Meghan Hodges
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and are home to most of the life on the planet. However, human activity has led to the pollution of these vital ecosystems. From carbon emissions and oil spills to plastic waste and noise pollution, the types of ocean pollution generated by humans are vast. Marine debris, including plastic, has accumulated in massive circular currents called gyres, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch estimated to be twice the size of Texas. Plastic pollution in the ocean has devastating impacts on marine life, with entanglement and ingestion affecting hundreds of species. In addition to plastic, chemical discharges, sewage, and agricultural runoff contribute to algal blooms and aquatic dead zones. With oceans absorbing a significant portion of carbon emissions, their chemistry is altered, leading to acidification and further damaging marine ecosystems. The constant din of commercial ships also alters the underwater acoustic landscape, harming marine species that rely on sound for communication. Addressing ocean pollution requires collective efforts to reduce plastic use, improve waste management, and mitigate carbon emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of ocean pollution | Trash, noise, oil, carbon emissions, plastic, chemical discharges from factories, raw sewage overflow, stormwater, agricultural runoff, microplastics, and more |
| Impact on marine life | Marine mammals, fish, and other sea creatures are harmed or killed due to ingestion, entanglement, suffocation, laceration, infections, and internal injuries |
| Extent of plastic pollution | 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic in the oceans, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch being the most polluted area |
| Sources of ocean pollution | Human activities, nonpoint source pollution (runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, etc.), point source pollution (oil or chemical spills, faulty factories), littering, poor waste management, stormwater discharge, natural disasters |
| Plastic production and recycling | Plastic production is projected to increase by 40% in the next decade, while only about 10% of plastic is currently recycled |
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Plastic pollution
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering. We use disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, bags, bottles, and razors, and when we don't dispose of them properly, they end up in waterways and eventually in the ocean. Marine plastic debris often groups up in "garbage patches" in the center of the ocean's gyres, with the largest being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California.
Plastic is also a product of improper manufacturing processes, with about 20% of ocean plastic pollution coming from industrial fishing. Microplastics, which are tiny particles of plastic less than 5mm in size, are a significant part of the problem. They can come from vehicle tires, textiles, and liquid soaps and shampoos, and because they are so small, they are easily ingested by marine life, which can lead to internal injuries and infections. Microplastics can also mimic fish eggs, causing them to be consumed by sea life and transported through the food chain, potentially impacting human health.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. It has affected at least 267 species worldwide, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Animals can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury and mortality. They may also ingest plastic, causing suffocation, internal injuries, and infections. Dead whales, seabirds, and Hawaiian monk seals have been found with stomachs full of plastic.
Addressing plastic pollution is a global imperative that requires concerted efforts from individuals, communities, and governments. Reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting initiatives to regulate plastics as pollutants are crucial steps in tackling this crisis.
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Carbon emissions
The ocean plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing excess heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process, known as ocean acidification, has significant ecological consequences. As the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, its chemistry changes, disrupting marine ecosystems and the coastal economies that depend on them. Additionally, warmer ocean temperatures reduce the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, creating a detrimental feedback loop.
To address this issue, scientists are exploring interventions such as distributing nutrients to support more plant growth and physically injecting carbon dioxide into the twilight zone or the seabed. While these measures may help, reducing emissions is still crucial to limiting warming and preventing ecological catastrophe.
The shipping sector is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions, with approximately 60,000 commercial tanker and container ships plying the seas at any given time. However, initiatives like green shipping corridors, which support zero-emissions technologies for ships, offer a promising path toward decarbonization in this industry.
Furthermore, marine protected areas and the conservation of ecosystems like seagrasses and mangroves can help maintain the ocean's health and enhance its ability to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These natural habitats can capture and store carbon, making them invaluable allies in the fight against climate change.
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Oil spills
When oil spills into the ocean, it can harm plants and animals in two main ways: fouling or oiling, and oil toxicity. Fouling or oiling occurs when oil physically harms a plant or animal. For example, oil can coat a bird's wings and leave it unable to fly or strip away the insulating properties of a sea otter's fur, putting it at risk of hypothermia. The degree of oiling often impacts the animal's chances of survival.
Oil toxicity refers to the presence of toxic compounds in oil, which can cause severe health problems such as heart damage, stunted growth, immune system effects, and even death. Oil spills can also reduce the level of dissolved oxygen in the water and prevent sufficient amounts of sunlight from penetrating the surface, further harming aquatic life.
One of the most well-known oil spills is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which occurred in 2010 and had significant ecological and economic impacts. Oil spills can affect areas ranging from tens of square meters to thousands of square kilometers, and the effects of spills can last for years or even decades.
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Noise pollution
Marine life is severely impacted by noise pollution in the ocean, which has increased dramatically over the last few decades. As most marine species depend heavily on sound for survival, this type of pollution is extremely detrimental to their health and ecosystem functions.
Human activities, such as commercial shipping, oil exploration, seismic surveys, and military sonar operations, are the primary sources of ocean noise pollution. Cargo ships can emit noise levels of up to 190 decibels, comparable to the noise of a rock concert. Military sonar systems, with intensities reaching 240 decibels, have been linked to mass strandings of whales. The use of airguns in seismic surveys and oil exploration can fire deafening blasts into the water every 10 to 12 seconds, disrupting the vital behaviours of endangered whales and other marine life.
To address this issue, it is crucial to implement noise-reducing solutions and establish international regulations. Slowing down ships, improving propeller design, adopting quieter technologies, and exploring alternatives to pile driving can effectively reduce noise pollution. By reducing noise at its source and enforcing mandatory policies, we can significantly improve the ocean soundscape and enable the recovery and conservation of marine life.
While noise pollution has detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, it is important to acknowledge that it is not the only form of ocean pollution. Marine ecosystems are also facing challenges from plastic pollution, agricultural runoff, chemical discharges, and carbon emissions, among other human-induced stressors. A comprehensive approach to addressing ocean pollution must consider a range of pollutants and their cumulative impacts on the delicate marine environment.
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Chemical discharges
The impact of chemical discharges on marine life is severe. Excessive nutrients, toxins, poisons, and metals are introduced into marine ecosystems, leading to chemical bioaccumulation through the marine food web. This means that higher-level predators accumulate higher concentrations of these chemicals in their bodies, which can have detrimental ecological effects. Additionally, chemical pollution can cause algal blooms, which lead to hypoxic events where the amount of oxygen in the water decreases, harming marine organisms.
Urban areas and agricultural activities are major sources of chemical pollution in the ocean. Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial pollutants are often washed into nearby streams, rivers, and estuaries during rainfall, flooding, and stormwater runoff. These waterways then transport the chemicals into the ocean, impacting marine life and ecosystems. The most chemically contaminated sediments are often found in estuaries, coastal wetlands, or marshes near urban or agricultural areas, highlighting the localized impact of chemical discharges.
Furthermore, household and beauty products also contribute to chemical pollution in the ocean. Products such as hair care items, moisturisers, lotions, perfumes, cleaning agents, and washing products contain various chemical components that can find their way into marine environments. While some manufacturers have made efforts to develop more eco-friendly products, the full extent of the ecological threat posed by these chemicals is still unknown, underscoring the need for further scientific research.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to put an exact number on it, but it is safe to say that we have been polluting the ocean countless times over the years.
There are an estimated 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, with some estimates reaching 75 trillion pieces.
Eighty percent of pollution in the marine environment comes from land-based sources, including nonpoint source pollution from runoff, septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and timber harvest areas.
Ocean pollution has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. Plastic pollution can cause entanglement, ingestion, suffocation, laceration, infections, and internal injuries in marine animals. It is estimated that 914 megafaunal species are affected by plastic pollution, with more than 100 of these being endangered.
Individuals can play a role in reducing ocean pollution by reducing their plastic use, disposing of plastic waste properly, and supporting organizations working to address ocean pollution. Additionally, governments and industries should implement regulations and policies to reduce plastic production and improve waste management practices.
