Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Th
Context: Freshwater exploration from under the ocean bed is gaining attention as a potential solution to depleting freshwater resources. Recent discoveries have revealed significant freshwater reservoirs under the ocean.
How freshwater are formed under the ocean bed?
- Subterranean Flow: Rainwater and surface water can seep into the ground and percolate deep into the Earth’s crust. Some of this water can accumulate in underground reservoirs or aquifers beneath the ocean floor.
- Geological Processes: Geological activities such as tectonic movements and volcanic eruptions can create fractures, faults, and cavities in the Earth’s crust. These geological features can trap freshwater, preventing it from mixing with seawater.
- Submarine Springs: Submarine springs are underwater vents that release freshwater into the ocean. These springs can occur where groundwater from aquifers beneath the ocean floor discharges through openings in the seafloor.
- Glacial Melting: During periods of glaciation, large ice sheets store vast amounts of freshwater. As glaciers melt, freshwater can be released into the ocean, forming layers of less dense water that float on the denser seawater below.
Freshwater reserves, like the river found at the bottom of the Black Sea, are crucial. With only 2.5% of Earth’s water being freshwater, these reserves are vital. Most freshwater is in ice or underground, including under the ocean.
International laws, like UNCLOS, govern ocean resources, defining rights and responsibilities. UNCLOS regulates resources like minerals, raising questions about freshwater classification. Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) grant states rights over marine resources, while the “Area” beyond EEZs is collectively governed. The 1958 Geneva Conventions also addressed ocean law but were less comprehensive.
