Marine Ecosystems & Pollution

Around the world, marine ecosystems are being threatened, degraded, damaged or destroyed by human activities, one of which is pollution (Looser, Froescheis, Cailliet, Jarman & Ballschmitter: 661-670). As Jenssen (2003: A198) puts it:

The rapid population growth and enormous urban and coastal development in many of the world's coastal regions have caused considerable concern that anthropogenic pollution may reduce biodiversity and productivity of marine ecosystems, resulting in reduction and depletion of human marine food resources. In addition...,. Pollution reduces the aesthetic value and also the intrinsic value of the marine environment, whether the pollution is visual (such as oil pollution and plastic debris) or invisible (such as chemical compounds). Another main reason for concern about marine pollution is related to the direct effects of pollution on human health. Because many pollutants accumulate in marine organisms, humans are exposed to pollutants when they consume food from polluted areas.

With respect to marine pollution, Clark, Frid and Attrill (2001: 1-145) report that there are several types of marine pollution that are currently threatening to or outright damaging ocean waters. These can be listed as follows: oil, sewage, garbage, chemicals, radioactive waste, and thermal pollution. The purpose of this paper is to examine, in detail, the precise effects that have been caused by these pollutants in the oceans of the world.

Related Essays

EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS .... States due to warmer waters. This paper examined the effects of pollution on marine ecosystems. Based on the reviewed material several .... (2795 11 )

Ocean Pollution and Its Impact on Coral Reefs Ocean Pollution and Its Impact on Coral Reefs Humans .... dominate most of the earth's ecosystems, both land .... human action might extinguish some marine species that .... (2437 10 )

Eco-Economic Services of Marine Ecosystems .... such as deforestation can affect ecosystems closer to .... on Protection of the Marine Environment from .... based Activities, which controls for pollution and habitat .... (1532 6 )

Effect of Pollution on Marine Life .... ways in which humans have harmed marine life, one .... Pollution comes in the form of sewage, toxic .... of its inhabitants and destroying whole ecosystems (Human, 2002 .... (277 1 )

Depletion of Coral Reefs Table of Contents Introduction...... ... .... The increased population has caused increased pollution without regulation .... These reefs have the highest biodiversity of the world's marine ecosystems, and it is .... (1295 5 )

or impeding their ability to move through the water (Barreiros & Barcelos, 2001: 1196). Chemical Pollution Clark, Frid and Attrill (2001:50-189) report that there are tens of thousands of chemicals in everyday use around the world. While the chemicals industry contributes to our quality of life and is important to many national economies, there are growing concerns about the potential effects of chemicals on not only human health but the environment in general and the marine environment in particular. Most of the chemicals which currently cause environmental concerns are those classified as 'Persistent Organic Pollutants' (POPs). In the marine environment these groups of pollutants include: (1) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which are widely used in inks, paints, plasticisers and electrical components worldwide as well as the polybrominated bi- and di-phenols (PBBs, PDBs) used as flame retardants in electronic circuits, clothing and furniture; (2) Dioxins and furans produced as by-products in the production of other chemicals, and burning of wastes containing chlorine; (3) Organochlorine pesticides routinely used in agriculture to protect crops from pests; and (4) a host of other synthetic organic compounds s

Category: Science - M