Oceans are large bodies of saltwater. Life on this wonderful planet earth began in these huge bodies of water. Oceans are unique in this galaxy. No other planet on the Solar System has water on its surface. Oceans cover approximately 71 percent of our planet’s surface and hold around 97 percent of the planet’s water.
There are five oceans and many seas on the planet. The five oceans are: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is the largest and the deepest ocean in the world. It is larger than all of the planet’s land areas combined.
Oceans support the lives of nearly 50 percent of all species on our planet. They play a major role in shaping the earth’s climate. For instance, how the monsoon fares will depend to a great extent on what happens in the Indian Ocean.
Oceans play a key role in the planet’s water cycle. They are the sources of water vapor, which is necessary for heat transportation in the atmosphere. Excess water in the land flows to the oceans. Oceans act as huge reservoirs of carbon and play a major role in the global carbon cycle.
Oceans play a critical role in regulating our planet’s temperature. They act as thermostats. They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby reducing the temperature. They also emit heat absorbed by the sun, thereby increasing the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. They keep the atmosphere warm during the winter and cool during the summer.
The importance of oxygen in the atmosphere is well-known. It is vital to sustain life on our planet. Microscopic plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton live in the oceans. These organisms are found abundantly in the oceans. They play a major role in producing half of the world’s oxygen through a process known as phytoplankton photosynthesis.
Approximately 90 percent of the planet’s flora and fauna live in the oceans. They contain 99 percent of the living space on our planet. These huge bodies of water need to be preserved these because by doing so, humans would be preserving the biodiversity of their planet. Oceans are rich in natural resources like oil and natural gas. These natural resources help countries meet their energy needs.
Without oceans, there would be no life on earth. They sustain the lives of millions of living beings on this planet. There is an urgent need to conserve the oceans for future generations.
