Bronte Wells
The ocean is one of the world's most valuable natural resources, covering more than 70% of the planet. However, it is facing a growing pollution crisis, with billions of pounds of trash and other pollutants entering the ocean each year. While there are many sources of ocean pollution, this paragraph will focus on five of the most common: plastic, nutrient pollution from fertilizer runoff, nonpoint source pollution, light and noise pollution, and industrial chemicals. These pollutants have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems, and also pose risks to human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic | Plastic bags, bottles, containers, cutlery, straws, wrappers, and fishing gear are the most common plastic items polluting the ocean. |
| Chemical Contamination | Insecticides, PFAS, and fertilizers are some of the chemicals that contaminate the ocean, causing harm to marine life and humans. |
| Noise | Noise pollution from human activities impacts marine ecosystems. |
| Oil | Oil spills and leakage contribute to ocean pollution, affecting marine life and coastal economies. |
| Carbon Emissions | Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels are absorbed by the ocean, leading to acidification and changes in water chemistry. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic pollution: plastic bags, bottles, and cutlery are among the most common items found in the ocean
- Chemical contamination: insecticides and synthetic chemicals poison animals and humans
- Noise pollution: noise from human activity is a lesser-known form of ocean pollution
- Oil spills: oil spills are a point source of pollution that can have large impacts on the ocean
- Marine debris: derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, and metal cans are all forms of marine debris
Plastic pollution: plastic bags, bottles, and cutlery are among the most common items found in the ocean
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health. Plastic bags, bottles, and cutlery are among the most common plastic items found in the ocean, along with food containers, wrappers, and straws.
Plastic bags are one of the most deadly types of plastic in the ocean for marine life. Animals often mistake them for food, and their ingestion can cause serious harm or even death. Plastic bags can take up to 20 years to decompose, and their lightweight nature means they can travel far and wide. In fact, a recent study found a plastic bag at a depth of 10,975 meters (36,000 feet) inside the Mariana Trench.
Plastic bottles are another major source of ocean pollution. Over 1 million plastic bottles are sold every minute worldwide, according to a 2023 report. By 2050, it is predicted that the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the amount of fish. Beverage bottles were among the top 10 kinds of trash picked up during the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup.
Cutlery made of plastic or metal is also a significant pollutant. These sharp, non-biodegradable objects can remain in the seas for hundreds of years, posing injury risks to sea animals. During a single ocean cleanup, 692,767 pieces of cutlery and cups were retrieved. Globally, initiatives are emerging to promote biodegradable or edible cutlery solutions to reduce environmental harm.
Plastic pollution in the ocean has severe impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Plastic debris can cause the ingestion, suffocation, and entanglement of species. Wildlife such as birds, whales, fish, and turtles mistake plastic for food, leading to starvation and internal injuries. Floating plastics can also transport invasive species, contributing to biodiversity loss and species extinction.
To combat plastic pollution, individuals can refuse single-use plastics, adopt reusable alternatives, and properly dispose of and recycle plastic waste. Additionally, supporting legislation that reduces plastic production and improves waste management is crucial in tackling this global issue.
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Chemical contamination: insecticides and synthetic chemicals poison animals and humans
Insecticides and synthetic chemicals are a significant cause of ocean pollution, with harmful effects on both marine life and humans.
Insecticides, such as DDT, are designed to kill pests but can also be toxic to marine animals and birds that consume contaminated seafood. These chemicals can bioaccumulate in the food chain, resulting in higher concentrations at each trophic level. This process, known as biomagnification, leads to an increased risk of poisoning for top predators, including humans.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals used to create heat, oil, stain, grease, and water-resistant materials. Once leaked into the ocean, PFAS can enter the bloodstream of marine mammals and eventually find their way into the human body. These "forever chemicals" are highly resistant to biodegradation and have been detected in various environmental matrices, including water sources.
Agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, also contribute to ocean pollution. Farm waste and fertilizer runoff carry nutrients like nitrates and phosphates into nearby waterways, promoting excessive algae growth. These algal blooms produce toxins known as "brown tides" or "red tides," which are harmful to both marine life and humans. When the blooms die off, bacteria consume oxygen, creating dead zones where fish cannot survive.
Additionally, industrial chemicals released into rivers and oceans through wastewater or accidental spills can contaminate seafood and harm aquatic life. Heavy metals, such as mercury, accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms, leading to reduced lifespans and reproductive capabilities. These toxins are then passed on to humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood, posing potential health risks.
While insecticides and synthetic chemicals are significant contributors to ocean pollution, it is important to note that plastic pollution is currently the leading source of ocean pollution, with an estimated 170 trillion particles of plastic in the ocean.
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Noise pollution: noise from human activity is a lesser-known form of ocean pollution
Marine debris, oil spills, chemical contamination, and plastic pollution are some of the most well-known ways in which human activity has polluted the ocean. However, noise pollution, caused by human activity, is a lesser-known form of ocean pollution that has detrimental effects on marine life.
Noise pollution in the ocean has increased dramatically over the last few decades. Marine animals have evolved to rely on sound as a primary means of communication, and it is essential for critical activities such as breeding, foraging, maintaining social structure, and avoiding predators. For example, cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) send and receive complex sounds to communicate with each other, navigate their environment, find food, and more.
The primary sources of ocean noise pollution caused by human activity include commercial shipping, sonar equipment, seismic air guns, construction, and oil and gas exploration. Commercial shipping is the most common source, with most underwater noise caused by a ship's propeller cavitation, hull vibrations, and diesel engines. Ships produce low-frequency sounds ranging from 10 Hz to 1 kHz, which overlaps with the frequency range used by whales, which varies from 10 to 31 Hz depending on the species.
The use of seismic air guns by the oil and gas industries to search for resources on the seafloor also produces low-frequency sounds that can extend for up to 4,000 km. These continuous blasts can last from seconds to months and directly interfere with the communications of underwater species, affecting their behaviour and the regularity of their sightings near shores. Sonar equipment has been recorded to alter the feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales, causing them to stop feeding, increase their swimming speed, and move away from the sound source, which can have significant impacts on their health and population.
To reduce noise pollution in the marine environment, policies must be implemented to mitigate propeller noise from ships, reduce the use of sonar equipment, seismic air guns, pile driving, and construction noise. Quieter technologies must also be developed to reduce the overall noise levels in the ocean and enable the recovery of marine life.
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Oil spills: oil spills are a point source of pollution that can have large impacts on the ocean
Oil spills are a point source of pollution that can have large impacts on the ocean. Point source pollution refers to pollution that comes from a single source, such as an oil or chemical spill. While these events occur less frequently, they can have significant consequences for the environment.
Oil spills can occur due to various factors, including human error, natural disasters, or equipment malfunction. For example, in 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused an underwater mudslide that led to the collapse of Taylor Energy's MC20 oil production platform, resulting in a substantial oil spill in the Gulf of America. The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history, released approximately 134 million gallons of oil into the ocean. These incidents highlight the potential magnitude and impact of oil spills.
The impact of oil spills on the ocean and marine life can be devastating and long-lasting. Oil spills can affect marine organisms in two primary ways: fouling or oiling, and oil toxicity. Fouling or oiling occurs when oil physically harms a plant or animal. For example, oil can coat a bird's wings, preventing flight, or it can strip away the insulating properties of a sea otter's fur, leaving it vulnerable to hypothermia. Oil can also impair the water repellency of bird feathers, exposing birds to the elements and increasing their risk of hypothermia. Juvenile sea turtles may become trapped in oil and even mistake it for food. Dolphins and whales are at risk of inhaling oil, which can have detrimental effects on their lungs, immune systems, and reproductive abilities.
In addition to the immediate physical harm caused by oiling, the toxic compounds in oil pose severe health risks to marine life. These compounds can cause heart damage, stunted growth, immune system dysfunction, and even death. Fish exposed to oil may experience enlarged livers, altered heart and respiration rates, fin erosion, and impaired reproduction. Even when lethal effects are not observed, oil contamination can render fish and shellfish unsafe for human consumption. The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems is complex and can vary depending on the location, timing, and duration of the spill, as well as the types and numbers of organisms affected.
Oil spills can also have economic and social consequences. The restoration and cleanup efforts following an oil spill can be costly and time-consuming. In the case of the Deepwater Horizon spill, an $8.8 billion settlement for restoration was reached in 2016, and restoration activities are still ongoing. Oil spills can also disrupt local economies, particularly those dependent on fisheries or tourism. The social and ecological impacts of oil spills underscore the importance of prevention, preparedness, and effective response strategies to mitigate their effects on the ocean and marine life.
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Marine debris: derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, and metal cans are all forms of marine debris
Marine debris is a significant contributor to ocean pollution. This includes derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, and metal cans.
Derelict fishing gear, such as lines, nets, pots, traps, and floats, can have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. Once lost or discarded in the ocean, this equipment can continue to trap and kill marine animals, damage sensitive habitats, and interfere with vessels. The problem is widespread, and a single piece of gear can have far-reaching consequences. For example, a NOAA-funded study found that there are approximately 145,000 derelict crab pots in the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in the death of around 3.3 million blue crabs annually. Derelict fishing gear can also impact non-target species, such as turtles and other endangered animals.
Abandoned and sunken vessels are another source of marine debris. These wrecks can leak oil and other pollutants, causing serious harm to marine ecosystems and the health and livelihoods of coastal communities. It is estimated that there are over 8,500 shipwrecks at risk of leaking approximately six billion gallons of oil. The lack of data and international cooperation on managing pollution from wrecks often results in delayed responses, making it challenging to prevent serious ecological and economic consequences.
Metal cans, such as aluminium cans, also contribute to marine debris. While aluminium is recyclable and can be reused, cans may end up in the ocean, where they can take up to 200 years to degrade. The plastic lining and toxic inks used in branding on aluminium cans can have harmful effects on marine life. Additionally, metal cans can be mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to ingestion and serious health risks.
The impact of marine debris, including derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, and metal cans, underscores the importance of proactive measures to reduce and remove this pollution. Efforts such as the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative aim to address these issues and foster collaboration among governments and organisations to protect marine environments and ecosystems.
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