Marine Dumping: Devastating Impact On Our Oceans And Environment

Marine dumping, also known as ocean dumping, is the deliberate disposal of waste into the ocean from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures. It is a significant cause of water pollution and has severe environmental, economic, and health impacts. The ocean is vulnerable to human influences such as overfishing, pollution from runoff, and the dumping of waste. This waste often contains toxic substances, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients, and pesticides, which soak up oceanic oxygen, leading to a depletion of oxygen available to marine life. This, in turn, creates dead zones where sea life cannot survive. Marine dumping also introduces hazardous materials such as cryolite, DDT, mercury, and radioactive waste, which degrade and destroy important marine habitats and ecosystems, affecting the health and productivity of the marine environment.

Hazardous materials

Marine dumping, also known as ocean dumping, is the practice of disposing of waste materials into the ocean or sea. Hazardous materials are among the most concerning types of waste that are dumped into our oceans and seas, posing significant risks to marine life and the environment.

Plastic pollution

Marine dumping is defined as the deliberate disposal of waste into the sea from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures. This waste often includes plastic, which is now recognized as a severe issue in coastal and marine ecosystems across the world.

Plastic debris in the ocean has severe consequences for marine life, as it can entangle and injure or kill various species, from fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, seabirds, and marine mammals. For example, the Mediterranean monk seal's second leading cause of death is fishing gear entanglement, and recent studies in Alaska show that 30,000 northern fur seals die each year from entanglement in plastic debris. Additionally, plastic debris can be ingested, leading to toxicological effects and even death. Marine life that ingests plastics coated with pollutants can absorb these pollutants into their bodies, and research has shown that fish are ingesting plastic fragments. For instance, in a 2008 Pacific Gyre voyage, 35% of the 672 fish caught had ingested plastic pieces. This pollution is not limited to the ocean, as it also affects human health and economies.

To address plastic pollution, several laws and regulations have been enacted, such as the London Convention of 1975, the Clear Water Act (CWA), and the Ocean Dumping Act (ODA). Additionally, initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup project aim to remove plastic waste from the sea and prevent more plastic debris from entering the waters. Preventing the generation of disposable products, reducing consumption, and improving waste management practices are crucial in mitigating plastic pollution.

Impact on marine life

Marine dumping has a significant impact on marine life, causing severe environmental damage and altering the surrounding economic, social, and cultural conditions. Here are some of the ways in which marine life is affected by this human activity:

Destruction and Degradation of Habitats

Marine dumping can destroy or degrade important habitats for aquatic species. For example, seagrass, which is crucial for the survival of animals like sea turtles, manatees, fish, shrimps, and crabs, is highly sensitive to dredging, pollution, and development and is being lost at an alarming rate. The loss of seagrass and other critical habitats can lead to a reduction in biodiversity and have far-reaching consequences for both marine and human life.

Entrapment and Ingestion of Marine Debris

Litter items such as six-pack ring packaging and microfilament fishing lines can entrap seabirds, turtles, dolphins, and seals, leading to starvation, suffocation, or death from infection. Additionally, plastic debris is often mistakenly ingested by marine animals, such as sea turtles, who confuse it for food. This ingestion of plastic can cause internal injuries and block their digestive systems, leading to severe health issues or death.

Oxygen Depletion

The wastes dumped into the oceans often contain toxic substances that soak up oceanic oxygen, leading to a depletion of oxygen available for marine mammals and fish. This asphyxiation of their natural habitat results in the death of countless marine creatures.

Ballast water from ships can introduce harmful organisms into new environments, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem. These invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, leading to a decline in biodiversity and further degradation of the marine environment.

Pollution from Toxins and Chemicals

Marine dumping introduces various toxins and chemicals into the ocean, such as pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, and industrial waste. These pollutants contaminate the water and accumulate in the bodies of marine organisms, leading to health issues and even death. Additionally, nutrient pollution from excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause harmful algal blooms, known as "red tides," which produce toxic effects that can impact marine life and sometimes even humans.

Coastal erosion

Marine dumping is defined as the deliberate disposal of waste into the sea from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures. This practice has severe environmental impacts, including coastal erosion, which occurs when the natural balance of the coastal system is disrupted.

One of the main ways marine dumping contributes to coastal erosion is through the disposal of waste that destroys or degrades coastal ecosystems. This waste can include litter items such as plastic packaging, fishing gear, and abandoned fishing nets. When these items are dumped into the ocean, they can entangle or trap seabirds, turtles, dolphins, and other marine animals, causing injury or death. Over time, the accumulation of this waste can smother and degrade coastal habitats, making them more vulnerable to erosion.

Another factor is the toxic substances often found in marine waste. These toxins can include pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals. When dumped into the ocean, these substances can contaminate the water and soil, killing marine life and disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem. This contamination can lead to a loss of biodiversity, with particularly harmful effects on crucial species for coastal stability, such as mangroves and coral reefs.

In addition, marine dumping can alter the hydrodynamics of coastal areas, affecting wave patterns and currents. The disposal of waste into the ocean can create artificial structures that disrupt the natural flow of water, changing sediment transport and deposition patterns. This can lead to the erosion of some coastal areas and the deposition of sediment in other areas, further disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.

To mitigate the impacts of marine dumping on coastal erosion, it is essential to reduce, recycle, and properly manage waste. Implementing policies and regulations that restrict the disposal of waste into the ocean, promoting sustainable practices, and investing in coastal restoration and protection efforts are crucial steps towards preserving the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems.

International efforts

Marine dumping, or ocean dumping, has been defined as the deliberate disposal of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures at sea, as well as the disposal of these vessels, aircraft, platforms, or structures themselves.

The London Convention of 1972, also known as the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, is one of the first international agreements for the protection of the marine environment from human activities. The London Convention establishes global rules and standards for preventing, reducing, and controlling pollution of the marine environment by dumping. The convention addresses the deliberate disposal of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms, and other man-made structures at sea, as well as the disposal of these vessels, aircraft, platforms, or structures themselves.

The London Convention has been ratified by 87 contracting parties as of September 2024, including the United States, which ratified the convention in 1974 and implemented its requirements through the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. The convention is administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which works closely with various international organizations and industry associations to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution.

In the early 1990s, contracting parties to the London Convention undertook a comprehensive review and concluded negotiations toward a new, freestanding treaty known as the London Protocol. The London Protocol of 1996 aims to modernize and eventually replace the London Convention. It prohibits all dumping except for those wastes or other matters described in Annex 1 of the protocol. The protocol entered into force internationally in 2006 and currently has 53 parties.

The United States participated extensively in the development of the London Protocol and signed it on March 31, 1998. The US Coast Guard encourages mariners and other persons who observe dumping incidents in ocean waters that may violate the London Convention and Protocol to report these events to the proper authorities.

In addition to the London Convention and Protocol, other international efforts to prevent marine dumping include the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC). LOSC directs states to adopt laws and regulations on ocean dumping that are no less effective than the global rules and standards set by the London Convention and Protocol. Under Article 192 of LOSC, countries have a general obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment.

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