The Ocean

Why should we study the ocean?

Everything about the ocean is immense - it has the tallest mountains and the deepest valleys. It covers nearly three quarters of the earth's surface - approximately 140 million square miles. It's not only wide but also deep - on average over 12,0000 feet deep. Ninety-nine percent of earth's living space is ocean!

Earth's ocean makes our planet unique in our solar system. Although there is some evidence that indicates Mars may have had an ocean, today liquid water is exclusive to earth. It is our ocean that makes earth a habitable planet for life as we know it. Life, as we understand life, most likely originated in the sea, and the sea continues to be home to an incredibly diverse web of life. Marine ecosystems are the most complex.

Seawater is the lifeblood of earth. The interaction between the ocean and our atmosphere moderate our climate and weather patterns. Currents transfer heat from the tropics to the poles and currents transport nutrients to the surface for the phytoplankton (microscopic plants) that are the source of more than 80% of our atmospheric oxygen.

The study of the ocean is an overwhelming task. To tackle the mysteries of the deep, marine science requires a multi-disciplined approach with oceanographers dedicated to several fields of study:

• Physical Sciences -the study of the movements of the sea.
• Chemical Sciences - the study of the composition of water. They also take a look at the chemical processes of the ocean as it interacts with the seafloor, the atmosphere and marine life, as well as effects of pollution.
• Geologic Sciences - the study of the ocean floor and map submarine geologic structures, giving us insights into earth's history and its interaction and impact on the ocean.
• Biological Sciences - the study of the life in the ocean, from the smallest single-celled organism to the largest fish. Marine biologists study their development, how they relate to one another and their environment and how they adapt over time.

The ocean is vast, it controls Earth's climate, it's diverse, and it's a valuable human resource. The ocean helps maintain our oxygen balance and is a huge carbon dioxide sink. The sea is vital to transportation and much of the planet's population lives along the continental coasts.

OceanQuest is dedicated to introducing oceanography to our audiences with a goal towards developing an appreciation for the importance of conserving and preserving our ocean.