KANYA MAHA VIDYALAYA

Report

On

Marine Pollution

Submitted By:
Harshdeep Kaur
B.Voc. (Retail Management) IV
Roll No: 23111800014
 WHAT IS MARINE POLLUTION?

Marine pollution is the contamination of oceans, seas, and other saltwater bodies
by harmful substances that damage marine life, water quality, and ecosystems.
These substances can come from land-based sources like factories, farms, and
cities, or from ocean-based sources like ships and oil rigs.

Pollutants include plastic waste, oil spills, sewage, chemicals, and agricultural
runoff. For example, plastic bags can be mistaken for food by sea turtles, causing
them to choke. Oil spills coat the bodies of fish and birds, making it hard for them
to move or breathe. Chemical fertilizers from farms lead to algal blooms, which
reduce oxygen in the water and kill fish.

Marine pollution affects not only marine animals and plants but also humans,
especially those who rely on the ocean for food, jobs, or tourism. It is a major
global problem that requires urgent action to keep our oceans clean and healthy.

• Plastics (like bottles, bags, and microplastics)

• Oil spills
• Chemicals from factories
• Pesticides and fertilizers from farms
• Untreated sewage
• Industrial waste
• Noise pollution from ships and underwater drilling
These pollutants can:

• Harm marine animals by poisoning them or getting stuck in their bodies

• Destroy habitats like coral reefs and mangroves
• Affect human health through seafood contamination

TYPES OF MARINE POLLUTION

1. Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is one of the most common and visible types of marine
pollution. It includes items like plastic bags, bottles, straws, packaging, and
fishing nets. These plastics do not decompose easily and can remain in the
ocean for hundreds of years. Marine animals such as turtles, seabirds, and
fish often mistake plastic for food, which can lead to choking, internal
injury, or death. Floating plastics can also block sunlight, affecting
photosynthesis in marine plants.

2. Oil Pollution

Oil pollution occurs when oil spills or leaks from ships, oil rigs, or pipelines
enter the ocean. The oil forms a layer on the water’s surface, which blocks
oxygen and sunlight from reaching marine life. Birds and marine mammals
get coated in oil, which affects their ability to move, keep warm, or fly. A
major example is the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of
Mexico, which caused massive damage to marine ecosystems and wildlife.

3. Chemical Pollution

This type of pollution involves harmful chemicals being released into the
ocean from industries, mining, and factories. These include heavy metals
like mercury, arsenic, and lead, as well as toxic pesticides and cleaning
agents. These chemicals can poison marine life and accumulate in the food
chain, eventually reaching humans who consume seafood. Long-term
exposure can lead to serious health issues like cancer and brain damage.

4. Sewage Pollution

Sewage pollution happens when untreated or poorly treated human and

animal waste is dumped into the sea. This waste contains harmful bacteria,
viruses, and chemicals that pollute the water and spread disease among
both marine animals and humans. It also promotes the growth of harmful
algae, which consume oxygen in the water, making it difficult for marine
life to survive.

5. Agricultural Runoff (Nutrient Pollution)

When fertilizers and pesticides used in farming are washed into rivers by
rain, they eventually flow into the sea. The nutrients, especially nitrogen
and phosphorus, cause overgrowth of algae, known as algal blooms. These
blooms block sunlight and deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating
“dead zones” where no marine life can survive. This greatly affects fish and
shellfish populations.

6. Marine Dumping

Marine dumping refers to the intentional disposal of waste materials into

the ocean. This includes construction debris, old ships, chemicals, and even
radioactive materials. Although many countries have laws against this,
illegal dumping still occurs and severely affects marine habitats.

7. Noise Pollution

Noise pollution in the ocean is caused by ships, underwater drilling, and

sonar systems. Many marine animals, such as whales and dolphins, rely on
sound for communication, navigation, and finding food. Loud noises can
disorient them, cause stress, and even lead to death. In some cases, noise
pollution has led to mass strandings of whales.

8. Thermal Pollution

Thermal pollution occurs when industries and power plants discharge

heated water into the sea. This raises the temperature of the surrounding
water, which can reduce oxygen levels and affect the survival of
temperature-sensitive species like corals, fish, and plankton.

9. Radioactive Pollution

Radioactive pollution is caused by the release of radioactive substances

into the ocean, usually from nuclear power plants or accidental leaks. These
radioactive materials can remain dangerous for decades and affect marine
life at the genetic level, causing mutations, diseases, and reproductive
 failure. A well-known case is the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in
2011.

10. Light Pollution

Artificial lights near coastal areas interfere with the natural behavior of
marine species. For example, sea turtle hatchlings rely on moonlight to find
their way to the ocean, but bright lights from buildings and streets confuse
them, leading them away from the sea and increasing their chances of
dying.

IMPACT OF MARINE POLLUTION ON HUMAN HAELTH

Marine pollution can harm human health in several ways:

 1. Contaminated Seafood – Fish and shellfish can eat plastic or absorb toxic
chemicals. When people eat this seafood, they may get sick from harmful
substances like mercury or microplastics.
2. Dirty Water – Polluted seawater can cause skin infections, stomach
problems, or serious diseases if people swim in it or use it for drinking.
3. Air Pollution from the Sea – Some chemicals from the ocean can enter
the air and cause breathing problems for people living near the coast.
4. Spread of Disease – Sewage and waste in the ocean can carry bacteria and
viruses that make people sick.

In short: Marine pollution can make food and water unsafe, cause illness, and
increase the risk of infections.

1. Harms Marine Animals

Pollution like plastic, oil, and chemicals can kill sea animals.

Fish, turtles, dolphins, and birds may eat plastic by mistake.

Oil spills cover animals in thick oil, making it hard for them to move or
breathe.

2. Destroys Coral Reefs

Pollution makes the water dirty and warmer.

Coral reefs get sick or die, and many fish lose their homes.

3. Poisons the Water

Chemicals and sewage in the water are toxic.

They reduce oxygen levels, making it hard for fish and other animals to
survive. Algal blooms caused by pollution can create “dead zones” where
nothing can live.

4. Affects the Food Chain

• Small fish eat polluted food. Bigger fish eat those fish.
• The poison travels up the food chain—even reaching humans.
5. Damages Beaches and Coastal Areas Garbage

and oil wash up on the shore.

This makes beaches dirty and unsafe for people and wildlife.
Tourism and fishing industries suffer.

6. Reduces Biodiversity

Pollution causes many species to get sick or die.

The number of different animals and plants in the ocean goes down.

IMPACTS OF MARINE POLLUTION ON THE

ENVIRONMENT
1. Harms Sea Animals
– Fish, turtles, and whales can eat plastic or get stuck in it and die.
2. Destroys Coral Reefs
– Chemicals and oil spills damage coral reefs, which are homes for many
sea creatures.
3. Kills Marine Plants
 – Pollution blocks sunlight and stops plants in the ocean from growing.
4. Creates Dead Zones
– Too much waste causes areas with no oxygen where nothing can live.
5. Spreads Diseases
– Dirty water carries harmful germs that affect both sea life and humans. 6.
Damages Beaches
– Trash and oil make beaches dirty and unsafe for people and animals.

HOW CAN WE REDUCE POLLUTIONS’ IMPACT?

Reducing the impact of pollution on coral reefs requires both individual and
collective action. Here’s how we can make a difference:

1. Reduce Plastic Use – Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers instead of
single-use plastics. Avoid plastic straws and cutlery. Support bans or taxes
on plastic bags and packaging.

2. Proper Waste Disposal – Dispose of garbage responsibly—never litter or

dump waste into rivers, oceans, or streets. Participate in or organize beach
clean-up drives. Recycle plastics, metals, and paper.
3. Treat Sewage and Industrial Waste – Support and implement better
sewage treatment plants. Enforce strict laws on industries to treat chemical
waste before release.

4. Control Agricultural Runoff – Use eco-friendly fertilizers and pesticides.

Implement soil conservation and buffer zones near water bodies. Promote
organic farming.

5. Reduce Oil Spills and Chemical Discharges – Improve safety standards

for oil drilling and shipping. Use better leak prevention technologies.
Respond quickly to clean spills.

6. Raise Awareness and Education – Educate communities about marine

pollution effects. Promote campaigns against littering and for ocean
conservation. Encourage responsible tourism.

7. Support Marine Protected Areas – Advocate for protected zones with

limited human activity. Preserve critical habitats like coral reefs and
mangroves.

8. Reduce Noise Pollution – Regulate ship speeds and promote quieter

technologies. Protect sensitive areas from drilling and sonar use.
 CONCLUSION

Marine pollution remains one of the most urgent environmental challenges of

our time, threatening marine biodiversity, food security, human health, and
coastal livelihoods. The widespread presence of plastics, oil residues, and
chemical contaminants in oceans underscores the critical need for immediate
and coordinated action. Combating marine pollution calls for a multifaceted
approach—enforcing stricter environmental regulations, advancing waste
management technologies, strengthening international cooperation, and
fostering community participation. Protecting the oceans is not only an
environmental necessity but also a shared responsibility essential for ensuring
a sustainable future for all life on Earth.