Major water pollution problems affecting salty water biomes Ocean pollution Major water pollution problems affecting salty water biomes

Coastal areas are greatest affected Wetlands, estuaries, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps About 40% of the world’s population lives on or near coastlines—projected to double by 2050 2006 study by unep (un environment programme) 80% of marine pollution originates on land 80-90% of municipal sewage from coastal areas of less developed countries is dumped into the ocean WIthough treatment This overwhelms the ability of the coastal area to break down biodegradables 2013 Quigdao, China algal bloom

Risks to human health Recent studies of us coastal waters have found vast colonies of viruses thriving in raw sewage and in effluents from treatment plants A quarter of people using coastal us beaches develop ear infections, sore throats, eye irritations, respiratory disease, and gastrointestinal disease from swimming in sea water containing infectious viruses and bacteria

LONDON DUMPING ACT – 1972 DREDGE SPOILS- materials from bottoms of harbors and rivers – often contain toxic metals etc. LONDON DUMPING ACT – 100 countries agreed not to dump highly toxic pollutants and radioactive wastes in the open sea

Cruise ships A cruise liner can carry as many as 3,600 passengers and 1,500 crewmembers Generates as much waste as a small city Many ships dump these wastes at sea (illegal in us)

43 occur in US waters

Oxygen depletion in the northern gulf of Mexico 3rd largest O-D zone How can we prevent this?

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Ocean pollution from oil Crude petroleum and refined petroleum are accidentally or deliberately released Released during normal operation of offshore wells Washing tankers and releasing oil water Pipelines and storage tank leaks 37% is waste oil, dumped, spilled, or leaked onto land or into sewers by cities and industries (people changing their own motor oil) Good news—since mid-1980s oil tanker accidents are down by 75% and oil leaks from industry and cities dropped nearly 90% About 10% comes from atmosphere from smoke from oil fires

What are the effects? VOCs kill at once Other chemicals coat feathers and fur – animals lose natural insulation and buoyancy and drown or die from hypothermia Some smothers bottom dwellers and kills them or makes them unfit for human consumption Populations of marine life can recover… From crude oil in warm waters with rapid currents within 3 years In cold and calm waters, full recovery can take decades In estuaries and salt marshes, it can take 10-20 years longer

Cleanup methods MECHANICAL METHODS: FLOATING BOOMS SKIMMER BOATS ABSORBENT PADS CHEMICAL METHODS: COAGULATING AGENTS - CLUMP DISPERSING AGENTS – BREAK UP SLICKS

Problem with dispersants Corexit is a product line of oil dispersants Used during the bp oil spill—air dropped and injected near well-head Causes the oil floating on top of the water to emulsify and sink to the bottom Theoretically allows bacteria to more easily degrade oil

Off-brand use

Problem with dispersants