Greta Jimenez
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to marine wildlife and ecosystems, as well as the industries and livelihoods that depend on them. Chemical pollution, in particular, has severe consequences for ocean health. This type of pollution occurs when human activities, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean. These chemicals introduce excessive nutrients, toxins, poisons, and metals into marine ecosystems, causing a range of negative impacts on marine life and, ultimately, human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of chemical pollutants | Nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, industrial discharge, fertilisers, herbicides, household and beauty products, sewage, plastics, DDT |
| Sources of chemical pollution | Land-based activities, accidental spills, deliberate dumping, untreated effluent, atmospheric fallout, runoff from drains, septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, timber harvest areas, oil spills, factories, water treatment systems |
| Impact on marine life | Harmful to marine organisms, reduces photosynthesis in marine microorganisms, increases absorption of carbon dioxide, destroys coral reefs, impairs shellfish development, dissolves calcium-containing microorganisms, increases toxicity of pollutants, threatens marine mammals, fish and seabirds, causes reproductive failure in seabirds, bioaccumulation in marine food webs |
| Impact on humans | Consumption of contaminated seafood can lead to various diseases including cardiovascular disease, developmental defects, neurobehavioral disorders, metabolic disease, endocrine disruption, and cancer |
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What You'll Learn
Fertilisers and sewage runoff
Agricultural activities are a primary source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, also known as nutrient pollution or eutrophication. The runoff of excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilisers can lead to a tenfold increase in global fertiliser use since the mid-20th century. This has resulted in a 43% increase in nitrogen discharges from rivers into the sea. When these chemicals reach the ocean, they promote the growth of algal blooms, which can be toxic to marine life and harmful to humans. As the dense algal blooms die off, their decomposition severely depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other organisms struggle to survive.
Fertilisers are not the only source of nutrient pollution. The increasing human population in coastal areas has led to more nutrients entering our coastal waters from wastewater treatment facilities and runoff from urban areas during rains. This has further exacerbated the problem of nutrient pollution in our oceans.
Sewage runoff is another significant form of water pollution. It introduces harmful chemicals and pathogens into water bodies, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Sewage can contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, contributing to the problem of nutrient pollution. Additionally, sewage can introduce bacteria, viruses, and parasites into water bodies, posing risks to both marine life and humans who come into contact with or consume water contaminated by sewage.
The combined effects of fertilisers and sewage runoff have severe consequences for ocean health and the industries and livelihoods that depend on healthy marine ecosystems, such as fisheries and tourism. The accumulation of nutrients and the resulting algal blooms can lead to "dead zones" where fish populations collapse, impacting fishing industries and disrupting the food chain. Additionally, the release of untreated or partially treated sewage can introduce pathogens and toxins that further harm marine life and contaminate seafood sources, posing risks to human health.
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Plastic pollution
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean comes from land-based activities, including littering, storm winds, poor waste management, and runoff from rivers and drains. It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, with the Pacific Garbage Patch, located between California and Hawaii, being a notable example of plastic accumulation. This patch covers an area of about 1.6 million square kilometers and consists of flecks of microplastic swirling in the ocean currents.
The impacts of plastic pollution on marine life are devastating. Marine animals can become entangled in plastic debris, such as discarded fishing nets and six-pack rings, leading to injury, starvation, and suffocation. Additionally, they may mistake plastic items for food and ingest them, causing blockages in their respiratory and digestive tracts. Microplastics are consumed by small organisms, which are then eaten by larger animals, allowing toxic chemicals to migrate up the food chain and eventually become part of the human food chain.
The persistence of plastic pollution in the ocean is a significant concern due to the longevity of plastic materials. Plastic items can take hundreds of years to decompose, and even biodegradable plastics often require higher temperatures than those found in the ocean to break down effectively. This has led to a growing global awareness of the issue, with more than sixty countries enacting regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items. Additionally, there is a focus on preventing the generation of disposable products and changing manufacturing and packaging practices to reduce plastic usage.
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Oil spills
Oil toxicity refers to the presence of various toxic compounds in oil, which can cause severe health issues in marine organisms, including heart damage, stunted growth, immune system dysfunction, and even death. These toxic compounds can accumulate in the food chain, impacting the health of marine organisms and humans who consume seafood. The effects of oil toxicity can vary depending on the type and size of the affected organisms, with some species being more susceptible than others.
The impact of oil spills can range from tens of square meters to thousands of square kilometers. The interpretation of contaminant impacts is complicated by climatic changes, which can influence the spread and persistence of oil in the environment. Oil spills can have immediate and long-lasting effects, with some spills continuing to affect the environment and wildlife for years or even decades.
The cleanup and recovery process after an oil spill is challenging, especially when dealing with wildlife that is difficult to locate and capture. Specialists and veterinarians play a crucial role in cleaning, rehabilitating, and returning oiled wildlife to their natural habitat. However, some animals, such as whales, may be too large to recover, and the impact on their health and survival can be significant.
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Pesticides and herbicides
Pesticides enter the ocean through runoff from land, especially following storms, and through water streams. The interconnectivity of the water cycle means that even contamination at the molecular level can have an amplified impact on the ocean. Pesticides have been found to negatively impact the health of marine organisms, including fish. For example, pesticides can cause alterations in the growth, behaviour, and immune system of fish. In addition, pesticides can create Dead Zones (low-oxygen or hypoxic areas) in the oceans, which are deadly for marine life.
Herbicides account for 47.5% of all pesticides used. They are responsible for eliminating weeds. The generic term "pesticide" also includes insecticides and fungicides, which are responsible for eliminating insects, pests, and fungi, respectively. The use of pesticides in turf grass, home and garden, and mosquito control applications can also lead to pesticide runoff into the ocean.
The impact of pesticides on the ocean is a growing concern, and there is a need to develop strategies to reduce their use and prevent chemical pollution. Some possible solutions include changing field management practices, such as using "bocage" instead of open fields, and choosing all-natural options for home cleaning and gardening products that are free from toxic chemicals.
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Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
The incorrect disposal of pharmaceuticals is a global issue. Individuals often dispose of unused medication by putting it into their everyday waste, which can leak into the ocean. Pharmaceutical companies and hospitals are also guilty of incorrect disposal, and medication is sometimes flushed down the toilet, ending up in sewage and, eventually, the ocean. In the 1970s, ocean dumping of pharmaceutical waste was a legitimate method of waste disposal, and the effects of this are still being seen today.
PPCPs have been detected in fish, marine phytoplankton, and larger sea mammals such as dolphins and sharks. They are having a feminising effect on fish and other aquatic species, and there is concern about the potential adverse effects on humans and wildlife. The impact of pharmaceuticals on marine food webs is not yet fully understood, but it is clear that smaller species are affected, and the issue is moving up the food chain.
Personal care products often contain cryptic chemicals that have a detrimental impact on human and ocean health. For example, oxybenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreens, negatively affects coral health and reproduction. Other personal care products, such as triclosan, have been detected in the plasma of wild dolphins.
The presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the ocean is a growing problem, and more research is needed to understand the full extent of their impact on marine life and humans.
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Frequently asked questions
Chemical ocean pollution is defined by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as "the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy...which results or is likely to result in...harm to living resources and marine life."
Chemical ocean pollution comes from human activities along coastlines and far inland. Sources include septic tanks, vehicles, farms, timber harvest areas, sewage leaks, ineffective water treatment, and runoff from drains, rivers, and estuaries.
Chemical ocean pollution can have a range of negative impacts on marine ecosystems, including physical, chemical, and biological changes. It can harm marine wildlife, ecosystems, and industries such as fisheries and tourism. It can also impact human health, causing diseases such as cardiovascular disease, developmental defects, and cancer.
Chemical pollutants are persistent and bioaccumulative, meaning they do not break down easily and accumulate in marine organisms. This leads to higher concentrations of pollutants in organisms higher up the food chain, including humans who consume seafood.
Examples of chemical ocean pollutants include nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, industrial discharge, and microplastics.
