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The oceans, which cover nearly 75% of our planet, still hold countless mysteries that we continue to unravel daily. Scientific fields such as oceanography, marine geology, marine biology, and paleo-oceanography work tirelessly to uncover the secrets hidden in the deep blue.
Yet, amidst all this research, we often overlook the profound ways in which ancient oceans impact our modern existence. From the air we breathe to the countries we trade with, the oceans that existed thousands, millions, and even billions of years ago still influence us today. Here are just a few ways these ancient waters remain deeply entwined in our lives.
10. Ancient Oceans Play a Role in Healing Our Bones
Broken bones and fractures are a common reality for millions around the world. Often, a fracture means months of limited mobility, constant discomfort, and the constant battle to resist the urge to scratch.
However, for some individuals, especially elderly patients, the healing process can be even longer and more painful, as their bones tend to heal more slowly. These bones often need a structural support to aid in the growth of new tissue, linking the old bone to the fresh new material. While plastic polymers can be used for this purpose, sometimes a more natural option is available.
Coral, with its porous structure and composition similar to bone, is becoming a popular choice among doctors and healthcare providers for aiding in the healing of difficult fractures. Companies like Core Bone in Israel are using coral to create scaffolds that support bone recovery.
So, what’s the connection to ancient oceans?
The answer is simple: inspiration. Coral forms naturally when coral larvae attach to a solid object like a rock on the ocean floor. These tiny creatures then use minerals found in ocean water to build intricate structures primarily made of calcium carbonate, the same material that makes up what we call coral.
The corals that formed in ancient oceans are the predecessors of the ones we have today. While many countries discourage the harvesting of natural coral, it continues to inspire researchers and technicians who now cultivate coral in laboratories. This innovation plays a crucial role in aiding faster healing and improving mobility for millions worldwide.
9. Ancient Oceans Contribute to the Growth of Our Lawns
If you take a look around the world today, one plant family reigns supreme. From lush, well-maintained lawns to the golden fields of grain, grasses dominate the landscape. The roots of this widespread success can be traced back to the ancient oceans.
Around 55 million years ago—roughly 10 million years after the dinosaurs disappeared—the oceans absorbed enormous amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This led to the oceans becoming highly acidic, with water turning into a giant carbonated beverage, much like your favorite fizzy drink.
As temperatures rose and the surface water failed to mix with deeper layers, the carbonic acid in the oceans began to alter the chemical makeup of the atmosphere over time. Elements like carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen shifted in concentration, which also impacted the soil. As a result, grasses began to thrive and spread across the planet.
8. Ancient Oceans Contribute to Our Ability to Breathe
Had we lived on Earth when the ancient oceans first began to form, between 3 and 4 billion years ago, we likely wouldn’t have survived. The environment was scorching, filled with toxic fumes, and much of the ground was probably molten. Essentially, it was like dealing with the in-laws over the holidays. While this oxygen-deprived, scalding-hot setting would have been unbearable for us, it was ideal for bacteria.
One notable group of bacteria, known as cyanobacteria, thrived deep in the ocean, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the environment. Much of the oxygen reacted with iron in the land to create the Banded Iron Formation. The remaining oxygen was then released into the water and atmosphere, starting the gradual conversion of the toxic air into the breathable atmosphere we enjoy today.
7. The Ancient Oceans Were The First Salt Shakers
In any kitchen that 'deserves its salt,' one seasoning stands out above the rest—salt. From preserving food to enhancing the flavor of bland potatoes, this essential mineral has its origins in the ancient oceans.
Around 200 million years ago, the supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart, and the oceans that formed between the landmasses began to deposit evaporites over the following hundreds of millions of years. These evaporites included gypsum, anhydrite, and halite. Halite, of course, is better known today as common table salt.
6. The Ancient Oceans Played a Key Role in Stopping the Greatest Cold Snap in History
Around 17,000 years ago, the Earth was a vastly different place. The climate was much colder, ice sheets covered much of the northern and southern hemispheres, wildlife was dwindling, and humanity was struggling to survive against the harsh conditions.
However, just 5,000 years later, the brutal, frozen environment began to shift towards a milder climate. This marked the beginning of the end of the most recent ice age. Many scientists now believe that the ancient oceans played a significant role in this dramatic change.
Researchers from the University of Southampton in the UK have found evidence showing that the oceans released massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As any environmental enthusiast knows, this contributed to global warming due to the greenhouse effect. The rising temperatures, the flourishing of plant life (which thrives on carbon dioxide), and the retreat of the ice sheets led to warmer conditions taking hold.
5. The Ancient Oceans Help Keep Things Running Smoothly
In the United States, it often feels like driving is a way of life. We don’t always think about it, but most, if not all, of the oil and gasoline that keep our vehicles operating are derived from crude oil that formed in the ancient oceans. This oil mostly originated from the compression and heating of marine plant material and cyanobacteria that perished long ago and settled on the ocean floor.
4. The Ancient Oceans Gave Us Sidewalks
In today's world, concrete is everywhere. We walk along concrete sidewalks, work in concrete and stone buildings, and enhance our homes with thousands of concrete blocks each year. Concrete is made by mixing cement, water, and gravel.
Cement itself is primarily made from limestone, a sedimentary rock typically formed (though not always) in the calm waters of the ocean. Therefore, the concrete jungle we live in owes a part of its existence to the oceans that were present millions of years ago.
3. The Ancient Oceans Played a Key Role in Protecting Us
Much like how the ancient seas facilitated interaction between different cultures and civilizations, they also provided protection during times of trouble. For much of our history, crossing vast oceans—sometimes spanning thousands of miles—was no easy feat. This helped foster the early development and rise of many cultures that are now considered global powerhouses, such as the United States, Japan, and Europe.
2. The Ancient Oceans Played a Crucial Role in Uniting Us
As human civilization began to flourish, the ancient oceans offered a means for people from different tribes, regions, and nations to communicate and travel between each other. For a long period, sea travel was one of the safest and most dependable forms of transportation.
The ancient oceans served as a vital pathway for the ancient Egyptians to engage with the Greeks, enabled Europeans to explore and eventually colonize the Americas and parts of Africa, and offered nations a means to forge stronger alliances through seafaring routes.
1. The Ancient Oceans Played a Key Role in Helping Us Cultivate Plants
Around billion years ago, plants like those we are familiar with today were non-existent. However, cyanobacteria, equipped with chlorophyll and a grand vision of world domination, did exist.
By interacting with the aquatic environment, these cyanobacteria not only began releasing oxygen for animals to breathe, but also aided in converting stable nitrogen from the air into nitrates and ammonia in the soil. Some of these cyanobacteria evolved into plants that utilized the nitrates, ammonia, and other minerals in the soil to eventually become the plants we know today.
