Aquatic resources are materials, substances, or components derived from the world’s vast water bodies that hold utility for human society. This encompasses everything from the planet’s oceans and seas to inland lakes, rivers, and even underground aquifers and groundwater. Water covers roughly 71% of the Earth’s surface, and the resources contained within this extensive hydrosphere are immensely diverse, supporting both fundamental life processes and complex industrial economies. The scope of these resources is separated into biological, mineral, and energy categories, each supplying unique components that fuel global consumption and development.
Biological Resources
Biological aquatic resources represent the living components harvested from marine and freshwater environments, primarily serving as sources of food and biochemical compounds. Capture fisheries, which involve the wild harvest of finfish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms, have historically been the primary source of marine protein for human populations. This wild harvest includes species like tuna and cod from the open ocean and shrimp and crabs from coastal environments.
Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms, has grown to supplement or even surpass wild catches for many species, including salmon, tilapia, and oysters. This cultivation takes place in controlled marine or freshwater systems, providing a more consistent supply of protein. Beyond food, macroalgae (seaweed) is cultivated for use in food products, cosmetics, and as gelling agents in various industrial applications.
Marine organisms also yield valuable biochemicals and pharmaceuticals derived from their unique biological structures. Sponges, sea cucumbers, and certain microorganisms are studied for novel compounds, which can lead to the development of new medicines. Microalgae are also being explored as a sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids and for their potential use in biofuel production.
Mineral and Physical Resources
This category includes non-living substances extracted from water bodies, the seabed, or the sub-seabed. Fresh water is the most fundamental physical resource, drawn from rivers, lakes, and groundwater for domestic consumption, agriculture, and industrial processes. While oceans hold the majority of the world’s water, desalination is increasingly used to convert saline seawater into potable freshwater for use in coastal regions.
The oceans are also a source of dissolved elements. Common table salt (sodium chloride) is commercially harvested through the evaporation of seawater in shallow ponds. Other dissolved minerals extracted in commercial quantities include magnesium and bromine, which are used in various manufacturing processes. Beneath the waves, the seabed holds vast deposits of solid materials and mineral ores.
Coastal and continental shelf areas are extensively dredged for sand and gravel, known as aggregates, which are essential for the construction industry and for beach nourishment projects. In the deep sea, polymetallic nodules, rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt, rest on the abyssal plains. Other valuable deep-sea deposits include cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and massive sulfide deposits located near hydrothermal vents.
Aquatic Energy Resources
Aquatic environments provide resources that are converted into energy, encompassing both traditional fossil fuels and emerging renewable technologies. The most significant energy resource extracted from the ocean floor is offshore oil and natural gas, which are non-renewable hydrocarbon reserves drilled from beneath the continental shelves. These fossil fuels are a major source of global energy production, utilizing complex platforms and pipelines to access reserves deep underwater.
In contrast, renewable aquatic energy harnesses the natural movements and thermal properties of water. Tidal power generates electricity by utilizing the predictable rise and fall of tides, often employing barrages or underwater turbines. Wave energy converters capture the kinetic energy from the surface motion of ocean waves.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) exploits the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water to power a heat engine. Hydropower, which uses the flow of freshwater in rivers and through dams, is the oldest and most established form of water-based energy generation.
Societal Value and Economic Importance
The spectrum of aquatic resources underpins global economic stability and provides direct support to human populations. Fisheries and aquaculture contribute substantially to food security, providing protein and micronutrients for billions of people. The economic activities associated with resource extraction, from offshore drilling to coastal fishing and processing plants, create millions of jobs worldwide, supporting local and national economies.
The trade of these resources, including seafood, industrial minerals, and oil and gas, forms a significant part of international commerce. Access to reliable freshwater is fundamental for public health, sanitation, and the agricultural sector that feeds the world. The utilization of biological, mineral, and energy resources derived from aquatic ecosystems is central to maintaining current standards of living and facilitating future economic development.