Ocean Pollution

Ocean Pollution
By Maria Vu and Claire Provinsal

Over the past few years, ocean pollutants have grown into a tremendous problem. 97.33% of the world’s water is ocean, nearly 71% of the Earth's surface is water and all of it is vastly becoming completely polluted. Pollution is I huge problem in oceans through out the world, but the Indian Ocean has the most pollution.

There are many different pollutants, and some have a larger affect than others. Seven billion tones of litter drops into the ocean each year. Most of this litter comes off the land, which means that the stuff we throw away is a big problem. A plastic bottle may last several hundred years in the ocean and even a cigarette butt can last for 12 years.

Pollution in the ocean directly affects ocean organisms and indirectly affects human health and resources. Oil spills, toxic wastes, and dumping of other harmful materials are all major sources of pollution in the ocean. People should learn more about these because if people know more about pollution in the ocean, then they will know more about how to stop pollution. Coastal waters receive a variety of land-based water pollutants, ranging from petroleum wastes to pesticides to excess sediments and gas admissions. Marine waters also receive wastes directly from offshore activities, such as ocean-based dumping, from ships and offshore oil and gas operations.

More oil reaches the oceans each year as a result of leaking automobiles and other non-point sources than was spilled. Another pollutant is sewage; human sewage largely consists of excrement from toilet-flushing; wastewater from bathing, laundry, and dishwashing; and animal and vegetable matter from food preparation that is disposed through a garbage disposal in a sink.

Main causes of ocean pollution are oil spills. Oil spills happen when people make mistakes or are careless and cause an oil tanker to leak oil in the ocean. There are a few more ways an oil spill can occur. Equipment breaking down may cause an oil spill. If the equipment breaks down, the tanker may get stuck on a shallow land. When they start to drive the tanker again, they can put a hole in the tanker, causing it to leak oil.

How much do people pollute yearly? Many people don't realize that their everyday activities can pollute the ocean. What should we do to help? Choose products with less packaging. Less packaging means less chance of it ending up in the wrong place. Clean up after your pet. Pet waste can carry diseases that affect marine animals. Dispose of waste properly. Do not litter the streets or throw waste down storm drains. Be sure to recycle plastics, paper, glass and metal products that you can. Consider whether fertilizers and pesticides are really needed in lawns and gardens, or choose natural alternatives. These are all good ways that we can decrease our impact on the oceans pollutants.

Ocean pollution directly affects nearly 40 percent of the world’s population. Ocean pollution is not only affecting the water, but it is also affecting the rest of the earth. Pollution in the ocean directly affects ocean organisms and indirectly affects human health and resources. Oil spills, toxic wastes, and dumping of other harmful materials are all major sources of pollution in the ocean. People should learn more about these because if people know more about pollution in the ocean, then they will know more about how to stop pollution.

Ocean pollution has been going on for a long time; it has only recently been seen as a large problem in the world. If nearly 71% of the world is water and 97.33% of the water is ocean, there is plenty of water to pollute, but the oceans are being polluted at a much faster rate than 15 years ago with; car admissions, plastic packaging and oil spills. All these causes of ocean pollution are growing every day with the growing population and this will keep happening unless we try to help.