Dive Into the World of Oceanography: Exploring the Wonders of the Deep

Oceanography is the science that studies the oceans and seas in their physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects. Knowledge of the oceans and seas is essential, since according to accepted theories, the seas are the center of origin of life on Earth.

The word oceanography comes from the Greek okeanos (water that surrounds the earth) and graphein (to describe), and was coined in 1584. It is used as a synonym for oceanology (study of bodies of water), used for the first time in 1864.

It began to develop from ancient Greece, with studies by Aristotle. Later, in the 17th century, Isaac Newton carried out the first oceanographic studies. From these studies, various researchers have made important contributions to the development of oceanography.

What does oceanography study?

The field of study of oceanography covers all aspects related to the world’s oceans and seas, including coastal areas.

The oceans and seas are physical-chemical environments that harbor a great diversity of life. They represent an aquatic environment that occupies about 70% of the planet’s surface. The water and its extension, plus astronomical and climatic forces that affect it, determine its particular characteristics.

There are three great oceans on the planet: the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. They are interconnected and separate large continental regions. The Atlantic separates Asia and Europe from the Americas, while the Pacific divides Asia and Oceania from the Americas. The Indian Ocean separates Africa from Asia in the area near India.

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Ocean basins begin on the coast, associated with the continental platform (submerged part of the continents). The platform zone reaches maximum depths of 200 m and ends in a steep slope that connects with the seabed.

The bottom of the oceans presents mountains with an average height of 2,000 m (marine ridges) and a central groove. From here comes the magma from the asthenosphere (inner layer of the Earth made of viscous materials), which is deposited and forms the ocean floor.

Branches of oceanography

Modern oceanography is subdivided into four branches of study. However, the marine environment is highly integrated and therefore oceanographers manage these areas without becoming excessively specialised.

Physical Oceanography

This branch studies the physical and dynamic properties of water in oceans and seas. Its main objective is to understand ocean circulation and the way in which heat is distributed in these bodies of water.

Chemical Oceanography

It studies the chemical composition of marine waters and sediments, the fundamental chemical cycles and their interactions with the atmosphere and lithosphere. On the other hand, it deals with the study of the alterations produced by the addition of anthropic substances.

Geological oceanography or marine geology

This branch is in charge of the study of the oceanic substrate, including its deepest layers. The dynamic processes of this substrate and its influence on the structure of the seabed and coasts are addressed.

Biological oceanography or marine biology

This branch of oceanography studies marine life, so it covers all branches of biology applied to the marine environment.

The field of marine biology studies both the classification of living beings and their environments, their morphology and physiology. In addition, it takes into account the ecological aspects relating this biodiversity with its physical environment.

Marine biology is divided into four branches, depending on the area of the seas and oceans that it studies. These are:

Pelagic oceanography: focuses on the study of ecosystems present in open waters, far from the continental shelf.

Neritic oceanography: living organisms present in areas near the coast, within the continental shelf, are taken into account.

Benthic oceanography: refers to the study of the ecosystems found on the surface of the seabed.

Demersal oceanography: the living organisms that live near the seabed, in coastal areas and within the continental shelf are studied. A maximum depth of 500 m is contemplated.