THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Oceans are the largest water bodies on the planet Earth. Over the last few
decades, anthropogenic activities have severely affected marine life on the Earth’s
oceans. Ocean pollution, also known as aquatic/marine pollution, is the spreading
and movement of harmful substances such as oil, plastic, industrial and
agricultural waste and chemical particles into the ocean. Oceans provide homes
to a wide variety of marine animals and plants and it is the responsibility of every
citizen to play his or her part in making these oceans clean so that marine species
can thrive for a long period of time sustaining a well-balanced and prosperous
and flourishing ecosystem. “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that
someone else will save it.” ~ Robert Swan

This topic focuses on:

- Water contamination
- Effects Of Pollution On Aquatic Flora
- Effects Of Pollution On Aquatic Fauna

WATER CONTAMINATION

Wastewater
Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in any way by anthropogenic
influence. E.g. Liquid waste as a by-product of domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities.
Households may produce wastewater from flush toilets, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines,
bath tubs and showers.

INDUSTRIES DUMP WASTEWATER AND WASTE INTO THE OCEAN BY HAVING COASTAL
LOCATIONS
Sewage
Sewage is part of wastewater contaminated with faeces or urine. Untreated sewage may
contain water, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, solids [including organic matter],
pathogens [including bacteria, viruses and protozoa], helminthes [intestinal worms and worm-
like parasites], oils and greases, runoff from streets etcetera, some heavy metal including
mercury, lead and copper and many toxic chemicals, some are pesticides, chlorinated organics
and dioxins.

PICTURE DISPLAYING SEWAGE CAUSING WATER POLLUTION.

Sanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of preventing human contact from the hazards of waste to
promote health. Examples of prevention measures:

- Septic tank sewage systems

- Washing hands with soap before/after having a meal.
- Pour-flush latrine etc.

SANITATION IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT ILLNESSES FROM ARISING

Ways Polluted Water Can Get Into The Ocean:

- Wastewater and sewage can be dumped into lakes or rivers which drain in the ocean
and can harm and kill a lot of aquatic flora and fauna which will begin to destroy our
ecosystem and eventually, if not stopped, all of mankind and a variety of species.
- Illegal dumping by industries, companies etc.
- Release of other chemical nutrients into the ocean’s ecosystems form pollutants can
lead to reductions in oxygen levels, the decay of plant life, a severe decline in the quality
of the seawater itself.
- Toxic chemicals from industries are directly dumped into the oceans which are very
hazardous and can raise the temperature of the seawater, known as thermal pollution,
as the temperatures of these liquids are quite high. This can lead to coral bleaching and
also wiping out animal life that cannot survive those “extreme” conditions.
- Land Runoff is also a form of pollution caused by natural agents. Often this water picks
up harmful contaminants such as fertilizers, petroleum, pesticides etcetera which can
create dead zones in the ocean.
- Oil spills entrap animals and suffocate them which can result in large scale animal
deaths and excessive algae. This can also allow other species to invade an ecosystem
and directly or indirectly do harm. For example, a lot of algae over a coral reef can result
in blockage of sunlight which will kill the coral reef.
- Littering by throwing debris, especially plastic cannot decompose and will remain in the
earth for years. Animals can become snagged on the plastic thinking it is food and they
would slowly die. They can suffocate from being entangled or be alive with missing body
parts. Some animals that experience this are turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks etc.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WATER CONTAMINATION

-http://cep.unep.org/publications-and-resources/marine-and-coastal-issues-links/wastewater-sewage-
and-sanitation

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AwrC2Q4SKK5dE0UA0xNPmolQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByNXM5
bzY5BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMzBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--?qid=20170110162841AAZ67Zm

-https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ocean-pollution.php
Was It An Act of God?
Catastrophes, natural disasters and torrential rains
what causes these things to happen, on whom do you place the blame?
mankind has misused and abused this planet on which we live
Mother Nature must make adjustments, the forces of nature then give
we have built too many buildings, taken over too much land
an earthquake may be a realignment to the acts and plans of man

aerosol cans, rain forest diminishing, the erosion of the soil and ground
when the rain eventually falls the lack of trees causes the mud to slide down
God gave us some power, many have called it free-will
mankind can use it for good or he can use it for ill-will
yet when many lives are lost and so many souls depart
why does anyone think to ask, was it an act of God?

air pollution, water pollution, the whole industrial age

has ravaged our planet and brought about Mother Nature's rage
we act before we think, we destroyed things that can't be replaced
maybe Mother Nature is trying to tell us to do an about face
tsunamis, monsoons and all types of major tidal waves
may be a wake-up call to how we have behaved

we need to come together and start making some major plans

stop raping our natural resources and start preserving God's land
so if anyone ever asks you, was it an act of God the Lord Christ?
just ask them for this planet, what has mankind sacrificed?
we are selfish in our deeds, self-absorbed in our needs
eventually we must bear the blame and we all will pay the price
just don't be so quick to place the burden of guilt on God the Lord Christ

Copyright © louise nelson | Year Posted 2007

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/was_it_an_act_of_god_55827
 EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON AQUATIC FLORA AND FAUNA

AQUATIC FLORA
This focuses on:

- Disruption to the cycle of coral reefs

- Reproductive failure in aquatic animals
- Effect on the food chain

Disruption To The Cycle Of Coral Reefs

Oil spills occur on the water’s surface which blocks sunlight needed for photosynthesis which
can lead to extinction of the producers of a food chain which will lead to extinction of animals
due to predators or of no food source. Skin irritation, eye irritation, lung and liver problems can
occur in marine life due to a significant increase in bacteria which could have been controlled
by sunlight.

Coal Plants and Coal

Coal plants are being retired around the globe for more environmentally-friendly ways of
producing energy, such as wind and solar. Coal is well known for being a dirty source of energy.
Burning coal is the leading cause of smog, acid rain and toxic air pollution. Recent studies have
shown that air pollution affects coral growth by inhibiting sunlight and reducing the rate of
photosynthesis. Coal is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions and can affects coral reefs in
two main ways. Carbon emissions drive global climate change which heats up the world’s
oceans. Corals are very sensitive to temperature and ocean warming can lead to bleaching
events on a large scale which cause coral death and animal life could be at risk at there will not
be enough oxygen in the water and eggs could be destroyed collapsing that ecosystem.
Increased carbon emissions can also change the ocean’s chemistry also known as “ocean
acidification” and the ability to produce calcium carbonate will be slowed.

Sewage

Sewage fuels algal and seaweed growth which can take over the reef and the heavy metals in it
can weaken a coral’s ability to fend off disease or kill them. Most sewage finds its way into the
ocean as either poorly treated discharge or runoff from a storm. In developing countries, the
majority of wastewater is untreated. For example, in the Caribbean approximately 85% of the
wastewater that goes into the sea is untreated, according to the United Nations Environmental
Program [UNEP]. According to recent research by Stephanie Wear, the lead scientist for coral
reefs of The Nature Conservancy, found out that 96% of the places that have both people and
coral reefs have a sewage problem. The primary pollutant within sewage are fresh water,
endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, pathogens and other toxins, especially pharmaceuticals.
Coral reefs also lose shoreline protection, ecotourism, medicinal, artisanal and commercial
fisheries.

“We need to work beyond our comfort zones as conservationists and managers and reach out
to the broad community to address this issue,” says Wear.

Plastic
Plastic has a disproportionate impact on corals’ health, by spreading pathogens that can cause
lethal disease outbreaks. This can also lure fish to death thinking it is jellyfish.

PLASTIC POLLUTION IN CORAL REEFS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.divereport.com/news/how-do-coal-plants-affect-coral-reefs/

https://blog.nature.org/science/explainer/why-is-sewage-pollution-a-significant-threat-to-coral-reefs/

https://futurism.com/ocean-plastic-choking-worlds-most-precious-coral-reefs

Reproductive Failure In Aquatic Animals

Industrial and agricultural wastes include various poisonous chemicals which are incredibly
hazardous to marine life. For example, pesticide accumulation can occur in the fatty tissue of
animals, leading to failure in their reproductive systems.

Effect On The Food Chain

Certain chemicals can destroy different parts of a food chain resulting in species having to find a
new source of food or rely heavily on another species which could result in extinction of that
species. Also the human population may be affected, some areas more than other due to bad
business and income of the economy for trading or importing this animal. If there is a lot of
waste or chemical in the animal other consumers can be killed or have severely bad health
problems for the rest of their lives, birth defects and cancer.
Ocean Pollution: 30 Facts That Will
Blow Your Mind
The ocean remains one of the most vast, mysterious and diverse places on our planet. But as
we’ve learned, it’s vulnerable to something as simple as the human touch.

Every day our environment is being threatened by ocean pollution and, as you might expect,
marine life is suffering at an alarming rate.

Ocean pollution affects more than 817 animal species around the world, a figure that has
increased 23% in the last 5 years alone. Plastic is one of the most common causes of ocean
pollution, but it’s not the only thing harming our seas. There are several tangible steps you can
take to help reduce ocean pollution today. Read on for more ocean pollution facts.

Causes of Ocean Pollution

The majority of the waste we produce on land eventually reaches the oceans, whether
intentionally or not — and there are various ways by which this happens. For example:
 Littering
 Sewage
 Ocean mining
 Oil spills
 Agricultural runoff
 Toxic chemicals
 Air pollutants
 Maritime transportation

Effects of Ocean Pollution

 Depletion of oxygen content in the water
 Effect of toxic wastes on marine animals
 Failure in the reproductive system of marine animals
 Contamination of food chain
 Effect on human health
 Disruption to the cycle of coral reefs

Ocean Pollution Facts

If you, I, and those around the world are to preserve our oceans, drastic measures have to be
taken to combat this pollution.
Below are some astounding facts that demonstrate the size and severity of the issue, and why
the solution relies on the small, everyday actions of individuals and business owners around the
world – including you.

Fact 1: Plastics are the most common element found in the ocean today. Plastic in particular
is harmful to the environment as it does not break down easily and is often mistaken as food by
marine animals.
Fact 2: According to a study done by the University of Georgia, 18 billion pounds of plastic trash
winds up in our oceans each year. To put that in perspective, it’s enough trash to cover
every foot of coastline around the world with five full trash bags of
plastic…compounding every year.
Fact 3: The 5 most common items found in coastal cleanups around the world are all single-use
plastics. They are: plastic cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle
caps, and plastic straws and drink stirrers.
Fact 4: There are 25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that, 269,000 tons float on
the surface, while some four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea.
Fact 5: 80% of trash in the ocean is from land-based sources, including individuals, industry and
improper waste management/infrastructure. Only 20% is the result of ocean-based sources,
such as the fishing, shipping, and cruise ship industries.
Fact 6: Plastics cause more than 80% of the negative effects on animals associated with ocean
trash.
Fact 7: There is an island of garbage twice the size of Texas inside the Pacific Ocean: the North
Pacific Gyre off the coast of California is the largest oceanic garbage site in the entire world. It’s
here that the number of floating plastic pieces in the water outnumbers total marine life six to
one in the immediate vicinity.
Fact 8: Ocean pollutions kills more than one million sea birds each year.
Fact 9: A recent survey found ocean pollution is more common in deep waters (more than
2,000 feet deep), with the most common offenders being plastic bags, metal cans, fishing
equipment, glass bottles, shoes, and tires.
Fact 10: Research estimates anywhere from 15 to 51 trillion particles of floating micro
plastic are in our oceans, weighing between 205-520 million pounds. This includes plastic
microbeads (used as exfoliates in some personal care products) and synthetic fibers, both of
which are too small to be filtered out by many waste water treatment plants.
Fact 11: Approximately 4 billion pounds of trash per year enters the ocean.
Fact 12: Approximately every square mile of ocean has more than 45,000 pieces of
plastic floating in it.
Fact 13: There are dead zones in the oceans that have been created by pollution making life in
those zones impossible for marine or plant life.
Fact 14: There are about 500 dead zones in the ocean, which covers a similar size as the United
Kingdom.
Fact 15: Over 100,000 marine animals die every year from plastic entanglement and ingestion.
Fact 16: Carbon emissions harm the oceans as well as the air. If our behavior continues as
is, the surface water of the ocean could be 150% more acidic than it is now.
 Fact 17: Not all sewage that enters the ocean is treated. 80% of sewage that flows into the
Mediterranean Sea is untreated, which can lead to disease.
Fact 18: Oil spills only contribute to 12% of the oil in the ocean. 36% of the oil comes from
runoff sources from cities and companies.
Fact 19: Ocean noise pollution is an issue, too. Ships, tankers, and shipping containers emit
sounds like high-intensity sonar and air guns. This noise pollution injures fish, disrupts their
habitats, and more.
Fact 20: Over one-third of the Atlantic ocean that shellfish live in is negatively impacted by
pollution. This adversely affects the shellfish businesses on the East Coast.
Fact 21: It’s estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than
fish (by weight).
Fact 22: Fish and other marine life often can’t tell the difference between plastic and food. If
the animal eats plastic, they can’t digest it. The plastic fills their stomachs, so they starve to
death.
Fact 23: Every year, about 1.5 million tons of nitrogen pollution flows into the Gulf of Mexico
from the Mississippi River.
Fact 24: China and Indonesia are the world’s biggest contributors of plastic pollution in the
ocean. Combined, they account for one-third of total ocean pollution.
Fact 25: Plastic makes its way to the depths of the ocean. Studies have found that crustaceans
in the Marianas Trench, the ocean’s deepest point, have ingested plastic.
Fact 26: Approximately one truckload of plastic enters the ocean every single minute.
Fact 27: The waste in the ocean takes a long, long time to decompose. Styrofoam takes 80
years, aluminum takes 200 years, and plastic takes 400 years.
Fact 28: In some of the most heavily polluted sections of the ocean, plastic outweighs plankton
by six times.
Fact 29: There’s enough plastic in the ocean to circle the Earth 400 times.
Fact 30: Chemicals in heavily polluted waters can make their way back to us and cause serious
health issues like reproductive problems, hormonal problems, kidney damage, and nervous
system damage.

Most Common Items Found in Ocean Pollution

Clean-Ups
1. Cigarettes and filters (32%)
2. Food wrappers and containers (9%)
3. Caps and lids (8%)
4. Tableware (6%)
5. Plastic bottles (6%)
6. Plastic bags (5%)
What You Can Do to Prevent Further Ocean
Pollution
By now you’ve hopefully realized this issue is much larger, and deserves more attention, than
just a blog read. With these ocean pollution facts in mind, I challenge you to do something
about it today.

We’re all responsible for this mess, and it will take all of us to help clean it up.
Here’s how you can pitch in to reduce marine pollution:
 Any time you see litter, regardless of what it is, pick it up and properly dispose of it.
 Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Reduce your usage of single-use plastics. Reuse plastic
packaging as many times as you can. Recycle rather than throw away.
 Avoid products with excessive packaging.
 Bring a reusable bag for shopping (i.e. grocery store, retail shops, etc.)
 If you are to buy/use a product that contains a plastic “six-pack” holder, be sure to cut it
before disposing of it. In the ocean, these rings expand, often times tangling or choking
wildlife.
 Educate those around you and don’t be afraid to talk trash to your friends and family. People
can’t change what they don’t know about, so help spread the word.

By: Drew Brucker

October 9, 2017