Meghan Hodges
Underwater pollution, also known as marine pollution, is a significant environmental issue that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of our planet. Oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface and are pivotal to the health of our ecosystem, including land-dwelling animals like humans. Marine pollution is a mixture of chemical contamination and trash, with 80% of it originating on land due to human activities. It includes nonpoint source pollution, which comes from runoff from sources like farms, septic tanks, and vehicles, and point source pollution, which comes from single sources like oil or chemical spills. Other forms of underwater pollution include noise pollution from ships and seismic surveys, plastic pollution, nutrient pollution, and toxins. These pollutants have far-reaching consequences, negatively impacting both human health and marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources | Majority of pollutants come from human activities along coastlines and far inland. |
| Types | Marine debris, plastic pollution, ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, and underwater noise. |
| Causes | Nonpoint source pollution, point source pollution, air pollution, oil spills, accumulation of dispersed sources, manufacturing plants releasing toxic waste, and invasive species. |
| Impact | Marine life is susceptible to noise pollution, which can damage important organisms and alter underwater acoustic landscapes, harming or killing marine species. |
| Efforts | Voluntary guidelines by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), and collaborations between NOAA and other agencies to control nonpoint source pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
Noise pollution from ships and human activity
Marine life is highly sensitive to sound, even low-frequency noise, which is inaudible to humans. Marine mammals rely on underwater sounds for essential life functions like searching for prey, avoiding predators, locating offspring, and finding a mate. Therefore, insufficient mechanisms to safeguard them against underwater noise pollution can be detrimental.
Sources of ocean noise pollution include everything from ship noise to the low-frequency sonar "sounds" used extensively in submarine detection, seismic airgun noise from oil and gas exploration, commercial shipping traffic, and coastal jet ski traffic. The noise from ships and human activity can damage Cnidarians and Ctenophora, which are essential organisms in the marine ecosystem. They promote high diversity and are used as models for ecology and biology because of their simple structures. When there is underwater noise, the vibrations in the water damage the cilia hairs in the Coelenterates.
Between 1950 and 1975, ambient noise at one location in the Pacific Ocean increased by about ten decibels (a tenfold increase in intensity). Underwater noise pollution is unevenly distributed across marine environments, with the highest concentrations occurring in shipping lanes, port areas, and densely trafficked ocean routes. These areas experience sustained high ambient noise levels due to the dominance of older and larger vessels, which emit significant low-frequency noise (10 to 500 Hz) caused by engine vibrations, propeller cavitation, and hull turbulence.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed vessel traffic patterns, reducing global shipping noise source energy in the 63 Hz 1/3 octave band by -6%. However, in some sea areas, such as the Indian Ocean, Yellow Sea, and Eastern China Sea, the emitted noise source energy was only slightly reduced. The pandemic temporarily disrupted the increasing pre-pandemic noise emission trend, but it is expected to continue as the global economy recovers.
To address underwater noise pollution, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established guidelines encouraging the adoption of quieter ship designs, optimized propellers, and improved hull forms to reduce noise emissions. Declaring noise-sensitive habitats as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can also help mitigate the impact of disruptive activities like shipping and drilling in critical regions. Additionally, stricter noise emission regulations can encourage industries to adopt quieter operational methods, and raising awareness about the impact of noise pollution is crucial.
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Chemical contamination and nutrient pollution
Marine pollution is a growing concern, with billions of pounds of trash and other pollutants entering the ocean each year. One of the primary sources of pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs due to runoff from various human activities. Chemical contamination, or nutrient pollution, poses significant health, environmental, and economic risks.
Chemical contamination, or nutrient pollution, occurs when human activities, such as fertilizer use on farms, lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for plant growth, but when present in high concentrations in water bodies, they can trigger harmful algal blooms, also known as "red tides." These algal blooms produce toxic effects, impacting marine life and, in some cases, humans as well. The decomposition of these dense algal blooms depletes oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.
Agricultural practices are a significant contributor to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Chemical fertilizers and animal manure from farms can run off into nearby water bodies, leading to increased nutrient concentrations. Additionally, a portion of the nitrogen fertilizer vaporizes into the atmosphere and later falls onto the ocean, contributing to nutrient pollution in coastal areas. This has led to a tenfold increase in global fertilizer use since the mid-20th century, with nitrogen discharges from rivers into the sea rising by 43% between 1970 and 2000.
The accumulation of excess nutrients in coastal areas can be attributed to various sources, including crude oil, petroleum products, antifoulants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. These chemicals can have toxic effects on marine life and can become concentrated in the food chain, impacting human health as well. Even chemicals banned decades ago, like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are still found in high concentrations in deep-sea creatures.
Nutrient pollution also contributes to the proliferation of invasive species, which can outcompete native species and alter underwater seascapes. The overabundance of certain nutrients can create favourable conditions for invasive species to thrive, disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems. This, in turn, can have economic implications, with invasive species costing the US alone about $138 billion annually in lost revenue and management costs.
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Plastic pollution, including microplastics
Plastic pollution is a significant contributor to underwater pollution. Plastic debris comes in various shapes and sizes, but those less than five millimetres in length, or about the size of a pencil eraser, are called "microplastics". These microplastics can come from larger plastic pieces that have degraded into smaller fragments, resin pellets used in plastic manufacturing, or microbeads found in health and beauty products.
Microplastics are a pressing issue as they can pass through water filtration systems and end up in oceans and lakes, posing a severe threat to aquatic life. A 2022 study found that microplastics accumulate in freshwater systems, especially at the source of rivers or streams, where the slow water flow allows for the piling up of microplastics. This leads to a higher likelihood of ingestion by marine animals, which can have detrimental effects on their health.
The impact of microplastics on human health is still being studied. While a World Health Organization review in 2019 and 2020 concluded that more research is needed to determine the risks, it warned that the smallest microplastic fragments are likely to be biologically absorbed. Additionally, microplastics have been found in tap water, sea salt, and even bottled water, with an average of around 240,000 nanoplastic fragments per litre of bottled water, according to a US study.
To combat plastic pollution, individuals can opt for products made with bio-based and biodegradable plastics and sustainable packaging. Recycling and reusing plastic products are also effective ways to reduce plastic waste. On a broader scale, clean-up programs and technological innovations, such as fungi and bacteria that feed on plastic, are being explored to address the issue of plastic pollution in our environment.
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Oil spills and fossil fuels
Oil spills are classified as point source pollution, which refers to pollution from a single source. While less frequent than non-point source pollution, point source pollution events can have significant consequences. Oil spills often occur during the extraction, transportation, or use of oil. Accidents involving tankers, barges, pipelines, refineries, drilling rigs, and storage facilities are the most common causes. Oil spills can also happen during ship refuelling or when recreational boats release oil into the water.
The environmental impact of oil spills can be severe and long-lasting. Oil spills harm sea creatures, make seafood unsafe for human consumption, and ruin coastal areas like beaches, mangroves, and wetlands. Oil spills can contaminate water bodies, making them unsafe for human activities and wildlife. In some cases, oil spills can lead to the closure of beaches due to the hazardous nature of the pollution.
Oil spills have occurred in various locations, including the Gulf of America, the Gulf of Thailand, and the waters of Thailand's Rayong province. One notable incident is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which was the largest oil spill in U.S. waters. Another significant event was the collapse of Taylor Energy's MC20 oil production platform during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, resulting in more than one million gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of America.
The fossil fuel industry's negligence and lack of transparency have been criticized in the aftermath of oil spills. In the case of the Rayong oil spill, Chevron's SPRC was accused of misinformation and a lack of transparency regarding the incident's scope and its environmental impact. Oil spills highlight the detrimental effects of fossil fuel use on the planet and the need for a transition to alternative energy sources.
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Invasive species
Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that live in and negatively impact freshwater and marine environments. They can cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. They can be introduced and spread in a variety of ways, including through everyday activities such as fishing, hunting, and boating, or by more intentional means such as dumping unwanted aquarium fish or plants into a lake. Increased global trade is a significant cause of invasions, as it creates new markets and trade routes, increasing the number of new species transported and introduced into new areas.
Some examples of invasive aquatic species in the United States include the New Zealand mudsnail, Eurasian watermilfoil, Northern Snakehead, zebra mussels, invasive carp, and sea lamprey. These species can have serious negative impacts on the environment, economy, and infrastructure. For instance, zebra mussels are regarded as one of the most destructive invasive species in North America, posing a serious threat to waterways, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The Northern Snakehead, a predatory fish native to Asia, is infamous for its snake-like shape, sharp teeth, and ability to stay alive outside of water for days.
Preventing the spread of invasive species is crucial. Some simple steps that can be taken include cleaning watercraft and outdoor recreation gear after each use and never releasing unwanted pets or aquarium contents into the wild. It is also important to educate the public about the threats posed by invasive species so that they can help protect America's aquatic species.
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Frequently asked questions
Underwater pollution, also known as marine pollution, is a mixture of chemical contamination and trash. It includes plastic pollution, ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, and underwater noise.
Eighty per cent of underwater pollution comes from land and is caused by humans. Nonpoint source pollution is the accumulation of pollution from small sources that cannot be exactly pinpointed, such as individual cars, boats, farms, and construction sites. Point source pollution comes from a single source, like an oil or chemical spill.
Underwater noise pollution from shipping, seismic surveys, and military activity creates a different environment than existed even 50 years ago. It can harm or even kill marine species worldwide. Plastic pollution can lead to entanglement, suffocation, and internal injuries in marine animals. Oil spills coat the surface of the water, reducing the amount of sunlight reaching underwater vegetation and harming marine organisms through ingestion or physical contact. Nutrient pollution can cause harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water, leading to "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.
Addressing underwater pollution requires a combination of regulatory measures, technological advancements, and public awareness. International conventions and regulations, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), aim to reduce pollution from maritime activities. Improved waste management systems, enhanced treatment of sewage, and stricter controls on the discharge of pollutants are crucial steps in mitigating underwater pollution.
