Meghan Hodges
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to the health of our planet, causing damage to the environment, organisms, and economic structures worldwide. It refers to the introduction of harmful substances, such as chemicals, trash, and sewage, into the marine environment. The primary sources of marine pollution are land-based, with rivers, sewage, and the atmosphere contributing significantly to the contamination of our oceans. Plastic pollution, in particular, has garnered global attention due to its persistence in the environment and detrimental effects on marine life. Other significant forms of oceanic pollution include nitrogen-phosphorus pollution from agriculture, sewage, and urban and industrial runoff, as well as chemical pollution from pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals. The consequences of marine pollution are far-reaching, impacting not only marine ecosystems and wildlife but also human health through the ingestion of contaminated seafood. Addressing marine pollution requires a combination of preventive measures, such as reducing plastic use and proper waste management, and cleanup efforts to remove pollutants from the ocean.
| 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) |
| Main Types | Chemicals, trash, sewage, and oil |
| Chemical Types | Nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, and industrial discharge |
| Trash Types | Plastic items like shopping bags, beverage bottles, cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, fishing gear, and microplastics |
| Sources | Land runoff, wind-blown debris, dust, direct discharge, ship pollution, bilge pollution, dredging, atmospheric pollution, deep sea mining, agricultural runoff, urban runoff, construction runoff, and mining |
| Impact | Damage to the environment, health of organisms, and economic structures worldwide. Contamination of seafood, harm to marine wildlife and ecosystems, and negative impact on industries like fisheries and tourism. |
| Prevention and Cleanup | Use of biodegradable plastics, regulations banning disposable plastic items, reduction in single-use plastics, and improved waste management |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
Plastic waste, including microplastics and larger items like bottles, bags, and fishing gear, accounts for 80% of all marine debris. Plastics accumulate in the ocean because they do not readily biodegrade; instead, they break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can be ingested by marine organisms, from zooplankton to seabirds and marine mammals. These plastics can absorb toxins, which then accumulate in the tissues of organisms, leading to health issues and even death.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. Marine creatures can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, starvation, and suffocation. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for food, choking or starving as a result. It is estimated that half of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic. Seabirds are also severely affected, with plastic ingestion reducing the storage volume of their stomachs, causing starvation.
Addressing plastic pollution requires concerted efforts from individuals, communities, and governments. Solutions include reducing plastic consumption, improving waste management, implementing regulations, and transitioning to more sustainable packaging practices.
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Chemical pollution
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. Chemical contamination, or nutrient pollution, is a significant concern for health, environmental, and economic reasons.
Farming and Medicine:
In farming, pesticides and herbicides are sprayed onto food crops to control insects and weeds. These chemicals are often toxic as they are designed to kill or repel animals and contain synthetic chemicals. When sprayed onto crops, these substances are left in the soil and can easily find their way into freshwater streams and rivers that eventually lead to the sea. Once in the ocean, these chemicals do not disappear by biodegrading as they are resistant to natural breakdown processes but instead stay in the sea and enter the food chain. Similarly, medicines that humans and animals consume can also contain harmful chemicals that make their way into the sea through our toilets and sewage treatment plants. While these chemicals are tolerable for humans and animals in small doses, they can accumulate in aquatic environments and cause fertility issues in fish.
Industry:
Factories and industries sometimes allow waste products to flow into streams and rivers that eventually reach the sea. Chemicals are used in numerous processes, from food production to manufacturing plastic toys, CDs, building materials, gadgets, and electricals. These pollutants enter marine food chains, building up their concentrations until they reach toxic levels. For example, in Minimata Bay, Japan, a factory discharged waste containing low concentrations of methyl mercury into the sea. As this pollutant passed through the food chain, it became more concentrated in the tissues of marine life, leading to human casualties.
Household:
At home, we use various cleaning, washing, and polishing products that contain chemicals. These chemicals often end up down the drain and can be harmful to wildlife and marine environments. Some common household chemicals that can be harmful include sodium hypochlorite, petroleum distillates, phenol and cresol, ammonia, and formaldehyde.
Prevention and Cleanup:
To prevent chemical pollution, individuals can opt for cleaning products containing natural soluble or biodegradable ingredients. Additionally, choosing organic fertilizers and reducing the use of single-use plastic items can help minimize the chemical contamination that ends up in the ocean. While cleanup may be challenging, especially for plastics that have already sunk deep into the ocean, it remains an essential aspect of addressing marine chemical pollution.
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Agricultural pollution
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. Eighty per cent of marine pollution originates onshore, with agricultural runoff being one of the most significant contributors.
Intensive livestock farming, for example, produces large amounts of waste, which can contaminate water supplies and release harmful gases into the atmosphere. In addition, the overuse of antibiotics in the aquaculture industry can lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can affect our ability to treat human diseases.
The impact of agricultural pollution on marine life is far-reaching and often deadly. For example, toxic algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution can destroy marine life and harm humans. Small organisms ingest toxins, which are then passed up the food chain to larger predators, including seafood that humans consume. This can lead to serious health issues, including cancer and birth defects.
Addressing agricultural pollution requires a comprehensive approach that includes better regulation and governance of industries impacting coastal resources. This involves considering the integrated effects of land-based activities on the ocean and vice versa. Additionally, individuals can play a role in reducing agricultural pollution by choosing organic fertilisers, using less single-use plastic, and supporting initiatives that aim to protect and restore marine environments.
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Sewage and urban waste
Sewage pollution is a major threat to ocean health due to the diverse range of pollutants it contains, the various pathways through which it contaminates freshwater, nearshore, coastal, and marine ecosystems, and its global prevalence. Sewage is composed of water, nutrients, organic matter, bacteria, viruses, parasites, endocrine disruptors, suspended solids, micro and macro plastics, microfibers, industrial chemicals, slaughterhouse wastes, sediments, and heavy metals. These pollutants collectively harm coastal and marine ecosystems.
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are biologically processed within weeks, but heavy metals, pesticides, toxic chemicals, and plastics can persist indefinitely, accumulating in sediments, plants, and marine animals. Solids and organic matter typically settle locally, smothering plants and animals, while nutrients can remain in local areas or be transported over long distances. Sewage pollution is a significant issue in both high- and low-income countries, with inadequate infrastructure and sanitation systems contributing to the problem.
In the United States, wastewater treatment facilities process vast amounts of wastewater daily, reducing pollutants before discharging treated water back into waterways. However, aging and overwhelmed sewage treatment systems also release billions of gallons of untreated wastewater annually. Sewage spills and failing infrastructure threaten coastal water quality by discharging raw and under-treated sewage into local waterways and the ocean. For example, sewage spills and infrastructure failures in the U.S. release over 900 billion gallons of untreated sewage into surface waters each year.
Sewage pollution has severe ecological and human health impacts. It smothers vital habitats, disrupts food chains, and reduces biodiversity. The influx of nutrients from sewage fuels harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels, creating "dead zones" devoid of marine life. These algal blooms can also produce neurotoxins harmful to wildlife, such as whales and sea turtles. Sewage-laden coastal waters can cause various health issues, including skin rashes, pink eye, respiratory infections, and hepatitis, affecting millions of people annually.
Sewage pollution is a global crisis that demands urgent attention and innovative solutions. Conservationists and public health sectors must collaborate to address this issue effectively and protect both human health and the health of ecosystems.
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Oil spills
The impact of oil spills on the environment and wildlife can be devastating. Oil spills harm sea creatures, including birds, sea mammals, fish, algae, and coral, and can make seafood unsafe for human consumption. This can cause massive economic damage to the fishing industry, as stock is reduced and equipment is damaged. Clean-up operations can also be disruptive, with fishing bans sometimes imposed.
There are various methods to clean up oil spills, including the use of floating physical barriers, skimmers, controlled burning, and chemical dispersants. However, clean-up activities can never remove 100% of the spilled oil, and care must be taken to ensure that the clean-up process does not cause additional harm to the environment.
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