Marine pollution is the release of by-products of
human activity that cause harm to natural Marine
ecosystems.(1)
Sewage, animal waste, and chemical fertalizers all have
a high content of nitrogen and phosphorus. These
artificially high levels of these substances promote extreme
growth of microscopic organisms, called eutrophication.
This leads to low levels of oxygen resulting in a "dead zone."(1)
Several types of pollution lead to the death of coral reefs,
such as eutrophication, costal development, and oil spills.(1)
In parts of the Caribbean Sea only 5 percent of the reef
area consists of living coral.(1)
Idustrial runoff often contains metallic compounds. These
compounds become oxygenated in water column, becoming toxic,
and accumulate in shellfish and the fatty tisue of animals. Many
animals living in a highly polluted area develop tumors and diseases.(1)
The most common materials that eash up on beaches are plastics,
followed by glass and metal. The biggest danger to marine life
result from the ingestion of these fragments, which may block the gut ,
cause suffocation, or prevet feeding.(1)
Individuals can prevent marine pollution by avoiding putting toxic
substances in the drain, avoid dropping litter, minimizing the use of
pesticide, and reduce automovile emmisions.(1)
In 1975, the National Academy of Sciences estimated that ocean-based sources,
such as crago ships and cruise liners had dumped 14 billion pounds of
garbage inot the ocean.(2)
Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are
killed by polution evey year.(2)
Ocean pollution, also known as marine pollution, is the spreading of
harmful substances such as oil, plastic, industrial and agricultural
waste and chemical particles into the ocean.(2)
Americans generate 10.5 million tons of plastic waste a year but recycle
only 1 or 2 percent of it. An stimated 14 billion pounds of trash is dumped
into the world's oceans every year.(2)
Oceans absorb as much as a quarter of all man made carbon emmisons, which
changed the pH of surface waters and leads to acidification. The rising pH
threatens the survival of coral reefs and shellfish.(2)
Eightey percent of marine litter makes it way there gradually from land-
based sources via storm drains, sewers, and other routes.(3)
Sound pollution from human-generated ocean noise alters the underwater
acoustic landscape, harming an dkilling marine mammals like dolphins and whales.
The underwater racket shrinks the sensory range of marine lfe and has been linked
to mass whale strandings.(3)
Offshore oil harvesting uses high powered compressed air guns to shoot deafening
seismic blasts into the ocean every ten to twelve seconds for months on end.
This process disrupts mating calls, foraging, and other vital behaviors of whales and,
if directly hit, can kill marine invertebrates.(3)