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Algae
- Plant
like marine organisms that range in size from microscopic phytoplankton
to the giant kelp bladder found of our beaches. They contain chlorophyll,
the same pigment used by land plants to perform photosynthesis.
Algal
Bloom - A bloom, or rapid growth, of phytoplankton in
the upper layers of the ocean, often due to an influx of nutrients,
such as sediment plumes or seasonal upwelling
Biogenic
Silicone(Bsi) - Silicone that has its origins in the
shell structures of living organisms.
CTD
- (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) Common name referring to a
scientific instrument that records Ocean salinity, temperature,
and depth. This instrument can also record a host of other parameters
such as nutrient levels and chlorophyll concentrations.
Core
Cruise - One of the regular Bi-monthly research cruises
conducted aboard the R/V Ballena. The cruise involves a transect
of seven sample stations in the Santa Barbara Channel beginning
at Santa Barbara harbor and continuing across the channel to San
Miguel Island.
Coastal
Upwelling
- An ocean process that occurs most notably on the western coasts
of continents. Results when cold nutrient rich bottom water flows
to the surface along the continental coast lines. Very strong in
California and Chile where it is closely linked to the fishing industry.
coastal upwelling is greatly reduced during El Niño events.
Dinoflagellates
- Any of an order (Dinoflag-ellata) of chiefly marine, planktonic,
usually solitary phytoflagellates (which have many characteristics
in common with algae) These creatures are important in marine food
chains, and cause red tides.
Diatoms
- Diatoms are unicellular algae generally placed in the family
Bacillariophyceae. The cell walls of these organisms are
made of silica, and the varied shapes and beautiful ornamentation
of these walls made the study of the diatoms and related siliceous
organisms a favored pursuit of the early oceanographers. The cell
wall is one of the major reasons why these algae are today a favorite
organism of study, because the fossils are often well preserved
in sediments of lake and marine systems.
El
Nino - El Niño is a season that comes at irregular
intervals and stays for an unspecified period of time. The same
way yellow-orange leaves are associated with fall, or snow with
winter, during El Niño there are certain expected changes
in climate and weather patterns. These changes, which begin in the
tropical Pacific Ocean, have come to define El Niño.
During an El
Niño, the normally gusty trade winds along the equator in
the Pacific fade. As the winds fade, a huge pool of warm water off
the coast of Indonesia begins to flows eastward toward the Americas.
This warm water heats and adds moisture to the air above it. This
in turn alters storm tracks that blow across the United States and
the world.
Lithogenic
Silicone(LSi) - Silicone that originates from
terrestrial sources of rock and soil.
Lithosphere
- The upper most layer of the earth’s crust
Nitrogen
- Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere. It is
a vital element that is essential to living ecosystems. Nitrogen
is a primary nutrient for all green plants.
Phosphorous
- (P) Phosphorus is the eleventh-most abundant mineral in the
earth's crust and does not exist in a gaseous state. It is an essential
nutrient for all life forms. Phosphorus plays a role in DNA (deoxyribonucleic
acid), the basic building block of life. Phosphorus is required
for these necessary components of life to occur. Phosphorus in freshwater
and marine systems exists in either a particulate phase (found in
sediment plumes) or a dissolved phase (mixed in with the sea water).
Phytoplankton
- Microscopic marine plants that live in the upper layer
of the world’s oceans and float freely in the water column.
Plankton
- A general term for the entire community of microscopic free-floating
organisms, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, and a host of other
marine organisms. Plankton serves as the primary food source for
most marine ecosystems. Many animals like the blue whale feed entirely
on planktonic organisms.
Process
Cruise - A cruise that is conducted during a significant
event in the channel such as a winter storm or a period of heavy
rain. These usually take samples at the mouth of Ventura Harbor.
Runoff
- A general term for any water that flows over the ground, such
as flooding after a good rain.
Zooplankton
- Microscopic marine animals that live in the worlds
oceans. Zooplankton can include tiny shrimp like krill, fish larvae,
and many other types of creatures.
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