The value of our oceans can, in no way, be overstated. They are a life-giving force, without which we would all simply cease to exist.
As a way to highlight their incredible value, WILDOCEANS, a programme of WILDTRUST, has launched its impactful ‘WE DON’T NEED OUR OCEANS’ campaign to emphasise what life would be like without our oceans.
To support this initiative, here are 7 interesting facts about this aquatic habitat.
- Breathe it in
Somewhere between 70 and 80 per cent of all the oxygen produced on earth is supplied by marine plants – the majority of which are marine algae.
- Name the marine animal
The vast oceans are home to all manner of life, from single-cell organisms through to the world’s biggest creature – the blue whale. And while we’re all familiar with many marine creatures, researchers believe we’ve probably only identified about 1/3 of all marine animals, with 2 000 new species identified each year.
- Underwater water features
There are actually rivers, lakes and waterfalls beneath the ocean. The combination of salt water and hydrogen sulphide makes for a denser substance, allowing for the formation of actual water features…in water. In fact, the planet’s largest waterfall – the Denmark Strait cataract – can actually be found between Greenland and Iceland dropping 11 500 feet, which is three times the height of Venezuela’s Angel Falls.
- Climb every mountain
Forget the Drakensberg – the oceans are home to the world’s longest mountain chain, known as the Mid-Ocean Ridge, which stretches some 65 000km in distance. It’s believed that less is known about this sub-aquatic range than the surfaces of nearby planets.
- A night at the underwater museum
The ocean beds are home to an endless number of shipwrecks and historical artefacts, many of which will lie undiscovered for centuries. The Florida Keys, alone, is home to more than 1 000 shipwrecks, with South Africa’s shores containing some 2 500 shipwrecks, including intrepid adventurers and cargo ships that make for iconic diving sites. It’s also estimated that there is around 20 million tons of diluted gold in the ocean, but it’s so widely scattered it’s not worth awakening the alchemist in you.
- There she blows
There are more volcanic eruptions underwater than on land – in fact, around 80% of all volcanic eruptions take place in the oceans. There are believed to be about 1 million volcanoes underwater which create superheated vents, increasing temperatures and allowing for a thriving ocean ecosystem.
- Getting deep
The oceans are deep. Really deep. The lowest point in the ocean – Challenger Deep – which is on the southern end of the Mariana Trench, is around 36 200 feet, which could fit the entire Mount Everest within it. Victor Vescovo recently made history by becoming the first person to reach the bottom… only to find plastic had made its way there first.
Get involved in saving our oceans. To find out more, visit www.oceanimpact.co.za
