Our oceans are a biome of mass complexity and diversity. Within this complexity lies a gentle balance of chemistry, cycles and the bizarre miracle behind the ocean’s existence. I was given the opportunity to embark on a marine excursion with my professors, Dr. Meile and Dr. Castelao, their teaching assistant, David Miklesh, and Dr. Medeiros. Throughout the course of this weekend, the fantastic four opened up a world to me that previously appeared all too familiar. Sapelo, Island, being practically in my backyard, encompasses what I view as home. However, my appreciation for my home grew vastly over the course of these three days. The Sapelo Island research retreat opened my eyes to various issues connected to groundwater, ocean salinity, tides …show more content…
When plankton dies off, their calcium carbonate shells sink to the ocean floor, which is crucial for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and absorbing it. There have been several studies conducted to see zooplankton’s adaptability to more acidic water; however, “experiments in the lab and at carbon dioxide seeps (where pH is naturally low) have found that foraminifera do not handle higher acidity very well, as their shells dissolve rapidly. One study even predicts that foraminifera from tropical areas will be extinct by the end of the century” (“Ocean Acidification”). It is important to remember phytoplankton’s key role in the ocean’s ecosystems by reinforcing the fact that, “Phytoplankton are important source of food for fish and invertebrates. They assist in maintaining pH and dissolved oxygen levels in marine ecosystems by removing carbon dioxide (CO2), and by adding oxygen (O2) as a result of their photosynthetic activity” (“Primary Production and Seawater Nutrient Analysis”). If the foundation of the food chain is wiped out, it will not take long for the rest of the food chain to end up in complete disarray and for carbon dioxide levels to increase. In summary, the overall health of the ocean lies in these little critter’s grasp and in our