Back to the Oceans

Key Notes :

  1. Introduction to Oceans:
    • Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface.
    • They are home to a vast variety of marine life and play a crucial role in maintaining the planet’s climate
    • The water that snow or rain brings to different regions of the earth goes back to the oceans sooner or later. The snow melts and flows down as streams and rivers. Most of the rivers fall in seas, lakes, and oceans.
  2. Percentage
  • An ocean is a large area of saltwater between continents. 
  • About 97% of the water on the earth is found in oceans. 2% is present in the form of frozen glaciers and ice caps.

Transpiration

  • The lakes and ponds are filled with rainwater. Some of the rainwater is absorbed by the soil. This water is lost in the process of evaporation and transpiration.
  • The groundwater is the source of many open wells, handpumps, tube wells, and lakes.
  1. Challenges Faced by Oceans:
    • Pollution: Oceans are affected by pollution from plastics, oil spills, and chemicals.
    • Overfishing: Excessive fishing can deplete marine populations.
    • Climate Change: Rising sea levels and ocean acidification are threats due to climate change.
  2. Conservation Efforts:
    • Marine Reserves: Protecting certain areas of the ocean from fishing and other activities.
    • Reducing Plastic Use: The importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic.
    • Sustainable Fishing: Promoting responsible fishing practices.
  3. How is Water Returned Back to the Oceans?

The water cycle is the major source of returning water back to the oceans. The process occurs in the following ways:

  • The water cycle begins in the oceans.
  • The sun heats the water in the oceans. The water evaporates as water vapours into the air. The ice and snow sublimate directly into vapour.
  • The evaporated water from the oceans along with the water that transpired from the plants rises up in the atmosphere with the air currents.
  • These vapours condense into clouds that move around the globe by air currents.
  • The particles of the cloud grow, collide and fall out of the sky as precipitation.
  • Some precipitation falls as snow that accumulates as glaciers and ice caps that can store frozen water for several years.
  • The rest falls as rain into the oceans or on the land. The water from the land flows into the rivers, ponds and lakes that eventually fall into the oceans.
  1. Marine Life:
  1. Oceans are home to diverse marine life, including fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, and coral reefs.
  2. Many species are threatened by habitat destruction and overfishing.
  3. Global Initiatives:
    • International agreements and organizations, like the United Nations, work to protect the oceans.
    • The Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans.
  4. Conclusion:
    • Oceans are a vital part of the Earth’s ecosystem.
    • Protecting and conserving oceans is a responsibility shared by all.

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