Scribd
Upload
3 views

TEST 3 Reading

Ocean pollution, driven by human activities like plastic waste, industrial discharge, and oil spills, poses significant threats to marine ecosystems, human health, and economies. The accumulation of pollutants disrupts biodiversity and leads to severe health risks for humans consuming contaminated seafood. Addressing this crisis necessitates global cooperation and sustainable waste management solutions.

Uploaded by

redditcurious555
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

TEST 3 Reading

Ocean pollution, driven by human activities like plastic waste, industrial discharge, and oil spills, poses significant threats to marine ecosystems, human health, and economies. The accumulation of pollutants disrupts biodiversity and leads to severe health risks for humans consuming contaminated seafood. Addressing this crisis necessitates global cooperation and sustainable waste management solutions.

Uploaded by

redditcurious555
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

1

TEST 3 Reading
Read the following cause-effect text and answer the questions that follow.

The Causes and Effects of Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution is a growing environmental crisis that threatens marine ecosystems, human
health, and global economies. This issue is triggered by human activities such as industrial
waste disposal, plastic pollution, and oil spills (Smith, 2022). As Smith (2022) states, "The
accumulation of pollutants in the ocean is a direct result of unchecked human industrial and
domestic waste." Owing to the excessive release of contaminants, marine species face
increasing risks, and biodiversity declines at an alarming rate. Because pollution continues
to increase, the balance of marine life is severely disrupted, leading to unpredictable
ecological consequences. (Cause and effect)

One major cause of ocean pollution stems from plastic waste, which constitutes nearly 80%
of all marine debris (Johnson & Lee, 2021). Johnson and Lee (2021) summarize that plastic
pollution leads to entanglement and ingestion by marine animals, causing severe injuries or
death. Additionally, microplastics infiltrate the food chain, affecting not only marine life but
also human consumers (Johnson & Lee, 2021). Consequently, the persistence of plastic
waste in oceans disrupts ecosystems and endangers public health. Unlike industrial
pollution, which affects localized areas, plastic waste spreads across vast ocean
regions and accumulates over time. (Comparison)

Another significant contributor to ocean pollution is caused by industrial waste and


chemical runoff. Factories discharge harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides,
and untreated sewage into water bodies, which eventually flow into the ocean (Davis, 2020).
Davis (2020) paraphrases that toxic substances accumulate in marine organisms, leading to
bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain. Accordingly, humans consuming
seafood contaminated with these toxins may suffer from severe health conditions, including
neurological and reproductive disorders (Davis, 2020). To minimize these harmful effects,
governments and industries must enforce stricter regulations on waste disposal and
promote sustainable alternatives. (Purpose)

Oil spills also bring in devastating environmental consequences. When large quantities of
oil enter marine environments, they coat marine animals and reduce their ability to regulate
body temperature, often leading to death (Anderson, 2019). Anderson (2019) quotes, "Oil

pg. 1 Dr. Sabbah


2

spills not only destroy marine life but also disrupt coastal economies dependent on fishing
and tourism." As a result, oil spills cause long-term economic and ecological damage.
Although oil spills are a major source of pollution, they receive more immediate
attention compared to plastic waste, which accumulates gradually and remains in the
ocean for decades. (Contradiction)

While there is a confident association between human activities and ocean pollution, some
researchers argue that natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tsunamis, also contribute
to marine pollution by spreading waste and chemicals into the sea (Brown, 2023). This
suggests a tentative association between natural events and ocean contamination, though
human activities remain the primary cause (Brown, 2023). Despite the impact of natural
disasters, human-induced pollution is far more persistent and preventable.
(Contradiction)

In conclusion, ocean pollution is caused by plastic waste, industrial discharge, and oil spills,
leading to severe consequences for marine life, human health, and economic stability.
Because marine ecosystems are vital for maintaining biodiversity, addressing ocean
pollution is not just an environmental issue but also a global responsibility. (Cause and
effect) Addressing this crisis requires global cooperation and sustainable waste
management solutions to prevent further damage to ocean ecosystems.

pg. 2 Dr. Sabbah

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy