Plastic Pollution Introduction
Plastic pollution has gained media attention recently, mostly focused on 'garbage patches'. While these are real, and caused by ocean currents and winds, a major issue is microplastics. While many plastic production companies claim their plastic degrades, this is not a reality. Microplastics are small bits of plastic which have broken down in the oceans, and are consistantly eaten by animals, and are changing the chemical composition of the ocean. Both types of ocean pollution are dangerous, and as pollution and plastic breakdown continues, microplastics will become more abundant. The issue with microplastics is that there is currently no technology to remove them, and they are often too small to be filtered out. Below are introductions to more prevalent ocean issues and news article links.
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Ocean AcidificationThe oceans are often referred to as a 'carbon sink' due to their chemical nature to absorb carbon dioxide. More than a quarter of CO2 produced by burning fossil fuels each year is absorbed, which changes the chemistry and composition of the oceans, making them more acidic. The acidity of water makes it difficult for animals such as hermit crabs to grow shells, which they rely on for protection. Laboratory studies have shown that increased acidity also makes it difficult for animals orientation. For example, it has been found that in acidic conditions, it is harder for clownfish to sense predators, and makes it more difficult for sharks to hunt their prey. The acidic conditions also break down coral skeletons, and is destroying reefs, which are the home for many animals. It is estimated that carbon pollution is causing oceans to acidify faster than they have in 300 million years.
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Ocean WarmingAs global warming is worsening, it is having a dramatic effect on the oceans. Due to characteristics of water, the oceans take time to heat up, but also hold heat for a very long time. As our oceans are rising in temperature, it is having dramatic effects on the ecosystems, but especially on corals. Corals are made up of polyps, which are an animal which work in a mutualistic relationship with zooplankton. Corals require these zooxanthellae, which provide them with food through photosynthesis, and give coral their colors. As temperatures rise, the zooplankton are killed, leaving the corals with just skeletons, making them white, and no food source. This is the process of coral bleaching, and it is leaving many animals without a home. There is also research that supports the theory that as global warming worsens, the ocean will become a source of carbon pollution rather than a sink.
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Noise PollutionNoise pollution is an incredibly important issue that does not receive much recognition. Many ocean animals such as whales and dolphins use sound to communicate, and main source of orientation and navigation, as their vision is often not as good as their hearing capabilities. This issue is also causing immense stress to the animals, and irreversible hearing damage. There are generally two types of noise pollution: chronic (long term, often caused by ships, boats, and aquaculture) and acute (often louder, generally caused by actions like air guns for exploration for oil and gas). The main noise pollutants are underwater acoustic communication networks, military sonar, seismic airgun surveys, seafloor oil and gas processing, shipping noise, remotely operated vessel communications, commercial and recreational transportation, air guns, aquaculture, and more.
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