Human Impact: Marine Pollution And Our Future Oceans

Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a clear and present danger to human health and the environment. It is caused by a variety of factors, but human activities are the primary contributors, with over 80% of marine pollution originating from land-based sources. This includes runoff pollution, atmospheric pollution, and plastic pollution, which accounts for 80% of all marine pollution. Plastic pollution, in particular, has gained global attention due to its alarming impact on marine wildlife and its presence in the food chain, affecting human health. The consequences of marine pollution are far-reaching, and the economic costs of plastic pollution in the ocean are estimated to be between $6-19 billion USD annually.

Plastic pollution

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating and far-reaching. It affects a wide range of species, including fish, seabirds, sea turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, and even endangered wildlife. One of the primary ways plastic harms marine life is through ingestion. Floating plastic debris can be mistaken for food, leading to intestinal injuries, starvation, and death. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and hundreds of thousands of seabirds meet the same fate each year. The ingestion of plastic reduces the storage volume in their stomachs, leading to starvation. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have consumed plastic, with predictions that this number will rise to 99% by 2050.

Additionally, plastic pollution contributes to the entanglement and injury of marine animals. The Mediterranean monk seal, for example, faces a significant threat of death from fishing gear entanglement. Plastic pollution also facilitates the spread of invasive species, disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

The presence of microplastics, tiny particles of plastic, further exacerbates the issue. Microplastics can be ingested by marine animals, entering their bodies and tissues. As a result, they become part of the food chain, eventually reaching humans through seafood consumption. These microplastics have been found in drinking water, salt, beer, and even in the soil where we grow our vegetables. They pose health risks, including potential developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders. Furthermore, plastics can act as magnets for toxins, increasing the toxic load in the bodies of animals and humans that consume them.

Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. While it is challenging to retrieve plastic from the ocean, especially small items and microplastics, prevention is key. This involves improving waste management practices, reducing plastic consumption, and advocating for systemic changes to address plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle. International cooperation is crucial, and the adoption of the resolution "End plastic pollution: towards an International legally binding instrument" by 175 countries in 2022 marks a significant step towards tackling this global issue.

Atmospheric pollution

Marine pollution is a pressing issue, with the ocean being flooded with two primary types of pollution: chemicals and trash. Oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface and are crucial for the health of our ecosystem, including humans. Atmospheric pollution is a significant contributor to the issue of marine pollution. Atmospheric pollution occurs when objects are carried by the wind and deposited into the ocean. This includes single-use plastics, styrofoam containers, and other littering materials that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Atmospheric distillation is a phenomenon where persistent organic compounds, such as PCBs and fluorinated compounds, volatilize at equatorial and temporal latitudes, move poleward, and then precipitate into the ocean in cooler air.

Nonpoint source pollution, a major contributor to marine pollution, is often the result of atmospheric deposition. It includes small sources like individual cars, boats, farms, and construction sites. Atmospheric pollution can lead to ocean acidification, where carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbed by seawater causes chemical reactions that reduce seawater pH, impacting marine life. Additionally, airborne toxins from Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can become airborne and cause respiratory issues in humans.

The use of fertilizers on farms contributes to nutrient pollution, with chemicals running off into waterways and eventually reaching the ocean. This increases the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus, promoting the growth of toxic algal blooms. Atmospheric pollution also includes emissions from vessels, with exhaust gases containing sulfur oxides and nitrous oxides. These emissions are regulated by MARPOL Annex VI to limit their impact on the marine environment.

Furthermore, atmospheric pollution can originate from manufacturing plants that release toxic waste, including mercury, into the ocean. This mercury contaminates marine life and accumulates in the tissues of fish that are eventually consumed by humans, leading to potential health issues. The impact of atmospheric pollution on marine life and human health underscores the importance of addressing and mitigating this issue.

In summary, atmospheric pollution is a significant contributor to marine pollution, with littering, emissions, and toxic waste being carried by the wind and deposited into the ocean. The consequences of atmospheric pollution on marine ecosystems and human health highlight the urgency of implementing measures to reduce and control atmospheric pollution, as outlined in UNCLOS Article 212.

Oil spills

The impact of oil spills on marine life and ecosystems can be devastating and long-lasting. Oil spills coat the shores and water surfaces, harming marine organisms and wildlife, including seabirds, sea otters, and marine mammals. The oil destroys the insulation and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur, making birds and marine mammals susceptible to hypothermia and drowning. It also affects the reproductive and immune systems of dolphins and whales, which breathe in oil from the water's surface. The economic repercussions of oil spills can be significant, affecting industries such as tourism, commerce, and fishing.

One of the most well-known oil spills occurred in March 1989 when an Exxon oil tanker hit a coral reef off the coast of Alaska. The spill released 11 million gallons (41 million litres) of crude oil into the Gulf of Alaska, killing billions of salmon and herring eggs, 2,800 sea otters, and about 250,000 seabirds. This event led to the implementation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which increased financial penalties for spills and imposed stricter regulations on oil tankers.

While there have been improvements in technology and management, there is still no thoroughly satisfactory method for cleaning up major oil spills. Response teams aim to contain the spill and remove enough oil to allow economic activity to resume and the natural recovery of the marine environment to take over. However, cleanup activities can be challenging, and it is impossible to remove 100% of the spilled oil. The Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process involves federal, state, and tribal agencies working with the responsible party to assess the spill's impacts and fund restoration projects.

Chemical pollution

Marine pollution is defined by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as: "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." Chemical pollution is one of the two main types of marine pollution, the other being trash. It occurs when human activities, such as the use of chemical fertilizers on farms, lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean.

One of the most well-known examples of the impacts of chemical pollution on marine life is the effect of oil spills on sea animals. Oil spills can ensnare and suffocate marine animals by permeating their gills, and it can also impair the ability of seabirds to fly or feed their young. In addition, marine animals can mistake small plastic debris for food or become entangled in discarded plastic bags and fishing nets. Dolphins, fish, sharks, turtles, seabirds, and crabs are among the most vulnerable species to harm from plastic debris in the ocean.

The impact of chemical pollution in the ocean is not limited to marine life; it also has significant effects on human health. Pollutants such as mercury, cadmium, and lead can accumulate in seafood, leading to potential health risks for humans who consume contaminated seafood. These toxic metals can cause long-term health conditions, cancer, and birth defects. In addition, pollutants such as phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and perfluorinated chemicals, which are released into the sea from plastic waste, can disrupt endocrine signaling, reduce male fertility, damage the nervous system, and increase the risk of cancer.

Human health impacts

Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to human health. The majority of marine pollution, approximately 80%, is caused by human activities on land, including littering, storm winds, poor waste management, and the use of fertilizers on farms. While the impact of marine pollution on human health is not yet fully understood, it is clear that it poses a serious danger that requires immediate attention.

One of the primary ways in which marine pollution affects human health is through contaminated seafood. As chemicals and toxins accumulate in the ocean, they are ingested by small organisms, which are then eaten by larger predators, including seafood species that humans consume. This results in the transfer of toxic chemicals into the human food chain. For example, phytoplankton absorbs methylmercury, which is then passed on to zooplankton, small fish, and eventually larger fish that are part of the human diet, such as swordfish, which have been found to contain high levels of mercury. Other chemical pollutants commonly identified in seafood include PCBs, dioxins, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated substances, and pesticides.

The ingestion of these toxins can have severe health consequences for humans. They can cause long-term health issues, cancer, birth defects, and even rapid death. Additionally, HAB toxins released by harmful algal blooms can become airborne and cause respiratory diseases. Furthermore, pathogenic marine bacteria can cause gastrointestinal diseases and deep wound infections. With climate change and increasing pollution, there is a heightened risk of Vibrio infections, including cholera.

The impact of marine pollution on human health is not limited to the ingestion of contaminated seafood. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that break down from larger plastic debris, have been found in various sources of drinking water, salt, beer, and even in the soil where we grow our vegetables. These microplastics can contain toxic chemicals, which can then be ingested by humans, leading to potential health risks. Additionally, plastic pollution can affect the endocrine system, causing developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders.

Addressing marine pollution and its impact on human health requires a multifaceted approach. Strategies may include voluntary reduction or abstinence from plastic products, legal regulations to limit or ban plastic use, recycling or proper waste management practices, and the development of biodegradable plastics. It is crucial to raise awareness among policymakers, leaders, civil society, and the public to catalyze global action in addressing this pressing issue.

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