6th grade science. Oceans composition and characteristics

Atlantic Ocean

HALF the size of the Pacific Ocean. Covers about 20% of the Earths surface.

Deep Zone

In this zone plants that photosynthesize are NOT found here because the is NO light. Many organisms produce light using chemicals in a process called BIOLUMINESCENCE.

Density of ocean water

Ocean water is layered since COLD WATER IS DENSER than warm water and: SALT WATER IS DENSER than fresh water

How are Oceans are divided into zones?

Oceans are divided based on PHYSICAL characteristics like: *sunlight *temperature *salinity *density

Southern Ocean

SURROUNDS THE ANTARCTIC continent and is covered by ice part of the year.

Arctic Ocean

Smallest and SHALLOWEST ocean that is located near the North Pole and is also covered by ice part of the year.

Temperature of oceans

Temperatures changes from the surface to about 1000m depending if located in polar or tropical regions

Indian Ocean

The 3RD LARGEST ocean that is located between India, Africa, and the Indonesian Islands.

Pacific Ocean

The LARGEST and DEEPEST of the oceans. Larger than all the of the Earth's continental land mass put together.

Salinity

A measure of the mass of dissolved salt in a given mass of water

Surface zone

Area of shallow seawater that receives the MOST SUNLIGHT. Organisms that perform photosynthesis are are located here.

Seawater

*Water from sea or ocean that has an average salinity of 35ppt (parts per thousand). *or 1 kg of ocean water contains 35g of salt.

What are the 5 oceans on Earth?

1. Pacific Ocean 2. Atlantic Ocean 3. Indian Ocean 4. Southern Ocean 5. Arctic Ocean

What are the different zones in the oceans?

1. Surface zone 2. Middle zone 3. Deep zone

Middle Zone

This zone receives very little sunlight and of it only the blue-green wavelengths

Salinity of seawater

Top 500m of water is saltier in warmer water than polar water since it evaporates faster leaving behind salt at the surface