Marine Biology

Marine Biology is the study of marine organisms and the ecological balance of their environments. Organisms that live in the ocean are amazingly diverse, ranging from the microscopic nanoplankton to the blue whale, the largest mammal on earth.¹

Fast Facts

1. Jacques-Yves Cousteau was one of the most well-known marine biologists²
2. There are 328,000,000 cubic miles of ocean water³
3. The water makes up 71% of the earth's surface³
4. Low population fish species make up 70% of those targeted by commercial fishing⁴
5. There are over 260 endangered marine species⁴

Marine Microbes

Scientists have discovered a large population of microorganisms in ocean. Their combined weight is estimated to be 90 billion tons. It was previously hypothesized that the deep sea biosphere could not maintain much life because of its high pressure and low oxygen levels. The discovery, however, has revealed that a class of single-celled microorganisms, called Archaea, dominate the sea floor, making up 87% of the population.⁵

Rising Temperatures and Marine Life

Increasing temperatures on Earth have caused a decrease in kelp and coral populations. The warmed water also affects the ocean's oxygen and nutrition renewal cycle. The melting of the Arctic ice dilutes the oxygen concentrated current and heated water spots change the flow of the nutrient-rich water. The water currents that have high concentrations of nutrients and oxygen are critical for sustaining marine life.⁶

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