Research About Types of Marine Pollution: Eutrophication, Plastic Debris, Industrial Toxins (Essay Sample)

Marine Pollution
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Marine Pollution
Marine pollution is caused by the introduction of harmful particles, chemicals, sewage, agricultural and invasive organisms into the water. There are non-point sources that encompass wind-blown particles and water run-off. Sewage and industrial waste also introduce nutrients into the water body leading to eutrophication i.e. blooming of algae on the surface of the water. The major nutrients are phosphorous and nitrogen.
The toxic chemicals from industrial waste accumulate in plants, which marine organisms feed on. Thus, the toxins are bio-magnified up the food chain. These toxins cause mutations and diseases to marine organisms and humans. Toxic metals such as lead and mercury cause mutations such as changes in the tissue matter, reproduction cycles, growth suppression and changes in behavior. Land animals feed on marine organisms such as fish and commercially manufactured fish meal, which leads to transfer of toxins to land; hence, animal products such as dairy and meat products.
Types of Marine Pollution
Eutrophication
Eutrophication causes an increase in plant growth and rate of plant growth. It also causes plant decay and deprives fish of oxygen and underwater plants of adequate sunlight; therefore, it creates a death zone for marine organisms. Atmospheric oxygen also dissolves into the water leading to increase in nitrates and nitrites, which trigger rapid plant growth. Thus, release of nitrogen and nitrogen based gaseous waste into the environment causes Eutrophication.
Plastic Debris
Human populations dispose rubbish, which suspends in the water or floats on the ocean water. Plastic components, which are not biodegradable, form most of the waste. Plastics can photo-degrade under dry conditions; however, water blocks this process. Thus, posing a danger to marine organisms such as fish since it may lead to suffocation, entanglement and ingestion. Plastic debris are indigestible thus may lead to digestive complications and death. Fishing nets left recklessly in the ocean may trap dolphins, sharks, turtles and seabirds, which hinder their mobility, starvation, infection and laceration. Plastic debris, deposited in ocean gyres, may become dangerous to land animals such as birds causing death due to accumulation of plastic in the digestive system.
Plastic also photo-degrades into molecular components causing bio-magnification up the food chain. Plastic molecules also interfere with the natural reproductive cycle, hormone production and the animals’ endocrine system.
Acidification
Ocean and sea waters form carbonic acid from carbon (IV) oxide in the atmosphere. Industrial waste release acidic gases such as sulphur (IV) oxide, nitrogen (IV) oxide and nitrogen (II) oxide causing increased acidity into ocean waters. Increased acidification causes dissolution of calcium carbonate from ocean rocks and floors thus affecting coral reefs and leading to further eutrophication.
Oceans play a major role as carbon sinks in the environment i.e. dissolution of excess carbon (IV) oxide from the environment; therefore, increased acidity cuts the ability of oceans to dissolve carbon.
Industrial Toxins
There are many non-biodegradable toxins released into the ocean, particularly from industrial waste. These include DDT, PCBs, dioxins, radioactive waste, phenols, furans and pesticides. Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic may lead to mutations2. Bio-accumulation of these toxins up the food chain causes detrimental effects on land animals. This may cause the introduction of carcinogenic substances into humans that feed on marine organisms.
Noise Pollution
Ships, naval frequencies and oil exploration surveys lead to the sound pollution in ocean waters. It is made serious by the fact that sounds travels quick and further in water than in the air. The noise affects marine organisms in the dark parts of the ocean. Marine organisms such as whales increase their vocal volumes to communicate since anthropogenic sounds may outweigh their sounds. An increase in sound volume in one species causes the other species to increase the noise produced causing uncontrolled noises, which may include mating calls. This leads to reduction in reproduction. It may also lead to marine stresses causing poor growth and irregular sexual cycles.
Oil Spills
Oil from oil spills and runoff water causes damage to marine organisms. This may lead to death of larvae and diseases in marine organisms. Oil causes suffocation of marine life since it blocks penetration of oxygen into the water. It may also kill key birds by covering their wings thus preventing them from flying out of the water. Oil also has toxic contents that may lead to psychological damages and reproductive damages causing irregular behavior in organisms2.
Many international organizations such as UNEP are working to cut marine pollution. The main marine polluters identified are plastics and nutrients such as phosphorous. Oil is one of the hardest marine pollutants to cleanse. Therefore, many countries have set up laws that set punishments for oil spillage. Marine pollutants may cause a decline in biodiversity and productivity of marine organisms. This will cause a reduction in marine food. Cutting marine pollution demands political and social wil...