MARINE POLLUTION: PART II

Topics  Exploration Summary  Environmental Group  Marine Pollution In Exploration  Where Pollution Is Most Common  Pollution Impacts To The Ecosystem  Action Steps To Avoid Pollution  Findings Help In Minimizing Pollution

Gulf of Mexico Deep Sea Habitats 12-Day Mission Exploration of deep sea creatures Various corals especially in areas used by oil industries Algae, crabs and brittle stars are widely present along with many light requiring plants.

Mission Statement  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “The enduring mission of the program is to encourage and enable others to act effectively in protecting and restoring the nation's wetlands and associated ecosystems, including shallow open waters and free-flowing streams” (EPA, 2012, Para. 1).

Type of Marine Pollution  Runoff/Overflow Pollution  When it rains or snowmelts on land, the water flows towards the rivers and then sea, carrying and bringing pollutants Fertilizers Oils Bacteria  Oil Spills  Caused by accidental leaks or explosions in drilling sites

Excess of Pollution Too much human activities in this area. Areas used for the petroleum industry should be protected properly in the Gulf of Mexico. Highly polluted are the areas in deep regions where mining is done too much and also in the shore areas.

What the Marine Pollution Have Impacts On The Surrounding Ecosystem? Runoff Pollution Bacteria and viruses Trash Pesticides and chemicals Oil Spills Toxic to marine animals Disturbs feeding, reproduction, development Affects all marine life, from birds to mollusks

Protection Against Overflow/Runoff  Overall community level  Protecting strips  Ponds preservation  Developing wetlands  Porous preventing materials  Sediment fences  Growing plants  Signs on storm drains  Individual level  Growing plants in bare areas  Appropriate dumping of harmful wastes  Careful utilization of fertilizers and other chemicals on lawns  Dumping of trash appropriately  Organize neighborhood cleanups  Reprocess and reuse of recyclable materials

Protection Against Oil Spills  Different and substitutes of oil, power sources  Use more resources to develop new technology  Laws and Rules by government  Prohibit offshore drilling

Minimizing Reoccurring Incidents  New procedures and steps to stop pollution from reoccurring (i.e. constructed wetlands, recycling)  Natural resources are needed to be discovered from the areas other than the ocean  Developing a roadmap for alternatives to minimize water pollution.

Conclusion  12-Day mission conducted as a channel to decrease ocean pollution  Alternatives applied by groups and individuals  Everyone should strive for reducing pollution  Eco-friendly resources should be used to minimize pollution for future.

References  Biello, D. (2011). Scientific American. How did the BP oil spill affect gulf coast wildlife? Retrieved 8 June 2012 from oil-spill-affect-gulf-of-mexico-wildlife-and-ecosystems&page=2  Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Retrieved from  Fredericq, S. (2009). The wonderful world of seaweeds. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved from  Hickerson, E., & DuPuy, S. (2009). Connecting the dots. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved from ml  Klein, K. (2010). Voice of America. President Obama promises changes to prevent future oil spills. Retrieved 8 Jun 2012 from survey-oil-spill-damage / html

References continued  NOAA. (2009). Mission plan: “Gulf of Mexico deep sea habitats.” Retrieved from  NOAA. (2009). Northern Gulf of Mexico deep sea habitats Retrieved from  NOAA (2012). Nonpoint Source Pollution. Retrieved 8 Jun 2012 from  United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). What is nonpoint source pollution? Retrieved from  Young, S. (2010). Oil spill affecting marine life, top to bottom. Retrieved from the Human Society website on 8 Jun 2012 from ml

Image References  WebGovernments. (2011). Retrieved June 11, 2012 from  Green Living Earth. (2010). Retrieved June 11, 2012 from  Calhoun, M. (n.d.) Retrieved June 11, 2012 from  Eco Curb Signs. (2012). Retrieved June 11, 2012 from  Rockwall ISD. (n.d.) Retrieved June 11, 2012 from