How Pollution Affects the Ocean and Marine Animals
Existence on Earth relies on the resources that the Ocean provides us. The Ocean has an incredibly large impact on our lives, as it makes up two thirds of our planet. In addition, oceans help trees to flourish so people may breathe; create nourishment for people and wildlife; and supply the water people drink. Oceans and their marine animals also help absorb up to 80% of the carbon from atmosphere, and without it we would die from the exposure of the carbons harmful effects on the planet. Unfortunately our oceans are suffering from many types of pollutants that are prominent in our environment. One of the main distributors of pollution is sewage. Sewage and other polluting substances flow into the world's rivers and drainage pipes until all of the substances dump out into the ocean. In addition to sewage, other chemicals finds its way to the oceans, which leads to the reduction of oxygen being released into the atmosphere. With this in place, the waters become murky and filled with substances that can harm marine life. As mentioned in Cindy Clendenon’s article, Pollution of the Ocean by Sewage, Nutrients, and Chemicals, “coasts are densely populated, the amount of sewage reaching seas and oceans is of particular concern because some substances it contains can harm ecosystems
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The wind not only carries seeds and pollen through the air, but it can also pick up trash and other loose objects along the way. These objects can vary between natural sand or dirt to man-made objects that are thrown away daily. Most litter does not decompose and can remain in the ocean. Plastic is easily mistaken by marine life as food. Consequently, these plastic objects and litter get caught on the necks, fins, arms, or legs of marine organisms. The main victims of plastic are fish, dolphins, turtle, sea birds, crabs, crocodile, and