Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

More than seventy percent of Earthâ??s surface is covered with marine/salty water. World oldest, most revered & holy texts, the Vedas term the Ocean as â??Ratnakarâ?? or the bestower of immense riches. From times immemorial the oceans have been a source of inspiration, awe and adventure for humankind. Modern science for the first time in the nineteen fifties discovered for the first time, potent bioactive, chemical compounds from marine organisms. Ara-C and related nucleotides were the foremost discoveries of cytotoxic metabolites from marine fauna. These secondary metabolites are bio-synthesized in the organisms as a means for offense and/or defense in order to sustain their existence in an otherwise highly hostile marine environment. Umpteen numbers of cytotoxic organic compounds have been isolated from marine organismsâ?? particularly marine fauna. Some of these like the Bryostatins are in final stages of pre-clinical trials and are on the way of becomes potent drug leads in the future. The unfortunate trend of global warming and climate change has dealt a severe blow to the natural habitats, threatening the very existence of most of economically valuable marine organisms which can be a gold mine of priceless chemicals. Most of the Coral reefs have been destroyed, where sponges, soft corals and other organisms take shelter and grow in a conductive environment. We are fast losing several small marine species by each passing day. Same is case with the Indian Ocean which like other warm Oceans is at the receiving end of climate change. The situation is alarming, needing immediate redressal.

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