Marine Pollution – The Various Causes

Don't you just love to fish, swim and row a boat in a river? Don't you want your children and grand children to experience the freedom of sailing on the vast oceans? Don't you think you should take the responsibility to curb marine pollution? Well, to do so you must stop polluting the deep sea waters yourself unthinkingly!

Marine Pollution is the same as ocean pollution. Anyone who uses the oceans for commercial or recreational purposes must make sure that no pollutants are released in the waters and they remain clean. However, the scenario of pollution on the shore is noticeable. Imagine how much pollution there must be in the deep seas, if the coastal areas are so visibly dirty!

What were once known to be beautiful river banks, beaches, and lake shores have become no more than garbage dumps now. The washed up garbage has created an unpleasant sight for the eyes and a stench for the nose!

There are various contributory factors that have led to this bothersome condition. Did you know that even though oil spillage is considered to be one of the major forms of marine pollution, it is the land-based pollution that accounts for the majority of marine pollution! Sewage, garbage, and chemicals have elevated this threat even further.

Substances such as grease, herbicides, petrol, pesticides and oils, and even solvents such as paint strippers, once poured down toilets and sinks prove to be difficult to remove during the process of sewage treatment. This causes pollution in local waterways.

Litter is another major problem that has increased marine pollution. Footpaths and gutters give way to litter which passes through storm-water drains into the ocean. Howsoever, even though the amount of litter from these sources is considerable, the major portion of the garbage still comes from trawlers, yachts, ships, and various other marine crafts, that pollute sea water directly.

You must already be knowing that not all materials are biodegradable and not all items that we throw away as waste into the sea is recyclable naturally. These non-recyclable, non- biodegradable waste materials don't just vanish into thin air! Neither do they decay or disappear. As a matter of fact, their last destination is the ocean. They prove to be potentially harmful to the human race and marine life in the long run.

In fact, the garbage disposed by you may even create an impossible place for marine creatures to live in!

The major cause of marine pollution is the entry of chemicals into the ocean. These toxic chemicals when ingested by marine creatures, kills them. You don't want all the beautiful creatures of the sea to die of poisoning, do you? Then why not take a significant step towards making a pollution-free ocean. Don't pollute!