Oceanic pollution

  1. Oceanic pollution refers to the contamination of the ocean environment due to human and natural activities.
  2. The major sources of oceanic pollution include industrial waste, agricultural runoff, oil spills, and plastic debris.
  3. Plastic pollution is a significant concern, with millions of tons of plastic entering oceans annually, forming large gyres like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
  4. Pollution from agricultural runoff introduces

Marine resources

  1. Marine resources refer to the materials and energy obtained from the ocean that support human life and economic activities.
  2. They are classified into biotic resources, such as fish and seaweed, and abiotic resources, like minerals and oil.
  3. The ocean is a major source of protein, with fisheries providing food for billions of people worldwide.
  4. Fish are the most significant biotic marine resource, with species like tuna, cod, and sardines being widely harvested.
  5. Aqua

Tides and waves

  1. Tides are the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun, along with Earth's rotation.
  2. The Moon plays a more significant role in causing tides than the Sun due to its proximity to Earth.
  3. High tide occurs when the water level rises to its highest point.
  4. Low tide occurs when the water level falls to its lowest point.
  5. The interval between two high tides or two low tides is approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes

Ocean currents

  1. Ocean currents are large-scale movements of water within the world's oceans, driven by various forces.
  2. They play a critical role in regulating climate and distributing heat across the planet.
  3. Ocean currents are broadly categorized into surface currents and deep-water currents.
  4. Surface currents are primarily driven by wind and cover the upper layer of the ocean.
  5. Deep-water currents, also known as thermohaline circulation, are driven by differences in wate

Climate change

  1. Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the Earth’s climate patterns.
  2. It is driven by both natural factors and human activities.
  3. Key natural factors include volcanic eruptions, variations in solar radiation, and changes in Earth’s orbit.
  4. Human-induced climate change is primarily caused by the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
  5. Burning of fossil fuels, de

Clouds and precipitation

  1. Clouds are visible masses of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.
  2. They form when air rises, cools, and reaches its dew point, leading to condensation.
  3. Condensation nuclei, such as dust and pollen, are essential for cloud formation.
  4. Clouds are classified based on their appearance, altitude, and formation process.
  5. The primary cloud types are cirrus, cumulus, stratus, and nimbus.

Pressure belts and winds

  1. The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into distinct pressure belts due to uneven heating of its surface.
  2. There are seven pressure belts around the Earth: Equatorial low, Subtropical highs (two), Subpolar lows (two), and Polar highs (two).
  3. The Equatorial low-pressure belt, or the doldrums, lies around the equator (0°-5° latitude).
  4. This region experiences intense solar heating, causing air to rise and creating low pressure.
  5. The Subtropical high-pressure belts are located aroun

Weather and climate

  1. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions of a specific place at a specific time.
  2. Climate is the average weather pattern of a region over a long period, typically 30 years or more.
  3. Weather elements include temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and atmospheric pressure.
  4. Climate factors include latitude, altitude, proximity to water bodies, and ocean currents.
  5. Weather is highly variable and can change within hours or days.
  6. Climate

Atmosphere

  1. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases surrounding the Earth, essential for sustaining life.
  2. It consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases, including argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.
  3. The atmosphere is divided into five layers based on temperature variations.
  4. Troposphere: The lowest layer, where most weather phenomena occur and life exists.
  5. The average height of the troposphere is about 12 km, but it va

Major geomorphic features

  1. Geomorphic features are landforms created by internal and external forces shaping the Earth's surface.
  2. These features are classified into primary (endogenic) and secondary (exogenic) landforms.
  3. Primary landforms are formed by tectonic activities like mountain building, volcanism, and faulting.
  4. Mountains: Elevated landforms created by tectonic forces, classified as fold, block, volcanic, or residual mountains.
  5. Fold mountains: Formed by compressional force