Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Explore and investigate marine science topics in this oceanography guide.

Upon completing the questions and activities within this guide, scouts will be

prepared to dive into the Virginia Aquarium’s Oceanography Merit Badge Day.

The questions and website links within this guide are developed to help satisfy

requirements needed to obtain the oceanography merit badge and help

provide documentation of scouts’ understanding of the field.

Branches of Oceanography (Req. 1)

Investigating our liquid planet is a large undertaking; scientists estimate that 95% of our oceans remain

unexplored. The vast field of oceanography was created out of the necessity to observe, investigate, and

understand the state of our oceans for the sake of curiosity, ingenuity, global health, and good stewardship.

Scientists that study our oceans apply concepts of chemistry, geology, biology, mathematics, engineering, and

physics to help advance our understanding of this unique component of planet Earth. Oceanography is often

broken down into the four main branches listed in the chart below.

Define the four branches of oceanography and write the definitions below.

Branch Definition

Geological

Physical

Chemical

Biological

Oceanography “On Your Own” Guide

Click HERE to review

the requirements for

this badge and find

additional resources.

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Career Connections Below you will find a series of scientists performing responsibilities associated with a branch of oceanography.

Draw an arrow connecting the picture to the branch of oceanography associated with the responsibilities.

“After collecting samples from a plankton trawl,

I analyze the contents onboard a vessel laboratory to monitor trends in plankton

populations over time.”

Geological

“I collect data that will help develop models to

make predictions about the severity of the hurricane season in the Atlantic.”

“I deploy, monitor, and retrieve Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) to obtain

accurate data on currents for vessels traveling

through waterways.”

Physical “We are citizen scientists measuring, recording,

and distributing water quality information (water pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen)

at our local beach.”

“Collecting and analyzing sediment in a study of

the mid-ocean ridge system between pacific

tectonic plates.”

Chemical

“I am a research student studying the change in ocean acidity and how it affects organisms with

shells.”

“I operate an ROV to retrieve tubeworms and

transfer them to a bio-box for research on hydrothermal vent ecosystems.”

Biological

“We are directing the underwater JASON ROV unit as it gathers data about an erupting deep-

sea volcano.”

II I

II

III

IV

V VI

VII VIII

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Water Chemistry (Requirements 2 and 5)

The ongoing process of monitoring water quality involves continuous testing and interpreting information

about the characteristics of a sampling of water. Monitoring the quality of water helps form the basis of

determining which actions should be taken to ensure that its qualities are suitable for its designated use.

Water is dynamic, therefore monitoring water quality is a routine, ongoing process. On Oceanography Merit

Badge Day, you will perform water quality tests on water collected from Owl Creek, a saltmarsh habitat.

Define the following quantities associated with sea water quality and write the definitions below.

Salinity

Temperature

Density

The Hydrosphere The hydrosphere is the total amount of water on planet Earth. While the chemical formula for water

molecules is H2O, not all water on planet Earth is the same. Dissolved solutes (salts, gasses, metals, etc.) of

various concentrations, can change the behavior of water and

chemical composition of an aqueous (water) solution, which can

ultimately determine what organisms can flourish or perish within

the body of water. Salinity is a property that greatly influences

density and is influenced by temperature. Expand your

understanding of how salinity, temperature, and density of water

are interconnected by completing the following activities:

• Learn how sea surface salinity (SSS) was recorded from over

400 miles above Earth during NASA’s Aquarius Mission. The

instrumentation within the Aquarius was sensitive enough to

detect 1/8 teaspoon of salt in one gallon of water! Your taste

buds can’t even detect that level of salinity.

• Take the “How Salty (or Fresh) Are You?” quiz and share your findings with friends, fellow scouts, or family.

• Create a hydrologic (water cycle) paper model at National Weather Service Learning Lesson Plan

• Review the following NASA Ocean Salinity from Space Guide and fill in the table below regarding events

that influence the concentration of salt within our oceans.

Credit: NASA Aquarius

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

The following events occur in the process of the water cycle. Decide whether the phenomenon serves to

increase or decrease the concentration of salt within ocean water and explain how.

Hydrologic Event Increase or

Decrease Salinity of Seawater?

Explanation

Evaporation of Sea Water

Melting of Ice

Groundwater/aquifer flowing into an ocean

River runoff draining into an ocean

Freezing of seawater

Precipitation in any form (rain, hail, snow, sleet)

During your visit to the aquarium on Oceanography

Merit Badge Day, you will measure salinity,

temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity of

samples from Owl Creek, a saltmarsh habitat. Owl

Creek is part of a unique watershed that is fed directly

by the Atlantic Ocean. The only freshwater

contribution to Owl Creek is from rainwater runoff.

The average ocean salinity is 35 parts per thousand

(ppt), meaning for every 1 liter of seawater, there are

35 grams of salt (mostly sodium chloride). If Owl Creek’s

water is fed from the Atlantic and rainwater runoff is the

only contribution of freshwater, what do you predict the

value will be for your Owl Creek salinity test? Why?

Map of Owl Creek Imagery © 2020 Google TerraMetrics, Map data © 2020

Water Quality at Owl Creek

Virginia Aquarium located along Owl

Creek

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Sea Surface Temperature Technology

Satellite technology is at the forefront of obtaining precise data about sea water parameters, like

temperature. From 500 miles above the surface of Earth, satellites traveling at 20,000 mph use high

resolution radiometers to collect sea surface temperature data. In order to capture the data, the satellite must

make several passes over a region. The raw data is processed and plotted onto graphs like the one below

created by Rutgers University’s Coastal Ocean Observation Lab. The map below shows waters off the coast of

tidewater Virginia and North Carolina. Look at the map and answer the questions below.

Identify the sea surface temperature for the regions labeled on the map. Do not forget to include units

(Celsius or Fahrenheit).

Region A: ________

Region B: ________

Region C: ________

Region D: ________

On the map above there are white sections denoting temperatures that are so cool, the measurements are

not presented on the temperature scale. The temperatures recorded in the white regions are too cold to be

sea water. What do you think these white regions represent?

A

C

V

C

V

C

V

C

V

B

C

V

C

V

C

V

C

V

C

C

V

C

V

C

V

C

V

D

F

C

V

C

V

C

V

C

V

Location of

the Virginia

Aquarium

Explore more maps

and locations at

Rutgers University Sea

Temperature

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Area of the Oceans

The existence of water, in its three phases, is what makes planet Earth hospitable for life and unlike any other celestial body observed in our solar

system. Earth is often referred to as “The Blue Marble” as it is covered with water. In this section you will identify the locations of large bodies of

water and calculate the percentage of Earth covered in water.

A B C D E

Photo Credit: NASA

Locate the following bodies of water on the map above. In the spaces below, write the section label (C2) for the location of the water body.

Arabian Sea: _____Baltic Sea: _____Bay of Bengal: _____Bering Sea: _____Black Sea: _____Caspian Sea: _____The Gulf of Mexico: _____Caribbean Sea:

_____Caspian Sea: _____ Coral Sea: _____Mediterranean Sea: _____North Sea: _____Persian Gulf: _____ Red Sea: _____ Sea of Japan: ____Tasman Sea: _____

1 1

2

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Calculate just how much the surface of planet Earth is covered with

water.

Earth’s total Surface Area: 510 million square kilometers (km2)

Oceans’ Surface Area: 360 million km2

Land Surface Area: 150 million km2

Ocean Floor Features (Req. 4)

Under the world’s oceans are seafloors that are not uniformly flat. Advanced technology has proven that features thought only to exist on

continental surfaces can also be found on the ocean floor. Massive mountain ranges, vast canyons, open plains, volcanos, and cracks are just a few

of the ocean floor features that have been mapped on the ocean floors. These features are the product of the formation, destruction, and motion

of Earth’s tectonic plates.

Bathymetry is the process of measuring

the depth of the water column at various

places as a result of the underlying floor

features. Underwater topography, or

ocean depth, can be mapped with the use

of Sound Navigation Ranging (SONAR), in

which a fan-like wave of acoustic signals is

sent from a vessel, to the seafloor, and

back to a receiver onboard the vessel. The

returned signals provide data that can be

interpreted to provide a spatial

representation of the floor below. The

map on the right was created using NASA

satellite technology. The deeper the shade

of blue, the deeper the water column.

Match the letter to the ocean floor feature.

Credit: NASA Bathymetry (GEBCO)

To calculate % of Earth covered with water, divide Earth’s total

surface area by the value of Oceans’ surface area.

Ocean Surface Area (360) x 100 = ____ %

Earth’s Total Surface Area (510)

What is the percentage of land coverage? ____ %

Mariana Trench: The deepest place on Earth

Mid-Ocean Ridge: Most extensive chain of mountains on Earth

Southwest Pacific Basin: Large formation of rock from the warping of a tectonic plate

Puerto Rican Trench: Deepest trench in the Atlantic

A

B

C

D

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Ocean Floor Map Puzzle

Below you will find a profile of an ocean that lies between two continents. Cut out, arrange, and assemble the ocean floor feature pieces to reflect what can be

observed when traversing from one continent to the other.

After you complete the ocean floor feature puzzle, create your own cross-section topography and include the following:

• Continental shelf

• Continental slope

• Rift valley

• Canyon

• Trench

• Abyssal plain

• Guyot

• Mid ocean ridge

• Seamount

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elf

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Continental

Slope

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Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Sketch your cross-section below.

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Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

The Living Sea (Req. 6)

The observable oceans are incredibly rich with biodiversity, displaying unique adaptations and a multitude of

complex interactions that are fascinating to study. From microscopic phytoplankton to massive, migratory

whales, the ocean is full of amazing creatures that all play a significant role in the health of our planet’s

oceans. To give just an example, phytoplankton are single-celled algae that photosynthesize to produce about

half of the oxygen within Earth’s atmosphere. Whales are marine mammals that must surface to breathe in

oxygen, some of which is produced by phytoplankton. While large, migratory whales swim up and down the

water column to breathe and catch food, they churn the water to help distribute nutrients that can be used by

many organisms, such as phytoplankton. To an extent, all life is interconnected. In this section you’ll define

three categories of marine life based upon how they maneuver within the ocean, then identify examples of

the three categories with animals provided below.

Define the following categories of marine life and enter the definitions in the table below

Plankton

Benthos

Nekton

Label whether the following animals are considered plankton, benthos, or nekton.

Sand Tiger Shark Sailfin Tang Moon Jelly Oysters

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Photo Credits and Answers

Career Connections

I. "CSMI - Lake Michigan 2015" by NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory is licensed under CC

BY-SA 2.0

a. “After collecting samples from a plankton trawl, I analyze the contents onboard a vessel laboratory to

monitor trends in plankton populations over time.”

b. Biological Oceanography

II. "Mobile mesonet intercepts Hurricane Irene" by NOAA NSSL is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

a. I collect data that will help develop models to make predictions about the severity of the hurricane

season in the Atlantic.

b. Physical Oceanography

III. "Survey Near Sitka" by NOAA's National Ocean Service is licensed under CC BY 2.0

a. “I deploy, monitor, and retrieve Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) to obtain accurate data on

currents for vessels traveling through waterways.”

b. Physical Oceanography

IV. “FL Keys/Biscayne Bay Water Watch” by Florida Sea Grant is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0

a. We are citizen scientists measuring, recording, and distribution water quality information (water pH,

temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) at our local beach.

b. Chemical Oceanography

V. "Sulphide samples collected from the Endeavour RCM North site" by Ocean Networks Canada is licensed

under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

a. Collecting and analyzing sediment in a study of the mid-ocean ridge system between pacific tectonic

plates.

b. Geological Oceanography

VI. “Phd student” by UCL Mathematical & Physical Sciences is licensed under CC BY 2.0

a. “I am a research student studying the change in ocean acidity and how it affects organisms with shells.”

b. Chemical Oceanography

VII. "Tubeworm sampling being transferred to the bio-box, which will be securely transported to the surface

during ascent." by Ocean Networks Canada is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

a. “I operate a ROV to retrieve tubeworms and transfer them to a bio-box for research on hydrothermal

vent ecosystems.”

b. Biological Engineering

Photo Credit: David441491

Lion’s Mane

Jellyfish Harbor Seal Sea Stars Hyperia

Photo Credit: Uwe Kils

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

VIII. “ONC Staff direct dive operations from the JASON Control Room” by Ocean Networks Canada is licensed by

CC BY NC 2.0

a. “We are directing the underwater JASON ROV unit as it gathers data about an erupting deep-sea

volcano.”

b. Geological Oceanography

Water Chemistry: Hydrosphere

Hydrologic Event Hint Increase or Decrease Salinity of Seawater?

Evaporation of Sea Water In evaporation, water vapor rises and enters the atmosphere.

Increase

Melting of Ice Glacial ice and icebergs contain freshwater.

Decrease

Groundwater/aquifer flowing into an ocean

Groundwater contains freshwater. Decrease

River runoff draining into an ocean

Rivers contain freshwater. Decrease

Freezing of seawater Seawater contains salt. Will the freezing of salt water influence salinity?

Increase

Precipitation in any form (rain, hail, snow, sleet)

Water vapor that has risen, cooled, and condensed within the atmosphere precipitates and lands in the ocean.

Decrease

Water Chemistry: Sea Surface Temperature Map

Region A: 16°C

Region B: 25°C

Region C: 22°C

Region D: 10°C

The white regions on the map represent cloud coverage. Satellite radiometers cannot penetrate through clouds,

therefore they read and record the temperature of the clouds.

Area of the Oceans: Map Grid

Arabian Sea: D1 Baltic Sea: C1 Bay of Bengal: D1 Bering Sea: E1 Black Sea: C1 & D1 Caspian Sea: D1 The Gulf of Mexico:

B1 Caribbean Sea: B1 Caspian Sea: D1 Coral Sea: E2 Mediterranean Sea: C1 North Sea: C1 Persian Gulf: D1 Red Sea: C1

& D1 Sea of Japan: E1 Tasman Sea: E2

Area of the Oceans: Percentage of Earth Covered in Water

Ocean Surface Area (360) x 100 = 70.6 %

Earth’s Total Surface Area (510)

Percentage covered by land= 100%-70.6%= 29.4%

Ocean floor: Feature Match A: Mid Ocean Ridge B: Southwest Pacific Basin C: Pueto Rican Trench D: Mariana Trench

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Ocean Floor Map Puzzle

Living Liquid: Animal Labeling

Sand Tiger Shark: Nekton

Sailfin Tang: Nekton

Moon Jelly: Plankton during initial stages of life cycle, then develop into nekton.

Oysters: Benthos

Lion’s Mane Jellyfish: Plankton during initial stages of life cycle, then develop into nekton.

Harbor Seal: Nekton

Sea Stars: Benthos

Hyperia: Plankton

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

External Links Referenced Above

Oceanography Merit Badge Requirements

• https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Oceanography.pdf

NASA Aquarius Mission

• https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/38/video-aquarius/

“How Salty (or Fresh) Are You?” Quiz

• https://salinity.oceansciences.org/quiz_salty_fresh.htm

National Weather Service Water Cycle Paper Model

• https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/ll_watercycle_craft

NASA Ocean Salinity From Space Overview

• https://salinity.oceansciences.org/ebrochures.cgi?id=10

Rutgers University Sea Surface Temperature Maps

• https://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/sat_data/?product=sst&nothumbs=0

While it is not essential for this document to be completed before the event, it will be advantageous that you

complete the activities in advance. This completed guide will also help provide documentation of completing

requirements necessary to obtain the oceanography merit badge. Providing such documentation could be

useful when soliciting signatures for the oceanography merit badge application.

We look forward to seeing you at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center on Oceanography Merit

Badge Day!