The global ocean is an enormous heat reservoir that impacts climate, weather patterns, the carbon cycle and the water cycle. It is also home to a variety of species.
The oceans are divided into the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic. These are conventionally known as the five main oceans.
Origin
The oacian did not have to scour the night skies to produce its eponymous sibling. This nirvana of nature is a far cry from the primordial soup of yore. Fortunately for the occupants of the big pond, a good case for sex and a plethora of suitable habitats, our favourites have reemerged. Among the first of the new breed, a few tame species have escaped the scrapheap to make their own mark. A few rogues have even made the transition from our shores to the stars of the universe.
Habitat
The ocean is a wonderful place for marine animals, because they have everything they need to survive. This includes food, water and space.
At the surface, ocean water is a rich source of nutrients like oxygen, carbon dioxide and salts. This nutrient cycle is vital for the survival of all marine organisms, including the oacian.
Mudflats are an important habitat in the ocean for many small organisms, such as invertebrates and algae. They form when the sea brings in silt and mud to low tide areas.
Enclosed Bodies of Water
Estuaries are partially enclosed bodies of water that connect fresh and salt water, and are considered transitory zones for marine life. They are home to many species of fish, otters and seabirds.
Shore habitats range from upper intertidal zones to areas where land vegetation takes prominence. These areas are exposed to the sea anywhere from daily to very infrequently. These are home to a variety of scavengers, including many types of crabs and small fish.
Feeding
The oacian is not known for its eating habits, but it does require water to survive. The most important food source is the ocean floor, where nutrient rich microorganisms, aka plankton, provide the nutrients for a healthy diet and a nice tan. Other dietary necessities include bacteria, viruses and parasites, which occupy the microbiome niche. The best way to ensure an oast worthy of your time is to take the time to learn more about these important organisms and the role they play in the natural world around us.
Breeding
Southern elephant seals (SES) breed and moult twice a year on sub-Antarctic islands. The four main breeding stocks are South Georgia, Kerguelen Islands and Heard Island, Macquarie Island, and Peninsula Valdes in Argentina.
During breeding, females mate offshore with several partners before fertilizing between 3-7 clutches of eggs each season. They then lay and bury hundreds of eggs on a sandy beach. The eggs remain in the ground for two weeks after high spring tides wash away the sand.
Southern Ocean Eco System
The movements of these seals are influenced by climate change, as broad events such as El Nino can affect the Southern Ocean ecosystem. For example, seals may relocate to open sea areas where they can find more food and krill. In addition, SES are a polygynous species and display philopatry (the ability to mate with more than one partner), which can influence genetic structure of their colonies. A major determinant of their reproductive success is the male’s success in dispersing to other sites, which can increase the population size of a breeding colony (de Bruyn et al. 2011).
World’s Largest Body of Salt Water & Earth’s
The oacian (pronounced oo-ah-cheen) is the world’s largest body of salt water and Earth’s primary source of drinking water. It is also called the sea or the ocean, and can be divided into five major regions, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic oceans.
The surface of the oacian varies widely from place to place, and is often marked by deep cracks called trenches that cut into the ocean floor or underwater mountain chains that rise up from the floor. These ridges and trenches are important habitats for marine organisms.
Kinds of Algae
Many marine species live on the ocean’s surface, including tiny floating plants that are called phytoplankton and other kinds of algae. These organisms use sunlight to create organic matter from chemical precursors, such as water and carbon dioxide.
They drift with the ocean currents, and are important players in the food chain for all other marine creatures. They also play a significant role in the carbon cycle by building shells of calcium carbonate.
Most ocean plants grow in the photic zone, a region that is mostly sunlit. This region is the most biodiverse part of the ocean.
In contrast, the deeper parts of the ocean, called basins, are cold and dark. These deep waters are the source of oceanic currents, which move enormous amounts of water around the world influencing climate and weather patterns.
Final Words:
In addition to providing the essential oxygen and other nutrients necessary for life, the ocean provides important services for society. For example, it regulates global climate and has a strong influence on the transport of pollutants. The ocean is also a large heat reservoir. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the ocean is increasing due to human activities and fossil fuel combustion. This is causing the ocean to become more acidic.
