Here’s a quick question for you: where do you think most of our oxygen comes from?
If you answered “trees” or “rainforests”, you’re probably not alone… but sadly, you’d be incorrect. It’s a common misconception that most of our oxygen comes from the trees in the rainforest; actually, trees only produce around 28% of the world’s oxygen. So where does the rest of our oxygen come from? You might think we have to look up in the air, but to answer that question, we actually have to look down to the place that gives our planet the name “the blue planet”: our oceans.
The oceans provide us with the substance that allows all life on Earth to exist: water. The oceans are one of the reasons why life on Earth is possible in the first place. But aside from water, the oceans have many other important roles too.
The oceans also produce over 50% of the world’s oxygen. That means that half of the breaths we take are possible thanks to our oceans. And it’s all thanks to the work of tiny little microorganisms known as phytoplankton. They use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose for food, also producing oxygen as a byproduct. This chemical reaction is known as photosynthesis and is the same process that plants use to make their food.
The oceans are also an important source of food, particularly in coastal regions and islands. Phytoplankton form the basis of all marine food webs, acting as the producers. They are typically eaten by small fish and crustaceans, which are then eaten by larger fish, including the tuna, salmon and squid that we eat. Some foods that you might not expect can also contain ingredients that come from the ocean, including peanut butter!
The oceans also play a vital role in climate regulation. The oceans absorb up to 25% of all the CO2 we emit, once again thanks to the phytoplankton that live in the water. The oceans also absorb up to 90% of the excess heat our emissions produce, helping to slow the effects of global warming. The ocean currents then distribute the heat around the planet, helping to regulate our climate. The oceans even help create weather, mainly through the water cycle: the water from the ocean is heated by the Sun, which then evaporates and forms clouds, creating rain. Without the water cycle, most of our planet would be desert!
And these are just some of the many reasons why our oceans are worth protecting. Other reasons include recreational activities like surfing and sailing, and even trade, with up to 90% of the world’s trade being done via ships.
With global warming and climate change worsening every day, the oceans have become more vital than ever. That also means it is more important than ever to save our oceans, for the sake of the very air that we breathe!
Credits:
Image - Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Information - NOAA, Ocean Conservation Trust, UN, OECD
Comments