Plato once said “the sea cures all ailments of man.” Covering about 71% of Earth’s surface, the ocean is a crucial part of this world and the life inhabiting it. Despite this, the world’s oceans remain largely a mystery to us. However, as we learn more and more about it with each passing day, the threat we pose to it and its aquatic habitats is significant. As our technology develops and as we become more aware of our actions, we have come to realize the drastic impacts of our activities on the oceans and its biodiversity. Did you know that more than 80% of marine pollution is a result of activities that happen on land? In this blog, I hope that we can address some of these issues and look at ways to reduce our impact on oceans and aquatic life.
Threats
Climate Change and its Affects
- Rising ocean surface temperatures. Over the past 100 years, the temperature of the ocean surface has increased by an average of 0.13 ℉ each decade. However, over the past 30 years, it has risen drastically, more than any other years recorded. As surface temperatures rise, the water begins to vaporize much more rapidly, leading to more frequent and extreme storms. In addition, as the temperature of water increases, its capacity to hold oxygen decreases. This kills many aquatic animals and further threatens biodiversity. Not only that but aquatic habitats are threatened as a result of higher temperatures. Coral reefs are damaged and the food chain is impacted from the smallest organisms to the largest.
- Rising sea levels. Since 1993, the ocean levels have been increasing at a rate that is double the long-term trend. This is because as surface water heats up more rapidly due to climate change, it expands, leading to higher sea levels. In addition, increasing temperatures are causing more and more glaciers and ice sheets to melt faster than usual, further contributing to increased sea levels. Not only has this impacted the oceans, but it has led to more flooding in coastal areas. The picture on right shows a demonstration of how drastically sea levels could change over the years.
- Ocean acidification. The oceans are absorbing more and more carbon dioxide due to increased levels of this greenhouse gas found in our atmosphere. When this is mixed with water, it creates carbonic acid, lowering the pH and creating a higher acid concentration in oceans. As a result, calcium carbonate found in oceans decreases, making it harder for oysters, clams, and coral to form shells or skeletons.
Other Threats
- Plastic pollution. More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are making their way into the ocean. Every single day, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is growing. For every pound of tuna that is fished out of the ocean, we are putting in two pounds of plastic instead. These are a few facts that are occurring in today’s world and in my opinion, are scary. We need to work together to ensure that no aquatic animals are harmed or dying because of plastic pollution.
- Overfishing. Fish such as bluefish tuna were once extremely common, however, they are now becoming endangered. As a result of overfishing, the ocean is beginning to lose its biodiversity. Furthermore, restaurants and seafood markets have contributed to this issue further by selling endangered seafood species on a regular basis. About “31.4% of fish stocks are either fished to capacity or overfished,” according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. This shows the drastic impact overfishing can have on the biodiversity of the ocean. The picture on rights shows how large the quantity of fish removed from the ocean during commercial fishing can be.
- Oil spills. Tanker spills wreak havoc on aquatic habitats. However, did you know that American water-sewage treatment plants release twice as much oil than tanker spills each year? Oil spills are extremely harmful, especially in the water. When an oil spill occurs in the ocean, this oil can travel far and cover beaches in oil. In addition, they can harm and kill many organisms in or near the ocean by coating their wings, for example.
- Pesticides. Pesticides along with other nutrients used in farming can run off into bodies of water, such as the ocean. As a result, oxygen levels decrease and many aquatic plants and shellfish die.
- Invasive species. Invasive species such cholera, algae, and many others have entered oceans and disturbed the balance of many aquatic habitats.
Ways to Help
There are countless ways that we can protect our oceans and the organisms that live inside. A few include:
- Creating marine parks that protect aquatic life and their biodiversity
- Preventing poor fishing practices, such as trawling
- Reducing waste
- Preventing the use of military sonar which can hurt or kill whales and other marine mammals
- Choosing sustainable seafood options
- Reducing our carbon footprints by using buses and trains more often, putting on warm clothing instead of turning up the thermostat, making sure to turn the light off when not in use, etc.
- Conserving water
- Buying products that have not harmed marine animals. Do not buy jewelry made using coral, for example.
- Try not to use single-use plastics, such as plastic straws
- When visiting the beach, make sure that nothing is left behind so that no waste ends up in or near the oceans
- Support organizations that are working to protect the oceans
- Be responsible in the water. When kayaking, boating, snorkeling, etc., make sure to not disturb or harm any marine life.
- Educate yourself!
That’s it! Thank you for taking the time to read through this blog. Hopefully, I have helped you learn something new and inspired you to make a small change in your day to day life to protect the oceans and the animals that live within it. Remember, even a small change can make a big difference, especially when compounded!
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