Ocean Pollution GEH1033
Ocean Pollution GEH1033
Ocean Pollution GEH1033
prevent it.
The ocean is vital to life on earth and is facing drastic environmental problems at
present times. Originally, nature has its way of cleansing itself of pollutants to a
certain extent1. However, the massive amount of the waste products discharged
into the ocean, by humans, has reached a point which nature is struggling to
cope with. The causes of oceans pollution are extensive; such as disposal of
waste, oil spills and even agriculture have caused immense and possibly
irreversible damages to marine life. This essay focuses on some of the main
contributors to marine pollution and how we as individuals play a key role in
prevent it.
One of the leading causes is vessel source pollution which originates from ships.
In recent times, this has been estimated to comprise up to 35 percent of marine
pollution2. Such may arise from an accident or due to way vessels operates.
Accidents, relating to vessels, may involve an outpour of hazardous materials,
radioactive substances and oil into the ocean. This has not only affects marine,
1 http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0713/How-fast-will-the-Gulf-
bounce-back-from-the-BP-oil-spill
2 http://worldoceanreview.com/en/wor-1/pollution/oil/
3 http://aquaticcommons.org/15985/1/JIFA18_333.pdf
oceans5. This has endangered many marine species as they are unable survive in
the increased acidity of the water. 6
Individuals are highly encouraged to use fewer plastic products as well. Plastic
waste that ends up in water bodies contributes to the wreckage of habitats for
marine life. Tens of thousands of marine animals suffer every year due to
entanglement and suffocation from these wastes, and this colossal amount is still
growing7. Reusing water bottles, storing food in non-disposable containers and
even bringing ones own grocery bag are just some of the many ways one can
contribute in alleviating the impacts of plastic usage.
4 http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/source-and-determinants-of-water-
pollution-in-ethiopia-distributed-lag-modeling-approach.1000110.pdf
5 http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F
6 http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/explore/pristine-seas/critical-
issues-ocean-acidification/
7 http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/10-things-you-can-do-
to-save-the-ocean/