Ocean Pollution and Water Quality

Littering, particularly of single-use plastic items, is the primary source of plastic pollution in the ocean.

Ocean pollution affects all types of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, coral reefs, and seabirds.

Marine debris refers to the accumulation of plastic and other human-made waste in the ocean.

The Pacific Ocean is the most affected by plastic pollution, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch being a notable example.

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which dissolves in the ocean and forms carbonic acid, leading to ocean acidification.

Coral reefs are particularly sensitive to ocean acidification, as the acidic conditions hinder their ability to build and maintain their skeletons.

Eutrophication is the process by which excess nutrients, often from agricultural runoff or sewage discharge, enter water bodies and cause algal blooms.

Fertilizer use in agriculture is a major contributor to eutrophication, as excess nutrients from fertilizers can be washed into water bodies by rain or irrigation.

Oil spills refer to the contamination of water bodies by oil and petroleum products, often resulting from accidents or leaks during transportation or extraction.

Oil spills can affect all types of marine life, including sea turtles, fish, coral reefs, and seabirds.

Booms and skimmers are commonly used to contain and remove oil spills from the water surface.

Littering, particularly of single-use plastic items, is the primary cause of marine debris accumulation in the ocean.

Fishing nets, often referred to as ghost nets, can continue to trap and kill marine life even after they are lost or discarded.

Reducing plastic pollution in the ocean requires a combination of efforts, including reducing single-use plastic consumption, improving waste management, and cleaning up plastic debris from the ocean.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.