Meghan Hodges
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to the health of our planet, with over 80% of it originating from land-based activities. It is primarily caused by the accumulation of chemical contaminants and trash, which can be washed, blown, or intentionally dumped into the ocean. This includes plastic pollution, toxic chemicals, sewage, fertilisers, discarded fishing nets, and noise from shipping and drilling. Plastic pollution, in particular, has captured global attention due to its alarming impact on marine wildlife, affecting at least 267 species. The majority of marine pollution can be traced back to human activities on land, such as littering, poor waste management, stormwater discharge, and runoff from farms, vehicles, and construction sites. These sources contribute to the degradation of ocean health, ecosystems, and the industries that depend on them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of marine pollution that comes from land-based activity | 80% |
| Type of pollution with the largest contribution to marine pollution | Nonpoint source pollution |
| Examples of nonpoint source pollution | Septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches, forest areas, motor vehicle oil leaks |
| Percentage of plastic pollution in the ocean that is discarded fishing nets | 10% |
| Estimated number of plastic particles polluting the world's oceans | 171 trillion |
| Estimated weight of plastic particles polluting the world's oceans | 2.3 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic particles polluting the world's oceans that are microplastics | 10% |
| Estimated number of containers lost at sea by container ships each year | 10,000 |
| Types of toxic pollutants in the ocean | PCBs, DDT, TBT, pesticides, furans, dioxins, phenols, radioactive waste, PFAS, heavy metals (mercury, lead, copper, cadmium) |
| Effects of oil spills on marine animals | Suffocation, cancer, behavioral changes, infertility |
| Effects of plastic pollution on marine animals | Entanglement, ingestion, bioaccumulation |
| Types of marine debris | Microplastics, derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels |
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What You'll Learn
Marine debris
The majority of marine debris is plastic. As of 2014, scientists estimated that there were 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic weighing 269,000 tons dispersed across the oceans. A more recent study found that in 2016, around 23 million metric tons of plastic waste entered aquatic ecosystems from land. The largest single type of plastic pollution is discarded and lost nets from the fishing industry, which pose a serious threat to marine life and boats. Other common types of plastic marine debris include cigarette butts, plastic bags, food wrappers, and derelict fishing gear.
In addition to plastics, there are particular problems with other toxic pollutants that do not break down or only very slowly in the marine environment. Examples include PCBs, DDT, TBT, pesticides, furans, dioxins, phenols, radioactive waste, PFAS, and heavy metals such as mercury, lead, copper, and cadmium. These toxicants can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic life and in benthic environments.
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Plastic pollution
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land-based sources. Eighty per cent of marine debris is plastic, including large items like bottles and bags, and microplastics. A recent study estimates that the world's oceans contain 171 trillion plastic particles, weighing around 2.3 million tons.
In addition to the direct harm caused to marine life, plastic pollution also contributes to the transport of invasive species and pollutants. Floating plastics have been found to accumulate pollutants and spread them through ocean currents. Research has shown that marine life that ingests plastics coated with these pollutants can absorb them into their bodies. This has led to concerns about the contamination of the human food chain, as fish and other marine organisms are consumed by humans.
Efforts to address marine plastic pollution include changes in manufacturing and packaging practices, as well as a reduction in the use of single-use plastics. Trapping plastic particles at river mouths before they enter the ocean is another proposed solution.
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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." Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, with the majority of this waste (80%) coming from land-based human activities.
- Nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, which can cause harmful algal blooms (eutrophication) that are toxic to marine life and humans.
- Pesticides, which can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic life in a process called bioaccumulation.
- Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, copper, and cadmium, which are toxic or poisonous even at low concentrations.
- Petroleum products, which can harm marine animals by permeating their gills and feathers, leading to suffocation and an inability to reproduce.
- Antifoulants, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, which can have toxic effects on marine ecosystems.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are persistent and toxic substances that have been banned but are still found in high concentrations in the deep sea.
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are human-created chemicals resistant to biodegradation and have been found in ground, surface, and drinking water.
These chemicals enter the ocean through various pathways, including runoff from farms and other land-based sources, oil spills and shipping activities, atmospheric deposition, and discharge from factories and water treatment systems. Chemical pollution has severe ecological, economic, and health impacts, affecting marine wildlife, fisheries, tourism, and human health.
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Nonpoint source pollution
Marine pollution is a pressing environmental issue, threatening the health of our planet and its organisms. Eighty per cent of marine pollution comes from land-based activity, and a large proportion of this is nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is the accumulation of pollution from numerous small sources, which cannot be traced back to one single location. These sources include cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches, septic tanks, and construction sites.
The effects of nonpoint source pollution are wide-ranging and detrimental. It can cause harm to human and wildlife health, making river and ocean water unsafe. It can also damage habitats, such as coral reefs, and lead to biodiversity loss. Nonpoint source pollution can also have economic impacts, affecting industries such as tourism and fishing, and driving down property values.
Correcting the harmful effects of nonpoint source pollution is costly, with millions of dollars spent each year on restoration and protection. Agencies such as NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency work together to develop ways to control and limit this type of pollution.
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Oil spills
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land-based human activity and is washed or blown into the ocean. Oil spills are a major contributor to this.
Cleanup efforts after an oil spill involve containing the oil and removing as much of it as possible to allow for the natural recovery of the marine environment. Methods include using floating booms to reduce the spread of the oil, skimming to physically separate the oil from the water, and applying sorbents such as straw or volcanic ash to absorb the oil. However, it is important to note that cleanup activities can never entirely remove the spilled oil, and care must be taken to avoid causing further harm.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land-based human activity.
Marine debris, or trash pollution, includes a wide variety of manufactured products, most of them plastic. Common types of marine debris include plastic shopping bags, beverage bottles, cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, and fishing gear.
Chemical pollution includes pesticides, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, and industrial discharge.
Nonpoint source pollution is the accumulation of pollution from small sources that cannot be exactly pinpointed. Examples include pollution created by individual cars, boats, farms, construction sites, and septic tanks.
Marine pollution has negatively impacted hundreds of marine species. Animals can become entangled in or strangled by plastic bags and discarded fishing nets. They can also mistake small plastic debris for food, or ingest chemicals that have accumulated in the tissues of aquatic life.
