The Importance of Addressing Ocean Pollution

To many, the ocean may simply serve as a venue for water recreation and fishing. However, the ocean is far more than a playground or a source of seafood; it is an essential component of the Earth's life-support system. The ocean produces over half of the world’s oxygen and absorbs fifty times more carbon dioxide than the atmosphere. Covering more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, we truly have only one "World Ocean." This vast expanse of saltwater, which moves seamlessly from one region to another without any physical barriers, is home to 97 percent of the planet’s water supply.

While the ocean is often thought of as a place for swimming, sailing, and other forms of recreation, it plays critical roles in global energy supply, raw material provision, and food production, such as fish and seaweed. Traditionally, geographers have divided our "World Ocean" into four main parts: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans. It wasn’t until 2000 that the Southern Ocean was recognized, encompassing the waters surrounding Antarctica. Additionally, seas, bays, and estuaries contribute further to the complex web of our oceanic environment. Ocean trenches, such as the Mariana Trench, which reaches depths of over 36,000 feet, are locations where old ocean crust is subducted beneath tectonic plates, leading to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes. Given the remoteness of such locations, one might expect them to be pristine and untouched by human activity. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The ocean floor is heavily polluted, with more contamination than some of the largest land regions on Earth. A probe into the Mariana Trench revealed pollution at depths of just 16,000 feet, including beer cans, plastic bags, and even a whole can of spam—a stark illustration of plastic pollution. These pieces of garbage can remain on the ocean floor indefinitely, accumulating over time.

The problem of marine pollution extends beyond just visible trash. It includes the spread of hazardous substances such as waste, chemical particles, oil, and plastics. These pollutants pose significant risks to the diverse range of plant and animal species that inhabit marine environments. There are, however, solutions that can help mitigate pollution. These include implementing stricter regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), developing renewable energy technologies, limiting the use of agricultural pesticides, improving sewage treatment, and reducing industrial waste.

According to a 2017 documentary by the National Geographic Channel, "Worldwide, an estimated 330 million tons of plastic will be manufactured, equating to more than 100 pounds of plastics for every man, woman, and child on Earth." Disturbingly, only 7 percent of this plastic will be recycled in the United States, with much of the remainder ending up in landfills or discarded carelessly, eventually making its way to the ocean.

Once at sea, floating garbage is captured by tides and currents. Along the California coast, these currents converge with four other prevailing currents from across the Pacific Ocean. When they meet roughly a thousand miles off the coast of California, they form a slow, swirling vortex known as the "North Pacific Gyre." Sea captain Charles Moore, during an expedition through the gyre, was alarmed by the widespread distribution of trash over hundreds of miles. "Debris rides the currents from Japan, as evidenced by Chinese lettering on plastic containers," Moore noted. Since that voyage, Moore has dedicated his life to cleaning the ocean's surface. Laboratory analysis revealed that tiny plastic particles outweigh naturally occurring zooplankton in a ratio of 6:1, prompting Moore to declare, "There is more plastic than life in the ocean."

Oil and chemical pollution also present serious challenges. Incidents of oil spills from vessels and pipelines contribute to the degradation of our largest ecosystem. Alarmingly, over 2 billion liters of oil are spilled into the ocean annually from these sources. Scientists predict that marine life will experience a significant decline in the coming decades if current trends continue. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, caused by British Petroleum (BP), was the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Occurring 41 miles off the coast of Louisiana, it resulted in an explosion that killed 11 people and released over 4.5 million barrels of oil. Although cleanup efforts were undertaken, not all the oil was recovered. To facilitate the breakdown of the oil, over 1.8 million gallons of dispersants were applied to promote bacterial digestion.

While the pollution of the ocean has many causes, primary factors such as waste, chemical particles, oil, and plastic have become the main concerns for researchers and scientists. Addressing these problems requires a concerted effort to reduce the sources of pollution and develop effective solutions. This essay has explored the evidence that experts have uncovered regarding these factors and offered potential solutions to each.

In conclusion, the tendency to use the ocean as a dumping ground for waste, sewage, chemicals, and other pollutants is creating a dire environmental crisis. This water pollution reduces the availability of clean water for human and ecological use. To effectively tackle ocean pollution, we must develop a deeper understanding of the problem and its impact on our world. Ocean pollution has far-reaching effects on the environment, some of which may be irreversible. It is crucial that we take immediate action to reduce or even eliminate ocean pollution to preserve this vital ecosystem for future generations. By acknowledging the gravity of the issue and implementing comprehensive solutions, we can work towards a healthier and more sustainable ocean.

Did you like this example?

683

36