The Effects and Prevention of Ocean Pollution 1

The Effects and Prevention of Ocean Pollution
Rachel Miranda
Table of Contents
Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------3
Causes of Ocean Pollution-----------------------------------------4
The Harmful effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life------4
Potential solutions to reduce ocean pollution-------------------6
Conclusion-----------------------------------------------------------6
References-----------------------------------------------------------7
Abstract
Ocean pollution can have a greatly harmful effect on both marine life and human health. This
paper will examine the causes of ocean pollution and how pollutants in the ocean are increasing
rapidly, how these pollutants affect both marine life and humans, and the solutions which can be
employed to prevent or reduce ocean pollution. Many pollutants are currently affecting our
oceans, and have a dramatic impact on ocean organisms, which can lead to harmful effects on
humans through the consumption of water or affected marine life.
Causes of Ocean Pollution
Plastic production has increased greatly in past years, transforming into a $600 billion global
industry. This results in greater pollution due to plastics, with approximately eight million metric
tons of plastic particles entering the ocean annually. It was estimated that around 5.25 trillion
plastic particles are currently circulating in the surface waters of the ocean. While many of the
plastics in the ocean end up there as trash, they can also pollute the ocean through litter in
waterways, wastewater outflows, industrial discharge, and transport by wind or tides (Smith,
2018). Plastics are easily fragmented due to environmental forces such as sunlight exposure,
acidic waters, and degradation due to wave movement. This fragmentation of plastic materials
result in the creation of microplastics or nano plastics.
Ships are large contributors of ocean pollution, as they can cause crude oil spills. When an oil
spill occurs, the oil remains in the ocean for years and is very difficult to clean. Some
manufacturing plants release toxic waste, such as mercury, into the ocean.
The Harmful effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life and Humans
Effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life

There are many effects of ocean pollution that harm both humans and marine life. For example,
oil spills can suffocate marine life by getting into their gills, constricting their breathing. When
exposed to oil, fish and other marine life can experience reduced growth, enlarged livers,
impairment in their reproduction, and can effect their heart and respiration rates (“How does oil
impact marine life?, 2021). Oil can also coat the feathers of birds, preventing them from flying or
regulating their body temperature. Some marine life such as dolphins and whales can inhale the
oil, affecting their lungs, and reproductive and immune function.
Plastics are widely produced around the world, but can take hundreds of years to fully
decompose. Many plastics erode into small debris called microplastics, which can have a toxic
effect on marine life. Microplastics are any plastic debris that is 5 millimeters or smaller. Due to
its size, microplastics are easily eaten by marine life. When microplastics are consumed by
marine life, the plastics can accumulate in the digestive tract and can reduce their feeding
capacity, resulting in a decline in growth for the marine life. If the microplastics are small
enough, they can translocate from the digestive tract into the circulatory system or surrounding
tissue. Microplastics can also significantly inhibit the reproductive capacity of marine life, and
can cause oxidative damage, abnormal behavior, and genetic damage (Smith, 2018).
Effects of Ocean Pollution on Humans

Oil spills can make the fish and shellfish affected by the spill unsafe for human consumption.
People might also consume microplastics through drinking water, consuming seafood, and salt.
Consumption of microplastics can result in allergic reactions, cell damage and cell death in
humans. Further research should be done on the effects of microplastics on human health, as
there are not many existing studies examining this issue. Small marine organisms ingest toxins
and are eaten by larger marine life, many of which are seafood that we eat. This can lead to long-
term health conditions, cancer and birth defects when the toxins in contaminated marine life are
consumed by humans and get deposited in human tissue. The below image shows an oil spill,
which likely devastated marine life in this area and quickly spread.
Potential solutions to reduce ocean pollution
One way that ocean pollution can be reduced is by improving wastewater management.
Untreated wastewater contains many pollutants, such as plastics, harmful chemicals, and
pathogens. Improving stormwater management can also help to prevent microplastics and
harmful chemicals from flowing into bodies of water. Reducing plastic use can be very effective
in reducing pollution caused by microplastics. Recycling can reduce the amount of plastics that
end up in the ocean. Also, using reusable bottles and utensils rather than disposable plastic ones
can help to reduce the amounts of plastics in the ocean.
Conclusion
Due to the large plastic production industry, and the great amount of plastics that end up in the
ocean, plastics have a harmful effect on marine life such as reduced growth, enlarged livers,
impairment in their reproduction, and can effect their heart and respiration rates. Microplastics
can also inhibit the reproductive capacity of marine life, and can cause oxidative damage,
abnormal behavior, and genetic damage. When affected marine life or drinking water is
consumed by humans, plastics can also have a harmful effect on humans such as allergic
reactions, cell death, long-term health conditions, cancer and birth defects. Oil spills can greatly
harm marine life, and oil can remain in the ocean for years. However, ocean pollution can be
reduced through many solutions such as wastewater management, recycling, and reducing the
use of disposable plastic materials.
References
Smith, Madeleine, et al. “Microplastics in Seafood and the Implications for Human Health.”
Current Environmental Health Reports, Springer International Publishing, Sept. 2018,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132564/.
Li, You, et al. “IOPscience.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, IOP
Publishing, 1 Jan. 2021, https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-
1315/631/1/012006.
“Visual Feature: Pollution to Solution: Accessing Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution.” UNEP,
https://www.unep.org/interactive/pollution-to-solution/.
“Ocean Pollution: Causes, Effects and Prevention - TDS Blog.” Texas Disposal Systems, 18 Dec.
2020, https://www.texasdisposal.com/blog/ocean-pollution-causes-effects-and-
prevention/#:~:text=As%20excess%20debris%20in%20the,seawater%20also%20cause
%20oxygen%20depletion.

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The Effects and Prevention of Ocean Pollution

The Harmful effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life and Humans

Effects of Ocean Pollution on Marine Life

Effects of Ocean Pollution on Humans

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