Essay about The Hazards of Ocean Pollution - 803 Words

The Hazards of Ocean Pollution Basic Facts Ocean Pollution is a serious issue in todays global politics. The delicate balance of Earths ecosystem is put in jeopardy when the ocean is not clean. Problem evolving from ocean pollution directly harm marine life and indirectly affect human health and the Earths many valuable resources. Ocean Pollution is a Broad term that encpompasses any and all foregin matter that directly or indirectly makes its way into the ocean. This includes everything from the extreme: oil spills, Toxic Waste dumping and industrial dumping-- to the small scael: human activities and basic carelessness. Because the oceans and all other water bodies are invariably, somehow connected, and because they account for†¦show more content†¦in 1983, MARPOL or the Marine Pollution Clean up Act was put into effect. MARPOL greatly helped in reducing accidental and operational oil discharges, in fact, they were responsible for a 60% reduction in 1980s oceanic oil pollution. One of their main requirments was the installation and use of oil pollution prevention equipment on tanks and ships. They also instituted prohibitions on discharges within certain distances of land. Big Spills are usually caused by ship wrecks and carrier leakage. Routine Maintenence of these carriers and takns accounts for some of the pollution as it results in discharge leakage. 363 million of the gallons is runoff pollution from land drillingthat leaks into nearby water bodies, as well as Industrial and individual waste. Air Pollution also accounts for oceanic oil pollution as industrial and transportational exhaust in the form of hydrocarbons are washed by rain onto the ocean. Offshore drilling leakes directly into the ocean. Lastly, natural seeps for eroding rocks and natural resources also account for 62 million gallons of the pollution. It is important to note that Anthropogenic causes have increased the natural leakage of oil by more than 10 times! Possible harmful Effects of oceanic oil pollution are dangers to animals, contamination, and the rare possibilty of water ignition, as in the Cuyahoga river incident. Oceanic Dumping Although it is now well regulated, oceanic dumpingShow MoreRelatedPlastic Pollution Essay1551 Words   |  7 PagesBackground The overuse of plastics in todays society has become major environmental issue for our oceans. Plastic pollution is the dumping, littering, or disposing of any type of man-made plastic that has been produced and has ended up in our ocean and has not been recycled. History of Plastic Plastic entered the world through chemistry in 1909 and was originally coined to describe Bakelite, the first fully synthetic resin. What makes plastic so unique is when it is heated it can be moldedRead MoreOceanic Pollution : A Major Issue Within The Modern Study Of Marine Biology1645 Words   |  7 Pagesplastic pollution is a major issue within the modern study of marine biology. 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