Final Podcast

Marine life is greatly affected by human activities such as sewage entry, oil spills, and plastic pollution. Sewage in the oceans can lead to harmful algal blooms and dead zones, while introducing toxins into the marine food chain. Oil spills have catastrophic consequences, suffocating and poisoning marine organisms, damaging habitats like mangrove forests and coral reefs. Plastic pollution causes entanglement and ingestion by marine animals, leading to injuries, starvation, and death. Microplastics also accumulate in the food chain, causing reproductive issues and health problems. Addressing these issues requires changes in behavior, waste management, and regulations. We all have a responsibility to protect marine life and the health of our planet. Hi there. My name is Sydney Blau, and I'm here to talk a little bit about the impacts marine life is experiencing that mainly comes from human activities, such as sewage entry into the oceans, oil spills, and plastic pollution, which form the top three oceanic pollutants destroying the marine ecosystems. Today I'm going to dive deeper into these pressing issues and bring to light many of the small factors each of us, yes, both you and I, have in the world and how together we can bring awareness to our ocean friends. The first pollutant I'm going to talk about is sewage entry into the oceans. One of the primary threats to marine life is the entry of sewage into oceans and other bodies of water. Sewage, which contains a variety of pollutants, including harmful chemicals, pathogens, nutrients, and other contaminants, can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems. When untreated or inadequately treated, sewage enters the ocean. It can lead to the rapid proliferation of harmful algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels in the water in what we call, quote unquote, dead zones, where marine life cannot survive. These dead zones are deprived of the dissolved oxygen necessary for the survival of most marine organisms, leading to mass die-offs and the collapse of local ecosystems. Additionally, sewage can introduce a wide range of toxic substances into the marine food chain, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and pharmaceutical residue. These toxic substances can accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms, particularly at higher tropic levels, posing severe health risks not only to the affected marine life, but also to humans who consume contaminated seafood, just like you and me. Exposure to these pollutants has been linked to a range of adverse effects, including reproductive abnormalities, developmental disorders, and an increased risk of certain cancers. The excess nutrients found in sewage, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can contribute to the overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants, leading to eutrophication. This process can deplete oxygen levels and block sunlight from reaching deeper waters, ultimately disrupting the entire marine ecosystem. In extreme cases, eutrophication can result in the formation of hypoxide or anoxide zones, where oxygen levels are too low to support most forms of marine life. The next pollutant I'm going to cover is oil spills. Oil spills are another significant threat to marine life, with potentially catastrophic consequences for entire ecosystems. These spills can occur due to various reasons, including accidents during transportation, leaks from offshore drilling operations, or even deliberate dumping of oil into the ocean. When oil enters the marine environment, it can rapidly spread and form thick slicks that cover vast areas of the ocean's surfaces. These slicks not only prevent the dissolution of oxygen into the water, but they also block sunlight from penetrating the depths, disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. The impact of oil spills on marine life is far-reaching and can lead to the death of countless organisms, ranging from microscopic plankton, which form the base of the marine food chain, to larger animals like seabirds, fish, and marine mammals. Oil can suffocate these creatures by coating their gills or feathers, or it can be ingested, leading to the toxic poisoning and internal injuries. Additionally, the long-run effects of oil exposure can impair an organism's ability to reproduce, further threatening the survival of entire species. Oil spills can have a long-lasting and devastating effect on coastal habitats that serve as vital nurseries for many marine species. Mangrove forests, for instance, which provide essential breeding and feeding grounds for numerous fish and other species, can be severely impacted by oil contamination. The oil can smother the mangrove roots, hindering their ability to absorb oxygen and nutrients, ultimately leading to the destruction of these critical ecosystems. Similarly, coral reefs, which are often referred to as the quote-unquote rainforests of the sea, due to their rich biodiversity, are particularly vulnerable to oil spills. The toxic compounds in oil can disrupt the delicate symbiotic relationships between corals and their algal partners, leading to the coral bleaching and eventual death. This can have cascading effects on the countless species that rely on coral reefs for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. In addition to the immediate impacts, oil spills can have long-term consequences for marine ecosystems, as the oil can persist in the environment for years or even decades. This can lead to chronic exposure and accumulation of toxic compounds in the tissues of marine organisms, potentially affecting multiple generations and impeding the recovery of affected populations. The third and final pollutant I'm going to be discussing is plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is a pervasive and increasingly concerning issue for marine life, with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. Plastic debris, ranging from tiny microplastics to larger items like bottles, bags, and discarded fishing gear, finds its way into oceans and waterways through various sources, including improper waste disposal, littering, and industrial activities. Even remote and seemingly pristine environments are not spared from this, as plastic pollution has been found in the deepest ocean trenches, in the most isolated Arctic and Antarctic regions. One of the most visible and heartbreaking impacts of plastic pollution is the entanglement of marine animals in plastic debris. Seals, whales, dolphins, and countless other marine creatures can become trapped in abandoned fishing nets, plastic rings, or other discarded items, leading to severe injuries, restricting mobility, and often a slow and agonizing death from starvation or drowning. These entanglements not only cause immense suffering, but also disrupt entire ecosystems by removing key predators of prey species. Many marine organisms, from tiny zooplankton to larger fish and seabirds, mistakenly consume plastic particles, which can accumulate in their digestive systems. These plastic particles can cause a false sense of satisfaction, leading to malnutrition and stunted growth, as the animals are unable to properly digest and absorb the nutrients. In some cases, the accumulation of plastic can cause fatal blockages or puncture internal organs, resulting in a painful and unnecessary death. Microplastics, which are tiny fragments of plastic smaller than around 5 millimeters, pose an additional threat to marine life. These minute particles can be ingested by filter feeders and other organisms at the base of the food chain, allowing them to bioaccumulate and biomagnify as they move up the trophic levels. This process can lead to the concentration of toxic chemicals and pollutants in the tissues of larger predators, potentially causing reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, and other health issues. As plastic pollution continues to accumulate in the oceans, its impact on marine ecosystems becomes more widespread and severe. Entire habitats, such as coral reefs and mangrove forests, can be smothered or degraded by plastic debris, disrupting the delicate balance of these environments and threatening the survival of countless species that rely on them. Addressing plastic pollution involves changes in consumer behavior, improved waste management practices, and stricter regulations on the production and disposal of plastics. However, even with these types of efforts, the legacy of plastic pollution in the oceans may persist for decades or even centuries, making it imperative to act now to mitigate the long-term consequences for marine life and health of our planet. Finally, as we wrap up here today, the threats posed by sewage entry, oil spills, and plastic pollution to marine life are clear reminders of the intricate connections between human activities and the health of our oceans. We all have a role to play in safeguarding the marine environments that support life on our planet. From making conscious choices as consumers to advocating for stronger environmental policies, each of us can contribute to the preservation of our oceans. Let us commit to being better for the sake of the countless species that call the oceans home and for the well-being of future generations who will inherit the consequences of our actions today. Thank you so much, and I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day. Bye-bye.