Проблема загрязнения мирового океана

МОСКОВСКИЙ КОМИТЕТ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ

СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОЧНЫЙ АДМИНИСТРАТИВНЫЙ ОКРУГ

ГБОУ «Школа № 1381 с углубленным изучением английского языка»

Исследовательский проект

The Problem of Ocean

Pollution

Волчкова Екатерина

ученица 8 класса «Б»

руководитель:

 Архипова И. Н.

учитель английского языка

Москва

2016-2017

CONTENTS

Introduction ………………………………………………………..……………………....……...2

Part 1. History…………………………………………………………………………….….……4

Part 2. Scientific Research of Harmful Toxins in the Ocean….…………………………...…...5-9

Part 3. Facts About Ocean Pollution………………………………………...……………….10-11                        Part 4. Effects on Humans………………………………………………………………...……..12                         Part 5. Water Pollution Effects on Animals…………………………….………………………..13                       Part 6. Small Changes With Big Impacts…………………..………………………………...14-16                      Part 7. My Questionnaire and Results…….…………………………………………….………17                           Part 8 Conclusion. ………………………………………………………………………………18

Part 9. Resourses……………………………………………………………………..….………19

Introduction

Nowadays the issue of ocean pollution is an incredibly urgent ecological problem. That is why, being interested in solving ecological problems, I would like to study this subject. The purpose of the work ‘The Problem of Ocean Pollution’ is to study the reasons for ocean pollution with the help of various research works of modern scientists and to combine the results of this study with the results of my survey, conducted at school.

           Since man has started navigating through waters for the search of new lands, he has been throwing garbage in the ocean. The problem of ocean pollution is not a recent discovery, it has been there since many centuries, but now man has realized the effects of pollution in oceanic waters. Marine pollution basically occurs when harmful toxins such as chemicals, garbage, agricultural waste, and especially plastic are dumped in the ocean. As the surface of the water is never constant this mess keeps on spreading. The United Nations is taking the matter of ocean pollution very seriously and is devising new ways to prevent the rise of a new enemy. 

According to the data compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 1.4 billion lbs of trash is dumped in the oceans every year.

On an average, 8 million items of marine litter are disposed in oceans every single year; approximately 5 million of which are either thrown off board or lost during a storm.

It is estimated that 70 percent of the total marine litter is deposited at the seabed; the remaining 30 percent either keeps floating in the ocean or is washed ashore (beach trash).

Interestingly, pollution caused by marine transportation only accounts for 10 percent of the total ocean pollution; even that is down from 12 percent in 1990.

           As a part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup campaign, 598,000 volunteers collected over 9 million lbs of trash from various sites across the world in 2011.

In oceanography, 'ocean pollution' is described as pollution of ocean water due to accidental, or deliberate dumping of harmful materials, such as crude oil, ore, or toxic materials, in it.

Part 1. History

     Although marine pollution has a long history, significant international laws to counter it were only enacted in the twentieth century. Marine pollution was a concern during several United Nations Conferences on the Law of the Sea beginning in the 1950s. Most scientists believed that the oceans were so vast that they had unlimited ability to dilute, and thus render pollution harmless.

     In the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were several controversies about dumping radioactive waste off the coasts of the United States by companies licensed by the Atomic Energy Commission, into the Irish Sea from the British reprocessing facility at Windscale, and into the Mediterranean Sea by the French Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique. After the Mediterranean Sea controversy, for example, Jacques Cousteau became a worldwide figure in the campaign to stop marine pollution. Marine pollution made further international headlines after the 1967 crash of the oil tanker Torrey Canyon, and after the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill off the coast of California.

     Marine pollution was a major area of discussion during the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm. That year also saw the signing of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, sometimes called the London Convention. The London Convention did not ban marine pollution, but it established black and gray lists for substances to be banned (black) or regulated by national authorities (gray). Cyanide and high-level radioactive waste, for example, were put on the black list. The London Convention applied only to waste dumped from ships, and thus did nothing to regulate waste discharged as liquids from pipelines.

Part 2. Scientific Research of Harmful Toxins in the Ocean

  What is Water Pollution?

         Water pollution refers to anything that changes the composition and the physical, biological, or chemical properties of water. These can be brought about due to the contamination by harmful substances.

Every year about 300 billion pounds of plastic is produced in the world and not even 5% of it is recycled. So where does the remaining 95% goes? Well most of it finds safe haven in landfills and the remaining is thrown in the oceans. It is a known fact that plastic takes almost 100 years to decompose, but when it is thrown in the water; the action of the sun, water and temperature breaks it into small pieces which helps the spreading of plastic even more. This is very strange but true, in the middle of the Pacific ocean a circular pattern of water currents have accumulated enormous amounts of floating garbage. This huge amount is often referred as the 'Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch'. It was discovered by Captain Charles Moore in the early 1990s' and is still growing.

Plastic Pollution Causes

     Out of all the plastics found in the ocean, only a percent of that comes from the water, then what about the rest of the waste, where does that come from? Plastic bottles and cups left on the beach are blown away in the sea due to the strong wind currents. Almost 80% of the plastic found in the ocean is dumped by humans. They come from ships, cargo containers, off shore companies and oil rigs. Even cruise liners dump most of their plastic waste in the ocean instead of recycling it. Industries situated near water bodies dump most of their industrial waste in water in spite of repeated warnings from the government. It's necessary to understand that every plastic product we buy is going to end up in ocean if it's not recycled after usage.

Effects of Plastic Pollution

        Plastic debris can endanger marine life in two major ways; when creatures eat plastic and when they get entangled in them. The biggest sufferers of this garbage are turtles, and all the various species of marine turtles are already threatened because of a number of reasons. Millions of turtles have been found dead with pieces of plastic bags in their stomach. It is assumed that these turtles mistake these floating plastic bags for jellyfish and consume them. These bags get stuck in their neck or stomach which leads to suffocation and ultimately causes death. Various plastic pieces floating in the water are responsible for the death of millions of fish and birds as they mistake these small pieces of plastic for food. Various fish and birds lose their lives after getting entangled in lost fish nets which are floating all over the ocean. The sheer volume of plastic in the ocean is shocking and the worst part is people are still throwing away their plastic waste instead of recycling it. 

       The problem of plastic pollution in the ocean is very serious and requires attention of all the countries in the world. People should make sure that they limit the use of plastic bags and items. Every piece of plastic being made today is going to remain in the environment for a long time unless someone recycles it. We all should understand the responsibility of cleaning our own planet, before it becomes a dump.

Defining the Problem

Plastic pollution is a global epidemic and considered one of three top concerns for ocean health. There is a growing awareness of the impacts of plastic pollution and some societies are beginning to take action to curb them. However, the volume of plastics produced far out paces the efforts to reduce the damage they inflict on the natural world and is increasing every year.

For the time being plastics are a part of human existence. Over the last 60 years civilization has created a legacy of plastic debris that exists in even the most remote and unpopulated shorelines of the planet. Even if we stop all plastic production today, the damage exists and the nature of plastic insures that it will continue to exist for thousands of years.That is unacceptable and we can do something about it.

 Sources of the Debris

It has been reported in the press that 20% of marine plastic comes from ocean activities with 80% originating on land. Regardless of statistics the truth of the matter is WE put it there WE need to clean it up.

We do know that polluted waterways are a major source of marine plastic. As rainwater washes into gutters and storm drains, it carries with it what humans have left behind. In addition to discarded trash there is a dangerous cocktail of chemicals spilling into our oceans; petroleum products from our cars, pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture, manure from stockyards and human waste and pharmaceutical residue from overloaded sewage systems.

Among the many chemical and biological toxins found floating in the ocean, scientists have identified a number of particularly harmful compounds called “persistent organic pollutants” or POPs, and exposure can cause disruption of the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems.

Floating plastics attract POPs from surrounding water like a magnet and accumulate and transport them around the globe in levels up to a million times higher than in surrounding sea water. These are known to be harmful to animals and humans when ingested.

Entanglement

Derelict fishing equipment is also found  in the world’s oceans. Designed to catch and kill fish it presents a lethal obstacle for animals that encounter it.

“Ghost-Nets” stretch for miles and pose navigational hazards to shipping too.

Plastic in the Food Web

As plastic breaks up into smaller pieces it makes its way into the food web. Many animals mistake these small, colorful pieces of plastic for food. The animal’s stomachs fill with plastic, which can’t be digested. These animals slowly starve because they don’t feel hungry.

Seabirds like the Laysan Albatross are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion. Once the animal dies and decomposes the plastic is released to continue causing harm.

Implications for Humanity

Plastic pollution could reach food consumed by humans. There is growing evidence that toxins associated with plastic in the oceans are responsible for human health problems such as cancer, brain, reproductive and cardiovascular damage.

Annual Scores and Rankings

The 2016 Global Ocean Health Index

        The 2016 study assessed the marine waters under national jurisdiction, the coastlines and oceans (out to 200 nautical miles) of all 220 coastal countries and territories. These regions total 40% of the ocean and provide most benefits to people, but also incur most pressures from human activities. The Antarctica and 15 sectors of the High Seas were assessed in 2014, but not this year.

      The overall score, 71 is unchanged from 2015, 2014 and 2012, with a temporary one point rise in 2013. Rapid change in year-to-year global level scores is not expected that quickly.

      The overall score sends a message that the ocean isn’t ‘dying’ as many people may think. However, the score remains far from 100, indicating that marine life would fare better and we would gain more benefits if we used the ocean in more sustainable ways.

Five-YearTrends
      This is the 5th year of measuring global ocean health, and the 5-year global average for all 220 regions is 71 out of 100. Most scores have not changed much from 2012 to 2016.

      An increase in the score for the Lasting Special Places sub-goal likely reflects the designation of new large scale Marine Protected Areas. Slight increases also occurred for the Artisanal Fishing Opportunities goal and Species Condition sub-goal, whereas the Natural Products, Coastal Protection and Clean Waters goal scores appear to be declining.

      The regions with highest average scores during the 5 years from 2012-2016 are Jarvis Island (91), Howland Island and Baker Island (91), Palmyra Atoll (86), Germany (85) and South Georgia and the Sandwich Island (85). The regions with lowest average scores are Guinea (46), Ivory Coast (46), Liberia (45), Sierra Leone (43) and Libya (43).

     Regional level scores rose most quickly in Mozambique, gaining nearly 2.5 points per year, followed by Prince Edward Islands and Samoa that both gained 2.3 points per year. The scores fell most quickly in Eritrea, which lost more than 4 points per year, followed by Estonia and Equatorial Guinea that both lost around 3 points per year.

      Overall scores and individual scores are directly comparable between all regions.  All scores range from 0-100. Percents report annual change. Green represents improvements and red represents decline.

Key Findings

      The 2016 Ocean Health Index scores are available for the same 220 Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) that were measured in 2012-2015. New to the Index in 2014 were scores for the Antarctica and the High Seas.

    The 2016 Ocean Health Index global score for the EEZs is 71 out of 100. Below are a few of the key findings. 

Part 3. Facts About Ocean Pollution

Did You Know? A single quart of motor oil that seeps into the groundwater can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. The world is afflicted with problems, each one more grave than the last. Environmental pollution, global warming, deforestation ... and the list goes on and on. Water pollution, you may think, is just one such problem, but one that is creating havoc and leading to crisis. Can you imagine life without water? Without water, there is no life. If just for that, there is a need to understand―and more importantly, implement―the ways by which water pollution can be prevented. Let us review some of these methods in the following sections.

• Fact 1: Plastic is the most common element that is found in the ocean. It is harmful for the environment as it does not get break down easily and is often considered as food by marine animals.
• Fact 2: The biggest source of pollution in the ocean is directly from land based sources, such as oil, dirt, septic tanks, farms, ranches, motor vehicles, among larger sources. Thousands of tons of waste and trash are dumped into the ocean on a daily basis.
• Fact 3: Over one million seabirds are killed by ocean pollution each year. Three hundred thousand dolphins and porpoises die each year as a result of becoming entangled in discarded fishing nets, among other items. One hundred thousand sea mammals are killed in the ocean by pollution each year.
• Fact 4: Even though much the trash and waste dumped into the ocean is released hundreds of miles away from land, it still washes up on beaches and coastal areas, and affects everything in between. Every marine animal is affected by man-made chemicals released in the water.
• Fact 5: There is an island of garbage twice the size of Texas inside the Pacific Ocean: the North Pacific Gyre off the coast of California is the largest oceanic garbage site in the entire world. There, the number of floating plastic pieces outnumbers total marine life six to one in the immediate vicinity.
• Fact 6: Oil is the fastest source of deterioration to the ocean, being far more harmful than trash and waste. However, only a small percentage of oil (around 12%) dumped in the ocean comes as a result of actual oil spills. Most oil causing harm in the ocean is a result of drainage from land. Oil spills suffocate marine life to death, and leads to behavioral changes and a breakdown in thermal insulation to those that do survive. It essentially changes the entire ecosystem of an affected area, such as a long coastline or deep ocean.
• Fact 7: Toxic metals can destroy the biochemistry, behavior, reproduction, and growth in marine life.
• Fact 8: Plastic debris can absorb toxic chemicals from ocean pollution, therefore poisoning whatever eats it. In fact, plastic pollution is one of the most serious threats to the ocean. Plastic does not degrade; instead, it breaks down into progressively smaller pieces, but never disappears. They then attract more debris. It poses a significant health threat to the various sea creatures, and to the entire marine ecosystem. Overall, plastic is the number one source of pollution in the ocean.
• Fact 9: Not all sources of contamination in the ocean come from just oil, trash and solid wastes. The dumping of radioactive waste from nuclear reactors, industrial race (such as heavy metals and acids), and drained sewage are also heavy contributors to pollution.
• The truth is that billions of tons of litter end up in the ocean each year, and it is substantially more than the 250 million tons of trash generated. This has led to a gradual loss in marine life and an increase in the number of endangered species. Littering causes pollution in the ocean, which also causes a substantial loss of life beneath the seas.
• Fact 10: Sewage leads to the decomposition of organic matter that in turn leads to a change in biodiversity. Even if the ocean’s ecosystem isn’t destroyed entirely, it is still changed drastically, and usually not for the better.

Part 4. Effects on Humans

      Depletion of marine resources is bound to result in shortage of food for humans, but the effects of ocean pollution are not restricted to food shortage alone. Incidentally, we also happen to be a part of the food chain, and it won't be long before the chemicals introduced in this food chain make it to our dining table.

      The adverse effects of eating "toxic seafood" may range from food poisoning to something as serious as birth defects. Seafood is an important constituent of diet for people in coastal areas, and that invariably means almost half of the world's population will be vulnerable to ocean pollution indirectly.

      A relatively new threat for marine species comes in the form of noise pollution in the deep sea. As opposed to light waves, which can only penetrate to a few meters in ocean water, sound waves travel for hundreds of miles. In deep sea, noise pollution is mainly attributed to large vessels (commercial shipping) and air guns used in oil exploration. Of late, military exercises have also come under the scanner for this nuisance; the sonar blasts in particular.

       A subway train produces a noise of 95 decibels, sustained exposure to which can eventually result in hearing loss in humans. At 125 decibels, we experience ear pain, and at 140 decibels, even short-term exposure can lead to hearing loss. An oil tanker plying in these oceans tends to produce a noise of 200 decibels. Imagine the amount of distress it must be causing to marine organisms.

      The effects of ocean pollution that we get to see today are just the tip of the iceberg, and many more ill effects of the same are bound to surface with time. To satiate our craving of development, we have failed to take a note of all the damage that we have been causing to the nature. That isn't quite surprising, as it is basic human nature - we don't realize the seriousness of the issue until and unless it knocks down our own door.

      It's high time we "dump" the traditional approach of dumping waste in the oceans. Let's accept the fact that this approach is based on the principle, 'solution to pollution is dilution', which in itself is faulty, and come up with some stringent measures to tackle this environmental issue.

Part 5. Water Pollution Effects on Animals

       While we humans only feel the harmful consequences of water pollution when we consume contaminated water, go swimming in polluted water sites or make aquatic life forms from polluted water bodies part of our diet, animals are easier victims of the harmful effects of water pollution. While we have the option of treating polluted water to make it safe and drinkable and we can always choose not to bathe in polluted waters or refrain from eating aquatic animals, animals are not capable of resorting to any of these alternatives to escape the toxicity of water that has been contaminated by human and industrial waste. Some common issues faced by animals from pollution and contamination of water by humans are as follows:

      Chemical contaminants carried by industrial wastes kill a lot of smaller aquatic organisms, such as frogs, fish, tadpoles, etc. This, in turn, causes a loss of food source for bigger aquatic creatures, leading them to either consume poisoned, dead fish and perish, or leave their natural habitat to go in search of food in other aquatic quarters. Often, this leads to sickness and death of these animals due to the inability to adapt to changed water temperatures, unfavorable tides, as well as exposure to new predators.

    An excess of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, leads to an increased growth of toxic algae and aquatic plants, that cause poisoning and death in fish and other animals who feed on them.

    Presence of huge quantities of mercury in water has led to a lot of undesirable changes in aquatic species. Too much mercury leads to hormonal imbalances and glandular damage, leading to abnormal behavioral shifts. Also, mercury is a toxic metallic chemical that gives a huge blow to the reproductive functions, growth and development of animals, that are continuously exposed to high doses of it.

     Oil spills that introduce unhealthy amounts of oil into the marine environment also make marine animals sick and lead to their unnatural deaths.

     Dumping solid trash such as plastic, metallic scrap, garbage, etc., may block aquatic channels, and can also cause small animals to get trapped in the debris. Most water-dwelling animals tend to suffocate or drown on being trapped and unable to swim.

    Polluted water used for irrigation also contaminates the soil and the agricultural produce. This may lead to health issues in herbivorous animals who feed on agricultural plants and leftovers.

   These pollutants can radically alter the metabolism of a number of soil-dwelling bacteria and insects, making them perish or unsuitable for consumption by common predators of the local ecosystem.

   Atmospheric pollutants may get mixed with clouds and fall back on earth as acid rain. This toxic  shower is potent enough to inflict mortal injuries to any life form that gets exposed to it.

    These are a few of the most common and prominent repercussions of water pollution on animals. From these points, we can easily see that most animals get hit harder than humans, when water is contaminated. Although huge steps need to be taken on national and industrial levels to arrest this situation before it goes totally out of our hands, individuals can do their small part by refraining from littering beaches and lakes with paper, plastic and other garbage, so that lesser animals make it to the Extinct Species list, and so you can tell your children that the ocean waters still abound in whales, dolphins, turtles, seals, and all those other animals, that are marked as Endangered Species.

Part 6. Small Changes with Big Impacts

     Ocean pollution is a major threat to both marine life and ocean ecosystems. Changes can be made on global and individual scales to make a big impact towards preserving the oceans and saving its marine inhabitants.

Changes to Make at Home

      Some of the best solutions for ocean pollution starts with you. Even if you live in a place that is landlocked, your actions still affect the ocean's health. You've probably heard a lot about adopting a "green" lifestyle. Most of these basic principles also apply to protecting the oceans.

Help Reduce Ground Leaching

      Take these steps to help reduce the amount of chemicals and toxic materials from leaching into the ground and ultimately, the ocean:

•        Reduce your use of fertilizers and avoid using chemical pesticides in your yard.

•        Eat organic whenever possible to help ultimately limit the demand for chemical pesticides.

•        Clean your home with lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar instead of toxic cleaners.

•        Properly dispose of motor oil, light bulbs, medications, and other hazardous items.

Organizations That Protect the Oceans

      Another way to get involved is to donate your time or money to an organization that protects the ocean. There are many organizations dedicated to preventing ocean pollution and cleaning up pollution that has already occurred. Don't just watch television and tear-up over images of oil-slicked birds and trash-covered beaches. Get involved, learn more about pollution solutions, and consider donating your money and your time.

Blue Ocean Society

      The Blue Ocean Society's mission is to protect marine life in the Gulf of Maine, in particular the Humpback and minke whales. The organization educates communities about how human lifestyle choices impact marine life. It also maintains a whale database and sponsors beach clean-ups, underwater lobster trap clean-ups, school programs, and whale watches.

Greenpeace

      Greenpeace is dedicated to conserving oceans and marine life across the globe. Its grassroots efforts have resulted in the ban of destructive fishing practices, companies changing their fishing policies, and the creation of whale sanctuaries. It's currently spearheading an effort to zone approximately 40 percent of the ocean as protected areas.

Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA)

     ORCA is committed to identifying the origins of nonsource ocean pollution and to developing low-cost pollution solutions. It also has a real time camera that provides up to 72 hours of deep sea video to observe marine life and its surroundings.

Oceana

       As an international advocacy organization, Oceana has offices around the globe that work make oceans more biodiverse. They advocate for science-based fishery management and other ocean restoration projects through focused campaigns that influence policy. They also use science to identify ocean threats.

Ocean Conservancy

       This organization was founded in 1972. Its mission is to work with citizens throughout the world to bring about positive change that protects the oceans for future generations. It creates science-based solutions that help limit trash in the sea, encourage sustainable fisheries, reduce ocean acidification, and preserve ocean parks and marine protected areas.

       Oceans are resilient, but not indestructible. If they're to last for generations to come, humans must work together to reduce pollution and its impact. The best way to fight ocean pollution is to educate yourself on its causes and make small changes at home to reduce your carbon footprint. It's never too late to work to improve the ocean's health.

Part 7. My Questionnaire and results

I asked 50 students of the 8th and 9th forms to answer the following questions choosing one option.

1. How much, in your opinion, do you know about ocean pollution?

2. Does the problem of ocean pollution worry you?

3. How much does water pollution influence sea animals and birds?

4. Should people pay attention to the problem of ocean pollution?

5. Seven things you can do. Put the ideas in the order of importance.

Part 8. Conclusion

      Water pollution is one of the biggest threats to the environment today. There are several sources of water pollution ranging from sewage and fertilizers to soil erosion. The impact of water pollution on wildlife and their natural habitat can be immense. While it may seem like preventing water pollution can be an overwhelming subject to tackle, there are also a number of things that the average person can do to help stop water pollution.

The results of my questionnaire show that students in 8th and 9th grades are informed about the problem of ocean pollution. They are worried about the problem. Also students understand the influence of pollution on sea animals and birds. Fortunately, my peers think that people should pay attention to the problem of ocean pollution. Most of them say that the best way to solve this problem is to think of your own plastic habits.

      While water pollution solutions may seem like too little, too late when viewed in the light of major oil spills and floating plastic bag islands they are necessary to prevent these problems from growing worse. Simply slowing down the rate of pollution can give the environment and scientists time to find long-term solutions to the very real problems of water pollution. If you do your part to prevent pollution in your area, then you'll be helping to protect water for both yourself and everything else that relies upon this precious resource.

     In my opinion, people should try to solve this problem as soon as possible!

Part 9. Resources

1. https://cleanoceansinternational.org/plastic-to-fuel/#
2. http://www.oceanhealthindex.org/methodology/components/trash-pollution
3. http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-ocean-pollution-facts.php
4. http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/explore/pristine-seas/critical-issues-marine-pollution/
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_pollution
6. http://www.cleanwater.org/problem-marine-plastic-pollution
7. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pollution.html
8. http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/our-precious-coasts/page/1292.aspx
9. http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/pollution/
10. https://images.google.ru/?gws_rd=ssl