Human Impact on Ocean
Most people may not realise that humans are the only biotic factor with the ability and desire to deliberately alter their environment. Some of the human impacts on the ocean include:
Sewage run-off causes the introduction of diseases and chemicals such as heavy metals and carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer) into our oceans. Through consumption of diseased marine life we our putting ourselves at risk of dying.
Rubbish is causing marine animals, such as turtles and , to die after consuming them. This rubbish is not able to be degraded and that causes them to die because they cannot eat any more and they're not receiving the necessary nutrients.
When there are storms that have heavy rain, the rain washes down the storm water drains. What else goes down the drain with it? All the rubbish that lies on our streets and kerbs. This runs off into rivers and then proceeds to flow to the ocean where it eventually joins the millions of other pieces of rubbish in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Oil spills are one of the most catastrophic sources of pollution in our oceans. After the 2006 BP oil spill that is the largest in history, nine years later and the spill hasn't even completely been cleaned. The oil causes the bird's feathers to stick together meaning the birds cannot fly and escape the oil. It sticks to fish gills affecting the food chain and poisons animals and plants in the water.
Fertilisers and pesticides increase plankton and bacteria levels in the ocean. Chemicals like petrol and oil are toxic to marine animals and plants alike and can put species onto the brink of extinction
- Sewage
Sewage run-off causes the introduction of diseases and chemicals such as heavy metals and carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer) into our oceans. Through consumption of diseased marine life we our putting ourselves at risk of dying.
- Rubbish
Rubbish is causing marine animals, such as turtles and , to die after consuming them. This rubbish is not able to be degraded and that causes them to die because they cannot eat any more and they're not receiving the necessary nutrients.
- Storm drain and river run-off
When there are storms that have heavy rain, the rain washes down the storm water drains. What else goes down the drain with it? All the rubbish that lies on our streets and kerbs. This runs off into rivers and then proceeds to flow to the ocean where it eventually joins the millions of other pieces of rubbish in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
- Oil spills
Oil spills are one of the most catastrophic sources of pollution in our oceans. After the 2006 BP oil spill that is the largest in history, nine years later and the spill hasn't even completely been cleaned. The oil causes the bird's feathers to stick together meaning the birds cannot fly and escape the oil. It sticks to fish gills affecting the food chain and poisons animals and plants in the water.
- Fertiliser and pesticide run-off
Fertilisers and pesticides increase plankton and bacteria levels in the ocean. Chemicals like petrol and oil are toxic to marine animals and plants alike and can put species onto the brink of extinction
- Mercury pollution