World Oceans: A Reference Handbook

by David E. Newton

Overview

This handbook offers an in-depth discussion of the world's oceans. It discusses the marine life that is dependent on the sea as well as the problems threatening the health of the ocean and its wildlife.

This book opens with an overview of the history of human knowledge and understanding of the oceans and cryosphere, along with related scientific, technological, social, political, and other factors. It presents and discusses about a dozen major problems facing the Earth's oceans today, along with possible solutions. Readers are given an opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas on today's ocean issues, and are provided with additional resources, such as a bibliography, chronology, and glossary, to assist in further study of the issue.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798216392774
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/27/2025
Series:	Contemporary World Issues
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

David E. Newton is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, workbooks, and other educational materials, primarily in the field of science and math.

Table of Contents

Preface

1. History and Background
Origin and Evolution of the Oceans
Today's Oceans, Ocean Currents
Ocean Features
Ocean Chemistry
Who Owns the Oceans?
Ocean Exploration, The Voyages
The Ocean Floor
The Equipment
Origin and Evolution of the Cryosphere
Huronian Glaciation
Snowball Earth
Andean-Saharan
Late Paleozoic
Quaternary
Marine Life
Coastal Habitats
The Open Ocean
Conclusion
References

2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Climate Change
Rise in Sea Level
Changes in Ocean Chemistry
Fishing Issues
Overfishing
Bycatch
Illegal Fishing
Pollution, Plastics and Microplastics
Oil Spills and Leaks
Dredging and Shipping
Chemical Pollutants
Agricultural Runoff and Urban Sewage
Aquaculture
Coral Reef Die-Off
Deep-Sea Mining
Noise
Invasive Species
Crime on the Seas
Conclusion
References

3. Perspectives
Introduction
Plenty of Fish in the Sea?, Megan Atcheson
Coral Reef Bleaching: Is There Hope?, Cherilyn Chin
Loggerhead Sea Turtles of Anna Maria Island, ChrisAnn Silver Esformes
Small Island Nations at Risk, Bruce E. Johansen
An International Solution, Susan Lewis
One Fish, Two Fish, Free Fish, Farm Fish, Ellen Rubin
Reef Grief, Anjali A. Sarkar
Resiliency, Joy Ward

4. Profiles
Sylvia Earle (1935–)
Greenpeace
Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806–73)
Charles J. Moore
Sir John Murray (1841–1914)
Ocean Conservancy
Oceana
Arvid Pardo (1914–99)
Prince Henry the Navigator (1394–1460)
Roger Revelle (1909–91) and Hans Suess (1909–93)
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Boyan Slat (1994–)
Henry Melson Stommel (1920–92)
Surfrider Foundation

5. Data and Documents

Data
Table 5.1. Range of Highest Tides Worldwide
Table 5.2. Rise in Sea Levels, 1993–2019
Table 5.3. Arctic Sea Ice Minimum, 1979–2019
Table 5.4. Trends in Antarctic and Greenland Ice Mass, 2002–17 (gigatonnes per year)
Table 5.5. Overfishing and Overfished Stocks as of December 31, 2018
Table 5.6. Snow Cover for North America and Greenland, 1979–2019

Documents
Letter to Certain Foreign Ministers, from Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson (1793)
United States v. California (1947) and the Submerged Lands Act (1953)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972)
Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (1980)
Proclamation 5030 (1983)
Ocean Dumping Ban Act (1988)
Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (2006)
Speed Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales (2008/2013)
Executive Order 13547 (2009)
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (2007)
National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan (2013)
Executive Order 13840 (2018)
League of Conservation Voters, et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al. (2018)

6. Resources
Books
Articles
Reports
Internet

7. Chronology

Glossary
Index