Marine Pollution

Human Effects on the Marine Environment

Alteration of bottom by dredging; shoreline alteration and filling Introduction of toxic substances Eutrophication through nutrient enrichment Thermal pollution from power plants Invasive or nonindigenous species Important Marine Legislative Acts

Characteristics of Pollution

Acute vs. Chronic Pollution

Acute (short term) ex. is an oil spill, the effects of which diminish with time Chronic (long term) ex. is nutrient input

Pollution Point and Non-Point

Point source from a single sewer pipe or factory waste-water outfall Non-point source effects cannot be attributed to any single spot and thus harder to control; exs. Runoff of toxic substances or fertilizer after a rain;

Using Organisms to Monitor Pollution

Determining species diversity diversity usually declines in strongly polluted habitats Bioassay species; exposure of certain species to varying concentrations of toxic materials; crabs and mussels often used Degree of evolved resistance

Biodegradeable vs. Inert Toxic Substances

Inert toxic substances biomagnify up the food chain whereas biodegradeable materials do not; Substances that biomagnify

heavy metals - cadmium, mercury and lead Pesticides made of chlorinated hydrocarbons kepone, DDT, dieldrin, chlordane, dioxin PCBs - used as lubricants

Biomagnification of Inert Materials

Important Toxic Substances

Sources- mines, sewage, insecticides, fungicides and industry Oil Mercury (methylmercury) see the story in the text on Minamata disease Cadmium from electroplating and battery manufacturing plants Lead Chlorinated hydrocarbons PCBs

Oil Pollution

- Sources

Leaks from marine terminals and in harbors Leaks from offshore drilling Leaks from breakup of oil tankers and barges Washout of oil into storm drains

Sources of Oil Pollution

Some Major Oil Spill Catastrophies

The Components and Effects of Oil

Minamata Disease see lecture text

Potential Results of Pollution

A reduction in biodiversity Stress on populations that are already threatened or endangered

Endangered or Threatened Marine Species

Radioactive Wastes

Waste Radionucleotides - DeepSea Disposal Sites

Nutrient Input and Eutrophication

Eutrophication Leads to Dead Zones

Human Activity and Dead Zones

Nutrient Enrichment Leads To

Algal blooms which can lead to

High antiherbivory toxin production such as
red tides (Dinoflagllates) which effect shellfish and vertebrates Populations of Pfisteria

Dinoflagellates cause

Green Brown Yellow Too!

Opportunistic Highly adaptable Cysts Free-swimming Parasitic to fish Toxins

24 recognizable life stages! Did these protists evolve in 1997?

Dinoflagellates

Toxic Tides Are these new species of protists? Are they opportunistic protists?

What is common among algal blooms?

Dinoflagellates

Toxic Tides

What environmental stimuli promote their growth?

Thermal Pollution

Invasive Species

Sources of invasive species

Ship ballast Aquaculture Academia and public aquaria Pet and aquarium stores Recreational boating and fishing Special activities transporting dry docks, oil rigs and barges

Invasive Species in Coastal Regions Questions Asked

Questions related to Species Richness

What species are in our estuaries? How many are non-native in each estuary? How is species composition changing over time? Which regions have the highest rate of new invasions? Which taxa have the highest proportion of non-native to native species?

Questions Contd.

Questions on Impact
Impacts on ecosystem productivity, biodiversity, community structure, and ecologically sensitive habitats? Which non-native species are a particular threat to native communities? How does human-mediated habitat disturbance and hydrological alteration modify the impact of non-native species?

Factors That Mediate Invasion Success

How is propagule pressure related to invasion success? Which vectors are responsible for the most invasions, or those of the most highimpact invaders? Are different taxa more likely to be introduced by different vectors? ?????????????????

Invaders Intrinsic Traits

How does the live history stage or genetics of a species affect its invasive abilities? How does the ecological role of a species affect the rate and pattern of its spread? Are populations of selected introductions genetically isolated from other populations?

Marine Legislation

Six Important Acts

Important Legislation

National Marine Sanctuaries Act - (1972) (NMSA) Fisheries Management and Conservation Act (1976) Clean Water Act (1977) Endangered Species Act Estuaries and Clean Water Act (2000) The Oceans Act (2000)

National Marine Sanctuaries Act of 1972

Authorizes the Sec. of Commerce to designate and manage areas of the marine environment with nationally significant aesthetic, ecological, historical or recreational values as National Marine Sanctuaries . The primary objective is to protect marine resources while facilitating compatible public and private uses of those resources.

Fisheries Management and Conservation Act - 1976

The primary law dealing with fisheries resources and fishing activities in federal waters (extends from edge of State waters out to the 200 mile limit). Primary goals include conservation and management of fisheries resources, development of U./S. domestic fisheries and phasing out foreign fishing activities within the 200 mile conservation zone adjacent to the U.S. coastline.

Clean Water Act of 1977

Unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit (NPDES) is obtained EPA has authority to set effluent standards Also unlawful to discharge dredged or fill materials into wetlands without a permit

Endangered Species Act

Provides for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The law prohibits any action, administrative or real, that results in a taking of a listed species, or adversely affects habitat.

Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000

Encourages the restoration of estuary habitat through more efficient project financing and enhanced coordination of Fed. And non-Fed. restoration programs Establishes a Estuary Habitat Restoration Council to develop a comprehensive approach

Oceans Act of 2000

Establishes a commission to make recs. for coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy. Issues will include coastal hazards, stewardship, marine pollution prevention, enhancing marinerelated commerce and transportation, research and education and the use of technology to address coastal issues.

FINIS