Barrier Islands #2 Ocean Beach And Organisms

Both the mole crab and coquina clam have adapted to living in the ocean beach intertidal zone by burrowing rapidly into the sand. The coquina clam burrows as a wave recedes, while the mole crab burrows backward each time a wave advances. This adaptation allows them to avoid being washed away by the waves and provides them with protection from predators.

Dinoflagellates are the organisms that cause "red tide." Red tide is a phenomenon where there is a rapid growth or bloom of these single-celled organisms in the water, leading to the water appearing red or brownish in color. These dinoflagellates produce toxins that can be harmful to marine life and can cause respiratory issues in humans if they are exposed to the toxins through the air or by consuming contaminated seafood.

A pelecypod is a bivalve, which means it is a two-shelled mollusk. Bivalves are characterized by their hinged shells that are held together by a strong muscle. Examples of pelecypods include clams, oysters, and mussels. They are filter feeders that live in aquatic environments and play important roles in the ecosystem by filtering water and providing habitat for other organisms.

A gastropod is a type of mollusk that has a single shell, making it a univalve. It is specifically a marine snail, as it lives in the ocean. This distinguishes it from bivalves, which have two shells, and phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are types of microscopic organisms that live in water.

The correct answer describes the three distinct zones found in ocean beach habitats. These zones include the subtidal zone, which is characterized by crashing breakers, swirling sand, and shallow water. The intertidal zone is alternately covered and exposed by tidal waters. Finally, the dry, sandy supratidal zone extends to the base of the sand dunes. This answer accurately identifies the correct zones and their characteristics.

The average salinity of the ocean is 35 ppt. This means that for every 1000 grams of seawater, there are 35 grams of dissolved salts. Salinity is measured in parts per thousand (ppt) and is influenced by factors such as evaporation, precipitation, and the inflow of freshwater from rivers. The average salinity of the ocean is relatively stable, although it can vary in different regions due to local conditions.

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Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that float in bodies of water and produce their own food through photosynthesis. They are made up of single-celled algae. Zooplankton, on the other hand, are tiny animals that also float in water but are consumers. They feed on other plankton and organic matter. The correct answer explains the key differences between phytoplankton and zooplankton, highlighting their roles as producers and consumers, respectively, and their composition as single-celled algae and tiny animals.

A mollusk is an organism with a hard shell that encases a soft muscle body. This hard shell provides protection and support for the soft body inside. Mollusks have a wide range of shell shapes and sizes, including those found in snails, clams, and octopuses. The soft muscle body allows mollusks to move and perform various functions such as feeding and reproduction. The presence of a hard shell is a defining characteristic of mollusks and helps distinguish them from other types of organisms.

Phytoplankton are free-floating microscopic plants that play a crucial role in the marine food chain. They are primary producers, meaning they convert sunlight and nutrients into organic matter through photosynthesis. This organic matter is then consumed by other organisms, such as zooplankton, which are in turn eaten by larger organisms. Phytoplankton are essential for the survival of marine ecosystems as they provide food and energy for a wide range of marine organisms.

A berm is a supratidal ledge of sand that is found at the high tide line. It is a raised area of sand that acts as a natural barrier between the ocean and the land. It is formed by the deposition of sand by waves and tides, and it helps to protect the land behind it from erosion and flooding. The berm is typically wider and higher than the beach, and it provides a stable area for vegetation to grow.

The correct answer is "low tide line." In a beach profile diagram, the low tide line represents the point on the beach where the water recedes to during low tide. It is the furthest point that the water reaches during low tide before it starts to rise again during high tide. The low tide line is an important reference point for understanding the coastal dynamics and the extent of beach erosion or accretion.

Supratidal animals are those that live in the area above the high tide mark on the shore. They are exposed to air and sunlight during low tide and rely on the debris and detritus washed up along the strand line as a food source. Scavengers are organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter, making them the most suitable answer as they feed on the debris and detritus found in the supratidal zone. Decomposers break down organic material, producers create their own food through photosynthesis, and herbivores feed on plants, none of which accurately describe the feeding habits of supratidal animals.

The correct answer is berm. The berm is a raised area of sand or gravel that runs parallel to the shoreline. It is usually formed by the deposition of sediment by waves and tides. In the given beach profile diagram, the berm is labeled as "c".

Supratidal animals are organisms that inhabit the area above the high tide line, which is known as the supratidal zone. The term "scavengers" refers to animals that feed on dead or decaying organic matter. The "strand line" is the area where debris and organic material are deposited by the tides. Therefore, the correct answer states that most supratidal animals are scavengers that feed on debris along the strand line, indicating that they rely on the organic matter washed up by the tides for their food source.

The correct answer is "high tide line." In a beach profile diagram, the high tide line represents the highest point reached by the tide during high tide. This line marks the boundary between the land and the water at high tide. The other options, such as the low tide line, shore face, and swash zone, represent different areas or features of the beach but do not specifically refer to the letter "a" in the diagram.

Waves have the ability to move larger shell particles and sand across the substrate surface. This movement can sometimes lead to abrasions or burying of plants and animals. Waves are caused by the wind blowing across the surface of the water, creating disturbances that travel through the water. These disturbances cause the water particles to move in a circular motion, resulting in the formation of waves.

Phytoplankton serves as the primary plant material for the ocean beach intertidal zone. Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that float in the water and are capable of photosynthesis. They are the base of the food chain in marine ecosystems, providing food and energy for other organisms in the intertidal zone. Their abundance and productivity in this zone make them the primary plant material, supporting the entire ecosystem.

Debris and detritus are deposited at the high tide line because this is the area where the highest point of the tide reaches during high tide. As the tide recedes, it leaves behind the debris and detritus that it carried with it, resulting in a deposit at the high tide line. This is a common occurrence along coastlines and is influenced by the ebb and flow of the tides.

Intertidal beach life relies on the nutrients provided by plankton, which are brought in by the tides. Plankton serve as a food source for many organisms in the intertidal zone, and the movement of the tides helps to distribute these microscopic organisms along the shoreline. This nourishment is essential for the survival and growth of intertidal organisms, making the combination of plankton and tides crucial for their existence.

The correct answer is the wind coming off the ocean, the presence of water coming in with the tides, and in the space between the sand sediment. This is because wind helps to mix oxygen into the water, tides bring in fresh oxygen-rich water, and the space between the sand sediment allows for oxygen exchange with the surrounding water.