Brian Barton
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It refers to the introduction of harmful substances and waste into the marine environment, primarily caused by human activities. This includes a range of pollutants, from toxic chemicals and sewage to plastics, agricultural runoff, and even noise pollution. The majority of this waste, estimated at 80%, originates from land-based sources, such as littering, poor waste management, and runoff from rivers, sewage systems, and the atmosphere. Marine pollution has detrimental effects on marine life, ecosystems, and industries, with economic and health consequences worldwide. Addressing this issue requires a combination of prevention, cleanup efforts, and international cooperation to implement regulations and reduce the use of harmful materials, such as disposable plastic items.
| 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 of pollutants | Chemicals, trash, plastic, sewage, fertilisers, discarded fishing nets, noise from shipping and drilling, heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, industrial waste, soil, minerals, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and more. |
| Sources of pollution | Land-based activities (80%), marine transportation, runoff from rivers, sewage, the atmosphere, air pollution, inland mining, coastal runoff, oil spills, ballast, bilge, and fuel tanks from ships, nonpoint sources (e.g. septic tanks, cars, farms), manufacturing plants. |
| Impact | Damage to the environment, health of organisms, and economic structures worldwide. Threatens marine wildlife and ecosystems, industries like fisheries and tourism, and human health through the food chain. |
| Solutions | Prevention through reducing plastic use, choosing organic fertilisers, reusing bottles and utensils. Cleanup efforts, regulations, and international cooperation. |
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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." This includes plastic pollution, which is recognised as a severe anthropogenic issue in coastal and marine ecosystems worldwide.
Microplastics, which are small pieces of broken-down plastic, are particularly harmful. They are ingested by small organisms, which then absorb the chemicals from the plastic into their tissues. These microplastics have been found to accumulate pollutants and transport them through ocean currents, as well as transport invasive marine species. As a result, marine life that ingests plastics coated with pollutants can absorb these pollutants into their bodies, polluting the human food chain.
Some solutions to marine plastic pollution include prevention and cleanup. While biodegradable plastics have been proposed as a solution, they often only break down at temperatures higher than those reached in the ocean. Many countries are taking action, with over sixty enacting regulations to limit or ban the use of disposable plastic items. Other solutions include reducing, recycling, and reusing plastic, as well as increasing awareness and capacity building.
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Chemical 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."
The increased concentration of chemicals in the coastal ocean promotes the growth of algal blooms, which can be toxic to wildlife and harmful to humans. When 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. This impacts fisheries and tourism.
In addition to algal blooms, chemical pollution can also lead to the accumulation of toxic substances in the marine environment. These substances, such as crude oil and other petroleum products, antifoulants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, can have harmful effects on ocean health.
Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that have broken down over time, can also contribute to chemical pollution. As small organisms consume microplastics, the toxic chemicals are absorbed into their tissues. When these small organisms are eaten by larger animals, the chemicals become part of their tissues, and so on up the food chain, eventually reaching humans.
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Agricultural 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." The majority of marine pollution comes from human activities on land, with agricultural pollution being a significant contributor.
Intensive livestock farming and aquaculture practices also contribute to agricultural pollution in the marine environment. Runoff from industrial-scale factory farms and fish farming operations can transport concentrated waste, chemicals, and medicinal treatments into bays, lakes, and coastal waters. These pollutants can smother plants and animals on the seabed and have negative impacts on other marine organisms and human health. For example, the frequent use of antibiotics in aquaculture can lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, affecting our ability to treat human diseases.
Addressing agricultural pollution requires a combination of regulatory frameworks, sustainable practices, and collaborative efforts. The Sustainable Landscapes Programme, for instance, brings together various land-sea stakeholders to create action plans that balance food security and biodiversity preservation. Additionally, international agreements, such as the Save Our Seas Act of 2018, promote global cooperation in cleanup efforts and the regulation of marine debris. While challenging, transitioning towards more sustainable practices in agriculture and plastic use can help mitigate the impacts of agricultural pollution on marine environments.
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Oil spills
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." Oil spills are a major contributor to marine pollution, with thousands occurring in U.S. waters each year. These spills can be small, such as during the refueling of a ship, but they can still cause damage, especially in sensitive environments like beaches, mangroves, and wetlands.
Large oil spills are major, dangerous disasters that can have devastating and long-lasting consequences for ecosystems and economies. These events tend to occur when pipelines break, large oil tanker ships sink, or drilling operations encounter problems. Oil spills can occur anywhere oil is drilled, transported, or used, and they can have severe impacts on marine life and the environment. Oil spills can harm sea creatures by destroying the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals and the water repellency of birds' feathers, exposing them to harsh elements and leading to hypothermia. Juvenile sea turtles can become trapped in oil and mistake it for food, while dolphins and whales may inhale oil, affecting their lungs, immune function, and reproduction.
The cleanup of oil spills is a complex and challenging task. While trained experts can employ various equipment and tactics, such as booms, skimmers, in situ burning, and chemical dispersants, to contain and remove oil from the environment, it is nearly impossible to remove 100% of the spilled oil. Additionally, cleanup activities must be carefully executed to avoid causing further harm to the environment.
To address the issue of oil spills and marine pollution, international cooperation and local, national, and international efforts are crucial. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the damage caused and may be required to restore access to natural spaces. Additionally, more than sixty countries have implemented regulations to limit or ban the use of disposable plastic items, recognizing the role of plastic pollution in marine degradation.
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Noise 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." One of the main sources of marine pollution is noise pollution, which has increased dramatically over the past few decades. It is caused by ships, seismic surveys, explosions, construction, and sonar devices, which have turned the once peaceful marine environment into a loud and chaotic one.
To reduce noise pollution, policies are needed to mitigate propeller noise from ships and the sounds of sonar equipment, seismic air guns, pile driving, and construction. Quieter technologies should also be developed, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established guidelines encouraging the adoption of quieter ship designs. Technologies such as bubble curtains can be used during offshore construction to absorb and scatter sound waves, and noise-sensitive habitats can be declared Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to regulate human activities within these zones.
Scientific research and education also play a crucial role in addressing noise pollution and protecting marine ecosystems. Students can learn about bioacoustics and the environmental factors affecting marine species, engage in hands-on marine research, and work on real-world marine conservation projects to address the challenges posed by noise pollution.
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