Writing assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Writing assignment - Essay Example With the many possible sources of ocean pollution, there exist myriad of adverse effects with prevention calling for collaborative efforts among governments, international community and individuals. The first form of ocean pollution is oil pollution. As noted by WWF, 12% of ocean oil pollution emanates from oil spills with 36% attributed to runoffs from cities and industries. The oil from down the drain contributes to ocean oil pollution the greatest, emitting 363 million gallons of oil per year according to Gradwohl. Other sources include natural seeps, offshore drilling, routine maintenance and big spills. Although oil-covered sea animals would be covered from cold by the oil as documented by Miller and Spoolman, they face adverse health effects including reproductive complications and liver diseases due to swallowing of oil which threatens their survival (267). This form of pollution kills ocean life including mangroves and coral reefs with intertidal zones noted to be the most sensitive. Thus, cleanups have been embraced by various governments to curb the problem. As NASA documents, the 1983 United Nations treaty, MARPOL (MARine POLlution) brings together the international community to reduce operational and accidental oil spillages. Individually, people should be encouraged to avoid dumping oil and oil-based waste into oceans. Secondly, there are toxic materials dumped into oceans. Slowly degrading chemicals and metals settle on the floor of the ocean, accumulating and becoming hazardous to organisms living at the bottom of the ocean. Eventually, such toxins could enter the food web, contaminating sea animals that are a source of human food. Beard cites mercury, dioxin and radioactive substances released from industries, agricultural practice, gardening and household activities among others as some of the toxins (280). Gradwohl further notes that almost 1,000 new toxins get added to the ocean every year. Digging out