Kiera Jefferson
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to the health of our planet and its ecosystems. It refers to the introduction of harmful substances and waste into the ocean by human activities, which can cause detrimental effects on marine life, the environment, and economic structures worldwide. This includes a range of pollutants such as chemicals, trash, nutrient runoff, toxins, and noise pollution. The majority of this waste (80%) comes from land-based human activities, including industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, while marine transportation, such as oil spills from ships, also significantly contributes to the problem.
| 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, ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, underwater noise, light pollution, chemical pollution, oil spills, sewage, industrial waste, agricultural waste, residential waste, particles, excess carbon dioxide, invasive organisms, and more. |
| Sources | Land-based activity (80%), marine transportation, runoff from rain, atmospheric deposition, littering, storm winds, poor waste management, faulty factories, oil spills, septic tanks, vehicles, farms, timber harvest areas, manufacturing plants, deep-sea mining, and more. |
| Impact | Harm to marine life, human health, and economic structures worldwide. |
| Solutions | Prevention through reduced plastic use, improved waste management, and regulations. Cleanup efforts, though these may be challenging or impossible for some items. |
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What You'll Learn
Marine debris
Common types of marine debris include various plastic items like shopping bags, beverage bottles, balloons, and fishing gear, as well as cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, and lighters. Plastic pollution is particularly harmful to the marine environment due to its durability and long-lasting nature. Plastic debris can persist in the ocean for hundreds of years without decomposing. Marine animals often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to ingestion and internal injuries, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death. Seabirds, in particular, are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution, with recent studies finding plastic in 90% of seabirds.
In addition to ingestion, marine debris can also cause entanglement of marine animals. Items such as packing bands, balloon strings, rubber bands, six-pack rings, and mesh bags can entangle a variety of species, including seabirds, cetaceans, pinnipeds, and invertebrates. The impact of marine debris on wildlife is not limited to physical harm but also extends to habitat destruction. Derelict fishing gear, for example, can entrap monk seals and sea turtles, threatening their survival.
The accumulation of marine debris in specific regions, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, highlights the severity of the problem. This vast area in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii is estimated to span approximately 1.6 million square kilometers and contains a high concentration of litter, primarily microplastics. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is another area significantly impacted by marine debris, with an estimated annual accumulation of 52 metric tons of debris.
The impact of marine debris extends beyond the direct harm to marine wildlife and habitats. It also poses a threat to human health and economic structures. Marine debris can interfere with navigation safety, and the presence of microplastics in seafood can have potential health implications for humans. Additionally, the accumulation of marine debris on beaches and coastlines can negatively affect local economies that depend on marine ecosystems for tourism and recreation.
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Plastic pollution
Marine pollution is caused by a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from human activities on land. One of the biggest sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from sources like septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and timber harvest areas. Point source pollution, which occurs less frequently but has a large impact, includes oil and chemical spills, and discharge from faulty factories or water treatment systems.
The accumulation of plastic in the ocean has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic making up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly impact on wildlife, with thousands of marine animals killed each year due to ingestion or entanglement. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are affected by plastic litter.
The sources of plastic pollution are diverse and widespread. It enters the ocean through littering, storm winds, and poor waste management practices. Rivers play a significant role in transporting plastic waste from land to the sea, and once caught in ocean currents, plastic pollution can spread globally.
Efforts to address plastic pollution include prevention and cleanup. While some countries have enacted regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items, the transition away from plastic is a challenging process. Cleanup of plastic pollution is difficult, especially for plastics that do not float and are lost deep in the ocean. Local and global initiatives are working on cleaning up waterways and oceans, but the problem persists, and plastic pollution continues to impact marine ecosystems and human health.
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Ocean acidification
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land-based human activities and is washed or blown into the ocean. Marine debris, plastic pollution, nutrient pollution, toxins, and underwater noise are all types of marine pollution.
The IAEA's Marine Environment Laboratories use isotopic techniques to investigate the impacts of ocean acidification and its interaction with other environmental stressors. The Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC) was established in 2012 to focus on science, capacity building, outreach, and communication about ocean acidification. The OA-ICC also manages a website that offers scientific reports, media coverage, and policy briefs related to ocean acidification.
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Nutrient pollution
In agriculture, the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemical fertilisers can lead to nutrient runoff into nearby waterways, which eventually flow into the ocean. This increase in nutrient levels, particularly in coastal areas, promotes the growth of algal blooms, also known as "red tides". These algal blooms can have toxic effects on marine life and can even be harmful to humans. The decomposition of large amounts of algae in the water consumes oxygen, leading to hypoxia or dead zones that are detrimental to the health of marine species.
The effects of nutrient pollution are compounded by other human activities, such as climate change and land-use practices. To address this issue, it is crucial to implement better monitoring of nutrient pollution globally and reduce nutrient inputs into coastal ecosystems. This includes restoring habitats, such as mangroves and marshes, that can act as natural buffers and remove excess nutrients from water before it reaches the sea. Additionally, ecosystem management plans that consider both watershed areas and the seawater they drain into are essential to mitigate the detrimental effects of nutrient pollution on marine life and human health.
It is important to note that while nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for plant growth, their excessive presence in water bodies can have detrimental ecological consequences. Addressing nutrient pollution requires a multifaceted approach involving scientists, policymakers, and the public to implement effective strategies and reduce the impact of this pollution on marine ecosystems.
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Underwater noise
Marine pollution is caused by substances, particles, and waste spread by humans that enter the ocean and harm the environment and its organisms. One type of marine pollution is underwater noise pollution, which has increased dramatically over the last few decades. This type of pollution is extremely damaging to marine wildlife as most marine species depend on sound for survival.
The loudest underwater noise comes from naval sonar devices, which work similarly to echolocation used by whales and dolphins and can travel hundreds of miles underwater. Sonar has been recorded to alter the feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales and cause mass strandings of beaked whales. Other whale species such as beluga and narwhal whales have also been observed to modify their vocalizations and move away from ship noise.
Noise pollution can also interfere with the detection of acoustic signals and disrupt the natural behaviour of marine mammals. It can cause them to move away from the noise, adjust their activities to avoid noisy times, or increase their anti-predatory behaviour. As sound is an important sensory signal for marine wildlife, the impact of underwater noise pollution can be fatal.
Efforts to address underwater noise pollution include voluntary guidelines introduced by the International Maritime Organization in 2014, encouraging quieter ship designs, optimized propellers, and improved hull forms. The European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive also mandates the assessment and reduction of underwater noise levels. Additionally, organizations like OceanCare and WWF are advocating for regulations and protected areas to reduce the impacts of underwater noise pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Maritime pollution, also known as marine pollution, is the introduction of harmful substances or energy by humans into the marine environment, which results or is likely to result in harm to marine life and living resources.
The main types of maritime pollution include marine debris, plastic pollution (including microplastics), ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, chemical pollution, light pollution, and underwater noise.
Maritime pollution comes from a variety of sources, including land-based activities such as industrial, agricultural, and residential waste; atmospheric pollution, such as emissions from shipping and manufacturing plants; and ocean-based sources like oil spills and marine debris.
Maritime pollution has far-reaching consequences, damaging the environment, the health of organisms, and economic structures worldwide. It can change the physical, chemical, and biological state of the ocean and coastal areas, threatening marine wildlife, ecosystems, and industries such as fisheries and tourism.
Addressing maritime pollution involves prevention and cleanup efforts. While prevention includes reducing the use of disposable plastics and improving waste management practices, cleanup may be challenging or impossible for some items, especially those that sink deep into the ocean. Many countries have enacted regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items, and international organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have introduced guidelines to reduce underwater noise pollution.
