Resources

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/index.cfm
http://www.noaa.gov/
http://www.flseagrant.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel
http://www.greatmining.com/copper.html
http://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2002/12/56659

Conclusion

With the high demand of oil, I understand why it is important. In today's world, on land and in ocean mining are very competitive. I think that underwater mining is very important and needed. Even though it is a major threat to the atmosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere I believe it's worth it. Oil is something that we need to live off of. Underwater mining can kill off underwater animals, contaminate soil, raise sea temperatures, rise the sea level, cause oil spills and can make humans sick. What we should do is make sure our tools are safe and will not let the oil spill. We should also find a way to clean up the polluted water. If we could find a resource that was better than oil then all of these problems would be obsolete. 

Data

Atmosphere: Pollution's from mining can kill the fish and make the environment unsafe.  

Geosphere: If the pollution's from underwater mining were to go underground, it could contaminate the soil which will destroy the crops. 

Biosphere: The pollution from the mining can kill biosphere organisms and make humans very sick. 

Cryosphere: Underwater mining will increase sea temperature. This will cause ice to melt where the mining is taking place and that will increase the sea level.  

Hydrosphere: Drilling underwater always has the possibility for oil spills. Also the tempature can increase which will not help with global warming. 

Pictures

 Nickel is used to make stainless steel.

 Copper is used to conduct heat and electricity. 

 This is what polluted sea water looks like. 

Background information

Nickle, Coal and cobalt are found in the sea floor of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. By underwater mining we are affecting the hydrosphere. We are also affecting the biosphere when we underwater mine. Underwater mining affects the biosphere because the chemicals in the water moves and pollutes the shore line of beaches.