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What Are the Dangers of Marine Pollution? - Coggle Diagram
What Are the Dangers of Marine Pollution?
Marine Wildlife
As many species of marine wildlife are driven to extinction, many potential sources of medical ingredients and research are lost.
It is common for marine animals to get tangled in trash such as discarded nets which causes them to lose their ability to swim to the surface for air.
Due to various forms of pollution, many marine species have been driven to extinction (or close to it), resulting in a decline in biodiversity.
Microplastics that end up in the ocean and other waterways can be lethal to the marine wildlife if ingested.
As one species of marine wildlife is driven to extinction, the entire ecosystem is threatened as a crucial link of the food chain is removed. (If prey is too little, the predators starve, but if the predators are too little, then the number of prey grows to an unsustainable amount).
Coastal Tourism and the Economy
As the ocean is polluted, garbage often washes up on beaches which ruins the attractive scenery and can deter tourism.
As tourist rates decline, the economies of coastal regions suffer due to losing the revenue that they depend on.
According to studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency, the tourism industry lose approximately $1 billion every year
Property value has been known to decrease in areas heavily affected by water pollution due to the unappealing sight of pollution and algae blooms as well as the accompanying odor.
Harmful algae blooms can release airborne toxins that can damage coastal structure (especially those made of limestone and marble).
Climate Change
The plastics that end up in the ocean interfere with the ocean's natural ability to absorb carbon emissions which only hastens climate change.
Microplastics in the ocean are harmful to creatures known as "zooplankton" which are vital to absorption of carbon. Without these creatures, carbon levels will rise and contribute to the speed of global warming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhvu8p-IAZE
According to research done by the UN, the ocean is responsible for absorbing roughly 90% of the heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions.
Human Health
Due to pollutants, drinking water can become contaminated resulting in illnesses in those who drink it.
Swimming in water that has been contaminated can result in severe illnesses that can even be life threatening.
Chemical runoff can result in the growth of algae that is toxic to humans and marine animals alike.
There is a correlation between ocean acidification and the aerosolization of natural toxins which are harmful to our health.
Ocean acidification that results from heavy pollution can result in long-term health defects in people that are exposed to it due to the promoted growth of harmful bacteria and algae.
Food Safety
Water pollution can reduce the population of species of marine wildlife that are popular food sources resulting in a scarcity of available seafood.
Heavy metals can contaminate fish that are caught for food and end up in the food we eat.
Cattle and other livestock can ingest polluted water and contract illnesses that can affect the resulting food products.
Polluted water may be used on crops and result in low levels of toxicity.
Microplastics that end up in the sea can be swallowed by fish resulting in microplastics in our seafood.
Polluted water can be toxic enough to kill off plants and lead to a severe drop in food production.
