MARINE SCIENCE — THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCIENCE

The world ocean covers more than seventy percent of the Earth's surface, so-called "the blue planet". More than ninety percent of the living space of the Earth is accumulated in the ocean waters and until half-billion years back, literally all forms of life existed there. The global health of our planet together with all its inhabitants seriously depends on the water cycling and nutrients and minerals carried by the water.

The oceans of the world have always influenced the weather and climate patterns. The relationship between the sea and the human began in ancient times when lack of technology significantly limited people's ability to explore the ocean waters. There are many economically valuable resources that are acquired from the seas, and the scientists in the field of marine science and oceanography have also revealed the insight into the very origin of life to study the reproduction and development of the organisms and various geological processes.

The term "marine biology" covers numerous sciences all relating to the sea, for example marine biology and oceanography, marine chemistry and others. The present title tells the readers about the prominent people who made the marine science, from Sir C. Wyville Thomson to Robert D. Ballard. In addition to the chapters dedicated to these people, there is also a glossary of terms.