Give an account of the deposits of different types of minerals found in ocean relief across the world.

As per a recent INCOIS report, ocean winds in India’s coastal areas can suffice our energy requirements for next hundred years.

Global distribution:

1. Indian Ocean bed-
   1. Polymetallic nodules, e.g. Nickel, cobalt, molybdenum.
   2. Poly sulphide minerals.
2. Arctic Ocean-
   1. Hydrocarbon abundance, e.g. coal, gas, oil.
   2. Exploration of shale gas resources, e.g. North Sea.
3. Atlantic Ocean-
   1. Industrially important minerals, e.g. iron ore, coal.
   2. Research on harnessing bauxite and uranium deposits.
4. Pacific ocean-
   1. Fossil minerals.
   2. Zinc, cobalt, nickel ores.
   3. Rock salt and accreted sediments, e.g. sandstone, lime.
5. Southern Ocean-
   1. Potential of oil and gas minerals.
   2. Seabed nodules, molybdenum.

Other ocean resources:

• Marine biodiversity.
• Hydrothermal vents.
• Deep sea exploration potential.
• Climate balance and CO2 capture.

Oceans are the earth’s richest repository of minerals, flora and fauna.