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Sea Vs Ocean: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to water, most people think of the ocean and sea. But what’s the difference between these two bodies of water? And how big is each one? In this article, we’ll explore these questions and more by comparing the sea and ocean in terms of size, environment, resources, and more.
The Physical Properties of Sea and Ocean Water
Sea water is saltier than ocean water. Ocean water has a higher concentration of salt because the ocean’s water circulates and evaporates more. Sea water also has a lower pH level than ocean water- this is because seawater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it acidic.
Sea water is denser than ocean water. This is because salt makes water denser. In addition, sea water has a higher specific gravity than ocean water- this is because salt often crystallizes in seawater providing extra density.
Sea water has a lower temperature than ocean water. This is because sea water is closer to the Earth’s surface and receives more sunlight. Ocean water has a higher temperature because it is deeper and colder waters are more dense than warm waters.
Salinity of Sea and Ocean Water
Sea water has a higher concentration of salt than ocean water. This is because salt is carried by the wind and deposited in areas where the water is salty. The ocean has a much higher salt content because it contains more dissolved minerals. Sea water also has a lower pH level than ocean water. This is because salt dissolves acidity and makes the water more basic.
Temperature of Sea and Ocean Water
Sea water is generally warmer than ocean water. This is because the sea is a body of salt water while the ocean is a body of fresh water. The warmer sea water evaporates more quickly, leading to a higher surface temperature.
The colder ocean water takes longer to evaporate, leading to a lower surface temperature.
Another reason the sea might be warmer than the ocean is that saltier seawater absorbs more heat than freshwater.
PH Levels of Sea and Ocean Water
The ocean and sea water have very different levels of pH. The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Sea water has a lower pH level than ocean water because the salt in seawater makes it more acidic. The ocean’s higher pH level protects marine life from bacteria and other organisms that can cause harm.
Classification of Sea and Ocean water
Sea water is classified as a body of water on Earth that is saltier than the ocean. The name sea comes from the Old French seere, meaning “to boil”. Sea water typically has a salinity of around 35 grams per liter, compared to the ocean’s average salinity of around 1 gram per liter. The density of sea water also varies significantly, with the lowest density near the surface and the highest density near the bottom.
The major difference between sea and ocean water is that sea water is much saltier than ocean water. This difference in salt concentration arises because fresh water evaporates more quickly than salt water. This process results in a concentration of salts in the atmosphere, which then falls to the ground as rain or snow and seeps into underground freshwater aquifers. Over time, this process results in a steady increase in the saltiness of seawater.
Comparison of Sea vs Ocean:
The ocean is vast and largely unexplored, while the sea is a smaller body of water that is more commonly known. The following list compares and contrasts these two bodies of water:
Ocean:
-The ocean covers more than 71% of our planet’s surface.
-It has an average depth of 9,812 feet (3,058 meters).
-It contains more than 2 million different types of seaweed.
-There are an estimated 200 million fish in the ocean.
Sea:
-The sea covers just over 29% of our planet’s surface.
-It has an average depth of 3,961 feet (1,152 meters).
-It contains about 500 different types of seaweed.
-There are about 27 million fish in the sea.
Conclusion
So, what’s the difference between sea and ocean? Well, as you might have guessed from their names, sea water is saltier than ocean water. In addition to being saltier, sea water also has more nutrients because it contains dissolved salts and minerals that are pulled up from the deep. Ocean water is less salty than pure freshwater because it contains salts that dissolve in water.