Ocean Pollution
Ocean Pollution
Statistics reveal that approximately 80 Pacific Ocean Pollution Facts Ocean Pollution Effects on Animals and
percent of ocean pollution causes are land Plastic trash, floating wreckages of ships Birds
based, or human induced, to be precise. and other such floating pollutants in the Various ocean pollution facts reveal that
We have made the oceans a dumping ocean may lead to clogging of the water there has been a drastic decline in marine
ground for our waste. Here is a compilation bodies sometime in the future. One such wildlife owing to the pollution of ocean
of some of the staggering ocean pollution mass of pollutants has been created in the waters. More than a lac marine mammals,
facts for kids and adults alike. North Pacific due to transportation and including sea otters and sea lions, have
deposition of these pollutants by the North died in the very ocean, which were a major
Ocean Pollution: Oil Spills and Ore Pacific Gyre, a gigantic swirling vortex in source of food for them at one point of
Deposition the Pacific Ocean. Scientists estimate that time. More than a million sea birds, like
Large vessels carrying crude oil are the trash carpet created here has reached pelicans and gulls, have also met a watery
responsible for ocean pollution to a great the size of Texas, and is still growing. It's grave owing to the domino effect triggered
extent. Oil spills are major contributers in not that only Pacific ocean is affected, all due to the depletion of fish population in
this context, followed closely by accidental the oceans of the world are equally the oceans.
ore deposition by vessels transporting ore. affected by the menace of ocean water
Oil spills are categorized into major spills pollution. Ocean Pollution Effects on Humans
(over 700 tonnes ), medium sized spills (7 - Unlike the marine animals which are
700 tonnes) and small spills (less than 7 Ocean Pollution Effects directly bearing the brunt of ocean
tonnes). In 2008, the oceans witnessed 1 pollution, humans will be facing the
major oil spill and 7 medium sized oil spills. All this pollution of the oceans from the hazards of ocean pollution indirectly.
On an average, since 2001, the oil spill various sources is taking a toll on these Marine life is an important source of food
count has come down to 3.4 oil spill huge water bodies. Pollution in the ocean for humans, and hence depletion of marine
incidents per year, but even one major oil not only affects ocean or marine life, but life will lead to shortage of food for
spill is hazardous for the marine life. also affects the rest of the planet indirectly. humans. More importantly, the pollution is
The following are the major effects of bound to have adverse effects on fish,
Ocean Water Pollution by Cruise Liners ocean pollution on marine life, animals, which may eventually lead to adverse
Only about 20 percent of ocean pollution is and humans as well. effects on humans who consume this fish.
caused by ocean based activities. Even These adverse effects may range from
from this 20 percent, the major contribution Ocean Pollution Effects on Fish food poisoning to children being born with
deformities. It will also alter the natural
cycle of the planet which will again have a Garbage Dumping: Dumping of human
disastrous impact on humans. wastes, sewage water and plastic into the
ocean is known as garbage dumping.
One of the major pollution problems that Garbage dumping is one of the major
are faced by the nations of world is ocean causes of ocean pollution. Garbage
pollution. The oceans of the world are pollution could lead to oxygen depletion. It
becoming polluted and some of the marine could also affects the health of the marine
lives have been listed as endangered life, which in turn could affect the health of
species. When an ocean is polluted, the the human beings. Dumping of plastic
marine life is directly affected and this waste could lead to death of the fishes and
indirectly affects the human beings. Here is other sea animals such as whales, seals,
a list of pollutants that cause ocean herrings, dolphins, penguins and sharks due
pollution. to suffocation.
Oil Pollution : The main causes of oil Carbondioxide: One of the major
pollutants in the ocean are due to the oil pollutants of ocean is carbon dioxide. The
leakage of the ships and also oil spilling by gas harms the coral reefs and the free-
the cargo ships. Oil pollution of the ocean swimming algae. You must be wondering
affects the creatures of the oceans, which how CO2 would harm the ocean life. The
in turn affects the environment. It has been fumes from the automobiles such as cars
estimated every year, around seven million are the major source of carbon dioxide
gallons of oil are accidentally spilled into pollution. The carbon dioxide emitted from
the oceans of the world. The oil pollution the vehicles makes way into the ocean as
slows down the growth and hampers the acid rain.
life cycle of the coral reefs. Oil could clog
the gills of the fishes and blocks the Pollution in the ocean is a major
sunlight from being absorbed by the
problem that is affecting the ocean
marine plants as well.
and the rest of the Earth, too.
Toxic Waste: Another cause of ocean Pollution in the ocean directly affects
pollution is the dumping of the toxic waste ocean organisms and indirectly
into the ocean. Toxic wastes are poisonous affects human health and resources.
and not only cause harm to the marine life Oil spills, toxic wastes, and dumping
but also to the human beings. The fishes of other harmful materials are all
could consume toxic waste, the humans major sources of pollution in the
would in turn eat the seafood, which can ocean. People should learn more
lead to food poisoning. The toxic waste about these because if people know
from the industries, mines and farms are
more about pollution in the ocean,
dumped into the sea. The most harmful
then they will know more about how
toxic waste is lead.
to stop pollution.