Category: Oceanography

The deep sea, representing over 90% of the planet's oceans, lacks sunlight, meaning the foundation for what is the deep sea nutrition differs dramatically from surface ecosystems. Here, food webs rely not on photosynthesis, but on a fascinating blend of falling organic matter, unique chemical processes, and specialized scavenging.

Marine phytoplankton account for nearly half of the global net primary productivity, and their consumption of essential elements is a primary process that removes the nutrients from the surface layer of the ocean. This biological activity initiates a complex chain of events that moves nutrients from the sunlit surface to the deep ocean, influencing global climate and marine food webs.

Despite the abundance of mineral nutrients in the ocean, the concentration of essential vitamins, particularly B vitamins, is extremely low in seawater, often at picomolar levels. This scarcity makes vitamins a limiting factor for the growth of many marine organisms, revealing a complex and delicate balance in the aquatic ecosystem.

As the third most abundant element dissolved in seawater, magnesium is a fundamental component of the ocean's chemical makeup. This essential mineral is not merely a passive part of ocean water but plays an active, indispensable role in global marine ecosystems and has significant industrial applications.

Magnesium is the third most abundant element dissolved in seawater on a molar basis, after chloride and sodium. So, is the ocean high in magnesium? The answer is a resounding yes, and its presence is vital for everything from marine ecosystems to industrial extraction.

With average surface salinity reaching around 38 parts per thousand (ppt), the Mediterranean is indeed saltier than the typical ocean average of 34-36 ppt. This higher salt content is due to a combination of high evaporation, limited water exchange with the Atlantic Ocean, and reduced freshwater input from rivers.

The world's oceans contain an average of 35 grams of dissolved salt for every 1,000 grams of seawater, a concentration known as 35 parts per thousand. So, how much salt is in 8 ounces of ocean water? The answer involves a straightforward conversion that reveals a surprisingly high salt content for a standard glass.

With over 12,000 species, seaweed is a common term for thousands of marine plants and algae, which are broadly grouped into three main categories based on their pigmentation: brown, red, and green algae. These diverse organisms provide essential functions in marine ecosystems, from kelp forests that shelter marine life to oxygen production that supports the planet.

Approximately 1,300 parts per million (ppm) of magnesium is found in average saltwater, making it the third most abundant ion in the ocean behind sodium and chloride. This essential mineral is a critical component of marine ecosystems and water chemistry.

The ocean is a vast, complex mixture, with an average salinity of about 3.5% composed primarily of salts. Far from being just salt and water, this marine mixture contains a cocktail of essential minerals, dissolved gases, and organic materials that form the foundation for all life in the sea. This dynamic chemical composition is what drives the marine ecosystem, influencing everything from microscopic phytoplankton blooms to global climate regulation.