Water Polluton

Water Pollution 1

Water Pollution

Shannon L. Susnik

University of Phoenix, Axia College

Water Pollution 2

Water pollution has a long history behind it. Most scientists believe that the oceans were so vast that they could handle unlimited ability to dilute pollution. It was not till the twentieth century that marine pollution became a concern and laws were made to protect the seas. Today, marine and human life is seriously affected by oil spills, garbage dumping, and industrial wastes in the ocean. Since oceans are the biggest natural resource of water, it is our responsibility to do whatever it takes to protect it for ours and our children’s future.

Over 80 percent of marine pollution comes from land based activities such as oil, fertilizers, solid garbage, sewage, and toxic chemicals. Oil spills are a huge problem and causes major damage to the marine life in our waters. Oil spills are only responsible for 12 percent of the oil that enters the oceans each year. According to a study by the United States Nation Research Council, 36 percent comes down drains and rivers as waste from cities and the factories. Another cause of oil spills is from the discharge of cargo residues from large cargo ships. These ships pollute the ports, waterways, and oceans. Water pollution is also caused when soil, wash off plowed fields, construction sites and urban areas wash away through rivers, lakes and oceans. These suspended solids are loaded with fertilizers that contain such nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. With excess amounts of these nutrients, the aquatic plants and algae have a hard time growing. With this in mind, imagine the food supply for marine life becoming scarce. Another major source of marine pollution includes raw sewage that has toxic chemicals in it and can not only harm marine life but it can harm human...