The Components of the Ocean Biome

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The Components of the Ocean Biome

A biome, also known as life zones, consists of all plants, animals, and other organisms, as

well the physical enviorment in a particular area. A biome is characterized by its plant life,

climate, and location. The climate and physical features determine the boundaries of a

biome. A biome is made up of many different ecosystems. The ecosystems tend to have

the same plants and animals as neighboring biomes around the boundaries.

The oceans and seas form the marine biome, the world's largest biome. It covers

three-quarters of the earth or 70 percent of the worlds area and reaches from the far north

to the far south of the planet. Oceans are filled with salt water. Their climate stays the

same year round, so the creatures of the sea do not have to adapt to the changing seasons.

There are five oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Artic, and Southern (Antarctic),

although three of these: Atlantic, Pacific and Indian are regarded as the principal oceans.

The Arctic Ocean is regarded by some researches as part of the Atlantic. The Southern

Oces is really the southernmost part of the Atlantic and Pacific. It is bordered by the

continent of Antarctica to the south, but has no land bordering it to the north. The oceans

include seas- smaller expanses of marine waters. Among the largest seas are the

Mediterranean, Caribbean, Yellow, South and East China Seas, and the Sea of Japan.

Near the poles, in the far north and south, the sea is always cold, and in the winter its

surface freezes. When water freezes, any substances dissolved in it are "squeezed out"

from the ice. At the edge of the ice the sea is saltier than it is farther away. Salt water is

denser than fresh water because of the salt in it. Water also reaches it maximum density at

39 degrees F, just above freezing. Cold water flowing toward the equator is replaced by

warmer water, and this exchange of water produces the principal ocean currents. They

flow in approximate circles, called gyres, in all oceans.

The climate of the ocean does not vary much throughout the seasonaly changes. it does

not change because water does not heat up or cool down quickly. The ocean carries

warm and cool currents that heat or cool the land it goes by. For example, Hawaii is

warm due to the warm currents that are being swept onto the land which ir surrounds.

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