Overview
In this lesson developed by the Arctic Eider Society, students compare ocean productivity in the Arctic Ocean, an open water polynya and a warm ocean, exploring the influence of sea ice on primary productivity (phytoplankton).
1. Chlorophyll Concentration
Students learn to read, analyze and represent data from satellite images showing the concentration of chlorophyll in different regions of the world throughout the year.
2. Discussion
Through a series of critical thinking questions, students reflect on the uses of this data in relationship to climate, geography and the food web.
Resources
- National Snow and Ice Data Center
- Earth Observatory, NASA – Chlorophyll
- Earth System 5 – Phytoplankton
- Ocean Colour
- Measuring Primary Productivity
- NASA Ocean Colour Teachers’ Resources
- Khan Academy Logarithmic Scale
