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