Pollution is an environmental crisis our world has been enduring for decades, within this topic, our discussion will be about ‘Ocean Pollution’. This essay is illustrated with examples of the causes and the numerous pollution incidents.
Looking at where it all began, one of the biggest causes of ocean pollution comes from “non-point source pollution”. For instance, motor vehicle engines like trucks, cars, boats, including larger sources such as farms and ranches. They drop small amounts of oil each day onto roads and much of these oils make their way to the sea. Similarly, when oil flows in sewers, rivers and drainage, it goes directly in the ocean. As well as minerals and substances, they often make their way into the ocean. The release of these chemicals in the ocean’s ecosystem could lead to a reduction in the oxygen levels, decay of plant life and a decline of water quality.
In the extension of the topic ‘Oil Spillage’, some of these oils come from sea vessels. Let’s use ships as an example, when ships travel, a preponderance of oils leak out and go to the ocean. Speaking of ships, let’s look at this text even further. In 1988, in the North Sea, the oil platform of ‘Piper Alpha’ below the sea was destroyed by an outbreak of fire on its surface, killing 167 workers (1.8 million litres of oil spillage). Another crisis, in June 1990, an outburst on board of a Norweigian supertanker called ‘The Mega Borg’, spilling an estimation of 23 million litres of crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
These accidental and on purpose oil spills are responsible for killing and injuring large sea creatures. Whales, seals as well as seabirds and fish, small seashore animals such as barnacles and snails. Planktons and tiny plants which live on and below the sea surface.
Another problem is dumping food waste and toxic liquids in the ocean, they raise the ocean’s temperature, as a result of glacier integration and raising the ocean levels. When the ocean’s temperature rises, it will cause coral bleaching and the loss of breeding grounds for marine fishes and mammals, hence a reduction in marine life.
Pollution is affecting marine life and overall the world. Without the ocean, people and most animals would die from dehydration. The ocean absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere, it covers 70% of the Earth surface. This means that the air we breathe, the majority comes from the absorption of our ocean.
Consequently, toxic chemicals from industries plus productions, such as waste and agricultural pollution are the two most common waste. Some of these water pollutants could also cause air pollution as well as land. In other words, our Earth relies on the ocean as much as the ocean relies on land. It's our duty to protect our resources if we still want to have them. It’s up to our hospitality and determination to protect the waters.
Resources:
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ocean-pollution.php
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pollution.html
https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/23685/20190826/world-without-oceans-what-fate.htm
https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/7353/without-the-oceans-you-wouldnt-exist/
without-the-oceans-you-wouldnt-exist/
Books: Environmental Disasters - Oil Spills by J Walker
Hey Skyler!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very passionate essay. You have used good elements of grammar and good supporting evidence! There are some really good points here, though I would check or clarify what you mean by "...on purpose oil spills..." Fab job overall, well done you!