Tools of the TradeOr What do we use to study the marine

world?

Physical PropertiesThermometer – measures & records temperature at a particular depth

Hydrometer – measures density & temperature, used to find salinity

Physical Properties

THERMOMETER

HYDROMETER

Physical PropertiesNiskin / Nansen Bottle – obtains water

samples at a variety of depthsSecchi Disk – measures

turbidity/visibilityturbidity - a measure of water cloudiness due

to the amount of suspended matter in the water (soil, sediments, sewage, and plankton)Clear water has a low turbidity levelCloudy (or muddy) water has a high turbidity

level.

Physical Properties

SECCHI DISK

NISKIN/Nansen BOTTLE

Physical PropertiesShipek/Peterson Grab - take a

sample of the ocean bottoms

Physical PropertiesCTD – measures

conductivity, temperature & depth

Biological PropertiesPlankton Net – net towed or dipped

to gather plankton samplesDip Net – retrieves a variety of

samples from the water

Biological PropertiesSediment Screen –

used to screen sediments for macro invertebrates

GPSProvide radio-

navigation system giving every place on Earth an address

Research VesselsAlvin – research

submersible used to locate bombs, Titanic, hydrothermal vents

Research VesselsAlcyone – Jacques Cousteau’s turbo

sail ship

Research VesselsFLIP – 355’ floating instrument

platform that can become vertical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ5hvltzGEM

Research VesselsTrieste – first bathyscaphe to

descend 35,600 ft to the bottom of the Mariana Trench