· We are in the middle of a gyre, which is a convergent zone where a lot of trash is collected. If you look over the side of the ship, you may see some plastic. The area does not have a lot of upwelling, so it does not have a lot of biological activity, similar to a desert. Sea turtles are famous for being in gyres because they like to ride them around.
· We passed over the mid-Atlantic ridge last night, which is a rift valley. This means that magma comes up from the ocean floor at this section, so this is where the ocean is spreading from. The Atlantic Ocean spreads at the same rate as your finger nails growing. (Americas and Africa are becoming farther apart, and the Pacific Ocean is becoming smaller)
· Spreading ridges have hydrothermal vents, where water comes out at around 350 degrees Celsius. Although water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, the water that comes out of the vents does not boil because of the high intensity of the water at that depth of the ocean. These vents are quite productive communities. They are homes to tube worms, giant clams, and shrimps, to name a few species. They live off of the chemosynthetic bacteria. Outside this area, the only source of food is whatever falls from the higher levels of the ocean.
· Under 1000 meters deep, it is completely dark.
· Giant squid can be found between 200 and 1000 meters down. Some can be around 50 feet in length. Squids are eaten by sperm whales and seals. They are also cannibalistic.
· Flying at the back of our ship since our departure in South Africa are white chin petrels and some species of albatross. They love to follow ships because they produce a nice wind to glide in. These birds are at sea for months or years at a time. When they rest, they will nest on the islands surrounding Antarctica. The birds do not rest or sleep like we do, but rather they may fly for a few days at a time.
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