Hobbies And Interests
Light
In the ocean, light diminishes with depth, and it also changes quality. The sea fades from dark purple to completely dark at 600 meters. Plants in the ocean need light to grow and can thrive only in areas where lighting is abundant. Compared to several decades ago, light is capable of penetrating waters that were once covered by ice. As a result, marine environments are more productive. Every plant in the ocean has a light requirement. For example, three seaweed groups exist in the sea. Each seaweed has a different chlorophyll and light requirement.
Temperature
Water temperature in the ocean plays a vital role in sustaining life for living organisms. Enzymes found in the sea use the smallest amount of energy to create chemical reactions. The temperature in the ocean affects grazing fish more than predators. Water mammals, such as dolphins and whales, must maintain a body temperature slightly higher than the ocean to survive. Temperatures in the sea do not fluctuate greatly between night and day.
Salinity
In seawater, 85 percent of the dissolved substances within it are chlorine and sodium. The salinity levels in the ocean affect the composition of species in certain sea habitats. All of the dissolved substances in the ocean that give the water a salty taste help prevent the water from freezing during the winter. Seasons and current changes cause the salinity levels to fluctuate around the world.
Currents
Ocean currents move food and heat from one side of the ocean to the other. Filter-feeding organisms that live on rocks, such as sponges and corals, feed on the nutrients spread by the currents. The nutrient-carrying currents also help to feed phytoplankton, which bloom only near the surface. Currents also play a role in reproduction, by transporting eggs and larvae.