Marine Wealth
Marine Wealth
Mineral Oil
The oceans hold a veritable treasure trove of valuable
resources. Sand and gravel, oil and gas have been extracted from
the sea for many years. In addition, minerals transported by
erosion from the continents to the coastal areas are mined from the
shallow shelf and beach areas. These include diamonds off the
coasts of South Africa and Namibia as well as deposits of tin,
titanium and gold along the shores of Africa, Asia and South
America.
Salt
Ancient ocean deposits of sediments and evaporites now located
on land were originally deposited under marine conditions. These
deposits are being exploited on a very large scale and in
preference to modern marine resources because of the easier
accessibility and lower cost of terrestrial
These mounds of sea salt were mined from deeply buried beds
deposited when sea water evaporated in an ancient environment. The
beds were preserved by being covered and then uplifted in a modern
terrestrial setting. Mining accounts for most of the annual salt
production, even though it also can be obtained by evaporating
ocean water.
These mounds of sea salt were mined from deeply buried beds
deposited when sea water evaporated in an ancient environment. The
beds were preserved by being covered and then uplifted in a modern
terrestrial setting. Mining accounts for most of the annual salt
production, even though it also can be obtained by evaporating
ocean water.
resources. Yet the increasing population and the exhaustion of
readily accessible terrestrial deposits undoubtedly will lead to
broader exploitation of ancient deposits and increasing extraction
directly from ocean water and ocean basins .
Coral
For fisherman and seafood fans, seagrass meadows are fish
factories they are the nurseries for many species of fish for
industry, sport and table. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts view
coral reefs and kelp forests as some of natures most amazing
destinations, and their interest generates billions every year in
tourist dollars. To community planners, oyster reefs filter
pollutants from the water and break wave energy, reducing the
impacts from storms. When combined with salt marshes, mangroves,
ocean currents, nutrient-rich upwellings and many other habitat
types, the ocean provides countless valuable services to
society.
Pearl
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue
(specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like
the shell of a clam, a pearl is composed of calcium carbonate in
minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric
layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many
other shapes (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural
pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty
for many centuries. Because of this, pearl has become a metaphor
for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.
Fish
Fish are an important resource for humans worldwide, especially
as food. Commercial and subsistence fishers hunt fish in wild
fisheries (see fishing) or farm them in ponds or in cages in the
ocean (see aquaculture). They are also caught by recreational
fishers, kept as pets, raised by fishkeepers, and exhibited in
public aquaria. Fish have had a role in culture through the ages,
serving as deities, religious symbols, and as the subjects of art,
books and movies.
