacles, may stay in one zone for most of their lives. Major Habitats in the Ocean Habitats in the ocean range from warm, shallow, light-filled waters to deep, dark, cold areas. Major habitats include: Intertidal Zone, where land and sea meet. This is an area subject to great challenges for its marine life, as it is covered with water at high tide and water is largely absent at low tide. Therefore, its marine life must adapt to sometimes great changes in temperature, salinity, and moisture throughout the day.Mangroves: Mangroves are another salt water habitat along the coast. These areas are covered by salt-tolerant mangrove trees and are important nursery areas for a variety of marine life.Seagrasses, or seagrass beds: Seagrasses are flowering plants and live in a marine or brackish environment, usually in protected areas such as bays, lagoons, and estuaries. Seagrasses are another important habitat to a number of organisms and provide nursery areas for tiny marine life.Reefs: Coral reefs are often described as the rainforest of the sea because of their great biodiversity. The majority of coral reefs are found in warm tropical and sub-tropical areas, although deep-water corals do exist in some colder habitats. Pelagic Zone: The pelagic zone, also described above, is where some of the biggest marine life, including cetaceans and sharks, are found.Reefs: Coral reefs are often referred to as the rainforests of the sea because of their great diversity. Although reefs are most often found in warm, shallow tropical and sub-tropical waters, there are also deep-water corals that live in cold water. One of the most well-known coral reefs is the Great Barrier Reef off Australia.The Deep Sea: Although these cold, deep and dark areas of the ocean may appear inhospitable, scientists are realizing that they support a wide variety of marine life. These are also important areas to study, as 80% of the ocean consists of waters greater than 1,000 meters in depth.Hydrothermal Vents: While they are located in the deep sea, hydrothermal vents provide a unique, mineral-rich habitat for hundreds of species, including bacteria-like organisms called archaea that turn chemicals from the vents into energy using a pr ocess called chemosynthesis, and other animals such as tubeworms, clams, mussels, crabs, and shrimp. Kelp Forests: Kelp forests are found in cold, productive, and relatively shallow waters. These underwater forests include an abundance of brown algae called kelp. These giant plants provide food and shelter for a variety of marine life. In the U.S., the kelp forests that may most readily come to mind are those off  of the west coast of the U.S. (e.g., California).Polar Regions: Polar habitats are areas near the Earths poles, with the Arctic in the north and the Antarctic to the south. These areas are cold, windy and have wide fluctuations in daylight throughout the year. While these areas seem uninhabitable for humans, marine life thrives there, with many migratory animals traveling to these areas to feed on abundant krill and other prey. They are also home to iconic marine animals such as polar bears  (in the Arctic) and penguins (in the Antarctic). Polar regions have been subject to increasing attention due to concerns about climate change- as it is in these areas where a warmi ng of Earths temperatures would likely be most detectable and significant. Sources CIA - The World Factbook.Coulombe, D.A. 1984. The Seaside Naturalist. Simon Schuster: New York.National Marine Sanctuaries. 2007. Ecosystems: Kelp Forests.WHOI. Polar Discovery. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.Tarbuck, E.J., Lutgens, F.K. and Tasa, D. Earth Science, Twelfth Edition. 2009. Pearson Prentice Hall: New Jersey.

Facebook privacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Facebook privacy - Research Paper Example nd, the majority of young Americans, who constitute the largest proportion of the users of Facebook and other social networking sites, worry less about their privacy. In February 2011, DHS announced that they planned to roll out a program that would make it possible for them to censor media content, including data relating to social media(Wagner 390). The program would gather personal data of the users of Facebook and other social networking sites and relay that information to all levels of government, foreign government and private companies. In part, the data would be gathered by undercover agents who would disguise as ordinary social media users while, in the real sense, they were on these sites to spy on genuine users. The agency also indicated that it would store personal data for a period not exceeding five years. This program sounded so sinister that one wonders why the DHS had to announce it. Nonetheless, under the program, the government has continued to collect the personal information of the users of Facebook. This program and the policy underpinning it are a serious infringement on the civil liberties, especially the right to privacy, the Constitution grants to every American. The government must abandon them and seek alternative ways of achieving their ways. The journey toward a federal policy on the freedom of Internet kicked off to a slow start in early 2010(Wagner 398). Then, in early 2011, the Egyptian revolt, to which Twitter and Facebook added fuel, injected some impetus into the process. The development in Egypt made the federal government see the urgent need for a policy that would help security agencies circumvent barriers to combating cyber crime, while at the same time making it difficult for dictatorial regimes to employ the same technology to suppress divergent views. The process of enacting the policy was slowed down by heated debates over which projects the policy needed to prioritize. Moreover, questions were raised over the rather

Iker Casillass Girlfriend Sara Carbonero and Real Madrids Dressing Assignment

Iker Casillass Girlfriend Sara Carbonero and Real Madrids Dressing Room Scandal - Assignment Example This research tells that Iker revealed much of the team’s information to Sara, which she reported to her channel. This helped her to grab the attention of the viewers as well as the readers but it definitely had a negative impact on the career of Iker. According to the management team, what Iker did was unethical and therefore it made him sit on the bench for almost half of the season as the result of which the performance of â€Å"Real Madrid† suffered. The Media in this situation played a very critical role. Sara Carbonero and Iker Casillas were accused several times of leaking the information from the team’s locker room to the media that Sara worked for, but the media made the situation worse by broadcasting it and making it available for the competitors of the â€Å"Spain’s Football Team† and â€Å"Real Madrid†. The media on several occasions exposed some controversial information such as the weakened relationships between players or the views of management on the poor performance of any specific team player. Every time the media Sara worked for broadcasted any such news it created an atmosphere of distrust in the team’s dressing room, affecting the relationships of the players to some extent. Team players clashed because of the media issue. There have also been occasions when Iker thought about leaving the club that has been the most important part of his life. One of the sources also revealed that Iker was so close to leaving the club due to all the issues created by the media, but he changed his mind at the very last moment. Audiences become informed or misinformed by many channels and so do journalists as well. Ethical practice is important for media as it holds the power of influencing a large number of people. Although the fundamental rights of a citizen in Spain also include the right to know information, when it comes to journalists, they must use their right of expression within certain limitations.

Riparian Ecosystem in the Semi-arid Southwest US

Riparian Ecosystem in the Semi-arid Southwest US Yi Rong Ecosystem project Geographic location The absolute location of the riparian ecosystem in the semi-arid Southwest of the US is 38 ° 11†² 21†³ S 109 ° 53 †²07 †³ W while its relative location is Southwest of the Colorado River. Climate The riparian ecosystem in this region registers an annual temperature of approximately 55F with an annual temperature range of 40F to 55F. The region receives a bi-modal precipitation regime with the highest precipitation experienced during the winter as well as during the summer monsoon winds. The annual precipitation can be recorded at between 16cm to 54cm. One of the major factors affecting the temperature and precipitation in this ecosystem is the proximity to the Colorado River which increases precipitation (Trexler 58). The thin cloud cover also influence the temperature as well as precipitation as it dictates the amount of direct sunlight on the moisture on the ground. The elevation of the ground is also another important factor that may influence precipitation and temperature. The higher the elevation, an area will experience higher the temperatures and lower precipitation. However, if the elevation is low then temperatures are expected to be lower while precipitation will be higher (Trexler 63). Extreme weather events in the southwest riparian ecosystem are mainly heat waves, floods and droughts and this can be attributed to the global climate change. This is because the climate of this region can be classified under a cold, semi-arid climatic zone (Doyle and Drew 13). This is characterized by relatively long drought periods as well as irregular precipitation, growing seasons that range from warm to hot and extended periods of winter which is sustained by freezing temperatures. Landforms and the land forming processes The riparian ecosystem here sits on a crustal rock that is surrounded by deformed Rocky Mountains together with Basin and Range Provinces (Raynolds 23). The main structures in this region are flexures, salt tectonic features, monoclines, vertical faults and volcanic. The folds here are broader rather than the characteristic tight folds found in orogenic belts. The wide areas of flat lying sedimentary rocks are divided by sudden bends of strata that form along the monoclonal folds formed nearly more than 600 million years ago. Normal faults dissect the ground in this area where normal faults are formed by tensional forces in which case the foot wall moves upwards relative to the hanging wall. These faults are more prevalent here because of the movement of the crustal blocks occurring in the Precambrian basement and the differential movement can be attributed to the differences in the elevation in this particular riparian ecosystem (Raynolds 39). Precambrian rocks are visible around th e region and they consist of gneiss, schist and younger sedimentary rocks. About 1.7 billion years ago, a north-south continental compression resulted in wrench faults areas, one being the Colorado River Lineament. Water and wind are the two key forces that can be attributed to the erosion of the ecosystem over the years (Adler 32). The main reason why water is the greatest force of the two is that the sun bakes the soil thereby making it so hard that it becomes difficult to absorb water. Therefore, when it rains, rain water flows freely with immense force. The vegetation in the area also doesn’t have deep laid roots to hold the soil together and this only adds to the problem (Lauenroth and Burke 51). As the free flowing water goes down, it creates flash floods that have great power to move rock boulders as big as automobiles. Ice also another erosion factor that cannot be ignored in this area. As faults are created between rocks, water seeps between these cracks and when temperatures are low, it turns to ice thereby expanding the cracks. When these faults get wide enough, pieces of rocks on the edges fall away and hit other rocks along the way thereby causing massive erosion effects. Th e topography of the ecosystem has characteristic different elevation levels. The vegetation in this area is mainly open-woodlands. The plants found here include cottonwoods, alders, cattails, plums as well as tall grass (Ralston 74). The Colorado River also makes an important part of the topography of the ecosystem. Surrounding the ecosystems are canyons and volcanic rocks whose surfaces have been eroded over the years mainly by water. Drainage patterns and stream systems The flow of the stream determines the forces that erode sediment and transport and deposit the same. This is important as it influences the various dimensions of aquatic systems in the ecosystem (Raynolds 53). The variance of stream flow also plays a major role in the occurrence of suitable environment and species abundance. The structural controls offered by the environment in the ecosystem act to dictate the various aspects of the stream’s flow such as its velocity and direction. Drainage patterns of streams in the ecosystem take the form of parallel and dendritic drainage patterns that are the most common in riparian ecosystems. As for the stream capacity, given the geology of the ecosystems and the level of erosion, the stream capacity in the ecosystem is high as the sediments from eroded soil and rocks transported by the stream is also high which translates to high power (Hazel 47). However, stream discharge in the ecosystem is relatively low as the width of the stream is narrow and wouldn’t support high stream discharge while the stream velocity is also low due to the many artificial islands formed by rocks found in the stream. These act to reduce the velocity of the stream greatly. The hard soil surface under the stream makes it difficult for water absorption and therefore when it rains, flash floods form easily while recurrence depends on the rain intervals during the year. Biome The biome in the ecosystem is classified according to the latitude within which the ecosystem is located. As a result of this, the climatic conditions brought about by the ecosystem’s latitude play a major role in determining the biome found in this area. Therefore, the dominant plants found in this particular ecosystem are mainly cottonwoods and open-woodlands. The animal species are the mule deer and the elk (Van Cole 16). Ecosystem characteristics, productivity, and services The productivity of the ecosystem can be seen from the dams and reservoir built in order to reduce the amount of erosion taking place in the ecosystem (Yaffee 61). This has received positive results as erosion has reduced greatly. On productivity, the ecosystem acts as a park ecosystem and local tourists can go and enjoy the different flora and fauna the ecosystem has to offer. Habitat/s The Riparian habitats are defined by different plants that depend on an integral hydrological regime. It is a case whereby the groundwater is sustained and surface flows that are natural occur. Plant and animal communities An assemblage of animal and plant communities is what define Riparian ecosystems and the presence of these communities attribute directly or indirectly to stream induced or interrelated factors. A greater diversity of animals and plants are supported by the Riparian ecosystems than the upland habitats. Food web and food chains In relation to the food web and chains, it is clear that approximately 80 percent of sensitive vertebrate species depend on aquatic habitants in their life cycle. Example of an animal and its niche There are western screech-owls, which have a niche at the moist woodlands that are found along the lakes and streams. Example of a symbiotic relationships A significant symbiotic relationship is between the star-flowered Solomon’s-seal with the moist shady woodlands that are found along the streams. Human-Land relationships Deforestation and animal grazing are some of the human activities that are taking place in the ecosystem. Ecosystem status Currently, the ecosystem is in a threatened/endangered status as the acts of animal grazing and deforestation are rampant within the area. A practical conservation strategy that has been adopted is the Conservation Reserve Program, which has been redesigned with the purpose of providing priority to areas that are stream buffer zones. Works Cited Adler, Robert W. Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems: A Troubled Sense of Immensity. Washington: Island Press, 2007. Web. Bainbridge, David. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration: New Hope for Arid Lands. Washington: Island Press. 2012. Print. Doyle, Mary, and Cynthia A. Drew. Large-scale Ecosystem Restoration: Five Case Studies from the United States. Washington: Island Press, 2008. Web. Folliott, Peter and Leonard F. DeBano. Riparian Areas of the Southwestern United States: Hydrology, Ecology, and Management. Florida: CRC Press. 2003. Print. Hazel, Joseph E. Monitoring Fine-Grained Sediment in the Colorado River Ecosystem, Arizona: Control Network. S.l.: Bibliogov, 2013. Print. Kaiser, James. Grand Canyon: the Complete Guide. Ringgold, Ga.: Destination Press, 2011. Print. Lauenroth, William K, and Ingrid C. Burke. Ecology of the Short grass Steppe: A Long-Term Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Web. Ralston, Barbara E. A Vegetation Database for the Colorado River Ecosystem from Glen Canyon Dam to the Western Boundary of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Flagstaff, Ariz.: Northern Arizona University, 2007. Print. Raynolds, Robert G. Roaming the Rocky Mountains and Environs: Geological Field Trips. Boulder, Colo: Geological Society of America, 2008. Print. Trexler, Joel. Monitoring Ecosystems. Washington: Island Press. 2003. Print. Van, Riper C, and Mark K. Sogge. The Colorado Plateau Iii: Integrating Research and Resources Management for Effective Conservation. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2008. Print. Van, Riper C, and Kenneth L. Cole. The Colorado Plateau: Cultural, Biological, and Physical Research. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2004. Print. Yaffee, Steven L. Ecosystem Management in the United States: An Assessment of Current Experience. Washington, DC: Island Press, 1996. Print.

Justification of Punishment! :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Justification of Punishment ABSTRACT: Both utilitarians and the deontologists are of the opinion that punishment is justifiable, but according to the utilitarian moral thinkers, punishment can be justified solely by its consequences, while the deontologists believe that punishment is justifiable purely on retributive ground. D. D. Raphael is found to reconcile both views. According to him, a punishment is justified when it is both useful and deserved. Maclagan, on the other hand, denies it to be justifiable in the sense that it is not right to punish an offender. I claim that punishment is not justifiable but not in the sense in which it is claimed by Maclagan. The aim of this paper is to prove the absurdity of the enquiry as to whether punishment can be justified. Difference results from differing interpretations of the term 'justification.' In its traditional meaning, justification can hardly be distinguished from evaluation. In this sense, to justify an act is to say that it is good or right. I differ from t he traditional use and insist that no act or conduct can be justified. Infliction of punishment is a human conduct and as such it is absurd to ask for its justification. I hold the view that to justify is to give reason, and it is only a statement or an assertion behind which we can put forth reason. Infliction of pain is an act behind which the agent may have purpose or intention but not reason. So, it is not punishment, but rather statements concerning punishment that we can justify. Regarding the justification of punishment philosophers are not of the same opinion. According to the utilitarian moral thinkers punishment can be justified solely by its consequences. That is to say, according to the utilitarian account of punishment 'A ought to be punished' means that A has done an act harmful to people and it needs to be prevented by punishment or the threat of it. So, it will be useful to punish A. Deontologists like Mabbott, Ewing and Hawkins, on the other hand, believe that punishment is justifiable purely on retributive grounds. That is to say, according to them, only the past fact that a man has committed a crime is sufficient enough to justify the punishment inflicted on him. But D.D. Raphael is found to reconcile between the two opposite views. According to him, a punishment is justified when it is both useful and deserved.

Republic Day of India

26th of January 1950 was the day when India got its own constitution and became biggest democratic nation of the world. Since then this day has been celebrated as national festival and called as Republic day of India. In this essay we have provided, not only the glimpse of Republic day celebration but also interesting images for attraction of kids.Republic Day of IndiaIndia is the world's biggest democratic nation. Though India got freedom against British rule on 15th of August 1947, but till 1950 we do not have our own law and order to follow. The 26th of January 1950, was the dawn of world's biggest democracy, when we got our own constitution and India became a republic nation. From then on, this day has been declared as a national festival of India and we celebrate this day as Republic Day of India. The word republic means a country that is ruled by people, elected by the the people of that nation.Today we have completed 63 years with our own constitution and proud to be a part of the world's biggest democracy. This is our privilege that we are the citizens of a secular nation. Our constitution provides us freedom to travel anywhere in India, freedom to adopt any religion we like to follow, we can arrange public meeting; we can express and share our thoughts etc. Being a citizen of a democratic nation, we not only have many rights but also many responsibilities to carry out.Republic day celebrationOn 26th January of every year, we celebrate our Republic day. This is India's national festival and also declared as national holiday. On the eve of Republic day, cultural programmes are arranged in school, colleges and different public places. Political and social meeting also arranged for considering social and national issues. National flag is furled not only at government offices but also at public places. National anthem beats inspire the countrymen with feelings of patriotism.The main attraction of Republic day is the special Republic day parade taken out at Rajpath, in front of India gate in our capital Delhi. Early in the morning people from all over India, start to gather at Rajpath to watch this parade. People, who can't go there, watch it on television. Some foreign ministers are also invited as chief guests on this occasion. Indian Prime minister with other ministers and chiefs of armed forces also arrive at Rajpath. With the arrival of Indian President and foreign chief guest, the national flag furls sky high.The bravery awards are distributed to brave soldiers, martyrs, brave citizens and brave children. Brave children are brought by elephants on this occasion. After this Republic day parade starts with the flag march of all Indian forces. Indian president takes the salute of all Indian armed forces. Armed strength of the country has been shown in this parade. Tableau from many states of India and Union territories, are the center of attraction for everyone on this occasion. The Rashtrapati Bhawan and important government buildi ngs are decorated with light in the evening.How we should celebrate this festival?This is the festival of proud for our nation. Every countryman should participate in this occasion. We should also remember our freedom fighters on this day. This is an occasion of patriotism, unity; peace, love, proud, happiness and inspiration. We should make some principle on this occasion and try to be loyal to our duties and nation.Here are some promises; every countryman should do to himself and nation:†¢ We shall root out all evils from our society and nation. †¢ We shall respect our constitution †¢ We will always remember our freedom fighter and golden heritage of our country. †¢ We shall feel proud to be the part of India. †¢ We shall spread the spirit of united India. †¢ We shall root out corruption from our society. †¢ We shall make our people literate. †¢ We shall protect our national resources and save our environment. †¢ We shall follow princip les of our great ministers.

Making Crystal Meth Like on Breaking Bad