marine pollution short essay

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Marine pollution.

Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution results in damage to the environment, to the health of all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide.

Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Oceanography

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Marine pollution is a growing problem in today’s world. Our ocean is being flooded with two main types of pollution: chemicals and trash.

Chemical contamination, or nutrient pollution, is concerning for health, environmental, and economic reasons. This type of pollution occurs when human activities, notably the use of fertilizer on farms, lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that ultimately flow into the ocean. The increased concentration of chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the coastal ocean promotes the growth of algal blooms , which can be toxic to wildlife and harmful to humans. The negative effects on health and the environment caused by algal blooms hurt local fishing and tourism industries.

Marine trash encompasses all manufactured products—most of them plastic —that end up in the ocean. Littering, storm winds, and poor waste management all contribute to the accumulation of this debris , 80 percent of which comes from sources on land. Common types of marine debris include various plastic items like shopping bags and beverage bottles, along with cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, and fishing gear. Plastic waste is particularly problematic as a pollutant because it is so long-lasting. Plastic items can take hundreds of years to decompose.

This trash poses dangers to both humans and animals. Fish become tangled and injured in the debris , and some animals mistake items like plastic bags for food and eat them. Small organisms feed on tiny bits of broken-down plastic , called micro plastic , and absorb the chemicals from the plastic into their tissues. Micro plastics are less than five millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter and have been detected in a range of marine species, including plankton and whales. When small organisms that consume micro plastics are eaten by larger animals, the toxic chemicals then become part of their tissues. In this way, the micro plastic pollution migrates up the food chain , eventually becoming part of the food that humans eat.

Solutions for marine pollution include prevention and cleanup. Disposable and single-use plastic is abundantly used in today’s society, from shopping bags to shipping packaging to plastic bottles. Changing society’s approach to plastic use will be a long and economically challenging process. Cleanup, in contrast, may be impossible for some items. Many types of debris (including some plastics ) do not float, so they are lost deep in the ocean. Plastics that do float tend to collect in large “patches” in ocean gyres. The Pacific Garbage Patch is one example of such a collection, with plastics and micro plastics floating on and below the surface of swirling ocean currents between California and Hawaii in an area of about 1.6 million square kilometers (617,763 square miles), although its size is not fixed. These patches are less like islands of trash and, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says, more like flecks of micro plastic pepper swirling around an ocean soup. Even some promising solutions are inadequate for combating marine pollution. So-called “ biodegradable ” plastics often break down only at temperatures higher than will ever be reached in the ocean.

Nonetheless, many countries are taking action. According to a 2018 report from the United Nations, more than sixty countries have enacted regulations to limit or ban the use of disposable plastic items. The National Geographic Society is making this content available under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA license . The License excludes the National Geographic Logo (meaning the words National Geographic + the Yellow Border Logo) and any images that are included as part of each content piece. For clarity the Logo and images may not be removed, altered, or changed in any way.

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Essay on marine pollution: top 5 essays.

Read this essay to learn about Marine Pollution. After reading this essay you will learn about: 1. Meaning of Marine Pollution 2. Causes of Marine Pollution 3. Effects 4. Policies 5. Control.

Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Control of Marine Pollution

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Essay # 1. Meaning of Marine Pollution :

The Earth’s oceans are all connected to one another. Until the year 2000, there were four recognized oceans:

The Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic. In the spring of 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization delimited a new ocean, the Southern Ocean (it surrounds Antarctica and extends to 60 degrees latitude). There are also many seas (smaller branches of an ocean). Seas are often partly enclose d by land. The largest seas are the South China Sea, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.

The following table shows the approximate area of sea with their approximate depth.

About 2/3 of the earth’s surface is covered with water of oceans and sea. They are life sources for many plants and animals and playing a crucial role in the chemical and biological balance of life on the planet. But increasing pollution has not left them free from pollutants. Increase of these pollutants in such amount that conditions of sea changes physically, chemically and biologically is called Marine pollution.

The main cause of Marine pollution or sea pollution is discharge of waste substances into sea.

The habitats of marine mammals and fish have been degraded severely with pollution responsible for the mass deaths of fish, mammals and corals. Day-by-day increasing pollutants like organochlorine, pesticides, fertilizers, oils and a range of other toxic pollutants accumulates with in fishes and through them to man to cause reproductive disorders.

Pollution and warm ocean waters have also degraded coral reefs in several areas. Due to agricultural wastes run off and waste water; low oxygen dead zones are developed in coastal ocean waters. Excess N 2 has promoted the growth of algae, which promotes toxic organisms like cholera.

According to a rough estimate, about 12000 tonnes of lead, 17000 tonnes of copper, 70,000 tonnes of zinc, 8000 tonnes of arsenic, 900 tonnes of barium, 70000 tonnes of manganese, 6000 tonnes of chromium, 3800 tonnes of antimony, 17000 tonnes of iron, 7000 tonnes of mercury and 4600 tonnes of tin are discharged per year into the sea without any dilution.

The industrial wastes loaded with toxic substances such as acids, alkalies, pesticides, oils, varnishes, plastics, petro­chemicals, rubber, paints, and wastes of paper, soap, sugar, distillery, mine drainage, tannery, cyanides and radioactive substances pollute heavily causing fish killing in different coasts of different nations.

One of the commonest pollutants of the sea is raw or treated sewage. Over burden of these sewage cause prolific breeding of minute plants near the sea surface preventing the sunlight from reaching deep in the sea. As a result photosynthesis is either reduced or stopped in deep water plants and plants starts taking is O 2 and giving out CO 2 .

Thus using up more oxygen they die in large amount and decomposed by bacteria, causing further decrease in oxygen level. As a result of this decrease in O 2 level, fish and other animals start to die. This complete phenomenon is known as “eutrophication” .

The pollution due to nitrogen, mainly from agricultural run-off and wastewater has almost tripled the occurrence of low oxygen dead zones in past 30 years.

Another major source for sea pollution is agricultural waste.

Many fertilizers like DDT tends to get more and more concentrated as taken by higher consumers of a food chain e.g., fishes, growing in sea water with 0.1 part of DDT per billions part of water will have about 57 mg. of DDT per kg of body weight in higher animals. Other pesticides such as aldrin, endrin and dieldrin are even more dangerous and not biodegradable like DDT.

DDT level increase to 800 mg/kg. for large fishes which feed on these fish. When such small fish migrate from one sea to other also affect there aquatic life where no farmers to make use of DDT.

Like fertilizers and pesticides other chemicals used for various purposes such as in fire extinguishers, coolants in refrigerator A.C. and in paints cause chemical pollution of sea. Like DDT their proportion increase we go up in the food chain.

In recent years the use of trisodium nitrilotriacletate (NTA) to make water soft and alkaline, in place of sodium tripolyphosphate, is increased. NTA is biodegradable but forms complexes with metals like Hg, Pb, Cd and As which are poisonous.

Chlorinated and hydrogenated hydrocarbons used for fire extinguishers, propellants and as solvents and PCB (poly chlorinated biphenyls) used in electrical insulation, coolant, paints and lacquers leaks about 25% into environment during transportation and application out of this 1/10th finds way in sea.

Essay # 2. Causes of Marine Pollution:

(i) Oil Pollution:

The most important pollution of sea is oil. Hence we will discuss it here in details. Oil pollution of the sea normally attracts the greatest attention because of its visibility. There are several sources though which the oil can reach to the sea. Every year, approximately 3.5 million metric tons of the oil is released into the world’s oceans.

Sources of Oil Pollution :

Sources of oil input to the marine environment are often divided into natural, sea-based and land-based sources with four main categories of pollutants discharges through natural seeps, discharges during the extraction of oil, discharges during the transportation of oil, and discharges during the consumption of oil (including both sea-based and land-based sources).

These sources result in an estimated average of 706 million gallons of oil pollution entering our oceans each year. Of this, less than 10% is from natural seepage of oil from the ocean floor and eroding of sedimentary rock. The remaining 644 million gallons comes from human activities.

Offshore drilling, as a result of accidental spills and other operations, accounts for just over 2%. Large tanker spills, account for just over 5%. Air pollution from cars and industry accounts for just over 13% of the total, as the hundreds of tons of hydrocarbons land in our oceans from particle fallout aided by the rain, which washes the particles from the air.

Almost 4 times the amount of oil which comes from the large tanker spills, 19%, is regularly released into the ocean from routine maintenance, which includes boat bilge discharge as well as other ship operations.

By far, the greatest cause of oil in our oceans comes from drains and urban street runoff. Much of this is from improper disposal of engine oil. An average oil change uses 5 quarts of oil, which alone can contaminate millions of gallons of fresh water.

Crude oil from tanker accidents and offshore drilling is most likely to cause problems. Most people have seen the images of oil-coated animals and the large oil slicks surrounding the tankers after an accident.

The oil will spread over large areas often continuing to cause harm for many years. When quantities of surface oil are sufficient to coat animal fur and feathers, the animals cannot stay warm and will ingest the toxic oil while attempting to clean themselves.

Many of these oiled animals die as a result of ingesting these toxins. Many marine animals that do not die quickly as a result of the oil spill may develop liver disease and reproductive and growth problems because of ingestion.

Even very small quantities of oil will spread, floating on the surface of the water covering vast areas of water. These thin sheets can kill marine larvae, which in turn will reduce the number of marine animals.

(ii) Industrial Wastes:

Thousands of other pollutants also end up in the ocean. More than 2.8 billion gallons of industrial wastewater per day are discharged directly into ocean waters, excluding electric utilities and offshore oil and gas effluents. Heavy metals released from industry, such as mercury and lead, are often found in marine life, including many of those often consumed by humans.

The longer- lived, larger fish such as king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish and shark often contain harmful levels of the pollutant mercury, which can harm the developing brain and nervous system of children and fetuses. The chemical contaminants like pesticides, pharmaceutical agents, and biological contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa also found their way to sea.

Dioxins from the pulp and paper bleaching process can cause genetic chromosomal degradation in marine animals and may even cause cancer in humans.

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), which usually comes from older electrical equipment, typically causes reproduction problems in most marine organisms. Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are another source of marine toxic pollution and typically come from oil pollution and burning wood and coal.

Ship industry has caused a great deal of damage to sensitive marine environments. A typical 3000 ship passenger can produce 255,000 gallons of wastewater and 30,000 gallons of sewage every day. All of this waste is normally discharged directly into the ocean.

This waste can contain bacteria, pathogens, medical waste, oils, detergents, cleaners, heavy metals, harmful nutrients (nitrogen amongst others) and other substances. These substances can be brought back to coastal areas as well as cause serious damage to the aquatic life in the sea, including posing a risk for contaminating seafood.

Nitrogen compounds can also contribute to environmentally hazardous algae blooms. Typically 75—85% of the solid waste from a ship is incinerated at sea adding to sea pollution as the toxins and ash settles back into the ocean.

Once in 1985 at Haji port of Bombay, about 80,000 fishes are were found dead due to industrial effluents containing cyanide irons and mercury. Due to mercury-poisoned fishes, about 20,000 people in Japan fell sick and many died in 1978. The disease was given the name Minamata on the name of the city of Japan.

Similar diseases due to metallic poisoning have already been reported by France, Belgium, England, Holland, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ceylon. The compounds of mercury are highly toxic. In aquatic environment mercury gets converted into methyl mercury which accumulates in fish cells and through them in human beings.

Industrial effluents often contain metallic compounds. For example, Halifax, a small city in eastern Canada, discharged into its harbor during the 1990s about thirty-three tons of zinc and thirty-one tons of lead per year, with lesser amounts of copper and other metals.

These metals are held in the sediment in a relatively inert from, but if stirred up into the water column, they become oxygenated and toxic. Tin is another common pollutant in harbors. It occurs as tributyltin (TBT), which is used as component of antifouling paints on the undersides of ships.

When taken up by shellfish, it accumulates in their tissues and has proved toxic to the shellfish and to organisms that consume them. The United States began to phase out TBT in 1988, and it will be banned internationally in 2008.

Industry also produces organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and various pesticides. These accumulate in the fatty tissue of plants and animals low in the food chain, and as they pass through the food web to larger and long-lived animals, there is an increase in concentration of the substances in their fat, a process known as bioaccumulation.

The St. Lawrence River, which drains the Great lakes, has accumulated large amounts of organochlorines, which have compiled in the tissues of Beluga whales. Many animals have tumors and disease. There is mounting evidence that chronic exposure to contaminants causes suppression of the immune responses of marine mammals. Similar problems have occurred with seals in the Baltic Sea.

Almost all rivers of the world are highly polluted and they carry the domestic sewage and mixture of industrial effluents into the sea without any treatment.

(iii) Agricultural Wastes :

Another serious type of marine pollution is nutrient pollution. This pollution is caused primarily from agricultural runoff that contains fertilizers and growth stimulants as well as from airborne nitrogen compounds that comes from automobile exhaust, industrial pollution and ammonia from manure. These cause eutrophic (over nutrient) conditions in coastal areas.

The main cause of eutrophication is excess nitrogen run-off from farm fertilizers, sewage and industrial pollutants. It reduces water clarity and depletes oxygen.

Reduced water clarity can starve sea grasses and algae that live in corals due to lack of light, which results in reducing their growth or killing them. While wind and waves aerate surface waters, the pycnocline layer acts as a barrier to oxygen exchange in bottom waters.

In major rivers, excess nutrients can be added as a result of fertilizer runoff, sewage, animal feed-runoff, or air pollution. The phytoplankton consumes these nutrients and oxygen which, in turn, causes a decrease in the amount of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus in the water body. As the nutrients become depleted, the algae can no longer survive creating red tids.

The dead phytoplankton sinks to the bottom of the water column where they are consumed by decomposers. Since these decomposers break down the algae using dissolved oxygen. Resulting low oxygen levels can be detrimental to fish health; if dissolved oxygen drops to below 2 mg/1, mass fish kills can result.

This is known as hypoxia. The areas in which hypoxia has occurred are known as Dead Zones. Dead zones have been a factor in the Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay on the U.S. east coast, and are now spreading to other bodies of water, including the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Adriatic Sea, Gulf of Thailand and Yellow Sea. There are now nearly 150 dead zones around the globe with some extending 27,000 square miles.

(iv) Marine Garbage :

Marine garbage disposal is another major form of ocean pollution. The world’s oceans are a virtual dumping ground for trash. Sometimes the garbage includes fishing nets, plastics and household garbage.

Garbage in the oceans is a serious issue as fish entangle themselves in fishing nets and animals sometimes eat trash products and die. There are numerous examples of dolphins, sharks and whales entangling themselves in fishing nets and dying from oxygen starvation.

Marine garbage can often enter into animal gut; plastic pop tab rings accidentally strangle animals and so forth. Controlling this form of pollution is important to maintain a healthy ocean ecosystem.

Even simple plastic bags can have large pollutive impacts within the ocean. In one case, a deceased sperm whale was found to have a plastic balloon blocking its digestive system. The whale died from inability to process its food and died of starvation. Plastics can also have negative impacts to boats if they accidentally plug water intake lines.

(v) Sewage Disposal in Ocean :

Sewage is yet another major source of marine pollution. Typically, the problem with sewage is that it causes massive nutrient loading in the ocean ecosystem. Nutrient loading triggers algal blooms in the water leading to the loss of dissolved oxygen. After the depletion of oxygen levels, many organisms in the ocean die from being unable to breathe properly.

The waste water release due to washing our clothes, faces, dishes and cattle, is ultimately headed to the sea. This includes everything from our homes (toilets, washing machines, bathtubs, dishwashers and so forth), industrial effluents and even chemicals such as paints and fertilizers that we dispose of down the drains.

(vi) Marine Debris :

Marine beaches serve as natural traps for marine debris. Globally, the most common materials are plastics, followed by glass and metal. The chief dangers to marine life result from the ingestion of these fragments, which may block the gut, and from entangling, which may cause suffocation or prevent locomotion and feeding.

In a survey of U.S. beaches close to urban centers, cigarette butts were the most abundant debris, followed by packing items (boxes, bags, caps, and lids), medical waste, and sewage. A high proportion of this material reached the sea by way of sewers. Even street litter can be washed into surface drains and then to the sea.

The dumping of sewage and waste by ships is another source. Public revulsion at the state U.S. beaches was a key factor in the enactment of stronger environmental protection laws, like the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 that prohibited the dumping of sewage into the ocean. On sites more remote from cities, pieces of rope and netting are the most common types of marine debris.

Essay # 3. Effects of Marine Pollution :

Apart from causing eutrophication a large amount of organic wastes can also result in the development of ‘red tides’ . These are phytoplankton blooms of such intensity that the whole area is discoloured. Many important, commercially important marine species are also killed due to clogging of gills or other structures.

When liquid oil is spilled on the sea, it spreads over the surface of the water to form a thin film called and oil slick. The rate of spreading and the thickness of the film depend on the sea temperature, winds, currents, and the nature of the oil.

Oil slicks damage marine life to a large extent. Salt marshes and mangrove swamps are likely to trap oil and the plants, which from the basis of these ecosystems, thus suffer. For salt-marsh plants, oil slicks can affect the flowering, fruiting and germination.

If liquid oil contaminates a bird’s plumage, its water-repellent properties are lost. Water then penetrates the plumage and displaces the air trapped between the feathers and the skin. This air layer is necessary as it provides buoyancy and thermal insulation.

With this, the plumage becomes waterlogged and the birds may sink and drown. Even if this does not happen, the loss of thermal insulation results in exhaustion of food reserves in an attempt to maintain body temperature, often followed by death.

Drill cuttings dumped on the seabed create anoxic conditions and result in the production of toxic sulphides in the bottom sediment thus eliminating the benthos fauna.

Fish and shellfish production facilities can also be affected by oil slicks. However, the most important commercial damage can come from ‘tainting’ which imparts an unpleasant flavor to fish and seafood and is detectable even at extremely low levels of contamination. This reduces the market value of seafood.

Some other Effects of Marine Pollution are:

(i) Decomposition of organic matter causes a drop in dissolved oxygen, particularly in calm weather and sheltered bays. This can cause the death of marine plants and animals, and may lead to change in biodiversity.

(ii) Effluent, rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, results in ‘eutrophication’ (over fertilization), which may cause algal blooms. These blooms can discolour the water, clog fish gills, or even be toxic, e.g., red tides. Microbial breakdown of dead algae can cause oxygen deficiencies.

(iii) Pathogenic microorganisms cause gastric and ear-nose-throat infections, hepatitis, and even cholera and typhoid. Filter feeding animals (e.g. mussels, clams, oysters) concentrate pathogens in their gut, so eating shellfish from polluted waters is a health risk.

(iv) Effects from industrial discharges in South Africa are generally limited to the area next to be discharge (the mixing zone). Water quality guidelines specify maximum levels of pollutants allowed in the receiving water.

(v) Oil spills prevent respiration in marine plants and animals.

(vi) In seabirds and mammals it can cause a breakdown in their thermal insulation.

(vii) Pesticides, such as DDT, and other persistent chemicals e.g., PCBs, accumulate in the fatty tissue of animals. These chemicals can cause reproductive failure in marine mammals and birds.

(viii) Ships often paint their hulls with anti-fouling substances, e.g., tributyl-tin or TBT, which prevents growth of marine organisms. These substances leach into water and, in high traffic areas such as harbors and marinas, can affect animal life.

(ix) Plastics kill many marine animals. Turtles, for example, often swallow floating plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Animals are often strangled when they become entangled with plastic debris.

Essay # 4. Policies to Protect the Marine Environment :

With the growing scope for national action, the need for regional action has also increased. Regional co-operation can be very cost effective in areas such as monitoring tanker traffic tracking down oil slicks, reinforcing inspection of ships, and providing mutual assistance in the case of emergencies.

Europe took a lead in this respect with the 1969 Bonn Agreement for the North Sea, the 1974 Agreements on the Baltic and on the North West Atlantic, and the 1976 Agreement on the Mediterranean Sea. More recently, it extended this lead with the revision of the Bonn agreement and the adoption of the Pairs Memorandum on Port State Control.

Action would be strengthened, however, if the authorities of a port state were in an effective position to initiate proceedings against tankers that discharge oil pollution into the economic zone of the port state or even into the economic zone of another state.

This is recognized in the new law of the Sea Convention. Regional co-operation could lead to agreements under which authorities in the states party to it would agree to assist each other in prosecuting tankers which violate international pollution prevention laws in their economic pollution prevention laws in their economic zones.

In effect, this would introduce the principle of non-discrimination, long advocated by OECD, into the field of marine pollution with violations of the law anywhere in the area being subject to prosecution in all ports of the area. It would greatly increase the effectiveness of measures taken by coastal states against ships that deliberately release oil at sea.

While the scope of national action and potential for regional action has increased, action at the international level remains vital. As oil is transported on a world-wide basis, most coastal states cannot reasonably impose measures on tankers visiting their harbors unless other states agree to do the same.

Moreover, oil transportation is to a large extent controlled by multinational corporations, and they can operate in various ways that make it difficult to pinpoint their liability, as the French authorities discovered with the amoco Cadiz.

Concerted international action started in 1954 with the “Convention of the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil.” and this was followed by an impressive series of conventions negotiated mostly within the framework of the IMO.

International action has been successful because these conventions were ratified ultimately by most of the major shipping nations-although there are a few outstanding exceptions such as Greece, Panama, and the United States.

It is a slow process, however, it took 10 years for the 1973 Convention on the Prevention of Pollution of the sea to enter into force and when it did only two of its parts came into force and they affected only 68 percent of the gross tonnage of the world fleet.

Nevertheless, this Convention is very significant, because it deals with concrete techniques and measures to reduce oil releases to the sea. In particular, it provides for the creation of reception facilities, the operation tankers with segregated ballast and crude oil washing and the use of oil separators.

With its entry into force in 1983, one can expect to see a significant reduction in oil pollution of the sea stemming from routine operations.

The 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea is potentially the most important Convention for protection of the marine environment. It gives a special role to the coastal states in protecting their economic zones. It also gives enforcement powers to the port states and the coastal states in case of pollution incident and also in case vessels violate applicable international rules and standards relating to seaworthiness.

Between 1969 and 1984, ship-owners liability was reduced fourfold because of inflation. In 1969, the liability of the owner of a new 210,000 grt tanker was 71 percent of the value of the ship: in 1983 it was only 27 percent Increasing the liability of ship-owners for oil pollution at sea would no doubt, help to keep down accidental oil spills.

The principles in the Law of the Sea Convention will need to be developed and enforced at the national level, and states in regions such as Western Europe or the North Sea will have to examine and as far as possible, harmonize legal and practical measures to better protect their economic zones.

Tanker traffic in Western Europe is nearly always in national waters and most of it goes to Western European ports. A number of important states may not ratify this Convention, but all states will probably find it desirable to adopt environmental policies that reflect their new rights and duties in their economic zones.

(i) Floating Particulate Petroleum Residues :

A geographical plot of the location at which samples of floating particulate petroleum residues were collected clearly reflects the contribution to MAPMOPP from national and regional programs of marine pollution monitoring.

These programs provided detailed data for the North Sea and Norwegian Sea, both coasts of North America and the seas around Japan. In addition, data were collected along several transects of the North Atlantic and in the mid-Pacific. On the other hand, very few samples were collected south of the equator.

(ii) Seas Around Japan and Southeast Asia :

The most detailed study of dissolved dispersed petroleum residues during MAPMOPP was carried out in the seas around Japan.

As was the case with the Mediterranean data, two sub-populations were present, and the general level of contamination as indicated by the higher one was 0.19p.g/. This is remarkably low for an area through which there is a very large volume of tanker and ship traffic and where the data for oil slicks and floating tar indicated that high levels of pollution were present.

The highest levels of contamination in this region were in the waters east of Tokyo and Yokohama and the Sea of Japan, Concentration in the South China Sea and in the Strait of Malacca were 0.17 and O.I3jag/l, respectively. The latter, in particular, as a surprisingly low level in view of the massive amounts of oil that are transported through this very narrow passage.

(iii) Indian Ocean :

Data for dissolved dispersed petroleum residues in the India Ocean were clustered around the coastline of India and along a single transect between the Strait of Malacca and South Africa. This set of data contained very few values below 10 ng/l. While some values exceeded 300 µg/l (GM = 8.9 µg/l).

This suggests either that this region was much more highly polluted than any other area of the world ocean or that the data are suspect. Nevertheless, there was a tremendous difference between the concentration of dissolved/dispersed petroleum residues along the west coast (GM = 86.4 µg/l) and those along the east coast (GM = 0.7 µg/l) of India.

This, presumably, is a consequence of the tanker lane that passes along the west coast of India and across the Bay of Bengal en route to the Strait of Malacca and of the monsoonal circulation of surface water in this area.

(iv) North Sea:

MAPMOPP data for the North Sea were collected at a group of stations in the North Sea oil fields and along lines of stations extending from Norway to the Shetland Islands and across the Skagerrak to Denmark. These data were unique in that 81 of the 90 values were reported as zero and the remaining 9 were reported as either 0.1 or 0.5 (J.g/1. consequently).

A rigorous statistical analysis was not possible, although the data suggest that the general level of contamination in the North Sea is remarkably low for a semienclosed sea which is not only bordered by the most highly populated and industrialized countries of northern Europe but is also an area containing numerous offshore oil drilling platforms.

(v) Baffin Bay :

Most of the samples collected from Baffin Bay and Lancaster Sound contained dissolved/dispersed petroleum residues at concentrations less than 0.1 µg/l and none exceeded 1 µg/l.

Although this value was biased by many of the samples having been collected along the east coast of Baffin Island in areas where natural seepage of petroleum is known to occur the impact of this seepage on the water column is localized and has little effect on the levels of contamination in the region as a whole.

Furthermore, the surrounding land masses are only very sparsely inhabited, there is very little shipping and the sea is covered with ice during much of the year. Consequently, the major input of fluorescing non-polar organic compounds to this region is atmospheric fallout of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced from high temperature combustion of petroleum and other organic materials.

Therefore, Baffin Bay is one of the least polluted regions of the northern hemisphere, and the background level of dissolved/dispersed petroleum residues there can be taken as a baseline against which the levels of contamination in other areas of the world ocean can be compared.

(vi) North American East Coast :

The MAPMOPP data for the east coast of North America indicated that the general level of contamination in this area was 0.09 µg/l. It is noteworthy that the level of contamination in this area of concentrated fishing and active shipping should be the same as that observed in Baffin Bay.

(vii) Global Assessment :

MAPMOPP data for dissolved/dispersed petroleum residues were highly regional in character and so sparse over such enormous expanses of the world ocean that it is not possible to obtain a complete assessment of the levels of these substances on a global scale. Nevertheless, the data suggest some general trends.

Analysis of the data for the eastern hemisphere by 20° × 20° squares of latitude and longitude not only pointed out the paucity of the data but indicated an extensive area in the southwest Pacific where the level of contamination by dissolved/dispersed petroleum residues was around 0.1 µg/l, while somewhat higher concentrations were present in the waters adjacent to Japan.

Concentrations seemed to be remarkably low around Japan considering the amount of oil consumed in that country and were only slightly higher in the Strait of Malacca where tanker and other ship traffic converges while passing into the Pacific from the Indian Ocean.

Concentrations in the northern part of Indian Ocean were very much higher and reached 0.7 µg/l in the Bay of Bengal and along the east coast of India. The highest concentrations of all were found along the west coast of India where the geometric mean as 86.4 µg/l. Such high concentrations suggest that the water contained dispersed particles or droplets of oil from tankers that passed through the area.

Essay # 5. Control of Marine Pollution :

The control of marine pollution is really a difficult task, since it involves national as well as international issues.

Several methods are used to deal with accidental discharge of oil, but as with all pollutants, the only effective measure for controlling contamination by oil of the aquatic environment is the prevention of avoidable spills and releases. Bioremediation is considered a useful tool in which macro organisms are used to degrade the oil that has spread over the large surface. 

Cleaning oil from surface waters and contaminates beaches is a time- consuming and labor-intensive process. The natural process of emulsification of oil in the water can be accelerated through the use of chemical dispersants, which can be sprayed on the oil.

A variety of slick-tickers in which a continuous belt of absorbent to extract the oil have been designed. Rocks, barbor walls can be cleaned with high-pressure steam or dispersants after which the surface must be hosed down.

One way of reducing the pollution load on marine waters is through the introduction of sewage treatment plants. This will reduce the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the final product before it is discharged to the receiving waters. Various stages of treatment such as primary, secondary or advanced can be used, depending on the quality of the effluent that is required to be treated.

(i) Primary Treatment:

These treatment plants use physical processes such as screening and sedimentation to remove pollutants that will settle, float or are too large to pass through simple screening devices. This includes stones, sticks, rags or any such material that can clog up pipes.

A screen consists of parallel bars spaced 2-7 cm apart followed by a wire mesh with smaller openings is used to separate these kind of pollutants. The polluted material collected on the screens is used in a device called a comminuter, which grinds the coarse material into small pieces.

After screening the wastewater passes into a grit chamber. The detention time is chosen to be long enough to allow lighter, organic material to settle. From the grit chamber the sewage passes into a primary setting tank (also called as sedimentation tank), where the flow speed is reduced sufficiently to allow most of the suspended solids to settle out by gravity.

If the waste is to undergo only primary treatment it is then chlorinated to destroy bacteria and control odors after which the effluent is released. Primary treatment normally removes about 35% of the BOD and 60% of the suspended solids.

(ii) Secondary Treatment:

There are three commonly used approaches:

Trickling filters, activated sludge process, and oxidation ponds. Secondary treatment can remove at least 85% of the BOD. A trickling filter consists of a rotating distribution arm that sprays liquid wastewater over a circular bed of ‘fist size’ rocks or other coarse materials. The spaces between the rocks allow air to circulate easily so that aerobic conditions can be maintained.

The individual rocks in the bed are covered with a layer of slime, which consists of bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., which degrade the waste trickling through the bed. This slime periodically slides off individual rocks and is collected at the bottom of the filter along with the treated wastewater and is then passed on to the secondary setting tank where it is removed.

In the activated sludge process, the sewage is pumped into a large tank and mixed for several hours with bacteria-rich sludge and air bubbles to facilitate degradation by microorganisms. The water then goes into a sedimentation tank where most of the microorganisms settle out as sludge.

This sludge is then broken down in an anaerobic digester where methane-forming bacteria slowly convert the organic matter into carbon dioxide, methane, and other stable end products. The gas produced in the digester is 60% methane, which is valuable fuel and can be put to many uses within the treatment plant itself.

The digested sludge, which is still liquid, is normally pumped out onto sludge drying beds where evaporation and seepage remove the water. This dried sludge is potentially a good source of manure. Activated sludge tanks use less land area than trickling filters with equivalent performance.

They are also less expensive to construct than trickling filters and have fewer problems with flies and odor and can also achieve higher rates of BOD removal. Thus, although the operating costs are a little higher due to the expenses incurred on energy for running pumps and blowers, they are preferred over trickling filters.

Oxidation ponds are large shallow ponds approximately 1-2 m deep, where raw or partially-treated sewage is decomposed by microorganisms. They are easy to build and manage, accommodate large fluctuations in flow, and can provide treatment at a much lower cost. However, they require a large amount of land and hence can only be used where land is not a limitation.

(iii) Advanced Sewage Treatment:

This involves a series of chemical and physical processes that removes specific pollutants left in the water after primary and secondary treatment.

Sewage treatment plant effluents contain nitrates and phosphates in large amounts. These contribute to eutrophication. Thus, advanced treatment plants are designed to specifically remove these contaminants. These plants are very expensive to build and operate and so are rarely used.

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Essay on Marine Pollution : Causes, Effects & Solutions

February 2, 2021 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

What is Marine pollution?

Marine pollution can be defined as the contamination of marine water, mainly big seas and oceans with pollutants and contaminants like industrial effluents, oil spills from huge vessels, chemical displacements, chemical spills, sewage etc.

Plastics, garbage, litter etc that we throw into our waste baskets ultimately end up in far off oceans, also contributing to marine pollution.

In general, pollution can be defined as any physical, chemical or biological agent that tends to contaminate the air, water and soil of an environment.

It has the ability to transform/toxicate the basic elemental components that degrade the natural balance of the ecosystem.

Pollution can be of various types, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, radioactive pollution etc. Aquatic pollution can be categorized into marine pollution and fresh water pollution.

Due to uncontrolled developmental activities, urbanization and various anthropogenic activities, there is dumping of hazardous waste directly or indirectly into marine waters.

Most of this dumping happens without our knowledge and thus directly or indirectly, we are responsible for the hordes of waste and dirt that set sail on far off ocean waters.

Sources of Marine pollution

• One of the biggest sources of marine pollution is the oil spill due to collision of oil tanks.
• A considerable amount of runoff from the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in fields is the second largest contributor to marine pollution.
• Oil exploration and shipping industries are also one of the major contributing factors of marine pollution. This, coupled with transportation of large amounts of crude oil from one place to another often results in marine pollution.
• Thermal power plants release huge quantities of hot water in bulk which in turn leads to thermal shocks and loss of insulation in aquatic animals.
• Natural processes like volcanic activity, tremors, and cyclones play a catastrophic role in accidental spillage of petroleum and oil.

We have for sure visited seas and oceans and admired nature and its beauty. The scenic waters, the boundless beauty of nature sure catches our attention when we visit a place tucked in the lap of nature.

Amidst all this, we even crib about the dirt that keeps sailing on ocean waters. Unknowingly, we ourselves are responsible for the throw of such dirt that is afloat on sea and ocean waters.

The garbage that we throw into collection points at home gets segregated at appropriate units and the wet wastes go into the dumping ground.

The rest of the dry waste heap is dumped at places in the outskirts of cities. With the forces of nature, they are gradually taken too far off, unknown places which ultimately land in sea and ocean waters.

This is what we find sailing on beaches, seas and oceans. If we are unable to see the dirt on waters, we can imagine how choking they must be to the marine life inside the sea water.

Let us remind ourselves that there is a world of life inside the marine waters, some of which we know and majority of which we don’t know.

The life under marine waters seems mysterious at the same time curious for the exploitative minds. We have been talking about how pollution causes disturbance to the ecology on land.

We have hardly thought about the creatures underwater.

If we dwell further into this topic, we would find that the life under ocean is very beautiful, at the same time threatened by man-made factors, killing and choking them to death.

Marine life was undisturbed till a certain time ago when oil spills became a normal thing, the spill of chemical wastes into big oceans was just another thing and there were no special attachments to it.

Hence we find the marine life disturbed by a whole lot of factors such as oil spills, chemical interferences, sewage contributions etc. These specific causes pollute the marine waters, thus causing huge damage to marine life.

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Effects of Marine pollution

• Natural pH of the water body is altered; therefore it does not support the aquatic flora and fauna.
• There is a reduction in the Dissolved oxygen in the aquatic system, causing asphyxiation.
• Aquatic fauna is suffocated as the hydrocarbons in oils clog the gills and other structures of fish.
• There is widespread contamination of commercial fish. When the spillage is over a large area, it creates a thin film on the sea surface called oil slick. It contaminates the internal organs of creatures and thus causes food poisoning upon consumption.
• Deteriorates the aesthetic value by water fouling and algal bloom.
• Loss of biological diversity and destabilization of food chains and food webs.

Let us just imagine that there has been an oil spill from a huge vessel and by the time the authorities wake up to the spill, it has already spread far and wide.

Since oil cannot dissolve in water, the surface of the water is seen colored badly with the spread of oil. The marine life under the spilled area is highly under threat.

The natural composition and constituents of water has totally changed and there is hardly any way the natural balance of marine water can be restored.

Nature takes its time to restore the natural balance of the good waters, so a significant damage has thus set in.

If we were given a glass of water mixed with cooking oil to swallow, would we be able to do it, I wonder.

It’s just not possible because the penetration of oil particles into water molecules alters the constituent composition of water and makes it an altogether different mixture.

So, water mixed with oil becomes a varied mixture, not rendering its natural efficacy.

Just a drop of such water kept on our tongue gives us such a bad feeling.

So, we should be able to understand how difficult marine life under such unfit waters should be living with. In short, marine life, once toxicated with chemical elements loses its natural beauty and it takes many years to restore the natural life balance again.

Solutions for marine pollution

• We can adhere to the 3R policy that is reuse, reduce and recycle our resources to reduce consumption and waste management.
• Organize a cleanup spree with awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of a clean healthy environment.
• Substituting jute bags over plastic bags.
• Consciously, reducing in the overall ecological and carbon print by carpooling, cycling, turning off the lights and fans when not in use.
• Commonly used method for an oil spillage is skimming; it is because the density of oil is lighter than the density of water because of which they can be easily separated.
• Usage of absorbents, natural absorbents like sponges can soak the contaminants leaving the area pollutant free.

We cannot avoid huge oil spills, because most of these incidences occur after taking enough precautions while transporting oil in vessels from one region to another.

We should at least take preventive measures and work towards reducing pollution in areas that we can achieve less toxicity and less contamination.

Such measures may include proper waste management systems, recycling of waste water for purposes like gardening, washing cars, etc.

Instead of channeling all wastes ultimately towards the oceans, we must give a thought to the life under waters too.

If we bring in a supported approach, a scientifically incubated approach that will drift away the accumulation of wastes away from marine waters, we would be successful in providing a second life to aquatic and marine creatures.

As per article 51-A, it is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife.

The more we try to understand the functioning of such complex systems, the more we come to realize that these systems are systemic in nature and are interrelated and interdependent on each other’s components.

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Essay on Ocean Pollution – Short Essay & Long Essay upto 1500 Words

Essay on Ocean Pollution: The world’s oceans are facing a crisis due to pollution caused by human activities. From plastic waste to oil spills, the health of marine ecosystems is being severely compromised. In this essay, we will explore the various sources of ocean pollution, its impact on marine life and coastal communities, and the urgent need for global action to address this pressing issue. Let’s delve into the depths of ocean pollution and discuss what can be done to protect our oceans for future generations.

Table of Contents

Ocean Pollution Essay Writing Tips

1. Introduction: Start your essay by introducing the topic of ocean pollution and its significance. You can provide some statistics or facts to highlight the severity of the issue.

2. Define ocean pollution: Define what ocean pollution is and explain the different types of pollutants that can harm marine life and ecosystems. This can include plastic waste, chemical pollutants, oil spills, and sewage discharge.

3. Causes of ocean pollution: Discuss the various sources of ocean pollution, such as industrial waste, agricultural runoff, littering, and improper waste disposal. Explain how human activities contribute to the degradation of marine environments.

4. Impact of ocean pollution: Describe the negative effects of ocean pollution on marine life, including the destruction of habitats, harm to marine species, and disruption of ecosystems. You can also discuss how ocean pollution affects human health and livelihoods, especially for communities that rely on the ocean for food and income.

5. Solutions to ocean pollution: Offer possible solutions to address ocean pollution, such as reducing plastic use, improving waste management practices, implementing stricter regulations on industrial pollution, and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Highlight the importance of individual and collective action in combating ocean pollution.

6. International efforts: Discuss the role of international organizations, governments, and NGOs in addressing ocean pollution. Highlight any global initiatives or agreements aimed at reducing marine pollution and protecting ocean ecosystems.

7. Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your essay and emphasize the importance of taking action to combat ocean pollution. Encourage readers to be more mindful of their environmental impact and to support efforts to protect the world’s oceans.

8. Proofread and revise: Before submitting your essay, make sure to proofread it for any grammatical or spelling errors. Revise any unclear or repetitive sections to ensure that your essay is well-organized and coherent.

By following these writing tips, you can create a compelling and informative essay on ocean pollution that raises awareness about this critical environmental issue.

Essay on Ocean Pollution in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Ocean pollution is the contamination of the ocean with harmful substances such as plastic, chemicals, and oil. 2. It poses a serious threat to marine life, as animals can become entangled in debris or ingest toxic materials. 3. Plastic pollution is a major issue, with millions of tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. 4. Chemical pollution from industries and agriculture can disrupt marine ecosystems and harm aquatic organisms. 5. Oil spills are another form of ocean pollution, causing devastating effects on marine life and coastal communities. 6. Ocean pollution can also impact human health, as contaminated seafood can be harmful if consumed. 7. Efforts to clean up ocean pollution include beach clean-ups, recycling programs, and stricter regulations on waste disposal. 8. International cooperation is crucial in addressing ocean pollution, as it is a global issue that requires a coordinated response. 9. Education and awareness are key in preventing ocean pollution, as individuals can make a difference by reducing their use of single-use plastics and properly disposing of waste. 10. Protecting the ocean from pollution is essential for the health of marine ecosystems and the well-being of future generations.

Sample Essay on Ocean Pollution in 100-180 Words

Ocean pollution is a major environmental issue that is threatening the health of our oceans and marine life. The main sources of ocean pollution include plastic waste, oil spills, chemical runoff from agriculture, and sewage discharge. These pollutants can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems, leading to the death of marine animals, destruction of coral reefs, and contamination of seafood.

Plastic waste, in particular, is a significant problem as it does not biodegrade and can persist in the ocean for hundreds of years, harming marine life that ingests or becomes entangled in it. Oil spills can have catastrophic effects on marine habitats, killing fish, birds, and other wildlife, and causing long-term damage to ecosystems.

To combat ocean pollution, it is essential for individuals, industries, and governments to take action to reduce their waste and prevent pollutants from entering the ocean. This includes proper waste disposal, recycling, and implementing regulations to limit pollution from industrial activities. By working together to address this issue, we can protect our oceans and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

Short Essay on Ocean Pollution in 200-500 Words

Ocean pollution is a growing environmental issue that poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and the health of our planet. The oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and play a crucial role in regulating the climate, providing food and livelihoods for millions of people, and supporting a diverse range of marine life. However, human activities have led to the contamination of the oceans with a wide variety of pollutants, including plastic waste, chemicals, oil spills, and sewage.

One of the most visible forms of ocean pollution is plastic waste. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans, where it can take hundreds of years to break down. This plastic waste poses a serious threat to marine life, as animals can become entangled in it or mistake it for food. Ingesting plastic can be deadly for marine animals, as it can cause internal injuries, blockages, and starvation. Plastic pollution also has a negative impact on the health of marine ecosystems, as it can leach harmful chemicals into the water and disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems.

Chemical pollution is another major concern for the health of the oceans. Chemical pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals can enter the oceans through runoff from agricultural fields, industrial discharges, and sewage treatment plants. These chemicals can accumulate in the tissues of marine animals, leading to health problems and reproductive issues. Chemical pollution can also disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems, leading to declines in populations of fish and other marine species.

Oil spills are another significant source of ocean pollution. Oil spills can occur during the extraction, transportation, and storage of oil, as well as from accidents involving oil tankers and offshore drilling platforms. Oil spills can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems, as oil can coat the feathers of seabirds, suffocate marine mammals, and smother coral reefs. Oil spills can also contaminate the water and sediment, leading to long-term damage to marine habitats and ecosystems.

Sewage pollution is a common problem in coastal areas, where untreated sewage can enter the oceans through stormwater runoff and sewage overflows. Sewage pollution can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites into the water, posing a threat to human health and the health of marine ecosystems. Sewage pollution can also lead to the eutrophication of coastal waters, as excess nutrients from sewage can fuel the growth of harmful algal blooms that can deplete oxygen levels and harm marine life.

In conclusion, ocean pollution is a serious environmental issue that requires urgent action to protect the health of our oceans and marine ecosystems. Efforts to reduce plastic waste, regulate chemical pollutants, prevent oil spills, and improve sewage treatment are essential to safeguard the health of the oceans for future generations. By working together to address the sources of ocean pollution, we can help to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for our planet.

Essay on Ocean Pollution in 1000-1500 Words

The ocean is a vast and mysterious ecosystem that covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. It is home to a diverse array of marine life, from tiny plankton to massive whales. The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate, providing food and livelihoods for millions of people, and supporting countless ecosystems. However, despite its importance, the ocean is facing a growing threat from pollution.

Ocean pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the ocean, either directly or indirectly. This can include chemicals, plastics, sewage, oil, and other pollutants that can have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. The sources of ocean pollution are numerous and varied, ranging from industrial activities to everyday human behaviors. Some of the main sources of ocean pollution include:

1. Plastic pollution: One of the most visible forms of ocean pollution is plastic waste. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean, where it can take hundreds of years to break down. Plastic pollution can harm marine life in a variety of ways, from entanglement and ingestion to habitat destruction. Plastic waste can also release harmful chemicals into the water, further impacting marine ecosystems.

2. Oil spills: Oil spills are another major source of ocean pollution, often caused by accidents involving oil tankers or offshore drilling rigs. These spills can have catastrophic effects on marine life, coating animals in oil and disrupting entire ecosystems. Oil spills can also have long-term impacts on the health of marine organisms and the overall health of the ocean.

3. Chemical pollution: Chemical pollution from industrial activities, agriculture, and household products can also contaminate the ocean. These chemicals can include heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, which can have toxic effects on marine life and disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems. Chemical pollution can also accumulate in the food chain, posing risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood.

4. Sewage and nutrient pollution: Sewage and nutrient pollution from urban areas and agricultural runoff can lead to nutrient enrichment in the ocean, causing harmful algal blooms and dead zones. These blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water, suffocating marine life and disrupting entire ecosystems. Sewage pollution can also introduce pathogens and bacteria into the water, posing risks to human health and marine life.

5. Marine debris: In addition to plastic waste, the ocean is also plagued by other forms of marine debris, such as abandoned fishing gear, glass, metal, and rubber. This debris can entangle marine animals, damage coral reefs, and degrade habitats. Marine debris can also transport invasive species to new areas, further disrupting marine ecosystems.

The impacts of ocean pollution are far-reaching and can have serious consequences for marine life, ecosystems, and human health. Some of the key impacts of ocean pollution include:

1. Harm to marine life: Ocean pollution can harm marine life in a variety of ways, from entanglement and ingestion of plastic waste to exposure to toxic chemicals. Marine animals can become trapped in fishing gear, ingest plastic debris, or suffer from oil contamination. These impacts can lead to injury, illness, and death among marine species, threatening the biodiversity and health of marine ecosystems.

2. Habitat destruction: Ocean pollution can also lead to habitat destruction, as pollutants can degrade coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other important marine habitats. Chemical pollution can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems, leading to declines in biodiversity and the loss of critical habitats for marine species. Habitat destruction can have cascading effects on the health and resilience of marine ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to other threats such as climate change.

3. Human health risks: Ocean pollution can pose risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood, exposure to harmful chemicals, and the spread of waterborne diseases. Chemical pollutants in the ocean can accumulate in seafood, posing risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish. Sewage pollution can also introduce pathogens and bacteria into the water, increasing the risk of waterborne illnesses for swimmers and beachgoers.

4. Economic impacts: Ocean pollution can have significant economic impacts, affecting industries such as fishing, tourism, and coastal development. Pollution-related closures of fisheries and beaches can lead to losses in revenue and livelihoods for communities that depend on the ocean for their economic well-being. Oil spills and other pollution incidents can also result in costly cleanup efforts and long-term damage to coastal economies.

Addressing ocean pollution requires a multi-faceted approach that involves government action, industry cooperation, and individual responsibility. Some of the key strategies for preventing and reducing ocean pollution include:

1. Regulation and enforcement: Governments can play a crucial role in regulating and enforcing laws and regulations to prevent ocean pollution. This can include measures such as banning single-use plastics, restricting the discharge of pollutants into the ocean, and enforcing penalties for polluters. Strong regulations and enforcement mechanisms can help to hold polluters accountable and prevent further harm to the ocean.

2. Sustainable practices: Industries can adopt sustainable practices to reduce their impact on the ocean and marine ecosystems. This can include measures such as reducing plastic waste, implementing oil spill prevention measures, and using environmentally friendly chemicals. Sustainable practices can help to minimize the amount of pollution entering the ocean and promote the long-term health and resilience of marine ecosystems.

3. Public awareness and education: Educating the public about the impacts of ocean pollution and the importance of protecting the ocean can help to raise awareness and promote behavior change. Public awareness campaigns, school programs, and community initiatives can help to inform people about the risks of ocean pollution and empower them to take action to reduce their own impact on the ocean.

4. Cleanup and restoration efforts: Cleanup and restoration efforts can help to remove pollutants from the ocean and restore damaged habitats. This can include initiatives such as beach cleanups, marine debris removal programs, and restoration projects for coral reefs and seagrass beds. Cleanup and restoration efforts can help to mitigate the impacts of ocean pollution and restore the health and resilience of marine ecosystems.

5. International cooperation: Ocean pollution is a global issue that requires international cooperation and collaboration to address effectively. Countries can work together to develop and implement strategies for reducing pollution, sharing best practices, and coordinating efforts to protect the ocean. International agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Maritime Organization can provide frameworks for addressing ocean pollution on a global scale.

In conclusion, ocean pollution is a serious and growing threat to the health and resilience of marine ecosystems. The sources of ocean pollution are numerous and varied, ranging from plastic waste and oil spills to chemical pollution and marine debris. The impacts of ocean pollution are far-reaching and can have devastating consequences for marine life, ecosystems, and human health. Addressing ocean pollution requires a multi-faceted approach that involves government action, industry cooperation, and individual responsibility. By working together to prevent and reduce ocean pollution, we can protect the ocean for future generations and ensure the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems.

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Ocean Pollution - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

Ocean pollution poses a dire threat to marine ecosystems and human health, driven by activities such as plastic disposal, chemical pollution, and oil spills. Essays could delve into the myriad sources of ocean pollution, exploring the scale and impact of contaminants like plastic debris, heavy metals, and agricultural runoff on marine life and coastal communities. Discussions might extend to the various international and national initiatives aimed at mitigating ocean pollution, including legal frameworks, technological innovations, and community-led conservation efforts. The discourse may also touch on the challenges and prospects of curbing ocean pollution, analyzing the effectiveness of current measures, and proposing holistic strategies that encompass policy, education, and technological advancements to foster a more sustainable interaction with marine environments. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Ocean Pollution you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Ocean Pollution as a Major Problem

The Ocean is one of the major reasons why humans survive in this world. The Ocean provides us with water to drink and the fresh air we breathe. That's why the issue of ocean pollution is important and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. We depend on the ocean for so much in our life. Ocean pollution is becoming a major problem. Trash is piling up in our oceans but the question is, where is the trash coming […]

Ocean Pollution for the most Wildlife

The ocean is home to the most wildlife in the entire world. Every day people are destroying life in the ocean by polluting it. There are many different endangered animals in the ocean. Every day they are being killed off by man-made pollutants. The ocean covers more than eighty percent of the Earth so we should protect it by, being more conservative, recycling, and cleaning out the ocean (noaa.gov). Plastic pollution is deeply reflected on humans; over half of the […]

Plastic Pollution in the Oceans

“There is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way” (McCarthy). Many Americans consume plastic throughout the year and do not recycle all of it. The beaches are getting dirtier and dirtier but there is not much change going on. The wastes on the beaches, streets, and air are going into the ocean and harming the species. Pollution in the oceans is affecting the sea creatures because surfers are exposed to pathogens, sea turtles develop […]

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Ocean Pollution: Plastic

The topic that I chose to write about is ocean pollution, specifically plastic. I found a very interesting article by National Geographic that makes me wonder just how much plastic we use daily, and how much it affects marine life. According to the article, the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), comprising twenty-two aquariums in seventeen different states is pushing a campaign called "No Straw November". The campaign is a push to eliminate single-use plastic including plastic straws, bottles, and plastic in […]

Should the Government Regulate Ocean Pollution?

The government should regulate ocean pollution due to the fact they are one of the contributing factors to ocean pollution. Ocean pollution affects more than just the waterways. Marine life is decreasing day by day due to the amount of trash that builds up in our oceans. Agricultural fertilizer and climate change have also been afflicted in negative ways by the inconsiderate attitude towards our environment namely the ocean. From nuclear bomb testing to creating the Great Pacific garbage patch. […]

Plastic Pollution in the Ocean

All pollution is bad for the ocean and all the creatures in it. However, there is one material that is highly potent to the ocean, and that is plastic. It has many immensely negative effects on the ocean's wildlife. Thousands of marine animals die each year because of plastic debris. There are many ways that plastic can get to the ocean than you know. This has been an ongoing problem and still has not been stopped. Plastic was founded in […]

Ocean Pollution and a “dead Zone”

There is a “dead zone” the size of New Jersey in the Gulf of Mexico in which aquatic life cannot survive . There is a garbage patch the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean. Dead zones and garbage patches are just some examples of the horrific effects that water pollution has on the life of all sorts. Every day, millions of sea critters, as well as humans, are victims to a harder life at the hand of pollution. With […]

Fight against Plastic Pollution

 Do you ever consider the life of the shopping bag you use to transport your groceries or the plastic straw that seems to come standard now with most beverages? “A bag that is used on average for 15 minutes, yet it could take 100 to 300 years to fragment” according to SAS.org. These often one-time-use plastics do more harm than good when looking at their long half-life and the effects on our environment, even though their implementation into the market […]

Plastic Pollution in the Philippines

The top countries that dispose of the most plastic are all in Asia the Philippines is the third. What is the problem, the Philippines are using too many plastic objects. Who has the pollution affected humans, food sources including, land animals, crops, and wildlife? Solutions what can the Philippines do to help the water pollution and save their and our world. What is the problem? “The Philippines generates 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste annually and 20 percent – or […]

Pollution in the Pacific Ocean

Pollution has become an ongoing problem throughout the Earth. From air pollution to waste pollution, the Earth is getting destroyed from the carelessness of others. More importantly, plastic is one of the leading problems of waste pollution, as it can take hundreds of years to break down, if at all. As the plastic industries grow, so does the amount of waste that is created, and that trash has to go somewhere. Many don't tend to think about where their trash […]

Campaign against Plastic Pollution

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How To Write an Essay About Ocean Pollution

Understanding ocean pollution.

Before starting an essay about ocean pollution, it's essential to understand its causes, effects, and the current state of our oceans. Ocean pollution refers to the contamination of the oceans with harmful or potentially harmful materials, like plastic waste, chemicals, and untreated sewage. Begin your essay by outlining the major sources of ocean pollution, which include land-based sources like agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and coastal activities, as well as ocean-based sources like oil spills and marine debris. Discuss the extent of the problem, highlighting key statistics and studies that reveal the severity of ocean pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on ocean pollution should be anchored by a clear, focused thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about ocean pollution. For instance, you might discuss the long-term ecological impacts of plastic pollution, analyze the effectiveness of current policies and regulations in reducing ocean pollution, or argue for a specific approach or solution to tackle this global issue. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and provide a structured approach to your analysis.

Gathering Supporting Evidence

Support your thesis with relevant data, research findings, and examples. This might include scientific studies on the effects of pollution on marine life, reports from environmental organizations, and examples of successful initiatives to reduce ocean pollution. Use this evidence to support your thesis and build a persuasive argument. Be sure to consider different perspectives and address potential counterarguments to your thesis.

Analyzing the Impact of Ocean Pollution

Dedicate a section of your essay to analyzing the impact of ocean pollution. Discuss various aspects such as its effects on marine biodiversity, the disruption of food chains, the impact on coastal communities, and economic consequences. Explore both the immediate and long-term effects of pollution on the ocean environment and the challenges in mitigating these impacts.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your discussion and restating your thesis in light of the evidence provided. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and emphasize the significance of addressing ocean pollution for the health of our planet. You might also want to suggest areas for future research, policy development, or public action to combat ocean pollution.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your arguments are well-structured and supported by evidence. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from peers, educators, or environmental experts to further improve your essay. A well-written essay on ocean pollution will not only demonstrate your understanding of the issue but also your ability to engage with and analyze complex environmental challenges.

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The World Oceans Pollution and Overfishing Essay

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Introduction

Ocean pollution, overfishing, whales and whaling, possible strategies for future ocean management, works cited.

Human beings have taken a lot of time to realize the need for ocean conservation to the extent that the ocean has succumbed to ecological challenges that have affected their lives in a variety of ways. Covering vast areas of the earth’s surface, the world oceans have a vital role in influencing both the terrestrial and otherworldly climates.

The limited accessibility of the oceans due to their vastness has left human beings with inadequate knowledge about their uniqueness. As a result, people undertake marine activities with less concern about the consequences of their actions. Industrialization, tourism, fishing, and shipping, among other human activities, have led to detrimental effects such as pollution, acidification, and overfishing.

These effects have threatened ocean life and created general ocean imbalance. All over the world, governments, private institutions, and non-governmental organizations have to advocate the protection of the ocean against destructive human practices that gradually deprive the ocean of its ambient nature. This essay explores pollution and overfishing as global issues that have led to devastation and depletion of ocean resources. It proves that pollution and overfishing are a threat to world oceans. It also suggests possible ocean management strategies to curb such a crisis.

Ocean pollution has become a debatable issue that has led to the promotion of sound ocean management by both governmental and non-governmental organizations around the world. Human society produces massive amounts of unwanted materials that find their way into the oceans once they are carelessly handled. Industrialization, tourism, agricultural activities, and shipping, among other activities, have significantly contributed to ocean pollution (McKibben 207). Industrialization is one of the major sources of ocean pollutants.

The author attests that inconsiderate discarding of plastic materials, industrial effluents, and solid wastes has considerably added to the contamination ocean. Use of chemicals for farming activities has led to contamination of rivers that eventually convey agronomic nutrients and untreated effluents to the oceans. These nutrients promote the growth of algae in the ocean. Algae produce algal toxins that kill fish due to intoxication (Johnson and White 60; Jenssen 198).

Furthermore, uncontrolled usage of landfills and careless dumping of industrial waste along riverbanks increases the rate of ocean pollution, a situation that increases the amount of marine debris. Tourist activities lead to increased disposal of plastic materials and other wastes on beaches. The action of tides and waves washes these wastes into the ocean, hence elevating the number of foreign materials. The overall effect of pollution leads to the poisoning of the ocean’s biodiversity.

Furthermore, Wafar, Venkataraman, Ingole, Khan, and LokaBharathi reveal that increased production of chemical-based products and components that are available in electronic goods (viz. computers, televisions, and radios), rubber shoe soles, synthetic flooring materials, clothing, and paper among other goods (6). The authors reveal that Europe alone produces about 10-percent out of an approximated number of 100,000 chemicals worldwide. Researchers claim that 3-percent of the chemicals produced in Europe are potential toxins if exposed to the environment (Wafar et al. 7).

According to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the chemicals released to the oceans through improper disposal may change their chemical composition to form increasingly lethal substances that intoxicate flora and fauna (Roberts 27). The author reveals that inconsiderate disposal of chemical-based elements exposes the ocean to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These pollutants are toxic and non-degradable (Roberts, 28). They clog onto the tissues and organs, thus leading to intoxication and deaths of sea animals and plants.

Moreover, ship accidents cause oil spills that have severe economic and ecological implications. The marine ecosystem is self-regulating and constantly fluctuating by its complexity. Any alien influence such as oil spills that can lead to ecosystem imbalance leads to death, reduced reproduction, and migration of fish. Oil changes the chemical composition of the ambient ecosystems, a situation that results in smothering of the oceans’ biodiversity. Also, oils consist of toxic substances that poison ocean animals and plants. Deaths of animals and plants provide a suitable medium for the growth of algae.

The ocean is the habitat of hundreds of fish species, most of which comprise human food. However, Hutchings, Côté, Dodson, Fleming, Jennings, Mantua, Peterman, Riddell, and Weaver reveal that the fisheries industry has succumbed to unsustainability due to illegal and unregulated fishing (225). Brunch reveals that the ocean loses over 85 million tons of fish to fishing to supply human society with rich protein meat (2). There is lessened control of overfishing activities because of inadequate incentives to facilitate ecosystem monitoring and surveillance.

Additionally, the author emphasizes that unwillingness to accept short-range expenses blinds the concerned management bodies from seeing the long-standing benefits that come with effective fish ecosystem management. Overfishing is highly disruptive to the ecosystems’ food chain (Branch 3). A research carried by the State of World Fisheries and aquaculture (SOFIA) indicated that 86-percent of the ocean population is either overexploited or recuperating from overexploitation (Hutchings et al. 226).

The authors predict that the exploitation percentage will rise to about 90-percent if unsustainable fishing methods continue in the next two decades. A separate study by Beaugrand, Rombouts, and Kirby in 2007 to determine the level of fish depletion revealed that 28-percent of the world’s commercial fisheries have collapsed because of overfishing and habitat contamination (441).

Whales are social marine animals that exhibit a variety of social and communication behaviors that depend on the whale species. Whaling is a marine activity that involves hunting of whales for meat, oils, and blubber, whether for domestic or commercial purposes. Seemingly, commercialization of whaling that has led to killings of thousands of whales per year has become an international debate over the whaling practices (Blok 43). Close to four decades ago, the then few numbers of whales nearly reached extinction.

This situation led to the establishment of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) that banned whale hunting for business purposes (Wesolowski 102). Despite the ban of whaling, some countries such as Japan, Norway, and Iceland still practice marine activity. According to Blok, these countries have continued to commercialize whaling regardless of the lessening demand for whale products (51).

The author reveals that the three countries terminate the lives of over two-thousand whales annually. Wesolowski links the continuation of illegal commercialization of whaling products to the special authorization to kill whales for scientific purposes. This form of licensing has created loopholes that have led the killing of increasingly higher numbers of whales.

Pollution has become a scary crisis for ocean management that demands immediate resolution. The devastating effects that come with the disposal of contaminants in the ocean have significantly put the life of marine biodiversity at great risk of poisoning, death, and even extinction (McKibben 258). The international conventions should implement policies that govern producer-responsibility for using plastic packaging materials.

Regional and international governmental and non-governmental agencies should foster advocacy for eradication of non-degradable packaging materials, especially dangerous plastics that can react with other ocean contaminants to produce toxins. Although numerous non-governmental organizations have addressed the issue of pollution and derived various methods of reducing ocean contamination, there is a need for empowerment of world communities, especially the ones that depend on marine activities for economic purposes in an attempt to change their attitudes towards ocean use (McKibben 341)

Furthermore, the rate of depletion of ocean resources has compelled governmental and non-governmental organizations to advocate better ocean management strategies. They have made major attempts to address the issue and raise awareness on the importance of effective ocean management practices to save the ocean biodiversity that forms a rich source of food for the human society.

However, ocean political matters have greatly affected the implementation of globally accepted marine management laws. The need for sound management has become inevitable. Therefore, proper management strategies should aim at balancing a socio-economic, ecological, and scientific interest in the use of ocean resources. Marine activities should take into account objective aspects such as controlled fishing practices and ecosystem sustainability (Sesini 12).

Also, regional and international government agencies should work together with non-governmental organizations to establish conventional regulations and procedures for sustainable marine practices. Beaugrand, Rombouts, and Kirby reveal that some countries in Europe have embraced strict regulations and fishing techniques that align with Europe’s obligation for protection and preservation of the marine habitats (445). Although not all countries abide by the standards for sustainable marine activities, the authors reveal an increasing adherence to international agreements on the protection and preservation of marine environments.

For instance, the London Convention controls the dumping of industrial effluents and other wastes in rivers and oceans. Wafar et al. suggest three important areas that demand more focus than ever to ensure ocean sustainability (9). The authors explain that the combination of a well-structured risk management reform, establishment of marine protected areas, and certification of marine incentives will develop into sustainable marine practices. Also, the conventions should define clear utilization of market strategies to improve ecological and economic sustainability (McKibben 337).

The overall health of the various oceans is at risk due to the persistent and uncontrolled human activities that have led to the depletion of resources from day-to-day. The size of plastic trash that enters the ocean heightens every year due to increased production in the industrial sites and packaging of fast goods, especially food materials.

Ocean acidification and increasing marine debris have also challenged the ocean environment. Researchers have suggested that further elevation of these forms of pollution will lead to increased destruction of ocean life by approximately 10 percent in the next decade. In reality, such an increase will tremendously affect the socio-economic sectors of many countries around the globe, owing to the elevated reliance on ocean resources. Overfishing has claimed huge numbers of fish from the ocean.

This situation has endangered some of the fish species since fish harvesting has exceeded their reproduction rates. Therefore, the development of a sustainable ocean ecosystem remains a crucial step that governmental and non-governmental agencies should prioritize with a view of advocating the protection and preservation of marine resources. There is an escalating need for formulation and implementation of dependable regional and international policies to control overfishing and ocean pollution.

Beaugrand, Grégory, Isabelle Rombouts, and Richard Kirby. “Towards an understanding of the pattern of biodiversity in the oceans.” Global Ecology & Biogeography 22.4(2013): 440-49. Print.

Blok, Anders. “Contesting Global Norms: Politics of Identity in Japanese Pro-Whaling Countermobilization.” Global Environmental Politics 8.2(2008): 39-66. Print.

Branch, Trevor. “Citation Patterns of a Controversial and High-Impact Paper: Worm et al. (2006) ‘Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services’.” PLoS ONE 8.2 (2013):1-6. Print.

Hutchings, Jeffrey, Isabelle Côté, Julian Dodson, Ian Fleming, Mantua Jennings, …and Andrew Weaver. “Climate change, fisheries, and aquaculture: Trends and Consequences for Canadian Marine Biodiversity.” Environmental Reviews 20.4(2012): 220-311. Print.

Jenssen, Bjørn. “Marine pollution: the future challenge is to link human and wildlife studies.” Environ Health Perspect 111.4(2003): 198-199. Print.

Johnson, Ashanti, and Natasha White. “Ocean acidification: The other Climate Change Issue: Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reacts with coastal water to increase the acidity of the ocean, a trend that threatens many marine ecosystems.” American Scientist 102.1(2014): 60. Print.

McKibben, Bill. American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau (Library of America) . United States of America. Library of America, 2008. Print.

Roberts, Callum. “The Sorrow Beneath The Sea.” Newsweek 159.21(2012): 26-31. Print.

Sesini, Marzia. The Garbage Patch In The Oceans: The Problem And Possible Solutions, 2011. Web.

Wafar, Mohideen, Krishnamurthy Venkataraman, Baban Ingole, Syed Khan, and Ponnapakkam LokaBharathi. “State of Knowledge of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of Indian Ocean Countries.” PLoS ONE 6.1(2011): 1-12. Print.

Wesolowski, Adam. “Taking it off the Table: A Critical View of Culture in the Whaling Debate.” Georgetown International Environmental Law Review 26.1(2013): 99-116. Print.

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Essay on Ocean Pollution

Students are often asked to write an essay on Ocean Pollution in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution: an overview.

Ocean pollution is a grave issue affecting our planet. It involves harmful substances, like plastic and chemicals, entering the ocean, damaging marine life and ecosystems.

Causes of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution primarily arises from human activities. Waste, especially plastic, is often dumped into oceans. Oil spills from ships also contribute significantly.

Effects of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution harms marine life. Animals ingest plastic or get entangled in it, often leading to their death. It also disrupts the balance of marine ecosystems.

Preventing Ocean Pollution

We can prevent ocean pollution by reducing waste, recycling more, and supporting laws that protect oceans. Everyone’s small efforts can make a big difference.

250 Words Essay on Ocean Pollution

Introduction.

The primary culprits of ocean pollution are industrial waste, plastic debris, oil spills, and agricultural runoff. Industries often dump waste directly into oceans, releasing toxic chemicals that harm marine life. Plastics, due to their non-biodegradable nature, remain in the ocean for centuries, often ingested by marine animals, leading to their demise. Oil spills have devastating effects, smothering marine life and damaging habitats. Agricultural runoff, rich in fertilizers and pesticides, can cause harmful algal blooms, depleting oxygen levels and creating “dead zones”.

Impacts of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution’s impacts are multifaceted. It wreaks havoc on marine biodiversity, leading to population declines and species extinction. It also disrupts the food chain, as toxins accumulate in larger predators through bioaccumulation. In addition, ocean pollution affects human health, as we consume seafood contaminated with toxins.

In conclusion, ocean pollution is a grave issue that demands immediate attention. Sustainable practices, strict regulations, and public awareness are key to mitigating this crisis. As we rely heavily on oceans for sustenance and recreation, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard them for future generations.

500 Words Essay on Ocean Pollution

Introduction: the deepening crisis of ocean pollution.

Ocean pollution, a growing environmental concern, poses significant threats to marine ecosystems and human health. The ocean, which covers over 70% of the earth’s surface, is the lifeblood of our planet. It regulates climate, feeds millions of people, and is home to an incredible array of wildlife. However, the health of our oceans is under severe threat from anthropogenic activities.

The Sources of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution stems from numerous sources. The primary culprit is land-based activities, which account for approximately 80% of marine pollution. Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, agricultural run-off, and plastic waste are all discharged into rivers and ultimately flow into the oceans.

Impacts on Marine Ecosystems

The impacts of ocean pollution on marine ecosystems are profound and far-reaching. Plastic debris, for instance, entangles and injures marine animals. Many species, including sea turtles and seabirds, mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion, malnutrition, and often death.

Chemical pollutants, on the other hand, can disrupt the reproductive processes of marine organisms. Heavy metals and other toxic substances bioaccumulate in marine food chains, posing health risks not only to marine life but also to humans consuming seafood.

Climate Change and Ocean Pollution

Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are absorbed by the oceans, causing ocean acidification. This threatens the survival of shell-forming organisms and coral reefs, which are vital for marine biodiversity.

Addressing Ocean Pollution

Addressing ocean pollution requires a multi-pronged approach. At the policy level, stricter regulations are needed for waste disposal and agricultural run-off. International cooperation is also essential to manage pollution from maritime activities.

Public awareness and education are also crucial. By understanding the sources and impacts of ocean pollution, individuals can make more informed choices, such as reducing plastic consumption and responsibly disposing of waste.

Conclusion: The Urgent Call to Preserve Our Oceans

Ocean pollution is a complex and pressing issue that threatens the health of our planet. As we move forward, it is imperative that we view the oceans not as an endless resource and dumping ground, but as a vital ecosystem that needs our protection. Through a combination of policy, technology, and education, we can begin to turn the tide on ocean pollution.

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Why ocean pollution is a clear danger to human health

Professor of Natural Prosperity, Sustainable Development and Knowledge Systems, UCL

Professor and Director, Global Public Health Program and Global Pollution Observatory, Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, Boston College

Disclosure statement

Jacqueline McGlade receives funding from UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (EPSRC)

Philip Landrigan receives funding from Center Scientifique de Monaco and the Prince Albert II de Monaco Fondation

University College London provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK.

View all partners

Ocean pollution is widespread, worsening, and poses a clear and present danger to human health and wellbeing. But the extent of this danger has not been widely comprehended – until now. Our recent study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the impacts of ocean pollution on human health.

Ocean pollution is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilisers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources and it reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, deposition from the atmosphere – where airborne pollutants are washed into the ocean by rain and snow – and direct dumping, such as pollution from waste water treatment plants and discarded waste. Ocean pollution is heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coastlines of low-income and middle-income countries.

Ocean pollution can also be found far beyond national jurisdictions in the open oceans, the deepest oceanic trenches, and on the shores of remote islands. Ocean pollution knows no borders.

The most hazardous ocean pollution

Plastic waste is the most visible component of ocean pollution. More than ten million tonnes of plastic enter the seas every year. The majority of this breaks down into microplastic particles and accumulates in coastal and deep-sea sediments.

Some large pieces float in the water for decades ending up as massive concentrations where currents converge and circulate. The Pacific Ocean’s so called “garbage patch” is a well-known example.

Read more: It might be the world's biggest ocean, but the mighty Pacific is in peril

Microplastics contain multiple toxic chemicals that are added to plastics to make them flexible, colourful, waterproof or flame-resistant. These include carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors – chemicals that interfere with hormones, and can cause cancer, birth defects, and reduced fertility.

These chemical-laden particles enter the food chain and accumulate in fish and shellfish. When humans eat seafood contaminated with these materials, we ingest millions of microplastic particles and the many chemicals they carry. Though there is still debate on the harm to humans from microplastics, exposure to these chemicals increases the risk of all the diseases that they cause. Virtually all of us have microplastics in our bodies today.

Mercury is widespread in the oceans, and the major culprit is coal burning in homes and industry . All coal contains mercury, and when it burns, mercury vaporises, enters the atmosphere, and eventually washes into the sea. Gold mining is another source , as mercury is used to dissolve gold from the ore.

Mercury can accumulate to high levels in predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish, which are in turn eaten by us. Contaminated fish can be especially dangerous if eaten by expectant mothers. Exposure of mercury to infants in the womb can damage developing brains, reducing IQ and increasing risks for autism, ADHD, and other learning disorders. Adult mercury exposure increases risks for heart disease and dementia .

Petroleum pollutants from oil spills threaten the marine microorganisms that produce much of the Earth’s oxygen by reducing their capacity for photosynthesis. These beneficial microorganisms use solar energy to convert atmospheric CO₂ into oxygen and are also affected by organic pollutants and other chemicals . When there is a major oil spill, the impact can be huge.

Coastal pollution from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, pesticides, and sewage increases the frequency of harmful algal blooms, known as red tides, brown tides, and green tides. These blooms produce powerful toxins like ciguatera and domoic acid that accumulate in fish and shellfish. When ingested, these toxins can cause dementia, amnesia, paralysis, and even rapid death. When inhaled, they can cause asthma.

Dangerous microorganisms result from a combination of coastal pollution and warming seas, which encourages their spread. Harmful bacteria such as the vibrio species – found in warmer waters and responsible for vibriosis , a potentially fatal illness – are now appearing further north and causing life-threatening infections. There’s a high risk that cholera, caused by vibrio cholerae , could spread to new, previously unaffected areas.

And the health impacts of ocean pollution fall disproportionately on indigenous peoples, coastal communities and vulnerable populations in the Global South , underlining the planetary scale of this environmental injustice.

Political will and scientific evidence

While the findings in this report are alarming, the good news is that ocean pollution, as with all forms of pollution, can be controlled and prevented. Bans on single-use plastics and better waste sorting can curb pollution at its source, especially plastic waste, both on land and at sea.

Wise governments have curbed other forms of pollution by deploying control strategies based on law, policy, technology, and targeted enforcement. The US, for example, has reduced air pollution by 70% since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. They have saved thousands of lives. They have proven highly cost-effective .

Countries around the world are now applying these same tools to control ocean pollution. Boston Harbour in Massachusetts and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong have been cleaned. Estuaries from Chesapeake Bay in the US to the Seto Inland Sea in Japan have been rejuvenated. Some coral reefs have been restored, such as those in American Samoa , where vigilance, protection and quick response have happened in relation to various pollution threats.

These successes have boosted economies, increased tourism, restored fisheries, and improved health. They demonstrate that broad control of ocean pollution is feasible and their benefits will last for centuries. Our study offers some clear recommendations for preventing and controlling ocean pollution, including transitioning to cleaner energy, developing affordable alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics, reducing human, agricultural and industrial discharges, and expanding Marine Protected Areas .

Protecting the planet is a global concern and our collective responsibility. Leaders who recognise the gravity of ocean pollution, acknowledge its growing dangers, engage civil society, and take bold, evidence-based action to stop pollution at source will be essential for preventing ocean pollution and safeguarding our own health.

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• Human health

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Ocean Pollution — Ocean Pollution: A Threat to Marine Ecosystems

Ocean Pollution: a Threat to Marine Ecosystems

• Categories: Ocean Pollution Water Pollution

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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• The Causes And Effects Of Ocean Pollution

• More than 70% of the Earth is covered with water bodies that play an important role in our day-to-day life and form an indispensable part of our existence.
• Ocean pollution is caused by the introduction of toxic materials and harmful pollutants such as agricultural and industrial waste, chemicals, oil spills, and plastic litter into the ocean waters.
• Careless human activity has posed a serious threat to the ocean ecosystem, thereby affecting several species of marine flora and fauna as well as humans that are dependent on it.

More than 70% of the Earth is covered with bodies of water. Lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans play a vital role in our day-to-day life and form an indispensable part of our existence: food, transport, hydration, and temperature regulation are just some of the things they give us. So when these water sources are polluted, we humans feel the effects.

Ocean pollution refers to the introduction of toxic materials and other harmful pollutants such as agricultural and industrial waste, chemicals, oil spills, and plastic litter into the ocean's waters. The ocean provides humans with several resources and economic benefits, yet it is treated as a worldwide trash basin. This pollution of the world’s oceans is mainly caused by careless human activity that poses a serious threat to the oceanic ecosystem and in turn to several species of marine flora and fauna that are solely dependent on it.

Causes Of Ocean Pollution

There are several causes of ocean pollution. Some of the main causes are listed below. These are as follows:

Dumping Of Sewage

The dumping of sewage in the ocean is often regarded as the cheapest and easiest method of sewage disposal. Most of the untreated sewage containing lethal substances find their way into the ocean waters through the sewer systems and has detrimental effects on the health of marine flora and fauna.

Land Runoff

Referred to as non-point pollution, runoff is caused when the soil is infiltrated with water to its maximum extent and the excess water then flows from the land into the ocean via the drainage systems like rivers and streams. This runoff water carries with it the harmful toxins: the litter dumped in towns and cities, fertilizers, pesticides, and other soil contaminants. All these toxins are then dumped into the ocean along with the runoff.

Industrial Chemicals

The untreated effluents and garbage along with harmful chemicals are also released into water bodies from several industries. The waste from industries like fossil fuel, plastic manufacturing, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals contains harmful toxins like mercury, DDT, phthalates, Bisphenol-A, and other chemical substances. These pollute the oceans by altering the pH level of the water which contributes to the death of most aquatic flora and fauna. Such toxins also enter the bodies of marine animals and accumulate in their tissues. They are further transferred up the food chain from one level to another, resulting in biomagnification when the concentration of toxins increases as it ascends the food chain. Large quantities of such biomagnified toxins ultimately reach humans through the consumption of different kinds of seafood.

Eutrophication

Researchers have noted that the increased concentration of harmful chemicals in the ocean leads to eutrophication . The presence of nitrogen-rich fertilizers, animal wastes, and human sewage triggers the explosive growth of marine algae and other life-threatening microorganisms that subsequently disrupt the ocean ecosystem. The depletion of oxygen due to eutrophication will also cause the death of marine fauna, resulting in the formation of dead zones in the ocean waters.

Ocean Acidification And Thermal Pollution

The ocean acts as a massive natural carbon sink by dissolving the atmospheric carbon-dioxide and excess heat in its waters. However, due to an increase in CO 2 levels due to global warming, the waters of the ocean are becoming increasingly acidic—a process called ocean acidification . The change in pH is already affecting coral reefs around the world leading to coral bleaching which has detrimental effects on marine life dependant on these reefs for their life cycle. 

Thermal pollution of the ocean waters is caused by the release of hot waters from power plants and processing companies into the ocean. It leads to a localized change in water temperature that, in turn, reduces the volume of oxygen dissolved in the water, killing marine life.

Oil spills result in the change of chemical composition of the marine ecosystems and also kill beneficial marine micro-organisms that generate oxygen. Such ecological imbalances lead to the smothering of the ocean’s biodiversity and result in reduced reproduction and migration, and the death of fish.

Noise Pollution

Unwarranted loud noise generated by passing ships for transportation and exploration activities is detrimental to marine life. Such unnecessary noise creates confusion in the marine environment by interfering with the acoustic information used by many aquatic species like whales and dolphins that rely on their sense of hearing for survival and other activities.

A large quantity of single-use plastics have been mercilessly dumped as litter into the marine environment and have been found on beaches, in polar ice seas, and even on the shorelines of the world’s most remote uninhabited islands. Plastic debris has been transforming some marine areas into a plastic soup, leading to the choking of marine life and causing a potential large-scale impact on the marine environment.

Rain and winds carry macro plastics including plastic bags, bottles, and other wastes into storm drains and rivers which act as conveyor belts dumping about 1.15-2.75 million metric tons of waste into the oceans every year. The sunlight and the ocean waves help to breakdown the macro plastics into smaller pieces of microplastics, which have now become a ubiquitous component of the marine and freshwater ecosystems. These microplastics are spread throughout the water column and have even reached the Mariana Trench , thereby underscoring the breadth of marine pollution.

It has been estimated from several studies that about 8 million tons of carelessly managed plastic litter enters the oceans annually, and this would increase by about three times in the upcoming decade. A report by the United Nations has claimed that by 2025, the oceans will contain one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish, and by the year 2050, the plastic waste will outweigh the fishes present in all the oceans of the world.

Effects Of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution has resulted in serious adverse effects on marine life as well as multiple negative impacts on the environment and human health. The harmful toxins and industrial chemicals that enter the oceans get accumulated in the fatty tissues of aquatic fauna and lead to severe damage to their reproductive systems. The sea birds that depend on the marine fishes for their food are also subsequently affected. When humans consume fish as seafood, they are also getting contaminated by these harmful chemicals. Oil spills prevent sunlight from reaching the aquatic flora and lead to a disruption of oxygen supply. Toxic chemicals and oil spills cause severe bleaching of coral reefs and results in the destruction of these fragile habitats and the life cycle of the coral animals. The fertilizers and pesticides that reach the oceans also contribute greatly to the global decline in fish populations as well as affecting the reproductive fertility of human beings that consume them.

National Geographic studies have revealed that more than 700 species of marine organisms ranging from tiny corals to majestic whales are facing a serious threat from plastic pollution. Researchers have estimated that about 1 million aquatic birds and 100,000 marine fauna are killed every year due to the ingestion of plastic materials. It has also been observed that marine organisms across all trophic levels have microplastics in their bodies, and these ingested chemicals and plastic materials wreak havoc on the behavior, development, physiology, and reproduction in a range of marine species. Studies on oysters have revealed that their reproduction rates have been almost halved. Several marine organisms have also been found entangled in abandoned fishing gears, ropes, and fishing nets. Stranded ocean plastic litter creates visual pollution and causes major economic damages to tourism, fishing, and shipping activities, posing a challenge for the countries that rely on them. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch which spanning 617,000 square miles between California and Hawaii is estimated to contain about 1.8 trillion tons of plastic debris.

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Home / Essay Samples / Environment / Ocean Pollution / Causes And Effects Of Ocean Pollution  

Causes And Effects Of Ocean Pollution  

• Category: Science , Environment
• Topic: Ocean , Ocean Pollution , Pollution

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