Final answer:
Ocean water characteristics are shaped by salinity, density, and temperature, which are influenced by environmental factors. Different ocean zones, defined by depth and light, support various forms of life. Freshwater biomes distinguish between standing and flowing waters, with varying temperature, oxygen, and nutrient profiles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ocean water characteristics such as salinity, density, and temperature are crucial in shaping the structure and biodiversity of marine ecosystems. Salinity is affected by the evaporation of water, precipitation, river inflow, and ice formation and melting. Density is influenced by temperature and salinity, where cooler and saltier water tends to be denser. Temperature varies with depth, with the surface water being warmer due to solar radiation and deeper layers being colder. Factors like barometric pressure and light penetrance also play significant roles in the variation of these characteristics.
The ocean is divided into zones based on water depth, distance from the shoreline, and light penetration. The epipelagic zone is the uppermost layer where sunlight reaches, enabling photosynthesis. The mesopelagic and deeper zones receive little to no light, impacting the type of life present in these environments. Coral reefs, found in shallow, warm ocean waters, host a vast array of species, while deep-ocean zones harbor organisms adapted to cold and dark conditions. Estuaries, where rivers meet the ocean, provide critical nurseries for many species.
In freshwater biomes, standing water bodies like lakes and ponds exhibit stratification with varying temperature layers, while flowing waters like rivers and streams have more constant mixing and possibly different oxygen and nutrient levels.