Marine Sciences Vocab

biological oceanographers

scientists who study the distribution, natural history, and environment of marine life

chemical oceanographers

scientists who study the chemical reactions that occur in seawater

physical oceanographers

scientists who study changes in seawater and the motion of seawater

geological oceanographers

scientists who study ocean sediments and the topography of the ocean floor

drilling platforms

ships or stationary structures designed to obtain sediment, rock samples, oil, or gas from the deep-ocean floor

hydrosphere

waters of the Earth

ocean

vast body of saltwater that covers almost 3/4 of Earth’s surface

oceanographers

scientists who study the ocean

oceanography

the study of Earth’s oceans

seas

smaller bodies of saltwater which are frequently enclosed by land

thermal energy

an energy source obtained from the ocean’s direct absorption of sunlight and transformed to heat

tidal power

an energy source obtained from the ocean’s tides

topography

detailed charting of the features of an area; heights, depth, and shapes of the surface of an area

underwater research vehicle

submersible/submarine specially equipped to explore and study the deep areas of the ocean