Helena Joyce
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to marine wildlife and ecosystems, as well as industries and livelihoods dependent on them, such as fisheries and tourism. It refers to the introduction of harmful substances and waste into the marine environment by human activities. These substances include industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, chemicals, plastics, noise, excess carbon dioxide, and invasive organisms. The majority of this pollution, estimated at 80%, comes from land-based sources, with marine transportation also contributing significantly. The impact of marine pollution is far-reaching, damaging the environment, the health of organisms, and economic structures worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "The introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment … which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life." (UNCLOS, 1982) |
| Types | Marine debris, plastic pollution (including microplastics), ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, underwater noise, light pollution, chemical pollution |
| Main Sources | Land-based activity (80%), marine transportation, air pollution, inland mining, nonpoint source pollution (runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, etc.), point source pollution (oil spills, chemical spills, etc.), agriculture, urban wastewater, industrial waste |
| Effects | Harm to marine life and ecosystems, human health risks, economic impacts on industries such as fisheries and tourism, environmental damage, ocean acidification, algal blooms, disruption of food chains |
| Solutions | Prevention, cleanup, international agreements and regulations (e.g. London Convention, London Protocol), reduction of plastic use, improved waste management |
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Marine debris
Marine 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 into the marine environment … which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life." Marine debris is one of the most common types of marine pollution, along with plastic pollution, ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, and underwater noise.
The sources of marine debris are typically classified as either land- or ocean-based. In 1991, the United Nations Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution estimated that up to 80% of marine pollution was land-based, with the remaining 20% originating from catastrophic events or maritime sources. More recent studies have found that more than half of the plastic debris found on Korean shores is ocean-based. Land-based sources of marine debris include littering, storm winds, poor waste management, and landfill waste, while ocean-based sources include dumping, container spillages, and litter washed into storm drains and waterways.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program in the United States works to address the impacts of marine debris on oceans, waterways, and the Great Lakes. The program funds projects that prevent marine debris through outreach and education, as well as supporting community-based removal projects across the United States. Since 2006, the program has supported over 340 marine debris removal projects and removed more than 40,000 metric tons of marine debris from coasts and oceans.
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Plastic pollution
Marine 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 into the marine environment [...] which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life." Marine pollution can change the physical, chemical, and biological state of the ocean and coastal areas, threatening marine wildlife and ecosystems, and the industries and livelihoods that depend on them, such as fisheries and tourism.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is profound. It injures and kills fish, seabirds, and marine mammals through ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement. It is estimated that marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species. For example, bottle caps have been found in the stomachs of turtles and seabirds, obstructing their respiratory and digestive tracts and leading to death.
Additionally, plastic debris acts as a carrier for other pollutants. Persistent organic pollutants in the marine environment attach to the surface of plastic debris, allowing them to be transported through ocean currents. Marine life that ingests plastics coated with these pollutants can absorb them into their bodies. These pollutants then migrate up the food chain, eventually reaching humans through the consumption of seafood.
Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Prevention is crucial, involving a reduction in the use of single-use plastics and disposable products. Cleanup methods are also important, such as trapping plastic particles at river mouths before they enter the ocean and targeting ocean gyres where plastics tend to collect. However, it is important to recognize that changing society's approach to plastic use will be a long and economically challenging process.
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Ocean acidification
Marine 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 into the marine environment ... which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life." It is a combination of chemicals and trash, 80% of which comes from land-based activities and is washed or blown into the ocean.
The process of ocean acidification has direct consequences for marine ecosystems, specifically for organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as shellfish, reef-building corals, and tiny snails called pteropods. The increased acidity of the seawater makes it more difficult for these organisms to build and maintain their shells and skeletons, leading to a condition similar to osteoporosis. This, in turn, weakens the complex coral reef structures, making them more vulnerable to erosion from storms and animals that drill into or eat coral.
In addition to the direct impacts on marine life, ocean acidification also has indirect effects on the marine food chain. As the acidity of the ocean increases, toxic chemicals become more concentrated within the food chain, impacting the health of marine organisms and humans who consume seafood.
To address the issue of ocean acidification, prevention and mitigation strategies are crucial. This includes reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as seen in President Obama's call for a reduction in emissions by power plants, and adapting aquaculture systems to cultivate ocean acidification-resistant strains of shellfish. Monitoring and early warning systems, such as the one implemented by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, are also essential for predicting and managing the impacts of acidified seawater on marine industries and ecosystems.
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Nutrient pollution
Marine 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 into the marine environment...which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life." Nutrient pollution is a significant form of marine pollution, and it occurs when excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter the ocean. These nutrients can come from various sources, including agricultural runoff, urban wastewater, stormwater, fossil fuel burning, and aquaculture.
Agricultural activities, such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and the runoff of animal manure and chemical fertilizers, are a primary source of nutrient pollution in the United States, the European Union, and other parts of the world. When these nutrients enter the ocean, they cause an explosion of plant and algal life, leading to a process known as cultural eutrophication. Eutrophication has severe consequences for marine ecosystems, including reduced water clarity, oxygen depletion, and toxic algal blooms. These algal blooms can deplete oxygen in the water, leading to the death of marine life and the destruction of habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests.
Urban wastewater is another significant source of nutrient pollution, particularly in South America, Asia, and Africa. This can include runoff from urban areas during rains, as well as domestic waste and stormwater. In some cases, atmospheric depositions from burning fossil fuels can also contribute to nutrient pollution in marine environments. For example, in the Baltic Sea, atmospheric depositions account for 25% of nitrogen input, while smog from industry and vehicles in China has led to severe eutrophication in the Yellow Sea.
The impacts of nutrient pollution are far-reaching and detrimental. It can lead to mass mortalities of marine animals, loss of biodiversity, and threats to human health. As nutrients accumulate in the ocean, they can also be absorbed by plankton and benthic animals, causing a concentration of toxins within ocean food chains. These toxins can then be transferred to land animals and eventually find their way into meat and dairy products consumed by humans.
To address the issue of nutrient pollution, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes better monitoring of nutrient pollution on a global scale, reducing nutrient inputs into coastal marine ecosystems, and implementing ecosystem management plans that consider both watershed areas and the seawater they drain into. Restoring habitats such as mangroves and marshes can also help remove nutrients from water before they reach the sea, mitigating the impacts of nutrient pollution on delicate marine ecosystems.
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Toxins
Marine pollution is a pressing issue, encompassing a range of contaminants that have detrimental effects on ocean health and the organisms within it. Toxins, a significant subset of marine pollutants, pose a critical threat to marine life and, by extension, human health and economic structures.
Toxic chemicals, often adhering to tiny particles, are ingested by plankton and benthic animals, initiating a process of bioaccumulation. These toxins accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms, becoming increasingly concentrated as they move up the food chain. This phenomenon, known as biomagnification, results in higher toxin concentrations in larger predators and humans who consume marine life.
Pesticides, for instance, are swiftly incorporated into marine food webs, leading to mutations and diseases that harm both marine organisms and humans. Toxic metals, such as mercury, lead, copper, and cadmium, can also enter these food webs, causing adverse effects on tissue matter, biochemistry, behaviour, and reproduction. These toxins can even transfer to land animals, eventually finding their way into meat and dairy products intended for human consumption.
Microplastics, plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in diameter, have been detected in various marine species, from plankton to whales. These microplastics serve as vectors for toxic chemicals, which accumulate in the tissues of organisms that ingest them. As these organisms are consumed by larger predators, the toxins migrate up the food chain, ultimately reaching humans.
In addition to microplastics, larger plastic items such as bottles and bags contribute to marine pollution. These items can take hundreds of years to decompose, posing a persistent threat to marine life. Animals may become entangled or mistake plastic for food, leading to injuries and deaths.
Furthermore, nutrient pollution, often from agricultural runoff, can cause harmful algal blooms (eutrophication). These blooms can produce potent toxins, impacting marine ecosystems and human health. The increased concentration of chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorus in coastal areas promotes the growth of these toxic blooms.
The introduction of toxins into marine environments has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only marine life but also human health and economies worldwide. Addressing these toxic pollutants is crucial for mitigating the detrimental impacts of marine pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash that enters the ocean through human activities. It includes marine debris, plastic pollution, ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, and underwater noise.
The sources of marine pollution can be land-based or marine-based. Land-based sources include runoff from farms, septic tanks, vehicles, and factories, while marine-based sources include oil spills, shipping, and discharge from marine vessels.
Marine pollution has harmful effects on the environment, the health of organisms, and economic structures. It can damage marine ecosystems, harm wildlife, and impact human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood. Marine pollution can also disrupt industries such as fisheries and tourism that depend on healthy marine environments.
