These chimney-like structures allow tube worms, clams, mussels, and other organisms to survive not via photosynthesis but chemosynthesis, in which microbes convert chemicals released by the vents into energy. But then hydrothermal vents were discovered. The deepest reaches of the ocean were once thought to be devoid of life, since no light penetrates beyond 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Other fodder for sea dwellers includes seaweed and kelp, which are types of algae, and seagrasses, which grow in shallower areas where they can catch sunlight. Life in the ocean depends on phytoplankton, mostly microscopic organisms that float at the surface and, through photosynthesis, produce about half of the world's oxygen. Fish, octopuses, squid, eels, dolphins, and whales swim the open waters while crabs, octopuses, starfish, oysters, and snails crawl and scoot along the ocean bottom. The oceans are home to millions of Earth's plants and animals-from tiny single-celled organisms to the gargantuan blue whale, the planet's largest living animal. This conveyor belt of heat drives global weather patterns and helps regulate temperatures on land, acting as a heater in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer. The oceans absorb the sun's heat, transferring it to the atmosphere and distributing it around the world. Seawater's weight is about 3.5 percent dissolved salt oceans are also rich in chlorine, magnesium, and calcium. The oceans hold about 321 million cubic miles (1.34 billion cubic kilometers) of water, which is roughly 97 percent of Earth's water supply. Inland bodies of saltwater such as the Caspian Sea and the Great Salt Lake are distinct from the world's oceans. Smaller ocean regions such as the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Bay of Bengal are called seas, gulfs, and bays. Geographers divide the ocean into five major basins: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern. Humans depend on these teeming waters for comfort and survival, but global warming and overfishing threaten Earth's largest habitat. Ocean currents govern the world's weather and churn a kaleidoscope of life. The opportunity brought together a large number of students with interest in the subject and we had inspiring discussions about the functioning of coral reefs and opportunities to protect them for the future.'įind out more about Professor Wiedenmann's work and publications.The ocean is a continuous body of salt water that covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface. The students of the Marine Conservation Society of the University of Southampton had organised a screening in the lecture hall which made watching a spectacular experience. We share the latest findings of our research also with students in our new 3rd year module 'Understanding Coral Reefs'. This relates directly to our research at the Coral Reef Laboratory at the University of Southampton, where we establish how other environmental factors such as nutrients in the water column mitigate or aggravate heat stress driven coral bleaching. The imagery taken before and after episodes of coral bleaching showed impressively the devastating effects of this phenomenon on reefs. 'The coral reef episode was wonderfully photographed, showing the reefs in all their fragile beauty. Professor Joerg Wiedenmann, Professor of Biological Oceanography, Head of the Coral Reef Laboratory Professor Joerg Wiedenmann

Research undertaken by staff here at the University of Southampton has informed much of the science that is covered in Blue Planet II.

Blue planet the seas of life french