An Introduction to Ocean Pollution

Types of Ocean Pollution Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill Prestige Oil Spills Coastal Dead Zones Types of Pollution

What do we really mean when we talk about ocean pollution?

For close to thirty years, most academics studying ocean pollution have used a definition developed by a United Nations body, the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP). GESAMP defines marine pollution as,

"Introduction of man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment (including estuaries) resulting in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources, hazard to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of sea-water, and reduction of amenities."

Two parts of the definition stand out. First, it is human oriented, thereby omitting all natural activities that could potentially have damaging effects on the ocean ecosystem. Volcanic eruptions that emanate from the ocean floor and subsequently damage or change already existing ocean ecosystems would not be considered pollution.

Second, the definition is amenable to measurement. Scientists can also readily identify various toxic substances found in the marine environment, measure their quantities, and provide estimates of their potential danger for the health of both marine life and humans. Oil spills, for example, are usually discussed in terms of the amount of oil spilled, along with estimates of the damage to bird life, marine life and the economic well being of the surrounding communities.

Another common way to conceptualize marine pollution is by its sources, usually defined as land-based or sea based.

Land-based sources such as agricultural run-off that create coastal dead zones, and other municipal and industrial sources contribute anywhere from seventy to eighty percent of current marine pollution problems. The article on coastal dead zones provides more detail on one particular type of land-based marine pollution.

Sea based pollution, such as that caused by ocean dumping and oil spills, accounts for the remaining pollution. The articles on the Amoco Cadiz oil spill and Prestige oil spill, provide more detailed informaiton on the ecological problems associated with oil spills.

© 2001-2008. Patricia A. Michaels.