Negative Effects Of Ocean Pollution

Negative Effects of Ocean Pollution

“Each day, oil used to lubricate engines and to power the vessel leaks into the ocean” (Wroble 44). When the residue enters the ocean, it begins to affect the environment and animals. This is just one of the many problems from ocean pollution. “According to Worldwatch research associate Peter Weber, 80 to 90 percent of all of the materials dumped at sea are dredgings...dredgings are rich in toxic chemicals...from nonpoint sources” (Wroble 49). One particular chemical that affects the oceans are Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs. “[in 1979, PCBs were banned worldwide]...PCBs worked through the food chain until they were consumed by fish, marine mammals, and seabirds...Roger Payne believes that PCB build up

Birds are common victims of pollution as well as fish, turtles, and whales. “One study found that approximately 98 percent of chicks sampled, contained plastic and the quantity of plastic being ingested was increasing overtime” (“The Problem of…”). Plastic pollution is a well known source of pollution that causes harm to animals. “It is estimated that 60 percent of all seabird species have eaten pieces of plastic. With that predicted to increase to 99 percent by 2050” (“Ocean Plastic Pollution”). Another similar case states that “Hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingest plastic each year...Nearly all Laysan Albatross chicks -97.5 percent - have plastics pieces in their stomachs” (“Ocean Plastic Pollution”). The next well known animal affected by ocean pollution is fish. “Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year” (“Ocean Plastic Pollution”). When fish consume the plastic, it will move up the food chain and affect other aquatic animals that consume fish. “Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian Monk Seals and Pacific Loggerhead Sea Turtles are among nearly 300 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter” (“Ocean Plastic Pollution”). If an animal gets caught in plastic, then it could suffocate them. “In 2008, two sperm whales were found stranded along the California coast with large amounts of fishing net scrapes, and other plastic debris in their stomachs” (“Ocean Plastic Pollution”). When an animal eats plastic, it causes their minds to believe that they are full but plastic does not give them the nutrients that they need and will cause them to starve. The last well known pollutant is oil. “When oil comes in contact with animals, it can coat the surface of their bodies with a sticky film that can irritate and even suffocate them” (Wroble 44). This is a dangerous threat to animals because in most cases oil can kill them. “Crude oil called