Category: Marine Life

One of the important aspects of marine biology is the study of how marine organisms exhibit a variety of physiologic adaptation that makes them suitable for the marine environment and particularly successful in a particular ecological niche within the overall marine environment.

Phylum Porifera

Phylum Porifera or Sponges are aquatic organisms, mainly marine, lead a stationary lifestyle. Unlike a colony of protozoa, consisting of more or less monotonous and independent cells, in the body of multicellular animals, cells are always differentiated both in terms of structure and function performed by them. The cells here lose their independence and are only parts of a single complex organism. Some serve for breathing, and others complete the process of digestion, others provide isolation. Nutrition is due to the filtration of water that passes through the aquifer system located inside the sponge. Reproduction occurs asexually and sexually. Phylum Porifera adapt to carrying a large volume through themselves. They can narrow the pores to control the volume of water. Sponges can regenerate as they are relatively simple organisms.

Phylum Cnidaria

Phylum Cnidaria is an intestinal-cavity animal similar to jellyfish. A characteristic feature of ctenophores is the presence of stinging cells on the body. These cells help the animal to inject poison into the victims body when extracting food. Cnidarians reproduce in most cases by budding. The habitat of animals of this type is very different. Some live at a depth where almost no sunlight penetrates, while others live near the surface. Jellyfish catch food particles floating by, polyps filter them out of seawater. The adaptation of jellyfish is that they have a particular part of the body that helps jellyfish eat and play a protective role. When a predator touches a jellyfish, this part of the body is activated and releases a particular killing toxin.

Phylum Mollusca

Mollusks are a relatively diverse type of invertebrates. The body of mollusks is divided into three sections: the head, trunk, and leg. Mollusks live in the seas, fresh waters, on land, and some parasitize other animals. The digestive system depends on the type of nutrition of mollusks. The ducts of the digestive gland flow into it. Undigested food residues are thrown out through the anal opening. Breathing in mollusks living in water is carried out by gills and in terrestrial ones  with the help of a lung. Shellfish reproduce only sexually, and most of them are segregated. The ability to think belongs to the adaptation of mollusks; they can learn and react to the environment in ways superior only to vertebrates.

Phylum Arthropoda

Arthropods are the largest group of animals that inhabit the planet. They are found everywhere, that is, in the land-air environment, in all seas and oceans, in freshwater bodies. The digestive system in arthropods consists of the intestines anterior, middle, and posterior parts, ending with the anal opening. From fertilized eggs laid by females, larvae develop, which grow, develop and turn into adults. Some arthropods, such as spiders, develop without the larval stage. The adaptation of arthropods is a solid, strong exoskeleton. It helps arthropods to defend themselves from predators.

Phylum Echinodermata

Echinoderms are a type of exclusively marine bottom animals, mostly free-living, less often sessile, found at any depths of the World Ocean. The needles perform a protective function, and they are often mobile. Some sea urchins point their needles towards the approaching danger. The main adaptation of echinoderms is the ability to regenerate some parts of the body. This helps them survive in a dangerous marine environment.

Phylum Chordata

Chordates are a type of animal that includes vertebrates, larval chordates, and crustaceans. Vertebrates such as mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish are the best-known and subtype of animals to which humans also belong. All chordates have a chord that is present for some or all of their life cycle. The chord (or dorsal string) is a semi-flexible rod to which the large muscles of the animal are attached. It also plays an essential role in signaling and coordinating development. Adaptation involves an increased level of activity and strengthening of the skeleton and protective coating.

Phylum Heterokontophyta

Stramenopila is unicellular, living mainly in the aquatic environment, but there are also terrestrial species. The group includes algae, flagellates, opaline and others. This species can feed through photosynthesis.

Marine pollution is among the most prominent concerns of scientists and environmental activists. Due to the development of technologies, the expansion of maritime transportation hubs and routes, and the increase in waste volume, human impact on the environment has become drastic. According to Arias and Marcovecchio (2017), changes in marine and ocean conditions can directly affect the global climate because of their close connection to the planets energy fluxes and biogeochemical cycles. Furthermore, marine pollution affects natural ecosystems, marine and coastal animal life, and human well-being and health. This paper examines the causes of this environmental problem, primarily related to anthropogenic factors, and considers its consequences. It also discusses global responses and solutions adopted at the level of governments and international organizations, designed to mitigate and prevent adverse impacts.

Causes of Pollution

The primary cause of marine pollution is global human industrial activity, which has reached tremendous proportions in the 21st century. The most dramatic cases of ocean pollution are related to the emission of fossil fuels into water areas due to accidents or improper manufacturing. According to Arias and Marcovecchio (2017), oil provides about 40% of all energy used by modern civilization, making it a major natural resource and a severe threat to the environment. Vessel crashes or accidents can result in the emission of large amounts of oil into the sea and contamination of bottom sediments with oil products. Researchers state that in the present years, the average number of oil spills above 700 tonnes is about 3.7 per year (Karim, 2016, p. 44). The effects of such large spills are long-lasting, especially in northern climates, and can potentially disrupt the ecosystem in the region.

An additional pollution factor is climate change caused by excessive CO‚ emissions into the atmosphere, primarily due to oil and coal combustion. Arias and Marcovecchio (2017) state that the oceans health is threatened by the resulting temperature increase and acidification of oceanic waters (p. 95). An abnormal change in the biochemical indicators of marine waters can be considered a significant pollution factor that endangers flora, fauna, and humans.

Other types of anthropogenic pollution also contribute to the environmental problems in the worlds oceans. According to Xanthos and Walker (2017), 5.25 trillion plastic particles (weighing 269,000 tons) are floating in the sea, and plastic debris accounts for 6080% of marine litter (p. 17). It is stated that plastic is resistant to moisture and has a very long service time, and therefore its lifespan in natural conditions can reach hundreds and thousands of years (Xanthos & Walker, 2017). Therefore, plastic does not dissolve in the ocean but forms vast accumulations generated by special currents. There are currently five large concentrations of garbage patches  two each in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and one in the Indian Ocean (Xanthos & Walker, 2017). They mainly consist of plastic waste generated by dumping from the densely populated coastal zones of the continents. These garbage patches are highly dangerous for marine and some other animals and cause pollution in coastal areas. Besides, microplastics, whareh is increasing abundantly in both the aquatic environment and animal organisms, may subsequently have an adverse impact on human health.

Over the past decades, there has been an increase in the number of hazardous chemicals in the marine environment, including heavy metals and pesticides, which can disrupt the ecological balance. According to Arias and Marcovecchio (2017), the emissions of contaminant sources reach the ocean through the atmosphere and watersheds, and human-built structures such as pipelines and outfalls (p. 99). Generally, they are highly toxic to various animal species, and can even cause abnormal mutations.

Environmental Consequences

Each type of anthropogenic marine pollution is disastrous to the health of living organisms. Heavy metals, hazardous chemicals, and microplastics, for example, can reduce life expectancy and even kill marine flora and fauna (Mearns et al., 2018). They can also cause adverse mutations, intoxications, and infections in living species. Researchers also revealed that pollution stressors affect lifestyle patterns of organisms, including metabolism, nutritional status, population density, reproductive and developmental peculiarities, and others (Mearns et al., 2018). For instance, global garbage patches in the worlds oceans interfere with the usual routes of fish and marine mammals and cause the death of many of them. According to Xanthos and Walker (2017), entanglement of species by marine debris can cause starvation, suffocation, laceration, infection, reduced reproductive success and mortality (p. 18). As a result, animals are forced to change their typical routes, disrupting well-established ecosystem processes.

Furthermore, marine pollution causes alterations in the temperature and biochemical composition of water. Numerous studies have confirmed that the amount of anomalous micromaterials and harmful and toxic substances in sea and ocean water, including arsenic, lead, mercury, chromium, insecticides, and pesticides, has increased significantly in recent decades (Mearns et al., 2018). This leads to many negative consequences, some of which may be irreversible by a certain point. First, the state of the ocean affects climate conditions, and its pollution, among other things, leads to climate change, which is also a global environmental problem. Second, the biochemical changes in the marine areas lead to specific issues, such as water blooms, negatively affecting its suitability for living organisms (Arias & Marcovecchio, 2017). Thus, marine pollution has adverse effects on the entire global ecosystem.

Influence on Humanity

The consequences of marine pollution on flora and fauna unavoidably affect people whose health and life are closely connected with nature. When animals consume and retain anthropogenic pollutants and toxins that they cannot digest or excrete, they accumulate these substances in the organism. The number of accrued contaminants increases as species move up through the food chain. Accordingly, the highest concentrations of toxic substances are found in the bodies of major marine predators. This process is referred to as biomagnification and primarily threatens human health, as people are at the top of the food chain (Mearns et al., 2018). Marine food products may be harmful to health even after heating.

In addition to food problems, contaminated water also causes many other threats to human health. It can cause or exacerbate various infectious and oncological diseases and lead to deterioration of the human body through excess toxins or parasitic bacteria (Arias & Marcovecchio, 2017; Mearns et al., 2018). Marine pollution also has detrimental effects on the human economy and the condition of inhabited areas. For instance, according to Xanthos and Walker (2017), stranded plastic along shorelines creates an aesthetic issue, which has negative impacts for tourism, and adversely affects shipping, energy production, fi,shing and aquaculture resources (p. 18). Thus, this environmental problem affects the most vital areas of human existence.

Effective Responses and Solutions

Marine pollution is recognized as one of the most significant environmental concerns and is addressed by a range of policies at the level of governments and international organizations. The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea defines as pollution any substances that result or are likely to result in detrimental effects on marine life (Arias & Marcovecchio, 2017). The principle of likelihood prevents possible contamination even in the absence of scientific data. A specialized agency named International Maritime Organisation (IMO) was also established within the UN to monitor, assess, and regulate marine pollution issues, including through international agreements. For instance, it provides machinery for co-operation among governments for the prevention and control of pollution of the marine environment from vessels (Karim, 2016, p. 1). International maritime law and related agreements allow states to agree on rules and penalties for accidents, shipwrecks, and waste emissions into the marine environment.

Furthermore, states establish similar norms and standards in national law. Domestic legislation generally sets quotas and limits on the discharge of waste into the water for any industrial facility. Numerous non-governmental organizations are conducting research on marine pollution and carrying out social activities to raise public awareness in this regard (Xanthos & Walker, 2017). They are also making considerable efforts to organize coastal and marine clean-up activities with the help of volunteers and government support. Thus, various endeavors are being made at all social levels. Nevertheless, the situation continues to deteriorate, and humanity needs more consolidated and proactive measures to confront marine pollution.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that the leading cause of marine pollution is anthropogenic factors, including vessel wrecks and accidents, and excessive emissions of industrial waste into the marine environment. The problem is fraught with disastrous consequences for entire marine ecosystems composed of different species of flora and fauna and has adverse implications for human health and other areas of life. Despite international regulations and organizations, national laws and measures, and the efforts of non-governmental organizations, the problem requires higher priority.

References

Arias, A. H., & Marcovecchio, J. E. (Eds.). (2017). Marine pollution and climate change. CRC Press.

Karim, M. S. (2016). Prevention of pollution of the marine environment from vessels. Springer International Publishing.

Mearns, A. J., Reish, D. J., Bissell, M., Morrison, A. M., RempelHester, M. A., Arthur, C., Rutherford, N., & Pryor, R. (2018). Effects of pollution on marine organisms. Water Environment Research, 90(10), 1206-1300.

Xanthos, D., & Walker, T. R. (2017). International policies to reduce plastic marine pollution from single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads): a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 118(1-2), 17-26.

Introduction, Definition of Terms, and Purpose Statement

The issue of rising sea levels is one of the long-lasting effects of climate change, which poses threats to coastal cities and marine ecosystems. Sea level rise is defined as the consistent increase in the average height of the oceans over the years (Sea Level Rise). The purpose of this report is to explore the issue of rising sea levels in the context of the World Ocean. This includes a short overview of the history, as well as an examination of the principal causes and effects of the problem.

History

Sea levels rise is a natural geographic process, which has been discerned thousands of years ago. Fletcher notes that todays rate of the rising sea levels nearly doubled since the twentieth century, and now is the quickest over the past 2000 years (164). As highlighted in Sea Level Rise, similar rapid sea level rise was noticed 7000 years ago during a major climate shift. Despite a relatively stable climate now, scientists suggest that persistent human interventions, such as usage of coal since 1850, actively contribute to the changes in the water level. Due to an increased amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere, sea level is approximately 20 cm higher than it used to be in 1900. With a yearly rate rising from 1.2 to 3.4 millimeters in almost 100 years, scientists predict that global sea level will grow up to one meter by the beginning of the twenty-second century (Sea Level Rise). Though changes in the water level occur as a part of a natural climate cycle, global warming, caused by human activity, accelerates the process.

Causes of Sea Level Rise

Environmental scientists determine three primary causes contributing to the rising sea levels. As explained by Nunez, sea levels change because of thermal expansion, melting glaciers, and loss of Greenland and Antarcticas ice sheets. With global warming, the atmospheric temperature rises, heating the water, which results in it naturally expanding in volume. Higher temperatures also lead to the increased melting of mountain glaciers. Earlier, snowing in winter and spring compensated the process of ice melting during the summer, but, now, due to seasonal shifts, diminished snowfalls imbalance runoff and ocean evaporation, leading to sea level rise. The same tendency occurs in Greenland and Antarctica, where massive icebergs melt more rapidly because of the increased heat (Nunez). As noted by Lindsey, before the 2000s, all three factors contributed equally to the rising sea levels. Over the last two decades, however, the melting processes noticeably accelerated: ice loss in Greenland rose from 34 to 215 gigatons/year since 2002, whereas the rate of ice melting in Antarctica nearly quadrupled (Lindsey). Causes of sea level rise at certain locations may differ; yet, the scope of this report does not allow to discuss them further individually.

Effects of Sea Level Rise

Rising sea levels involve both short and long-term adverse effects for the environment. According to Nunez, higher water levels rise the risk of flooding in coastal areas. This statement is supported in Sea Level Rise, which suggests that before 1971, on average, US eastern coastal cities were flooded no more than five days a year. Since 2001, the rate of flooding has increased up to 20 days and continues growing (Sea Level Rise). Nunez also claims that sea levels rise may have negative consequences even for people living farther inland. Several examples include soil pollution with salt, erosion, and wetland flooding (Nunez). The last primary effect mentioned in Sea Level Rise refers to the role of rising sea levels in the formation of storm surges. Strong winds, such as hurricanes or typhoons, push water beyond the normal high tide mark, leading to the increased danger of flooding (Sea Level Rise). Threats posed by rising sea levels need to be addressed urgently to prevent further negative consequences.

Conclusion

Rising sea levels is a critical threat not only for coastal inhabitants but also for people living farther inland. Caused by thermal expansion, melting glaciers, and icebergs, sea level rise contributes to surge storms, coastal erosion, and flooding. The scope of the adverse effects addressed in this report calls for urgent actions of local and international communities, aimed at slowing down the process of global warming.

Works Cited

Fletcher, Charles. Climate Change: What the Science Tells Us. 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2018.

Lindsey, Rebecca. Climate Change: Global Sea Level. Climate.gov, 2018, Web.

Nunez, Christina. Sea Level Rise, Explained. National Geographic, 2019, Web.

Sea Level Rise. Smithsonian Ocean, 2018, Web.

Did you know that our oceans sustain human and animal life? Oceans will feed a billion, individuals a healthy meal, every day, forever . However, now the oceans are being filled and killed by throwaway plastics. Did you know that the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped in the sea every minute. This works out to be 17 point six billion tons of rubbish every single year.

Sad to say plastic is all over the oceans, floating on the surface mix within the salt sea water and sitting on the seabed kilometres and kilometres down at the bottom. Once, within the ocean it WILL NEVER GO AWAY. It takes many years for plastic to break down into small pieces. However, those pieces will become microscopic, but it is still plastic that will stay forever.

We need to change!

Plastic is in the water we drink and it’s in our food. Micro plastic has been found in our salt, honey and in beer. Sometimes even in the air, we breathe.

Companies are choosing to make something that will be used just once from a martial that lasts forever.

If you don’t like what throwaway plastics are already doing to our world, brace yourself. We face a tsunami of throw away plastics in our ocean. Four times more plastic will be produced between now, and the middle of the century than has been produced in all our history four times more.

Ironically in the 1950s and 1960s, a major chapter of the industrial revolution, was when the whole world began developing plastics technology and flooding the market with products made of plastic. In fact, the production of plastic products has outpaced almost every material worldwide.

Fertiliser, untreated biodegradable pollution pollutes the ocean at the speed of one 4kg per person. This may cause drive or maybe huge dead zones within the ocean killing off marine life. Waste oil from machines and vehicles enters the ocean at a awfully quick rate of one hundred eighty grams per second each year you do the math.

We need to change!

Other garbage are introduced to the ocean at a little however devastating rate. this can be not inevitable. we are able to scale back ocean pollution by rethinking and modifying the manner we have a tendency to manufacture and consume.

The Un states that a minimum of 800 species worldwide are affected by sick by marine detritus, the maximum amount as eighty % of that pollution is plastic. Wow ocean birds, ocean turtles, and fish and marine mammals will become entangled in or ingest plastic detritus inflicting suffocation, starvation, and even death this can be frightful. U.S. humans aren’t proof against this threat.

Animals above the food chain like seals will have contaminants levels 1million times more than the water during which they live. Polar bears, that take advantage of seals, will have contamination levels up to three times higher than their environment.

Plastic waste will inspire the growth of pathogens at intervals in the ocean. According to a recent study, scientists conclude that if corals that come in contact with plastic have an 89% probability of catching the unwellness this needs to change.

As of 2015 only 9% of plastic was recycled even when recycled plastic degrades, your old plastic bottle may become a shampoo bottle then a floor Matt in the best case it doesn’t recycle, it down cycles down and then it will become pollution.

We should not have to pollute the ocean every time we eat, drink or go shopping. Some companies are already leading the way by throw away free plastic aisles in supermarkets.

Another very vital analysis indicates that 1/2 ocean turtles worldwide have eaten plastic. Some stave when doing therefore, they need devoured enough as a result of their stomachs area unit packed with dirty pollution.

If we do not address these problem scientists predict that the weight of the ocean plastics will exceed the combined weight of all this fish in the sea by 2050. This is not acceptable.

We humans need to change because our wildlife is in great danger and some animals will become close to being extinct!!

Although there are already several laws and regulations in place that benefit the global goal, “Life Below Water”, there is still a tremendous desideratum for more to be put into place. For centuries people have regarded the oceans, rivers, lakes, and coasts as an infinite supply of food, a convenient transport route, and an appropriate ground for dumping. These actions continue despite the fact that these ecosystems are much more fragile and complex than people once thought. At the rate that conditions are progressively getting worse and worse, the largest living area on earth is rapidly deteriorating. Continuous damage to the oceans without the protections from laws and regulations will eventually cause what is known today as global warming or climate change.

The results of global warming explain the abnormal shifts in ocean behavior that eventually cause dead zones and the absorption of too much carbon dioxide (CO2) into the bodies of waters (acidification). Dead zones are portions of the oceans that no longer support any type of life due to the lack of oxygen and acidification. At least one-quarter of the CO2 released by burning coal, oil and gas do not stay in the air, but it rather dissolves into the ocean where the water levels become more acidic as the pH level (a measurement expressing the acidity or alkalinity levels in a substance) drops. Significant changes in the pH levels do not give the occupying marine life, which has slowly evolved over millions of years in that environment with an ordinary stable pH level, very much time to accommodate to the acidic conditions in the waters.

Some organisms will just barely survive or may even thrive under the more acidic conditions in the waters while others may possibly go extinct. The loss of biodiversity to acidification will not only affect the life beneath the waterline but will also affect fisheries and aquaculture, threaten the protein supply for millions of people, as well as tourism and other sea-related/lake-related economies. It is now a human’s task to do something about implicating laws and regulations that will protect the life beneath the waterline by prohibiting certain forms of contributing factors to global warming. Examples of the contributing factors to global warming are: burning fossil fuels, cement manufacture, and deforestation that has disrupted the balance of oxygen (O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) within the oceans. In order to effectively and efficiently make strides towards the advancement of law and regulation protections for the Global Goal, “Life Below Water”, more people must become aware of the catastrophe occurring within the bodies of water all around the world.

What’s the first thing that comes into your mind when you’re told that a species has been identified as immortal? It’s understood that immortality means having the ability to live forever or last forever. Along with that, it’s also perceived that immortality has always thought to be impossible, but not anymore because the jellyfish “Turttiopsis Dohrnii” is now familiarized as the uniquely immortal creature. An immortal creature that can recycle its life, provide more advanced cancer analysis and is a lusty fighter.

To begin with, it’s immortal because they can’t die, they transform themselves back into their juvenile polyp state. In other words, “it appeared to age in reverse, growing younger, and younger until it reached its earliest stage of development, at which point it began its life cycle anew”. The organism can reverse back to its earliest stage of life, as a result of that it’s escaping death. Think of their life cycle as a child’s, most children start off as a baby, then they grow up, later becoming a teenager, an adult, and lastly old and die. However, in this case, the jellyfish is allowed to start its cycle over from the beginning. Its cycle first starts as a Polyp, it later grows up and is an immature medusa, then a mature medusa fertilizing eggs and lastly, a planula in which at that stage they are able to reverse back. Practically, the jellyfish can revert to its infant stage even in adulthood, which is vastly impressive due to the fact that immortality to the jellyfish means they won’t die of “natural causes”, which also means they won’t die from old age.

Next, the jellyfish provides analysis for reverse aging with the cells inside of its body. This is essential in immortality research because it can help cancer patients and individuals born with mutations. In the article “Can a Jellyfish Unlock the Secret of Immortality” by Nathaniel Rich it was said that a species called “Hydrozoans” a species similar to polyp can help understand “the behavior of miRNA for two reasons. They are extremely simple organisms and miRNA are crucial to their biological development”. An easier alternative way to comprehend that is that MicroRNA’s are responsive and affect human cancer. Therefore, if more funds were provided to study the behavior of them, and more experts in that field then it’d be another step helpful on how to cure cancer for humans because although it would not fully solve it, it can actually be useful for other scientists. Not just that, but there would even be a clearer understanding of how these species work. However, due to all those reasons then there can’t be further research because it’s vastly expensive. These species can play a major role in society because they can provide hope for individuals who are trying to fight cancer. Not just that, but these jellyfish just prove how much mysterious they are and necessary to know more about.

Furthermore, the “Turritopsis Dohnrii” is also known as a lust fighter because even when it’s believed to be “dead” after being killed it rejuvenates. For instance, “when T. Dohrnii suffers an attack, or starvation, or some kind of environmental stress. Instead of dying, they change firstly into a tiny bolb and then shift back to the polyp stage within three days” (Kruszelnicki). This demonstrates that the jellyfish is invincible and a competitor because even when it’s in a tough situation it won’t die. In fact, a scientist named Shin Kubota stabbed a jellyfish 50 times in order to trigger its deaging process. Surprisingly, it did not die from having its body broken down, it rejuvenated itself even in injury. They do this through something called “transdifferentiating” which is a rare natural transformation of cells aside from stems cells into a different cell type. To tell the truth, you can’t really use the term “death” when the jellyfish rejuvenates because if death means the end life of a human being or organism then it’s obvious that the jellyfish can’t follow under that term because if they keep recycling its life and can’t die, then the real question that should be asked is how can they die?

All things considered, many may disagree that it’s not a true “immortal” because if “immortal” meant passing your genes down, then yes, it’s immortal. However, those are not the same cells anymore. The cells are immortal, but not automatically the organism alone, many would ponder it a “clone.” Also, the jellyfish requires care, effort, and specific requirements in order to keep it alive. However, many don’t see the bigger picture here or ask themselves why this matter. This can be life changing because since you were a kid you were always told that aging and getting old is completely normal. The thought of dying at some point sounds scary, yet despite that outcome, you were also told that you should be thankful for life. As well as, the idea that immortality is a thing of fantasy of stories and movies, but now it doesn’t have to be a fantasy it can actually be true. You can perhaps even be a part of it in the future, but in order for that to happen the secret of how the “Turttiopsis Dohrnii” jellyfish does it to be immortal needs to be studied further in order to change the future of aging.

Since the surface of the Earth is far from being even, the distribution of oceans is not quite equal between the two hemispheres. Taking a closer look at the map, one will see that the Southern Hemisphere (206 x 106 km2) has more water resources than the North one (154 x 106 km2) (Distribution of Water and Land Between Parallels para. 2).

What is sea ice? How does it affect the salinity of seawater?

Sea ice is traditionally defined as the solidification of seawater. It is remarkable that the sea water, containing considerably more minerals in it, has a slightly lower freezing point than regular water. While the latter freezes at 0° C, seawater solidifies at – 1.8° C (Lutgens and Tarbuck 289).

What is the thermocline?

A layer in the seawater mass, where a very rapid change from a relatively warm to an increasingly cold temperature can be observed is usually referred to as a thermocline (Lutgens and Tarbuck 292).

List three ways the ocean floor is mapped

There are three key ways to map the ocean floor, according to what Lutgens and Tarbuck (295) say. The first and the most common one presupposes the use of a multibeam sonar. The latter measures the seafloor depth by calculating the time that it takes for a sound wave to reach the bottom (Lutgens and Tarbuck 297). The next method involves the analysis of the data acquired from the satellite (i.e., satellite altimetry). Apart from the echosounder and the satellite, seismic reflections are also traditionally mentioned among the possible methods of bathymetry. The third method is somewhat underused; however, it can also be viewed as a possibility when the two ones mentioned above are unavailable.

Contrast passive and active continental margins. Give an example of each

When considering active and passive continental margins, one should bear in mind that they are the exact opposite of each other. Both being a part of continental plates, they differ only in their relation to the tectonic activity. Active continental margins are usually the location of the aforementioned tectonic activity. As a result, active continental plates are frequently found on the leading edge of the continent. Passive continental margins, on the contrary, are located along the coastlines. More to the point, the tectonic activity observed in the region is minor. Finally, passive continental margins are often prone to weathering and erosion (Lutgens and Tarbuck 303).

Why is the term “ocean ridge” misleading?

When hearing the word “ridge,” most people tend to picture a mountain ridge in their mind – a steep and a rather narrow one, as one is most likely to see in the mountains. As a result, the term “ocean ridge” may be quite misleading for people who have never heard of an ocean ridge before. Unlike a mountain ridge, an ocean ridge is neither steep nor narrow.

How are seafloor sediments used to study the earth’s climate history?

Studying the history of the Earth’s climate means analyzing the archaeological traces that the previous eras have left; and nowhere is the search for these traces is as efficient as it is in the ocean. Despite the changes that the underwater currents inflict onto the landscape of the underwater world, the alterations are still too minor to stand in the way of the research of the past. Besides, with the modern sub-bottom profiling systems, the analysis of the sediments has become considerably easier (Lutgens and Tarbuck 307).

Intro

Environmental change and management uses the concepts of environment, change, interconnection and sustainability to investigate the nature and extent of human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability While it is true that there are a lot of factors that influence the change in our environment such as pollution, degradation, erosion, alien introduction and climate change. The main one is human impact, which I will be discussing in this extensive awareness essay.

Ocean dumping

With studies showing that more than 800 animals species are negatively affected by litter in our oceans, representing a 23% increase in the total number of species affected since 2012. An estimated 10% of all marine debris is lost or abandoned fishing gear, comprised mainly of ropes, lines and traps made of robust plastic materials that have ended up discarded in our oceans and seas. These floating lost fishing gear can be quite problematic to try and retrieve from our oceans and they equally prove just as difficult to try and dispose of the gear. New research brings to attention that 40% of whales, dolphins and porpoises and 44% of seabird species are affected by marine debris ingestion, with others are facing entanglement and, often, death. While this animal impact is sobering enough, reports highlights the effect of marine debris on countries’ economies and community livelihoods. The cost of coastal clean-ups, damaged vessels and contaminated or lost catch for fishermen poses a significant risk to communities who depend upon the ocean for their livelihood, whether this is through tourism or fishing.

Ocean acidification

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the Ph scale of the earth’s oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide, which is CO2 on the periodic table, from burning fossil fuels and that is changing the fundamental chemistry of our oceans. CO2 reacts with sea water to carbonic acid. As atmospheric CO2 has risen, the oceans have become 30% more acidic over the last 150 years. This effect is measurable and undisputed, and affects all of the world’s oceans. The causes of rising ocean acidity is that it reduces the availability of carbonate, a critical component of shell-building. If acidity gets high enough, ocean water becomes corrosive and shells will dissolve. Unchecked ocean acidification could affect marine food webs and lead to substantial changes in commercial fish stocks, threatening protein supply and food security for millions of people as well as the multi-billion dollar global fishing industry. By mid-century vast ocean regions may become inhospitable to coral growth and reefs will begin to erode faster than they can grow. Regions dependent on healthy coral reefs for fisheries, tourism, and storm protection will be profoundly impacted.

Ozone depleting substances

Ozone depleting substances are man-made gases that destroy ozone once they reach the ozone layer. The ozone layer sits in the upper atmosphere and reduces the amount of harmful ultraviolet radiation that reaches earth from the sun, ultraviolet radiation may have detrimental effects on both humans and the environment such as inducing skin cancer, cataracts, distorting plant growths and damaging the marine environment. The substances depleting the ozone layer can and may include chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrobromofluorocarbons, halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform, all of these substances have been used as refrigerant in commercial, ho vehicle air conditioners and refrigerators, foam blowing agents, components in electrical equipment, industrial solvents, aerosol for spray propellants and fumigants.

Conclusion

And while there may not be a definite solution to all of the oceans issues there are small things that everyone can do to try and help such as reduce your use of single-use plastics, recycle properly, participate in or organize a beach or river cleanup, support petitions for bans, avoid products containing microbeads and support organizations addressing plastic pollution.

Our World DinData

Surface plastic mass by ocean basin, 2013 Quantity of plastic waste floating at the ocean surface within each of the world’s ocean or marine basins. This is measured in terms of the mass of particles ranging from small microplastics to macroplastics. It includes only plastics within surface waters (and not al depth or on the seafloor).

Ocean acidification is the biggest problem facing the planet with impacts so severe it affects almost all aspects of life. From tiny, microscopic phytoplankton, to Australia’s breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, ocean acidification has the power to wipe out great deals of life here on this Pale Blue Dot we call home. Of course, it is no surprise that at the root of this issue, lies the human population. As we continue to add to the carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, oceans absorb the carbon dioxide, becoming more acidic due to carbonic acid formation. This issue has been occurring since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, however, was just recently discovered, as it remains unheard of by too much of the population. Yet, the harsh reality is that if acidity proceeds to increase at current rates, the corals we know and admire are expected to be destroyed by the year 2048, less than thirty years from now. Not to mention, this will mean losing at least thirty percent of marine species. This is only, to say the least, and with our oceans acidifying and coral deteriorating to cause imbalanced ecosystems and socio-economic issues, it ultimately comes down to current students to develop a course of action. By the state mandating environmental education into required semester-long courses in our schools, the issues will be clearly understood to preserve our ecosystems, economy, and future.

One of the main victims of ocean acidification is our marine ecosystems and the organisms that play large roles in them. However, the impacts that ocean acidification brings are heavily misunderstood and unknown globally. For starters, small variations in the pH of seawater to more acidic conditions can have threatening effects on aquatic life, influencing the metabolism, reproduction, and overall growth of several species. Calcifying, or shell-building organisms, in particular, are especially sensitive to this acidity due to the chemical fluctuations in the water. As a result, these species have difficulty maintaining and forming their calcium carbonate shells and skeletal structures that they rely on for protection. According to Jennifer Bennett’s article, Ocean Acidification, this means that “Even if animals are able to build skeletons in more acidic water, they may have to spend more energy to do so, taking away resources from other activities like reproduction.” With that said, this is just one way in which changes in pH may negatively interfere with the ocean. Consequently, organisms must learn to be able to survive in such conditions. Unfortunately, while some species may be able to adapt well to these environments, many will suffer, and there will be no cure. Extinctions will become inevitable. And when it comes to discussing evolution, it doesn’t get any better. Marissa Wu, Operations Assistant at the Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach, California states, “Evolution takes millions of years. If organisms cannot survive or adapt now, they will go into extinction and hence, will never evolve in order to adjust to the ocean’s worsening acidic conditions.” Though ocean acidification may not destroy all marine life, it will take an irreversible toll on species that are not equipped with the means to survive. As marine ecosystems continue to suffer unnoticed with threatening outcomes awaiting, it becomes clear that integrating environmental education into schools is the only way awareness can be spread widely and our ecosystems protected.

With ecosystemic degradation, there also comes great impacts on the economy. Marine ecosystems provide humans with a multitude of vital goods and services, including food, recreation, and protection from coastal flooding. However, as ocean acidification continues to progress, many marine fisheries may be directly affected by altering the growth and survival of their target fish species, through the indirect changes in that species’ ecosystem. This will lead to alterations in the species’ abundance as well as the size at the age at which they are harvested, resulting in an income decline from an economic standpoint. In the eBook titled, Ocean Acidification: A National Strategy to Meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean, it is stated that “Although fisheries make a relatively small contribution to total economic activity at a national and international level, the impacts at the local and regional level and on particular user groups could be quite important. Further, the net impact on social benefits will depend on whether adequate projections are available to allow affected fisheries to plan for change, as well as the ability of those fishery participants and communities to adapt” (Chapter 5, Socioeconomic Concerns). This demonstrates that even though fisheries aren’t the main source of contribution to the economy, the impacts of ocean acidification can still create detriments for certain groups reliant on the harvest of fish for sustainable income. Needless to say, consumers will also be affected by these influences as well. For countries, such as the Maldives, that rely primarily on tourism as their main source of income, coral deterioration (also known as coral bleaching), from ocean acidification will cause their economies to suffer tremendously, as they are huge tourist attractions. Because climate change from excess carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere goes hand-in-hand with ocean acidification, corals that were once healthy and vibrant are beginning to die out. Madison Montgomery, author of the article, What You Need to Know About Ocean Acidification and How it Affects You declares that, “Without these reefs, coastal communities will lose an important source of income through the tourism industry.” On top of that, “Acidification also ruins tourism by attracting ‘nuisance species’ such as jellyfish.” Both of these factors as consequences of ocean acidity play large roles in driving tourists away from these destinations, harming the economy. Although not all of the globe’s countries are significantly affected, ocean acidification undoubtedly has negative impacts on the economies of various countries that are centered mainly on tourism and the harvest of distinct fish species as their means of income. By introducing these issues to the young minds of today’s students, our economies will regrow and regain their strength to preserve tourism and fish stations.

By stressing the devastating effects of ocean acidification on ecosystems and economies, current generations will work to solve these issues, providing for a better tomorrow. The only issue that remains is that today’s populations, especially youth, are not equipped with the knowledge and education of the ongoing environmental issues, ocean acidification being a major one. In fact, when asked in an online survey about how aware they were of ocean acidification and its effects, sixty-six out of ninety-one (about 73%) of the total surveyors aged thirteen and older answered that they were uninformed and oblivious to this subject matter. On a down-scaled sample of the global public, this piece of quantitative data emphasizes just how unfamiliar the vast majority of the human population is with this serious environmental problem. This makes it undeniably evident that environmental education is a vital key prerequisite to provide the deep knowledge and understanding all individuals need to make informed decisions when it comes to preserving Earth’s future. Unfortunately, raising awareness of ocean acidification is easier said than done. Being a complicated global issue, ocean acidification brings a lot of controversies and a wide range of opinions and beliefs. The article, Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems: Educational Challenges and Innovations argues that, ”…The more complex the environmental problem, and thus more difficult to communicate, the less likely information about the problem at hand will affect individuals’ behavior. Secondly, citizens’ attitudes and beliefs are resistant to change since the public tends to engage in motivated reasoning where they dismiss evidence challenging their prior belief and favor supportive evidence.” With that said, it is extremely difficult to alter one’s ideology once they have already developed clear thoughts and interpretations of the endless list of environmental problems our world is currently facing. However, by presenting these issues in schools starting at young ages, the large lack of knowledge regarding issues of the environment will be eliminated and behavioral changes will begin to be seen in the human race. This will ultimately lead to a healthier, brighter future for the many generations to follow.

At the end of the day, ocean acidification will not solve itself, and if it continues to progress at the rate it has been occurring, planet Earth will never be the same. It truly comes down to the developing minds of today’s students to set out and take action against these threatening environmental issues, especially ocean acidification. By the state mandating environmental education into required semester-long courses in our schools, the problems will be clearly understood to preserve our ecosystems, economy, and most importantly, our future. If these efforts are not put into place, we must be prepared to say a heart-wrenching farewell to the many remarkable species that make our oceans uniquely beautiful and welcome them into the pages of our future history books.

Works Cited

1. Bennett, Jennifer. “Ocean Acidification.” Smithsonian, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, April 2018. Web. 17 May 2019. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/ocean-acidification
2. Brown, Steve. Personal Interview. 5 May 2019. Committee on the Development of an Integrated Science Strategy for Ocean Acidification Monitoring, Research, and Impacts Asse.
3. Ocean Acidification : A National Strategy to Meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean. National Academies Press, 2010. Web. 10 May 2019. http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzg2Nzg1Nl9fQU41?sid=06d40f41-99f1-4fd1-b48c-5fcb2a7f81a4@pdc-v-sessmgr03&vid=11 format=EB&rid=1
4. Fauville, G., et al. ‘Impact of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems: Educational Challenges and Innovations.’ Marine Biology, vol. 160, no. 8, Aug. 2013. Web. 9 May 2019. https://www.mbari.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Fauville_etal_2012_OA_ed_review.pdf
5. Haigh, Rowan, et al. ‘Effects of Ocean Acidification on Temperate Coastal Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries in the Northeast Pacific.’ PLoS ONE, vol. 10, no. 2, Feb. 2015. Web. 9 May 2019.
6. Halligan, Kevin. Personal Interview. 4 May 2019. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0117533
7. Hilmi, Nathalie, et al. ‘Towards Improved Socio-Economic Assessments of Ocean Acidification’s Impacts.’ Marine Biology, vol. 160, no. 8, Aug. 2013. Web. 7 May 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3873077/
8. Kawai, Sammy. The Effects of Ocean Acidification. 30 April 2019. Online Survey.
9. Montgomery, Madison. “What You Need to Know About Ocean Acidification and How it Affects You.” One Green Planet, 2014. Web. 18 May 2019. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/what-you-need-to-know-about-ocean-acidification-and-how-it-affects-you/
10. Noonan, Sam H. C., et al. ‘Ocean Acidification Alters Early Successional Coral Reef Communities and Their Rates of Community Metabolism.’ PLoS ONE, vol. 13, no. 5, May 2018. Web. 7 May 2019. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0197130
11. Wu, Marissa. Personal Interview. 4 May 2019.

Blue economy is the concept that depicts the activities of human being in the oceans and coastal zones to enrich the livelihood of the people with simultaneous effort to preserve the marine area free from pollution and hazards so that the life standard of the people can be enriched with achieving the sustainable usage of the oceans and coastal zones as well. It is considered a part of the green economy

As day goes by the population of most of the countries are being high. To manage so much food for this purpose is quite impossible if the marine resources are not properly utilized. The source of marine resources are to be used in such a manner so that the next generation must not face any crisis of the food and other resources. Both the government and citizen have to come forward to ensure these activities. Blue economy provides several prospects such as Health care products, Desalinated mineral water, Renewable energy,, Transportation, Aqua-culture, seaweed culture, pearl culture, Thalassotherapy, cosmetics, High purity marine salt, tourism, Aqua ponies, pharmaceutics etc.

There are plants and herbal plants in plenty in the sea. These plants are the great resources for high quality medicine. Water will be the crux point in near future. It is a feasible solution to extract desalinated mineral water from the ocean which will be very good in quality for its mineral ingredients. Water can be a unique source of renewable energy. The hydraulic power of the water can be good source of electricity or other forms of energy. This kind of energy is free from any environmental pollution. Blue economy is a great opportunity for marine transport system. It will be very prospectus for avoiding roads jams and deadlocks. Furthermore it is the way that is free from any kinds of environmental hazards. The goods and materials can be transported to a great extent in this way than that of the roads or air ways. Aquaculture is another blessing of Blue economy. Different kinds of sea foods say for example marine fish, crabs, shrimp, different under water plants, algae etc. are very much attainable from aquaculture. Seaweed culture is also very important. Blue economy can be a great source of ornamentation. Pearls can be easily cultivated. The salty environment is very much suitable to cultivate pearls. From the oceans we can get very high purity marine salt which is very essential for the bones and teeth’ growths. This salt is also very essential for smooth blood circulation because it lessens the cholesterol to some extent. Tourism is a very focusable matter nowadays. The ocean can be an overwhelming means of journey for the tourists who love nature. The congenial wind, scenic view of the water and landscape will amuse the travellers. Economy can also be boosted up from this transport business. Many people can be engaged in job from blue economy. It is environment friendly and organic. Covering most of the earth’s surface , the ocean transports heat from the equator to the poles, regulating our climate and weather. The ocean produces over half of the world’s oxygen and stores 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. Mangroves, sea grass and salt marshes remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere ten times more than a tropical rain forest and store 3 to 5 times more carbon ,thus decreasing the impects of climate change. Mangroves, sea grass and coral reefs are natural barriers. They reduce impacts of storm surge, erosion and flooding.

Bangladesh is one of the promising countries in the arena of ship building and ship breaking. Bangladesh established 118,000 square Km of marine territory, 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zones and 354 nautical miles continental shelves. Nearly 30 million people are directly dependent on oceanic activities. It is considered the Bay of Bengal its third neighbor.

Unsustainable usage of marine resources is a great threat for the world. This causes the imbalance in bio-diversity and ecological parameters. Too much so called development mainly of the coastal countries leads a devastating future. The temperature rise will rise the water level of the ocean that will flood the low land of the coastal countries. The rising level of carbon dioxide will hamper the world’s ultimate development that is known as sustainable development.