In addition to oil and gas reserves, the seafloor harbours two further marine raw materials that are currently arousing interest in politics and the economy: marine gas hydrates and ores. The formation of these natural resources is the result of movement of sea water by the oceanic crust and its interaction with igneous and sedimentary rock formations.

Pressure and temperature gradients and the nature of the ground are responsible for water movement under water as well as on land. In the oceans, these conditions are fulfilled on the continental shelves. The continental shelves and oceanic plates meet in these tectonically active areas. The "Earth's motor", that moves these tectonic plates, is cooled by water – ocean water penetrates into the ground, is enriched with minerals from the rocks, becoming a solution, and escapes in a different location. Due to geochemical and physical changes (pressure and temperature) during the water's rise to the surface, these minerals are washed out and deposited close to the seafloor.
Ores are characterized by high copper and zinc contents and can also contain high contents of gold, silver and other trace metals, all of which makes them of interest for use as raw materials. In contrast, gas hydrates are regarded as a potential important future source of energy.

Contact

---

• Prof. Lars Rüpke

  Institution:

  Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR)

  Phone:

  +49 431 600-2845

  E-mail:

  lruepke@ifm-geomar.de

• Prof. Colin Devey

  Institution:

  Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR)

  Phone:

  +49 431 600-2257

  E-mail:

  cdevey@ifm-geomar.de

• Prof. Kaj Hoernle

  Institution:

  Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR)

  Phone:

  +49 431 600-2642

  E-mail:

  khoernle@ifm-geomar.de