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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 43 occur in US waters

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

8. Great Pacific Garbage Patch

11. 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

12. 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 years longer

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

15. 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

16. Off-brand use

17. Problem with dispersants