Bronte Wells
Marine pollution refers to trash and pollutants that enter the ocean from land sources. There are three main types of marine pollution: direct discharge of waste, runoff into the waters due to rain, and pollutants released from the atmosphere. Marine debris, or litter, is human-created solid material that has been released into the sea or ocean, either deliberately or accidentally. This includes plastic pollution, which is a persistent problem as many types of plastics do not biodegrade quickly. Other pollutants include toxins such as PCBs, DDT, TBT, pesticides, furans, dioxins, phenols, radioactive waste, and PFAS. One example of a substance that is not considered a marine pollutant is phytoplankton, which are microscopic organisms that are a natural and essential part of the marine ecosystem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine pollutants | Trash, industrial waste, agricultural waste, residential waste, air pollution |
| Marine pollutants that are not biodegradable | Plastics, PCBs, DDT, TBT, pesticides, furans, dioxins, phenols, radioactive waste, PFAS |
| Marine pollutants that are biodegradable | Oil, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, sewage sludge, nutrient runoff |
| Not a marine pollutant | Dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton |
| Other types of marine pollution | Noise pollution, ocean dumping, waterborne plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Plastics
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue in marine environments. Plastics are synthetic, organic polymers derived from fossil fuels like gas and petroleum. They are used in almost all consumer and industrial activities, from construction and vehicles to electronics and agriculture. When improperly discarded, plastic waste can pollute and harm the environment, leading to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is profound. Large plastic items can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, causing suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics, formed from the breakdown of larger plastics, have been found in the water, sediment, and biota of marine and coastal habitats, affecting various fish species, including those consumed by humans.
To address plastic pollution, a shift in how we view and use plastic is necessary. This includes preventing plastic leakage into the environment, reducing plastic production, improving product design for a more circular economy, and promoting recycling, repurposing, and reuse. Global, regional, and national initiatives, policies, and regulations are vital to curb plastic pollution in marine and coastal zones effectively.
Plastic pollution in marine ecosystems poses a severe threat to biodiversity, ecological health, and socio-economic aspects. By understanding the sources and impacts of plastic pollution, we can work towards mitigating this issue and preserving the health of our oceans and the life they sustain.
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Eutrophication
The process of eutrophication begins when nutrients from human waste and agricultural fertilizers enter lakes and oceans. These nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, act as food for algae, causing them to grow and block sunlight from reaching other plants. As a result, the plants that do not receive sunlight die, and bacteria begin to digest them, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This leads to a reduction in the oxygen levels in the water, creating "'dead zones' where fish and other wildlife cannot survive due to the lack of oxygen.
To address the issue of eutrophication, it is essential to implement sound agricultural and waste management practices. This includes reducing the amount of pollutants that reach watersheds by protecting forest cover and practising sustainable agriculture to minimise land degradation and soil runoff. Conservation tillage, where the frequency and intensity of tilling are reduced, can also enhance the absorption of nutrients into the ground. Additionally, creating buffer zones near farms and roads can help catch and absorb nutrients before they reach water bodies.
Furthermore, shellfish cultivation and seaweed aquaculture have been explored as potential solutions to eutrophication. Shellfish, such as mussels, can control phytoplankton density and sequester nutrients, improving water quality. Seaweed, such as kelp, has a high capacity to absorb phosphorus and nitrogen, helping to reduce excessive nutrient levels in the sea. These natural approaches offer promising opportunities to mitigate and adapt to climate change while improving water quality.
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Noise pollution
Marine pollution refers to trash and pollutants that enter the ocean from land sources. These pollutants can cause widespread damage to marine life and economic structures that rely on marine infrastructure. While marine pollution typically refers to physical waste, noise pollution is also a form of marine pollution that has increased dramatically over the past few decades.
Underwater noise can have a variety of negative effects on marine life, especially marine mammals that rely heavily on sound for survival. One of the most common impacts is the disruption of natural behaviour. For example, sonar has been shown to alter the feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales, causing them to stop feeding, increase their swimming speed, and move away from the sound source. Noise pollution can also cause hearing loss, behavioural and physiological changes, masking of natural sounds, injury, and even death.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established guidelines to minimize underwater noise pollution, including the adoption of quieter ship designs and the use of bubble curtains during offshore construction. Global initiatives, such as those led by the United Nations, are also working towards comprehensive frameworks to protect marine biodiversity and regulate noise pollution. Additionally, industries relying on loud offshore activities are exploring quieter alternatives, and stricter noise emission regulations are encouraging the adoption of quieter operational methods.
While noise pollution in the marine environment poses significant challenges, efforts are being made to reduce its impact. By implementing regulations, adopting new technologies, and raising awareness, it is possible to mitigate the negative effects of noise pollution on marine life and ecosystems.
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Marine debris
The presence of marine debris in the ocean and waterways is a significant global problem. It is estimated that 80% of marine debris is plastic, which does not readily biodegrade as many other substances do. Instead, plastic photodegrades when exposed to sunlight, but this process is inhibited by water. As a result, plastic debris accumulates in massive marine garbage patches and enters the food chain, posing a serious threat to marine life, boats, and coasts. The impact of marine debris on wildlife is particularly harmful, as animals can mistake plastic debris for food, leading to blockages, malnutrition, and death.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program (NOAA Marine Debris Program) in the United States works to address the impacts of marine debris. The program funds projects that prevent debris from entering the ocean, support its removal, and raise awareness about the issue. Since 2006, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has supported over 340 removal projects and removed more than 40,000 metric tons of debris from US coasts and oceans. Additionally, laws and policies have been adopted internationally to reduce marine pollution, such as the inclusion of Sustainable Development Goal 14 "Life Below Water" by the UN.
To address the global problem of marine debris, a multifaceted approach is necessary. While removing existing debris is important, prevention plays a crucial role. This involves changing behaviours related to common marine debris items and raising awareness about the impact of human activities on the marine environment. By working together, communities, organizations, and governments can make a significant difference in reducing marine debris and mitigating its harmful effects on our oceans and aquatic ecosystems.
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Persistent toxins
Marine pollution refers to trash and pollutants that enter the ocean from land sources. This includes industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, as well as air pollution from nitrogen, silicon, sulphur, and pesticides. One of the most well-known and prevalent forms of marine pollution is plastic waste, which has increased tenfold since 1980 and now affects at least 267 species, including marine turtles, seabirds, and mammals.
However, apart from plastics, there are particular problems with other toxins that are persistent and do not disintegrate rapidly in the marine environment. These persistent toxins can have detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems, accumulating in marine organisms and becoming more concentrated as they move up the food chain. This process is known as bioaccumulation.
Some examples of persistent toxins include:
- PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls): These chemicals were manufactured from oil and were extensively released into the environment. They are persistent and toxic, accumulating in marine organisms over time. Despite being banned by the 2001 Stockholm Convention, they are still found in high concentrations in deep-sea creatures.
- DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane): A toxic chemical that was used as a pesticide in large quantities, particularly in the United States. It is known to be neurotoxic, a reproductive toxin, an endocrine disruptor, and a carcinogen. Like PCBs, it accumulates in marine organisms and moves up the food chain.
- TBT (tributyltin): A toxic substance that can accumulate in marine life and disrupt their reproductive abilities.
- Pesticides: When pesticides enter the marine ecosystem, they are quickly absorbed into marine food webs, causing mutations and diseases that can affect both marine life and humans.
- Furans, dioxins, phenols, and radioactive waste: These substances are toxic and can persist in the marine environment, causing harm to marine life and ecosystems.
- Heavy metals: Metallic elements with high density, such as mercury, lead, copper, and cadmium, are toxic to marine life even at low concentrations. They can accumulate in the tissues of marine species, impacting their health and behaviour.
- PFAS: The full extent of the harm caused by PFAS is still under investigation, but it is known to have negative effects on marine ecosystems.
These persistent toxins contribute to the degradation of marine ecosystems and can have far-reaching consequences for marine life, human health, and industries that depend on healthy marine environments, such as fisheries and tourism.
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Frequently asked questions
Dissolved oxygen is not a marine pollutant.
Marine pollutants include plastics, PCBs, DDT, TBT, pesticides, furans, dioxins, phenols, radioactive waste, and PFAS.
Marine pollution enters the ocean through direct discharge of waste, runoff from rain, and pollutants released from the atmosphere.
Marine pollution causes widespread damage to ocean life and economic structures that rely on marine infrastructure. It can lead to changes in the distribution of marine species and the formation of 'dead zones' due to oxygen depletion.
