Merit Badge Requirements
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OCEANOLOGY
- Name four branches of oceanography. Describe at
least five reasons why it is important for people to
learn about the oceans.
- Define salinity, temperature, and density, and
describe how these important properties of seawater are
measured by the physical oceanographer. Discuss the
circulation and currents of the ocean. Describe the
effects of the oceans on weather and climate.
- Describe the characteristics of ocean waves. Point
out the differences among the storm surge, tsunami,
tidal wave, and tidal bore. Explain the difference
between sea, swell, and surf. Explain how breakers are
formed.
- Draw a cross-section of underwater topography. Show
what is meant by:
- Continental shelf
- Continental slope, and
- Abyssal plain
Name and put on your drawing the following: seamount, guyot, rift valley, canyon, trench, and oceanic ridge. Compare the depths in the oceans with the heights of mountains on land.
- List the main salts, gases, and nutrients in sea
water. Describe some important properties of water. Tell
how the animals and plants of the ocean affect the
chemical composition of seawater. Explain how
differences in evaporation and precipitation affect the
salt content of the oceans.
- Describe some of the biologically important
properties of seawater. Define benthos, nekton, and
plankton. Name some of the plants and animals that make
up each of these groups. Describe the place and
importance of phytoplankton in the oceanic food chain.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Make a plankton net. Tow the net by a dock, wade
with it, hold it in a current, or tow it from a
rowboat. Do this for about 20 minutes. Save the
sample. Examine it under a microscope or high-power
glass. Identify the three most common types of
plankton in the sample.
- May be done in lakes or streams.
- May be done in lakes or streams.
- Make a series of models (clay or plaster and wood) of a volcanic island. Show the growth of an atoll from a fringing reef through a barrier reef. Describe the Darwinian theory of coral reef formation.
- Measure the water temperature at the surface, midwater, and bottom of a body of water four times daily for five consecutive days. You may measure depth with a rock tied to a line. Make a Secchi disk to measure turbidity (how much suspended sedimentation is in the water). Measure the air temperature. Note the cloud cover and roughness of the water. Show your findings (air and water temperature, turbidity) on a graph. Tell how the water temperature changes with air temperature.
- Make a model showing the inshore sediment movement by littoral currents, tidal movement, and wave action. Include such formations as high and low waterlines, low tide terrace, berm, and coastal cliffs. Show how the offshore bars are built up and torn down.
- Make a wave generator. Show reflection and refraction of waves. Show how groins, jetties, and breakwaters affect these patterns.
- Track and monitor satellite images available on
the Internet for a specific location for three
weeks. Describe what you have learned to your
counselor.
- Make a plankton net. Tow the net by a dock, wade
with it, hold it in a current, or tow it from a
rowboat. Do this for about 20 minutes. Save the
sample. Examine it under a microscope or high-power
glass. Identify the three most common types of
plankton in the sample.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Write a 500-word report on a book about oceanography approved by your counselor.
- Visit one of the following: (1) an oceanographic research ship, or (2) an oceanographic institute. Write a 500-word report about your visit.
- Explain to your troop in a five minute prepared
speech "Why Oceanography Is Important" or describe
"Career Opportunities in Oceanography." (Before
making your speech, show your speech outline to your
counselor for approval.)
- Describe four methods that marine scientists use to investigate the ocean, underlying geology, and organisms living in the water.
List of Merit Badge Requirements