Ocean Technology Studying the Ocean Floor In 1872

Ocean Technology

Studying the Ocean Floor • In 1872, the first expedition to explore the ocean began when the Challenger sailed from England. • Scientists used wire to measure the ocean depth. • Scientists aboard used nets to collect animals and plants from the ocean floor. • Special thermometers measured the temperature. Samples of water were collected.

Present Oceanographers • Today oceanographers have modern instruments. • Deep sea technology has helped us understand chemosynthesis – Chemosynthesis = process by which some organisms, such as certain bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. (Up near the surface photosynthesis is the process used by green plants, which gives energy to consumers)

Underwater cameras provide pictures of the ocean floor. Corers bring up samples of mud and sand from the ocean bottom. • Bathyspheres, bathscaphs and other submersibles are able to dive deep under the surface to explore new ways to study the oceans: • Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) • Scuba (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving • Satellites • Submersibles – Alvin – 1 st piloted deep-ocean vessel – Remote Underwater Manipulator -RUM (or Remote Operated Vessels –ROV) – Deep Flight Aviator

Mapping the Ocean Floor • One of the most important goals is to map the ocean floor. • This is done by indirect methods such as echo sounding, radar, sonar and seismographic surveys.

Echo Soundings • All of these methods are based on the same principles. • Energy waves are sent down to the floor are reflected and return to the surface, where they are recorded. • Knowing the speed of sound, 1500 m per second, oceanographers can determine the depth. • The most complete picture was gathered from information from a satellite, the Seasat, launched in 1978

Sonar • Stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging • Is a system that uses sound waves to calculate the distance to an object

Submersibles • Submersibles allow the exploration of the ocean at great depths.

Satellites • Satellites allow for data to be obtained quickly and from large regions. – Most effective technology used to monitor LARGE areas of the ocean floor • Such data includes water temperatures, algae growth patterns, and even the movement of large schools of fish.