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| Earth's ocean |
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Main five oceans division: Further subdivision: Marginal seas |

Theocean is the body ofsalt water that covers approximately 70.8% ofEarth. The ocean is conventionally divided into large bodies of water, which are also referred to asoceans (in descending order: thePacific Ocean, theAtlantic Ocean, theIndian Ocean, theAntarctic/Southern Ocean, and theArctic Ocean), and are themselves mostly divided intoseas,gulfs andsubsequent bodies of water. The ocean contains 97% ofEarth's water and is the primary component of Earth'shydrosphere, acting as a hugereservoir of heat forEarth's energy budget, as well as for itscarbon cycle andwater cycle, forming the basis forclimate andweather patterns worldwide. The ocean is essential tolife on Earth, harbouring most of Earth's animals andprotist life, originatingphotosynthesis andtherefore Earth's atmospheric oxygen, still supplying half of it. (Full article...)

Asea is a largebody ofsalt water. There areparticular seas andthe sea.The sea commonly refers to theocean, the interconnected body ofseawaters that spans most of Earth. Particular seas are eithermarginal seas, second-order sections of the oceanic sea (e.g. theMediterranean Sea), or certain large, nearly landlocked bodies of water. (Full article...)
Oceanography (from Ancient Greek ὠκεανός (ōkeanós) 'ocean' and γραφή (graphḗ) 'writing'), also known asoceanology,sea science,ocean science, andmarine science, is the scientific study of theocean, including itsphysics,chemistry,biology, andgeology. (Full article...)

Offshore drilling is a mechanical process where awellbore is drilled below the seabed. It is typically carried out in order to explore for and subsequently extractpetroleum that lies in rock formations beneath the seabed. Most commonly, the term is used to describe drilling activities on thecontinental shelf, though the term can also be applied to drilling inlakes,inshore waters andinland seas.
Offshore drilling presents all environmental challenges, both offshore and onshore from the producedhydrocarbons and the materials used during the drilling operation. Controversies include the ongoingUS offshore drilling debate. (Full article...)
| Marine habitats |
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| Coastal habitats |
| Ocean surface |
| Open ocean |
| Sea floor |
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| Admiralty and maritime law |
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| History |
| Features |
| Contract of carriage /charterparty |
| Parties |
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| International organizations |
| International conventions |
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| International Codes |

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