In: Biology
The oceans are vast reservoirs of water. 5 important oceans on earth are Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Antarctic Ocean.
Goldschmidt concluded that for each kilogram of sea/ocean water, 600 grams of primary igneous rock had been decomposed.It is estimated that 1000 ml. of sea water is equivalent with 600 grams of sediment and 3000 ml. of air.
Sea water contains metal ions likesodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and non-metals like chloride, sulphate, hydrogencarbonate etc.
About 3/4th of earth's surface is covered with water. The seas and the oceans are the products of gigantic acid-base titrations or neutralisation reactions during the early stages of earth formation. Oceans are linked to one another.
Sea water is a solution of NaCl and MgSO4. The oceans are the final sink for many substances involved in numerous geochemical processes, as well as the waste dumped as a result of human activities. Sea water has a constant pH of about 8.1 +/- 0.2 which indicates it's slightly alkaline nature.
Chemicals enter the oceans through atmosphere, runoff and direct disposal.
Of the materials that enter the marine ecosystems, oil, toxic metals and organic pollutants are of concern.
Organic pollutants include: poly chlorinated biphenyls, bisphenol A.
Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls or PCBs cause cancer in animals as well as non-cancer effects on immune system, nervous system, reproductive system, etc. The consumption of these marine animals by the humans will induce such diseases in us. PCBs have low water solubility and are accumulated biologically in many organisms.
Bisphenol A or BPA come rom plastics because of it's breakdown . Molluscs, Crustaceans and amphibians are affected by BPAs. Thus, we should stop putting plastics in the ocean.
Oil spills: These are produced when oil leakage occurs from large petroleum carriers. As oil is lighter than water, it floats on the surface making marine life difficult to survive. many deaths may occur due to consumption and contamination of water with oil.
Toxic metals: though the dumping of common metals like aluminium and iron are not really uncommon, if lead, cadmium and mercury are added to the oceans from the industrial effluents or discharges, marine life becomes threatened. Consumption of these metals by the marine animals not only cause deadly diseases and may cause mutation, if those organisms are consumed by the humans , these metals enter the food chain and humans suffer from diseases like neurological problems, cancers, etc.
We should be careful in releasing these metals by any means and try to save the oceans.
Besides, the release of excess acids, alkalis or other chemicals can also affect the pH of the oceans and thus cause a change in it's pH which will cause a threat to marine plant and animal life.