The continental margins and ocean basins provide crucial resources, but their exploitation poses significant environmental risks. Comment.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Bottom relief Features
Topic: Bottom relief Features
Q1. The continental margins and ocean basins provide crucial resources, but their exploitation poses significant environmental risks. Comment.10M
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights ias
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To examine the resources available in continental margins and ocean basins and to analyze the environmental risks associated with the extraction of these resources and offer a balanced view on the sustainable use of ocean resources. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Begin by explaining the significance of continental margins and ocean basins as repositories of crucial natural resources like hydrocarbons, minerals, and marine life and growing interest in exploiting these resources due to advances in technology and increasing global demand for energy and materials. Body: Firstly, mention the Key Resources of Continental Margins and Ocean Basins: Continental shelves and ocean basins contain vast reserves of oil and natural gas. Similarly, Ocean basins, particularly in abyssal plains and around mid-ocean ridges, are rich in polymetallic nodules, containing valuable minerals such as manganese, nickel, and cobalt. Next mention the Environmental Risks of Resource Exploitation – Marine Pollution, Destruction of Marine Habitats, Seabed Destruction and Sediment Displacement, etc. At last, Provide way forward. Conclusion: Emphasize the need for international cooperation, sustainable technologies, and strict regulations to ensure that the exploitation of marine resources does not lead to irreversible environmental degradation.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To examine the resources available in continental margins and ocean basins and to analyze the environmental risks associated with the extraction of these resources and offer a balanced view on the sustainable use of ocean resources.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the significance of continental margins and ocean basins as repositories of crucial natural resources like hydrocarbons, minerals, and marine life and growing interest in exploiting these resources due to advances in technology and increasing global demand for energy and materials.
• Firstly, mention the Key Resources of Continental Margins and Ocean Basins: Continental shelves and ocean basins contain vast reserves of oil and natural gas. Similarly, Ocean basins, particularly in abyssal plains and around mid-ocean ridges, are rich in polymetallic nodules, containing valuable minerals such as manganese, nickel, and cobalt.
• Next mention the Environmental Risks of Resource Exploitation – Marine Pollution, Destruction of Marine Habitats, Seabed Destruction and Sediment Displacement, etc.
• At last, Provide way forward.
Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for international cooperation, sustainable technologies, and strict regulations to ensure that the exploitation of marine resources does not lead to irreversible environmental degradation.