The Effects of Pollution on the Ocean and

8The effects Of

Ways to Eliminate Future Destruction

(Newsdesk, Earth, PassportOcean,

TheFourthWave, SalesForce)

Contents An Environmental Protection Agency Report

Ayden Boatwright
Abstract--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

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The Origins of Ocean Pollution --------------------------------------------------------- 2

The Impacts of Pollution on the Ocean and Environment----------------------- 3

Macro vs. Micro Plastic Pollution -------------------------------------------- 3

Effects on Marine Life------------------------------------------------------------ 3

Effects on Humans --------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Solutions and Strategies to Control Pollution -------------------------------------- 5

Energy, Chemicals, and Sewage Treatments------------------------------ 5

Ways to Reduce Pollution in Everyday Life --------------------------------- 5

The Impacts of Implementing Solutions to Decrease Pollution___________ 6

Carpooling______________________________________________ 6

Reusable Bags___________________________________________ 6

Technology Reducing Leakage______________________________ 6

Conclusion------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6

References------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7

Figures

Figure 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Figure 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Abstract

The ocean is a vast body of water that spans across 71 percent of the earths surface. The world
ocean is divided into the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Artic, and the Southern Oceans. The ocean is
vital in maintaining the homeostatic statis of the earth. According to Oceans Are for Everyone
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by Mary Davidson the ocean aids in regulating the temperature and climate patterns on earth
by absorbing the heat from the sun and distributing the rest to the planet. The ocean embodies
an entire ecosystem that inhabits a plethora of species of fish, reptiles, and coral. Especially
small organisms such us “phytoplankton produce about half the oxygen on earth and form the
foundation of the ocean’s ecosystem” (Davidson).

The earth’s ocean is important for sustaining life on the planet. The ocean provides food, water,
commerce, medicine, and the air we breathe. The ocean is responsible for 70 percent of the
earths oxygen (Nunez). The ocean provides a constant supply of food that is popular around the
world, including fish and lobster. The ocean is a means of transportation that allows foreign
trade of materials. Studies have shown that the ocean can provide alternative resources for
new drugs against disease such as malaria and cancer. According to Exploring the Ocean for
New Drug Developments: Marine Pharmacology by Harshad Malve aquatic animals and plants
“are screened for antibacterial, immunomodulator, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer…
They are used for new drug developments extensively across the world.”

The ocean encompasses a generous portion of the earth’s beauty however the actions of
humans are slowly deteriorating the ocean through pollution. As the industry has grown over
the years there has been an increase in pollution from the air and water. Most of the pollution
comes from plastic, oil, and chemicals (Chalmers). Plastic pollution comes from large companies
that package their materials in plastic and chemical companies that fabricate plastics, Exon
(Chalmers). Plastic that accumulates in the ocean is killing marine life, “In 2019, a sperm whale
died and was found to have 220 pounds of trash in his stomach” (Sullivan). If there is no change
soon, humans may be responsible for the extinction of thousands of species that inhabit the
ocean and threaten the welfare of human species as well.

The Origins of Ocean Pollution and the Effects it Causes

Over the years the ocean has been a reservoir for waste. Prior to scientific research,
researchers believed due to the oceans vast waters it could hold unrestrained amounts of
waste. The waste management system has formulated a way to distribute waste to the
appropriate facilities to recycle and dispose of materials. Former solutions of getting rid of
waste were not implemented and most waste would “flood the streets and infiltrate local
rivers, and many individuals had to burn or bury items” (Emily). In the 1960’s, scientists began
researching the disposal of waste in the ocean, called ocean dumping. According to National
Academy of Sciences in 1968 “…more than 100 million tons of waste had entered our oceans.
These statistics did not consider plastic” (Emily). Ocean pollution is the exposure of toxins such
as chemicals, oil spills and plastic into the ocean’s water (Ritchie). In figure 1 the table
illustrates the pathway by which plastic enters the ocean. In figure 1 it shows plastic production
is responsible for 270 million tonnes per year of waste in the ocean. Mismanaged coastal plastic
waste, in figure 1, shows there are 31.9 million tonnes of plastic per year in the ocean. Pollution
comes from humans’ contribution to factories and companies that mass produce plastic
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packing materials. Some of the common types of pollution in the ocean’s water include
dumping of sewage, land runoff, industrial chemicals, plastics, and oil spills. The US Congress
enforced the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. The act aimed to regulate the
amount of waste that is dumped into the ocean, as well as acknowledge the implications
pollution has on our oceans.

Figure 1. Representation of how Plastics enter the Ocean (OurWorldData)

The Impacts of Pollution on the Ocean and Environment

Macro vs Micro Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution has become a serious environmental concern as the production and removal of
plastics increase. There are two types of plastic pollution that impact the ocean differently,
macro and micro (Rose). Macro plastics consist of bottles, bags, and containers that are easily
confused as a source of food for marine life. Ingestion of such materials can cause a slow
painful death for these animals. According to The Impact of Plastic Pollution in our Oceans by
Sandrine Rose “Researchers estimate 90% of seabirds and 76% of fish have ingested plastic and
by 2050 it will be as high as 99%.” In figure 2, a turtle is seen ingesting a plastic bag. Micro
plastics can either originate from the degradation of macro plastics or materials that are
“fabricated such as micro beads used in cosmetics and cleansers” (Rose). Micro plastics can be

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a source of food for animals such as microscopic plankton which can have an affect on the
entire globe itself.

Figure 2. Turtle Eating Macro Plastic Bag (LoveExploring)

Effects on Marine Life

What is marine life? Marine life inhabits a multitude of types of species that make up an entire
ecosystem. Each species plays a vital role in maintaining balance in our environment. Marine
photosynthesizers that are known to be tiny phytoplankton makeup over 50 percent of the
earths oxygen (Chalmers). They regulate the planet’s climate to prevent natural disasters from
occurring. It is important we protect the marine life because without them we could lose one of
our main sources of oxygen and protection from harsh climates. Chemical pollution caused by
fertilizers and herbicides, used for farming, have leaked into the pipe system and into the
ocean. Dead zones have formed caused by “toxic algae which feed on the nutrients which run
off farms into the sea have become a more common occurrence, and these zones can be
hundreds of miles long and kill all the marine life beneath them” (Chalmers).
Ocean pollution can affect marine life in a multitude of ways leading to a greater
impact on human species.

Effects on Humans

The ocean provides more than 71 percent of our oxygen that we breathe. The marine life that
functions in providing essentials for human species are killed by the plastic, chemicals, and oil
that are devouring the ocean. Exposure to such pollutants for a vast amount of time can cause
major health issues such as “hormonal issues, reproductive issues, and damage to our
nervous systems and kidneys” (Dilevics). Metals that are disposed of in the ocean can be
broken down by bacteria into mercury. The plankton absorb the mercury and through the
food chain can make its way to humans through food source (Plastic Ocean). Mercury can
cause diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Beaches that are
notorious for bringing tourist can be subject to pollution through physical contact. Such
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exposure can cause stomach aches, diarrhea, and rashes (Plastic Ocean). It is important to
pay respect to our ocean and to keep it clean.

Solutions and Strategies to Control Pollution

Energy, Chemicals, and Sewage Treatment

The damages that have been inflicted on earths oceans cannot be reversed, however there are
solutions that can help prevent polltuion from occuring in the future. The government has
enforced strict laws through the Environmental Protection Agency to “protect beaches, reduce
pollution from ships, reduce marine debris, and prohibit ocean dumping” (McDermott).
Technological advances have led to new energy sources that can reduce offshore drilling and
use solar power instead. To inhibit the leakage of pesticides into the sewage systems federal
laws and regulations prohibit substandard pesticide use and use organic farming instead
(Mcdermott). Sewage and eco-friendly wastewater treatments including recycling sewage
sludge to carbon-phosphorous fertilizer. The clean water act functions in “recycling biosolids
and regulates sewage sludge to help minimize metal concentrations in water” (Mcdermott).

Ways to Reduce Pollution in Everyday Life

There are several ways to reduce pollution by incorporating simple habits into one’s daily life.
Studies have shown that carbon emissions can cause ocean acidification that can harm marine
life. Ways to reduce carbon emissions could include carpooling, using reusable shopping bags,
recycling, and reusable containers (Mcdermott). The growing plastic production makes it nearly
impossible to keep up with and decrease the amount that is accumulating in the ocean.
Strategies that have been put into effect to reduce plastic pollution include “regulation of
production and consumption, eco-design, increasing the demand for recycled plastics, reducing
the use of plastics, and use of renewable energy for recycling” (Prata). There are also
originations that have dedicated their time to cleaning the ocean.

The Impact of Implementing Solutions to Decrease Pollution

Carpooling

Carpooling is the action of sharing one car among a group of individuals to a certain destination
and prevents each person from driving their own car. Carpooling reduces the air level of
pollution significantly. Air pollution can cause water temperatures to increase which can
destruct biodiversity in the ocean. (How does Pollution) Air pollution can contaminate the

5
marine life causing the food source to be inedible. According to Five Unexpected Benefits of
Carpooling: How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint “According to rideshare.com, every car
annually emits its own weight in carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.” It is important to
encourage society to carpool to decrease the number of emissions that are polluting the air.

Reusable Bags

Reusable bags can prevent plastic waste in the ocean. Individuals that reuse shopping bags
decrease the amount of plastic waste discarded after each use. Improper disposal of waste can
lead to the ocean and affect marine life. Hawaii established a law where plastic shopping bags
were banned, and only reusable bags were allowed. Plastic bags can choke marine life or be
mistaken as food. According to County of Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management
“Starting on January 17, 2014, all single-use plastic carryout bags are prohibited.” It is
imperative that every country around the world implement such laws to prevent plastic
pollution. Reusable bags can replace 600 single use plastic bags. Reusable bags reduce litter and
conserve natural resources.

Technology Reducing Leakage

Fertilizers are used in farming and can leak into pipes that find their way into the ocean.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus are the two types of pollutants that get into the sewage system.
When the algae are killed by the fertilizers they decompose and consume oxygen. This process
is called “eutrophication, has created at least 405 ‘dead zones’ worldwide.” (10 Solutions to)
Technology has allowed farmers to fertilizer their farms through eco-design that inhibits
leakage of fertilizers into the ocean. The decrease of fertilizers in the ocean can protect algae
and allow proper oxygenation to marine life.

Conclusion

The earth is a wonderous planet that is strategically put together to provide the essentials
needed for each species survival. Each organism plays a part in maintaining the homeostatic
balance of the planet. Humans have taken advantage of what earth has to offer and abused the
ocean for too long. Humans cannot continue to live the same life they live today if we pollute
our oceans beyond no return. The ocean provides an immense amount of oxygen to the life
that inhabits earth, in the ocean and on land. The ocean is also a significant food source for
billions of humans across the globe. We cannot expect to continue thriving as species if we
destroy the oceans through pollution. We must think of our future generations that are going
to follow us on this planet. Their survival depends on our actions and choices we make today.

References

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Folk, Emily. “The History of Ocean Pollution (and What We Should Be Doing about It).” Red,
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Nunez, Christina. “Find out about the World's Ocean Habitats and More.” Environment,
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