Kiera Jefferson
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It is estimated that the Atlantic Ocean contains around 200 million tonnes of plastic, with an additional study finding 7,000 microplastics per cubic metre. The Atlantic is particularly susceptible to pollution due to its access to major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo, which carry inland plastic and other pollutants into the ocean. The impact of this pollution is devastating, with over 800 animal species affected worldwide, and more than 100,000 marine animals dying each year due to plastic entanglement and ingestion. The pollution in the Atlantic Ocean is not limited to plastic waste, but also includes oil spills, chemical dispersants, carbon emissions, and noise pollution from human activities such as offshore drilling and naval testing. These various forms of pollution have far-reaching consequences, including the creation of dead zones where marine and plant life can no longer be supported, and the disruption of vital behaviours of endangered whales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of garbage patches | 2 |
| Volume of plastic pollution | 930 billion pieces |
| Microplastics per cubic meter | 7,000 |
| Marine animal deaths due to plastic ingestion and entanglement | Over 100,000 |
| Seabird deaths due to ocean pollution | Over 1 million |
| Percentage of shellfish-growing waters adversely affected by coastal pollution | Over 1/3 |
| Percentage of ocean affected by pollution | Over 1/3 |
| Number of animal species affected by ocean pollution | 817 |
| Increase in the number of affected species in the last 5 years | 23% |
| Main sources of plastic pollution | Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Asia |
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What You'll Learn
- The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world
- The Atlantic has two garbage patches
- Pollution sources: oil spills, fertilizer, plastic, carbon emissions, noise
- Over 1/3 of the Atlantic has been negatively impacted by pollution
- Plastic pollution in the Atlantic is 10x more than previously estimated
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world
The Atlantic Ocean is more susceptible to inland plastic pollution being carried by rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo. Countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and India, which are considered the highest ocean plastic polluters, all have access to the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to its high levels of pollution. As a result, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the Atlantic Ocean each year.
The majority of pollutants that make their way into the ocean come from human activities along coastlines and far inland. One of the biggest sources of pollution is non-point-source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff. Non-point-source pollution can come from many sources, such as septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. Plastic pollution fuels climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean degradation, threatening ecosystems, public health, and livelihoods.
Marine pollution affects over 817 animal species worldwide, a figure that has increased by 23% in the last five years alone. Over 100,000 marine animals die yearly due to plastic ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals often cannot tell the difference between plastic and food, and they end up starving to death with their stomachs full of indigestible plastic. Noise pollution from high-intensity sonar and oil and gas exploration also creates a ""smog"" that reaches nearly every corner of the ocean and shrinks the sensory range of marine wildlife.
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The Atlantic has two garbage patches
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean globally. It has access to major rivers, such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo, making it more susceptible to inland plastic being carried into the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean has two garbage patches, one in the North and one in the South. These patches are formed by large, rotating ocean currents called gyres that pull debris into one location, often to the centre of the gyre. The North Atlantic Garbage Patch, discovered in 1972, is a collection of man-made marine debris floating within the North Atlantic Gyre. A 22-year research study by the Sea Education Association estimates the patch to be hundreds of kilometres wide, with a density of over 200,000 pieces of debris per square kilometre. The debris in this patch is primarily microplastics, which are easily ingested by marine animals, posing a significant risk to wildlife and humans.
The South Atlantic Ocean, particularly the Brazilian region, faces significant ocean pollution challenges. The current regulatory approach in Brazil is sectoral, disregarding scientific data and the connectivity of ecosystems. An oil spill in September 2019 affected approximately 3,000 km of the South Atlantic Ocean and 1,000 Brazilian beaches, highlighting the difficulties in managing large environmental disasters. While data is limited, the UN aims to adopt a Global System Approach to achieve significant changes in ocean knowledge and management.
The primary sources of ocean pollution are non-point source pollution and point source pollution. Non-point source pollution, the biggest contributor to ocean pollution, occurs when rainfall or snowmelt collects pollutants from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and other sources and deposits them into water bodies. Point source pollution, on the other hand, results from a single source, such as oil or chemical spills or faulty factories, and has less frequent but more significant impacts.
The Atlantic Ocean's garbage patches pose a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. The North Atlantic Garbage Patch, in particular, has received limited attention in terms of awareness and cleanup efforts, with most focus being on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. However, the accumulation and potential biomagnification of plastic in the North Atlantic Garbage Patch can lead to malnourished organisms and negatively impact the ocean's biodiversity.
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Pollution sources: oil spills, fertilizer, plastic, carbon emissions, noise
The Atlantic Ocean, like other oceans, is a victim of pollution from human activities. The pollutants enter the ocean from human activities along the coastlines and far inland. The Atlantic Ocean has two garbage patches, formed by large, rotating ocean currents called gyres that pull debris into one location, often to the centre of the gyre. These garbage patches are constantly changing size and shape due to winds and currents.
Oil Spills
Oil spills are a significant source of pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. Oil spills can occur anywhere oil is drilled, transported, or used, and when they happen in the ocean, they can have devastating consequences for marine life and the environment. Oil spills can harm sea creatures, make seafood unsafe to eat, and ruin coastal areas for humans. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is a notable example of an oil spill affecting the Atlantic Ocean.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer runoff is another source of pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. When rainfall, irrigation, or snowmelt cause more water to enter the soil than it can absorb, the excess water runs off into nearby bodies of water, carrying contaminants from fertilizers and pesticides. These contaminants can cause algal blooms, which release harmful toxins into the water. Fertilizer nutrients can also create high concentrations of nitrates in water sources, leading to nitrate poisoning in livestock, humans, and other mammals.
Plastic
Plastic pollution is a severe problem in the Atlantic Ocean. High concentrations of plastic litter, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, have been found beneath the surface of the ocean, with an estimated mass of 11.6 to 21.1 million tonnes in the top 200 meters alone. Plastic pollution can be ingested by marine animals, leading to health issues and even death. It can also smother marine ecosystems and accumulate in ocean gyres, forming large garbage patches.
Carbon Emissions
The Atlantic Ocean plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, capturing excess heat generated by greenhouse gases. However, increasing greenhouse gas emissions have negatively impacted the ocean, warming and acidifying seawater and reducing its ability to absorb CO2. Maritime shipping contributes significantly to these emissions, accounting for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts are being made to reduce these emissions, such as transitioning to zero-emission energy sources and establishing green shipping corridors.
Noise
Noise pollution is another issue affecting the Atlantic Ocean. Loud noises can cause immediate damage, such as hearing loss in marine mammals, and interfere with their natural behaviour. It can also disrupt the detection of acoustic signals, hamper population recruitment, and alter metabolisms. Noise pollution has been observed to impact the vocal behaviour of bottlenose dolphins and the feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales.
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Over 1/3 of the Atlantic has been negatively impacted by pollution
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It contains two garbage patches, one in the North and South, formed by large rotating ocean currents called gyres that pull debris into one location. An additional study sampled 200m of the Atlantic's surface and found 7,000 microplastics per cubic metre. This indicates that there is a lot more microplastic in the upper Atlantic Ocean than previously estimated. In fact, the amount of plastic in the ocean has been "massively underestimated", according to a National Oceanography Centre study. Researchers estimate that the Atlantic's total plastic load is around 200 million tonnes, with 11 million tonnes of plastic dumped into the ocean each year.
The Atlantic Ocean is more susceptible to inland plastic pollution due to its access to major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and Congo. Plastic pollution in the ocean has severe consequences for marine life and ecosystems. Marine animals often mistake plastic for food and are unable to digest it, leading to starvation. Over 100,000 marine animals die yearly due to plastic ingestion and entanglement. Pollution from oil spills and constant noise from human activities also contribute to the degradation of the Atlantic Ocean.
Nonpoint source pollution, such as runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and livestock ranches, is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the Atlantic. Point source pollution, which occurs from a single source like an oil or chemical spill, has a larger impact but occurs less frequently. The high levels of pollution in the Atlantic Ocean have negatively impacted shellfish businesses on the East Coast, as the ocean is a critical habitat for shellfish.
Addressing ocean pollution requires proper waste management systems and a focus on improving plastic recycling practices. By understanding the factors contributing to pollution, we can work towards reducing plastic waste and protecting marine ecosystems and the health of our planet.
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Plastic pollution in the Atlantic is 10x more than previously estimated
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It has two garbage patches, located in the North and South, formed by large rotating ocean currents called gyres. These gyres pull debris into one location, often to the centre. Garbage patches are constantly changing size and shape due to winds and currents.
The Atlantic Ocean is more susceptible to inland plastic pollution due to its access to major rivers such as the Amazon, Mississippi, and the Congo. An estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year.
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) study found that there was at least 10 times more plastic polluting the Atlantic Ocean than previously estimated. The study, which was the first to measure the "invisible" microplastics beneath the surface of the entire Atlantic Ocean, found that there were between 12 and 21 million metric tons of microplastics in the top 200 meters under the waves.
The research, published in Nature Communications, was based on seawater samples taken from September to November 2016. The researchers, led by Katsiaryna Pabortsava, used spectroscopic imaging to detect the three most common and most polluted types of plastic: polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. They found up to 7,000 particles of these plastics per cubic meter of seawater.
Pabortsava told the Guardian that "the amount of plastic has been massively underestimated." The previous estimate of plastic released into the Atlantic between 1950 and 2015 was 17 million to 47 million tons. The total plastic load is now estimated to be around 200 million tons.
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Frequently asked questions
The Atlantic Ocean is the third most polluted ocean in the world. It is estimated that there are 7,000 microplastics per cubic metre in the upper Atlantic Ocean, with a total plastic load of around 200 million tonnes. This is 10 times more than previously thought.
The main source of pollution in the Atlantic Ocean is plastic waste. The majority of plastic waste comes from countries in Asia, which contribute 81% of the plastic waste in the ocean. Other sources of pollution include oil spills, carbon emissions, and noise pollution from human activities such as naval testing and training, and the search for offshore oil and gas.
Pollution in the Atlantic Ocean has negatively impacted shellfish businesses on the East Coast. It has also led to a decrease in the oxygen content of the water, disrupted the reproductive systems of marine animals, and contaminated the food chain, ultimately impacting human health. Over 100,000 marine animals die each year due to plastic entanglement and ingestion.
