Meghan Hodges
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and are home to most of the life on the planet. However, human activities have led to the ocean being bombarded with pollution. The majority of pollutants that enter the ocean come from human activities along coastlines and far inland. The types of ocean pollution are vast, including plastic, fossil fuels, noise, light, oil, and carbon emissions. This pollution has devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems, and it is essential to address this issue through prevention and cleanup efforts to protect the health of our oceans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Marine pollution, Ocean pollution |
| Main Causes | Human activities, Nonpoint source pollution, Point source pollution |
| Nonpoint Source Examples | Septic tanks, Vehicles, Farms, Livestock ranches, Timber harvest areas |
| Point Source Examples | Oil spills, Chemical spills, Factory discharge, Water treatment system discharge |
| Other Types | Light pollution, Noise pollution, Industrial pollution, Nutrient pollution |
| Polluting Items | Plastic bags, Plastic bottles, Food containers, Cutlery, Wrappers, Synthetic rope, Fishing items, Microplastics |
| Plastic Impact | Animals mistake plastic for food, Plastic takes a long time to decompose, Plastic travels far and wide |
| Other Impacts | Harmful effects on drinking water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife, Disruption of marine wildlife communication and behaviours, Increased ocean acidification |
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Plastic pollution
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. It has affected at least 267 species worldwide, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Plastic debris can injure or kill these animals through ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement. For example, ghost nets, a type of abandoned fishing net, can entangle and trap marine life, leading to severe consequences. Additionally, bottle caps have been found in the stomachs of turtles and seabirds, obstructing their respiratory and digestive tracts and resulting in fatalities.
Microplastics, formed from the breakdown of plastic waste, further contribute to the issue. These tiny plastic particles are ingested by small organisms, which absorb the chemicals into their tissues. As these organisms are then consumed by larger predators, the plastics and associated toxins move up the food chain, eventually reaching humans. Research has shown that fish are ingesting plastic fragments, with 35% of the fish caught during a 2008 Pacific Gyre voyage found to contain plastic pieces.
Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Prevention is crucial, and it involves reducing the use of disposable and single-use plastics, as well as improving waste management practices. While some countries have implemented regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items, the transition to more sustainable practices is a long and economically challenging process. Additionally, cleanup efforts are necessary, although they may be challenging due to the presence of non-floating plastic debris deep in the ocean. Proposed solutions include trapping plastic particles at river mouths before they enter the ocean and targeting the accumulation of plastics in ocean gyres, such as the Pacific Garbage Patch.
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Noise pollution
Marine pollution is mainly caused by human activities, with 80% of pollutants coming from land. While plastic pollution is a well-known issue, noise pollution is a less-discussed type of ocean pollution that has increased dramatically in recent decades.
The increase in background noise in the ocean is a direct result of the approximately 250,000 vessels travelling across the global ocean simultaneously. Cargo ships can emit noise of up to 190 decibels, which is louder than a plane taking off. Noise travels much faster in water than in air, so this increased noise level affects marine habitats and animals, such as dolphins, whales, and fish, that rely on vocalizations to communicate and navigate their environment.
The effects of noise pollution on marine life include temporary or permanent hearing loss, behavioural changes, masking of natural sounds, injury, and even death. For example, sudden loud noises can cause whales to strand themselves on beaches, which disrupts the food chain as seafloor-dwelling animals rely on the whale's body as a food source. Noise pollution can also drive marine mammals away from important feeding or breeding grounds and force them to alter their migration routes.
To reduce noise pollution, policies and regulations are needed to mitigate propeller noise from ships, sonar equipment, seismic air guns, pile driving, and construction. Developing and implementing quieter technologies, such as 'marine vibroseis' instead of airguns for seismic surveys, can also help reduce noise levels. Slowing down ships can significantly reduce noise emissions, with potential additional benefits such as reduced CO2 emissions and a lower risk of collisions with whales.
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Oil spills
The consequences of oil spills can be long-lasting, with ecosystems and economies feeling the impacts for decades. One of the industries most affected by oil spills is fishing, with commercial fishing often suspended following major spills to prevent contamination of catch and equipment. Oil spills can also affect tourism and commerce, as well as power plants and other utilities that rely on seawater.
The cleanup and recovery process after an oil spill is challenging and costly. While sound science is required to clean up the oil, measure the impacts of pollution, and aid the ocean's recovery, there is currently no thoroughly satisfactory method for cleaning up major oil spills.
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Nonpoint source pollution
During rainfall or snowmelt, water moves over and through the ground, absorbing any pollutants it comes into contact with. For example, rainwater can flow across parking lots, picking up oil leaked from car engines, trash, and other pollutants. This runoff then makes its way into nearby water bodies, eventually reaching lakes, rivers, or oceans. While the concentration of pollutants from nonpoint sources may be lower than that of point sources, the total amount delivered can be higher due to the numerous contributing sources.
Sources of nonpoint source pollution are diverse and widespread. They include small sources like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats, as well as larger sources such as farms, ranches, and forest areas. Even airborne pollutants contribute to nonpoint source pollution when they combine with water to form acid rain, which then settles into waterways and oceans.
Addressing nonpoint source pollution requires a comprehensive approach involving various agencies and programs. The US Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and other federal and state agencies collaborate to monitor, assess, and limit this type of pollution. The Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act have played important roles in reducing nonpoint source pollution in the United States. Additionally, educational initiatives, such as those provided by the NOAA Marine Debris Program, aim to raise awareness and promote individual actions to prevent further pollution.
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Light pollution
One of the most affected species by light pollution is sea turtles. Adult female sea turtles struggle to find dark beaches suitable for laying their eggs, and the artificial light confuses the hatchlings, luring them away from the ocean and towards their possible death. Artificial light at night can also interfere with the natural processes of marine life, such as eating, mating, and camouflage, leading to confusion and reduced survival rates. For example, a study found that baby clownfish exposed to artificial light had a 44% lower survival rate and grew smaller than those raised under natural light.
As coastal cities continue to grow, light pollution is likely to increase, impacting more marine ecosystems. It is important for individuals and communities to address this issue by implementing better lighting practices and creating Dark Sky Reserves near sensitive marine habitats to reduce their impact on the environment.
While light pollution is a significant issue, it is often overlooked. By understanding the dangers of light pollution and taking action, we can work towards protecting and preserving the diverse marine life that depends on healthy ocean ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
The ocean is under threat from a variety of pollutants, with plastic being the most common. Other types of ocean pollution include noise, light, carbon emissions, oil, chemicals, and agricultural nutrients.
Eighty percent of ocean pollution comes from land. One of the biggest sources is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff from sources like septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and boats.
Ocean pollution has detrimental effects on marine life, drinking water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife. It can cause cellular damage, disrupt physiological behaviours, and decrease the likelihood of survival for certain species.
Solutions to ocean pollution include prevention and cleanup. While cleanup may be impossible for some items, especially those that sink deep into the ocean, prevention measures such as reducing plastic use and properly disposing of waste can help reduce ocean pollution.
