Meghan Hodges
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It refers to the introduction of harmful substances and waste into the marine environment, which can have detrimental effects on marine life, ecosystems, and human health. With an estimated one trillion plastic bags used worldwide each year, plastic pollution has become a major concern, alongside chemical pollutants from sources like oil spills and agricultural runoff. While some efforts to combat marine pollution have been made, such as regulations enacted by over sixty countries to curb disposable plastic use, the problem is widespread and continues to worsen. This paragraph will explore the extent of marine pollution, the impacts it has, and the measures being taken to address this global crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine pollution definition | "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." (UNCLOS, 1982) |
| Types of marine pollution | Chemical, trash, nutrient, light, sound, oil spills, plastic, sewage, urban and industrial runoff, pesticides, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, industrial discharge, etc. |
| Sources of marine pollution | Land sources, human activities, farms, septic tanks, vehicles, factories, water treatment systems, faulty or damaged equipment, antifoulants, livestock ranches, timber harvest areas, etc. |
| Impact of marine pollution | Harm to marine life, human health, and the environment; damage to economic structures worldwide |
| Is marine pollution getting better? | Marine pollution is a growing problem and is widespread and getting worse, according to reports. However, some improvements are noted, such as a decline in major oil spills due to improved technologies and policies. |
| Solutions to marine pollution | Prevention, cleanup, banning single-use plastics, controlling coastal pollution, expanding marine protected areas, encouraging recycling and responsible chemical use, etc. |
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Plastic pollution
The primary sources of plastic pollution in the oceans are rivers and coastal human activities. Rivers carry plastic from land to sea, with coastal cities in middle-income countries being the world's plastic emissions hotspots. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between California and Hawaii, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world, with plastic and microplastics floating on and below the ocean's surface. While only a small proportion of plastic is incorrectly disposed of, with even less entering waterways, plastic consumption is increasing, and poor waste management in many countries exacerbates the problem.
The durability of plastic is a significant concern, as every bit of plastic ever made still exists. Plastic pollution poses a direct threat to marine life, with thousands of animals dying each year from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic. Marine mammals, such as whales and endangered Hawaiian monk seals, are particularly vulnerable. Microplastics, small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size, are consumed by small organisms, which absorb the chemicals, transferring them up the food chain to larger animals and even humans who consume seafood.
While some countries have implemented regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items, the challenge of reducing plastic pollution remains. Solutions include reducing plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic items, and participating in cleanup efforts. However, changing society's approach to plastic use will be a long and economically challenging process, and some types of plastic may be impossible to clean up.
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Chemical pollution
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from human activities on land. Chemical contamination, or nutrient pollution, is a significant concern for health, environmental, and economic reasons. This type of pollution occurs when human activities, such as the use of fertilizer on farms, lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean.
The increased concentration of chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the coastal ocean promotes the growth of algal blooms, which can be toxic to marine life and humans. These algal blooms, also known as "red tides", grow rapidly and deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water when they die off, creating "dead zones" where marine life struggles to survive. This has impacted fisheries and tourism, with one of the world's largest dead zones occurring every summer in the Gulf of Mexico due to nutrient pollution.
Other sources of chemical pollution include crude oil and other petroleum products, antifoulants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. The discharge of faulty or damaged factories and water treatment systems is also considered point source pollution, which occurs less often but has significant impacts. Additionally, persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are still found in high concentrations in the deep sea, even though they were banned decades ago.
The problem of marine chemical pollution has only recently gained more attention, with initiatives like Invisible Wave by Back to Blue raising awareness among policymakers, governments, industries, and the public. To address this issue, stricter chemical pollution regulations, international cooperation, and the development of sustainable solutions are necessary.
While it is challenging to determine if marine pollution is getting better, the highlighted efforts and initiatives towards reducing chemical pollution indicate a growing awareness and commitment to addressing this global issue.
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Light pollution
Marine ecosystems are highly sensitive to even low levels of light, and artificial light from coastal cities can reach them and negatively impact marine life. Moonlight and starlight serve as important cues for marine organisms, but artificial light can easily overwhelm their glow. This can cause shifts in hormonal cycles, interspecies behaviour, and reproduction. For example, artificial light can deter female sea turtles from coming ashore to lay their eggs, and it can cause hatchlings to head inland instead of towards the moonlight on the water, leading to their dehydration or starvation.
Research has also found that light pollution can lower the rate of photosynthesis of corals, threatening the health and sustainability of coral reefs. A study published in Royal Society B found that sea urchins residing under coastal artificial light ate significantly more sea kelp than their deep-sea counterparts, suggesting that artificial light may increase urchin grazing pressure on rocky reefs.
A study by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory found that at a depth of 1 metre, light pollution affects 1.9 million sq km of the world's coastal seas, equivalent to 3.1% of global exclusive economic zones. The coastal cities of Los Angeles, New York, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, and Mumbai are among those most likely to be affected by light pollution.
However, there are efforts to address light pollution and protect marine ecosystems. The GOALANN initiative brings together researchers, conservationists, and regulators to better understand marine light pollution and inform international action. AquaPLAN is a four-year research project funded by Horizon Europe, which studies the combined impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) and human-made noise on aquatic ecosystems. Initiatives such as these aim to develop strategies for monitoring and mitigating these stressors and protecting biodiversity in European waters. Properly designed lighting can also help reduce light pollution, such as using warm-coloured, fully shielded lighting directed away from the shore.
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Oil spills
One of the most infamous oil spills in recent history was the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. This disaster released more than 134 million gallons of oil into the ocean, making it the largest marine oil spill in US history. Even a decade later, the effects of this spill were still being felt, with oil levels in the surrounding marshland eight times higher than before the accident. Another notable oil spill is the MT Princess Empress oil spill, which occurred off the coast of the Philippine island of Mindoro in February 2023. This spill released over 800,000 liters of oil into the sea, affecting mangroves, marine life, and local fishing communities.
The clean-up process after an oil spill is crucial but challenging. In the case of the MT Princess Empress oil spill, basic tools like dustpans, shovels, wheelbarrows, and buckets were used to remove the oil. However, it can be difficult to fully remove oil from the environment, and even with advanced technology, some oil may remain.
While the frequency of major oil spills has declined due to improved technologies and policies, they still occur and pose a significant threat to marine environments. Oil spills are a form of point source pollution, which has less frequent but more significant impacts compared to nonpoint source pollution. To address oil spills, organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States work to develop scientific solutions and provide expertise for response and restoration efforts.
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Fertilizer runoff
Fertilizers used in agriculture are a significant source of nutrient pollution in water bodies. The primary nutrients in fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for plant growth and health. However, when fertilizers are over-applied or improperly managed, they can have detrimental effects on the environment.
Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to nutrient runoff, where the nutrients are washed away from farm fields and into nearby waterways through rainfall or irrigation. This process is known as agricultural runoff, and it is a major environmental concern. The nutrients from fertilizers, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, contribute to the eutrophication of water bodies, leading to the creation of ""dead zones" where oxygen levels are too low to support marine life. These dead zones have severe impacts on the fishing industry and the economy.
For example, the Gulf of Mexico dead zone, spanning over 6,000 to 8,500 square miles, is primarily driven by agricultural runoff from farms in the Midwest draining into the Mississippi River. The low oxygen levels in this area have caused reproductive problems for fish, leading to low spawning rates and egg counts, disrupting the region's fishing industry.
To mitigate the negative impacts of fertilizer runoff, farmers can adopt nutrient management techniques. This includes applying fertilizers in the proper amounts, at the right time of year, and with the correct methods. Implementing conservation tillage, improving soil health, and reducing erosion can also help minimize the chances of nutrients reaching waterways through runoff. Properly managing livestock access to streams and collaborating across watershed efforts are other essential strategies to reduce nutrient pollution in water bodies.
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Frequently asked questions
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."
Marine pollution comes from a variety of sources, including land, air, and ocean-based human activities. Land-based sources include littering, storm winds, poor waste management, runoff from farms, septic tanks, vehicles, and factories. Ocean-based sources include oil spills, shipping, and deep-sea mining.
Marine pollution has harmful effects on ocean health, marine life, and human health. It can change the physical, chemical, and biological state of the ocean and coastal areas, posing a threat to marine wildlife, ecosystems, and industries dependent on them, such as fisheries and tourism. Marine animals can become entangled or suffocated by pollutants, and some may ingest or absorb toxins, which can then enter the human food chain.
Marine pollution is a growing problem and is widespread and getting worse, according to some reports. Plastic pollution, in particular, has increased tenfold since 1980. However, there are efforts to combat marine pollution, such as regulations to ban or limit disposable plastic items and improved technologies and policies that have reduced the number of major oil spills.
Individuals can make small changes to their daily routines, such as reducing the use of single-use plastics and choosing reusable or biodegradable alternatives. On a larger scale, encouraging recycling and responsible chemical use, as well as implementing policies to ban harmful activities and expand marine protected areas, can help reduce marine pollution.
