Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is marine pollution a type of?
What is marine pollution a type of?
What is a primary target under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to marine pollution?
What is a primary target under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to marine pollution?
What is a consequence of marine pollution?
What is a consequence of marine pollution?
What is a source of marine pollutants?
What is a source of marine pollutants?
Signup and view all the answers
What can marine pollution threaten?
What can marine pollution threaten?
Signup and view all the answers
What is affected by marine pollution?
What is affected by marine pollution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary source of marine pollution?
What is the primary source of marine pollution?
Signup and view all the answers
How do mercury and sulfur dioxide loads enter aquatic ecosystems?
How do mercury and sulfur dioxide loads enter aquatic ecosystems?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the result of ocean acidification on marine creatures?
What is the result of ocean acidification on marine creatures?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary mechanism by which plastic waste affects marine life?
What is the primary mechanism by which plastic waste affects marine life?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the effect of increased carbon dioxide levels on ocean waters?
What is the effect of increased carbon dioxide levels on ocean waters?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the result of warmer ocean waters on oxygen levels?
What is the result of warmer ocean waters on oxygen levels?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Marine Pollution
- Marine pollution refers to the contamination of the world's seas and oceans with pollutants like chemicals, litter, and sewage.
- It directly affects local marine ecosystems and the lifeforms they support.
Threats to Human Populations
- Marine pollution threatens drinking water safety, contaminates or kills food sources, and harms fishing and tourist economies.
- It also poses threats to human health, safety, and food security.
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Reducing marine pollution by 2025 is a primary target under the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Specifically, SDG 14 aims to protect oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Sources of Marine Pollution
- Most marine pollutants originate on land as agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes carried by rivers and streams to the seas or dumped directly into coastal waters.
- Atmospheric deposition and commercial activities like fishing and oil drilling also contribute to marine pollution.
Consequences of Marine Pollution
- Deoxygenation of local waters, or hypoxia, is a major consequence of marine pollution.
- Hypoxia threatens lifeforms that have evolved to survive under specific marine conditions.
- Highly toxic and slow-to-break-down pollutants, such as pesticides and complex organic compounds, are particularly concerning.
Plastic Waste Pollution
- Plastic waste has emerged as a serious marine pollution problem.
- Large amounts of plastic debris have been found on remote islands, and microscopic plastics threaten fish and other sea creatures.
International Initiatives
- Governments and international agencies have launched initiatives to monitor and clean up marine pollution.
- Critics argue that increased regulation of industry and other approaches could provide more effective solutions.
Background on Marine Pollution
- According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), around 80 percent of all marine pollution originates on land.
- Agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes are the primary contributors to marine pollution.
Types of Marine Pollutants
- Common marine pollutants include sewage, sediment, chemical-laden industrial discharges, oil, and solid waste, particularly discarded plastics.
- Land-based contaminants also enter marine waters through atmospheric deposition.
Ocean Acidification
- The burning of fossil fuels overloads the atmosphere with carbon dioxide, which the oceans absorb, making them more acidic.
- Ocean acidification poses a risk to creatures that build their shells or exoskeletons from minerals naturally present in seawater.
Ocean Warming and Hypoxia
- The absorption of carbon dioxide by oceans leads to oxygen depletion, or hypoxia.
- Warmer waters naturally hold less oxygen than cooler waters, contributing to hypoxia.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Marine pollution threatens marine ecosystems and human health, affecting drinking water, food sources, and economies.
