Summary Unit 1 Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management (Rocks and Minerals and their Exploitation)
Summary Unit 7 Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management (The Atmosphere and Human Activity)
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Unit 5: Oceans and Fisheries
5.1 The resource potential of the oceans
Food
The most important resource that humans get from the oceans is fish. The main fisheries are
found in continental shelves, because of the shallow water, light can penetrate and there is
more oxygen. Nutrients are also abundant there. These features make it a good place for
plant growth and therefore, the growth of fish.
Chemicals and building materials
3.5% of seawater is made up from dissolved substances, and it’s an enormous potential
resource of chemicals. Many materials in the oceans have been eroded from the land, these
particles and dissolved substances are carried into the oceans via rivers. Some of these
substances can be extracted directly like salt, magnesium, gold, tin, titanium and diamonds.
In coastal sites lagoons are made from sand, the sea is allowed through a gap which is then
blocked. The seawater then evaporates, leaving behind the sea salt to be collected.
Sand, gravel and crushed rock are mined for construction, they must be removed carefully
as physical damages can be caused to the seabed and associated habitats. Fine particle
clouds are produced, then resettled and can interfere with photosynthesis.
Wave and tidal energy
There is a high amount of energy in the waves, however it’s not so easy to harness this
energy. Tidal power has been a lot more successful than wave energy because of the
varying water in the sea (caused by the gravitational force of the Sun and the Moon) it
moves up and down twice a day. This movement can be used to generate electricity.
Tourism
With cheap foreign travel by air, people in the MEDC’s are attracted to the marine sites of
great natural beauty, especially coral reefs. There are a lot of activities people do at sea
(diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing, etc). There’s also a big business in boat trips and
viewing of marine creatures such as whales and dolphins.
Transport
Ships have always been an important way of transportation. Today, shipping is less
important for moving people because of aviation. However, cruises are still very popular and
bulk freight is best transported on ships.
Potential to safe drinking water
With the world’s population increase, essential commodities could become harder to obtain.
Safe drinking water is the most essential. A very small proportion of water on earth is safe to
drink, although it is possible to derive safe drinking water from salt water by desalination.
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