We learn at the beginning of our education life that the oceans make up almost three quarters of our world. Of course, they do not just occupy a place in this huge area they occupy in our world. The vast majority of the world’s oxygen—about 80 percent—is produced by algae in the oceans. The remaining 20 percent is produced by the plants we see around. This huge amount of oxygen produced under water provides a habitat for many living things.
In addition to providing oxygen, the oceans are also very important for trade. Because it would not be wrong if we say that the trade carried out on large cargo ships is almost the heart of the general trade in the world. But what if these oceans were made up of oil instead of water?
First off: Would the oceans burn right away?
The liquid state of petroleum does not burn by itself. It turns into a vapor and mixes with the air, thus becoming a flammable gas. When it burns, it also releases toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide into the environment. In other words, if our oceans were made up of oil, the oil vapor would have to reach the lowest temperature at which it would ignite, that is, its flash point, in order for it to burn. So what would be the odds of that happening?
What is gasoline’s flash point?
Petrol is a substance with a very low flash point. Only -40 degrees (Celsius) temperature is sufficient to produce steam. If we consider that the average temperature of our world is 15 or 16 degrees, we can foresee that we will be surrounded by oceans that are constantly evaporating.
As they have become combustible, oceans of gigantic flames now stand before our eyes. Of course, the burning part is just their surface. Inside, it’s already too late.
The price of fish has gone up because there is no fish anymore: Everything from the fish that comes to our tables to the algae that produces oxygen is gone when the ocean turns to oil
You now have a condition such as asthma Even if you don’t, you will experience breathing difficulties. We have bad news for seafood lovers: All sea life has been swept away from the world! No more dishes like fish, octopus, lobster. The underwater life cycle has been completely erased.
So if we no longer have our biggest source of oxygen, what are we breathing?
The blazing ocean surface fills the whole world with toxic gas: In this case, our only problem is not shortness of breath
In the situation where our oxygen is almost non-existent, we have toxic chemicals exists. When we breathe these, the situation starts with shortness of breath and goes without difficulty until a serious amount of tissue loss. Especially if you live on the coast, you have already passed away due to inhaling a large amount of toxic gas.
Due to this poisoning, hallucinations and attacks have also increased worldwide. Well, normally trade was done by large cargo ships. What happened to trade now that our oceans are on fire?
We even said goodbye to maritime trade, because the ships we keep in water are now on the sea floor (No, not because they burn)
Liquids have a certain density. At this point, since water is a denser substance than oil, our ships, which were produced according to the density of water, could not stand on the oil. Now they lie unusable on the ocean floor.
Trade came to a standstill as the ships could not go anywhere. For this reason, the price of even the daily necessities you want to buy has almost skyrocketed. You can add clothes to this, as well as technological devices. In fact, market products that we are currently complaining about will be sold at much higher prices. Of course, the price of oil will hit the bottom, but it doesn’t matter under these conditions.
Drinking water has also become even more valuable:
Any water source connected to the ocean is now considered polluted. This will both harm natural life and make it difficult for us to find drinking water. Since there will be no life without water, drinking water production will have to be provided in certain special places.
At this point you might be counting on the rain. But now we are alone with acid rain because of the poisonous gases that surround the planet. This will cause the plants to die before they have time to recover. As if the scarcity of drinking water is not enough, we will also have difficulty in finding food. Unless something extraordinary happens, the situation will only get worse. We will see climate change in its darkest side.
Now let’s get out of our simulation:
As you can see, the oceans are very valuable for the continuation of life on our planet. These giant bodies of water that sustain maritime trade and underwater life will not be made of oil when you wake up tomorrow. However, we advise you to appreciate it before it’s too late and while you’re at it, and not to pollute them.
Of course, this doesn’t just apply to the oceans. Pollution of any place, whether it is the sea, the forest or the middle of the city, causes damage to the ecosystem of that place.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4