Why is the ocean vital for our survival?
A diver pauses to admire a kaleidoscopic of corals and diverse marine life in Saudia Arabia. (Photo by Neom via Unsplash) Without the ocean, life as we know it wouldn't be possible. There are a number of key reasons why. First, the ocean is the largest source of oxygen on Earth . According to scientists, approximately half of the planet's oxygen production originates from the sea. Most of this oxygen is created in the top 200 meters (656 feet) of the ocean's surface. Within this depth, sunlight penetrates, allowing for photosynthesis to take place. Plankton, including algae and bacteria, utilize sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce energy and release oxygen. Among these tiny floating organisms, a minuscule bacterium known as Prochlorococcus stands out as a primary contributor to oxygen production. They generate at least 10% of the oxygen on the planet! Another reason the ocean is so important for life is that it is a cradle of Earth's biodiversity. The ocea...