Ocean Pollution: Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems - Essay Sample

Introduction

Ocean pollution occurs when harmful pollutants enter the ocean, such as particles, chemicals, industrial wastes, agricultural pesticides and insecticides, residual wastes, noise, or the spread of intrusive organisms, among other contaminants (Visbeck, 2018). Most of the pollutants of marine pollution originate from land, whereas air pollution carries off pesticides and dust into the ocean. Air and land pollution have continued to influence the aquatic ecosystem and its environments.

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The contamination usually comes to originate from nonpoint sources like agricultural overspill, and the wind carried rubbles and dirt. The pollution of the ocean from excessive dumping of nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates, encourages the growth of algae (Visbeck, 2018). Many particles chemically accumulate to cause oxygen decline in large water bodies, making them anoxic and dangerous to both aquatic and human life since they affect the marine food chains. The purpose of this paper entails an assessment of ocean pollution and the damaging effects of dumping into the ocean.

Measures Taken to Prevent Ocean Pollution

Oceanic water bodies have remained vibrant, massive, and pulsing that continue to serve humankind in various ways, such as offering food, encouraging businesses, and enhancing tourism. However, human actions have continued to interfere with the marine ecosystem. Scientists and policymakers have endured preventing ocean pollution. Plastic wastes continue to exist as the common pollutant of the ocean (Haward, 2018). Most governments and environmentalists have continued to encourage the utilization of reusable containers to discourage the presence of plastic materials in the oceans. Recycling of plastic materials like containers can considerably minimize marine pollution, greenhouse gas discharge, and energy utilization. Some governments have banned the usage of plastic containers in their territories.

Besides, most governments and environmentalists continue to make efforts at reducing wastes from the oceans, enhance recycling methods, and invent barricades to inhibit plastic from finding their way into water bodies by preventing plastic surplus at the source (Haward, 2018). Beach management that entails cleaning of beaches has become a global phenomenon in which environmentalists and scientists encourage proper dumping of wastes in designated areas to ensure that the beach remains clean and hearten life in the marine ecosystem.

Furthermore, governments and scientists continue to work to ensure that global warming remains under controllable conditions. Actions to minimize energy usage has continued to remain a global challenge with scientists and governments formulating policies to encourage and ensure the implementation of green energy (Haward, 2018). Global warming threatens the marine ecosystem. A high level of carbon dioxide makes the oceans highly acidic hence the decline of corals on a worldwide scale. Countries encourage the use of bikes and public means of transportation to minimize pollution.

Besides, farmers have gotten encouraged to minimize the usage of fertilizers. Nitrogen and phosphorous contained in fertilizers usually get washed into the oceans, causing harmful effects into water bodies like the death of algae and danger to marine life. Microbeads that exist in some products like cosmetic products also cause pollution (Haward, 2018). Besides, governments and scientists continue to enforce measures that discourage the usage of products made from marine life since they originate from unsustainable fishing techniques that destroy the marine ecosystem.

Furthermore, environmentalists and most governments encourage the creation of awareness to promote the conservation of marine life. Besides, governments across the globe have enacted legislation regulating the management of water and sewerage to control ocean pollution from such sources (Alava, 2019). Industries must adhere to guidelines on waste management that control air, land, and water pollution to prevent the increase in ocean pollution and a threat to the marine ecosystem across the globe.

Setbacks to these measures include limited financial support, lack of comprehensive awareness, and ignorance of the society. Most companies and people continue to use and carelessly dump plastic products that end up in oceans. Recycling of plastic materials and the utilization of green energy has remained a challenge to most governments and people (Alava, 2019). Since most farmers must use fertilizers, proper usage of fertilizers remains a global challenge and continues to cause undesirable marine pollution.

Benefits of Preventing Ocean Pollution

Preventing ocean pollution reduces the possibility of spreading infectious diseases, minimizes the contamination of fish and livestock, and decreases the rate of respiratory illnesses that result from polluted waters (Soule, 2019). Clean waters enhance job creation through tourism, environmental conservation, and waste management programs.

Besides, oceans considerably play an essential role in regulating climate change. The ocean absorbs the most dangerous toxins, emits oxygen to the atmosphere, and enhances the emission of greenhouse gases. Preventing ocean pollution thus helps in developing carbon neutrality (Soule, 2019). Ocean pollution remains detrimental to the economy since it results in economic loss to industries, such as the fishing, tourism, and shipping sectors. Preventing ocean pollution ensures job growth, climate regulation, financial improvement, and enhanced health.

Preventing Pollution

People can conserve the ocean by using less water so that there does not exist excess wastewater and runoff that may find their way into the sea. Besides, people can minimize contaminants by selecting nontoxic chemicals and disposing of pesticides, herbicides, and cleaning products appropriately (Alava, 2019). Furthermore, recycling and reducing what people dump ensure that pollutants do not get into oceans. Selecting sustainable seafood and sea products ensures that the ocean ecosystem remains sustainable to benefit human and marine life.

People can also minimize ocean pollution through the purchase of fewer plastic products, using reusable bags, utilizing fuel-efficient vehicles, or riding bicycles to work (Alava, 2019). Another way of conserving the ocean entails the usage of green energy, less energy, and volunteering in cleaning and conservation of the marine ecosystem. Also, people should advocate and create awareness on the need for protection and sustenance of the ocean ecosystem.

Conclusion

Ocean pollution continues to threaten human and marine life across the globe. Conservation of the ocean, therefore, remains an essential aspect of our wellbeing. Governments and environmentalists have continued to formulate measures to mitigate the effects of marine pollution. The significant inputs of marine pollution results from the direct release of waste into seawaters, runoff into oceans from rain, and contaminants discharged from the air. Practicing best habits, such as the usage of green energy, proper waste disposal, and better farming practices, can help in preventing ocean pollution.

References

Alava, J. J. (2019). Ocean pollution and warming oceans: toward ocean solutions and natural marine bioremediation. In Predicting Future Oceans (pp. 495-518). Elsevier. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128179451000460

Haward, M. (2018). Plastic pollution of the world's seas and oceans as a contemporary challenge in ocean governance. Nature Communications, 9(1), 1-3. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03104-3

Soule, D. (2019). Waste disposal in the oceans: Minimizing impact, maximizing benefits. Routledge. www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429267246

Visbeck, M. (2018). Ocean science research is key for a sustainable future. Nature Communications, 9(1), 1-4. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03158-3