Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 13 : Coastal zone and anthropogenic activities

13.3.Characteristics of Coastal Zone
The coastal zone is a complex, highly productive environment and the health of one ecosystem is intimately tied to the health of the other ecosystems in the area, and often to areas some distance away.
Coastal land and ocean systems are interdependent like the stones in the bridge. Bridge is strong because elements are linked and mutually supporting.
If you damage one or more ecosystems, you are weakening the carrying capacity of the coast and coastal seas.
Extreme damage can severely reduce capacity of coastal systems to sustain human needs.
Competition for space and resources
Hub of economic activity
Place of hectic human activity

Importance of the coastal zone

• Unique area situated at the boundary of two major environments of the Earth:- the Land and the Ocean
• Area of numerous biological, chemical and physical interactions and ever-changing with time
• Majority of the World’s population lives near the coasts 25% of Indian population will live in the coastal areas in this century.

Unique and Valuable

• Encompasses 18% of land space
• Covers approximately 8% of ocean area
• Accounts for 25% of total global primary production
• Contributes 90% of marine fish production
• About 60% of population lives within coastal zone
• 2/3 of world’s largest cities are located on the coast
• Burris and mineralizes 80-90% of organic matter
• Vital breeding and nursery ground for most marine fishes
• Acts as protective barrier and filter for sediments and pollutants
• Protects from natural hazards