A Study on the Purpose of Marine Biology and the Effect of the Ocean Phenomena on Aquatic Animals

A Study on the Purpose of Marine Biology and the Effect of the Ocean Phenomena on Aquatic Animals Taking into account that around 70% of the earth is covered in oceans, marine biology is evidently a vital discipline in the protection of life in the waters. Marine biology is the scientific study of oceanic organisms or brackish and aquatic bodies in the water. This also includes plants and the terrestrial environment which has a direct impact on the sea waters. There are several disciplines in marine biology such as biological oceanography, physical oceanography, astronomy, chemistry, zoology, embryology, taxonomy, cellular biology, natural history and geology, molecular biology, morphology, and meteorology. A new aspect of marine conservation has lately drawn new scientific disciplines such as biogeography, marine ecology, botany, anthropology, zoology, fisheries biology, genetics, economics and law. This paper seeks to look at the principal aim of marine biology and discovering how aquatic organisms are controlled by ocean phenomena. Marine biology is concerned with various aspects of living in the waters. E.g. the way in which various organisms are adapted to the physical and chemical properties of oceanic water, the currents and movements of the ocean, the availability of light to various oceanic depths, and the solid surface of the sea floor. The marine is also a huge source of food supply, e.g. fish and shrimps. The weather and climatic conditions are also affected by the ocean circulation, and a lot of income is generated through international commerce, tourism and recreation. The dynamics of existence is also of essence in the study of marine biology. For instance the oxygen cycle by coral reefs, the predator- prey relations and the food chains, population and distribution, overfishing, invasive and endangered species. Another aspect of interest is the effects of pollution to the life of organisms in the oceans, especially oil spillages caused by shipping, inorganic wastes, sewage effluents, fertilizers and pesticides run-off from terrestrial land sources and silting owing to coastline construction activities. The marine is home to various aquatic beings. These include seabirds such as penguins and auks, various types of fish, invertebrates like the jellyfish, mammals such as whales and dolphins, reptiles such as sea snakes and sea turtles, marine fungi such as algae, plants like the mangrove, sea grass and seaweeds, and other microscopic organisms such as the zoo and phytoplankton. These organisms survive in different habitats in the ocean. There are two major categories of marine habitats namely pelagic or coastal habitat and demarsal or open ocean habitat. The pelagic habitats are those at the surface of the water while demarsal habitats are found deep in the sea. Marine organisms are consequently categorised depending on their habitats. i.e. pelagic organisms and demersal organisms, (Trist, 1999). Various technologies are used in marine biology to help in discovering the nature of survival and providence and the importance of marine life to man, e.g. in the provision of not only food and water, but also medicine, raw material and hydraulic energy. There are special tools that marine researchers use so as to effectively study marine life. These include trawling, which is used in collection of marine specimen and plankton nets to catch microorganisms in the water. These methods are mainly used for sampling. Tracking methods are also used and these encompass photo- identification research, critter cams, and hydrophones for detecting and recording acoustic signals in the ocean. The sound data is effective in monitoring the waves, ships, marine mammals and other oceanic activity. The sonar, which is similar to sounding, is essential in tracking larger objects in water and measuring the bathymetry (ocean depth). The sonar works by detecting echoes under water since sound waves in wa ter last longer than in air. Satellite tags are also used for tracking marine life. They are usually tagged with sensors that determine their migratory patterns. The satellites are also useful in measuring oceanic geographical data such as the colour and temperature of the water. These data helps in analysing oceanic characteristics such as the climate, the cold upwelling the warm water and the currents. There are also observational equipment used under the sea, these include the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) which are unmanned robots that transmit data to researchers where diving is considered a health hazard. The ROVs are usually fitted with specimen retrieval tools, still and video cameras as well as other mechanical equipment necessary for carrying out measurements. Fibre optics is also an observational tool that uses LED light and cameras with low light, which are not distractions to deep marine life, to capture behavioural and characteristic aspects of sea creatures. Some sophisticated computerized technology is as well used in the collection, procession, analysis and display of data captured from sensors positioned strategically in marine environment to enhance measurement of temperature, salinity, navigation, depth and meteorological data. Researchers also operate under the waters. They live and work beneath water surfaces for lengthy periods. This was termed as the Aquarius by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NOAA). The impact of humans on the ocean is often more damaging than constructive. This is through pollution which causes severe and diverse changes to the marine life, which subsequently results to a hazardous ecosystem. Pollution causes acidifying and warming of the ocean, expansion of dead zones within the oceanic depths and changes in water circulation. As a result, there is little abundance of sea grasses, mangroves, coral reefs and fish. The aquatic food chains are also altered as the distribution takes a new angle. More pests and diseases also become apparent in marine life, (Global Change Institute, 2010). However, what humans do not realize is the importance of marine life in the existence and survival of man and the earth at large. Most notably is the role of marine biology in land formation through erosion and displacement. This is quite relevant to the creation of the earth. According to history, the earth was initially a huge mass of land called the Pangaea. This super continen t had a ridge at the middle known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The hot spots in the ocean floor, holes underneath the ocean, released hot magma and lava from the core of the earth which caused a big crack. The cooling of the magma and lava formed a solid known as land. This is said to be a continuous process as the hot spots continue releasing colossal amounts of lava each year. Currently the frozen solids formed on the ocean surfaces are called islands. This shows how influential the ocean can be in the entire ecosystem. The air quality on earth is also influence by coral reefs, which are said to produce approximately 82% of the world’s oxygen while there is dissolution of carbon dioxide in the water. Coral reefs are also a source of food for marine life and a natural habitat for them. They are also a source of income as they are a site to the tourists, (Pandolfi, 2003). Therefore, lots of conservation needs to be done on marine life. There are various positive impacts of the marine life to humans. For example, it is a hub for future medical and pharmaceutical advancements. This is seen in cone snails (conidae) which are highly venomous. They produce neurotoxins which have a relaxing effect to the muscles. i.e. they are nerve inhibitors. This inhibitory action may be potential in providing alternative medications to the morphine which are significantly powerful and non-addictive. Another research advancement made in the biomedical applications is the identification of a special type of glue from a particular marine worm that tends to harden aqueous environments and seal veins and bones. This invention came from the discovery that this particular worm builds its habitat underwater by gluing up sand particles. Sponges have also been known to heal wounds faster and are thus used in surgical operations. Raw materials from the sea could also help in provision and supply of industrial and building materials, (Guldberg, 2010). Marine biology is palpably a vital discipline in realising the dependence of all terrestrial life and the planet as a whole on the ocean. It is thus, important to prevent more damage mainly caused by human ignorance and work to conserve and restore the damaged marine ecosystem and preserve vulnerable marine species.

Accsys Technologies Plc - Wood Production and Sale Assignment

Accsys Technologies Plc - Wood Production and Sale - Assignment Example The revenue cycle of an entity is an inherent risk, and auditors are required to assess this by performing the necessary tests to determine whether it is free of error of fraud. This inherent audit risk is related to the cutoff for some sales. It also stems from the management pressure to misstate revenues. It is, therefore, critical that auditors use the necessary tests of control and substantive procedures to give an assurance that revenues have been correctly recorded. The issues in revenue recognition start from the consignment sales refund and return rights, round-trip sales, gross sales as well as bill and hold transactions. The management overstates revenues so as to indicate that the company is performing well, thus encouraging investors and impressing the top level management. There are also cases where, human error causes the risk of revenue audit during the revenue recording where wrong amounts are recorded, or the recording is done at the wrong time. According to Colby (2012), financial statement fraud through revenues takes different forms among the timing differences and fictitious revenues. Through fictitious revenues, the concerned parties record sales that never occurred. They achieve this by manipulating or creating transactions that enhance an entity’s reported earnings. Revenues are typically fabricated through the creation of fake customers and sales. There are instances where the artificial sales involve legitimate customers through the creation of phoney invoices or price or quantity increases. The audit procedures that an auditor develops in relation to revenue auditing and the a ssessment of their outcome calls for an understanding of how the organisation operates as well as its environment. Through the timing differences, financial statement fraud arises because revenues and/or expenses are recorded in the improper period. The revenues are recognised early before it is earned leading to an immediate increase in the entity's income using legitimate sales as opposed to cases of phoney sales.  

Counting terrorism in Nigeria Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Counting terrorism in Nigeria - Essay Example They are using violence and intimidation in a bid to overthrow the Nigerian government and to replace it with an Islamic one. Boko Haram believes that western education is a sacrilege and is highly prohibited. It has had numerous social, economic and political consequences in the country and should be speedily curbed. The term terrorism is not news to our ears since it has dominated various media outlets. Terrorism has had devastating effects on the political, social and economic development in various societies. The contemporary society is full of mushrooming terrorist groups like Al-Qaida, Taliban, Al-Shabaab, Hezbollah and Boko Haram among others. What is terrorism? The word terrorism, originates from the word terror. According to Hornby (2000), terror is defined as a feeling of extreme fear. â€Å"Terrorism is the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce especially for political purposes† (Dictionary.com 2012). Terrorists often stage sudden attacks on the unsuspecting civilians to push their agenda. Terrorism is an activity that has been condemned by most governments of the world; the United States taking the centre stage. Having explicated terrorism in general, we can now narrow down to a particular terrorist group, Boko Haram, in Nigeria. The paper will explore current terrorist activities in Nigeria by this group. It is in order to understand the term, Boko Haram. According to Domingo (2012), it is a terrorist group that was founded by one Mohammed Yusuf between 2001 and 2002. Northern Nigeria is predominantly occupied by the Kanuri ethnic group, and it is the stronghold of Boko Haram. Terrorist assemblages are often formed and propagated by the drive of revenge, believing that they have suffered historical injustices, which may be religious, political, social and economic in nature. Terrorist groupings do not believe in dialogue and have resorted to barbaric violent ways of handling concerns. They believe that the government is doing

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 22

Business Ethics - Essay Example During lunch hour between 1 pm and 2 pm, I interacted with Stephanie my best friend. She asked me whether she looked fat in her dress. In response I lied to her that she doesn’t look fat in her dress because I didn’t want to tell her she is gaining a lot of weight and definitely looks heavy. During the weekend around 10am to 11am we visited the mall with my best friends Stephanie, Richard and Alex. I attempted to steal an item in the supermarket. Unfortunately, I was caught stealing the item. I refused to admit the shoplifting offense and instead said that I saw somebody else commit the offense. I did this to avoid the long arm of the law which would end me up to the jail. After the Christmas holiday my brother Mike, brought a gift to me that I did not like. I lied to him that the Christmas gift he gave to me was great because I know he put a lot of thought into picking up the gift for me. After classes around 4pm and 6pm, I visited my brother’s friend in Michigan who had just concluded constructing a house. The house was really small and cramped. For this reason I did not like the house. I lied to him that I liked the house because I did not want to dampen her excitement. During the evening classes my friend Stanley came to class with a new haircut. Many students noticed the haircut and admired it. To me the haircut was unpleasant and not appealing to the eyes. I did not want to hurt his feelings by telling him that I hated the haircut but instead told him that the cut was really good. During my interaction with the students and one of the members of the society within the 3 days, I realized that women told most of the lies more than men. According to the journal article ‘lying in everyday life’, research was made in colleges and the community and it was recorded that women told many lies compared to men. College students conveyed lying in roughly one out of every

Enligh Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Enligh Literature - Essay Example His wife continues to question him and on her insistence, he tells her he would not. Then, she storms out and shows his indifference towards him by reading and locking up herself. He continues with the chores and later finds her locked in the bathroom. He tells her he would marry her and she says, she'd see! Later, she asks him to switch off the lights and when she walks into the room, he finds himself with a stranger in his wife! The first issue we encounter in the journal is not the major theme of Racial Discrimination but that of the relationship between the husband and wife. The husband is shown as a compassionate and considerate husband, as he helps her with the chores. Later, however, we do feel that his love might be limited by racial undertones, as he says he would not have married her if she was black. This uncovers the fact that humans tend to overlook love and give more importance to trivial walls like race and colour. The basic emotions go for a toss when one possesses an attitude that divides humanity. The next issue

Descartes' and Kants Approaches to God Term Paper

Descartes' and Kants Approaches to God - Term Paper Example To begin with, one should state the claims which were made by Descartes since the ideas of Kant primarily reject them. Thus, the former developed the so called ontological argument for existence of God: Descartes based his proof on the concept that God is the most perfect creature and, since existence is a part of perfection, He ought to exist (Cahoone 45). One would make no mistake, pointing out that this approach is a rather short one and features fine logic at first sight. Indeed, Descartes takes one premise that both people who believe in God and those who do not believe in God would not reject, namely that He is the most perfect creature. In other words, he is able to appeal to the common ground of the people when they perceive the higher power without connection to any dogmatic principles. Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to point out that the idea of God or any deities might have emerged as the opposition to the corrupted material world; so, the metaphysical world as we ll as its inhabitants is largely thought to be free of vices. That is why the ontological argument which was presented by Descartes makes sense to a certain extent.However, the criticism which was developed by Kant latter makes even more sense. Thus, for this German philosopher, the argument that was presented by Descartes possesses one important flaw which destroys the whole integrity of it: according to the logic of the claim, existence is inseparably connected to the object of idea. That is why the perfection or greatness of idea might be modified by the fact whether it exists or not

Analysis of Education in Bushwick, Brooklyn Essay

Analysis of Education in Bushwick, Brooklyn - Essay Example ool and New Utrecht High School with each other has been attempted to measure the result and search the reason behind the differences in available data on the usage of ICT in education. Education in Bushwick has been a cause of concern. The issue of communication rights has been raised in the context of digital divide. The term ‘digital divide’ is used on a number of parameters; haves and have-nots being one of them comprising those who have access to information technology and those who don’t have access (Matwyshyn, 2003). Students learn the information and communication technologies fast. In that context, it is significant that the benefits of ICT reach the students through the class rooms. Bolt and Crawford have rightly remarked, â€Å"This is not a question of newer school texts or better school uniforms, it is literally a social fulcrum point that we†¦ have come to which will determine the face of our society well into the next century†(Digital Divide, 2000: 32). While there is evidence that access to computers in schools has increased, the question remains to be answered whether low socio-economic status (SES) schools provide students with justifiable backing to attain information communication technology (ICT) literacy (Hohlfeld et al., 2008). Education technology should be used as a tool to better students’ proficiency in English language, arts, mathematics, and science. The New York State Education department sanctions funds to meet the federal goals of computer literacy in students by the finish of eighth grade (NYSED.gov 2008-09) To what extent the computers and related technologies integration should happen in the classroom is a big issue in itself. Burniske and Monke, former high school teachers, suggest being cautious in their book Breaking down the Digital Walls. Students don’t necessarily become a part of their community to serve after attaining proficiency to the extreme. They utilize the technological expertise to find a job of their