Difference Between Ocean and Lake

Ocean vs Lake

Oceans and lakes are large water bodies. Oceans cover a larger area than the lakes. Though Oceans and lakes are large water bodies, they have many differences which include the flora and fauna.

Oceans are huge water bodies that have a high density of salt. Oceans cover about three fourths of the surface area of the earth. On the other hand, most of the lakes are freshwater.
When comparing the oceans and lakes, size is the biggest difference. Oceans are vast bodies whereas lakes are smaller water bodies surrounded by land. Though oceans have boundaries, it is hard to demarcate.
Ocean beaches contain sand, oysters and starfishes. On the other hand, the lake beaches do not contain sand or oysters or start fish. They just contain pebbles.
Another difference seen is in the waves. Oceans have big waves while lakes do not have such big waves. The lakes are calm. Oceans are also colder than the lakes.
Oceans also come with a wide range of marine creatures that are not seen in the lakes. Oceans are home to the largest fishes and largest marine creatures. In the oceans, one can come across coral reefs, which are not visible in lakes. The bottoms of the lakes are mostly sandy.
When comparing the depths, the oceans are deeper than the lakes. The average depth of oceans is 13,000 feet and the maximum depth comes to 35,000 feet. The oceans can be divided into Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian. Lakes can be divided into oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic.

Summary
Oceans are huge water bodies that have high density of salt. . On the other hand, most of the lakes are freshwater.
Oceans are vast bodies whereas lakes are smaller water bodies surrounded by land.

Oceans beaches contain sand, oysters and starfishes. On the other hand, the lake beaches do not contain sand, oysters or star fishes.
While the oceans have big waves, the lakes do not have such big waves. The lakes are calm.
When comparing the depths, the oceans are deeper than the lakes.
Oceans are colder than the lakes.
The oceans can be divided into Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian. Lakes can be divided into oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic.

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