Pollution Affects The Ocean And Marine Life

How Pollution Affects the Ocean and Marine Life

Water is one of the biggest necessities for all thing things on the earth. Water is vital to humans, plants, and animals in order for them to survive and grow. Not only is water used to preserve life, water is also used in households for many functions, such as bathing, cleaning, laundry, and plumbing. Water is also used for fun in the form of water parks and pools for people to enjoy and cool off in the heat of the summer. Humans use water each day more than they think, but don’t think of how they are affecting it. Not many people take into consideration that the ocean is the primary source of the water on earth. Water makes up 72 percent of the earth surface and the oceans hold 97 percent of

The great big ocean also produces 70 percent of the oxygen that we breathe everyday. There are many more ways that the earth provides water for the world and everything living on it. In this paper, I will discuss what factors contribute to the pollution of the ocean, how the pollution is affecting humans and living resources, and how society can work together to prevent extreme pollution in the ocean.

The most common form of pollution in the ocean is littering, over the last ten years society has produced more plastic waste than they have in the last 100 years. As a society we don’t realize how much plastic we use in our everyday lives. Today, plastic is used in homes, offices, and industries all over the world. Companies that make and provide us with food, clothing, and other products use items such as, hangers, caps, wrappers, plastic wrap, lids, seals, and many different forms of containers. Appliances and decorations in homes that are made from plastic include, television, wall clocks, picture, phones, chairs, CD, DVD, lights, blinds, bathtubs, curtains, fans, washing machines,trash cans and much more. Society

Studies have shown that between the 1930 and 2000, the production of man-made chemicals has increased from 1 million to over 400 million tonnes. In today's society, man-made chemicals are used everywhere, from household products to cosmeditics or lawn care to automotive chemicals. As they are used the toxins are released and can travel through water or air; often times these toxins are consumed by animals and humans. Chemicals have the power to invade bodies just through touch and most commonly through food or drink. Scientist and researchers have narrowed down 3 types of chemicals that have the most harmful properties. These include, chemicals that break down slowly or not at all, chemicals that cause cancer, and EDCs. EDCs or better known as, Endocrine disrupting chemicals, affect the hormone systems of animals and people. For example, if a male fish comes into contact with this type of chemical there is a chance that it will feminise the male fish, which then affects the reproduction and life cycle. PFOS, or Perfluorooctanoic acid has been classified as a cancer causing chemical, and has also been found in the stomachs of dolphins, seagulls, tuna, and salmon. Not only do industries bring toxic chemicals to the ocean, but land run-off is a large contributor as well. This occurs when water from