In-depth Notes on Chapter 11: Marine Pollution

Chapter 11: Marine Pollution Overview

• Pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting the oceans.

• Major sources of marine pollution include:

  • Point Source Pollution: identifiable sources such as oil spills from tankers.

  • Non-Point Source Pollution: diffuse sources like runoff containing pesticides and road oil.

  • Biological Pollution: non-native invasive species disrupting ecosystems.

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1958)

• Governs territorial waters and marine resources.

• Defines jurisdiction for coastal nations:

  • Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): extends 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the baseline, up to 350 nautical miles (648 km) if the continental shelf extends beyond.

  • Topics of jurisdiction include:

  • Mineral resources

  • Fishing rights

  • Pollution regulation.

• Example: The U.S. EEZ covers approximately 11.5 million square kilometers (4.2 million square miles).

Marine Pollution Definition (WHO)

• Defined as "the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment, including estuaries, which results in or is likely to result in deleterious effects…."

• Characteristics include affecting living resources, human health, and recreational water quality.

Types and Effects of Marine Pollution

Main Types:

1. Petroleum Pollution

   • Naturally occurring hydrocarbons.

   • Toxic to living organisms in small quantities (e.g. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - PAHs).

   • Major oil spills can have devastating effects on marine life (e.g., Deepwater Horizon 2010).

2. Sewage Sludge

   • Concentrated organic waste resulting in hypoxic conditions.

3. Toxic Metals: DDT, PCBs, mercury

   • Bioaccumulation: Concentration of pollutants in an organism's tissues.

   • Biomagnification: Increased levels of toxins in organisms higher up food chains.

4. Non-point Source Pollution and Trash

   • Hard to trace; pollution from various sources (e.g., urban runoff).

   • Environmental issues with plastics and other debris.

5. Biological Pollution

   • Invasive species affecting native marine populations.

Impact of Petroleum Pollution

• Oil Spills:

  • Major oil spills (e.g., Exxon Valdez spill, 1989).

  • Immediate effects include mortality of marine organisms due to acute exposure.

  • Long-term genetic and developmental impacts on marine species.

• Cleanup Efforts:

  • Methods include bioremediation using bacteria and fungi to degrade oil.

  • Dispersal techniques for oil recovery.

Non-Point Source Pollution and Trash

• Defined as pollution from multiple identifiable sources.

• Common pollutants include:

  • Road oil

  • Fertilizers and pesticides.

Ocean Dumping Laws

• Specific regulations for what can be dumped in U.S. waters:

  • Lakes/Rivers/Bays (3 miles from shore): Illegal to dump plastic, food scraps, etc.

  • 3 to 12 Miles from Shore: Restrictions apply to garbage, paper, and more.

  • Beyond 25 Miles: Strict prohibition on dumping plastics.

Plastics in the Marine Environment

• Major source of marine debris:

  • 80% from land-based sources; non-biodegradable.

  • Cause risks to marine life through entanglement or ingestion (e.g., turtles mistake plastic for food).

  • Microplastics from products like exfoliating scrubs significant contributors.

Nurdles and Microplastics

• Nurdles: Pre-production plastic pellets contributing to ocean pollution.

• Microbeads: Harmful, small plastic particles found in personal care products.

• Marine environments impacted significantly, especially facing pollution from plastic debris. Designated areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch illustrate this impact.

Visual Evidence of Plastic Pollution

• Depicting microplastics concentrations:

  • High densities reported on beaches and in open ocean (e.g., Orange County, CA).

  • Floating plastics photodegrade into smaller, more digestible forms for marine organisms.

Let's spill the tea on marine pollution, shall we? Imagine the oceans as a beautiful party venue, glamorous and full of life, but oh boy, the guests are causing quite a ruckus! Pollution is crashing this party in a big way, and several culprits are to blame. First up, we have the notorious Point Source Pollution: think of it as that one party crasher who shows up with a massive oil spill from a tanker, creating chaos and destruction. Then there's the sneaky Non-Point Source Pollution, which is like a sneaky guest that leaves a trail of pesticides and road oil everywhere without a trace—total mayhem!

Now, let’s not forget about Biological Pollution. It's like when the guest list has invasive species that just disrupt everything, ensuring that native species are feeling awkward at their own party!

Moving on to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea from 1958, which is our host trying to keep the peace. They set the rules about who gets to party where, defining territorial waters and managing marine resources. They even created the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)! Picture this as VIP lounge extending 200 nautical miles from the coast, with juicy minerals and fishing rights tucked inside. But if you’re lucky enough and your continental shelf stretches far, you might even claim up to 350 nautical miles—how fab is that?

So, what exactly is this marine pollution drama all about? According to the WHO, it's defined as the human act of introducing harmful substances into our beloved ocean—ACK! That’s a major buzzkill causing problems for marine life and even us humans (hello, recreational water quality!).

Let’s dig into the rollercoaster of pollution types. We have Petroleum Pollution, where spills (think Exxon Valdez or Deepwater Horizon) create massive eco-traumas, leaving the marine life feeling like they were caught in a bad breakup. Next, we have Sewage Sludge, making things smell really sour—definitely not the fresh ocean breeze we want!

Then, there are the shady characters like Toxic Metals—DDT, PCBs, and mercury—that sneak into the food chain, bioaccumulating in tissues and escalating through the food web. Imagine a game of telephone gone wrong, causing higher toxic levels in predators.

Let’s talk trash—specifically Non-Point Source Pollution and a whole lot of rubbish. It’s like an ex who just won’t leave; hard to trace and coming from all directions with urban runoff, leaving the environment choked with plastics and debris.

Ocean Dumping Laws are our party bouncers, laying down the law about what can and cannot be dumped. It's like a strict dress code where certain items, like plastics and food scraps, are strictly prohibited beyond certain distances from shore.

And hello, plastic pollution! It’s the biggest threat to our marine soirée, with about 80% of it coming from land sources. Plastic pieces are like uninvited guests causing chaos by tangling and choking marine animals who mistake them for food. Microplastics from scrubs are like glitter—the gift that keeps on giving, leaving traces everywhere and creating a shocking scene at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

The takeaway? Our oceans are in serious trouble thanks to marine pollution, and it’s time for all of us to act like responsible party-goers and clean up our act before it’s too late!