The

Chapter 3
Life in Water Hydrologic
Cycle

The hydrologic cycle

exchanges water among
reservoirs.
Over 71% of the earth’s
surface is covered by
water.
The Ocean
Geography
The world ocean, which covers over 360
million km 2, is a continuous,
interconnected mass of water. This water
is spread among three major ocean
basins: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Physical Condition
aerial environments.
and varies much more in the oceans than in
Oxygen is present in far lower concentrations
Oxygen
evaporation.
S latitudes, where precipitation exceeds
occur near the equator and above 40 8 N and
thousand) to about 36.5%. The lowest salinities
salt per kilogram of water (%, or parts per
In the open ocean, it varies from about 34 g of
Salinity
Chemical Condition
Indian, each with several smaller seas, Temperature
bodies of water partly enclosed by land, The solar energy absorbed by water
along its margins.
increases the kinetic energy, or
velocity of motion, of water molecules.
Structure We detect this increased kinetic state
The oceans can be divided into several as increased temperature. Because
vertical and horizontal zones. more rapid molecular motion
decreases water density, warm water
Horizontal Zones: floats on cold water.
1. Intertidal Zone
2. Neritic Zone
Physical Condition
Vertical Zones: Water Movements
1. The oceans are never still. Prevailing winds
drive currents that transport nutrients,
oxygen, and heat, as well as organisms,
across the globe. Oceanic currents
moderate climates, fertilize the surface
waters off the continents, stimulate
photosynthesis, and promote gene flow
among populations of marine organisms.