Thursday, June 26, 2025
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Who hasn't stood on the shore and been mesmerized by the steady rhythm of the sea rising and falling? This is the phenomenon known as the tides, which not only put on a captivating natural show but also play a vital role in human life and marine ecosystems.
By Irene Vilà Capafons
Every day, the tides rise and fall silently and endlessly. This rhythmic motion happens continuously across all the planet’s open oceans and seas. It’s caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, which exert forces on Earth’s waters, setting them in motion. While this hypnotic natural phenomenon might seem harmless, tides can actually carry an incredible amount of power, while also being a fundamental force for both marine life and humans.
In the field of marine biology, tides are a subject of great interest and a key phenomenon, as they deeply influence the lives and behavior of many marine species. These shifts in sea level, known as high tide and low tide, continually reshape coastal ecosystems. During high tide, aquatic habitats expand, providing many species with more favorable conditions for feeding, moving, and reproducing. But when the sea level drops, large areas are exposed, and the ecosystem must adapt to drier conditions and, at times, high temperatures. This ever-changing environment has driven species to develop a range of evolutionary adaptations to survive.
Mussels and oysters, for example, cling tightly to rocks to withstand crashing waves during high tide and avoid drying out during low tide. Salmon take advantage of low tide to swim upstream and find places to lay their eggs, while anemones retract to conserve moisture until the water returns. Likewise, more exotic environments, like mangroves, become important breeding grounds for many marine species. Tides also help circulate oxygen-rich water, which flushes out toxic gases and brings in vital nutrients, turning these areas into natural nurseries for fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
But that's not all. Tides are also a source of clean, renewable energy. Sea dams, which are similar to hydroelectric plants, can generate electricity. When the tide rises, gates open and let water in. As the tide falls, the water is released with great force, driving the turbines. Locations with a significant difference in sea level are ideal for these kinds of plants. Tidal power stations have been operating in places like the United Kingdom and France for years. One example is the La Rance power plant in Brittany, France, which generates enough electricity to supply around 225,000 people.
Another more cost-effective option is tidal current generators, which are underwater turbines that capture the kinetic energy of moving water, similar to wind turbines. The MeyGen project in Scotland, for example, uses these underwater turbines to generate electricity by harnessing the tidal currents in the Pentland Firth. Thanks to the predictable, regular patterns of tides throughout the year, these technologies offer reliable energy production.
Understanding how the oceans work helps us appreciate their vital role and the need to protect and care for them. Tides don’t just mesmerize us with their beauty; they’re also essential for preserving marine biodiversity and supporting many of our activities. Education, cooperation, and responsible practices are crucial to safeguarding coastal areas and fostering a more balanced, respectful relationship with the marine environment.
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