Greta Jimenez
Ocean pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both marine ecosystems and human health. It refers to the contamination of the ocean and coastal areas by various pollutants, primarily from human activities. These pollutants can have far-reaching and detrimental effects on the environment, marine life, and human well-being. The sources of ocean pollution are diverse and include nonpoint source pollution, industrial discharges, plastic waste, oil spills, and atmospheric pollution. Understanding and addressing these human contributions to ocean pollution are crucial for mitigating its impacts and preserving the health of our planet's oceans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pollution | Chemical and trash |
| Chemical pollutants | Nitrogen, phosphorus, mercury, methylmercury, PCBs, carbon emissions |
| Trash pollutants | Microplastics, plastic bottles, utensils, straws, bags, packaging, sewage |
| Sources of pollution | Nonpoint sources (runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, timber harvest areas), ships, manufacturing plants, sewage overflow, stormwater, littering, atmospheric pollution, oil spills |
| Effects of pollution | Decline in fish stocks, increase in harmful algal blooms, bacterial pollution, anti-microbial resistance, migration of pathogens, human health issues, economic losses, ecosystem degradation, coral bleaching, marine mammal harm |
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What You'll Learn
Nonpoint source pollution
NPS pollution can come from many sources, including septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. For example, water flowing over a parking lot after a rainstorm may pick up oil left by cars, which can be identified by a rainbow-colored sheen on the water's surface. This runoff can then make its way into streams, larger rivers, and eventually the ocean, carrying these pollutants with it.
The effects of NPS pollution can be detrimental to both the environment and human communities. It can make river and ocean water unsafe for humans and wildlife, leading to beach closures and negatively impacting the commercial fishing industry. High population densities along coastal regions can further exacerbate the problem. NPS pollution is challenging to control due to its multiple sources, and correcting its harmful effects can be costly.
To address NPS pollution, agencies like NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency work together to monitor, assess, and limit this type of pollution. They collaborate with federal and state partners to develop strategies and implement programs like NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program, which aims to create specific nonpoint source pollution control plans for participating coastal states.
While NPS pollution is a significant issue, efforts are being made to understand and mitigate its impact on the environment and human health. It is important for individuals to be aware of the types of pollution affecting the ocean and take preventive actions, regardless of their proximity to the coast.
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Chemical contamination
Marine pollution is a pressing issue, with over 80% of pollutants in the ocean originating from human activities on land. Chemical contamination, also known as nutrient pollution, is a significant contributor to this crisis. This type of pollution arises from various human activities, such as the use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture, runoff from industrial and urban areas, and even recreational activities.
Fertilisers and pesticides are a primary source of chemical contamination in the ocean. When excess nutrients from animal manure and chemical fertilisers are applied to farmland, they can runoff into nearby waterways, eventually making their way into the ocean. This has led to a tenfold increase in global fertiliser use since the mid-20th century, with nitrogen discharges from rivers into the sea rising by 43% between 1970 and 2000. The increased concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in coastal areas promotes the growth of algal blooms, which can be toxic to marine life and harmful to humans.
Industrial and urban runoff also play a significant role in chemical contamination. Nonpoint source pollution, which arises from numerous small and large sources, is a major contributor. This includes runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. These sources introduce a range of chemicals and contaminants into the ocean, such as heavy metals, which can accumulate in seafood and pose risks to human health.
Additionally, recreational activities contribute to chemical contamination in the ocean. Sunscreen, for example, has been identified as an increasing concern, particularly in environmentally sensitive habitats such as coral reef systems. When individuals engage in ocean activities in tropical and subtropical latitudes, they can unknowingly contaminate the water with sunscreen chemicals. Similarly, pharmaceutical, health, and body care products can enter the ocean through ineffective water treatment processes, further exacerbating chemical pollution.
Another aspect of chemical contamination is the presence of pesticides like DDT, which have been banned or restricted in developed nations due to their detrimental ecological effects. However, their unregulated use in underdeveloped countries continues to contaminate marine waters. Even in areas where DDT is no longer used, contaminated estuarine sediments can release previously bound DDT, impacting marine ecosystems.
While the ecological and health threats posed by some ocean pollutants are well understood, such as methylmercury and PCBs, there are still significant gaps in knowledge. Further scientific research is vital to comprehending how everyday human activities contribute to chemical pollution in the ocean and its potential impacts on marine life and human health.
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Trash and microplastics
Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in the ocean. Plastics can break down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which are less than five millimeters in length. Microplastics can also be intentionally designed as microbeads, which are added to health and beauty products. These microbeads can easily pass through water filtration systems and make their way into the ocean, where they are ingested by marine life.
The presence of microplastics in the ocean is a global issue, with microplastics found in beaches and ocean waters around the world. Microplastics have been shown to sorb pollutants, contributing to the bioaccumulation of toxins in marine ecosystems and food webs. This has potential implications for human health, as these pollutants can accumulate in seafood consumed by humans.
To address the issue of microplastics in the ocean, it is important to understand their sources, transportation, and potential solutions. While some countries, like the US, have banned the use of microbeads in personal care products, the annual production of plastic continues to increase, and microplastics remain a significant problem.
Overall, trash and microplastics are significant contributors to ocean pollution, with far-reaching ecological and human health impacts that require urgent attention and action.
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Sewage and industrial waste
The ocean is vulnerable to human influences such as pollution from run-off and the dumping of waste. Sewage and industrial waste are two major contributors to ocean pollution.
Sewage
Sewage is a significant threat to ocean health. It is the largest volume of waste discharged into the oceans and can enter the ocean in a variety of ways. In areas without adequate sanitation and wastewater treatment facilities, sewage can easily enter the ocean. Even in areas with treatment facilities, sewage can enter the ocean due to ageing infrastructure, facility malfunctions, and heavy rains that overwhelm systems. Sewage can also be discharged directly from treatment plants into upstream ecosystems like streams, rivers, wetlands, and estuaries, which eventually flow into the ocean.
Sewage contains a range of pollutants, including 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 harm coastal and marine ecosystems, kill marine life, degrade habitats, and threaten human health. Sewage contributes to eutrophication, which occurs when a body of water becomes enriched with nutrients and minerals, promoting the growth of toxic algae and plants that increase carbon dioxide levels and decrease oxygen levels in the water. Sewage also encourages the formation of harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins that kill marine life and cause human disease through direct exposure or consumption of contaminated seafood.
Industrial Waste
Industrial waste is one of the biggest sources of water pollution. It includes both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Hazardous waste can include ammonia, solvents, and petroleum, while non-hazardous waste includes rubbish and debris. Industrial waste can speed up the process of eutrophication, leading to consequences for drinking water, fisheries, and recreational water. Pollutants from industrial waste, such as total organic carbon (TOC) and compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus, can directly contribute to eutrophication.
The dumping of industrial waste into the ocean was only regulated in the early 1970s, and illegal dumping still occurs. Unregulated disposal of industrial waste, pollution of water, and the buildup of materials in the ocean are serious problems globally, especially in developing countries that lack the resources for proper waste disposal and enforcement of regulations.
Addressing Sewage and Industrial Waste Pollution
Addressing the issue of sewage and industrial waste pollution requires a combination of policy changes, infrastructure improvements, and individual actions. Policies such as the EU's 'Zero Pollution Action Plan' aim to reduce water pollution and encourage industries to monitor their environmental impact. Improving sanitation and wastewater treatment infrastructure can also help reduce sewage discharge into the oceans. Additionally, individuals can play a part in improving water quality by supporting initiatives and organizations dedicated to ocean conservation and pollution reduction.
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Carbon emissions
Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have significantly increased the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels and changing land-use practices, such as deforestation. As a result, the ocean has absorbed about 29% of this additional carbon, leading to a process known as ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, initiating a series of chemical reactions. Firstly, carbonic acid is formed, which then breaks down into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. The increased concentration of hydrogen ions leads to higher acidity and a lower pH. Over the past 200 years, the pH of surface ocean waters has decreased by 0.1 pH units, representing a 30% increase in acidity.
The consequences of ocean acidification are detrimental to marine life, particularly shellfish and other marine organisms that humans depend on for food and economic activities. The increased acidity of seawater reduces the availability of minerals essential for the growth of shellfish, impacting fisheries and local economies. Additionally, warming ocean temperatures caused by carbon emissions have led to the rapid growth of toxic algal blooms, which produce dangerous neurotoxins that accumulate in shellfish, posing significant risks to human health and resulting in the closure of many West Coast fisheries.
Furthermore, the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and act as a carbon sink is being compromised by rising greenhouse gas emissions. The ocean serves as a vital buffer against climate change, absorbing excess heat and energy. However, the increasing levels of carbon dioxide are hindering its ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It is worth noting that some water pollution, including carbon emissions, starts as air pollution, which eventually settles into waterways and oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
The two main types of human ocean pollution are chemicals and trash.
Chemical ocean pollution can include mercury, methylmercury, PCBs, nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon emissions, and oil.
Trash ocean pollution includes microplastics, single-use plastics, and marine debris such as the Pacific Garbage Patch.
Human ocean pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease in the world today, causing an estimated nine million premature deaths per year. It also contributes to economic losses, the erosion of human capital, and the degradation of ecosystems.
