Time Schedule:
Jody W Deming
OCEAN 533
Seattle Campus
Analyzes marine communities associated with the porous boundaries of the ocean, from sedimented seafloor and hydrothermal vents to sea ice (inverted benthos); emphasizing nutrition to these communities, including sinking organic aggregates, themselves porous habitats, and the role of symbiosis. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: W, even years.
Class description
The official description of this course does not reflect its recent evolution, which has expanded the course beyond its original focus on soft substrata (sediments). We now also consider the biology of other porous boundaries of the ocean -- its ice cover, erupting seafloor structures (hydrothermal vents), and the subseafloor biosphere. The overall goal of the course is thus to provide and explore (in assignments based on student-selected study questions) fundamental information about life in the ocean at its various (porous) boundaries, complementing the other graduate-level courses in biological oceanography which all focus on life in the pelagic realm. The link between these courses (addressed in Benthos) is the descent of organic aggregates through the water column, not only providing nutrition to organisms that live at depth in the ocean but also serving as small-scale habitats themselves. This course qualifies as an out-of-option course for non-biology students in Oceanography.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
