Science Behind the Causes of Marine Pollution

Marine Animals require very low amounts of chemicals such as copper, zinc, manganese, and cobalt. These chemicals are usually found in very low concentrations under water so marine animals have adapted to be able to obtain these chemicals in low doses and keep them on-hand so they can be used when needed. Some pollution contains these same chemicals only in extremely high concentrations which is too much for the marine animals and in some cases toxic. The pesticides used at farms, gardens, orchards, and on crops, make their way to the ocean. The fat in the marine animals absorbs the pesticides and stays there which causes health problems, the inability to reproduce, and can even be fatal.

Lead is one of the most serious chemicals that is causing problems under water. It effects many parts of the body such as ones brain and kidneys. It also effects your reproductive system making you unable to reproduce as well as causing birth defects if in fact you are able to reproduce. Lead is found in car and house paint, lead batteries, lures for fishing, certain bullets, some types of ceramics, and water pipes. Sometimes, when there are too many unwanted pesticides or toxins in the water where there is algae, the algae will rapidly reproduce and cover the water creating something known as an ‘Algal Bloom’. An algal bloom is a huge area of algae on top of the water which continues to grow rapidly, but each algae cell’s life is extremely short lived so the top of this algal bloom is covered in decaying matter. When matter decays, it sucks up the oxygen from the water leaving the body of water underneath the algal bloom without oxygen or with very little amounts. This causes many organisms under the water to die as well.

Sediment from mining or dredging causes many problems among the ocean ecosystems. Sediment causes the water to be extremely cloudy. Like the effects of an oil spill, the blockade in the water prevents the sun light from reaching the ocean floor. Also, sediment can enter the gills of fish and clog them preventing them from being able to breathe. As sediment settles on the ocean floor, it can cover small fish or extremely fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs. Heat is also an element of water pollution. The increase of Global Warming is causing the water to keep becoming warmer and warmer. This is killing off many sea animals that aren’t used to living in water conditions that are that warm.