oceanic province
Quick Summary
Oceanography is the scientific study of the oceans, encompassing their physical and chemical properties, geological framework, and the life they support. It is traditionally divided into four branches: physical oceanography (seawater properties, movement, and ocean-atmosphere interactions), chemical oceanography (seawater composition and biogeochemical cycles), marine geology (ocean basin evolution), and marine ecology (marine life).123
The marine environment includes the pelagic zone, which is the entire ocean water column, and the benthic environment, which is the ocean floor. The pelagic zone is further divided into the neritic province (water above the continental shelf) and the oceanic province (open waters beyond the continental shelf). The oceanic province is characterized by its vastness and the distribution of life influenced by factors like sunlight, nutrients, temperature, and pressure.45
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