The difference between sea and ocean lies in the extension they have, since the seas are smaller than the oceans, being, therefore, part of them. Apart from what is indicated, the seas are closed, while the oceans are open and have greater depth.
The seas and oceans correspond to the liquid masses of planet Earth that cover the continents, rivers, lakes and lagoons. They are formed by large portions of salty water and cover about 71% of the earth’s surface.
As such, the oceans have an immense surface of salt water with ocean currents and great depths ; On the other hand, the seas are masses of salty water, of less depth and size , located between the land and the oceans. Also, there are seas as large salty lakes, for example: Caspian Sea, Dead Sea, Aral Sea.
On the other hand, in relation to the depth it also influences the temperature. In the oceans, the temperature is lower, about 4 degrees anywhere. For their part, the seas being closer to the land receive solar radiation, and temperatures can vary, for example: in the Caribbean or Mediterranean Sea the waters are warm and in the North Sea they are colder.
Although with global warming, the volume of water in the oceans and seas increased in recent years as a result of the melting of the poles, some seas have suffered from the desertification process, affecting other areas of the planet.
With regard to marine life, undoubtedly a diversity of species lives in the sea as a result of the enjoyment of solar radiation, while few animal and plant species adapted to the depth and low temperatures usually live in the oceans, for example: abyssal fish (snail fish, shark, sea devil, dragon fish, etc.)
However, with biological, physical and chemical pollution, caused by excess garbage such as environmental disasters, in the seas they have caused the mortality of the various species, and consequently the environmental imbalance. Hence, the importance of preserving the planet’s water is derived, essential for the survival of animal and plant species.
Index
Seas of the world
According to the International Hydrographic Organization, there are about 60 seas in the world, the most important being:
- Sea of the Antilles: also called the Caribbean Sea, located between Central America and South America, with an area of 2.7 million km².
- Aral Sea: located in Central Asia, and has an approximate area of 68 thousand km².
- Baltic Sea: located in northeastern Europe, with an area of 420 thousand km².
- Caspian Sea: located in southeastern Europe, it has an area of 371 thousand km².
- Mediterranean Sea: considered the largest continental inland sea in the world, located between Africa and Asia, with an approximate area of 450 thousand km².
- Dead Sea: located in the Middle East, with an area of 650 km².
- Black Sea: located between Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus has an area of 436 km².
- Red Sea: located between Africa and Asia, with an approximate extension of 450 thousand km².
Oceans of the world
There are five oceans on planet Earth, such as:
- Atlantic Ocean: located between the Americas, Europe and Africa, with an area of 106 million km² and a maximum depth of 7,750m. It has the largest trade flows (export and import).
- Pacific Ocean: considered the largest and deepest ocean on the planet, located between Asia, America and Oceania, it has a total area of 180 million km² and a depth of approximately 10,000m.
- Indian Ocean: located between Africa, Asia and Oceania, with 74 million km².
- Arctic Ocean: located in the northern hemisphere, with 14 million km².
- Antarctic Ocean: located in the southern hemisphere, with an area of 22 million km².
