Ocean Pollution's Impact On Florida's Environment

Florida's beaches are integral to the state's identity and economy, providing habitats for many species and attracting tourists. However, ocean pollution poses a significant threat to these ecosystems and the health of marine life and humans. The pollution in Florida's ocean includes plastic waste, sewage, and oil spills, with most of it originating from human activities on land. The consequences are dire, from harming marine animals to causing negative health outcomes in humans who consume contaminated seafood. To protect Florida's beaches and ocean environments, smart policies and individual actions are necessary to reduce pollution and promote environmental sustainability.

Plastic pollution

Florida's marine life is suffering from both these issues. For example, manatees are frequently entangled in fishing lines and ingest large pieces of plastic. This results in severe health issues and requires specialised treatment in critical care facilities. In addition, research has shown that 90% of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings in Florida waters have swallowed plastic, and 55% of animals injured or killed by plastic pollution in Florida are sea turtles, manatees, and other marine life.

Microplastics are also a significant concern. These tiny particles are easily ingested by marine animals, leading to starvation as they fill the stomach but cannot be digested. They also attract and leach harmful chemicals, causing damage to the liver, cells, and reproductive systems of affected animals. A study by USF research scientists found that Tampa Bay contains four billion microplastic particles floating in the water and three trillion at the bottom of the bay. These microplastics are even infiltrating Florida's protected natural spaces, such as the Dry Tortugas, the Everglades, and Biscayne National Park.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the suffering of marine animals. Once microplastics enter the food web, they can unknowingly end up on our dinner plates, posing risks to human health. Additionally, the presence of plastic waste in Florida's waters and on its beaches threatens coastal tourism, a vital industry for the state.

Despite the efforts of conservationists and organisations, Florida is falling behind in addressing this crisis. Preemptive laws restrict local communities from implementing bans or regulatory restrictions on single-use plastics. As a result, Florida is one of the only states without legislation focused on reducing single-use plastic bags. With plastic production expected to increase by 40% in the next decade, urgent action is needed to address this growing crisis and safeguard Florida's precious marine ecosystems and wildlife.

Carbon emissions

Florida is particularly vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification. America's largest living coral reef is found in the Florida Keys, and these reefs are already experiencing bleaching due to warmer ocean temperatures. Ocean acidification exacerbates the problem by reducing the availability of calcium carbonate, which is essential for corals to construct their skeletons. This threatens a reef-based economy in Florida currently worth around $4.3 billion and an annual income of $2 billion for workers.

In addition to coral reefs, ocean acidification also impacts marine species that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as clams, mussels, crabs, oysters, and shrimp. These species are an important part of Florida's marine ecosystems and contribute to the state's fisheries and aquaculture industries. The reduction in carbonate ions due to ocean acidification makes it more difficult for these organisms to grow and maintain their shells, reducing the chances of their offspring's survival.

The economic and ecological impacts of ocean acidification in Florida are significant. Shellfish industries, including fisheries and aquaculture, are at risk due to the challenges faced by shellfish in more acidic waters. Warmer ocean temperatures and ocean acidification are expected to reduce populations of commercially important species like the Dungeness crab, leading to potential losses for local economies.

Addressing the root cause of ocean acidification, which is unabated CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, is crucial. Implementing solutions to reduce the use of fossil fuels and mitigate climate change will help protect Florida's marine ecosystems, economies, and communities that depend on the ocean for their livelihoods and cultural identity.

Oil leaks

Underground heating oil tanks are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the release of fuel oil into the environment is prohibited. However, there is currently no program to provide remediation funding for petroleum releases at heating oil tank sites. The discharge or prior spillage of regulated fuel oil has complicated real estate transactions, requiring diligent investigation and resolution of potential environmental concerns.

The impact of oil leaks on Florida's environment and marine life cannot be overstated. Oil spills affect a wide range of marine animals, including fish, sea turtles, birds, and mammals. Oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals and the water-repelling properties of birds' feathers, exposing them to harsh elements. Additionally, the ingestion of oil during self-cleaning or prey consumption can lead to poisoning. Oil leaks also have detrimental effects on important species such as oysters, shrimp, mahi-mahi, grouper, swordfish, and tuna, leading to population declines or contamination that renders them unsafe for human consumption.

The largest accidental oil spill in history occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, impacting the US Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. While the number of oil spills has decreased over the years, the environmental consequences of these incidents remain significant. Oil transportation comes with inherent risks, and the devastating impacts on marine life and the environment bolster the case against our dependence on oil.

Noise pollution

Florida, with its extensive coastline and diverse marine life, is particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of ocean noise pollution. The state is home to a variety of marine species, including the North Atlantic right whale, which is known to be sensitive to noise disturbances. The impact of noise pollution on Florida's marine ecosystems can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the affected species but also the complex web of life that depends on them.

One of the primary concerns regarding noise pollution in Florida's oceans is its impact on marine mammal communication. Species such as dolphins, whales, and porpoises rely on vocalizations to communicate with each other, locate mates, and coordinate hunting activities. The excessive noise created by human activities can mask these vocalizations, making it difficult for them to hear and understand each other. This disruption can lead to altered behaviours, decreased reproductive success, and challenges in coordinating essential survival strategies.

Additionally, noise pollution can cause disorientation in marine animals, especially those that rely on echolocation for navigation and prey detection. The excessive noise interferes with their natural echolocation signals, causing them to become confused and unable to hunt successfully. This disorientation can lead to injuries and even death, as animals may panic and ascend too quickly, resulting in decompression sickness and skin damage.

To address the issue of noise pollution in Florida's oceans, efforts are being made to advocate for regulations and reduce noise emissions. Organizations such as OceanCare have successfully campaigned for the protection of diverse and biologically important marine regions, including the waters between the Balearic Islands and the Spanish mainland, designated as a marine protected area. Additionally, reducing vessel speed has been identified as an effective measure to immediately decrease underwater noise levels and greenhouse gas emissions.

Nitrogen pollution

The main human activities contributing to nitrogen pollution in Florida are sewage discharge, agriculture, and stormwater runoff. These activities release excess nitrogen into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, harming aquatic life and reducing water quality. Nitrogen pollution has various negative consequences for coastal and marine ecosystems in Florida. One major impact is the growth of harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life struggles to survive.

Excessive nitrogen can also lead to poor water quality and the decline of seagrasses, which are the main food source for threatened manatees. Seagrasses generate dissolved oxygen essential for the survival of fish and other species. When seagrasses disappear, the balance of the entire ecosystem is disrupted, affecting the health and productivity of waterways. The loss of seagrasses has resulted in a steep increase in manatee deaths, causing a population decline of more than 25% since about 2017.

To combat nitrogen pollution in Florida, collaborative efforts are required from individuals, civic organizations, and policymakers. Converting and maintaining septic systems, reducing fertilizer use, and properly disposing of pet waste and yard debris are some of the steps that can be taken to reduce nitrogen pollution and protect Florida's water resources. Additionally, nutrient fingerprinting is a promising technique that can help identify the largest contributing nitrogen sources and guide pollution reduction efforts.

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