20 Functions Of The Oceans
20 functions of the oceans, the ocean has a very important role both for human life or for other living beings. Without the ocean life on earth is not as balanced as it is now. So what exactly is the functions of the oceans? Below here are the 20 functions of the oceans you should know.
1. Climate Controller
The first function and role of the ocean are as a climate control for the world. The role of the sea makes the earth’s temperature balanced, it is not being too cold and also not too hot. In here, the ocean also acts as a heat conductor from the tropics to the polar regions.
That is why the tropical regions under the equator are not too hot and in the polar regions, both north and south poles are not too cold. It also allows living beings to still be able to stay in these two areas.
2. The living place of a living being
Of course, the ocean is a place for living things to live. A group of large mammals such as whales, sharks, dolphins, and groups of tuna or salmon and the others like. Until turtles and marine plants such as algae and coral reefs live in the oceans. See also types of small ocean fish
3. The world’s largest mineral resource
Ocean has the largest mineral resource in the world. For example, iodine contained in salt. Some coastal areas in tropical countries, such as Indonesia cultivate the sea into salt ponds. Which iodine in salt is needed in the human body. See also uses of ocean minerals
4. Petroleum resources
In addition to being a mineral source, the oceans are also rich in petroleum resources. Petroleum is a wealth that comes from nature and its existence is very limited. It takes millions of years to be renewed. In addition to the presence of petroleum, a lot of natural gas is also found in the ocean where its contents are much larger than the land.
5. The largest source of protein
Ocean stores the world’s largest sources of protein. Seaweed, clams, octopus, lobster, shrimps, and the most favorite are the fishes. All the protein sources that exist in the oceans can be used as nutrient-rich foods where it is needed by humans.
The needs of these protein foods are not only in need of humans, the animals that live well in the ocean, such as predatory fish and on the ground like bears, and the birds that live on the coastal areas also need this protein.
6. Source of human livelihood
The ocean provides millions of tons of fish, The which of 30 percent is for human consumption. Humans take advantage of this as a source of their livelihood, fishermen. They catch the fishes every day for sale to the local market or distribute it to the big market, restaurant or hotel’s kitchen where it can improve the economy.
7. Carbon dioxide absorber
Do you know who is responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide on earth? The answer is the ocean. The ocean can absorb 30 to 50 percent of the carbon dioxide that is on earth. It both from the burning of fossils as energy sources for industry or motor vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, or cruise ships.
8. Alternative fresh water
The ocean is an alternative place for a source of fresh water providers. Ocean water can certainly be consumed by humans as long as the process first in the desalination process. This desalination process has been widely practiced in some countries with little freshwater resources.
9. As a transportation path
The other ocean benefits are as a transportation path. The ocean is one of the most preferred avenues of land and air transportation, especially since their territories are separated by seas or straits.
Sea transports path is very helpful to humans. Sailboats, speed boats, passenger ships and cruise ships are some types of vehicles used to cross the ocean. See also importance of chemistry in marine transportation
10. As the object of research
It is not only utilized the wealth of energy sources, but the ocean is also used as a means of education. Many of the researchers and archaeologists use the ocean as the object of their research.
In here researchers will observe how the conditions and content in the ocean to living things that live in the sea, both plants and animals. While archaeologists usually find various ancient sites or other historical monuments that drowned in the bottom of the ocean.
11. As a place of recreation
The blue ocean and the richness of the ocean inside are like small fishes and colorful coral reefs are the best place to get rid of fatigue. Snorkeling one of the common water sports to see the beauty of the wealth that is in the sea. Usually, the ocean in the tropics as in Indonesia has a lot of sea spots are often visited by various of foreign tourists.
12. Illegal fishing
The richness of the ocean is so rich that some people become greedy. For the sake of money, they are willing to catch fish on a large scale and illegal. Where if it continues to be done, the sea will experience a fish crisis. Humans also can no longer consume fish.
Another threats are the illegal fishing in addition to breaking their rules usually also use dangerous tools and can threaten the lives of all the existing biodiversity in the oceans.
13. The poor condition of coral reefs
Do not stop here, catching fish illegally can also worsen the condition of coral reefs that exist in the oceans.
They deliberately destroy coral reefs only to get large quantities of fishes. If the coral reefs continue to be damaged, the ecosystems in the oceans will not be balanced and the availability of diverse types of marine creatures also declines.
This also makes it difficult for traditional fishermen who depend on their lives just by catching fish in the oceans. See also importance of coral in the great barrier reef
14. The amount of waste discharged into the sea
Oceans are often used as a bad thing as a dangerous dump. Oil spilled from tankers, or liquid waste from cruise ships is also dumped in the oceans.
As a result, many whales or other animals eat this waste and end up dumped on the beach. It is not to mention the amount of plastic waste proposed along the shoreline where this garbage can enter the sea and can threaten other living things. See also threats to marine ecosystems
15. Climate change
One of the phenomena that humans do not realize is climate change. The threat of coral bleaching and rising sea levels are also a serious threat to humanity.
This is because waste is discharged into the oceans. This condition will get worse if there is not done proper handling to clean up garbage in the ocean.
The responsibility of this treatment must be done by all people, both from the public, the government and the parliament in order to minimize the danger to humans themselves. See also prevention of marine pollution
16. Keep the beach is clean
What is the right way to keep the beach clean? The first can be by giving a call to the community to dispose of garbage carelessly. Second, the addition of waste bins in the coastal area will make it easier for people to dispose of the following waste by organic and inorganic division. The final step is to make the rules.
For anyone who throws away the waste on the beach, they will be fined a certain amount. These three things are an effective way to keep the beach clean from waste.
17. Prohibit the use of fish bombs
Governments can also assist the conservation of the oceans by banning the use of fish bombs, toxins, trawlers or any kind of dangerous fishing gear.
In addition to the prohibition, the government may enact government regulations such as these violating laws should be prosecuted under the law or pay a fine under applicable regulations. It is hoped that in the presence of government regulations, these non-responsible persons will give up in the future.
18. Limiting, monitoring and take action on those who throw waste into the oceans
The government must also limit, monitor and take action against irresponsible parties who throw waste into the oceans. Such as offshore oil mining or industrial parties and factories that deliberately dispose of waste into the ocean without being processed first.
Given the good cooperation between the community and the government of oceans, the wealth of oceans in the world can be preserved.
19. Prohibit wild harvesting
Coral reefs are a home to the life of a marine life that lives in the oceans. Without coral reefs, the ecosystem in the oceans will be disturbed and all living things that live in them will become extinct. This extinction occurs because of the actions of people who deliberately take coral reefs just for their own pleasure.
The illegal harvesting of coral reefs should be strictly sanctioned by the government. So that the life of the oceans can be maintained.
20. Conserving the coral reefs
To restore damaged coral reefs, together with community groups and governments should jointly restore the conservation of coral reefs. Provide a sign of coral reef conservation at some point of recovery so that the reefs can recover quickly and this way can avoid coral reef of damage.
With the restoration of coral reefs is expected to grow well, and it can be a new home for biodiversity life in the ocean. See also conservation of coral reef
Hopefully, with 20 functions of the oceans, it may increase our knowledge of some important role of the oceans. Do not forget to always maintain the cleanliness of the oceans so we can continue to enjoy this natural wealth until in the future. Good luck.