9.11: Coastal Pollution

When is trash in the oceans good?

Well, not good exactly, but useful. In 1992, a ship lost 28,000 plastic bath toys in the North Pacific. Oceanographers sent out word and people alerted them when they found the toys on beaches. The oceanographers used these findings to map ocean currents.

Ocean Water Pollution

The oceans are vast. You might think they are too big to be harmed by pollution, but that’s not the case. Ocean water is becoming seriously polluted. This pollution affects the coasts. It even affects the seas far from shore.

Coastal Pollution

The oceans are most polluted along coasts. Why do you think that's the case? Of course, it's because most pollution enters the oceans from the land. Runoff and rivers carry the majority of pollution into the ocean. Many cities dump their wastewater, water mixed with waste, directly into coastal waters. In some parts of the world, raw sewage and trash may be thrown into the water (Figure below). Coastal water may become so polluted that people get sick if they swim in it or eat seafood from it. The polluted water may also kill fish and other ocean life.

This coastal ocean water is full of trash and sewage.

Much of the trash in the oceans is plastic. Many types of plastic do not degrade. Some break down into plastic molecules, but these can also be pollutants. Plastic shopping bags are extremely abundant in the oceans. Since water runs from land into the sea, chemicals can end up in the sea. Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are among the chemicals.

Open Water Pollution

Most of the trash that is in the oceans comes from the land. About 20% comes from ships. Trash is thrown overboard by many vessels. Fishing boats throw over lines and nets.

There is a very large patch of garbage known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Trash from the lands all around the North Pacific gets caught up in currents. The currents bring the trash into the center of the North Pacific Gyre. The concentration of trash increases toward the center of the gyre.

While recognizable pieces of garbage are visible, much of the trash is tiny plastic molecules. The molecules are invisible to the naken eye but can be seen in water samples. Plastic confetti-like pieces are also found in the gyre.

The size of the garbage patch is unknown, since it can’t be seen from above. Some people estimate that it’s twice the size of continental U.S, with a mass of 100 million tons.

Effect on Organisms

Animals can be harmed or killed by trash in the oceans. Seabirds and mammals may sometimes accidentally eat plastic bags. This may kill the animals. Fishing nets can entangle fish and other animals so that they cannot escape. Plastic molecules are ingested by organisms. Some that filter water for nutrients may take in a lot of plastic molecules. They may eventually die. Larger fish or humans eat them and may take in the plastics too. Some of the plastics may absorb harmful chemicals.

Plastic bags in the ocean can be mistaken for food by an unsuspecting marine predator.

Reducing Ocean Pollution

Everyone can help to keep trash from entering the ocean. Reduce your use of plastics, especially plastic bags. Dispose of trash and chemicals properly. Be sure that coastal communities dispose of trash safely. If you're on a ship, do not dump trash overboard. Be sure that ships obey laws that protect the seas.

Summary

• Most ocean pollution comes from land and most is found near the coasts. Most of this trash is plastic.
• Plastic trash does not usually biodegrade in the ocean. It breaks down into tiny plastic molecules.
• Ocean pollutants are harmful to marine organisms.

Review

1. What are the consequences of coastal pollution?
2. Since plastic doesn't biodegrade in the oceans, what happens to it?
3. What can you do to help keep the oceans clean?

Explore More

Use the resource below to answer the questions that follow.

1. What created the garbage patch?
2. How much stuff does it contain?
3. What makes up 80% of the patch?
4. What is the problem with plastic?
5. Where does the garbage come from?
6. What are a few of the consequences on marine life of all this plastic?
7. What is the best solution to stop adding to the patch?