A popular introduction to the study of the world's oceans that provides a straightforward and comprehensive presentation of the subject. It covers fundamental topics such as the origins of marine life, the physical properties of the oceans, and the chemistry of seawater. New issues have been added to give students timely coverage of high interest topics, including “Global Warming and Sea Level Rise”, “Beaches or Bedrooms: The Dynamic Coastal Environment,” “Sharks,” and “Illegal Immigration: Ballast Water and Exotic Species.” The book approaches marine biology from an ecological perspective rather than a taxonomic one.