Greta Jimenez
Ocean pollution, also known as marine pollution, is a pressing environmental issue that poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of our planet. The oceans, which cover around 70% of the Earth's surface, are crucial for the health of our ecosystem, including humans and other land-dwelling creatures. The primary sources of oceanic pollution are nonpoint source pollution, runoff, oil spills, marine debris, atmospheric pollution, and deep-sea mining. Nonpoint source pollution, which accounts for 80% of marine pollution, originates from various small and large sources, including vehicles, farms, and septic tanks, contributing to the overall degradation of ocean health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main sources of oceanic pollution | Nonpoint source pollution, plastic pollution, chemical pollution, oil spills, atmospheric pollution, deep-sea ocean mining, nutrient pollution, eutrophication, industrial chemicals, noise pollution, light pollution |
| Plastic pollution items | Plastic bags, bottles, food containers, wrappers, cutlery, synthetic rope, fishing items, combs, water bottles, buoys, crates, detergent bottles, shipping packaging |
| Plastic pollution statistics | 171 trillion plastic particles in the ocean, weighing 2.3 million tons; 21,250 pieces of plastic for every person on the planet; 8% of plastic from rope; 760 microplastic fragments per meter from ropes; 150 million tons of plastic in the ocean; 1–2.41 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean from rivers annually |
| Chemical pollution sources | Crude oil, petroleum products, antifoulants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products |
| Oil spill statistics | 25,000 tons of oil spilled in 2015, down from 1.1 million tons in 1990 |
| Atmospheric pollution sources | Single-use plastics, styrofoam containers, dirt, debris |
| Atmospheric pollution statistics | 1 trillion plastic bags used worldwide annually |
| Nutrient pollution sources | Nitrogen, phosphorus, fertilizer, manure |
| Eutrophication causes | Algal blooms, dead zones |
| Eutrophication statistics | 43% increase in nitrogen discharges from rivers between 1970 and 2000; 30% of nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay comes from atmospheric deposition; 10-fold increase in global fertilizer use since the mid-20th century |
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What You'll Learn
Nonpoint source pollution
One example of nonpoint source pollution is the oil left on roads and parking lots by cars. After a heavy rainstorm, water flows off these surfaces, picking up the oil and carrying it into nearby streams, which eventually flow into larger water bodies, including oceans. This oil creates a rainbow-colored sheen on the water's surface and can have detrimental effects on aquatic life.
The impact of nonpoint source pollution extends beyond the environmental and ecological realms. In coastal communities, high levels of nonpoint source pollution can lead to a decrease in tourism, negatively impacting the local economy. Additionally, the pollution can affect the quality of life for residents, potentially driving down property values in waterfront areas.
Efforts are being made to address nonpoint source pollution. The National Ocean Service, for instance, provides educational resources to raise awareness about this issue. Furthermore, agencies like the NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency collaborate to monitor, assess, and limit nonpoint source pollution, developing strategies to control and mitigate its effects on the environment and human communities.
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Plastic pollution
Plastic is the most common form of marine debris. It is a global crisis that is growing year on year, with an estimated 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic currently in the world's oceans. This number is projected to increase, with the fossil fuel industry planning to increase plastic production by 40% over the next decade.
Rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution, with littering, poor waste management, and illegal dumping contributing to the issue. In addition, extreme natural events such as tsunamis and hurricanes can cause plastic waste to enter oceans. Most plastic emissions come from middle-income countries, where plastic usage is growing, and a lack of adequate waste management systems presents challenges in dealing with increased consumption.
Once in the ocean, plastic debris can have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. Plastic accumulates in huge subtropical oceanic areas called gyres, which are massive circular currents that trap floating plastic for decades or even centuries. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the most polluted and well-studied gyre. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic larger than 0.5mm. While only about 8% of the mass is microplastics, the larger objects are continually fragmenting into smaller pieces, which are much harder to clean up.
To address the plastic pollution crisis, it is essential to reduce plastic use, reuse and recycle plastic products, and properly dispose of waste. The Center for Biological Diversity is working to regulate plastics as a pollutant under the Clean Water Act and push companies that turn plastic into consumer goods to better control their runoff. Individual actions, such as participating in local clean-up efforts, can also help to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans.
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Atmospheric pollution
One of the key issues with atmospheric pollution is the presence of microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size. These microplastics can come from larger plastic items that break down over time or from sources such as synthetic rope, fishing gear, and household products. They find their way into marine ecosystems and water sources, including the ocean, and are ingested by marine organisms, leading to the absorption of chemicals into their tissues.
The accumulation of plastic in the ocean is not limited to microplastics. Larger plastic items, such as plastic bags, bottles, food containers and packaging materials, also contribute significantly to oceanic pollution. These items can be blown into the ocean by wind or washed in through rivers and waterways. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the marine environment, as toxins accumulate in marine organisms, which are then consumed by humans, potentially leading to long-term health issues, cancer, and birth defects.
In addition to plastics, atmospheric pollution also includes nutrient pollution from excess nitrogen and phosphorus. This type of pollution is primarily associated with agricultural practices, such as the use of chemical fertilisers and manure. When these excess nutrients enter water bodies, they act as fertilisers, promoting the growth of algal blooms that can be toxic to marine life and harmful to humans. Eutrophication caused by nitrogen and phosphorus pollution leads to the creation of "dead zones" where oxygen levels are depleted, making it challenging for marine organisms to survive.
To address atmospheric pollution and its impact on the oceans, it is essential to reduce the use of single-use plastics and improve waste management practices. While some countries have implemented regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items, a global effort is needed to combat this issue effectively. Additionally, addressing nutrient pollution through sustainable agricultural practices and reducing the use of chemical fertilisers can help mitigate the negative effects of atmospheric pollution on oceanic ecosystems.
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Oil spills
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for cleanup and restoration costs. This process, known as Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), involves federal, state, and tribal agencies working together with the responsible party to select restoration projects and secure funding. Over the years, significant funds have been recovered from responsible parties to restore the ocean and affected waterways.
While large-scale spills from wrecked or damaged supertankers have become rare due to stringent shipping and environmental regulations, the cumulative impact of numerous small spills and chronic pollution from sources like vehicles and farms cannot be understated. These smaller spills contribute to the overall pollution problem and have ecological consequences that are challenging to decipher due to the complex nature of marine ecosystems.
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Chemical pollution
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from human activities along the coastlines and far inland. Eighty percent of oceanic pollution comes from land-based sources.
Agriculture is a primary source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, through the runoff of excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilizers. On average, around 20% of nitrogen fertilizer is lost through surface runoff or leaching into groundwater, and up to 60% can vaporize into the atmosphere, later falling onto the ocean. There has been a tenfold increase in global fertilizer use since the mid-20th century, with nitrogen discharges from rivers into the sea rising by 43% between 1970 and 2000.
Other sources of chemical pollution include crude oil and other petroleum products, antifoulants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. The use of "forever chemicals" such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) created by humans, which are resistant to biodegradation, has also been a growing concern. While the level of chemical pollution from North America and Europe dropped by 60% between 2003 and 2012, in the Pacific, it rose by 50%.
The impact of chemical pollution on ocean health is significant. For example, phytoplankton will absorb methylmercury (bacteria-converted mercury that reaches the ocean's surface). This makes its way up the food chain, eventually reaching humans through seafood consumption, potentially leading to long-term health issues, cancer, and birth defects.
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Frequently asked questions
The majority of oceanic pollution comes from human activities along coastlines and far inland. The leading source of ocean pollution is plastic, with an estimated 170 trillion plastic particles currently polluting the ocean. Plastic pollution comes from littering, single-use plastics, and poor waste management practices.
Another major source of oceanic pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff. Nonpoint source pollution includes small sources like individual cars, boats, farms, and construction sites, as well as larger sources such as septic tanks, farms, ranches, and timber harvest areas.
Oceanic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, humans, and the environment. Marine animals can become entangled in debris or mistake it for food, leading to ingestion of toxic substances. These toxins accumulate in the tissues of small organisms, which are then eaten by larger predators, including seafood that humans consume. Marine pollution also damages ecosystems, threatens wildlife populations, and interferes with navigation safety.
