Bronte Wells
Oceans are one of the most valuable natural resources on Earth, governing the weather, cleaning the air, helping feed the world, and providing a living for millions. However, human activities have been bombarding them with pollution, from dangerous carbon emissions to choking plastic, leaking oil, and constant noise. The majority of pollutants that make their way into the ocean come from human activities along coastlines and far inland. Eighty percent of marine litter originates on land and is carried to the ocean by wind or washed into the ocean via runoff, storm drains, and sewers. One of the biggest sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which comes from small sources like individual cars, boats, farms, and construction sites. Point source pollution, on the other hand, comes from a single source, such as an oil or chemical spill, and while it occurs less often, it can have a large impact. With each passing year, the ocean absorbs more pollutants, and the health of our seas is degrading at an alarming rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine debris | Plastic, derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, microplastics |
| Plastic pollution | Single-use plastic bags, water bottles, drinking straws, yogurt containers |
| Oil spills | 12% of oil in oceans comes from spills, the rest from runoff |
| Noise pollution | Constant noise, ship engines, sonar, seismic airguns |
| Chemical pollution | Mercury, raw sewage, stormwater runoff, agricultural runoff |
| Carbon emissions | Oceans absorb 25% of man-made carbon emissions, causing acidification |
| Nonpoint source pollution | Vehicles, farms, timber harvest areas, septic tanks, livestock ranches |
| Point source pollution | Oil spills, chemical spills, faulty factories, water treatment systems |
| Sewage | Banned in the USA, but still contributes to ocean pollution |
| Atmospheric pollution | Single-use plastics, styrofoam containers, littering |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The majority of plastic pollution in the oceans originates from land-based sources, with an estimated 80% of marine litter travelling from inland locations to the sea via storm drains, sewers, and runoff from farms, vehicles, and other sources. This runoff carries a range of pollutants, including oil, chemicals, and raw sewage, into the ocean. Ocean-based sources, such as discharges from ships and discarded fishing gear, contribute to the remaining 20% of plastic pollution in the oceans.
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, are a significant component of marine plastic pollution. These microscopic fragments come from sources such as vehicle tires, textiles, and liquid soaps, and can remain suspended in the water column from the surface to the seafloor. Due to their small size, they are often ingested by marine organisms, including fish, turtles, seabirds, and whales. Once ingested, microplastics can cause fatal blockages, leading to starvation and death. Larger plastic items can also entangle marine life, impacting their movement and feeding abilities.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate harm to marine creatures. Plastics in the ocean can accumulate pollutants, including heavy metals and other contaminants, and transport them through ocean currents. These pollutants are then ingested by marine life, accumulating in the food chain and eventually reaching humans.
Addressing plastic pollution requires a global effort, with individuals, communities, and governments working together to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic materials. While some progress has been made, such as bans on plastic bags and straws, systemic change is needed to significantly reduce the inflow of plastic into our oceans.
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Oil spills
In the event of an oil spill, specialists and veterinarians are deployed to deal with oiled wildlife. These experts are trained to clean oil from affected animals, rehabilitate them, and release them back into their natural habitats.
To address the issue of oil spills, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was established, holding responsible parties accountable for the cleanup and restoration of affected areas. This process, known as Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), involves federal, state, and tribal agencies working together to select restoration projects and recover funds from the responsible parties.
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Nonpoint source pollution
NPS pollution is challenging to control because it originates from multiple locations, including septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. The pollutants in NPS pollution can have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife. For example, NPS pollution can lead to the ingestion of microplastics by fish and other species, which can accumulate in their bodies and make them harmful for humans to consume.
The impact of NPS pollution on coastal communities can be significant. It can affect the beauty and health of coastal lands and waters, reducing their appeal to tourists and impacting the local economy. With increased population densities in coastal regions, the stress on the environment from NPS pollution is amplified. As a result, scientists are focusing on understanding and controlling NPS pollution to protect the quality of the environment.
To address NPS pollution, organisations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have developed programs to create nonpoint source pollution control plans for participating coastal states. These plans aim to identify the exact causes of NPS pollution and find effective solutions. Additionally, educational resources and initiatives are available to raise awareness about NPS pollution and promote actions that individuals can take to prevent it, regardless of their location.
In conclusion, nonpoint source pollution is a significant contributor to ocean pollution, impacting the environment, economies, and social conditions of coastal communities. With its multiple sources and far-reaching consequences, addressing NPS pollution is crucial for maintaining the health and sustainability of our oceans and the life they support.
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Atmospheric pollution
In addition to carbon emissions, atmospheric pollution from land-based sources, such as farms, manufacturing plants, and construction sites, releases nitrogen and phosphorus into the atmosphere. These nutrients can be washed into the ocean through rainfall or runoff, promoting the growth of algal blooms. While algal blooms can be toxic to wildlife and harmful to humans, their negative impact on health and the environment also hurts local fishing and tourism industries.
Atmospheric fallout from land-based activities also contributes to the presence of toxic chemicals in the ocean. These chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and industrial discharge, can become concentrated in the marine food chain, impacting human health. Additionally, littering and poor waste management result in the atmospheric transport of trash, such as single-use plastics and styrofoam containers, into the ocean. These materials can take hundreds of years to biodegrade and have severe ecological and economic consequences.
Furthermore, vessels and ships are major contributors to atmospheric pollution that affects the ocean. The exhaust gases emitted by ships contain pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which can be released into the air and subsequently deposited into the ocean. Crude oil spills from ships can also have long-lasting effects on the marine environment, as crude oil can persist in the ocean for years and is challenging to clean up.
Overall, atmospheric pollution from land-based and marine sources plays a significant role in the degradation of ocean health. The combination of carbon emissions, nutrient pollution, toxic chemicals, and trash being deposited into the ocean through atmospheric means underscores the urgent need for global action to address these issues and mitigate their impacts on marine ecosystems.
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Ocean acidification
Oceans cover more than 70% of our planet and are among the earth's most valuable natural resources. They govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions. They are also home to most of the life on earth, from microscopic algae to the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet.
However, human activities are bombarding the oceans with pollution. The majority of pollutants that make their way into the ocean come from human activities along the coastlines and far inland. One of the biggest sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from sources like septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and timber harvest areas. Another major source of pollution is point source pollution, which comes from a single source, such as an oil or chemical spill, or faulty factories or water treatment systems.
One of the most significant ways in which human activities are polluting the oceans is through ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is the process by which seawater becomes more acidic due to the excess carbon dioxide (CO2) it absorbs from the atmosphere. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of burning fossil fuels and other human activities such as deforestation, which release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
When CO2 dissolves into seawater, it triggers a chemical reaction that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions, making the water more acidic. This increase in acidity reduces the availability of carbonate, an essential building block for shellfish and corals to create their protective shells and skeletons. As the acidity continues to rise, shells and skeletons may even begin to dissolve. This has already been observed in some marine species, particularly those that make hard shells and skeletons by combining calcium and carbonate from seawater, such as oysters and corals.
The impacts of ocean acidification are expected to be dramatic and mostly negative, affecting marine ecosystems and the coastal economies that depend on them. For example, the U.S. shellfish industry, which plays a significant role in coastal economies, is projected to lose more than $400 million annually by 2100 due to the impacts of ocean acidification. Additionally, coral reefs, which provide shelter for 25% of marine species, are also suffering the consequences, with Australia's Great Barrier Reef showing a 14% decline in calcification since 1990.
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Frequently asked questions
Ocean pollution is mainly caused by human activities, with 80% of marine pollution originating on land. One of the biggest sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from sources like septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and factories. Another major contributor is plastic pollution, with an estimated 8-12 million metric tons of plastic entering our oceans each year. Other causes include oil spills, sewage, and agricultural runoff.
Ocean pollution has detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems. Plastic pollution, for example, can entangle and injure fish and other animals, who may also mistake plastic for food. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, have been ingested by various marine species, from small organisms to large predators. These plastics contain chemicals that can be absorbed into the tissues of organisms, affecting their health and behaviour. Additionally, when nitrogen and phosphorus levels in seawater increase due to pollution, it can lead to oxygen depletion, creating "dead zones" where marine life suffocates and dies.
Ocean pollution does not just affect marine life; it also has significant impacts on humans. Pollutants in the ocean can make their way up the food chain, with toxins accumulating in seafood that humans consume. This can lead to long-term health issues, including cancer and birth defects. Additionally, the degradation of ocean health can have economic consequences, particularly for coastal communities that depend on marine ecosystems, such as the shellfish industry.
