Pollution refers to the act of introducing harmful substances into a specific commodity, location, or the surrounding environment, which can have detrimental effects on the affected area and its dependent creatures. It is not limited to merely impacting the directly contaminated region or object, as it also has negative repercussions on the surrounding flora and fauna. The type of pollution can vary, depending on the specific location or substance being contaminated.
It includes, noise, air, water, soil and land pollution. In every occurrence of pollution, the polluted substance does not remain the same but adapts to the introduced change by the contaminants although it’s on a negative and the area changes automatically from that pressure.
In this scenario we sample out Ocean pollution. Ocean pollution is the contamination of the ocean water through dumped waste materials, oil spillage
..., sewage drained into the ocean and many others. It is one of the elements of water pollution and although the oceans covers almost two third of the earth, it is vulnerable to human activities that bring about its pollution. Oceanpollution, like many other pollutions it affects the dependency by other creatures.
The research investigates the causes of ocean pollution, ways to address it, and potential solutions. Factors contributing to ocean pollution include sewage disposal, which not only affects the ocean but also contributes to inland pollution. Sewage from cities and towns should be treated before being released into the ocean, in accordance with legal requirements.
This would greatly help prevent the contamination of the ocean with toxic substances found in sewage. It is important to treat and recycle sewage instead of draining it into the oceans. Despite this, many companies choose
to release their untreated sewage into the water, disregarding the established guidelines. Particularly if it originates from upcountry areas far from the coast, sewage is usually drained through rivers.
Coastal companies often directly discharge their sewage into the ocean, which includes harmful plastic materials, mineral substances, and other toxic chemicals. This poses a significant threat to marine life and reduces oxygen levels, making survival difficult for sea creatures. It also negatively impacts plants dependent on ocean water and renders it unsafe for human consumption. The pollution detrimentally affects the flora and fauna relying on ocean water. Additionally, oil spillage from ships is another widespread cause of ocean pollution.
The oil that is present in the ocean can come from both engines of ships as well as the crude oil tanks they carry. This oil creates a layer on the surface of the water, posing a threat to marine life. This layer, formed by spilled crude oil, is difficult to remove and may take a significant amount of time to dilute with ocean water. Additionally, ships often lose numerous crates each year due to storms, emergencies, and accidents. This leads to noise pollution, excessive algae growth, and problems with ballast water. These events can also introduce invasive species into ecosystems, disrupting the natural life cycles of other organisms and further damaging already polluted areas ("Causes And Effects Of Ocean Pollution - Conserve Energy Future").
Mining in the ocean is the process of extracting minerals, such as gold, silver, and zinc, that have been discovered in the deep parts of the ocean. Heavy machinery is utilized to drill into the ocean floor and extract these deposits. However, this extraction process
can lead to oil spills that contaminate the water and disrupt the habitat of aquatic life. Moreover, it can corrode the water bedrock. Consequently, all of these factors contribute to pollution in the ocean.
The ocean water can be polluted by corrosive extracted deposits that often spill into it. Littering is another major source of pollution, even though it may initially seem insignificant. Natural factors such as wind can carry various items, including plastics, dust, stones, and other materials, from inland areas into the ocean. These materials accumulate in the water, where certain items like plastic bags are not easily dissolved. Marine life, such as animals, may mistakenly consume these materials, leading to harm and endangerment. Consequently, these incidents create a hostile environment for the ocean's ecosystem.
"In addition, the temperature of the ocean is highly influenced by carbon dioxide and climate changes, which primarily affects the ecosystems and fish communities that inhabit the ocean. Specifically, the increasing levels of CO2 lead to ocean acidification, manifesting as acid rain" ("Causes And Effects Of Ocean Pollution - Conserve Energy Future").
Solutions to combat ocean pollution involve enforcing and implementing regulations regarding sewage disposal in the ocean and rivers. Despite existing rules regarding the disposal of sewage waste into these water bodies, many individuals, particularly companies, choose to disregard them and prioritize their own interests. As a result, they release untreated sewage into the ocean. To address this violation of environmental protection and mitigate ocean pollution, the government, particularly the Ministry of Environment, should take charge and raise awareness about laws protecting against untreated sewage disposal in oceans and rivers. Strict enforcement should be prioritized, with heavy fines imposed
on those who violate the regulations to ensure that no untreated sewage is dumped.
To address ocean pollution, it is crucial to reduce oil spillage. One effective way to regulate and mitigate this issue is by using environment-friendly fuel. While it may not completely eliminate pollution, it can significantly reduce it. Another method to prevent oil spillage in water is by transporting oil tankers through air, which proves to be more effective. Additionally, regulating mining activities in the oceans is essential as they are a major source of pollution. These activities not only disturb the ocean habitat but also contaminate the water.
The government, in partnership with the ministry of mining and environment, must enact measures to tackle ocean pollution caused by mining. These measures ought to offer guidance on conducting mining operations in a manner that minimizes water pollution. It is crucial to ensure that the machines utilized for mineral extraction are in proper condition so as to prevent oil spills into the ocean. Furthermore, only approved mineral sites with substantial deposits should be extracted to avoid disrupting the ocean habitat. By facilitating and enforcing these regulations, the government can decrease habitat destruction and prevent corrosion. Pollution, irrespective of its type or location, has adverse effects on the environment and negatively impacts the areas it contaminates – whether it's water, soil, air, or land.
This research investigates water pollution, particularly ocean pollution, and explores multiple contributing factors. Sewage disposal introduces chemicals into the water, while oil spillage from ships and tankers forms a surface layer and decreases oxygen levels. Mining activities in the ocean destroy marine life habitats, and natural factors like wind-driven littering also pose risks
to the ocean and its inhabitants.
The research aims to address ocean pollution caused by human activities and natural factors. Government involvement is vital in developing and enforcing policies that require companies to properly treat sewage before it enters the ocean and rivers. Additionally, exploring alternative fuels and transportation methods can help prevent oil spills. Regulating mining activities is also crucial for protecting marine habitats and preventing water pollution.
In conclusion, it is evident that pollution causes destruction to the environment. However, if measures are properly implemented and followed precisely without any bias, ocean pollution can be mitigated.
References
- "Causes And Effects Of Ocean Pollution - Conserve Energy Future". Conserve-Energy-Future.N.p., 2014. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
- "Ocean Pollution - Marinebio.Org".Marinebio.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. Harrison, R.
M. (2001). Pollution: causes, effects and control. Royal Society of Chemistry.
The article titled "Bankable permits for the control of environmental pollution" was published in the Journal of Public Economics. The authors of the article are Zeng, E. Y., and Steinberg, C. E.
(2015). A new page for Environmental Pollution. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex: 1987), 204, A1.
