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Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that are the base of the oceanic food web, conducting photosynthesis.

Coral bleaching occurs when corals become stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, causing them to expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, leading to a whiter appearance.

Hydrothermal vents are fissures on the seafloor that emit hot water, creating unique ecosystems reliant on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.

Mangrove forests are coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees that anchor the shoreline, providing habitat and protecting against erosion.

Marine bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms, a common adaptation seen in deep sea creatures.

Estuaries are partly enclosed coastal bodies of brackish water where fresh water from rivers and streams meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean, serving as nurseries for many marine species.

Trophic levels represent the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem at which organisms obtain their energy, starting from primary producers to top predators.

Kelp forests are underwater areas with high densities of kelp, which are large brown algae that provide habitat and food for diverse marine life.

Deep sea trenches are the deepest parts of the ocean, formed by tectonic plate subduction, and are known for their unique and often extreme life forms.

Intertidal zones are the areas between the high and low tide lines, constantly changing due to the tide and supporting a diverse range of organisms.

Zooplankton are small, often microscopic animals that float or drift in water, serving as an essential component of the aquatic food chain.

Salt marshes are coastal wetlands inundated by tides, rich in marine biodiversity, and serve as important buffers against storm surges.

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

The pelagic zone is the open ocean region not associated with the sea bottom or the shore, where various marine species live at different depths.

Marine snow is a continuous shower of mostly organic detritus falling from the upper layers of the water column to the deep ocean floor.

The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, including the sediment surface and sub-surface layers.

The neritic zone is the shallow part of the ocean above the drop-off of the continental shelf, where sunlight reaches the seabed, allowing photosynthesis.

Symbiosis is a close ecological relationship between the individuals of two (or more) different species, which may be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals, often referred to as the 'rainforests of the sea'.

MPAs are regions of the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters to preserve natural or cultural resources.

Bycatch refers to the unintended capture of non-target species such as dolphins, turtles, and seabirds during commercial fishing operations.

Eutrophication is the process where water bodies receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth, leading to depleted oxygen levels and the death of animal life.

Ocean currents are continuous, directed movements of seawater generated by forces such as wind, temperature, salinity differences, and tides.

Marine mammals are a diverse group of approximately 120 species that rely on the ocean for their habitat and include whales, dolphins, and seals.

Algal blooms are rapid increases in the population of algae in an aquatic system, often resulting in a colored or scummy surface of the water.

The abyssal plain is a flat or very gently sloping area of the deep ocean basin, typically found at depths between 3,000 and 6,000 meters.

The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each continent and associated coastal plain, often characterized by relatively shallow and nutrient-rich waters.

Primary productivity is the rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to organic substances, forming the basis for all food webs.

Tsunamis are series of ocean waves caused by large underwater disturbances, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or asteroid impacts.

Seagrass meadows are underwater beds of seagrass, which are flowering plants that form dense underwater beds, providing habitats for marine life.

Marine sediments are particles of biological, chemical, or geological origin that accumulate in a loose, unconsolidated form on the ocean floor.

OTEC is a process that can produce electricity by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean water and warm tropical surface waters.

Cetaceans are an order of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises, characterized by streamlined bodies and two limbs that are modified into flippers.

Chemosynthesis is the process by which some organisms, such as certain bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates without sunlight, found in environments like hydrothermal vents.