Oceanography: definition and importance

Oceanography is the interdisciplinary and dynamic science that studies Everything that relates to the oceans. It is a very wide field that can be grouped into different processes that occur in the oceans:

• Chemical processes
• Physical processes
• The geological processes
• Biological processes

This is known as branches of the oceanography, which we will explain later in detail each.

Oceanography has a long history. There have been many myths and legends about the oceans serving as an approach to their knowledge. The first written records about the oceans date back to the Ancient Greece with Aristotleas well as in the Iliad and the Odyssey. At this time, a certain knowledge of the dynamics of the oceans was already necessary, since the use of ships was indispensable during the wars.

Later, a more concrete approach was necessary when navigators required to know in depth the seas and oceans before entering them during the transoceanic explorations and discoveries of the fifteenth century.

Today we have the scientific method uses systematization To have real, founded, repeatable and measurable knowledge. This has managed to create multiple specialized branches to meet the ocean, which we will review below.

This branch of the oceanography that investigates How the oceans originated from geological movements. He also studies Plate tectonics and how the landslides work. From oceanic geology you can know how the coasts, continental platforms, marine volcanoes, and other similar structures were formed. The study is helped by the use of models to understand these mechanisms.

This branch It also investigates geological ages And what organizations lived millions of years ago, important to better understand the processes that have occurred on Earth and the origin of what exists today.

Discover what tectonic plates are in this other ecology article that we recommend.

This branch studies the composition and chemical properties of water oceanic, as well as the chemical cycles that are part of the dynamic. Finally, explain the chemical resources that are available at sea, as well as its applications in different industries.

This branch seeks to understand Physical Properties of Marine Wateras well as the problems that arise from them. Analyze the movement of fluid particles found in the ocean. It is also responsible for understanding COmo interacts the ocean with the atmosphere and with the oceanic background. Example of this is the study of the tides due to the influence of the moon.

Within the physical properties to study the ocean are, among others:

• The temperature
• The density
• The pressure
• The absorbed energy
• The boiling point
• Transparency
• Circulation: it is the most important, since all other physical characteristics are derived from it.

Biological oceanography deals with All living beings that inhabit the oceans They can be microorganisms such as algae, invertebrates such as anemones, plants such as marine pastures, even large mammals such as whales.

He 90% of biodiversity is housed in the oceansso this branch is extremely important for the knowledge of living beings. This branch studies both species and their ecology that includes the relationships of organisms with the environment and their life cycles.

They can differentiate themselves three different areas Oceanic distribution verticals:

• Plankton: They are the organisms that live on the surface of the water. They are small so that they can float in this area, and live drifting. Discover more about what plankton and its importance in this post of ecology will.
• Bentos: They are the organisms that live associated with the seabed, with few or null active swimming capabilities.
• Necton: They are the organisms that can move in the water column by active swim.

You can take a look at this video where the biological wealth that biodiversity entails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_szowbruj0

All the aforementioned branches are extremely important for society. With the knowledge they provide, it is possible to better understand the functioning of the oceans, so they can Develop applications For its use as it is:

• The fishery
• Oil extraction

The knowledge of the physical characteristics and behaviors of the ocean allows predict meteorological phenomenaespecially in case they can be serious.

On the other hand, the understanding of the oceans allows know when there are alterations In him, as well as what has caused him and what conservation strategies They can be taken to reverse, repair or even prevent their mismatches. Recall that the planet is a closed system where the consequences of a medium will have repercussions on other ecosystems, even terrestrial.

We leave you this article so you can know what the importance of ecosystems is.

If you want to read more articles similar to Oceanography: definition and importancewe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.