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The World Ocean

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Climate Change Science: A Modern Synthesis

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Abstract

Oceans cover about 71% of Earth’s surface. There are five ocean basins that are interconnected by circulation and are separated by continental land masses except for the Southern Ocean. Ocean water is surprisingly uniform; at least as far as near-surface waters are concerned. Ocean circulation is caused by atmospheric circulation, temperature differences, bottom configuration, and salinity differences. Ocean acidification, one very important aspect of rising carbon dioxide levels, is explained. Dying coral reefs and shell-baring organisms and the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels on oceans are discussed. Ocean acidification is one of the main results of carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Farmer Enterprises, Las Cruces, NM, USA

    G. Thomas Farmer

  2. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia

    John Cook

Authors
  1. G. Thomas Farmer
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  2. John Cook
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Farmer, G.T., Cook, J. (2013). The World Ocean. In: Climate Change Science: A Modern Synthesis. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5757-8_12

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