Ocean Pollution: Water Crisis And Solutions

The ocean is one of the most unexplored places on Earth, teeming with undiscovered species and mysteries. However, studies have shown that this environment is under serious threat from human intervention. The ocean is polluted with a wide variety of debris, from microplastics to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels. While it is challenging to determine the exact amount of plastic in the ocean, a recent study estimated that there are 170 trillion plastic particles in the ocean, weighing around 2.3 million tons. This plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine life and ecosystems, with over 100 million marine animals dying each year due to plastic ingestion and entanglement. It also poses a threat to human health, as seafood can accumulate heavy metals and other contaminants, and microplastics have been found in human blood. With plastic production predicted to quadruple by 2050, urgent policy action is needed to address this planetary crisis.

Plastic pollution

The primary source of plastic pollution in the ocean is land-based runoff, accounting for 80% of the total. This includes litter, trash, and debris from construction, ports, marinas, industrial facilities, and landfills. Ocean-based sources, such as discharges from ships and discarded fishing gear, contribute the remaining 20%. Plastic bags, food containers, and packaging constitute a significant portion of marine debris, along with smaller items like microplastics, which are less than 5mm in size. These microplastics, often from vehicle tires, textiles, and liquid soaps, mimic fish eggs and are consumed by marine life, making their way into the human food chain.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. It is estimated to affect at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of sea turtle species, 44% of seabird species, and 43% of marine mammal species. The ingestion of plastic leads to fatal blockages in the digestive systems of turtles, while seabirds and their chicks are also prone to ingesting floating plastic debris, with detrimental effects on their growth and survival. Discarded fishing nets entangle various creatures, including fish, turtles, and seabirds. Marine animals mistake plastic waste for food, and over 100 million marine animals die each year due to plastic pollution, including fish, mammals, and seabirds.

The volume of plastic in the ocean is staggering. It is estimated that 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, equivalent to a garbage truck full of plastic every minute. The ocean currently holds an estimated 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic, with plastic pieces in our waters estimated at 46,000 per square mile. If no significant action is taken, the inflow is projected to increase to 29 million metric tons per year by 2040.

Addressing plastic pollution is crucial to safeguarding ecosystems and preserving biodiversity. The UN Environment Assembly has recognised the importance of this issue, and the Pew Charitable Trusts have developed a tool to help governments assess their country's plastic pollution problem and guide their actions. Reducing the use of disposable products and increasing recycling rates are essential steps in combating this pressing global issue.

Marine debris

Land-based marine debris comes from human activities on land, such as littering, poor waste management practices, storm water discharge, and extreme natural events like tsunamis and hurricanes. It can include anything from plastic bags and bottles to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels. Ocean-based marine debris comes from trash, fishing gear, and other items lost from vessels or platforms at sea. When a storm, natural disaster, or accident at sea creates large amounts of debris, it is called disaster debris, which can include abandoned vessels or pieces of buildings.

The majority of pollutants that enter the ocean come from human activities along coastlines and far inland. One of the biggest sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and timber harvest areas. Pollution from a single source, like an oil or chemical spill, is known as point source pollution, which occurs less often but can have a large impact.

Eutrophication

The effects of eutrophication are not limited to the marine ecosystem; it also has significant economic impacts. Commercial shellfisheries in Long Island Sound, for example, have lost millions of dollars annually since 1985 due to eutrophication. Additionally, eutrophication can reduce the catch for commercial and recreational fisheries, resulting in smaller harvests and more expensive seafood.

Mitigating the negative effects of eutrophication requires a reduction in nutrient inputs and the implementation of ecosystem-based management strategies. Shellfish aquaculture has been found to be an efficient and cost-effective method of nutrient removal, and it has gained acceptance in communities and by regulators. However, the recovery of eutrophicated lakes can be slow, often requiring several decades.

Oil spills

The majority of oil from an oil spill remains in the environment, and the impact of an oil spill can be felt for decades. Oil spills can harm sea creatures by physically coating them, reducing their insulating abilities, and making them more vulnerable to temperature changes and less buoyant in the water. Oil is also toxic and can cause severe health problems in animals, including heart damage, stunted growth, immune system issues, and even death. Oil spills can also make seafood unsafe to eat and ruin beaches.

Chemical pollution

One significant source of chemical pollution in the ocean is agricultural runoff. Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used in agriculture can wash off farmland and enter the ocean through river and estuary systems. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, for example, can trigger algal blooms, leading to the creation of "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive due to reduced oxygen levels. These dead zones can be massive, with some visible from space, such as the recurring dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, spanning about 10,000 square kilometers.

Industrial activities also contribute to chemical pollution in the ocean. Chemical discharges from factories, including oil and other chemicals, are released into the water, further degrading marine ecosystems. Additionally, stormwater and agricultural runoff can carry pollutants like raw sewage and fertilizers, exacerbating the problem.

Another pathway for chemical pollution is through the use of household and beauty products. Chemicals from these products can enter the ocean through ineffective water treatment systems. Pharmaceutical, health and body care products, hair care products, lotions, perfumes, and cleaning products all contain chemicals that can find their way into the ocean. While the ecological threat posed by some of these chemicals is not yet fully understood, they have been found to affect reproduction and development in various aquatic organisms.

Plastic pollution also contributes to chemical pollution in the ocean. Chemicals like PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenol A (BPA) are infused into plastics to make them water-repellent, flexible, and clear. These chemicals leach out as plastic degrades, acting as endocrine disruptors and impacting the reproduction and development of aquatic organisms. The 14 million tons of plastic that enter the ocean annually are a significant source of chemical pollution, with plastic additives being a particular concern.

Additionally, sun cream has been identified as an emerging source of chemical pollution in the ocean. With the majority of coral reefs located in tropical and subtropical latitudes, the application of sun cream by individuals engaging in ocean activities has become a direct source of contamination.

The impact of chemical pollution in the ocean is far-reaching and detrimental. It affects marine life, ecosystems, and human health. DDT, for example, is an insecticide that was widely used in agriculture until it was banned due to concerns about its impact on wildlife and people. It persists in the environment and continues to pose a threat to sea life and human health.

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