Abstract
This paper uses "An Introduction to the World's Oceans" by Keith Sverdrup to back up some of the serious issues raised through recent research conducted by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, in particular, the ongoing and future pollution threats to ocean waters, citizens, and marine life. Journal articles also supplement the paper and the topics being reviewed.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Economic Value of Oceans to Americans
Waste Dumping in Our Oceans
Oil Contamination from Various Sources
Toxins and Trash Entering the Oceans
The Depleted Fisheries
The Vanishing Wetlands
Conclusion
References
Endnotes

From the Paper
"The U. S. Commission on Ocean Policy reports that more than 28 million gallons of oil from human activities enter North American waters annually, but, according to an article in Issues in Science and Technology, "the bulk of human-related inputs is not due to large-scale spills and accidents that occur during the transport of crude oil or petroleum products" (Rabalais, 2003). In fact, researchers looking for sources of oil that runs into America's oceans can look into the "chronic low-level releases" of oil that add up to "roughly 16 million gallons of oil" annually, running down rivers and streams, according to the Rabalais article.
These oil pollutants "are most obvious in the watersheds that drain heavily populated areas," and the data from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, plus the Sverdrup textbook, indicate that coast areas are becoming more and more heavily populated. Some of the 16 million gallons draining originates with "jettisoned aircraft fuel, marine recreational vehicles, and operational discharges, such as cargo washings and releases from petroleum extraction." "

Tags:water, commission, water, toxins

Abstract
The paper provides many interesting facts about the planet's oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, and Antarctic. The paper explains how the Earth's oceans are divided into various regions depending on the biological and physical conditions of the area in which they are located and also explores why the water in the ocean is blue. The paper also notes that the oceans still hold as many mysteries today as they did for the first brave explorers who ventured out into the expansive waters.

From the Paper
"The Earth's oceans are divided into various regions depending on the biological and physical conditions of the area in which it is located. The pelagic zone includes all open ocean regions and is further divided based on light abundance and depth. The photic zone is the area from two-hundred meters down and is the region where photosynthesis most often takes place. It contains the most biodiversity of the ocean. The pelagic part of the photic zone is called the epipelagic and the pelagic part of the aphotic zone is further divided into areas that succeed each other vertically. The uppermost region is the mesopelagic zone and the lowermost is the thermocline of 10 degrees Celsius. Along the top of the abyssal plain is the abyssal pelagic with its lower limits lying at approximately 6,000 meters. The lowest zone, which falls into the oceanic trenches, is the hadalpelagic; it is the deepest of the ocean zones and spans from 6,000 meters to 10,000 meters (Ocean, 2007)."

Tags:water, land, seas

Abstract
This paper looks at the vital role that the oceans play regarding the regulation and control of the world's temperature, winds, and precipitation.

From the Paper
"Through the agency of ocean currents, heat and cold may be distributed over thousands of miles, for it is possible to follow the course of a mass of warm water that originates in the trade wind belt of the southern hemisphere, where a good portion of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans can be found. This redistributing function of the ocean tends to compensate for the uneven heating of the globe by the sun. As it is, ocean currents carry hot equatorial water toward the poles and return cold water equator-ward by surface drifts, such as the Labrador Current, and other deep water currents."

Tags:atmosphere, warms, cools, vapors, evaporation, salt, salinity, waves, sea, level, shores

Abstract
"Despite the extreme harshness of the environment, there are many reasons for marine fish to attempt exploitation of polar and sub-polar oceans. In addition to the relative greater availability of oxygen in cold water (15), there are rich food supplies, making expansion into these regions a potentially good strategy at the evolutionary level. In

From the Paper
"Despite the extreme harshness of the environment, there are many reasons for marine fish to attempt exploitation of polar and sub-polar oceans. In addition to the relative greater availability of oxygen in cold water (15), there are rich food supplies, making expansion into these regions a potentially good strategy at the evolutionary level. In order to survive and thrive in such a habitat, polar fish have evolved physiological, biochemical and behavioral compensatory mechanisms to minimize the effects of exposure to the frigid waters. The mechanisms examined here not only allow these fish to exploit a rich habitat but also enhance their ability to expand their populations even further in the polar oceanic realms.

The low ambient water temperature seen in the oceans of polar regions profoundly impacts the marine life which is exposed ..."

Abstract
The paper offers a brief overview on the causes of the greenhouse effect and reviews the natural cycle of carbon. The paper then looks at some research about the interaction between global warming and the ocean. The paper focuses on the destruction of the thermohaline flow, increasing El Nino frequencies and the melting of ocean ice sheets.

Outline:
Introduction
How Does Global Warming Work?
The Biogeochemical Cycle of Carbon and the Influence of People
The Thermohaline Circulation and North Atlantic Deep Water
Formation Increasing Frequencies of El Nino
Global Warming and Ocean Ice Sheets
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Global warming, better known as the greenhouse effect, has over the past decades become a major environmental concern (Krebs 1994). The long-term effects of global warming are neither easily predictable nor easily studied. Researchers, however, are rapidly gathering new data on global warming by using computer simulations to study the phenomenon and by studying natural small-scale communities or artificial ones in laboratory settings. A good portion research is devoted to how best to combat the problem of global warming. In order to derive a strategy to "correct" the phenomenon, researchers investigate the causes of global warming and the movement of carbon dioxide, the most well known of the greenhouse gases (Krebs 1994). It has become clear that the ocean is a major carbon sink in the natural biogeochemical cycling of carbon and much effort is devoted to studying the impact the ocean may have on the greenhouse phenomenon (Krebs 1994)."

Tags:greenhouse, effect, carbon, cycle, El, Nino, thermohaline, flow, ice, sheets

Abstract
This paper discusses the possibility of sources of medicine and medical devices available in the world's oceans. The paper relates that scientists have also discovered the rich potential in marine microorganisms. In addition, the paper discusses the difficulties and importance of keeping the seas in good condition.

Outline:
Cancer cures from the sea
Ancient animals yield new medical breakthroughs
Salmon is more than good to eat
Conclusion

From the Paper
"It isn't difficult to assume that the closest source of possible new medicines--the earth--has already been scoured and most potentially helpful medicinal substances discovered. While the ancients knew herbal medicine (even the New World's tobacco was considered a medicine when it was first discovered), until recently, it wasn't possible to easily scour the oceans for possible sources of medicine and medical devices. As Tibbetts noted, "The oceans, which cover 70% of the world's surface, are the least explored and least understood ecosystems on the planet. Yet today scientists realize marine organisms are becoming increasingly important as sources for new medicines and medical devices" (2004, p. 472).
Other authors have also discovered the rich potential in marine microorganisms. Dooley noted that "more than 50% of the drugs currently on the market include naturally derived ingredients, [so that] the study of marine organisms should lead to further discoveries of compounds for pharmaceutical purposes (2003, p. 223). Oceanography, like geography in an earlier age, stands at the point of being extremely important to human well-being."

Tags:herbal, ecosystems, ingredients

Abstract
The following paper explores various types of pollution in the ocean. Pollution from oil spills, run-offs that result in toxic wastes in the ocean and the dumping of foreign particles in the ocean are discussed.

Tags:pollutants, in, ocean

Abstract
This paper presents facts about global warming and the effect it has, and will have, on the oceans and the delicate marine life and habitat. The discussion involves the melting of polar caps and the effects resulting from such devastation. The paper examines how warmer temperatures will destroy marine life and concentrates on the delicate coral reef system which is already feeling the effects of the warmer ocean temperatures. The temperature rise and ocean rise are discussed, along with ideas on halting the progression of dangerous toxins contributing to higher climate temperatures.

From the Paper
"As the coral reefs die, so do many other species of fish, crab and several other species. Large increases in the volumes of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are already apparent. At current rates of change, carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere will double by the end of the next century (2100 AD). Calculations indicate that this rate of change in carbon dioxide alone will may result in a warming of between 1.5 and 4.5?C. The most likely effect of sustained global warming will be a melting of the polar ice caps, and a rise in sea level, while on land the deserts will expand."

Tags:Antarctic, Manhattan, Project, Greenhouse, Effect

Abstract
This paper focuses on key elements of ocean pollution: Oil pollution, toxic materials, dangerous debris and deposits and withdrawals. The author gives an overview of the efforts underway to prevent further pollution of the world's oceans.

Abstract
This paper studies the causes and effects of pollution in the world's oceans. The paper lists the causes of this pollution, including oil spills, tanker discharges, untreated municipal wastes and agrochemical residues. In addition to these major causes, the paper also includes a look at the smaller ,yet more common causes, such as medical wastes, beach visitors' garbage and waterfront businesses.

From the Paper
"An ocean organism's internal environment is highly influenced by many external factors. Many marine invertebrates are conformers and have the ability to thrive around the world. They have no need to control their internal environment since the external environment is fairly constant in terms of temperature, oxygen tension, and nutrients. However, with the threat of pollution, the marine invertebrates ability to live within the dirtied and toxic waters are compromised, therefore, resulting in fewer numbers for reproduction, production and harvest."

Tags:sea, oil, spill, marine, environment, corporate