Marine pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the ocean and coastal waters. Pollutants come from many sources on land and from activities at sea. They contaminate the water, sediment and ocean organisms.

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Causes Of Marine Pollution

Some of the key causes of pollution in our oceans are:

• Plastic pollution: Plastic is made of chemicals that do not break down or decompose easily. Much of the plastic trash ends up in the oceans. Many sea animals mistake plastic trash for food and eat it. Some marine animals get tangled up in plastic pollution or get trapped in it. Plastic also releases harmful toxic chemicals as it breaks down, which can make its way into the seafood we eat. Banning single-use plastic bags and bottles can help reduce this pollution.
• Oil spills: Oil spills happen when ships accidentally release oil into the ocean. They are a major source of pollution. Oil spills kill marine animals and birds. They disrupt ecosystems. Oil floats on water and sticks to the feathers and skin of sea animals, destroying their ability to stay warm. Oil from spills can stick to the gills of fish, making it difficult for them to breathe. Oil also covers beaches and sullies tourism. Extreme care needs to be taken while operating oil tankers to prevent spills.
• Agricultural runoffs: Pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture runoff from farms and empty into water bodies. They contain toxic chemicals which degrade water quality and kill organisms. They promote the growth of harmful algal blooms. Manure and other chemicals also run off from farms causing pollution. Responsible use of chemicals and better waste management can reduce such pollution.
• Sewage and wastewater: Improperly treated sewage, wastewater and pollutants from homes, factories and commercial facilities flow into oceans. They contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, heavy metals and microplastics. 80% of all pollution in oceans comes from land-based activities like these. Proper wastewater treatment and responsible waste disposal practices need to be adopted to curb this pollution.
• Marine debris: Littering is a major problem that pollutes the oceans. Trash and waste that find their way to oceans via drains, rivers or direct littering are called marine debris. They include things like plastic bags, bottles, cigarette butts, fishing nets etc. Marine animals get entangled or choke on such debris. Keeping our shores and rivers clean and reducing litter can help tackle this issue.

Types Of Marine Pollution

Our oceans are under threat from many types of pollution. Some of the major problems affecting marine life are:

• Ocean acidification: The ocean absorbs much of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When carbon dioxide combines with ocean water, it produces acids. As we put more carbon dioxide into the air, the ocean gets more acidic. Acidic water harms marine life like plankton, oysters and corals. Their shells and skeletons dissolve in acidic conditions. Acidification impacts the entire ocean food chain. Reducing carbon emissions can help curb ocean acidification.
• Eutrophication: Runoff from farms and lawns carries excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus into oceans. This causes eutrophication which promotes the rapid growth of algae. Algal blooms reduce oxygen levels in water leading to the death of marine animals. They also release toxins that can poison sea life and humans. Eutrophication harms ecosystems and tourism. Controlling agricultural runoff and wastewater can prevent eutrophication.
• Coral bleaching: Coral bleaching occurs when corals lose the algae that give them colour and helps them produce food. This makes corals turn white in colour. Bleaching is caused by increased ocean temperatures due to climate change. It leads to starvation, disease and death in corals. Coral bleaching impacts reef ecosystems and fishing industries. Reducing global warming can help corals recover from bleaching.
• Plastic pollution: Plastics like bags, bottles, packaging etc., make their way into oceans in huge amounts. Marine animals mistake plastic for food and eat them. Microplastics also enter the ocean food chain. Plastics suffocate and poison sea life. They pollute beaches and waterways. Banning single-use plastics can reduce this pollution significantly.
• Toxins: Oceans contain many harmful toxins like mercury, lead, pesticides etc. They enter the water through chemical spills, industrial waste, mining pollution and agricultural runoff. Toxins accumulate in the bodies of fish and shellfish and make their way to humans when we eat seafood. They cause various health issues and birth defects. Stricter regulations on waste and chemical usage, along with better pollution control methods, can limit toxins in oceans.

Effects

Marine pollution has many negative effects on the environment and human health.

• Pollutants can damage plankton and destroy coral reefs. This disrupts the entire marine food chain. Pollution leads to the loss of biodiversity in the oceans.
• Every year millions of aquatic animals die due to marine pollution. Many marine creatures get entangled in plastics or swallow plastic pieces. Noise pollution disrupts animal behaviours.
• Polluted oceans pose health risks for humans. Chemical pollution can accumulate in fish and enter the food chain. This can cause health issues like cancer and birth defects in people.
• The oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But pollution is reducing the ability of oceans to absorb carbon dioxide. This is speeding up climate change.

Solutions to Reduce Marine Pollution

Many actions can help reduce marine pollution. People should not go through trash into the sea. They should reuse shopping bags and recycle plastic containers. Factories should treat their wastewater before releasing it.

• Governments must make and enforce strict laws against marine pollution. They should monitor and fine companies that pollute. They should require double hulls on oil tankers to prevent spills. They should set up oil spill response teams.
• People can help clean up beaches and coastal areas. Volunteers pick up trash littering beaches during organized cleanups. They collect garbage, plastics and abandoned fishing nets.
• Scientists are trying to develop new materials to replace plastics. They are working on edible plastic packaging made from plants. Researchers are also developing bacteria that can eat and decompose oil spills and plastic waste.
• Simple actions by individuals can help reduce pollution. People should reuse shopping bags and refuse plastic straws and cutlery when dining out. They should avoid products with excess packaging. Drivers can carpool or use public transport to reduce vehicle emissions.
• Together, governments, organizations, scientists and individuals can reduce pollution and protect the ocean. Saving the ocean means saving the planet. A healthy ocean produces half of the earth's oxygen and absorbs a third of all the carbon dioxide people put in the air.
• The ocean needs help now. It cleans our air and produces the oxygen we breathe. With care and wise use of its resources, the ocean ecosystem can remain balanced and productive for future generations. Every small action we take to reduce pollution helps. Let's work together to save our oceans.

Conclusion

By reducing human impacts on oceans, we can curb different kinds of pollution and protect fragile marine ecosystems. Individual actions like using less plastic and chemicals in our daily lives also make a big difference in tackling ocean pollution. Protecting our oceans needs a collective global effort to be successful.

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