Kiera Jefferson
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to the ocean, marine life, food safety, human health, and coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change. It comes in many forms, including chemicals, trash, sewage, fertilizers, plastics, and noise from shipping and drilling. The majority of marine pollution, about 80%, originates from land-based activities and human activities along coastlines and far inland. This includes runoff from nonpoint sources such as septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and livestock ranches, as well as littering, poor waste management, and stormwater discharge. Oil spills and industrial discharge are also significant contributors to ocean pollution. To address this global issue, countries are taking action, with more than sixty enacting regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine debris | Plastic, fishing gear, abandoned vessels, detergent bottles, crates, buoys, combs, water bottles, etc. |
| Plastic pollution | Plastic bags, bottles, food containers, cutlery, wrappers, synthetic rope, fishing items, microfibers, etc. |
| Microplastics | Primary (nurdles, cosmetic microbeads) and secondary (from vehicle tires and synthetic clothing) |
| Nonpoint source pollution | Septic tanks, vehicles, farms, ranches, timber harvest areas, etc. |
| Point source pollution | Oil spills, chemical spills, faulty factories, damaged water treatment systems, etc. |
| Chemical contamination | Nutrient pollution (nitrogen, phosphorus), fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, industrial chemicals, etc. |
| Noise pollution | Shipping, military activity |
| Other | Dirt, silt, oil, light pollution, etc. |
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Nonpoint source pollution
Some water pollution that ends up in the ocean actually starts as air pollution, which settles into waterways and oceans. Air pollution can include greenhouse emissions, which cause ocean acidification, making it harder for bivalves like mussels, clams, and oysters to form shells. Noise pollution from shipping and military activity can also cause cellular damage to invertebrates like jellyfish and anemones, which are a vital food source for larger creatures.
The impact of nonpoint source pollution on coastal communities can be severe. It can affect the beauty and health of coastal lands and waters, making them less appealing to tourists and driving down property values. It can also impact the commercial fishing industry and threaten the overall quality of life in these communities.
Correcting the harmful effects of nonpoint source pollution is costly, requiring millions of dollars to be spent on restoration and protection efforts. Agencies like NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency work together to monitor, assess, and limit nonpoint source pollution through various programs and initiatives. These include creating special nonpoint source pollution control plans for coastal states and helping to track down the exact causes of pollution and find solutions.
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Marine debris
Land-based marine debris originates from human activities on land, such as littering, poor waste management practices, and stormwater discharge. It is primarily composed of plastic items such as shopping bags, beverage bottles, food wrappers, and microplastics, which are smaller than 5 mm in size. These plastics can find their way into oceans and waterways through runoff, storm winds, and natural events like tsunamis and hurricanes. Once in the ocean, plastics tend to collect in large "patches" in ocean gyres, with the Pacific Garbage Patch being a notable example.
Ocean-based marine debris includes trash, fishing gear, and other items lost from vessels or platforms at sea. This type of debris can continue to capture and harm wildlife, damage habitats, and interfere with navigation safety. Derelict fishing gear, for instance, can entangle marine life, damage sensitive habitats, and compete with active fishing operations.
Disaster debris refers to the large amounts of marine debris created by storms, natural disasters, or accidents at sea. This can include abandoned vessels or pieces of buildings. Major marine debris events caused by hurricanes and typhoons have brought international attention to the issue.
The impact of marine debris extends beyond the oceans, as plastics and microplastics have been found in high densities in the Great Lakes and even in the seafood we consume. Research has shown that plastic ingestion by wildlife can lead to internal injuries, intestinal blockage, starvation, and death. Additionally, marine debris can damage habitats, degrade the quality of life in coastal communities, and threaten human health and safety.
Addressing the issue of marine debris requires a coordinated global effort involving various stakeholders, including governments, industries, and educational institutions. The NOAA Marine Debris Program, for instance, funds projects that remove and prevent marine debris, aiming to turn off the "faucet" of this pollution problem. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, both prevention and cleanup are crucial in mitigating the pervasive impacts of marine debris.
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Oil spills
To address oil spills, various countermeasures can be employed, including removal through filtering, skimming, in situ combustion, or containment. The cleanup and removal of oil spills are based on interrelated factors such as health risks, ecological protection, and socioeconomic considerations. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the cleanup and restoration costs.
Scientists and emergency responders use a range of technologies to track oil spills, predict their impacts, and contain the damage. Satellite images and computer models, such as NOAA's GNOME (General NOAA Operational Modeling Environment), are used to track the movement and spread of oil on water. Other tools like CAFE (Chemical Aquatic Fate and Effects) and ADIOS (Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills) help assess potential harm to aquatic life and understand how oil degrades in the marine environment. ESI (Environmental Sensitivity Index) maps are also crucial for identifying vulnerable locations, establishing protection priorities, and planning cleanup strategies.
Overall, oil spills are a significant contributor to ocean pollution, with detrimental ecological, economic, and social impacts. Addressing oil spills requires a combination of preventive measures, cleanup technologies, and legal frameworks to hold responsible parties accountable.
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Microplastics
Once microplastics enter the ocean, they can cause a lot of problems. They are often mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to disastrous consequences for their health. Microplastics can attract and carry pollutants in the water, as well as release chemicals that were added to make the original plastic products. These chemicals have been linked to harmful health effects, including various cancers and immune disorders.
Research has found microplastics in 100% of water samples and marine organisms collected from the Tropical Eastern Pacific and the Galápagos archipelago. Microplastics have also been detected in drinking water, salt, beer, and soil, leading to inevitable human exposure.
To curb microplastic pollution, it is important to understand its sources, transportation, degradation, and possible solutions. Reducing the use of single-use plastics and properly disposing of plastic items can help decrease the amount of plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean.
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Chemical runoff
Nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff, is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the ocean. This type of pollution includes many small sources, such as septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, and other vehicles, as well as larger sources, such as farms, ranches, and forest areas. Millions of motor vehicle engines drip small amounts of oil and other chemicals onto roads and parking lots every day, which eventually find their way into the ocean.
Inorganic fertilizers can also contribute to ocean pollution. In the 1990s, following the fall of the Soviet Union, the price of chemical fertilizer in Russia spiked, and many Russians could no longer afford it. As a result, a dead zone in the Black Sea disappeared. While reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers is a challenging task that requires global cooperation, individuals can play a role in mitigating this issue by reducing their consumption of meat and dairy products, which would decrease the demand for corn and other feed crops that require large amounts of fertilizer.
Another source of chemical runoff is livestock ranches. When animal waste enters waterways, it can contaminate them with harmful bacteria and nutrients, leading to the overgrowth of algae and the creation of dead zones. Additionally, runoff from roads and highways can carry oil, grease, and other chemicals into the ocean. This type of runoff is a significant contributor to ocean pollution, often carrying two to three times more oil into the sea than oil spills.
While it is challenging to completely eliminate chemical runoff, there are measures that can be taken to mitigate its impact. For example, individuals can advocate for better waste management practices, support the creation and restoration of wetlands, and pressure local governments to implement more efficient flood control practices. By taking small steps, we can collectively make a significant difference in reducing the impact of chemical runoff on our oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
Scientists have identified that most ocean pollution comes from land-based sources.
The top six ocean pollutants are plastic, nutrients from fertilizer runoff, nonpoint sources, light, noise, and industrial chemicals.
Nonpoint source pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, vehicles, boats, farms, ranches, and timber harvest areas.
Plastic leaks into the ocean from thousands of sources worldwide every day due to increasing consumption and improper waste management.
Ocean pollution is harmful to everything involved. It kills precious ecosystems, threatens wildlife, and has been proven to affect human health.
