Helena Joyce
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and are home to most of the life on the planet. They are also a dumping ground for human-generated pollutants, from plastic to oil to carbon emissions. Marine debris is a persistent problem, with plastic pollution in particular causing direct and deadly harm to wildlife. The oceans are now absorbing carbon emissions at a faster rate than ever before, leading to acidification. With each passing year, the ocean is exposed to more pollutants, but it's not too late to take action to protect marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ocean pollution in the form of | Fossil fuels, trash, offshore drilling, noise, carbon emissions, oil, plastic, chemical runoff, heavy metals, and other contaminants |
| Marine life affected by plastic pollution | Fish, turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, birds, whales, and 914 megafaunal species, of which more than 100 are endangered |
| Impact of plastic pollution on marine life | Entanglement, ingestion, intestinal injury, starvation, death |
| Plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 100 million kilograms, 1.8 trillion pieces larger than 0.5mm |
| Size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | Twice the size of Texas, triple the size of France or Thailand |
| Plastic in oceans each year | 12 million metric tons, 26 billion pounds |
| Plastic microfibers in waterways from each load of laundry | 700,000 |
| Ocean garbage on the seafloor | 14 million metric tons |
| Impact of agricultural nutrients dumped in the ocean | Explosive growth of algae, dead zones, mass die-offs of fish and other marine life |
| Percentage of oil in oceans from oil spills | 12% |
| Percentage of shellfish-growing waters in the US adversely affected by coastal pollution | More than one-third |
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Plastic pollution
Sources of Plastic Pollution
Plastic leaks into the ocean from thousands of sources worldwide, with rivers being the main source. Other sources include fishing gear, such as buoys, nets, and crates, which account for about 80% of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Additionally, plastic waste from land-based activities, like discarded bottles, bags, and single-use plastics, makes up around 98% of the volume of plastic in aquatic ecosystems.
Impacts of Plastic Pollution
Global Efforts to Address Plastic Pollution
Addressing plastic pollution is an urgent global imperative, requiring efforts from individuals, communities, and governments. The Center for Biological Diversity is advocating for the regulation of plastics as hazardous pollutants and pushing for better control of plastic runoff by consumer goods companies. The UN Environment Assembly has also recognized the importance of combating plastic pollution, with resolutions addressing the full life cycle of plastic, including production, design, and disposal.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the most polluted and well-studied garbage patch. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains around 100 million kilograms of plastic, with larger objects continuously fragmenting into smaller pieces.
Reducing Plastic Pollution
To reduce plastic pollution, individuals can minimize plastic consumption, organize local waterway cleanups, and advocate for better waste management practices. Additionally, changes in manufacturing and packaging practices, along with a reduction in single-use plastic products, are necessary to address the issue comprehensively.
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Oil spills
The environmental impact of oil spills can be long-lasting and challenging to mitigate. Cleanup activities may never remove 100% of the spilled oil, and efforts to clean affected areas must be carefully executed to avoid causing further harm. For example, following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, it was observed that the use of high-pressure, hot-water hoses during cleanup caused more damage than the oil itself. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the costs of cleanup and restoration.
To address the issue of oil spills, there have been efforts to improve safety measures and regulations. Amendments to MARPOL in 1992 made it mandatory for large tankers to be fitted with double hulls, significantly reducing the number and severity of oil tanker spills. Additionally, innovations like GPS technology, sectioning of vessels, and the establishment of sea lanes in narrow straits have contributed to a decrease in oil tanker spills. However, the absolute amount of seaborne oil trade continues to increase, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance and effective measures to prevent and mitigate oil spills.
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Carbon emissions
Oceans absorb excess heat and energy from rising greenhouse gas emissions, acting as the world's largest carbon sink. They absorb about 30% of all carbon dioxide emissions and capture 90% of the excess heat generated by these emissions. Oceans are also responsible for generating 50% of the oxygen we breathe.
However, increasing greenhouse gas emissions have negatively impacted the health of the ocean, warming and acidifying seawater. Oceans now absorb as much as a quarter of all man-made carbon emissions, which changes the pH of surface waters and leads to acidification. The pH level of the ocean surface has increased by an estimated 30% since the start of the industrial revolution 200 years ago. If emissions continue to increase, the surface waters of the ocean could be nearly 150% more acidic by the end of the century.
The rise in acidity levels threatens the survival of creatures like mussels, clams, coral, and oysters, which require calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. The ocean's carbonate levels decrease when acidity levels rise, and more acidic waters contribute to the bleaching of coral reefs. This also affects some types of fish, making it harder for them to sense predators or hunt prey. The billion-dollar shellfish industry, which is the economic backbone of many coastal communities, is also impacted.
Maritime shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Green shipping corridors, or zero-emissions maritime routes, are being implemented to accelerate the decarbonization of the shipping sector. Green shipping promotes economic growth and human wellbeing through sustainable production, trade, and shipping practices that do not impair ocean health.
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Noise pollution
The ocean is indeed getting more polluted. Marine ecosystems are being bombarded by carbon emissions, plastic, oil, and constant noise. Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth and are among its most valuable natural resources, performing vital functions like governing weather patterns, cleaning the air, and providing food and livelihoods for millions.
The increase in human-made noise in the ocean has potentially devastating consequences for marine life. It can interfere with the detection of acoustic signals, masking the sounds produced by marine wildlife. This can lead to changes in individual and social behaviour, altered metabolisms, and hampered population recruitment, which in turn can affect the health and service functions of marine ecosystems. It can also cause immediate damage, such as hearing loss, and when sound is one of the main tools marine mammals use for survival, this can prove fatal. For instance, loud ocean noise like naval anti-warfare sonar can directly injure whales and dolphins if they panic and try to escape the noise too quickly, leading to strandings or decompression sickness.
To reduce noise pollution, policies are needed to mitigate propeller noise from ships and the sounds of sonar equipment, seismic air guns, pile driving, and construction. Quieter technologies should also be developed. These actions can improve the ocean soundscape and enable the recovery of some marine life.
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Agricultural pollution
Oceans are among the most valuable natural resources on Earth, accounting for over 70% of the planet's surface and hosting 50-80% of all life. They are also a crucial source of food, energy, and raw materials, as well as supporting cultural and recreational activities.
However, human activities on land are increasingly threatening coastal habitats and marine ecosystems. According to the International Resource Panel, agriculture is one of the three land-based sectors that impact coastal resources the most.
Chemical pollution in agriculture can come from the overuse of chemical treatments in the aquaculture industry, such as medicinal sea lice treatments and antibiotics. These chemicals can negatively impact other marine animals and plants and can even contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which affects our ability to treat human diseases.
Plastic pollution is another significant issue in agriculture, as plastic debris can end up in oceans and on beaches, where it can be ingested or entangled by marine life, leading to injury or death. Plastic pollution also contributes to the microplastics found in seafood, which can be harmful to human health.
The impacts of agricultural pollution on marine ecosystems are far-reaching and have led to calls for better governance and management of land-based activities to ensure the sustainability of the blue economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the ocean is getting more polluted. Each year, we expose the ocean to more pollutants, from trash to chemicals, fossil fuels, noise, and agricultural nutrients.
The ocean contains plastic pollution, chemical pollution, crude oil, carbon emissions, and noise pollution. Plastic pollution is especially harmful to marine life, with thousands of animals dying from eating or getting caught in plastic. Plastic pollution also affects the reproduction of many species.
Plastic enters the ocean through rivers, which are the main source of ocean plastic pollution. However, another major source of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is fishing gear. Plastic can also be dumped, pumped, spilled, leaked, or even washed out with our laundry.
To reduce ocean pollution, individuals can reduce water pollution and runoff at home, be more mindful of their plastic consumption, or organize a cleanup of their local waterway. Organizations such as the NRDC and the Center for Biological Diversity are working to halt offshore drilling, push for more sustainable seafood, and petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate plastics as a pollutant.
