Environmental Pollution: Ocean Pollution
The Earth is covered by 75% water making it a critical role in our everyday lives. Our oceans are responsible for the many components of living on our planet. All of the food, natural resources, and structure of our planet is due to the oceans. Without the resources provided by the sea, all life on earth will become extinct. Sadly, our oceans are at seriously critical conditions due to a mass amount of pollutants. In our present, we are headed towards a domino effect of many environmental tragedies due to the amount of pollution in our oceans. According to the National Geographic, there are many forms of pollution that are exposed to our oceans; Chemical pollution, Light pollution, Noise pollution, and Plastic pollution. “Every minute, the equivalent of one full garbage truck of plastic trash is dumped in the sea. That is 1440 trucks per 24 hours and 8 BILLION kilos per year. ”('NO PLASTIC WASTE IN OUR WATER!' 2019) All these pollutants are causing negative effects on the wildlife in the oceans. As time progresses, these negative effects will appear on land, and by then it’ll be too late to change anything. Ocean pollutants have become a huge threat to all living life on our planet.
The problematic factor to our ocean pollution is the overpopulation of plastic. Scientists believe that there is an estimate of “8 million metric tons” heading towards our oceans annually. Plastic, unfortunately, are not entirely biodegradable. Plastic takes years and years to undergo the degradable stage even if has slightly changed in comparison to its original state. This all depends on the type of material and its complexity. Ocean tides as well as other conditions play a huge role in the degrading process. Although, any plastic that have gone through its degradable state, and are no longer in its original state, are never completely gone. Instead, scientists have found that the same products that was once the straw that you used years ago, had been broken apart into tiny pieces. Becoming what is known as a microplastic. Microplastics, can be as small as the size of a grain of sand, and as big as a pebble and form from sunlight exposure overtime. There is a long term effect for both the marine life and our ocean purity. As we speak, the marine life is being affected because of their constant consumption of these microplastics.
Many years before today, we had little to no knowledge whatsoever about the impact we have on our oceans. Now, we have marine scientists who specialize in the matter of oceanic pollution. As said by the National Geographic, “ before 1972, humans around the word spewed trash, sewage sludge, and chemical, industrial, and radioactive wastes into the ocean with impunity. ” This is a terrifying fact, to think of a time where humans were confidently harming our oceans. Although, people did and may still think that there truly is no worry for our oceans, this opposing opinion is based off the assumption that due to the oceans size, the amount of trash would never be enough to overtake the depth of our seas. It's safe to assume that people of that time period had little education of our environment, which could be the reason why things were this way. As the years went by, more laws and protocols were made in favor of our oceans to reduce waste and pollution. Laws such as the The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ship (APPS), Marina Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (MDRPRA), Shore Protection Act (SPA), Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), and so on. The APPS Act, was amended in the year 1987 and is used to study the cause and effects of improper disposal of plastics on the environment, also researching methods to reduce or eliminate these effects. The MDRPRA and the SPA are specifically made to target prevention of marine debris involving programs with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Lastly, the MPRSA which is also called the Ocean Dumping ACT, is aimed to prohibit any form of ocean dumping through transportation of material from anywhere.
Of the many forms of pollutants; Chemical, Light, Noise, and Plastic pollution. Chemical, Plastic, and Noise pollution play a bigger role. In the article, “Seabin — 'rubbish bin for the water' — comes to Australia,” it discusses new inventions created to clear our oceans from the overly populated “rubbish” harming our marine life. Inventors, Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinsk, grabbed the attention of many nation wide when they first build the “seabin” prototype back in 2015. The function of the “seabin” is of similar traits to a vacuum cleaner. Floating slightly above the sea level, the motor of the device steers around sucking water from the surface and is then filtered through the sides with a catch bag. This is powered by a submersible water pump dispacing 25. 000 liters per hour, which is later pumped back into the water leaving the waste trapped in the catch bag. This device was put to the test at the Port Coogee boat Marina in Western Australia. After having it sent out in the waters for 24 hours, they found that up to 3 kilograms of trash was collected. Collecting over a dozen different types of plastics within the span of a week. Microplastics, polystyrene beads, cigarette butts, and more were found in catch bag. Every day, the seabin is emptied for further recording in hopes more research can help identify the source of our waste. Despite its positive feedback, a great concern had arrose of whether the device itself could cause any sort of harm or danger towards the local marine life. So far, they have yet to confidently prove it to be safe towards any marine life, but have stated that the sound of the motor repels them to a certain extent. Leaving the inventors to keep constant surveillance when the seabin is out in the waters to insure its success.
Overall, this is a controversial topic that needs to be taken seriously, climate change is only deteriorating rapidly over time and there's not much time left. Our current media has frequently mentioned the plastic waste crisis, but I feel that even with these advertisements, people still lack to understand the severity of the situation. When in reality, all that can be done to prevent adding further damage, is by simply becoming more conscious of the products you are using daily. By becoming more self-aware, eventually, we can all be able to reduce our use of plastic products in our lifestyles. Another task that can be done to prevent further damage is to volunteer to gather marine litter from your local beaches. I truly believe that by simply performing these tasks, it can truly impact and improve the crisis of the plastic island floating around in our oceans. This is something everyone needs to pitch in and act on in order for beneficial results. Therefore, it is necessary that those who are aware to spread the word as far as possible so that as many people can become involved.
