The marine environment
Section outline
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The importance of the ocean. Depth. The benthic and pelagic domains. Zonation. Sediments. Sea surface and bottom temperature. Thermocline. Salinity. Sea water density and properties. pH. Organic matter. Oxygen. Global patterns in main abiotic variables. The Mediterranean Sea. Depth profiles of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients. Light extinction. Sound in sea water. Deep water formation and the great conveyor belt. Main surface currents. Vertical circulation. Tides. Biogeographic regions. Zonation of the intertidal and subtidal zones.
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