# data[].attributes.body
Review the questions that you asked. Find at least one to label “C” for closed-ended or and at least one to label “O” for open-ended.

Closed-ended: can be answered with “yes” or “no” or with one word.

Open-ended: require an explanation and cannot be answered with "yes”, “no”, or one word.

Then, edit your post using the pencil symbol and in the "write something" section, next to your initials, label it C or O.

THINK: What are the advantages and disadvantages of asking each type of question? (optional) Use the Add Comment chat box icon for this post, if you'd like to share an advantage or disadvantage you see for Open and/or Closed questions.  Add your first and last initial after any comments that you make.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why is there significantly more variation in the salinity of the Temperate Shelf as opposed the Polar Deep Basin? -OD

# data[].attributes.subject
Why is there significantly more variation in the salinity of the Temperate Shelf as opposed the Polar Deep Basin? -OD

# data[].attributes.body
1. Double click anywhere on this page to post a question.  This should be a question that you have after doing Step One.

2. In the Title section, type your question exactly as it first comes to mind.

3. In the Write Something section, type your first and last initial.

4. When finished, click again anywhere on this web page to post another question.

5. Read the questions other people have posted. Feel free to add new, but related questions as "comments" on a question someone else posted.

6. Keep asking questions until time is up.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Read through all of the questions that have been posted. Pick the three questions that you might want to research further.

2. Click on the heart icon at the bottom of a post to "vote" for it as a priority question.

3. THINK: What were your reasons for selecting those three?  (optional) Click on the Add Comment chat box icon on this post if you'd like to share your rationale and reflect on your choices. Don't forget to add your initials at the end of your comment!

# data[].attributes.body
If you were going to answer your three priority questions right now, what are some possible next steps or avenues for investigation and further exploration?

If you have a next step related to a specific priority question, click on the Add Comment chat box icon to post a comment on that specific question.

Or, if you'd like to share one idea for next steps more generally (not related to just one priority question), click on the Add Comment icon on this post to post your ideas.

Please add your initials at the end of your comments!

# data[].attributes.body
This semester we are going to have the opportunity to ask questions about Marine Biology. Start thinking of a question that has always interested you about Marine Biology. It can be in any realm, ecosystem, organism -- it has to be in the ocean and has to be biological.

Put your question below with your initials. Don't worry too much if it isn't the *perfect* question, we are going to have time to refine it over the semester. Also, your initial question may need to be broken into several testable questions as we continue to investigate the question.

At the end of the semester you are going to use your question to present a proposal that introduces your testable question, discusses the background knowledge of this topic, and proposes methods to answer this question.

Don't worry, we will be going over this further in the next few weeks. The format of the final proposal will be in the style of an NSF GRFP proposal, which is 2 pages in length. Plus a 15 min class presentation.

# data[].attributes.headline
When looking at the Polar Deep Basin, why does October have a higher salinity when compared to the rest of the months?  

# data[].attributes.subject
When looking at the Polar Deep Basin, why does October have a higher salinity when compared to the rest of the months?  

# data[].attributes.body
SC and OD
O

# data[].attributes.body
After observing the two different region the data shows that the salinity and depth are similar in May through Feb. Through each week the salinity stays in the same range of 33.0 and 35.5.

# data[].attributes.body
It appears that in the Temperature Shelf, there is less salinity in the water during the colder months from December-February and more salinity in June and July while in the Polar Deep Basin, the opposite occurs.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why is the salinity in the Polar Deep Basin more centered around one salinity value when the Temperate Shelf salinity values have a greater range? DJ, O

# data[].attributes.subject
Why is the salinity in the Polar Deep Basin more centered around one salinity value when the Temperate Shelf salinity values have a greater range? DJ, O

# data[].attributes.headline
Why is there less salinity in the Temperate shelf in the colder months compared to the Polar Deep Basin?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why is there less salinity in the Temperate shelf in the colder months compared to the Polar Deep Basin?

# data[].attributes.body
MK and KC
O

# data[].attributes.body
As the overall depth of the region increases, the range of salinity decreases. This is constant throughout the year.

# data[].attributes.body
When comparing both regions, it seems that the deeper you go, the range/change in and for salinity decreases over the course of a year. The shallower you are, there will be more change in salinity over the course of a year.

# data[].attributes.body
For both the temperate shelf and polar deep basin the salinity increases going throughout the fall and starts to decrease in the winter, peaking in October.

# data[].attributes.body
What causes the sudden increase in salinity for the polar deep basin at around 1400m? JR O

# data[].attributes.headline
Why is there greater variation in salinity for the temperate shelf than for the polar deep basin?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why is there greater variation in salinity for the temperate shelf than for the polar deep basin?

# data[].attributes.body
MN
O

# data[].attributes.headline
What causes the salinity in the Temperature Shelf to decrease in the colder months while the salinity in the Polar Deep Basin increases? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What causes the salinity in the Temperature Shelf to decrease in the colder months while the salinity in the Polar Deep Basin increases? 

# data[].attributes.body
JJ

O

# data[].attributes.headline
For the temperate shelf, why is salinity uniform at all depths during part of year and varied during other parts of the year?

# data[].attributes.subject
For the temperate shelf, why is salinity uniform at all depths during part of year and varied during other parts of the year?

# data[].attributes.body
MN
O

# data[].attributes.headline
What causes the fluctuation of data between Feb and May?

# data[].attributes.subject
What causes the fluctuation of data between Feb and May?

# data[].attributes.body
AD and MS
O

# data[].attributes.body
The temperate shelf exhibits more change salinity variation in the spring/summer months than the polar deep basin.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Click on the link below to get a salinity graph.

2. Play with the data interactive on your own for 5 minutes.

3. Determine if there are relationships between two different regions of the North Atlantic Ocean.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your Objective

Use salinity with depth data to determine if there are relationships over time between two different regions of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Make a prediction about what changes in salinity with depth you may observe across different parts of the ocean.

Compare patterns in the data below to determine what and if there are relationships over time and/or space.

Data Tips

When the site loads, you are able to see daily profiles of salinity data from the first two weeks of July 2015 from the Coastal Pioneer Array (Temperate Shelf) and the Global Irminger Sea Array (Polar Deep Basin) both in the North Atlantic Ocean. You can interact with the data by:

Selecting a different amount of time to look at by choosing between, "1 week," "2 weeks," or "1 month."

Selecting a different part of the year to explore the data in ways that interest you by moving the highlighted section of the bottom graph to the right or left.

Zooming in and out of the data to look at different time scales that interest you by changing the width of the highlighted section of the bottom graph to be more or less than two weeks.

Selecting to have the salinity or depth scales be the same across the two graphs, rather than determined by the available data (as it shows when the site loads).

As a note, the color denotes the time of year the salinity data are from (pink are from May 2015 through dark purple from February 2016).

Questions for Thought

Orientation Questions

What is the overall range of salinity data you are able to observe in each graph?

What is the overall range of depth data you are able to observe in each graph?

What is the overall time range are you able to observe in each graph?

Interpretation Questions

What similarities and differences did you find in patterns of salinity with depth over time between these Temperate Shelf and Polar Plain locations in the North Atlantic Ocean?

What other questions do you have about differences in patterns in changes in salinity with depth across different parts of the ocean from these data?

Background Information

Click on the images below to learn more about where and how the dataset above was collected.

Dataset Information

The data for this activity was obtained from the following profiling CTD instruments:

Download CP02PMUI Download GI02HYPM

The above datasets were downloaded from the OOI data portal. Complete profiles of the instrument were identified and the profile closest to midnight (GMT) each day was saved. This reduced the overall temporal resolution (and size) of the final dataset but it preserved the raw variability exhibited in individual profiles and measurements.

This site was developed with the support of the National Science Foundation under Grants OCE-1550207, OCE-1649637, and OCE-1831625. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

© 2016-2021 Rutgers University

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Changes in Salinity with Depth - Application | Data Explorations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Use salinity with depth data to determine if there are relationships over time between two different regions of the North Atlantic Ocean. Make a prediction about what changes in salinity with depth you may observe across different parts of the ocean. Compare patterns in the data below to determine what and if there are relationships over time and/or space.

# data[].attributes.body
In the late winter months (roughly February) the Temperate Shelf at max depth (70) on the graph is at its lowest salinity, where the Polar Deep Basin at max depth (2600) is at a higher value of salinity. The reverse is seen in the spring months of June, where the Temperate Shelf is reaching it's highest salinity point at max depth (70). The salinity of the Polar Deep Basin at max depth (2600) decreases to lowest salinity.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why does the salinity vary so much more in the Temperate Shelf than in the Polar Deep Basin?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why does the salinity vary so much more in the Temperate Shelf than in the Polar Deep Basin?

# data[].attributes.body
TS
O

# data[].attributes.headline
Why does the salinity in the Temperature Shelf change more than it does in the Polar Deep Basin? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Why does the salinity in the Temperature Shelf change more than it does in the Polar Deep Basin? 

# data[].attributes.body
MC
O

# data[].attributes.body
It is evident that in August the salinities of the Temperate Shelf span up to 36 as depth increases and the salinities of the Polar Deep Basin increase to 35 as depth increases. Overall, the data becomes more stagnant as the depth of the water increases.

NR

# data[].attributes.headline
When temperature increases, how does salinity change within the temperate region and the polar deep basin? How do they compare over the course of half a year?

# data[].attributes.subject
When temperature increases, how does salinity change within the temperate region and the polar deep basin? How do they compare over the course of half a year?

# data[].attributes.body
MB

O

# data[].attributes.body
Generally the deeper you are and the colder the season, the variation of salinity is more constant, for both the Temperate Shelf and the Polar Deep Basin.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why does the variation of salinity decrease as salinity increases going through the Fall?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why does the variation of salinity decrease as salinity increases going through the Fall?

# data[].attributes.body
SL and LA

O

# data[].attributes.headline
As temperature increases, how does it impact the salinity in both the Polar Deep Basin and the Temperate Shelf

# data[].attributes.subject
As temperature increases, how does it impact the salinity in both the Polar Deep Basin and the Temperate Shelf

# data[].attributes.body
AL, O

# data[].attributes.headline
What causes the temperate shelf to fluctuate more in salinity than the polar deep basin?

# data[].attributes.subject
What causes the temperate shelf to fluctuate more in salinity than the polar deep basin?

# data[].attributes.body
JH
O

# data[].attributes.headline
Does wind/water movement have something to do with the salinity changes in the temperate shelf?

# data[].attributes.subject
Does wind/water movement have something to do with the salinity changes in the temperate shelf?

# data[].attributes.body
RM
C

# data[].attributes.body
Based on the data, it appears that as the depth reaches very high levels past 500 meters the salinity does not appear to shift very much. However, in much lower depths the salinity seems to change a lot more as the months and seasons change.

# data[].attributes.headline
Look at salinity data for these two regions throughout different years to see how it varies from this specific set of data. DJ

# data[].attributes.subject
Look at salinity data for these two regions throughout different years to see how it varies from this specific set of data. DJ

# data[].attributes.headline
Why is the salinity higher in the early fall months?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why is the salinity higher in the early fall months?

# data[].attributes.body
TS
O

# data[].attributes.body
The salinity is most concentrated in the first few hundred meters underwater. The temperate shelf has a higher concentration on average. The shelf and basins concetration of salinity changes from month to month similiarly. They changed the most during the beggining of winter.

# data[].attributes.headline
Look at and observe different factors that could be affecting the data above the water in both areas. MC

# data[].attributes.subject
Look at and observe different factors that could be affecting the data above the water in both areas. MC

# data[].attributes.headline
Why would the salinity in the Polar deep Basin region be lower than that of the Temperate Shelf throughout the months of July-August? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Why would the salinity in the Polar deep Basin region be lower than that of the Temperate Shelf throughout the months of July-August? 

# data[].attributes.body
NR
O

# data[].attributes.headline
It would be interesting to study water temperature variation alongside salinity variation for each of these locations year round. Precipitation and evaporation data would also be helpful to quantify how much water is added and removed from each location at different times of year.

# data[].attributes.subject
It would be interesting to study water temperature variation alongside salinity variation for each of these locations year round. Precipitation and evaporation data would also be helpful to quantify how much water is added and removed from each location at different times of year.

# data[].attributes.body
MN

# data[].attributes.headline
Between the two regions, why does the salinity fluctuate opposite to the other region so quickly from the winter months (February) to early summer (June)?

# data[].attributes.subject
Between the two regions, why does the salinity fluctuate opposite to the other region so quickly from the winter months (February) to early summer (June)?

# data[].attributes.body
SS

# data[].attributes.headline
observing the ecosystem around the test site. 

# data[].attributes.subject
observing the ecosystem around the test site. 

# data[].attributes.body
AD and MS

# data[].attributes.headline
How do depth and temperature work together to impact salinity levels? What other factors that differ between the two regions could factor into this?

# data[].attributes.subject
How do depth and temperature work together to impact salinity levels? What other factors that differ between the two regions could factor into this?

# data[].attributes.body
OB
o

# data[].attributes.headline
Why does the Temperate Region have a larger range of salinity values compared to the Polar Deep Basin?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why does the Temperate Region have a larger range of salinity values compared to the Polar Deep Basin?

# data[].attributes.body
SS

# data[].attributes.body
When an open ended question is presented, it allows more discussion and further research to occur, which is usually a great thing!
With a close ended question, you are probably able get a more direct answer and base more open ended answers off of that.

# data[].attributes.headline
Further testing for specific months that were drawn to our attention. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Further testing for specific months that were drawn to our attention. 

# data[].attributes.body
SC and OD

# data[].attributes.body
The temperate shelf it is less salinity in the colder months while in the polar deep basin is the complete opposite.

# data[].attributes.body
Why are salinity levels in the Polar deep basin generally very linear and clumped together while specific timepoints such as in January are noticeably more spread out compared to the rest of the year?
O

# data[].attributes.body
An advantage of a closed-ended question is that the answer is simple and straight forward. A disadvantage of closed-ended questions is that there is less room to go into detail with them and they may not always be as easy to branch off of to find/support new questions

# data[].attributes.headline
What causes salinity to rise in late fall in the basin and temperate shelf?

# data[].attributes.subject
What causes salinity to rise in late fall in the basin and temperate shelf?

# data[].attributes.body
JJ O

# data[].attributes.body
Look into the patterns of water currents in each area and see if the currents are stronger at times when the salinity experiences a greater change JR

# data[].attributes.headline
Collect more data on salinity levels and research factors in each environment that influence salinity. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Collect more data on salinity levels and research factors in each environment that influence salinity. 

# data[].attributes.body
SL, LA

# data[].attributes.body
Why does the salinity in the temperate shelf decrease more as it gets into the colder months?

# data[].attributes.headline
Test the month of October different years to see if it varies or if it is just the one year that was higher in salinity or see if it is like that every year 

# data[].attributes.subject
Test the month of October different years to see if it varies or if it is just the one year that was higher in salinity or see if it is like that every year 

# data[].attributes.body
MK and KC

# data[].attributes.headline
Observe the water temperatures and salinities for each month in the different water depths of each region. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Observe the water temperatures and salinities for each month in the different water depths of each region. 

# data[].attributes.body
NR

# data[].attributes.body
The advantage to a close-ended question if that you get an answer to your question, but with an open-ended question other questions and finding can be brought up.

# data[].attributes.headline
Measure wind and wave action to see if motion causes salinity changes. RM

# data[].attributes.subject
Measure wind and wave action to see if motion causes salinity changes. RM

# data[].attributes.body
Record over multiple years and also record temperature and currents.

# data[].attributes.headline
The water temperature in both regions could be measured in late winter (February) and early summer (June) when the regions are showing opposite levels of salinity, as in one region has increased while the other has decreased.

# data[].attributes.subject
The water temperature in both regions could be measured in late winter (February) and early summer (June) when the regions are showing opposite levels of salinity, as in one region has increased while the other has decreased.

# data[].attributes.body
SS

# data[].attributes.headline
In what major way have sea turtles adapted to living due to the warming ocean over the past 10 years?

# data[].attributes.subject
In what major way have sea turtles adapted to living due to the warming ocean over the past 10 years?

# data[].attributes.body
Olivia Deleault

# data[].attributes.headline
Get out in the field and start taking salinity samples during the colder seasons specifically in comparison to the warmer seasons. You could also take the temperature in each month as well.

# data[].attributes.subject
Get out in the field and start taking salinity samples during the colder seasons specifically in comparison to the warmer seasons. You could also take the temperature in each month as well.

# data[].attributes.body
MB

# data[].attributes.headline
How is shark behavior affected by climate changes increasing temperatures and salinity?

# data[].attributes.subject
How is shark behavior affected by climate changes increasing temperatures and salinity?

# data[].attributes.body
SC

# data[].attributes.headline
How much of the world's coral reef systems are salvageable? What is the timeline for their extinction?

# data[].attributes.subject
How much of the world's coral reef systems are salvageable? What is the timeline for their extinction?

# data[].attributes.body
MN

# data[].attributes.headline
Are the behavioral attributes of some dolphins influenced by outside causes? I.E attacking sharks, getting high off pufferfish. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Are the behavioral attributes of some dolphins influenced by outside causes? I.E attacking sharks, getting high off pufferfish. 

# data[].attributes.body
MC

# data[].attributes.headline
Why is there a significant variation in salinity in the Temperate Shelf as opposed to a very small variation of salinity in the Polar Deep Basin? -OD

# data[].attributes.subject
Why is there a significant variation in salinity in the Temperate Shelf as opposed to a very small variation of salinity in the Polar Deep Basin? -OD

# data[].attributes.headline
What methods can be used to help return tropical coral reefs to their previous level of health?

# data[].attributes.subject
What methods can be used to help return tropical coral reefs to their previous level of health?

# data[].attributes.body
S.L.

# data[].attributes.headline
observe how water pressure, heat, temperature affects salinity at different depths

# data[].attributes.subject
observe how water pressure, heat, temperature affects salinity at different depths

# data[].attributes.body
JH

# data[].attributes.headline
In what ways have Marine animals adapted to deal with the rising rate of pollution in the world's oceans?

# data[].attributes.subject
In what ways have Marine animals adapted to deal with the rising rate of pollution in the world's oceans?

# data[].attributes.body
TS

# data[].attributes.headline
How has fishing affected sharks lives in the past 5 years? Do they change the way they live and survive? 

# data[].attributes.subject
How has fishing affected sharks lives in the past 5 years? Do they change the way they live and survive? 

# data[].attributes.body
MK

# data[].attributes.headline
How does climate change affect the movement/life cycle of jellyfish? RM

# data[].attributes.subject
How does climate change affect the movement/life cycle of jellyfish? RM

# data[].attributes.headline
At what specific temperatures and stressors are causing Coral reefs to bleach and if some of these could be eliminated can corals be restored, and if so how long is there after the initial bleaching before a coral is dead. DJ

# data[].attributes.subject
At what specific temperatures and stressors are causing Coral reefs to bleach and if some of these could be eliminated can corals be restored, and if so how long is there after the initial bleaching before a coral is dead. DJ

# data[].attributes.headline
Is the practice of hunting large whales in the Antarctic the most efficient method of procuring food for orcas?

# data[].attributes.subject
Is the practice of hunting large whales in the Antarctic the most efficient method of procuring food for orcas?

# data[].attributes.headline
Do micro-plastics within the Northern Atlantic Ocean affect the population of Lion Mane’s Jellyfish over the course of a year? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Do micro-plastics within the Northern Atlantic Ocean affect the population of Lion Mane’s Jellyfish over the course of a year? 

# data[].attributes.body
MB

# data[].attributes.headline
How has increased ocean temperatures due to global warming effected the migration patterns of manta rays? JR

# data[].attributes.subject
How has increased ocean temperatures due to global warming effected the migration patterns of manta rays? JR

# data[].attributes.body
How are rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine affecting the migratory patterns of white sharks in relation to their hunting of seals? Have white sharks moved closer to shore in New England over the past 10 years as temperatures continue to warm? Is this a result of the movement of seals?

# data[].attributes.headline
Are hammerhead sharks susceptible to population decline given the recent rise in ocean temperature over the course of 12 months?

# data[].attributes.subject
Are hammerhead sharks susceptible to population decline given the recent rise in ocean temperature over the course of 12 months?

# data[].attributes.body
JJ

# data[].attributes.headline
Do shelter-seeking late stage post larval lobsters utilize electromagnetic fields to navigate to nursery areas in the Gulf of Maine?

# data[].attributes.subject
Do shelter-seeking late stage post larval lobsters utilize electromagnetic fields to navigate to nursery areas in the Gulf of Maine?

# data[].attributes.body
AL

# data[].attributes.body
The advantage of an open ended question leaves room for further research and investigations. More questions can even be produced by this. The disadvantage is it is not as simple as a yes or no. - OD

# data[].attributes.headline
Does the increased amount of plastic in the ocean affect the survival of Jellyfish in open water environments? AD

# data[].attributes.subject
Does the increased amount of plastic in the ocean affect the survival of Jellyfish in open water environments? AD

# data[].attributes.headline
Observe the temperature yearly in the ocean in these areas.

# data[].attributes.subject
Observe the temperature yearly in the ocean in these areas.

# data[].attributes.body
JJ

# data[].attributes.headline
As the pH of the ocean decreases to a more acidic value, how does that affect the behavior of microorganisms that specifically survive off coral reef located in the Caribbean Sea that are dependent on the previous standard pH levels?

# data[].attributes.subject
As the pH of the ocean decreases to a more acidic value, how does that affect the behavior of microorganisms that specifically survive off coral reef located in the Caribbean Sea that are dependent on the previous standard pH levels?

# data[].attributes.body
SS

# data[].attributes.headline
What temperature and depth are Horse Shoe Crabs most common at?

# data[].attributes.subject
What temperature and depth are Horse Shoe Crabs most common at?

# data[].attributes.headline
Is there a correlation between the increased size and aggressive behavior of Great White sharks found at extremely low depths of the ocean and the smaller Great Whites found at "normal" depths. -OD

# data[].attributes.subject
Is there a correlation between the increased size and aggressive behavior of Great White sharks found at extremely low depths of the ocean and the smaller Great Whites found at "normal" depths. -OD

# data[].attributes.headline
Has climate change and pollution had any effect on dolphins over the past 10 years? 

# data[].attributes.subject
Has climate change and pollution had any effect on dolphins over the past 10 years? 

# data[].attributes.body
KC

# data[].attributes.headline
Harmful algae growths have expanded as the oceans have warmed up through climate change, while the algae is harmful to a multitude of organisms, is there a species that could enable coral reef survival/growth?

# data[].attributes.subject
Harmful algae growths have expanded as the oceans have warmed up through climate change, while the algae is harmful to a multitude of organisms, is there a species that could enable coral reef survival/growth?

# data[].attributes.body
NR

# data[].attributes.headline
how has increasing ocean temperatures and climate change affected coral reefs and the ecosystems within them. 

# data[].attributes.subject
how has increasing ocean temperatures and climate change affected coral reefs and the ecosystems within them. 

# data[].attributes.body
BC

# data[].attributes.headline
How have fisheries impacted marine mammal life from their fishery gear being thrown in the ocean, as well as capturing tons of different marine life on a daily basis?

# data[].attributes.subject
How have fisheries impacted marine mammal life from their fishery gear being thrown in the ocean, as well as capturing tons of different marine life on a daily basis?

# data[].attributes.body
kenzie travis

# data[].attributes.headline
What impact can and do seabirds have on marine fisheries in the Gulf of Maine?

# data[].attributes.subject
What impact can and do seabirds have on marine fisheries in the Gulf of Maine?

# data[].attributes.body
JH