MARINE POLLUTION

GROUP 12
ALEDIA, ROBERT GERALD
DUKA, RICARDO
LEDESMA, RANIELLE

MARINE POLLUTION

SOURCES OF POLLUTION
Land-based sources

Agricultural run-off
Municipal and industrial wastes

Sea-based sources
Oceanic dumping
Offshore oil spills

POINT AND NON-POINT SOURCES

Point source refers to a single identifiable source of pollutants eg. effluent outfall
Non-point source refers to diffuse source of pollutants eg. Acid rain, dust storms
NONPOINT SOURCES

POINT
SOURCES

Rural homes
Cropland

Urban streets

Animal feedlot
Suburban
development
Wastewater
treatment plant

Factory

TYPES OF POLLUTION

Acidification

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of

the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere.
An estimated 3040% of the carbon dioxide from human

activity released into the atmosphere dissolves into oceans,

rivers and lakes. To achieve chemical equilibrium, some of it
reacts with the water to form carbonic acid. Some of these
extra carbonic acid molecules react with a water molecule to
give a bicarbonate ion and a hydronium ion, thus increasing
ocean acidity.

Island with fringing reef in the Maldives. Coral

reefs are dying around the world..

Eutrophication

Eutrophication is an increase in chemical nutrients, typically

compounds containing nitrogen or phosphorus, in an
ecosystem. It can result in an increase in the ecosystem's
primary productivity (excessive plant growth and decay), and

further effects including lack of oxygen and severe reductions

in water quality, fish, and other animal populations.

Plastic debris

Marine debris is mainly discarded human rubbish which floats

on, or is suspended in the ocean. Eighty percent of marine
debris is plastic a component that has been rapidly
accumulating since the end of World War II. The mass of
plastic in the oceans may be as high as one hundred million
metric tons.

A mute swan builds a nest using

plastic garbage.

Toxins

Apart from plastics, there are particular

problems with other toxins that do not
disintegrate rapidly in the marine
environment.

Underwater noise

Marine life can be susceptible to noise or

the sound pollution from sources such as
passing ships, oil exploration seismic
surveys, and naval low-frequency
active sonar. Sound travels more rapidly
and over larger distances in the sea than
in the atmosphere.

OIL POLLUTION
When oil is spilled on sea it spreads over
the surface to form a thin film called oil
slick
Light oil spreads faster than heavy wax oil
Low molecular weight fractions evaporate
Water soluble components dissolve
Non-water soluble components emulsify
and forms a viscous mass chocolate
mousse
Heavy residues form tar balls

OIL POLLUTION

Chocolate mousse

Tar balls

OIL POLLUTION - IMPACTS

Effects Impairment of marine life
Plankton, esp. neuston at highest risk
exposed to water soluble components
leaching from oil
Fixed vegetation Sea grass beds killed
or flowering inhibited
In Mangroves lenticels clogged with
oil oxygen level in sediments drops
death
Sea birds buoyancy and thermal
insulation lost

OIL POLLUTION IMPACTS

Commercial damage
Mortality of fish, reduction in
catch
Death of fish eggs and larvae
Tourism becomes nuisance
avoided by beach goers
loss of revenue
Loss of sensitive marine
habitats loss of flora and
fauna

EUTROPHICATION - SOURCES

Wastewater effluent
(municipal and industrial)
Runoff and leachate from
waste disposal systems
Runoff from
agriculture/irrigation Runoff
from pasture and range
Runoff from mines, oil fields,
unsewered industrial sites
Overflows of combined storm
and sanitary sewers
Untreated sewage

EUTROPHICATION - IMPACTS

Over-productivity
Reduction in phytoplankton
species diversity
Growth of harmful algal blooms
Reduction in dissolved oxygen
content
Anoxia and mass mortalities of
marine organisms

THERMAL POLLUTION

Thermal pollution is the degradation of water

quality by any process that changes ambient
water temperature.

Sources:
Industrial wastewater

Power plant discharges

Desalination plant discharges

Urban runoff
Impacts:

Thermal shock

Decrease in dissolved oxygen

Increase in photosynthesis

Increase in metabolic rate of fish

Increase in oxygen consumption

Outfall from Qurrayah power plant, Saudi Arabia

RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION

Radioactive wastes are usually by-products of nuclear power

generation and other applications of research and medicine.

Radioactive waste is hazardous to human health

Pollution due to radioactive wastes Radioactive pollution

RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
SOURCES

Weapons testing Testing of nuclear

weapons when exploded underwater
release fission products and isotopes
Liquid wastes Discharge from the
cooling water of nuclear reactors
Solid wastes Dumping of radioactive
wastes in Sea (now no longer practiced).

IMPACTS

Highly lethal - Even low doses

causes fatal damage

Possibility of bioaccumulation
especially in algae and bivalves
eg. Porphyra near a nuclear power
plant location had 10 times more
caesium-137 than in the surrounding
waters

LITTER AND PLASTICS POLLUTION

Marine litter, is human

created waste that has
deliberately or accidentally
become afloat in a the sea
or ocean.

It tends to accumulate at the

centre of gyres and on
coastlines, frequently
washing aground, when it is
known as beach litter or
tidewrack.

LITTER AND PLASTICS POLLUTION

SOURCES

Up to 80% of the pollution

is land-based.
A wide variety of
anthropogenic artifacts can
become marine debris
Plastic Bags, Balloons,
Buoys etc.

IMPACTS

Many animals that live on or in the sea

consume flotsam by mistake, as it often looks
similar to their natural prey
Blocks the passage of food and causing death
through starvation or infection.
Tiny floating particles also resemble
zooplankton, which can lead filter feeders to
consume them and cause them to enter the
ocean food chain.
In samples taken from the North Pacific Gyre
in 1999 by the Algalita Marine Research
Foundation, the mass of plastic exceeded that
of zooplankton by a factor of six.

WAYS OF POLLUTANTS INPUT

There are five main types of input of pollution:

Direct discharge
Land runoff
Ship Pollution
Atmospheric Pollution
Deep Sea Mining

 Direct discharge
Pollutants enter rivers and the sea directly
from urban sewerage and industrial waste
discharges, sometimes in the form
of hazardous and toxic wastes.
Land runoff
Surface runoff from farming, as well
as urban runoff and runoff from the
construction of roads, buildings, ports,
channels, and harbours, can carry soil
and particles laden with carbon, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and minerals.

Acid mine drainage in the Rio Tinto River.

 Ship pollution
Ships can pollute waterways and oceans in
many ways. Oil spills can have devastating
effects. While being toxic to marine
life, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
found in crude oil, are very difficult to clean up,
and last for years in the sediment and marine
environment.
Atmospheric pollution
Wind blown dust and debris, including plastic
bags, are blown seaward from landfills and
other areas.

A cargo ship pumps ballast water over the side.

 Deep sea mining

Deep sea mining is a relatively new
mineral retrieval process that takes
place on the ocean floor. Ocean
mining sites are usually around large
areas of polymetallic nodules or
active and extinct hydrothermal
vents at about 1,400 3,700 meters
below the oceans surface. The vents
create sulfide deposits, which
contain precious metals such as
silver, gold, copper, manganese, cob
alt, and zinc.

MARINE POLLUTION CONVENTIONS

There are no less than 6 international marine pollution conventions. Some
are listed below:
Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping from Ships
and Aircarft (1972) The Oslo Convention
Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (1973)MARPOL
Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Land-based
Sources (1974) The Paris Convention
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East
Atlantic (1992) The OSPAR Convention

SOLUTION TO POLUTION

Reduce input of toxic pollutants

Treat sewage primary, secondary and tertiary treatment
Ban dumping of wastes and raw sewage in nthe sea
Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged material
Protect sensitive areas from development, oil drilling, and oil
shipping
Regulate coastal development

OTHER PREVENTIONS ARE THE FOLLOWING

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption

Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your
energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take
the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.
2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices

Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When
shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and
sustainable.
3. Use Fewer Plastic Products

Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine
animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in non-disposable containers, bring your
own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.
4. Help Take Care of the Beach

Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the
ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the
marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.
5. Don't Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life

Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as
coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner

Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can
contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release
any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the
existing ecosystem.
7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean

Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and
consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local
branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.
8. Influence Change in Your Community

Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you
support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable
seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.
9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly

Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and
be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If youre set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to
find the most eco-friendly option.
10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life

All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system,
the more youll want to help ensure its healththen share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

SOLUTION TO POLLUTION
Two main methods
Correction costly and time intensive
Prevention requires attitude changes
Coastal Scientists believe that prevention is better than cure since the
effects of marine pollution may be irreversible and we may therefore be
creating everlasting damage to the marine ecosystem.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

THANK YOU