Investigating Seafloors and Oceans

Chapter 1: The Chaotic and Vibrant Seafloor

• Abstract
• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 Discovery of Formation of Different Continents from One Big Land Mass
• 1.3 Evolving the Notion of Tectonic Plates Floating on Molten Lava
• 1.4 Triple Junctions on Seafloors
• 1.5 Rotating Microplates
• 1.6 Formation of Submarine Mountain Chains, Seamounts, Island Arcs, Mud Volcanoes, Canyons, and Trenches

Chapter 2: Secrets of Bermuda Triangle and Formation of Polymetallic Nodules

• Abstract
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Riddle of the Bermuda Triangle Imbroglio
• 2.3 Gas Hydrate Emission Can Drown Ships—May’s and Monaghan’s Hypothesis
• 2.4 Carpet of “Dark Gold” Paved Over the Seafloor

Chapter 3: Complex Wave Motions and Thermal Structure of the Oceans

• Abstract
• 3.1 Riddle of the Biblical Crossing of the Red Sea by Israelites Led by Moses
• 3.2 Invisible Colossal Waves Below Sea Surface—Internal Waves
• 3.3 Intricate Tidal Motions in Topographically Complex Water Bodies
• 3.4 Subsurface Warm Water Layer Sandwiched Between Colder Waters Above and Below—Thermal Inversion

Chapter 4: The Role of Oceans in the Origin of Life and in Biological Evolution

• Abstract
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection
• 4.3 Subseafloor Microbial Life—Partial Clues to the Origin of Life
• 4.4 Organisms Living Above 100°C Under Anaerobic Conditions
• 4.5 Microbial Activity in Hydrothermal Fluids—The “Zinc World” Hypothesis
• 4.6 Significance of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents
• 4.7 Homochirality of Amino Acids and Sugars
• 4.8 The 2015 Discovery of a Missing Piece of the Evolution Puzzle—Lokiarchaeota
• 4.9 The 2015 Discovery of a New Homo Genus Species

Chapter 5: Astronomical and Biological Organizational Relationships

• Abstract
• 5.1 Fundamental Discoveries in Astronomical and Cosmological Sciences
• 5.2 Chemical Evolution Leading to the Origin of Life—Role of Primitive Oceans
• 5.3 Partial Clues to Origin of Life in Submarine Hydrothermal Vents
• 5.4 Chemical Evolution of Life-Supporting Structures
• 5.5 Origin of Life
• 5.6 Gene and Genetic Code
• 5.7 Horizontal Gene Transfer: A Story of Genetic Success
• 5.8 Safeguarding Genetic Information: The 2015 Nobel Prize Winning Discovery
• 5.9 Correlation Between Biological and Astronomical Organizations: Kumar's Hypothesis
• 5.10 Biological Evolution: The Role of Islands
• 5.11 Discoveries in Life Science: Cloning by Nuclear Transfer
• 5.12 Self-Organization in the Origin of the Universe and Biological Evolution
• 5.13 How Life Originated: A Puzzle to be Resolved
• 5.14 Religious Beliefs and Science

Chapter 6: Seafloor Hot Chimneys and Cold Seeps: Mysterious Life Around Them

• Abstract
• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Formation of Hydrothermal Vents
• 6.3 Tectonic and Magmatic Controls on Hydrothermal Activity
• 6.4 Serpentinization: An Important Set of Geochemical Reactions
• 6.5 Vent Fluid Composition and Temperature
• 6.6 Shallow Water Hydrothermal Activity
• 6.7 Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Activity
• 6.8 Iron Domination and Potential for Microbial Carbon Fixation: Loihi Plume
• 6.9 Biological Significances of Submarine Hydrothermal Vents
• 6.10 Unique Thermostable Enzymes in Hydrothermal Vent Worm
• 6.11 Exotic World of Marine Organisms Around Cold Seeps
• 6.12 Understanding the History of Benthic Organisms and Their Source of Food
• 6.13 Technologies Used for Hydrothermal Vents Studies
• 6.14 Conclusions

Chapter 7: Citadel-Building: Tiny Creatures in the Oceans—Corals

• Abstract
• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Coral Reefs and the Exotic Life on and Around Them
• 7.3 Coral Survey Techniques
• 7.4 Threat to Coral Reefs
• 7.5 Need for Conservation and Restoration of Coral Reefs
• 7.6 Ocean Acidification-Resistant Coral Reefs
• 7.7 Role of Tiny Crabs in Preventing Coral Death in South Pacific
• 7.8 Ancient Coral Reef Record Gives History of El Niño
• 7.9 Importance of Coral Reef Research and Management
• 7.10 An Experimental Platform for Direct Microscopic Study of Live Coral Polyps

Chapter 8: Marine Creatures With a Difference

• Abstract
• 8.1 Introduction
• 8.2 Light-Capturing Pigment in Microscopic Marine Bacteria
• 8.3 Marine Organisms That Carry Living Light
• 8.4 Fishes That Play Hide and Seek
• 8.5 Marine Creatures That Mimic
• 8.6 Gelatinous Creatures
• 8.7 Lionfish: Decimator of Fish Populations and Threat to Coral Reef Ecosystems
• 8.8 Deep-Sea Vampire Squid: Thriving in the Oxygen Minimum Zone
• 8.9 Giant Squid and Colossal Squid
• 8.10 Life at Submarine Canyons and Deep-Sea Trenches
• 8.11 Dead Whales: Providing Deep-Sea Living Legacy

Chapter 9: Oceans: Abode of Nutraceuticals, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotoxins

• Abstract
• 9.1 Introduction
• 9.2 Nutraceutical Products From Marine Flora and Fauna
• 9.3 Pharmaceutical Products From Marine Flora and Fauna
• 9.4 Immunotoxins and Biotoxins in Marine Flora and Fauna
• 9.5 Detection of Marine Biotoxins in Seafood
• 9.6 Conclusions

Chapter 10: Magic With Colors—Sea Surface Changes

• Abstract
• 10.1 Introduction
• 10.2 Phytoplankton Bloom: Sea Surface Turning Green
• 10.3 Trichodesmium Bloom: Turning Sea Surface Brown
• 10.4 Coccolithophore Bloom: Turning Sea Surface Milky White