Protecting Our Oceans: Human Actions To Reduce Pollution

Humans have a significant impact on the ocean, and it is important to be aware of the negative consequences of human activity on the ocean. Some of the negative impacts of human activity on the ocean include:

- Drilling and mining

- Climate change and ocean warming

- Chemical spills

- Oil spills

- Underwater noise from construction and shipping

- Plastic pollution

- Overfishing

- Urbanisation and tarmac contributing to harmful chemicals entering the ocean

- Eutrophication of the ocean

- Deep sea mining

However, it is not too late to turn things around. Some of the ways in which humans can positively impact the ocean include:

- Banning single-use plastics

- Embracing the circular economy

- Protecting marine habitats

- Banning ocean dumping

- Educating children about the ocean and the environment

Ban single-use plastic and improve plastic waste management

Ban single-use plastic

The Biden-Harris Administration has released a strategy to tackle plastic pollution, which includes reducing single-use plastics in federal operations. The strategy acknowledges the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and the scale of the response required to effectively address it. The strategy outlines key principles for reducing plastic pollution, including assessing and reducing pollution from plastic production, innovating materials and product design, and decreasing plastic waste generation.

The European Union (EU) has also implemented rules to reduce the volume and impact of single-use plastic products on the environment. The EU's Directive on single-use plastics aims to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, particularly the marine environment, and on human health. The EU rules focus on different measures for different products, including banning certain single-use plastic items from being placed on the market, introducing design requirements, and labelling requirements.

The Department of the Interior in the US has taken steps to phase out single-use plastic products, which includes working with commercial service partners to reduce sales of single-use plastics and developing procurement plans aimed at eliminating single-use plastics.

Improve plastic waste management

The Biden-Harris Administration's strategy also includes improving environmentally sound waste management, particularly in communities that are already overburdened by pollution. This includes efforts to optimize the collection of plastic, enhance plastic recycling, and other measures to prevent plastic waste from entering the environment.

The EU's Directive on single-use plastics also includes introducing waste management and clean-up obligations for producers, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

Eliminate coal combustion

Coal combustion is a major source of mercury pollution in the ocean. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health issues in humans, such as damage to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and is especially dangerous to children. Mercury is released into the atmosphere when coal is burned, and it can travel long distances before eventually settling in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Mercury from coal combustion is one of the two main sources of mercury pollution in the ocean, the other being small-scale gold mining.

To eliminate coal combustion, several steps can be taken:

• Transition to cleaner energy sources: This involves moving away from coal as an energy source and instead focusing on renewable and cleaner alternatives such as wind, solar, hydropower, and natural gas. This will reduce the amount of mercury released into the atmosphere and, subsequently, the oceans.
• Implement pollution control technologies: Until a complete transition to cleaner energy sources is possible, power plants that burn coal can install and utilize technologies such as scrubbers (flue gas desulfurization equipment) and electrostatic precipitators to reduce mercury emissions. These technologies can remove mercury and other pollutants from the smoke before it leaves the smokestacks.
• Enforce regulations and policies: Governments and regulatory bodies should enforce strict regulations and policies to limit or ban the use of coal. For example, the Clean Air Act in the United States requires industries to reduce pollutants released into the air, including mercury emissions.
• Promote public awareness and education: Educating the public about the dangers of coal combustion and its impact on ocean pollution can help build support for alternative energy sources and put pressure on industries and governments to make changes.
• Invest in research and development: Continued research into cleaner energy technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, can help reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
• International cooperation: Coal combustion and its impact on ocean pollution is a global issue. International cooperation and agreements, such as the Minamata Convention, are crucial to address this problem collectively and ensure a consistent approach across nations.

Ban the use of mercury

Mercury is a highly toxic chemical that poses a threat to both human health and the environment. It is a neurotoxin that negatively impacts human health and ecosystems worldwide. Mercury is released into the atmosphere and water through coal combustion and artisanal/small-scale gold mining, with coal combustion being the primary source of mercury emissions.

To address this issue, several actions can be taken:

• Ban the use of mercury in products and industrial processes: This includes prohibiting the use of mercury in dental amalgam, lamps, and other products. The European Union, for example, has proposed a revision to the Mercury Regulation to prohibit the use of mercury in various products.
• Implement international agreements: The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international agreement that aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury emissions and releases. Joining and enforcing such agreements can help reduce global mercury pollution.
• Reduce coal combustion: As coal combustion is a major source of mercury emissions, transitioning to cleaner energy sources can significantly decrease mercury pollution.
• Improve waste management: Proper treatment and disposal of industrial mercury waste, as well as the implementation of policies, can help minimize mercury pollution.
• Public awareness and education: Educating the public about the dangers of mercury and promoting sustainable alternatives can encourage individuals and businesses to reduce their mercury use.

Monitor chemical pollutants, algal toxins, microplastics, and microbial pathogens in seafood

Monitoring Chemical Pollutants in Seafood

The presence of chemical pollutants in seafood is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention and comprehensive monitoring strategies. Chemical pollutants in seafood can originate from various sources, including industrial and municipal discharges, agricultural practices, and stormwater runoff. These contaminants, such as mercury, PCBs, PBDEs, and chlorinated pesticides, accumulate in the ocean and are ingested by marine organisms, eventually making their way into the food chain. To address this issue, it is crucial to implement regular monitoring programs that involve collecting and analyzing seafood samples from diverse locations. This will help identify the types and levels of chemical pollutants present, enabling the implementation of effective measures to reduce their impact on human health and the environment.

Monitoring Algal Toxins in Seafood

The growth of harmful algal blooms (HABs) has emerged as a significant concern, as these microorganisms release toxins that can have detrimental effects on both human health and marine life. HABs are conglomerations of ocean-borne microorganisms that may be red, blue, pink, or even invisible to the naked eye. When certain species of marine organisms grow uncontrolled, they produce natural toxins, including neurotoxins, which can accumulate in marine fish and shellfish to levels that are dangerous for human consumption. Therefore, monitoring algal toxins in seafood is essential to safeguard public health and mitigate economic losses in the seafood industry. Regular sampling and analysis of seawater and seafood organisms, particularly in areas prone to HABs, can help detect and measure biotoxins. Nuclear techniques, such as radioligand receptor binding assay (RBA), play a crucial role in quantifying toxin levels and understanding their behaviour in the food chain.

Monitoring Microplastics in Seafood

The presence of microplastics in seafood poses a significant threat to human health and the marine environment. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, can be ingested by various marine organisms and enter the food chain. Their small size allows them to pass through biological membranes, potentially leading to physical and chemical toxicity. To address this issue, it is crucial to implement monitoring strategies that involve sampling and analyzing seafood species known to accumulate microplastics. This includes analyzing the digestive tracts of organisms and using advanced techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect and quantify microplastics. Additionally, it is essential to study the distribution of microplastics in the water column and their transport by ocean currents to understand their sources and develop effective mitigation measures.

Monitoring Microbial Pathogens in Seafood

The presence of microbial pathogens in seafood poses a significant risk to human health, and their monitoring is essential to ensure food safety. Seafood-borne pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause various illnesses, ranging from mild gastrointestinal issues to severe neurological symptoms and even death. To effectively monitor microbial pathogens, a combination of traditional microbiological methods and advanced molecular techniques is employed. Sampling and isolation of pathogens from seafood products, followed by identification and quantification, are crucial steps. Additionally, the implementation of risk assessment frameworks and the establishment of microbiological criteria for specific pathogens in seafood help ensure that safe levels are not exceeded. Continuous surveillance and adherence to good hygienic practices and manufacturing processes are vital to minimize the presence of microbial pathogens in seafood.

Develop monitoring capabilities to detect toxic chemical pollutants

To help reduce ocean pollution, humans can develop monitoring capabilities to detect toxic chemical pollutants. This is important because pollution of the oceans is a human-caused problem, and it is having grave consequences on human health worldwide.

One way to develop monitoring capabilities is to use chemical sensors. These sensors can detect and provide precise information about a limited group of compounds through chemical analysis. Compared to traditional laboratory-based methods, chemical sensors offer many advantages, including fast in-situ analysis, remote use, no sample preparation, low or no use of solvents, and cost-effectiveness.

Another approach is to use a combination of methods, such as PS/effect-based analysis, followed by chemical analysis for qualitative and quantitative determinations. This can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pollution.

Additionally, the analysis of marine biota (biomonitoring) can be used as a proxy for detecting organic chemicals in seawater. Bivalves, for example, can provide insights into the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of organic pollutants, which cannot be obtained solely through water and sediment analysis.

To further strengthen monitoring capabilities, it is important to assist countries in establishing and certifying monitoring programs for chemical pollutants, algal toxins, microplastics, and microbial pathogens in seafood products. This requires building and sustaining strong transdisciplinary teams of scientists and enhancing analytical capabilities at the national level.

By developing and implementing these monitoring capabilities, humans can play a crucial role in detecting and addressing toxic chemical pollutants, ultimately helping to reduce ocean pollution and safeguard human health.

Frequently asked questions