Two Types Of Ocean Pollution

“At this rate, we would expect nearly one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish in our oceans by 2025,” says Nicholas Mallos, director of Ocean Conservancy marine debris program. Ocean pollution is a very evident problem. There are two types of pollution, nonpoint source pollution, and point source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is pollution that is a result of runoff, which comes from smaller sources and point source pollution is pollution coming from a single source, such as an oil spill. Point source pollution has a larger impact on the ocean compared to nonpoint source pollution but thankfully it occurs less. The ocean covers more than 70% of the earth 's surface and the Atlantic ocean is the second largest ocean following the

Dead zones are oceanic areas where there is a depletion of oxygen levels and often have no living organisms. In fact, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) “ The second largest dead zone in the world is located in the U.S., in the northern Gulf of Mexico” (US Department of Commerce, National O...). They are caused by pollutants such as oil and fertilizers which can cause an overgrowth of algae. The overgrowth of algae blocks sunlight from the plants underwater, disrupting the photosynthesis process. As a result, the food chain is disrupted because the producers at the bottom of the food chain cannot produce because sunlight is blocked, leading the primary consumers without a source of food. This may even lead to primary consumers to eat plastic. Also, research shows that fish cannot detect these dead zones so once they enter them they most likely will not get out. In addition to this, contaminated fish and marine life humans consume can contribute to diseases and problems within the human body. Exposition to chemicals such as chemicals in plastic bottles and pesticides can cause hormonal problems, reproductive problems, nervous system damage and kidney damage. Also according to Planet Aid “Bacteria turn metals into its most toxic form which is then absorbed

In order to stop ocean pollution and the negative effects associated with it, we must initiate and implement change! We need to stop polluting ourselves! It is necessary to implement change because pollution affects the environment and the people. Ocean pollution can cause a disruption in the food chain due to the consummation of contaminated animals, a decreasing amount of marine life due to waste, an increase in dead zones, and lastly a rise in diseases. Ocean pollution is a man-made problem and most manmade problems have man-made solutions. Finding a solution to ocean pollution should be a goal of anyone on