The Major Causes Of Ocean Pollution

2485 Words5 Pages

02/27/2014
Ocean Pollution
Environmental operations and other human activities are major causes of stress on natural ecosystems. Of the many sources of surface water pollutants, agricultural activities have been identified as major contributors to ecological stress, which affects all ecosystem mechanisms. In water, agricultural contaminants are most noticeable when they produce instant, dramatic toxic effects on aquatic life. When the ocean is being polluted, it not only affects the species underwater, but it affects the people living near the water. “Marine pollution has been studied under the following groupings of effects; harm to living resources, hazards to human health, reduction of amenities and interference with other users of the sea”, (Cole, 17). Products thrown into the water will eventually come back to shore. There are several different ways to examine the inputs of pollution into our ecosystem. Ocean pollution also deals with the diseases that are spread through contamination from oil spillage, sewage and especially runoff. Heavy metal contamination is a growing issue as well. Mercury levels in certain seafood species, especially in tuna, are currently above average and even some places around the world have tried to warn the people from consuming it. Ocean pollution can overpower marines’ life, and alter food web dynamics. It can also endanger human health and result in great economic loss for fisheries, tourism workers and others.
There are many different ways in which people can get sick from ocean pollution. “Some human diseases can be acquired by recreational contact with polluted waters (swimming and diving); some microbial diseases affecting humans may acquired by eating raw or improperly cooked seafood tak...

... middle of paper ...

... not contain the highest concentration of mercury, it is the fish we tend to eat most. This brings up greater health threats for the humans. Although water is an effective solvent, most toxic pollution that humans generate eventually ends up in the ocean. After entering the marine environment, many chemical materials distillate in the deposit and the ocean surface layer. Humans are then exposed to toxic pollution from a variety of sources, including water-borne diseases. “Marine pollution is a global problem in several senses. It affects the health of the oceans in all parts of the world; it affects all countries, both developed and developing; and all countries contribute to some aspects of the problem”, (Schachter, Serwer, 84). It is definitely important to try our best to keep the ocean and the beaches safe. very serious matter that should not be taken lightly.

Open Document