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Marine Pollution And Its Effects On The Marine Environment

Decent Essays

THE EFFECT OF SHIPPING ON THE ENVIRONMENT: Shipping comprises about 90 percent of world trade by volume, contributing approximately twelve percent of the total marine pollution arising from human activities on the ocean. The shipping operations and associated port activities that have been identified as having the greatest potential impact on the marine environment are: Pollution has an effect on: a) Entire marine ecosystems b) Public health c) Our marine resources (fisheries, tourism and shipping costs) Marine pollution can take many forms, such as: Oil spills from routine activities or accidental incidents; Oil poisons marine life, and oil slicks keep sunlight from penetrating the ocean’s water, killing plants and damaging the entire marine ecosystem. Disposal of marine debris; Plastics thrown into the sea can stay there for many years and harm marine life. A huge number of marine animals die every year from either ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic trash. Garbage can also threaten ships and raise costs when it becomes trapped on propellers and in seawater intakes. Spills of hazardous materials including chemical and radioactive materials; When released into the oceans, chemicals used in the shipping industry (sometimes referred to as chemical runoff) can cause harm to marine life as well as to maritime workers. Disposal of waste materials and sewage; Sewage contains chemicals that alter the marine environment, causing some marine life to die and other marine

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