Ocean Pollution: Major Water Contamination Issues

Oceans are being flooded with two main types of pollution: chemicals and trash. Eighty per cent of marine pollution comes from land, including nonpoint sources such as septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, and construction sites. Atmospheric pollution is often caused by littering, with single-use plastics and styrofoam containers taking hundreds of years to biodegrade. Oil spills are another major source of water pollution, with crude oil lasting for years in the ocean and being extremely difficult to clean up.

Nonpoint source pollution

Controlling nonpoint source pollution requires improving the management of urban and suburban areas, agricultural operations, forestry operations, and marinas.

Chemical contamination

• Sources of Contamination: Chemical contamination of the oceans can come from various sources, including industrial facilities, agricultural activities, and sewage systems. These sources release toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, and heavy metals, into the ocean.
• Effects on Marine Life: The release of chemicals into the ocean can have detrimental effects on marine life. For example, pesticides and fertilizers can cause harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine organisms cannot survive. Oil spills, another source of chemical contamination, can harm aquatic life, damage ecosystems, and disrupt food chains.
• Human Health Risks: Chemical contamination of the oceans also poses risks to human health. Consumption of contaminated seafood can lead to exposure to toxic chemicals, such as mercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These chemicals can accumulate in the bodies of marine organisms and have been linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, developmental disorders, endocrine disruption, and cancer.
• Global Impact: Chemical contamination of the oceans is a global issue, with over 80% of marine pollution originating from land-based sources. It affects coastal communities, especially those in low-income countries, who depend on the oceans for their livelihood and are more vulnerable to the impacts of pollution.
• Addressing the Problem: Efforts to address chemical contamination of the oceans include implementing regulations, improving waste management practices, and transitioning to more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. International agreements, such as the London Convention and its updated version, the London Protocol, have also been established to protect the marine environment.

Marine trash

Plastic pollution is particularly harmful because, due to its chemical properties, it does not biodegrade and is very difficult to recycle. As a result, plastic can persist in the environment forever, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can be ingested by marine life and enter the human food chain. Microplastics have been found in huge quantities in bottled water and many other commonly consumed foods and drinks, as well as in the bodies of marine animals and people.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. Marine animals can become entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets, or ingest plastic, mistaking it for food. This can lead to injury, reduced fertility, and even death. In addition, marine ecosystems can be disrupted as plastic debris can smother and block the sunlight of bottom-dwelling organisms.

The problem of marine trash is a global crisis that requires urgent action. While there are efforts to remove plastic pollution from the oceans, such as The Ocean Cleanup, the amount of plastic entering the ocean each year outpaces these efforts. To effectively tackle this issue, it is essential to curb plastic pollution at its source by reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic, as well as supporting policies and businesses that promote environmentally friendly alternatives.

Oil spills

Causes of Oil Spills

Effects of Oil Spills

Oil Spill Cleanup

Cleaning up oil spills is challenging, and no thoroughly satisfactory method has been developed to address major spills. The primary goal of oil spill responses is to contain and remove enough oil to allow economic activity to resume and the natural recovery processes of the marine environment to take over. Various techniques and equipment are used, such as floating booms, skimming, sorbents, chemical surfactants, and in situ burning. However, cleanup activities can never remove 100% of the spilled oil, and it is important to ensure that the cleanup efforts do not cause additional harm to the environment.

Noise pollution

Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and fish, use vocalizations to communicate and navigate. When consistent unnatural noise masks these calls, it becomes harder for the animals to hear and find each other, coordinate hunts, and detect and warn others about predators. Noise pollution can also disorientate animals that rely on echolocation, like dolphins and toothed whales. The excessive noise can disrupt their signals, causing them to become disoriented and unable to hunt successfully.

In addition, military sonar and seismic air guns, which are used in oil exploration, are extremely loud and can send animals into a panic. In their attempt to escape the noise, they may ascend too quickly, leading to decompression sickness and skin damage. In some cases, loud sounds can cause hearing loss or even strand and kill animals.

Frequently asked questions