In this computer lab, students use satellite imagery, daylength information, and phytoplankton physiology models to calculate annual primary production for an assigned ocean region.
Satellite data is obtained from the NASA Earth Observation website. Students use the analysis tool to determine chlorophyll concentration and sea surface temperature. They also receive a day-length calculator and are asked to model light transmission through the water column. Using step-by-step instructions and proviede equations relating phytoplankton physiology to irradiance and temperature students calculate carbon uptake at discreet locations in the water column. The second half of the exercise involves scaling up to the entire water column, region, and season. Students present their work to the class and evaluate their result using scientific literature. Differences between regions are then discussed by the class.
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- Subject:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geoscience
- Life Science
- Mathematics
- Measurement and Data
- Oceanography
- Physical Science
- Material Type:
- Activity/Lab
- Data Set
- Lesson Plan
- Provider:
- Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College
- Provider Set:
- Teach the Earth
- Author:
- Kevin Arrigo
- Lindsey Kropuenske
- Richa
- Date Added:
- 06/16/2022