1. Marine Pollution

2. Pollution in coastal waters
Coastal waters are highly affected by pollution because they are:
Heavily used
Close to sources of pollution
Shallow-water bodies
Not as well circulated as the open ocean

3. Marine pollution: A definition
The introduction by man of substances or energy into the marine environment, which results in harm to marine life, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities, including fishing and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities. (WHO)

4. Main types of marine pollution
Sewage sludge
DDT and PCBs
Mercury
Nuclear Radiation
Non-point-source pollution
Petroleum (oil)

5. Marine pollution: Sewage sludge
Sewage sludge is the semisolid material that remains after sewage treatment
Much sewage sludge was dumped offshore until laws restricted sewage dumping

6. Marine pollution: DDT
DDT was a widely used pesticide that became concentrated in marine fish
DDT caused brown pelicans and ospreys to produce thin egg shells
Worldwide, DDT has been banned from agricultural use but is still used in limited quantities for public health purposes

7. Marine pollution: PCBs
PCBs are industrial chemicals used as liquid coolants and insulation in industrial equipment such as power transformers
PCBs enter the marine environment through leaks and from discarded equipment
PCBs can accumulate in animal tissues and affect reproduction

8. Mercury and Minamata disease
Mercury has many industrial uses but is extremely toxic
A chemical plant released large quantities of mercury into Minamata Bay, Japan
Residents who ate highly contaminated fish suffered neurological disease and birth disorders (Minamata disease)

9. Nuclear Radiation Caused by leaking of containment structures
The severity of this contamination depends on the life of the radioactive isotopes that would be released if a meltdown were to occur. Some like iodine 131, would only affect humans if plants and vegetables were consumed immediately after contamination because they quickly degrade. Others, like caesium, are more dangerous because they remain radioactive for about 28 years.

10. Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant went into a meltdown after an earthquake and 49 foot tsunami destroyed the plant, cooling pumps, and generators on March 11, 2011
Core reactor temperatures reached over 5000◦F.
The saga continues as workers try to contain the continually leaking reactors.

11. Radiation’s Effects

12. Fukushima

13. Non-point- source pollution
Non-point-source pollution comes from material washed down storm drains as “poison runoff”
Includes fertilizers, pesticides, road oil, and trash

14. Law regulating ocean dumping
The only substance that is illegal to dump anywhere in the ocean is plastic

16. Plastic in the marine environment
Does not biodegrade
Floats
Has high strength
Is ingested by and entangles marine animals

17. Marine pollution: Petroleum
Oil spills can be caused by:
Tanker accidents
Intentional dumping
Drilling/pumping operations

18. Marine pollution: Petroleum
Petroleum is biodegradable
Many pollution experts consider oil to be among the least damaging ocean pollutants
Data from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill shows the recovery of key organisms

19. Exxon Valdez 1989 Prince William Sound, Alaska Hit a reef
Ship leaked 11 million gallons of oil from a tank
Some oil still left after 22 years

20. BP Deepwater Horizon Rig
April 20, 2010
Drilling rig exploded
Gulf of Mexico (48 mi. from Mississippi River)
Over 6 million gallons so far
Huge reservoir of oil that is leaking (not as limited as ship leak)
Has entered Loop Current

21. Examples of damage… 11 workers are presumed dead 187 turtles stranded
18 dead dolphins
Hundreds of bird nests
Pelican covered in oil, Associated Press

22. Dangers to Wildlife Damage to sea grasses that hold wetlands together
Over 70% of US water birds use Lousiana’s wetlands for rest or nesting
Danger for fisheries (oysters & trout are spawning this time of year)
Harm to Florida coral reefs

23. Ways to Clean Up Oil Spills
Booms
Skimmers
Sorbents
Dispersants
Burning
Bacterial breakdown
Kevin Costner’s centrifuge

24. Various processes break up and degrade oil in the marine environment

26. Marine pollution: Petroleum
When oil washes up at a beach, it can negatively affect the marine environment
Oil can coat marine organisms and render their insulating fur or feathers useless
Oil on the beach from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Alaska