Being lovers of the ocean, we don't often realize what has the potential to go into our oceans. The saying, "All drains lead to the ocean" is slightly true, because a lot of the things in your sink or the amount of hair being forced into a drain after combing it threatens our oceans. It's the small things we don't normally realize. But that is not the worst part. Before 1972, communities have used the ocean for disposal wastes, including chemical and industrial wastes, trash, sewage sludge, and dredged material (sedimentation). Recycling was not focused on as much, as well. Marine waters had an unlimited capacity for mixed and dispersed wastes.
What goes into our Oceans Today
A variety of things have gone into the ocean. Fortunately, many laws have been passed throughout the 70's and the 80's to improve the reduction of all those wastes mentioned above. However, other types of waste are still being put in, with people continuously not realizing the impact. A huge majority of it is uncontaminated sediment, or dredged material. Along with this, there is human remains from burials at sea, sea vessels, and fish wastes, and even some trash and plastic products.
The Impact and What the people can Do
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Here are some of the effects of having these wastes in the ocean:
- - Oil spills can clog fish gills and kill them, and if the sunlight is blocked, photosynthesis cannot occur for some pants in the ocean and they will die.
- - Toxins can infect fish, and someone could get food poisoning if the fish is caught and cooked.
- - Multiple amounts of trash in the oceans can reduce the amount of oxygen production, and many living creatures (Dolphins, whales, fish, etc.) would all die.
- - Plastics that enter the ocean can suffocate sea creatures. The plastic, when entered into the ocean, slowly shrinks over time, making it seem like food, and not anything dangerous to sea creatures. For example, turtles who think that plastic bags are jellyfish will be tried to be eaten by the turtles.
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Here are some ways to save the pollution crisis are seeing the effects it has on our adorable sea creatures.
- - Recycle: Any plastics or objects that are able to be recycled, please recycle them. It keeps those out of the ocean and betters the environment. There are always places to handle your recyclables.
- - Limit what you trash: What is thrown away doesn't go away forever. Water transports these things through waves on the ocean, and even rainfalls going on down a drain can do down to the ocean. Curving your throwaway habits can help get the trash and wastes out of the ocean
- - Never Litter: Do not litter anywhere on any beaches or where signs forbid you to do it. - Use disposable objects: Using disposable bags, food containers, and beverage cups can encourage more recycling and prevent wastes from appearing as frequently as they are in the ocean.