Kiera Jefferson
Marine pollution, also known as ocean pollution, is a pressing environmental issue that poses a threat to the health of our planet, marine life, and humans. It occurs when a combination of chemicals and trash, such as toxic chemicals, sewage, fertilisers, plastics, and discarded fishing nets, enter the ocean and cause harmful effects. The majority of marine pollution (80%) originates from land-based human activities, including runoff from small sources like cars, boats, farms, and construction sites, as well as deliberate dumping and accidental spills. Marine debris, including microplastics and abandoned fishing gear, accumulates in the ocean, endangering marine life through ingestion or entanglement and interfering with navigation safety. Oil spills, a significant form of marine pollution, have devastating and long-lasting impacts on marine ecosystems, with crude oil ensnaring and suffocating marine animals and polluting coastlines. The presence of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in seawater can also lead to oxygen depletion, creating dead zones where marine life struggles to survive. Addressing marine pollution requires a collective effort to reduce the use of toxic pollutants, cut carbon emissions, and prevent the release of harmful substances into the ocean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine pollution definition | "The introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment … which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life." (UNCLOS, 1982) |
| Percentage of marine pollution from land-based activity | 80% |
| Examples of land-based activity causing marine pollution | Accidental spills, deliberate dumping, untreated effluent, atmospheric fall-out, or the runoff from drains, septic tanks, vehicles, farms, timber harvest areas, livestock ranches, etc. |
| Effects of marine pollution | Harm to marine life, human health, and economic structures worldwide |
| Marine debris | Human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released in seas or the ocean, including microplastics, derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, natural materials like driftwood and drift seeds, etc. |
| Plastic pollution | Discarded fishing nets are the largest single type of plastic pollution in the ocean, affecting at least 267 species, including 86% of marine turtles, 44% of seabirds, and 43% of marine mammals |
| Oil spills | Oil spills can have devastating effects on marine life. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in crude oil, are very difficult to clean up and last for years in the sediment and marine environment. |
| Nutrient pollution | Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in seawater can cause oxygen depletion, leading to "dead zones" where very little marine life can survive. |
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What You'll Learn
Nonpoint source pollution
Examples of nonpoint source pollution include individual cars, boats, farms, construction sites, septic tanks, vehicles, timber harvest areas, and livestock ranches. For instance, after a heavy rainstorm, water flows across a parking lot and picks up oil left by cars. This runoff then empties into a stream, which eventually leads to a river or ocean, carrying pollutants with it. Similarly, rainfall or snowmelt can move over and through the ground, picking up and carrying away natural and human-made pollutants, which are then deposited into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and groundwater.
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Oil spills
The cleanup of oil spills is challenging and can never completely remove all the spilled oil. Scientists must be cautious to avoid causing further harm during the cleanup process. For example, in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, it was observed that the use of high-pressure, hot-water hoses for cleaning beaches caused more damage than the oil alone. As a result, sensitive habitats require special consideration during oil spill cleanup efforts. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the costs of cleanup and restoration.
To address oil spills, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) provides a range of services to assist European coastal states in responding to oil spills from ships and oil and gas installations. EMSA's CleanSeaNet, a satellite-based monitoring service, detects potential oil spills, identifies polluters, and tracks the spread of oil during emergencies.
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Marine debris
To address the issue of marine debris, the NOAA Marine Debris Program positions coordinators around the United States to provide local expertise and guidance, as well as funding projects that prevent and remove marine debris from entering and polluting the ocean. Internationally, laws and policies have also been adopted to reduce marine pollution, with the UN including it in Sustainable Development Goal 14 "Life Below Water".
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Chemical contamination
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to the health of our planet, and chemical contamination is a significant contributor to this problem. Chemical contamination, also known as nutrient pollution, occurs when human activities, such as the use of fertilizers on farms, lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean. This runoff is known as nonpoint source pollution and is responsible for a large proportion of chemical contamination in the ocean. It originates from various sources, including septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas.
The increased concentration of certain chemicals, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, in coastal waters, promotes the growth of algal blooms. These algal blooms, also known as "red tides," can have toxic effects on marine life and, in some cases, even humans. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in seawater also cause oxygen depletion, creating dead zones where marine life struggles to survive. This, in turn, impacts fisheries and tourism.
Another concerning aspect of chemical contamination in marine environments is the persistence of toxic substances. Even chemicals banned decades ago, like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are still found in high concentrations in deep-sea creatures. These chemicals accumulate in marine organisms and become increasingly concentrated as they move up the food chain. As a result, animals higher in the food chain, such as seals, polar bears, and large fish, can have contamination levels in their bodies that are significantly higher than the surrounding water.
Furthermore, personal care products have been identified as a significant source of chemical pollution in the ocean. These products contain cryptic chemicals that have detrimental effects on both human and ocean health. Marine pollution, including chemical contamination, has far-reaching consequences. It not only harms marine life and ecosystems but also poses risks to human health and impacts industries such as fisheries and tourism.
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Land-based activities
Marine pollution from land-based activities poses one of the greatest threats to the health of the world's oceans. Over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based activities, including accidental spills, deliberate dumping, untreated effluent, atmospheric fallout, or the runoff from drains and rivers.
One of the biggest sources of land-based marine pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from farms, ranches, timber harvest areas, septic tanks, vehicles, and factories. This type of pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats, as well as larger sources such as agricultural activities. Nonpoint source pollution can make rivers and oceans unsafe for humans and wildlife, and in some areas, it is so severe that beaches have to be closed after rainstorms.
Another significant contributor to marine pollution from land-based sources is industrial discharge, which can include oils, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. These substances can have harmful effects on marine life and ecosystems, such as coral reefs and mangroves, and can also impact human health and economic activities, such as fisheries and tourism. For example, oil spills, which are a form of point source pollution, can be difficult to clean up and have long-lasting effects on the marine environment.
Plastic pollution is another major issue, with plastic waste from land-based sources accounting for a significant portion of marine debris. Poor waste management practices and littering contribute to the large amounts of plastic and other trash that enter the ocean each year, endangering marine wildlife and damaging habitats.
To address land-based marine pollution, various international agreements and programmes have been established, such as the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) and the Regional Seas Programme. These initiatives aim to foster international cooperation, promote sustainable practices, and implement region-specific strategies to combat pollution from land-based sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine pollution, also known as ocean pollution, is a mixture of chemical contamination and trash in the ocean. It occurs when chemicals and trash are either washed, blown, or intentionally dumped into the ocean.
The majority of marine pollution (80%) comes from human land-based activities. Nonpoint source pollution is the accumulation of pollution from small sources like individual cars, boats, farms, and construction sites. Point source pollution comes from a single source, like an oil or chemical spill, or discharge from faulty factories or water treatment systems. Marine debris, such as plastic, is also a significant source of pollution, with plastic pollution increasing tenfold since 1980.
Marine pollution from land occurs primarily through runoff, when rain or snow carries pollutants from the land into the ocean. This includes oil from vehicles, agricultural chemicals, and industrial waste. Air pollution also contributes to marine pollution, as pollutants like nitrogen and sulfur can be carried into the ocean through the air.
