If there is one thing that we can say about our oceans, it is none other than the fact that they’re so massive and deep. Because of its gigantic size, it’s assumed that there’s no amount of chemicals and trash dumped to it that will create a significant or notable impact to it.
Truth is, ocean water does cover over 70% of the planet. Just in past several years, we begin to see and understand how humans are negatively impacting it.
Before 1972, sewage sludge, radioactive, industrial and chemical waste as well as trash have been dumped to ocean waters, which taint its purity. Furthermore, millions of chemical contaminants and heavy metals together with thousands of containers on radioactive waste were thrown on purpose into ocean.
If this practice will not be stopped, the consequences can be detrimental not just in marine mammals but also, to humans. Don’t believe it? Let us discuss some of the pollutions that we are actually causing our oceans and its impact.
Chemical pollution
This introduces harmful contaminants in our marine life. Some of the common engineered pollutants that were thrown either purposefully or unintentionally are herbicides, detergents, fertilizers, pesticides, oil, sewage and industrial chemicals.
Light pollution
Since the time that light bulbs were invented, it has been embraced by the world which reaches virtually every ecosystem. Frequently considered as a terrestrial problem, scientists begin to understand and realize how artificial light, especially at night is affecting various marine life.
Light pollution is penetrating underwater and creating a totally different world for fish that lives in shallow waters. Light is disrupting the normal cues that are associated with the circadian rhythms to which marine species adjusted their migration, feeding and reproduction.
Noise Pollution
If you think that noise pollution is only linked to land like the engine noise created by USPS trucks, airplanes, people talking and so forth, then you better think it over again. In big bodies of water, sound waves could carry undiminished miles. The persistent sounds from ships, oil rigs, sonar devices and so on is disrupting natural noises in marine environment too.