Arctic Plankton Bloom - Assignment Example

Arctic Plankton Bloom: Biological Productivity Arctic Plankton Bloom: Biological productivity Biological productivity or aquatic production is central to all biological processes in an inland aquatic ecosystem. It involves two main processes including primary production and secondary production. Primary production is the process by which living organisms form biomass from energy-poor inorganic materials in the environment with the help of photosynthesis. Under secondary production, the energy-rich organic material or biomass is transformed into other forms through consumption.

According to the National Geographic, “biological productivity is defined as the ability of a water body to support life, such as plants, fish, and wildlife”. When a scientist says that productivity is a rate, he/she means that it is the rate at which organic matter is produced (National Geographic, n.d.). More clearly, in a scientific perspective, biological productivity is the annual rate of biomass production expressed in tons per hectare per year. Before discussing the factors that influence productivity in various ocean environments like the surf zone, mid-ocean and the deep abyss, it is important to understand the fact that oceans account for only one-third of Earth’s productivity although they cover roughly two-third of the Earth’s surface area.

In oceans, coastal regions are characterized with the greatest net primary production. Thorne-Miller (1999) states that diversity of species in surf zone is low but the species that remain in this ocean environment is unusually productive, making the surf zone one of the most productive marine habitats. Wave action is a major factor that influences productivity in the surf zone indirectly. It supplies “nutrients and suspended food particles to plants and animals attached to the rock” (p. 68).

In addition, the wave action keeps seaweeds wet in times of low tide, leading to a favorable photosynthesis rate during the period of greatest light intensity. Thorne-Miller also says that seaweeds and invertebrates living in the surf zone have the capability to adapt to the challenging physical conditions there (p.68). In the words of Foulger (2011), the major factors that determine productivity in mid-oceans include the local plate boundary configuration, temperature, and source composition such as volatiles.

Productivity is notably improved by enhanced source fertility. A high fertile source will be characterized with a lower solidus, and this in turn would yield a higher level melting at a given temperature resulting in the thickening of the oceanic crust (p.87). Tyler (2003) tells that “thick siliceous oozes, composed primarily of radiolarian and diatom tests” is another factor enhancing the productivity in mid-ocean ridges (p.225). From the viewpoint of Reel (2005), the depth of water will be a major determinant of productivity in deep abyss because the amount of sun available for biological productivity in this ocean region is very low.

In addition, organisms’ exposure to physical challenges will be low in this ocean environment. However, in this shallow water, organisms like green algae can absorb a wide portion of the solar spectrum. Water pressure at deep abyss is very high, and hence it may notably impact biological productivity here (p.79). Toxic waste dumping in oceans may also influence the biological productivity here, because dumped toxic wastes may accumulate in the deeper area of oceans. ReferencesFoulger, G. R. (2011). Plates vs Plumes: A Geological Controversy.

US: John Wiley & Sons. National Geographic. Ocean "Conveyor Belt" Sustains Sea Life, Study Says. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0615_040614_SouthernOcean_2.htmlReel, K. R. (2005). The Best Test Preparation for the AP Environmental Science. US: Research & Education Association. Thorne-Miller, B. (1999). The Living Ocean: Understanding and Protecting Marine Biodiversity. US: Island Press. Tyler, P. A. (2003). Ecosystems of the Deep Oceans. US: Elsevier.