What is Marine Geoscience?
The range of topics covered by marine geoscience is as diverse as seafloor hydrothermal systems, tectonics and volcanic arcs, beach dynamics, early diagenesis, microbiological studies in sediments, ocean chemistry and circulation, palaeoclimate (studying the climate of the past) studies, climate models and geophysical studies of the seabed.
Many factors influence the ocean and the ocean plays an important part in many aspects of the Earths history. Therefore in order to study the present, past and also the future, marine geologists are required to be multidisciplinary with a basic understanding of all the influences including physical oceanography and marine biology.
Why is it important for Australia?
The Australian continent covers about 7.7 million square kilometres. The Australian marine jurisdiction, as determined by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), however is vast. The present Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which stretches 200 nautical miles around Australia's coast gives jurisdiction over 10 million square kilometres. However the UNCLOS agreement gives countries jurisdiction over the legal extended continental shelf. Under the complex guidelines of what defines the legal extended continental shelf this may add up to 3.5 million square kilometres to Australia's marine jurisdiction. This gives Australia almost twice as much marine territory as land. To find out more see the Geoscience Australia website on the Law of the Sea.
Oceans Resources
The oceans contain a wealth of resources, from fisheries to minerals, but these are limited. It is therefore, important for governments to understand their oceanic territories in order to sustain and manage these resources in the countries best interest.
Oceans and Climate
The oceans also play a critical role in climate. The oceans modulate the climate on the continent e.g. the reduced rainfall on the east coast of Australia during an El Nino event. Some of the excess atmospheric carbon dioxide, caused by the burning of fossil fuels is absorbed in the surface waters of the Southern Ocean.
Oceans and Marine Life
Marine reserves have been formed around Australia to protect marine life providing fish nurseries and protecting marine wildlife and habitats. The largest of these is the Great Barrier Reef. As a result this is one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Preserving the Great Barrier Reef is not only important to maintain biodiversity (a large range of organisms) but it also is vital for Queensland's economy bringing in many dollars in tourist revenues.
Oceans and the Coast
The majority of Australia's population live along the coast. This has put considerable pressure on the coastal environment. Estuaries and lagoons have suffered from human influences such as sewage and fertilisers. Coastal erosion and transport of sands by waves and currents has affected properties and fishing harbours. An understanding of the processes causing these changes will hopefully provide better ideas of how to eliminate or remediate these problems in the future.
Oceans and Hazards
After the recent tsunami we are also aware of the marine hazards for our coastal communities that need to be monitored and warning systems emplaced. Several areas around Australia are in high-risk locations for events like tsunamis e.g. the northwest shelf and the areas adjacent to the Australia's northern plate boundary with Papua New Guinea, Timor and Indonesia. Australia should also be taking a leading role in the Australasian region to provide marine geohazard information to our neighbouring Asian countries.
Knowledge and Education
Australia is also in the prime location to be studying some of the most understudied ocean regions of the world. Regions like the Southern Ocean that may hold the key to some of the great mysteries of the ocean circulation and climate change. There are still many new volcanoes, plate boundaries and other discoveries to be uncovered in our back yard of the south Pacific. There are many areas around Australian territory in Antarctica, Kerguelen Island and the south Pacific that have not been explored and described.
