What is pollution?

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse
change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or
light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or
naturally occurring contaminants.

What is water pollution?

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and
groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged
into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds

Pollution of the ocean

Eighty percent of pollution to the marine environment comes from the land. One of the
biggest sources is called nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff.
Nonpoint source pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and
boats, plus larger sources, such as farms, ranches, and forest areas. Millions of motor vehicle
engines drop small amounts of oil each day onto roads and parking lots. Much of this, too,
makes its way to the sea.
Some water pollution actually starts as air pollution, which settles into waterways and
oceans. Dirt can be a pollutant. Top soil or silt from fields or construction sites can run off
into waterways, harming fish and wildlife habitats.
Nonpoint source pollution can make river and ocean water unsafe for humans and wildlife. In
some areas, this pollution is so bad that it causes beaches to be closed after rainstorms.

Sources of water pollution

Many human activities unintentionally add nitrogen and phosphorus or other pollutants
to surface waters. Over many decades, urban development, farming, industry and manmade pollutants such as partially treated sewage from our homes and businesses have

been pumped into waterways for disposal, causing a decline in the health of our rivers and
streams.
Storm water runoff has also contributed to the decline of waterways. Storm water or
excessive irrigation water running over our lawns, sidewalks, streets and parking lots take
fertilizers and pesticides, motor oil and heavy metals into waterways.

Major Contributors to Ocean Pollution

There isn't one source to blame for ocean pollution. In fact, pollution is caused by several
industries and practices. People also contribute this growing problem.

Oil Industry
The oil industry is responsible for occasional large scale oil spills, which prove catastrophic, but
they are also responsible for smaller leaks that occur on a regular basis. Oil leaks from offshore
drilling rigs and boats, and some people even intentionally dump oil into the ocean. Natural oil
seepage only counts for a very small percentage of oil pollution in the ocean. You may not realize it,
but when you pour oil down the sink in your home, it can end up causing ocean pollution. When
gasoline is burned, either by cars or other vehicles or engines, chemicals are released into the air.
What's in the air will eventually become rain that, of course, returns to the ocean.

Manufacturing
You only need look at a factory billowing smoke to understand that most manufacturing
processes release harmful gases and liquids into the atmosphere. The manufacturing industry can
pollute the ocean in several ways. The most obvious is dumping toxic liquids directly into the ocean
or other water sources that flow into the ocean. In some cases, these liquids are warm and can raise
the temperature of the ocean water, known as thermal pollution. Delicate ecosystems that cannot
survive at higher temperatures may be wiped out entirely. A more subtle result of manufacturing is
acid rain. Chemicals are released into the atmosphere and pollute the air, and when they are
condensed and fall with the rain, they contaminate the ocean indirectly.

Agriculture
Farming and agriculture may seem far removed from ocean problems. Farmland is usually far
inland and in landlocked places, such as the Midwestern United States. However, when it rains, toxic
pesticides are washed into the rivers and streams that eventually flow into the ocean. Marine life
then ingests these toxins and if they don't die, they might be consumed by humans, causing illnesses
and other unpleasant side effects. Pesticides often contain heavy metals such as mercury, copper
and lead, which have been known to cause serious health issues.

Littering and Dumping

Few things can dampen the mood of your romantic sunset walk on the beach more than seeing
a plastic bottle wash up onto shore. It is hard to believe that some people litter directly into the
ocean, and even more preposterous that some ships dump their trash while out at sea. Although it is
generally banned in the US, many third world countries dump their local trash directly into the ocean,

either along the shore or by ship. Plastic is especially dangerous to marine life because it
disintegrates into tiny pieces and is often ingested. Even when trash is contained in a landfill,
chemicals may leak and contaminate the ground water, which can eventually mix with ocean water.

Sewage
Although it's hard to imagine raw sewage being dumped into the ocean, it happens on a
regular basis. The oceans are vast and can break down this vile liquid, but it still causes many
adverse effects on marine life. Sewage includes "black water" from toilets and also water from
laundry, food preparation and sinks, referred to as "gray water". Imagine all of the toxic cleaning
products and other household substances that are flushed down the sink finding their way into the
ocean! Sometimes, sludge from sewage treatment is also dumped into the ocean. Consider what
happens when it rains and all of the grime from the streets is washed into the sewer system, which
could eventually wash out to sea.
Ocean Pollution Eventually Affects Everyone
It may not seem like pollution that exists in the middle of the ocean would have much of an
affect on your life, but it will all eventually wash up onto shore or fall as rain through the process of
evaporation and condensation. If you love animals, enjoy seafood or like to take trips to the beach,
you should understand ocean pollution causes, and even more importantly, become part of the
solution.

Effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life

If you have ever worried about the effects of ocean pollution on marine life you are not alone.
The increase of pollutants in the world's oceans is having an effect on the variety of creatures that
live there.

Effects of Oil on the Ocean

Although the big oil spills from offshore drilling get a lot of attention, there are millions of gallons of
oil dumped into the world's oceans every year from other sources.

Runoff

Air pollution

Illegal dumping

Routine maintenance of large ships

Oil is dangerous to marine life in several ways. If Marine animals get oil on their fur or feathers, then
they may be unable to fly or move properly, maintain body temperature, or feed. The oil washes up
on beaches and contaminates nesting areas as well as feeding grounds.
In addition, oil affects coral reefs in a negative way. These reefs are not only beautiful, they provide a
habitat for many sea creatures. Oil also clogs up the gills of the fish that live there and suffocates
them. When oil floats on the surface, it blocks sunlight and prevents marine plants from utilizing the
light for photosynthesis. These plants are an important part of both the food chain and the reef
habitats found in the oceans.

Toxic Materials
Toxic materials are often the side effects of modern living. Chemical residues from fertilizing your
yard get washed into the rivers and are carried to the oceans. Mercury, dioxins, and other pollutants
find their way into the ocean and sink to the bottom. Bottom feeding organisms ingest these
chemicals and contaminate the food chain. The smaller fish is eaten by the larger fish, which is then
eaten by a human. Toxins build up in the tissues of the people who eat the contaminated fish and this
can lead to illnesses like cancer, as well as reproductive disorders, birth defects, and other long term
health problems.
The effects of ocean pollution on marine life when toxins are involved include the following:

Behavior abnormalities

Cancer

Death

Lesions

Reproductive changes

Trash and Other Debris

Plastic bags, balloons, medical waste, soda cans, and milk cartons all find their way into the
oceans of the world. These items float in the water and wash up on beaches. They often
create health hazards for the marine life.
Ocean mammals can get entangled in old nets and drown because they cannot get to the surface for
air. Birds, turtles, and fish ingest a variety of plastic items and their digestive systems become
clogged. Sea turtles are especially attracted to floating plastic bags which appear to be jellyfish, one
of their favorite treats. The plastic bags block the digestive system and cause a slow and painful
death.

Various pieces of trash can cause entanglement, starvation, drowning, and strangulation. When the
trash washes up onto beaches and into marshes and wetlands, it ruins breeding grounds and
habitats.
Oxygen is necessary for all life. As trash degrades in the water, it uses up oxygen. When oxygen
levels are low marine life can't thrive.
How much plastic is in the ocean? Scientists estimate that there is one hundred million metric tons of
plastic debris in the ocean.

Large Scale Solutions for Ocean Pollution

It's hard to clean up pollution once it has occurred, so the best plan is prevention. Several big-picture
changes must take place to keep industry in check and encourage sustainable practices, not only in
the US but across the globe:

Stricter government regulations on industry and manufacturing

Renewable energy sources so off-shore drilling no longer needed

Limit agricultural pesticides

Proper sewage treatment

Cut down on waste and contain landfills

Changes to Make at Home

Surprisingly, some of the best solutions for ocean pollution can occur on the level of the
individual or single home. Even if you live in a place that is completely landlocked, your
actions still affect the health of these bodies of water. You've probably heard a lot about
adopting a "green" lifestyle, and most of these basic tenements apply to protecting the
oceans. Do your part by making these ocean-friendly choices:

Carry a reusable shopping bag instead of plastic bags

Store food in reusable containers instead of those you throw away

Avoid products that come with excess packaging

Don't litter

Recycle

Volunteer your time to clean up a beach if you live nearby

Visit the beach, tourism improves coastal communities

Lobby your politicians on environmental issues

Donate to an organization that protects the ocean

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Done by: Jovaine Samuels

Class:4 Orange