Kiera Jefferson
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to the environment, wildlife, and human health. The ocean is inundated with pollutants, mainly in the form of chemicals and trash, with plastic being the most prevalent type of debris. From single-use packaging to consumer goods and clothing, plastic has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and its impact on the ocean is devastating. With plastic pollution affecting marine life, economic structures, and the health of all organisms, it is imperative that we address this crisis and explore solutions to mitigate the damage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Plastic pollution |
| Sources | Land, including runoff from farms, septic tanks, vehicles, livestock ranches, timber harvest areas, and construction sites |
| Impact | Harmful to marine life, including ingestion by fish and other species, entanglement, and ingestion by seabirds and humans through the food chain |
| Prevalence | An estimated 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the oceans, with plastic pollution in every square mile of the surface ocean |
| Degradation | Plastic becomes unrecyclable over time due to ocean salt and sun radiation, leading to discoloration, brittleness, and fragmentation |
| Decomposition | Plastic bags can take up to 20 years to decompose, while other plastic items can take hundreds of years |
| Clean-up | Global ocean clean-up efforts involve millions of volunteers and tens of thousands of miles, with over 1 million plastic bags retrieved in 2022 |
| Prevention | Bans on plastic bags, development of biodegradable alternatives, and regulation of plastics as a pollutant under the Clean Water Act |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The plastic in the ocean comes from a variety of land and ocean-based sources. Rivers are the main source of plastic pollution, but a significant amount also comes from fishing gear, such as nets, buoys, and crates. Other sources include runoff from land, which can include plastic waste from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and livestock ranches. Plastic waste from coastal human activities, such as littering and improper waste disposal, also contributes to ocean plastic pollution.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. Marine animals, such as sea turtles, seabirds, seals, and other mammals, often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to internal injuries, choking, and starvation. They can also get entangled in plastic debris, causing injury or death. Plastic pollution affects the reproduction of some species, and endangered wildlife, such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, are among the nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.
In addition to the direct impact on marine life, plastic pollution also has indirect effects on the environment and human health. Plastic can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, which are then released into the ocean. Microplastics, in particular, can be ingested by fish and other species, potentially entering the food chain and impacting human health.
Efforts to address plastic pollution are ongoing. The Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate plastics as a pollutant and is working to stop plastic pollution at its source. Other initiatives, such as The Ocean Cleanup, aim to raise awareness, promote proper waste management, and develop solutions to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.
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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."
One of the primary sources of chemical pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs due to runoff from various small and large sources, including septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and livestock ranches. Nonpoint source pollution is challenging to address as it originates from numerous diverse sources.
Another form of chemical pollution is nutrient pollution, which occurs when excess nutrients, typically nitrogen and phosphorus, enter water bodies. Agriculture is a significant contributor to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, as the runoff of excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilizers can contaminate nearby water sources. This type of pollution leads to increased algae growth, which restricts sunlight and oxygen from reaching aquatic plants, creating "dead zones" where marine life struggles to survive.
In addition to agricultural chemicals, urban areas also contribute to chemical pollution in the ocean. Household and beauty products, such as hair care, moisturizers, lotions, perfumes, and cleaning products, contain various chemical components that can find their way into water systems and oceans through sewage leaks and ineffective water treatment. Sunscreen, for example, is an increasingly concerning source of chemical pollution, especially in environmentally sensitive habitats such as coral reef systems.
The impacts of chemical pollution on marine life are significant. Chemical pollutants can affect behaviour, development, hormonal balance, and metabolism, ultimately impacting the survival of species. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been linked to high exposure to parasites, increased likelihood of infectious diseases, reproductive issues, and reduced testes weights in marine mammals. These pollutants can also pass from mother to young, further perpetuating their harmful effects.
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Nonpoint source pollution
Another example of nonpoint source pollution is sediment runoff from poorly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks. This sediment can cloud water bodies, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches aquatic plants and harming fish and wildlife habitats. Topsoil or silt from fields or construction sites can also run off into waterways, further degrading the environment.
While nonpoint source pollution is a significant issue, it is important to recognize that point source pollution, such as oil spills or chemical discharges from factories, also contributes to ocean pollution and can have severe impacts on marine ecosystems.
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Light pollution
Although it may seem harmless, artificial light from urban areas, offshore oil rigs, and ships has detrimental effects on marine life habitats, especially those in coastal areas. Light pollution impacts a wide range of sea creatures, from zooplankton to whales, by disrupting their natural behaviours and threatening their habitats.
To address light pollution, it is crucial to implement better lighting practices and create Dark Sky Reserves near coral reefs to preserve these essential habitats. Individuals can play a role by researching and using the least harmful light bulbs in their homes or communities. As coastal cities continue to grow, with a projected one billion people living in coastal areas by 2060, light pollution will likely increase, posing an even greater threat to marine life.
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Nutrient pollution
Nonpoint source pollution, including runoff from agricultural fields, farms, and livestock ranches, is a significant contributor to nutrient pollution. These activities introduce excess nitrogen and phosphorus into water systems, which then act as fertilisers. Fertilisers from yards and gardens can also contribute to nutrient pollution. Additionally, human sewage, and farm animal manure are other sources of nutrients that can pollute water bodies.
The impact of nutrient pollution is severe. The excessive growth of algae restricts sunlight and oxygen from reaching the water, leading to the decay of aquatic plants and further decreasing oxygen levels. This creates uninhabitable "dead zones" for marine life, with 415 of these dead zones identified globally. The largest is in the Arabian Sea, covering 165,000 square kilometres.
Addressing nutrient pollution requires a multifaceted approach. It involves implementing better monitoring systems and reducing nutrient inputs into coastal marine ecosystems. Scientists, policymakers, and the public all have a role in guiding strategies to reduce nutrient pollution. This includes restoring habitats such as mangroves and marshes, which can effectively remove nutrients from water before they reach the ocean. Additionally, promoting sustainable practices, such as planting vegetation along waterways and supporting wetland restoration, can help absorb excess nutrients and mitigate nutrient pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is the most common pollutant in the ocean. Plastic items such as bags, bottles, wrappers, and cutlery are found in the ocean and pose a threat to marine life.
Nonpoint source pollution occurs as a result of runoff from various small and large sources, including septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and forest areas. It is a significant contributor to ocean pollution, with 60% of water pollution in the US originating from nonpoint sources.
Nutrient pollution occurs when excess nutrients, typically nitrogen and phosphorus, enter bodies of water and act as fertilizers. These excess nutrients usually come from agricultural runoff or wastewater. Nutrient pollution restricts sunlight and oxygen from entering the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.
