Marine mineral resources / Морские минеральные ресурсы

During the past century, scientists, world statesmen, and international entrepreneurs have become increasingly aware of the potential of the oceans as a source for minerals. This book provides an authoritative picture of the currentstate of marine mineral extraction. A major work of reference, it will be essential reading both for those engaged in maritime studies and for professional organizations involved in the extraction of underwater minerals.
Professor Earney gives an overview of our marine mineral endowment, and he details how this is being exploited. He examines present and future prospects of ocean mining, especially for the hard minerals, and considers programmes directed at expanding our ability to exploit the ocean’s mineral wealth. He also identifies the economic, political, and technological problems which now hinder or may even prevent ocean mining, and examines in detail contemporary political problems concerning Law of the Sea negotiations and the resulting United Nations Convention. He reviews our present knowledge of deep seabed minerals and their exploitability, looking in particular at the continental shelves and including analyses of petroleum resources and the important but often overlooked placers, construction aggregates, industrial materials, and sea-water minerals.
The book is comprehensive in its coverage of most marine minerals now produced or those that may be produced in future. Much of the information is based on primary sources, such as letters, personal interviews, and field observations, and is unavailable elsewhere. Marine Mineral Resources will do much to increase awareness of the ocean’s significance and to demonstrate the complexities we face in using its resources. It will encourage those in industry and government agencies to improve ocean resource management and enhance our sense of responsibility for the ocean’s present and potential resources. <...>