This glossary provides short definitions of the oceanographic jargon used to describe ocean surface currents. It is designed to accompany the website "Ocean Surface Currents", a reference that provides information on surface currents in the world's oceans. Full description.

In this activity, students investigate some basic principles of solubility as they relate to underwater volcanic activity and hydrothermal vent systems. They should be able to describe the effect of temperature and pressure on solubility of gases and solid materials, describe the effect of temperature and pressure on the phase state of gases, and explain observed chemical phenomena around deep-sea ... Full description.

This section of the Windows to the Universe website provides information and images about water, including detailed information about lakes, rivers, ocean, the water cycle, and tides. Windows to the Universe is a user-friendly learning system pertaining to the Earth and Space sciences. The objective of this project is to develop an innovative and engaging website that includes a rich array of documents, ... Full description.

This site contains 34 questions on the topic of the world oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic), which cover tides, ocean properties , salinity, waves, and currents. This is part of the Principles of Earth Science course at the University of South Dakota. Users submit their answers and are provided immediate verification. Full description.

This site presents an account of a research cruise to investigate how the food webs in different oceanic habitats vary. The scientists wanted to see ocean life in its natural environment and conduct experiments that would not be possible in the laboratory. They looked specifically at three types of ocean habitat: the open ocean, the continental shelf, and an upwelling area. The researchers were hoping ... Full description.

In this lesson students discover how growth rates of corals can be estimated from samples collected at a single point in time. Students will identify and briefly explain two methods for estimating the age of hard corals, learn how oxygen isotope ratios are related to water temperature, and interpret data on oxygen isotope ratios to make inferences about the growth rate of deep-sea corals. This hands-on ... Full description.

This Classroom Connectors lesson plan teaches students about ocean movements such as currents, tides, and waves. This includes types of currents, Northern and Southern Hemisphere currents, differences between salt and fresh water, trade winds, and tsunamis. The site provides goals, objectives, an outline, time required, materials, activities, and closure ideas for the lesson. The Classroom Connectors ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will investigate hydrothermal vents to see how the chemistry of the water they emit provides clues to the location of the vents. They should be able to describe hydrothermal vents and characterize vent plumes in terms of physical and chemical properties; describe data gathering operations in which a towed instrument package ("tow-yo") measures conductivity, temperature, and ... Full description.

Since the Cold War ended, scientists have been documenting environmental contamination due to nuclear testing by the former Soviet Union. This radio broadcast reports on scientists who are following the trail created as chemical and radioactive contaminants work their way into the Arctic food chain. The radionuclides are being used as tracers which can demonstrate circulation of the Arctic Ocean. ... Full description.

This expedition explores the chemical and physical properties of the ocean and their role in governing oceanic processes. Topics include: Is There Salt in Seawater?, Ions of Salt, What is Source of the Salt?, Salinity Variability, Salinity and Precipitation, Calculating Salinity, Ocean Temperature, Solar Radiation, Variations in the Properties of Sea Water, Light Penetration, Temperature, Thermocline, ... Full description.