As
long as we have been on earth, we have used the sea around us. We take from the
ocean, and we give to it. We take fishes from the ocean -
millions of kilograms of fish, every year, to feed millions of people.
(46) We take minerals from the ocean. One way to get salt is
to place seawater in a shallow basin and leave it until it evaporates.
(47) Much gold and silver drift dissolved in the waters of
the sea, too. But the sea does not give them up by simple evaporation. Other
gifts from the sea are pearls, sponges and seaweed. Pearls become jewelry.
(48) Seaweed becomes food of many kinds - even candy, and
ice cream - as well as medicine. Believe it or not, fresh water is another gift
from the sea. We cannot drink ocean water. (49) But ocean
water becomes fresh water when the salts are removed. In the future, we will
find ourselves depending more and more on fresh water from the sea.
The sea gives us food, fertilizer, minerals, water, and other gifts. What
do we give the sea Garbage. (50) Huge as it is, the ocean
cannot hold all the water that we pour into it. Dumping garbage into the ocean
is killing off sea life. Yet as the world population grows, we may need the sea
and its gifts more than ever. We are finally learning that if we
destroy our seas, we might also destroy ourselves. Hopefully, it is not too
late. A Natural sponges become cleaning aids. B
We pollute the ocean when we use it as a garbage dump. C The
area of the sea is becoming smaller and smaller. D Along with
salt, other minerals are left after evaporation. E We even use
their bones for fertilizer. F Some of its contents may cause
illness.