Ocean Pollution: Understanding The Human Impact

Oceans are incredibly valuable to the planet, governing the weather, cleaning the air, helping to feed the world, and providing a living for millions. Covering 70% of the Earth's surface, they are home to most of the life on Earth, from algae to blue whales. However, the oceans are under threat from pollution, with billions of pounds of trash and other pollutants entering the oceans every year. The majority of this pollution is caused by humans, with 80% originating on land. From plastic to noise, oil to carbon emissions, the types of ocean pollution are vast.

Plastic pollution

The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean originates from land, with up to 80% of plastic transported from land to the sea via rivers, sewers, coastlines, and wind. Poor waste management practices contribute significantly, with plastic litter not being collected, recycled, or properly disposed of, leading to its accumulation in the environment. Large river basins with high precipitation rates and nearby cities are major contributors, including rivers in China, India, Nigeria, Brazil, and the Philippines.

Once in the ocean, plastic persists for long periods due to its durability. It accumulates in subtropical gyres, massive circular currents that trap floating plastic for decades or centuries. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, is the most polluted and well-studied area, estimated to be twice the size of Texas.

The impacts of plastic pollution on marine life are devastating. Marine animals, such as birds, whales, fish, and turtles, mistake plastic waste for food, leading to ingestion, suffocation, and entanglement. It also causes internal and external injuries, affecting their ability to swim and fly. Additionally, toxic contaminants accumulate on plastic's surface, transferring to humans through seafood consumption.

To address plastic pollution, it is essential to improve waste management practices, reduce plastic production, and promote recycling. With only about 10% of plastic currently being recycled, there is a significant opportunity to mitigate the environmental, health, and economic impacts of plastic pollution.

Noise pollution

Maritime activity is increasing, and with it, the persistent noise made by ships, sonar devices, and other industrial procedures. This noise can cause temporary or permanent deafness in marine animals, making it impossible for them to feed, avoid prey, or reproduce. The impact of noise pollution on marine wildlife is severe, and it is essential to find ways to reduce it.

In addition to ship traffic, offshore drilling is another source of noise pollution. The loud noises created by drilling equipment can travel through the water and affect marine life. Noise pollution can also come from industrial activities on land, such as construction, manufacturing, and energy production. These activities can create a constant barrage of noise that can impact marine life in coastal areas.

It is important to address noise pollution as part of a broader effort to protect and conserve our oceans. Reducing noise pollution can help restore the health of marine ecosystems and ensure the long-term survival of marine species. This may involve implementing regulations and policies to minimize noise levels, improving technology to reduce noise output, and increasing awareness about the impacts of noise pollution on marine life.

Fossil fuels

Chemical Pollution

The combustion of fossil fuels releases hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and mercury. These emissions have far-reaching consequences, as the oceans absorb a significant portion of the carbon emissions, leading to ocean acidification. The increased presence of carbon dioxide in the water results in the formation of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, which lower the pH of the seawater. This alteration in ocean chemistry has already had devastating effects on marine life, particularly shellfish and coral reefs. For example, the oyster industry in the Pacific Northwest has been severely impacted, with billions of oyster larvae perishing due to the acidic waters.

Moreover, the production, transportation, and refining of fossil fuels pose the constant risk of oil spills, which can have catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems. Oil spills harm wildlife, destroy habitats, erode shorelines, and contaminate beaches and coastal waters. Additionally, the fracking process, used to extract fossil fuels, generates large volumes of wastewater containing toxic substances such as arsenic, lead, chlorine, and mercury, which can contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources.

Acoustic Pollution

The use of fossil fuels also contributes to ocean noise pollution, creating an underwater "smog" that disrupts the acoustic landscape relied upon by marine species for communication, navigation, and survival. The constant din generated by commercial ships, as well as high-intensity sonar used by the military, has been linked to mass strandings of whales and the decline of marine species worldwide.

Plastic Pollution

In addition to the direct pollution caused by fossil fuels, it is important to consider the role of plastics in ocean degradation. Plastics are predominantly produced from fossil fuels, and their manufacturing, use, and disposal contribute significantly to marine pollution. Plastic waste, including microplastics, accumulates in oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems. The presence of plastic in the ocean has been linked to health problems in humans and animals, as well as the destruction of ecosystems.

Nonpoint-source pollution

The sources of nonpoint-source pollution are diverse and can include city streets, farm fields, parking lots, and landscapes. For example, after a heavy rainstorm, water flowing across a parking lot can pick up oil and other oil-based chemicals left by cars. This contaminated water then makes its way into nearby streams, eventually flowing downstream into larger water bodies, including oceans. The pollutants in this runoff can have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, wildlife, and the economy.

The impact of nonpoint-source pollution on coastal communities and the environment can be severe. It can affect the health and beauty of coastal lands and waters, driving down property values and deterring tourists. Nonpoint-source pollution also poses risks to human health and wildlife, making river and ocean water unsafe for various species and human activities. The concentration of pollutants from runoff may be lower than that of point-source pollution, but the total amount of pollutants delivered from nonpoint sources can be higher due to their widespread nature.

To address nonpoint-source pollution, organizations like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NOAA's Office for Coastal Management have developed programs and initiatives. These include the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, which aims to reduce and prevent polluted runoff in coastal waters, and the Nonpoint Source Management Program, outlined in Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Additionally, the public can play a role in controlling nonpoint-source pollution by adopting environmentally sound practices and following guidelines provided by organizations like the EPA.

Oil spills

Oil is a fossil fuel that is used for heating, electricity generation, and powering sectors of the economy. When oil spills into the ocean, it can have significant negative consequences. Specialists and veterinarians are often required to deal with oiled wildlife, cleaning, rehabilitating, and returning them to their natural habitat. Oil spills can also ruin beaches and harm coastal communities.

In the United States alone, there were over 6,000 oil spills between 2010 and 2020, averaging nearly two spills per day. The impact of these spills is exacerbated by the fact that oil platforms are allowed a certain amount of oil that they can legally release into the ocean. This has led to chronic oil pollution in the North Sea, where the UK's oil and gas production has been largely out of sight and out of mind.

To address the issue of oil spills, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was established, holding those responsible for spills accountable for cleanup and restoration costs. Over the last 30 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has helped recover over $9 billion from parties responsible for oil spills to restore the ocean and the Great Lakes.

In addition to the direct impacts of oil spills, the exploration, drilling, and decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure release dangerous chemicals and contribute to noise pollution. Seismic airgun surveys, in particular, have been identified as a significant source of noise pollution, with a detrimental impact on marine life.

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