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Questions and Answers
What percentage of pollution is attributed to CO2 absorption by the Pacific Ocean since the beginning of industrialization?
What percentage of pollution is attributed to CO2 absorption by the Pacific Ocean since the beginning of industrialization?
Which animal is NOT mentioned as being affected by plastic pollution in the ocean?
Which animal is NOT mentioned as being affected by plastic pollution in the ocean?
What has contributed to coral bleaching due to environmental stress?
What has contributed to coral bleaching due to environmental stress?
What is the average surface water temperature of the Pacific Ocean in 2023?
What is the average surface water temperature of the Pacific Ocean in 2023?
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What happens to the carbonate ions in ocean water as a result of increased CO2 levels?
What happens to the carbonate ions in ocean water as a result of increased CO2 levels?
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What percentage of the ocean's surface area remains untouched by human activities?
What percentage of the ocean's surface area remains untouched by human activities?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding ocean acidification?
Which of the following statements is true regarding ocean acidification?
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What factor contributes to coral bleaching due to heat stress?
What factor contributes to coral bleaching due to heat stress?
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What is the primary consequence of plastic pollution in the ocean as highlighted in the content?
What is the primary consequence of plastic pollution in the ocean as highlighted in the content?
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How much plastic does each person contribute to the ocean annually?
How much plastic does each person contribute to the ocean annually?
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Study Notes
Pacific Ocean Pollution
- Nearly 2 trillion pieces of mostly plastic trash are spread across 3.4 million km².
- 30% of ocean pollution is CO2, absorbed since industrialization.
- Plastic pollution harms seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and fish, either by ingestion or entanglement.
- A study found 35% of tested fish had plastic in their stomachs.
- Humans add 3 kg of plastic to the ocean per person per year.
- Over 40% of the ocean is affected by human activities (waste, chemicals, overexploitation of resources, urbanization, coastal modification).
- 13% of the ocean's surface area is untouched.
Coral Bleaching and Ocean Acidification
- Surface water temperature has increased by 0.9°C in 50 years, now averaging 0.06°C per year; expected average of 21.1°C in 2023.
- Symbiodinium algae live in corals; heat stress causes toxic chemical production. Corals expel these algae, leading to bleaching and starvation.
- Increased CO2 and ocean warming disrupt seawater balance, causing increased acidity and decreased carbonate.
- Ocean acidification happens when burning fossil fuels releases CO2 into the ocean, forming carbonic acid.
- Carbonic acid splits into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.
- Hydrogen ions combine more readily with carbonate than calcium. This makes it harder for marine animals to form shells.
Habitat Loss
- Coral reefs are habitats for coastlines, plants, animals, recreation, and jobs.
- 20% of coral reefs have been lost in the last 20 years.
- 50% of Australia's Great Barrier Reef is dead, with another 50% at risk due to acidification and bleaching.
- Mangroves protect coastal areas and soak up CO2; offer homes for fish.
- 35% of mangroves have been lost.
- Seagrass stabilizes the seafloor, provides food and habitat for marine organisms, and improves water quality by absorbing CO2.
- 29% of seagrass beds have been lost.
Overfishing
- Percentages of ocean areas based on fish status (developing, exploited, overfished, depleted) are shown in a table for 1950 and 2014.
- Future hope for fish stocks lies in marine protected areas.
- Most overfishing is unregulated, illegal, and unreported.
- 29% of fish stocks are overfished, 61% are fully fished, and 10% are underfished (Based on a pie chart).
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Description
Explore the critical issues of Pacific Ocean pollution and coral bleaching through this quiz. Learn about the staggering amounts of plastic waste, its impact on marine life, and the effects of rising temperatures on coral ecosystems. This quiz highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts in our oceans.
