Meghan Hodges
Marine pollution is a pressing environmental issue that poses a serious threat to the health of our planet and its ecosystems. With oceans accounting for 70% of the Earth's surface, billions of pounds of trash and chemical contaminants enter our oceans annually, impacting marine life, human health, and marine ecosystems. To address this, global efforts are being made to reduce marine pollution through initiatives such as the Our Ocean Conference, which focuses on promoting marine protected areas, fostering a sustainable blue economy, tackling the climate crisis, and combating marine pollution. Additionally, individuals can make small changes, such as reducing plastic use, opting for reusable products, and choosing organic fertilizers to minimize their contribution to marine pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reducing the use of single-use plastic products | Opting for reusable bottles, utensils, and straws made from materials like metal, glass, or BPA-free plastic |
| Using organic fertilizers | Choosing organic fertilizers with lower nutrient content and applying them less frequently to reduce runoff into oceans |
| Improving waste management practices | Implementing recycling, landfill management, and diverting reusable and recyclable materials from landfills |
| Addressing nonpoint source pollution | Reducing runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas |
| Preventing point source pollution | Avoiding oil and chemical spills, and ensuring proper functioning of factories and water treatment systems |
| Reducing plastic microbeads | Avoiding products containing polyethylene and polypropylene, commonly found in face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes |
| Education and awareness | Spreading awareness about plastic pollution through documentaries, community engagement, and discussions with Indigenous Leaders and Traditional Knowledge Holders |
| International cooperation | Collaborating through initiatives like the Our Ocean Conference, London Convention, and global antifouling treaties |
| Technological advancements | Developing technologies to address marine pollution, such as in the NOAA's Hollings Marine Lab |
| Governance and policy | Implementing policies and strategies by governments, industries, and consumers to reduce pollution at its sources, vectors, and sinks |
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What You'll Learn
Reducing plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide. It impacts sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs, and countless other marine species and habitats. Scientists estimate that more than half of the world's sea turtles and nearly every seabird on Earth have eaten plastic in their lifetimes. Plastic pollution also mars beaches, coastlines, and snorkelling and diving sites worldwide.
To reduce plastic pollution, individuals can make small changes to their daily routines, such as choosing reusable products over single-use plastic products. For example, opting for reusable bottles, utensils, and straws made from materials like glass, metal, or silicone can help reduce plastic waste. Individuals can also avoid products containing plastic microbeads, often found in face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes, by checking ingredient labels for "polyethylene" and "polypropylene".
On a larger scale, governments, industries, and organizations are working together to address plastic pollution. The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) brings together representatives from various sectors and countries to discuss and commit to actions for a healthy ocean. At the 2023 conference, the EPA pledged $140 million towards improving recycling infrastructure to reduce land-based sources of plastic waste entering the marine environment.
Additionally, organizations like the US EPA provide toolkits and guides to communities and developing countries to improve waste management and address plastic pollution. These include the "Reducing Marine Litter Through Local Action: A Toolkit for Community Engagement," which focuses on water and trash flow, product life cycles, and individual solutions.
By combining individual actions with collective efforts and improvements in technologies and governance, we can significantly reduce plastic pollution and work towards a more sustainable future for our oceans.
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Improving waste management
- Reduce Plastic Waste: Plastic pollution is a significant issue, with millions of metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. To address this, individuals can avoid single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags, stainless steel water bottles, and containers. Additionally, proper recycling practices and supporting legislation that discourages plastic waste and promotes recycling are essential.
- Eco-Friendly Product Choices: Choosing eco-friendly and natural cleaning products can significantly reduce chemical pollution in the oceans. Opting for biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to traditional cleaning supplies helps protect marine life and ecosystems.
- Wastewater Infrastructure: Improving wastewater systems and infrastructure is vital. Untreated wastewater contains plastics, chemicals, and other pollutants that harm the environment and human health. Upgrading wastewater treatment facilities and ensuring proper discharge practices can prevent pollution from entering marine ecosystems.
- Fertilizer Usage: Excess chemical fertilizer used in agriculture can eventually make its way into the oceans, contributing to pollution. Individuals can choose organic fertilizers, which are typically lower in nutrients, and use them sparingly or at half the recommended strength. This simple change can reduce the amount of chemical runoff into marine environments.
- International Cooperation: Marine pollution is a global issue that requires international collaboration. Organizations like the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) and the Basel Plastic Waste Partnership (PWP) bring together stakeholders to address marine litter challenges. Sharing expertise, implementing best practices, and engaging in policy discussions help improve waste management practices worldwide.
- Beach Cleanups: Participating in beach and river cleanups is a direct and rewarding way to improve waste management and reduce marine pollution. These efforts not only remove plastic waste from the ocean but also raise awareness and inspire others to take action.
By implementing these waste management strategies and working together on a global scale, we can significantly reduce marine pollution and protect the health of our oceans and the planet.
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Using organic fertilisers
Chemical fertilisers contain toxic substances that can contaminate water bodies and harm marine ecosystems. When excess chemical fertilisers are applied to fields, rainfall, irrigation, or snowmelt can cause runoff, carrying these chemicals into nearby rivers and eventually the oceans. This process leads to nutrient pollution, particularly from excess nitrogen and phosphorus, which stimulates excessive growth of algae, known as algal blooms.
Algal blooms have severe consequences for marine life. As algae grow and reproduce rapidly, they deplete the oxygen levels in the water, creating hypoxic or "dead zones" where marine organisms cannot survive due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, algal blooms block sunlight from penetrating the water's surface, harming plants and organisms that depend on sunlight. The toxins released by certain types of algae can also poison a variety of marine life, further degrading the ecosystem.
By contrast, organic fertilisers help to reduce these negative impacts. Organic farming practices aim to minimise chemical runoff and improve soil health, reducing the amount of pollutants entering water bodies. This, in turn, helps to prevent algal blooms and maintain healthy oxygen levels in the water, supporting the well-being of marine plants and animals.
To promote the use of organic fertilisers and reduce marine pollution, individuals can support chemical-free agriculture by purchasing organic products, pasture-raised meats, and sustainably sourced seafood. Engaging with local farms and farmer's markets can also help spread awareness about the benefits of organic practices and encourage their adoption. By prioritising organic fertilisers, we can play a vital role in protecting our oceans and ensuring the long-term health of marine ecosystems.
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Reducing nonpoint source pollution
Nonpoint source pollution is one of the biggest sources of marine pollution, resulting from runoff from various sources, including septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. As the exact locations of nonpoint source pollution are difficult to identify, several strategies have been developed to reduce pollution from these sources.
One method is the use of retaining fences, similar to sediment fences, which prevent contaminants from entering aquatic environments. For instance, a retaining fence was erected during a salt marsh restoration program in Staten Island, New York, in 1993, successfully preventing contaminants from reaching the Arthur Kill Waterway.
Buffer strips, or strips of grass, can be planted between impervious paving materials like parking lots and sidewalks, and a body of water. These strips absorb soil, fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants, preventing them from reaching the water.
Grass planting and straw laying around construction sites help reduce runoff and associated nonpoint source pollution. Conservation tillage, where crop residue from a previous harvest is left while planting a new crop, minimizes erosion and keeps nutrients and pesticides in place. Crop nutrient management involves applying fertilizers sparingly to prevent excess nutrient runoff, with farmers testing fields before the growing season to ensure that fertilizers are used only when necessary.
Constructed wetlands are a recent innovation where an area is converted into a wetland, slowing down runoff and absorbing sediments and contaminants while also providing habitat for wildlife. Porous paving materials used in parking lots and highways allow rainwater and stormwater to drain into the ground, reducing runoff.
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Implementing international treaties
One example of a successful international treaty is the global antifouling treaty, which was negotiated by the U.S. EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA) and developed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The treaty entered into force in 2008 and has helped to reduce marine pollution caused by antifouling systems, which are used to prevent the growth of marine organisms on ships' hulls and can be a source of pollution if not properly managed.
Another example of international cooperation to reduce marine pollution is the Our Ocean Conference (OOC). The OOC brings together representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia from around the world to discuss and commit to concrete actions to support the health of the ocean and climate. During the 2023 conference, for example, participants focused on six areas of action, including promoting marine protected areas, fostering a sustainable blue economy, and combating marine pollution.
In addition to these specific initiatives, the U.S. EPA also works with foreign nations and international organizations to ensure that management of marine pollution issues aligns with their mission. This includes engagement with the London Convention, the Arctic Council, and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).
Overall, implementing international treaties and cooperating with international organizations has been an important strategy for reducing marine pollution. By working together and sharing knowledge, countries can develop and implement effective solutions to this global problem.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide. Plastic debris breaks down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine animals and can kill them. Plastic also mars beaches, coastlines, and dive sites.
Avoid single-use plastics and opt for reusable bottles, utensils, and straws instead. Avoid products with plastic microbeads, often labelled as "polythelene" or "polypropylene".
The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) is a US initiative that brings together global representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss and commit to actions for a healthy ocean and climate. The US EPA also works with foreign nations, industry, and NGOs to ensure international decisions and management of marine pollution issues.
