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Our planet Earth is also known as Blue Planet because it is 71% covered with water bodies. Nearly 95.6% of Earth’s water is held in the form of oceans. Oceans are huge and saline water bodies. Our planet Earth has a great ocean which we call as global ocean. This global ocean is then divided into the five major oceans. They are namely; the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the Southern Ocean.
Also Check: Pacific Ocean
On this page, we will read about the Southern Ocean, which surrounds the area of the Antarctic at the bottom of the earth. The Southern Ocean is full of mysteries and life diversity.
The Southern Ocean: Full of Surprises
The Southern Ocean is the youngest ocean among all the five oceans. It has a stretch of approximately 20 million square kilometers. It surrounds the Antarctic continent at the bottom to the north of the planet. It ranks four based on the area. The average depth of the ocean is 3,800 meters whereas some sections of the ocean are deep as 8,400 meters. At a point, the sunlight doesn’t reach the bottom of the ocean which gives a unique environment for a different ecosystem to get germinated.
It does not share land boundaries with any country. Recently, in the 21st century, the Southern Ocean was officially declared as an International Hydrographic Organization.
Climate of the Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean has harsh and severe climatic conditions which include icy cold water, bitter temperatures, and violent winds. The Southern Ocean currents play an important role. The most significant Southern Ocean current is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) which is also known as the West Wind Drift. It is the largest ocean current in the world. It also helps to maintain the food web of the ocean. It makes the cold water rise from the bottom to on top. It also circulates the nutrients in the ocean.
Also Check: Indian Ocean
The Southern Ocean currents help with the movements of sea ice. The current balances the energy of the earth by disturbing the heat. The ocean also absorbs carbon dioxide which helps to decrease the impact of the greenhouse gas.
Marine Life of the Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is a diverse ecosystem that is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Despite all the harsh conditions, life is germinating and growing there. The flora and fauna in the ocean have adapted to the environment in a good manner.
Plants in the Southern Ocean
There is a diverse number of plants in the Southern Ocean. The plants are as follows;
- Flowering Plants: Antarctic hair grass (native grass) and Antarctic pearlwort (Tiny flowering plant).
- Mosses and Liverworts: Haircap moss (feathery moss) and Cushion liverworts ( leafy mats)
- Lichens: Orange jellybean lichen (orange fungus) and crustose lichens (lichen).
- Algae: Diatoms (tiny phytoplankton) and Kelps (large brown algae)
Also Check: Continents
Animals in the Southern Ocean
There is a diverse number of animals in the Southern Ocean. The animals are as follows;
- Mammals: Emperor Penguins (largest penguins), Crabeater seals, and Blue whales (largest animals on the earth).
- Birds: Wandering albatross (sea birds), Weddell seals, and Adélie penguins (smaller penguins).
- Fish: Patagonian toothfish (top hunter/predator), Icefish (a unique feature of antifreeze protein in their blood), and Krill (tiny shrimp).
Above are the names of the species which we found in the Southern Ocean. Under the species, there are many more different types of lives under these species.
Also Check: Europe
Threats to the Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean helps in the regulation of the climate of our planet. But this precious gift of nature has some threats which can lead to very harmful situations. The threats to the Southern Ocean are as follows;
- Climate: Due to the increase in global warming, the oceans are heating fast. It is making the cold ocean warm up and the melting of ice is happening. As the ice melts the habitat for the penguins, seals and also getting extinguished.
- Overfishing: Unwanted and unregulated fishing is one of the reasons for the diminishing of the Southern Ocean.
- Pollution: Plastic is thrown restlessly into the oceans. Industries throw their harmful untreated chemical waste into oceans. The ships spill oil in the ocean which is harmful for the aquatic life.
- Mining and Tourism: Exploration of the minerals in the oceans as well the ocean tourism disturbs the ocean ecosystem.
- Lack of Protection: The Southern Ocean has a crucial significance. But the major part of the ocean is unprotected.
Southern Ocean Conservation
Due to all the threats to the Southern Ocean, we need to conserve the ocean. Any disturbance in the ocean can even cause major problems to human beings with all the marine life.
- Marking the protected areas in the oceans.
- We can practice sustainable methods for the fishing purpose. We can even try to avoid the unwanted fishing.
- Try not to pollute the oceans, beaches, and even rivers.
- We need to try to reduce the consumption of seafood or goods made from the ocean products.
- We need to create more and more awareness about this subject to people from all over the world.
Conservation is a collective process. Everyone needs to give a hand in the mission to conserve the Southern Oceans. It is a community task rather than an individual job.
Conclusion
The Southern Ocean is an important part of our planet. It is very beneficial for life. It also has diverse forms of life. We need to sustain and conserve this precious gem of nature. But due to our bad deeds the flora and fauna of the Southern Ocean are facing danger, they are endangered. Let us come together and take a step ahead to conserve our planet for our benefit or else our next generation won’t be able to survive.
Southern Ocean FAQ
Why is the Southern Ocean unique?
The Southern Ocean encircles the planet without any interruption of landmass in between.
Which is the coldest ocean?
The Southern Ocean is the coldest ocean on the planet.
Which is the youngest ocean?
The Southern Ocean is the youngest in the world.
