Lecture 26: Oceanography - Marine Pollution Overview

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to marine pollution, waste disposal, and their effects on oceanic environments.

Marine Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances into the oceans, affecting marine ecosystems.

Bioaccumulation

The process by which toxins accumulate in organisms at higher trophic levels.

Dead Zones

Areas in the ocean with low oxygen levels due to excessive nutrient runoff, making them uninhabitable for marine life.

Heavy Metals

Toxic elements like mercury that can accumulate in the bodies of marine organisms.

Trophic Pyramid

A model that shows the distribution of biomass and energy among trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Municipal Solid Waste

Waste generated from households and commercial establishments, approximately 231 million tons in the U.S. yearly.

Landfill

A site for the disposal of waste materials, characterized by large piles of trash and gas flares.

Toxic Ash Disposal Incident

An event involving the illegal dumping of ash at sea after being mislabelled, leading to legal consequences.

Radioactive Waste

Waste material that emits radiation, such as that from abandoned Russian submarines.

106-Mile Dumpsite

A site off New York City where sludge and toxic materials have been dumped, raising concerns about biodiversity and toxicity.

Bioaccumulation of Chemicals

The accumulation of harmful substances in organisms, represented visually in studies.

Minamata Disaster

A mercury pollution incident in Japan that caused severe neurological disorders.

Deep Water Horizon

A catastrophic oil spill disaster caused by an offshore drilling accident.

Chemical Dispersants

Substances used to dilute oil spills, potentially harmful to marine life.

Crude Oil vs Refined Oil

Crude oil is more biodegradable than refined oil, impacting environmental recovery.

Natural Oil Seeps

Natural processes that release oil into the ocean, though anthropogenic sources cause more damage.

Noise Pollution

Interference in marine environments caused by sounds, disrupting communication among marine mammals.

Marine Mammals Communication

The use of sound at different frequencies by marine species, affected by external noise.

Impact of Noise Pollution

Reduction in communication range for marine mammals, potentially hindering reproduction.

Hydrocarbon Contamination

The pollution of water with hydrocarbons from sources like oil spills and runoff.