* Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem. They include things like:

* Water (in the case of the ocean)

* Sunlight

* Temperature

* Salinity

* Minerals

* Biotic factors are living organisms within an ecosystem. The ocean is teeming with life, but the water itself is not a living organism.

Think of it this way: The ocean provides the environment for the biotic community of marine life to exist. It's like a house for the inhabitants, but the house itself isn't a person.