Topic

Oceans

Learning resources

About Oceans

The ocean is a giant body of water that covers about 71% of the Earth's surface. It is made up of salt water and is divided into different layers. The ocean is important for many reasons, including providing a home for a variety of plant and animal life, regulating the Earth's weather and climate, and being a source of food and resources.

The ocean is a complex ecosystem with a variety of different habitats. The open ocean, also known as the pelagic zone, is the largest habitat in the ocean and is where most of the ocean's plant and animal life is found. The open ocean is divided into different layers, each with its own unique plants, animals, and conditions.

The middle layer of the open ocean, called the mesopelagic zone, is home to a variety of animals, including squid, fish, and microscopic plankton. The mesopelagic zone is also the zone where most of the ocean's primary production occurs. Primary production is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight into energy. This energy is then used to create organic materials, such as food, that are necessary for all life on Earth.

The deep ocean, also known as the hadal zone, is the darkest and deepest layer of the ocean. It is home to a variety of unusual animals, including giant squid, deep-sea fish, and crustaceans. The deep ocean is also a source of valuable minerals, such as oil and natural gas.

Learning Oceans