Category: Pollution

Pollution means the introduction into the environment of substances or energy that is liable to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resources and ecological systems, damage to structure or interfere with the legitimate use of environment. (Eloise, 2003) Polluting is to make impure and to contaminate with man made waste. It means introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. It is a major problem in the whole world. Pollution not only damages the environment but also damages our vital life sustaining needs such as the water we drink. Pollution problem have arisen in all industrialized areas as well as various inland and coastal waters.

Everyone at one time or another has heard the phrase every dollar counts this is true to big business operations and companies because they make every dollar count even if it pollutes the water which organisms depend on pollution is an obvious problem in our world today. Therefore it is ultimately important that we take action by making companies pay for their own mess, because soon there will be serious consequences that we may face in the future which might lead to our extinction on earth. (Eloise, 2003).

Substances that cause pollution are known as pollutants and they include; Industrial affluent, Pesticides and insecticides, Fertilizers, Ultra  violet rays from nuclear plants, Dust, Smoke, Noise, Waste heat, Exhaust geysers from automobiles, Radioactivity and electromagnetic pulses Major types of pollutions include; Land, Air, Water and Noise.

Land Pollution

This is any physical or chemical alteration to land which causes change in its use and renders it incapable of beneficial use without treatment. Land is polluted when solid and semisolid waste from industries, commercial, medical and domestic buildings is left on the land surface. Such industrial waste corrodes or degrades the land surface and makes it unproductive.

Garbage heaps in urban areas has destroyed the beauty of the environment. They also contain dangerous contents like broken glasses which may cause injury. The heaps are also a breeding ground for disease transmitting insects, for example, mosquitoes which cause malaria. The rotten garbage produces foul smell and act like hiding places for muggers and thieves thus making the place uninhabitable. Some of the dumped waste causes obstruction and may cause accidents especially at night. (Eloise, 2003).

Land pollution also occurs through the use of chemicals such as fertilizers herbicides and pesticides which make land acidic and eventually infertile. When chemical substances enter the natural cycles and eco-systems they affect the food, health and life of animals plants and human beings.

Air Pollution

1. Air pollution is another form of pollution that negatively affects the earth. It is the presence of contaminants or objects like metal which are injurious to human plant or animal life in the atmosphere. Air pollutant may be transported for long distances causing adverse effects in environment far removed from the source of emission.
2. Major atmosphere pollutants include gases such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Sulphuric dioxide (SO2) Hydrocarbons (Hcs) and Nitrogen Oxide (NO).
3. Increasing levels of natural gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of human activity is another form of pollution. Air is also polluted by fumes from industries, automobiles, aircrafts and ships. (Eloise, 2003)

Effects of Air pollution includes

• Depletion of ozone layer which protects life forms from Ultra  violet rays and infra  red rays from the sun. This causes eye problems like contracts, reduction in immunity in people skin cancer and low plant fields.
• Rusting of roofs and other iron and steel is caused by air pollution.
• Formation of acidic rain also causes major changes in the eco-systems and damages to buildings, destruction of trees and cause leading of magnesium and calcium from soils and from damaged leaves.
• Build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which has led to global warming and green  house effect. Carbon dioxide is transparent to incoming shortwave radiation from the sun but absorbs strongly the long-wale radiation which the earth re-radiates into the space. It traps the outgoing radiation warming the lower atmosphere which in turn radiates energy back to the surface of the earth thus raising temperature.
• Global warming has been known to cause ocean warming, rising sea levels and also causes less rainfall in the middle of continents making them very dry.
• The ozone molecules which occur as a result of pollution wind -up near the earth surface and damage lung tissues of animals and prevent plant respiration by blocking opening in leaves. Without respiration the plant is unable to photosynthesize.
• Formation of smog (thick fog) especially in temperate countries which reduce visibility in cities and urban centers thus increasing chances of accidents by motorists
• Air pollution also results to formation of foul smell which is associated with gaseous products in the atmosphere like sulphur dioxide.
• There is also formation of colored rain as a result of concentration of large amounts of dust in the atmosphere.
• Air pollution also causes loss of eye sight as a result of gas leakages from industrial plants. (Eloise, 2003)

Water Pollution

This is the increase of substances in water in excess of its rightful chemical components thus making it unsuitable for human, animal and plant use. Inland waters and rivers are polluted with nitrogen and phosphorus run-off from fertilizers used in extensive agriculture and sewage affluents which contain phosphate. Water pollution is also caused by eroded soil and other impurities deposited in water bodies. Also oil spoils and leakages is a major hazard for marine environment. Water pollution is rampant in urban industrial and heavily cultivated rural areas. Water may be made unfit for consumption when animals and people excrete into the rivers, people may also dump dead animals and plants wash clothes and bathe in rivers lakes and oceans. Water pollution also occurs when water is used as a coolant in industries like hydro-electric power plants (thermal pollution). Such water is warm and contains lower levels of dissolved oxygen.

Effects of Water Pollution

The water becomes unfit for human consumption. If taken it may cause epidemics in human beings. Untreated sewage may contain pathogenic bacteria such as those causing typhoid and cholera hence killing aquatic animals. Water corrodes metal appliances in industries and homes. Poisonous heavy metals such as mercury lead and silver discharged into water bodies kill organisms in water and other food chains. (Monarty, 2001).

Hot water affluents from power stations expel dissolved oxygen which causes suffocation of aquatic animals causing death. Oil spilled from tankers in seas and oceans kill aquatic animals such as fish, sea birds and whales. Radio active waste from nuclear reactors can cause mutation death and deformation in plants and animals.

Water pollution generates direct health hazards for swimmers and other users. There is contamination of drainage systems with heavy metals or hydrocarbons.

Soil erosion due to poor forming methods reduces depth of water bodies thus making them prone to adverse biotic factors such as high temperatures which are destructive to marine life.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is experienced in areas near roads, running water, factories, mining areas quarries, aerodromes (airports), matatu terminals, bars, night clubs and public open air crusades.

Effects of Noise Pollution

• Shock due to sudden loud noise.
• It may cause hearing problems.
• Noise pollution may cause lack of sleep especially in children and patients.
• It may lead to public nuisance leading to frustrations and irritation.
• It may lead to poor communication leading to misunderstanding where instructions fail to be received correctly.
• It may also lead to cracking of walls where very loud sounds are involved.

Environmental Pollution

When all the other types of pollution are put together they result to environmental pollution. That is water pollution, air pollution, land pollution and noise pollution.

The increase in environmental pollution has led to a significant degradation on earths air, water and soil. There is growing amount of atmospheric degradation which causes several repercussions on a global scale. The air on earth is becoming more and more dangerous to breathe without the artificial filters. The most obvious cause of pollution in the air is the continuous augmentation of motorized vehicles that send carbon monoxide in the air resulting in the de-purification of air.

Water Pollution

Water pollution increases with each passing year. This increase in water pollution continuous to be responsible for killing plant and animal life as well as polluting rivers beaches and other water ways. This pollution represents potentially harmful effects on human health and environment. The pollution is typically generated by industries, waste treatment facilities, illegal dumping and other sources of water pollution such as the effluent from pig farming. The pollution from pig farming in Maryland led to the discovery of pfiesteria a toxic virus that has affected plant and fish species along Maryland waterways. Pollution is responsible for disruption in plants and animals and deforestation. (Monarty, 2001).

Land Pollution

This is the degradation of earths land surface often caused by human activities and its misuse, haphazard disposal of urban and industrial wastes. Exploitation of minerals and improper use of soil by inadequate agricultural practices are a few of the contributing factors. Also increasing urbanization, industrialization and other demands on the environment and its resources is of great consequences to many countries. The industrial revolution set in motion a series of events which impinged on the countryside destroying many natural habitats and introduced pollution causing diseases in both animals and humans.

Land pollution has resulted due to increased agricultural land and field size. Increased waste disposals increased leisure and available military presence. (Monarty, 2001).

Increased mechanization has resulted in land pollution in that in some areas more metal ores had to be attracted out of the ground melted and vast using water. This increased water temperature reducing the Oxygen carrying capacity affecting living things in water. The extraction of these metals led to large scale quarrying and defacing on the countryside. Though this is controlled and efforts are made to use the holes profitably. For example in central Scotland the scars of fears of coal mining with pit binges and slag heaps is visible from the motorways.

Increased urbanization resulted as the demand for labor grew. The areas around the factories and mines were given over to housing. This took over former agricultural land. The demand for more housing meant the increase need for raw materials like bricks which increased quarrying and destruction of forests. The increase in population led to increased number of roads and other infrastructure which led to more destruction of land.

Increased agricultural land and field size resulted due to increase in demand for food which led to loss of habitat and shelter for wild life. More intensive agriculture led to monoculture which depletes the soil nutrients, allow diseases and pests to spread which introduced use of chemical substances into the soil, for example, pesticides used to kill pests, herbicides  used to kill weeds, fungicides used to control fungi and insecticides used to control insects. (Monarty, 2001).

Increased leisure and available wealth has also led to land pollution in that the people are able to travel more to the countryside increasing litter usually in form of packaging cans and bottles. This leads to land degradation. This also posses threat to wildlife through razor sharp glasses which can be trodden on plastic bags can also be eaten by the wild animals.

Increased military presence has also led to land degradation due to use of bombs and grenades and also other explosives which are left lying on land and when they explode they cause a lot of harm to the land. They burn the land thus depriving the land off its nutrients.

Work Cited

Edwin, K. Waste and Pollution, New York, Prentice Hall, 1997.

Eloise, S. A Study of the Treatment of Ecology, Air Pollution, and Water Pollution, Florida, Florida State University press, 2003.

Monarty, F. Ecotoxicology; The study of pollutants in ecosystems. New York: Academic press, 2001.

Seager, Spence and Stephen Stacker. Environmental chemistry; Air and water pollution. Glenview Scott foreman and company, 1999.

Abstract

Although the approaches adopted to manage air pollution in Beijing and the UAE are strikingly different, the rates thereof are getting increasingly high in both states. To manage the problem, it is necessary to address the factors that promote and inhibit the design of the appropriate air pollution management strategies. It is essential that a sustainable approach should be created to resolve the issue successfully. The report at hand describes the research that is aimed at determining the key problems that currently exist in the air pollution field as well as outlining potential strategies for their solution.

The problem is analyzed from the global perspective; however, a particular emphasis is put on its progress in Beijing and the UAE. The proposed research has a mixed structure and employs both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The key data collection tool is a survey that is targeted at determining the main factors of air pollution, finding out the social opinion regarding the quality of air in different cities, and estimating the public awareness of the relevant problem. The survey results have revealed two critical findings.

First and foremost, the major part of respondents evaluates the quality of the local air as highly polluted. Secondly, the respondents show low awareness of the air pollution problem. Thus, they know little about the ways of reducing air pollution and do not see any prospects for their own contribution. In addition, they express enthusiasm about contributing to the problem solution. As a result, it is recommended that the air pollution problem is initially addressed through increasing the social awareness. Hence, it is proposed that further studies are carried out in order to outline the strategies for the change implementation.

Introduction

Background

The issue of air pollution is not new; however, no efficient solution has been located to address the problem yet (Valipour et al., 2014). The phenomenon of air pollution, which is often viewed as the primary cause of the global warming process, has been addressed for quite long, yet very few outcomes have been achieved so far. The situation in the UAE and Beijing, China, can be viewed as prime examples of the inadequate air pollution management strategies.

Problem Statement

Although there are a plethora of suggestions concerning the improvement of the air cleanness rates, including both the indoor and the outdoor pollution, the state of affairs has not been improving over the past few years. The lack of effects of the increased awareness rates can be explained by the lack of control over the air pollution rates, UAE and Beijing being the prime examples of the subject matter.

Research Question

The given paper aims at answering the following question:

1. What are the most concerning issues in the air pollution management both at the global level and in the UAE and Beijing? What strategy can be used to prevent industrial air pollution?

Literature Review

Air Pollution: Causes

Before detailing the primary causes of air pollution, it is essential to mention the fact that the very phenomenon under analysis exists in two orientations. According to WHO, the subject matter manifests itself as indoor or households, pollution (IAP), and outdoor, or ambient, one (OAP).

The location of the air pollution source is predetermined by the type of the air pollutant that causes the problems. For instance, the IAP phenomenon occurs due to the use of solid fuels as the means of cooking. OAP, in its turn, is caused by the factors that are too many to be count, yet industrial pollution and car emissions (CO2) are often viewed as the key sources for good reasons (Chowdhury, Debsarkar, & Chakrabarty, 2015).

Air Pollution: Effects

The phenomenon under analysis is linked directly to the notion of global warming (Shimadera et al., 2014). Specifically, the ice caps melting process, which was launched with the start of the global warming process, triggers an inevitable and quite drastic climate change across the globe. The aftermath of the alteration is going to be beyond devastating; even at present, a range of unique habitats and species are endangered and even extinguished with no chances for the further repopulation.

In addition, air pollution takes its toll on people as well, especially the residents of urban areas. Numerous respiratory issues, including lung diseases, in general, and lung cancer, in particular, are attributed to the factors such as air pollution (Umoh et al., 2014).

Current Air Pollution Rates

At present, the air pollution rate varies across the globe. The pollution rates are largely predetermined not only by environmental policies but also the economic factors such as the number of factories and plants emitting CO2 and the related gases, the usage of cars running on gas as opposed to the hybrid models, etc. An overview of the current air pollution status globally reveals that the problem is especially topical in Asia and South Africa; whereas West Europe, the United States, and Australia have reasonably low air pollution rates on their record.

Air Pollution in UAE

The recent study carried out by the WHO has not supplied any data concerning the air pollution rates in the target area (Household (indoor) air pollution, 2016). The lack of the data on the issue under analysis can be attributed to the fact that the control tools used to track the air pollution rates have not been fully developed in the UAE area yet. Nevertheless, the reports, on the air-pollution-related problems in the UAE area, indicate that the state has been suffering from the increasing contamination for quite long (Household (indoor) air pollution, 2016).

The supposition concerning the problem being rooted in the lack of control over the pollution rates is mentioned in several sources (Umoh et al., 2014; Shimadera et al., 2014). In addition, when it comes to identifying the problems of the current strategies against pollution in the UAE and, especially, the means of raising awareness among the target tiers of the UAE society about the means of addressing the problem, the corresponding authorities send a wrong message. Instead of representing the phenomenon of air pollution as the contemporary monster that must be dreaded, the local authorities need to make it clear that the subject matter is a serious problem that can be addressed efficiently once simple steps are taken.

In other words, when it comes to identifying the issues that contribute to the further increase in IAP rates in the UAE, one must point out the lack of awareness as the primary cause. The same cannot be said about the OP issues, however. A recent analysis of the problem has revealed that the power plants and the processes involving burning fossil fuels affect the air pollution rates in the designated environment to the greatest degree.

Air Pollution in Beijing

According to the recent report published by WHO, China, in general, and Beijing, in particular, is by far the most contaminated areas on the globe, with the air pollution rates reaching drastic rates in the specified areas (Figure 2). The observed phenomenon can be explained by the specifics of the economic development of the state.

Seeing that industry is a part and parcel of the local economy and a crucial factor that defines Chinas success in the global market, the number of plants is huge in China. For the same economic reasons, the resources acquired in the course of the local companies operations are allocated in the way that does not imply environmentally sensible approaches.

It is quite remarkable, though, that, despite the issues elucidated above, the air quality in Beijing has, in fact, improved significantly over the past year, according to a recent report (Rao, Rajasekhar, & Rao, 2014). Comparing the environmental issues in Beijing to those in UAE, one must admit that the differences are quite striking. Although the rates of economic growth and, therefore, the opportunities for a proper allocation of resources, are much lower in Beijing than they are in the UAE, the air pollution rates have dropped in China as opposed to the UAE.

The observed phenomenon can be viewed as the direct effect of the choice of the air pollution control strategy adopted. In contrast to the UAE, where little or no information is provided on the subject matter, the concerns voiced regarding China, in general, and Beijing, in particular, are quite well known. Therefore, the tools for controlling the issue in question and registering the slightest changes in the current air pollution rates offer much more accurate results in Beijing.

Possible Solutions

As the evidence provided above has shown, identifying the tools that will help to switch to a different mode of resources consumption, while admittedly adequate, is not enough to create prerequisites for addressing the air pollution issue successfully. Apart from the steps described above, it is essential to design the approach aimed at increasing the mass awareness of the potential threat, convincing people to contribute to the resolution of the problem as opposed to fearing it. As a result, it is expected that the problems related to air pollution will finally be addressed.

In addition, the redesign of the very framework that companies stick to needs to be viewed as an option. There is no need to put a particular emphasis on the fact that the decision to comply with the current standards of environmental safety is a question of ethics rather than the determination to follow regulations. Therefore, it is essential to consider the possibility of creating the environment, within which organizations will be eager to design the approach that will help monitor the air pollution rates. Thus, the tools for reducing the specified indices could be designed in a more elaborate and efficient manner.

Obstacles

While the steps outlined above seem quite legitimate, there is a range of obstacles that are likely to hinder the process of reducing air pollution rates in the outlined areas. The lack of financial resources should be listed at the top of the primary causes of concern list. There is no need to point out that an awareness campaign needs funding.

In addition, it is essential to bring up the fact that questionnaires, when distributed among the members of an organization and aimed at testing the efficacy of the managers strategies, tend to bring non-objective results. For obvious reasons, primarily, the fear of being fired, people are likely to be unwilling to share the details concerning the specifics of their companies approaches. The possibility of meeting the obstacle above is especially high when addressing an issue as delicate as compliance with the existing principles of environmentally friendly production processes.

Research Importance

Although the problems related to the environment seem to have worn out their welcome as the topics for discussion in the contemporary society and have made way to other issues that are deemed as important nowadays, the need to take care of the subject matter is still quite evident. In terms of the approaches that failed miserably as the tools for keeping the air pollution rates down, new strategies must be designed so that the problem in question should not trigger a rapid increase in the health problems rates, not to mention the number of environmental concerns.

Despite the fact that the study to be carried out might not reinvent the current approach toward managing air pollution rates globally and especially in Beijing and the UAE, it will shed some light on the current approaches adopted in the area and locate the issues that will have to be looked into. Moreover, there is a possibility that the study will serve to be the basis for the further design of a brand-new approach towards the air pollution rates management.

Limitations

As well as any study incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the paper under analysis is going to have a range of limitations. As a qualitative study, it will be time-consuming and will inevitably incorporate the researchers insights related to the problem, therefore, lacking objectivity. The application of a questionnaire as a primary tool for gathering quantitative data is likely to lead to creating premises for the participants to develop a preconceived attitude toward the issue under discussion.

Methodology

Research Design

The study seeks to not only locate the relationships between the key variables, i.e., the causes of air pollution and the strategies aimed at reducing it, but also to evaluate the efficacy thereof and isolate the tools that can be used to create the ultimate approach for improving the current air pollution rates. Therefore, it will be crucial to both consider the qualitative links between the variables identified and quantify the outcomes. Hence, a mixed approach involving the combination of the qualitative and the quantitative method will have to be adopted.

Data Collection Tools

To carry out a qualitative study, it is necessary to consider the existing resources that shed light on the problem of air pollution. In other words, it is recommended that a general research concerning the IAP issues should be conducted. Therefore, the first step is a thorough literature review. Secondly, it will be necessary to carry out the relevant survey in order to identify the key factors that impact air pollution as well as to evaluate the public awareness of the problem.

As soon as the latest data regarding the factors that have been affecting the rates of air pollution, globally, and in the UAE and Beijing, particularly, is identified, a quantitative analysis of their effects will have to be carried out. For these purposes, questionnaires will have to be submitted to 20 employees from different companies in Beijing and the UAE to find out their vision of the problem. It is expected that the steps enumerated above will help locate the dents in the latest methods of improving the air pollution rates, as well as introduce the tools that will incorporate the best sides of the existing management approaches.

Sampling Strategy

In the course of research, 20 managers from the UAE and Beijing will be welcome to participate in the survey. To make the outcomes of the study as objective as possible, it is essential to employ a random sampling technique.

As far as the qualitative study is completed, it will be reasonable to calculate the sample size with the help of the formula that is traditionally adopted in the specified environment. Particularly, the framework suggested by Bartlett, Kortlik, and Higgins (2001) should be viewed as an option. Although this research was conducted comparatively long ago, the credibility of the formula should not be doubted as the premises for its development were substantiated by the authors from a statistically accurate point of view.

According to the existing formula, the sample size can be determined by incorporating the data such as the value for the selected alpha level (1.96 in the specified case), the population standard deviation, and the acceptable margin of error that can be estimated (0.21 in the case in point). Bartlett, Kortlik, and Higgins (2001) suggest the following formula,

.

Given the specifics of the study, the sample size will be equal to,

Therefore, to carry out a detailed analysis of the information provided by the participants, it will be necessary to consider four samples.

Data Analysis Tools

Taking into account the fact that the present research design can be defined as mixed, it will be necessary to provide the tools for analysing both types of data. The information acquired in the course of the qualitative research will be analysed with the help of a frequency table. The responds provided for the survey will be analysed through a frequency table in order to identify the most typical answers.

Implications

As it has been already mentioned above, addressing the issues related to environmentalism, in general, and air pollution, in particular, is a challenging task, primarily due to the scale of the problem and the scope of factors that needs to be addressed. It should be borne in mind that peoples attitude toward the issue needs to be altered so that the strategies against air pollution could be utilised successfully.

Results

The survey questions have been sent to 20 managers of both Beijing and UAE companies. All the questionnaires have been sent via e-mails, and all the participants submitted the surveys in time. The received responses have been interpreted with the help of a frequency table (Tables 1-4).

Table 1: City Pollution.

Table 2: Pollution Factors.

Table 3: Solution Practices.

Table 4: Alternative Solutions.

The analysis has been carried out within the following dimensions: city pollution, pollution factors, solutions practices, and alternative solutions. The most critical findings are described below:

• The analysis has revealed that 18 respondents out of 20 consider their cities to be highly polluted.
• Among the main pollution factors 10 respondents name transport, 5  industrial pollution, 3  smoke, 2  human activity.
• The major part of respondents  16  thinks that the authorities do not perform any activity in order to reduce the air pollution. The 4 respondents that think the opposite have difficulty naming the particular actions that the authorities carry out. 12 respondents admit they do nothing to reduce the air pollution. 8 participants say the contrary; their activity mainly resides in using public transport and avoiding smoking. None of the respondents accused their company of polluting air. In the meantime, none of the respondents could define the activity that the company carries out in this framework.
• All the respondents believe they could do more to reduce the air pollution, although only 5 participants indicate particular methods: energy conservation programs, biking instead of driving, and purchasing low-polluting materials.

Discussion

The data collected through the survey allows drawing a series of critical conclusions. First and foremost, the research has shown that the major part of the participants evaluate the quality of the air in their city as highly polluted. This consensus is rather concerning as it signifies that there is a strong need for effective change.

Secondly, speaking about the impact factors, the research results show that transport and industry are the main causes of the air pollution, according to the public opinion. It means that potential programs targeted at reducing the air pollution should put a particular emphasis on eliminating the harmful effect that these two factors produce.

Moreover, the research has revealed the generally poor activity carried out to reduce the air pollution. The research results show that the respondents do not think that their authorities are enough concerned about implementing the relevant change. Even though they avoid accusing their companies of the lack of activity, they still cannot name the particular measures taken by their organizations.

In addition, the analysis of the research results shows that the general level of air pollution awareness is rather low. Thus, the major part of the respondents can hardly name the particular methods that their authorities and companies employ in their activity aimed at reducing the air pollution. As a result, poor understanding of the alternative solutions might serve to be the core factor that underpins the rapid growth of the air pollution.

As long as people know little about this phenomenon, they are unable to offer effective programs to implement the essential change. In the meantime, the enthusiasm and the willingness to contribute to the common activity are relatively high. Thus, a dominant part of the respondents admits that their effort in terms of reducing the air pollution is insufficient.

As a result, it might be concluded that the key reason of the low efficacy of the current anti-pollution activity resides in the poor social awareness of the particular approaches to the problem solution.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The study has shed some light on the problem of air pollution. Hence, it revealed the low level of the social awareness of the air pollution reasons and the methods of its reduction. From this perspective, a series of recommendations can be offered. First and foremost, it is currently essential to make sure that the issue draws as much public attention as possible.

Educational seminars and workshops should be organized in order to help people learn more about the air pollution and outline the strategy for the common activity. As a result, it is proposed that further research focuses on the alternative solutions of the low awareness problem. It is necessary to carry out a study that would examine the possible ways of raising the level of public awareness and engaging the society in the common activity.

Secondly, it is critical to work out a well-structured program that would address the two pollution factors that turned out to be determinant in the framework of this research: transport and industry. It is necessary to collect statistical data in order to identify whether these factors are as harmful to the quality of air as the research respondents believe. In case their concerns are objective, it is essential to study the mechanisms of this harmful effect and work out a strategy for its elimination.

In addition, it is critical to carry out further research in order to find out the pollution rates in the cities of the respondents in order to receive a clear idea of what rate they think to be high.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the air pollution problem is highly complex and complicated. Its solution requires a well-structured approach that would consider all the impact factors as well as the social awareness and willingness to participate.

Reference List

Bartlett, J. E., Kortlik, J. W., Higgins, C. C. (2001). Organizational research: Determining appropriate sample size in survey research. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 19(1), 43-50.

Chowdhury, A. K., Debsarkar, A., & Chakrabarty, S. (2015). Seasonal variation of noise-air quality and state of exposure to noise-air pollution at curbside open-air microenvironment of Kolkata City, India. Columbia International Publishing International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Solutions, 3(1), 16-30.

Household (indoor) air pollution. (2016).

Rao, N. V., Rajasekhar, M., & Rao, G. C. (2014). Detrimental effect of air pollution, corrosion on building materials and historical structures. American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER), 3(3), 359-364.

Shimadera, H., Hayami, H., Ohara, T., Morino, Y., Takami, A., & Irei, S. (2014). Numerical simulation of extreme air pollution by fine particulate matter in China in winter 2013. Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment, 8(1), 25-34.

Valipour, S. S., Mousavi, M., Valipour, R., & Rezaei, E. (2014).Air, water, and soil pollution study in industrial units using environmental flow diagram. Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research, 2(12), 12365-12372,

Umoh, V., Peters, E., Erhabor, G., Ekpe, E., & Ibok, A. (2013).Indoor air pollution and respiratory symptoms among fishermen in the Niger delta of Nigeria. African Journal of Respiratory Medicine, 9(1), 17-21.

As a concerned member of the community, I am writing to relay my thoughts on a considerable geo-social issue affecting the community. It is of considerable concern how pollution in the ocean has been a major predicament, which is not only affecting the water masses, but people as well. The pollution of the water masses not only inhibits water life, but also affects peoples health as well as other natural resources.

Although there are many natural wastes that affect the ocean life, it is evident that people are the principal cause of ocean pollution. Wastes such as toxic matter, plastics, and human wastes are some of the major sources of pollution in the ocean. In addition, chemicals such as bathing lotions, sunscreens, and other chemicals used by humans affect the toxicity level of water, which in turn affects marine life. Water is the most valuable resource for human beings, as such, it is pertinent for people to protect it.

Parent (7) asserts that solid content kills marine life, for instance, fish die due to their consumption of plastics. Up to 90% of foreign bodies, which float in the ocean, consist of plastics. it imposes some danger since it does not break down for a very long period of time (Parent 1).

When fish ingest plastics, they are unable to digest it since it cannot be broken down by their stomach chemicals. Eventually, they end up dying out of starvation being unable to find food. Large marine animals are also not exempted. They are affected by chemicals present in plastics and other things abundant in the ocean.

Chemicals from plastics in their turn increase global warming, which has been a major issue that affects the ocean causing water to rise in level eventually influencing animals, and humans near the ocean. Many people consume fish as food; when marine life is affected by toxic substance in the ocean, they can adversely affect humans to the extent of causing food poisoning, and even deformation of unborn children (Parent 8). Therefore, to save marine animals, it is necessary to conserve the ocean.

In order to make this dream a reality, people need to adopt changes starting from their own culture of behavior. These include aspects, such as training themselves to use reusable bags while going for shopping. Furthermore, people should avoid littering garbage and chemicals used in their homes into the ocean. Parent (4) contends that people should be interested in making the ocean pure and not polluted (Parent 1).

The government has been a supportive mechanism in this initiative by ensuring they provide litter bins in the surrounding areas near the ocean to enable those at the beach to put litter in the correct place. The community should work hand in hand with the set up organizations that ensure the safety and maintenance of the ocean. The organizations should also set up classes to educate the community on ways to protect the ocean, and the dangers they expose themselves to when they do not take care of it.

I do believe that if every person is to do all the right things in order to ensure the safety and maintenance of the ocean, people would be creating the best environment for themselves and their future generations.

Works Cited

Parent, Jason. Ocean Pollution Sources, Effects, and Prevention. 2010. Electronic Print.

Introduction

The issue of water pollution in the Republic of the Philippines is high on the agenda since the country is made up of more than seven thousand islands located in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asian regions. These islands are surrounded by the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, the Luzon Strait, the Philippine Sea, and the Celebes Sea (Marrone). Due to the uncontrolled and rapid population growth as well as urbanization and industrialization, Philippine waters suffer from extreme pollution.

Metro Manila Water Pollution

While water pollution can be discussed on the state level, it is proposed to analyze the specific region of Metropolitan Manila, which is a heavily industrialized region with the expanding the population. The Metropolitan area is comprised of four cities-centers of districts, such as the City of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City, and Pasay City. In the west, the region is surrounded by the Manila Bay, in the southeast by the Laguna de Bay, in the east by the Sierra Madre Moutain Range, and in the north by the plains of Central Luzon (Raflores and Regmi 4).

Despite the fact that the majority of water in Metro Manila are intended for recreational activities such as swimming or fishing, the report presented by Raflores and Regmi for the United Nations University mentioned that the waters have high concentrations of heavy metals and other pollutants that significantly reduce the quality of water in the region (4). Moreover, in 2008, the Supreme Court issued a continued mandate that forced the government to invest in cleaning up the Manila Bay and other waters in the region such as Laguna Lake and Pasig River (Raflores and Regmi 4).

The current uses of water in Metro Manila cause the most controversy with regard to environmental issues. Because the region is heavily urbanized, it is estimated to generate approximately 6,700 tons of solid waste each day, 5,600 (84%) of which are collected and transported to nine dumpsites located in the area. This leads to the remaining 16% of waste going to the river systems and thus clogging the most significant waterways (Raflores and Regmi 6).

Apart from heavily industrialized areas of Metro Manila, informal settlers that live along river shores also heavily contribute to the issue of water pollution. With regards to the specific use of water in the region, Vicente Tuddao Jr., the executive director of the DENRs River Basin Control Office, stated that only 28% of all water in the Philippines is used for domestic purposes since the rest is of low quality and can only be used for industrial and agricultural aims, which subsequently exacerbates the problem (Alave).

In the discussion about the issue of water pollution in the Metro Manila area, it is essential to mention current initiatives that the government is undertaking to manage the problem. These initiatives include the Pasig River Rehabilitation and Development Program introduced by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy as a response to the Supreme Court mandamus, the Adopt-an-Estero Program implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Environmental Management and Pollution Control implemented by DENR (Raflores and Regmi 6).

Economic Analysis and Recommendations

In this brief economic analysis of water pollution in Metro Manila, it is proposed to look at the industrial use of waters and the household use to understand the impact that the population growth and urbanization have on water pollution. The main reason for the highly alarming quality of water in Metro Manila is the unmanaged residential waste that can flow into the waterways, thus polluting them (Ranada).

Furthermore, only twenty to thirty percent of the areas large population is connected to sewerage lines, which points to the fact that over seventy percent of the population uses septic tanks that increase the possibility of human waste leaking into the water system (Ranada). It is also important to mention that some citizens may not even have septic tanks and therefore dispose of their waste through unregulated means (Ranada). Thus, an intermediary conclusion can be made that the lack of attention to waste disposal methods within the population directly affects the water quality.

Because Metro Manila is the countrys most developed industrial region, the manufacturing sector has a significant impact on low water quality. The strategic location of the Pasig River facilitates the industrial use of water, causing waste. While domestic waste accounts for approximately 60% of water pollution, industrial waste from textile mills, distilleries, and chemical plants makes up 33%, while solid waste accounts for 7% (Gorme et al. 174).

The severity of water pollution in the region can be predominantly attributed to policy and institutional failures. While the efforts of the government to address water pollution in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines began in 1973, there has been an only minor progression. According to Gorme et al., policy and institutional failures occurred due to the lack of sufficient funding that led to the weak implementation of policy, irrelevant planning, and the lack of efforts to update the infrastructure of the region (176).

Because the Philippines is a developing country, and the majority of its funding efforts are targeted on economic and political enhancements, the funding for the improvement of water quality remains lacking. Furthermore, the government has faced some opposition from the public that was unwilling to pay for the necessary sanitation services, contributing to the struggle of expanding investments into the aquatic ecosystem (Gorme et al. 176).

It can be concluded that chronic problems with the quality of water and its supply in Metro Manila and the adjusting areas have shown that mans activities can cause damage to the environment, especially the watersheds. Recommendations for the government as to the management of polluted waters are two-fold: seeking financial support from international sponsors and implementing a public awareness campaign.

Furthermore, prior to contacting sponsors, the government of the Philippines should develop an action plan for addressing water pollution, with an emphasis placed on public education and awareness. The analysis has shown that the lack of support from communities was among the most limiting factors that undermined the effectiveness of policy changes. In such campaigns, the government should work cooperatively with local and regional media to conduct news coverages, publish articles in newspapers, and air educational commercials on radio and television (Texas Water Development Board 5).

It is expected that when the public understands the damage it has caused to the environment, it will support the government in its efforts to improve the quality of the waterways in Metro Manila and prevent both domestic and industrial waste from being dumped into the water.

Works Cited

Alave, Kristine. Water, Water Everywhere, and Much of It Polluted. Inquirer. 2012. Web.

Gorme, Joan, et al. The Water Quality of the Pasig River in the City of Manila, Philippines: Current Status, Management and Future Recovery. Environmental Engineering Research, vol. 15, no. 3, 2010, pp. 173-179.

Marrone, Rhonda. Water Pollution in the Philippines: Causes and Solutions. Borgen Magazine. 2016. Web.

Raflores, Lilia, and Ram Krisha Regmi. Understanding the Water and Urban Environment of a Megacity: The Case of Metro Manila, Philippines. 2015. Web.

Ranada, Pia. Metro Creeks: Less Trash, But Water Quality Not Improving. Rappler. 2014. Web.

Texas Water Development Board. Developing a Water Conservation Public Awareness Program: A Guide for Utilities. 2010. Web.

Description

In contemporary society, plastic contamination has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The primary challenge is the production and use of plastic products, which overwhelm the environments capacity to withstand. The most affected areas include the Asian countries and developing states, which do not have efficient garbage gathering systems. However, even the first-world nations have low recycling rates and do not fully invest in the collection. The usage of plastic has become deeply embedded in everyday culture, from consumer products to electronic equipment. It is also used in construction and heavy industry and the manufacture of automobiles (Carney Almroth & Eggert, 2019). It is essentially a problem that cannot be solved at a national level; there is a great need for the international communitys cooperation. The primary causative agents include inappropriate discarding of the junk from materials such as fishing nets and plain trash. The most significant source of plastic pollution is improper disposal because it is the easiest to manage directly.

Causative Agents

Plastic pollution occurs when its products gather in an area and negatively affect the natural environment, causing problems to humans, plants, and wildlife. Plastics long durability and low biodegradation rate make it a toxic pollutant. There are three main types of plastic debris: mega, macro and micro-plastics. The most significant damage on land and sea has been caused by the first and the last, accumulating in high densities. Usually, macro and mega-plastics are found in domestic items such as footwear and packaging discarded in landfills (Carney Almroth & Eggert, 2019). Fishing-related waste is mostly dumped on isolated islands and classified as primary or secondary, depending on their degradation level.

Ideally, one assumes that the problem can be easily managed by recycling or cleaning empty bottles. However, the garbage size can vary from huge ones to microscopic ones whose ill effects are irreversible. One such cause is plain old trash, which is everywhere, even on items where one cannot typically expect to find. The milk cartons are lined with plastic, similar to water bottles, which people use almost in any setting (Biswal & Kar, 2020). Other products may contain tiny plastic beads, which are equally toxic to the environment, especially aquatic life. Each time these items are thrown away, the harmful pollutants enter the environment and get absorbed, causing more significant harm. The challenge is worsened by landfills and trash dumps, which allow the materials into the ground affecting groundwater for extended durations (Biswal & Kar, 2020). The chemical bonds that hold plastic particles together are long-lasting, making them difficult to decompose. Hence, the damage will be felt far into the future since every particle that has ever been manufactured and dumped still exists.

Other harmful agents include fishing nets and disposal procedures of plastic garbage. Countless people eat fish for their daily survival, either for food or the economic role it plays. However, the fishing equipment and nets used for large-scale trolling operations are plastic and leak toxins due to the prolonged period underwater. Some further get broken, lost, abandoned, pollute the water, harm local wildlife, and trap marine animals, swallowing the toxic particles (Napper & Thompson, 2020). Additionally, plastic waste disposal is often ineffectively managed, and most of it ends in landfills. It cannot be burned because of air contamination, and the process of recycling equally results in plastic irritants. Rapid urbanization and industrialization contribute significantly to its overuse in the world. There is hence excessive demand for cheap plastic, which is durable and serves myriads of tasks. Consequently, it leads to greater production to meet the needs in everyday life.

References

Biswal, T., & Kar, P. K. (2020). Plastic pollution and its effect on the environment. In K. A. Wani et al. (Eds.), Handbook of research on environmental and human health impacts of plastic pollution (pp. 128). IGI Global.

Carney Almroth, B., & Eggert, H. (2019). Marine plastic pollution: Sources, impacts, and policy issues. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 13(2), 317326.

Napper, I. E., & Thompson, R. C. (2020). Plastic debris in the marine environment: History and future challenges. Global Challenges, 4(6), 1900081.

Leadership can be defined as the conditions for the formation, manifestation and the development of the leaders authority as well as the recognition of the leaders merits, qualifications, experiences and favorable human qualities. In that regard, it can be stated that among the aspects expected form the leader quality decisions takes the most important position, followed by the perception of the followers toward such decisions. Considering the aforementioned, this paper analyzes the process of making a decision based on the case study, in which a decision should be made on whether to use the existing outdated equipment to monitor pollution emissions, or buying a new piece of equipment, an Emission Systems Monitoring Instrument (ESMI), which is capable of making precise measurements, but costs money and might lead to fail the deadline (Denhardt & Denhardt, 2009, p. 362). The decision will be analyzed based on the Vroom-Yetton model, stating that the consultative leadership style will suit the described situation the best.

The Vroom-Yetton model is oriented toward a single aspect of leadership behavior, which is the involvement of the followers to participate in the process of making a decision. In that regard, the situation should be assed in accordance with several criteria, after which a model of behavior will be selected, which will establish the appropriate level and pattern of delegation.

In assessing the situation, the vital aspects are: the quality of the decision, the commitment of the subordinates, the knowledge of the leader, the structure of the problem, the probability of subordinates commitment, sharing the organizational goal, the likelihood of a conflict between subordinates, and subordinates knowledge. Thus, following such factors, it can be stated that the decision quality is of vital importance in this decision, where the collected data will be used in a presidential decision making process.

In terms of commitment, it can be stated that the commitment of the subordinate to the decision is also of importance, where their experience will help in working with the obtained information in either cases. Nevertheless, it can be stated that it is of high probability that the subordinates will follow the decision and be committed to it, even if it is made only by the leader. At the same time, the leader does not have sufficient information to make the decision on his/her own, as he/she is not familiar with the new equipment, does not have knowledge of the necessary degree or precision, or the precision that the outdated equipment can provide. The latter can contribute to the problem being not well structured, where there are many vague aspects in the problem, such as the economic reasonability of buying the new equipment, with the only information being available from the rest of the team. Thus, it can be stated that not all of the problems aspects are clear.

Describing the subordinates, it can be stated that they share the organizational goals, when solving the problem, and as indicated in the case they are highly committed to the goals of the agency. Moreover, the conflict is not likely among them as they all agreed in the opinion that they provided. At the same time it can be stated that they have sufficient information to make a high quality decision, being the more experienced in that field.

Thus, the aforementioned description will imply that the factors of the decision will be structured as follows:

Such description implies that the best pattern of delegation is CII, which sharing the problem with the subordinates in a group meeting, obtaining their ideas and suggestions, and making the decision alone (Denhardt & Denhardt, 2009, p. 355). Such decision reflects a consultative leadership style, following, which it can be assumed that the leader will have better information regarding all the available options.

It can be concluded that the Vroom-Yetton model is a helpful tool to decide, which style to adopt when making a decision, specifically in terms of the degree of the subordinates involvement in such process. According to the model, it was found out that the best style suitable for the situation described in the paper is the consultative leadership style. This style implies that the leader will consult the subordinates in a group meeting, while the decision will be made alone, which might or might not reflect the subordinates influence.

References

Denhardt, R. B., & Denhardt, J. V. (2009). Public administration : an action orientation (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Introduction

Oceans are salient features on earth because they contribute to warming the earth. They are essential components of the water cycle and home to millions of living organisms. In addition, oceans provide a recreation facility and employment to millions of people. Ocean pollution is the unfavorable upshot due to the entrance of chemicals and particulate substances into the ocean. The toxic components combine with plankton and other sea animals, which are not filter feeders. Consequently, these pollutants find their way into animal feeds containing high levels of fish products. Therefore, these toxic compounds are also present in animal products such as milk, eggs, and meat from animals consuming the contaminated feeds (Ocean Planet: Pollution 1, n.d.).

Sources of Ocean pollution

The land is the key source of ocean pollution in the form of non-point water pollution. This occurs because of runoff and includes numerous sources such as motor vehicles, boats, forests, septic tanks among many others (What is the biggest source of pollution in the ocean? n.d.). Many sources of ocean pollution such as oil sills, sewage, toxic substances, and mining fall under point pollution.

Oil Pollution

Oil enters sea and oceans accidentally and non-accidentally. Millions of oil gallons get into the ocean through various ways such as offshore drilling, oil spills, natural seeps, routine maintenance, and down the drain (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). Used engine oil finds its way into water bodies during oil changes when the used oil is washed into water bodies. In addition, vehicles burn fuels to produce hydrocarbons in the gaseous form. These gases are released into the air, dissolved in rainwater and later drained into the sea. Natural oil seeps are a consequent of oil seepage from eroding sedimentary rocks, which release oil into water bodies from the bottom of the sea (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). Accidental large spills contribute only 5 percent of oil pollution. However, one spill can have damaging outcome in a large area.

Toxic Materials

Toxic wastes are poisonous substances deposited into water bodies. They include compounds such as tributyl tin from boat paints, industrial, household cleaning, agricultural (fertilizers and pesticides), and other chemicals from factories (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). They dissolve in water, effortlessly move through the food chain and find themselves in seafood (Ocean Pollution, n.d.). Most of the toxic wastes are metal components. According to Lutgens, Tarbuk, and Tasa, the salinity in a water body can never be constant. This is because plants and other water animals use the dissolved mineral elements in strengthening their tissues (2010).

This implies that these organisms can also take up soluble toxic compounds and accumulate them in their tissues. Lead is a common and extremely harmful toxic compound that harms the kidneys, brain and reproductive systems of humans. Lead decelerates growth, causes birth defects, is carcinogenic, and impairs hearing. Lead batteries, paints, fishing lures, ceramics, water pipes, and bullet parts emit lead into the water (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). Fertilizers increase the number of algae plantations in water bodies (eutrophication), which exhaust the dissolved oxygen and throttle other marine organisms (Lenzi, 2008).

Dangerous Debris

Improperly disposed solid garbage gets into the ocean. Pieces of glass, plastics, shoes, medical wastes (syringes and used needles), and polythene papers are examples of such debris. Some marine animals such as whales, turtles, seals, puffins, and dolphins mistake plastics for food and eat them (WWF  Marine problems: Pollution, n.d.). This kills them by obstructing their respiratory pathways and digestive tracts. Water can also wash this debris to the shores, which pollutes beaches and creating an eyesore. Polluted beaches send tourists away leading to massive losses in the tourism industry.

Dumping and Mining

Humans consider oceans as dumping sites for their numerous domestic and industrial wastes including compounds with low levels of radioactivity. Man thinks that the seawater can adulterate these substances to harmless concentrations. However, the processes in the ocean concentrate some of these harmful substances leading to ocean pollution.

Oceans, on the other hand, are unexploited sources of some minerals and ores. The building industry, for example, obtains building materials such as sand and gravel from the coast and the surrounding coral reefs (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). This is a common phenomenon in island countries with inadequate internal reserves. Mining contributes to water pollution by deposition of particulate matter and erodes coastal beaches. Manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper are some of the metals available in the abyssal mud of the oceans deepest basins (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). Mining under the water is expensive compared to the conventional mining process on land. However, it is only a matter of time before new technology in mining under the water comes up.

Sewage

Untreated and under-treated sewage flows into oceans causing pollution. For example, in the Mediterranean Sea receives about 80% of untreated sewage (Marine problems: Pollution, n.d.). This causes outbreaks of water-borne human diseases and eutrophication. Wastewater from the land drains into water bodies such as rivers and lakes, which drain into seas and oceans.

Ways of Preventing Ocean Pollution

Boat engines pollute oceans from the gasoline emitted. However, boating is an inevitable practice in some instances. Some precautions can help minimize boating pollution such as turning on the boat engine when it is necessary. Gasoline ought to be stored away from direct sunlight to minimize evaporation and air pollution, which comes back to the ocean as rainwater. It is also essential to replace boat engines regularly and ensure that they are in a good working condition. Ensuring that only clean water gets into the oceans goes a long way in limiting wastewater pollution. This is possible by creating tanks with the capability of harvesting all rainwater runoffs and treating it before discharging it into water bodies.

Setting up rules and regulations that restrict dumping of wastes is an effective way of preventing pollution. The London Convention, a United Nations directed pact prevents dumping of wastes and regulates the deposition of certain substances (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.). In addition, the federal and international regulations forbid discarding plastic trash overboard. Consequently, the United States Navy ensures that no trash is discarded overboard by providing onboard processors that compress and disinfect plastic rubbish. The establishment of cleaning programs can help get rid of debris from water bodies. A good example is the Center for Marine Conservations International Coastal Cleanup, a program that unites various volunteers worldwide in cleaning up water bodies (Ocean planet: Pollution 1, n.d.).

Conclusion

Ocean pollution is a serious problem that ought to be controlled because water is an extremely essential component for the sustenance of life. Some sources of pollution are controllable, whereas the natural sources are uncontrollable. It is, therefore, necessary for humankind to do everything to minimize ocean pollution due to the controllable sources.

References

Lenzi, M. (2008). Resuspension of sediment as a method of managing eutrophic lagoons. In Hofer, N. T. (Ed.), Marine Pollution: New research (pp. 15-23). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Lutgens, F. K., Tarbuk, E.J., & Tasa, D. (2010). Foundations of earth science (6^th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson College Division.

Marine problems: Pollution. (n.d.). Web.

Ocean planet: Pollution 1. (n.d.). Web.

Ocean pollution. (n.d.). Web.

What is the biggest source of pollution in the ocean? (n.d.). Web.

Introduction

The past two centuries have been characterized by vast technological advances that have had a significant effect on man and his environment. One of these advances has been in the form of increased industrialization by man.

Industrialization has resulted in detrimental practices such as deforestation, air and water pollution which have all threatened the fragile balance that exists between man and the environment. The consequences that have risen as a result of neglecting to take care of the environment have now become a reality to the whole of mankind.

This has forced environmental issues to take a center stage in mans life as nations have come together and put a valuable effort to restore, maintain and manage their respective eco systems. This paper shall present a concise yet informative research on the issue of environmental pollution. A definition of pollution shall be offered as well as a discussion on the major causes of pollution. Possible solutions to this problem shall be reviewed and the most suitable solutions offered.

What is Pollution?

The United Nations Environmental Programme defines pollution as the undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities. Pollution of the environment can occur naturally but it is man-made pollution that is mostly degenerative in nature. Pollution occurs in the air, soil and water as a result of substances which are harmful being released into them.

Causes of pollution

Waste disposal has been noted to be one of the main means by which water bodies are polluted. Most human beings have a tendency of throwing their rubbish and dirt into the water bodies and drainage systems assuming that they will be drained away to a better place. This results in the creation of rubbish hills which are not only an eye sore but they also pollute the air and the soil.

Fishermen and other members of the shipping industry pollute the waters by disposing cargo waste, plastic as well as noise emanating from their ships and machineries. The presence of such pollutants has serious impacts on the environment since some of the disposed substances are toxic.

Nuclear power has been exploited to provide power for running industries and cities. However, this power plants results in the production of radioactive waste which must be disposed off. If not properly disposed, radioactive waste can pollute the soil or water bodies if it is allowed to seep into the water table or into an ocean (Harrison 45). This form of waste is not only harmful to human beings but also to other animals, fishes and marine life. In a water body that is contaminated, the radioactive substances affect the fish and kills them leading to the decreased amounts of fish in the water body.

Another source of soil pollution is the excessive chemicals that are used in the agricultural sector, and homes. Mooney et al demonstrates that the weed killers used by individuals to tend to their gardens end up contaminating the soil (23). However this pollution does not end here for the contaminants often drain into the ground where they contaminate the underground waters. While this type of pollution is not visible, it still presents a serious threat to life resources. This pollution also extends to rivers in which the underground waters drain into.

Air pollution is mostly caused by the burning of fossil fuels which results in the emission of green house gases. Fossil fuels are needed to run most industries and for this reason, Harrison claims that rapid population growth which led to increased industrialization, globalization and the need for more room for expansion is to blame for most of the pollution cases (23). Air pollution by green house gasses is especially troublesome since it has been seen to cause global warming.

These gas emissions also lead to atmospheric pollution which in turn contributes to acid rain. This type of pollution is wide spread and very problematic because if it is not stopped at the source, the chain reaction that follows cannot be prevented or stopped. The acid rain pours into soil making them acidic and therefore nonproductive and into oceans contaminating the water therein.

Solutions to pollution problems

The government has continued to play a significant role in reduction of pollution levels by adopting various strategies aimed at reducing pollution. A significant policy is that of Tax rebates which is offered to all industries that adopt eco friendly practices. This move by the government will reduce industrial emissions into the air as well as the level of toxic wastes that get into our water bodies by a wide margin since industrial fumes are some of the biggest causes of air pollution (UNEP).

In addition to this, all industries should be encouraged by law to plant trees which acts as carbon sinks thus reducing pollution levels. An increase in taxation on vehicles that are gas guzzlers can also aid in the battle to reduce green house gases emissions. In so doing, the adverse effects that air and water pollution by the industries have on our environment will greatly be reduced.

Over the years, it has been suggested that new architectural designs can help retard global warming. As such, the government must enforce the set laws which stipulate that new industrial, commercial and residential houses should be built using materials compliant with the new environmental laws.

More effective and efficient water and waste treatment methods have also been developed and it is a prerequisite to have them installed before starting up any industry. Citizens are also encouraged to use the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) model as part of their contribution towards a greener State.

Individuals can do a lot on their own to reduce the carbon footprint. Throughout the world, the level of electricity consumption is increasing every day (UNEP). It is therefore important that they adjust their lifestyle if they are to meet the stipulated limits. This can be done by switching to less energy consuming light bulbs, using public means of transport as compared to personal vehicles, switching back to fans rather than using air conditioners, using LCD and plasma screens instead of tube televisions.

To curb water pollution, dish washers can be employed instead of hand washing thereby reducing water wastage. Using the shower instead of the bath tub has been known to reduce Co2 emissions. In so doing, the level of pollution will have reduced significantly and the effects of these pollutants on our environment minimized.

The industrial sector is notable the chief polluter in almost all countries. As such, any change in this sector no matter how small can spell a big difference to the overall reduction of carbon emission. Shifting to more eco friendly equipments that use less fuel is one of the notable ways in which industries can make a difference.

Industries that employ the use of boilers should install smoke density meters which check on the levels of smoke emitted into the air thereby creating a means through which these harmful emissions can be regulated (Mooney et al 89). Implementation of a decentralization program can also help greatly reduce both vehicular and industrial pollution. This is because decentralization calls for the spreading out of industries as opposed to having them concentrated in one area.

Most suitable Solution

Knowledge based solutions are so far the best technique to tackle the problems of pollution that continue to affect our world. This is because an informed society is likely to understand the consequences of its actions and as such use this knowledge to solve its challenges that it faces daily.

As such, individuals must raise their level of interest in environmental issues to a level that is higher than it stands today. The reality is that few people know about some forms of pollution let alone their negative effect on our lives and the earth. If people were enlightened, it is likely that they would avoid activities that further pollution such as use of chemicals. Education and awareness therefore are the best ways to ensure that the environment is secured for future generations.

Conclusion

This paper set out to provide an informative research on pollution, its major causes and solutions that can be utilized to ensure a reduction in pollution. To this end, this paper has outlined the major forms of pollution. The paper has then proceeded to discuss the major ways in which pollution occurs.

It has been noted that most of the toxic wastes that invade our environment are human-made. The paper has also revealed that while there is no single solution to dealing with the problem of pollution, there are a number of actions which can be taken to mitigate pollution. If implemented, these changes no matter how little will at the end make a vast difference in the lives of many people as well as the ecological balance that supports such existence.

Works Cited

Harrison, Roy. Pollution: causes, effects and control. USA: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2001. Print.

Mooney, Linda Knox, David and Schacht, Caroline. Understanding Social Problems. NY: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Urban Environment Unit: Urban Air Pollution. 2010. Web.

Introduction

• Thesis:
  • Garbage and human waste is pouring into rivers and creeks are creating a pollution problem in the South Bay.
• Explanation:
  • All the polluted water from sewers flows through the creeks ends up in the Bay and carries whatever trash, debris and contaminants. Humans are exposed to untreated sewage through drinking contaminated water, water recreational activities, and/or ingesting contaminated fish. (Loosli et al., 2019, p. 769).

This study highlights the issue of controlling and cleaning of the pollutions in sewage.

Water is a crucial element for all known forms of life to be able to live. Groundwater quality and availability are essential for human consumption and social and economic activities. Most of the countys portable drinking water comes from groundwater wells, reservoirs, streams, rivers, and lakes. Unfortunately, the impact of sewage on the environment is mostly negative. Treating sewage is a big environmental priority in every country because untreated sewage water can spill into rivers, lakes and seas, causing major pollution. Such dangerous chemicals as, for example, detergent chemicals, that are contained in sewage water, are dangerous not only for the natural habitat, but for humans as well since they consume this water. Unfortunately, sanitary sewer overflows are a common problem across the United States. All the water flows through the creeks ends up in the Bay and carries whatever trash, debris and contaminants. San Jose is a troubled spot for trash pollution and bacterial pollution that are spilled into the bay. Humans are exposed to untreated sewage through drinking contaminated water, water recreational activities, and/or ingesting contaminated fish. (Loosli et al., 2019, p. 769).

The Challenge

• Quick urbanization has enhanced the spills of of polluted sewage sludge in San Jose over the last few years.
• San Jose has more than 2,100 miles of sewage pipes.
• Considering that the sewage sludge contains toxic chemicals like nitrogen-containing compounds, organic matters and heavy metals, appropriate filtration and disposal should be utilized to prevent spills and following environmental problems (Lv et al., 2018).
• The new technology is expected to really improve the current inspection methodology by reducing the health risks for workers and making it affordable to public administrations, and also by reducing the pollution in sewage that can affect urban coastal areas.

Wastewater overflows (WWOs) are defined as a major public health issue, especially when there is a high possibility for citizens to come into direct contact with wastewater that has spilled into recreational water environments such as rivers, lakes, seas and oceans that are used for mainly recreational activities such as swimming. Infiltrated water from sewages can contain a number of pathogenic microorganisms including poisonous bacteria and viruses. Moreover, wastewater overflows have a significant effect on ecological situation of the region, creating a toxic environment for animals.

The solutions are expected to

• Improve sewer workers health and safety measures
• Improve the public service given since it optimizes the sewer cleaning resources;
• Improve the quality of life of citizens since it will improve the sewer performance.

Sewer Monitoring

The goal of sewer monitoring is to develop the robot to the highest possible level of sensitivity which will let the sewer manager to manage the sewer efficiently without the need to move closer to dangerous and poisonous locations (Grau et al., 2017).

Among other reasons, robotized sewer monitoring is extremely useful:

• To keep the monitoring staff from going to sewers when there is a risky situation.
• To decide safety and health measures for staff.
• To track down any spills or leaks, which are usually unexpected and illegal,
• To make sure that sewer infrastructures are safe from abrasion, rust and aggressive spills.
• To define any patterns in sewage compounds (seasonal, daily, etc.).
• To use as an instrument for ecological investigations in sewers (David and Tobin, 2017, p. 172).

Benefits:

• Possibility to collect real-time data.
• Determining whether the system is consistently operating in free-flow conditions is easier.
• The information available from a flow-monitoring program saves collection system operators many times the cost of the flow monitoring.
• This method can be used in environmental research..
• The safety of staff is ensured as it does not require workers to go directly to sewage themselves.

Costs:

• Lack of having a set of standardization develops problems with future integration.
• It will take some time to implement the robotic solution into the working routine of the staff.
• The development of the equipment demands high financial spending.
• This method provides the means of controlling, but not preventing unexpected spills.

Purifying Sewage Water

This method of purifying water is complex, but effective. Every day, approximately 100 million gallons of raw sewage is treated by the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD), with roughly 90 million gallons of reclaimed water released daily into the Las Vegas Wash (Nguyen, 2019, p. 24).

The stages of purification process:

• Water from homes and businesses is flushed and streamed to nearby treatment facilities.
• Sludge is removed.
• Trash is trapper by using a mechanical rake.
• The primary treatment using rotating metal arms to skim surface scum into troughs.
• Toxic chemicals are removed through aeration process.
• Water is filtrated through sand.

Benefits:

• Energy consumption is reduced.
• Purified and filtrated water does not contain toxins.
• With clean water the habitat of South Bay is protected.
• Reclaimed water for industrial, commercial, and landscape irrigation requires less treatment than recycled water for drinking.
• Overall environmental impact is reduced.

Costs:

• The complexity of such method.
• Increased need for additional facilities and pipes to transport water.
• High financial costs for the equipment.
• Some regions still lack water recycling piping, that is why the implementing of the purifying equipment will be time-consuming.

Conclusion

In recent years the problem of water sewage spills in San Jose has become more evident. The environmentalists are still trying to find efficient and low-cost solutions to the issue.

This presentation demonstrated two effective ways to control and prevent polluted water from spilling into South Bay.

Both methods that are described above have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Moreover, both methods have more benefits than costs. Nevertheless, purifying sewage water seems like a more appropriate solution since it provides quick positive results. That is why this solution is more efficient in managing sewage water as it prevents toxic spills from the start.

In conclusion it would appear that in order to maximize innovation, its compulsory to understand the significance of those innovations while breaking barriers in effective water management. In this case the risk of polluted spills will be greatly lowered.

References

Grau, A., Bolea, Y., Puig-Pey, A., & Sanfeliu, A. (2017). Robotic solutions for sewage systems in coastal urban environments. Proceedings of OCEANS 2017-Aberdeen, pp. 1-5.

David, R. B., & Tobin, G. A. (2017). Understanding water policy sustainability: A case study in San Francisco and San Jose California. Environmental Science & Policy, 78, pp. 167-172.

Loosli, F., Wang, J., Rothenberg, S., Bizimis, M., Winkler, C., Borovinskaya, O., & Baalousha, M. (2019). Sewage spills are a major source of titanium dioxide engineered (nano)-particle release into the environment. Environmental Science: Nano, 6(3), pp. 763-777.

Lv, D., Zhu, T., Liu, R., Li, X., Zhao, Y., Sun, Y., & Zhao, Q. (2018). Effects of co-processing sewage sludge in the cement kiln on PAHs, heavy metals emissions and the surrounding environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(4), p. 698.

Nguyen, S. (2019). The South Bay water recycling program: an evaluation of water recycling outcomes in comparison to selected cities and countries. San Jose State University, Masters Project.

Executive Summary

It is estimated that water takes up more than two thirds of the total earths surface. This means that land occupies less than one third of the surface. Arguably, water is the most essential resource in the world. With it, plants as well as wildlife survive. In addition, its use in facilitating success in mans activities is great.

However, as the population across the world continues to grow exponentially, human beings are putting the water bodies under immense pressure. In essence, the activities of over six billion people in the world are threatening the survival and quality of water found in the oceans, lakes and other inland water catchment areas.

Water pollution is a human problem that is constantly threatening the lives and livelihoods of many people around the world. Rapid population growths accompanied by increased industrial and technological development have significantly contributed to the pollution of the available water bodies.

With the worlds population hitting a record high of over eight billion occupants, the popular belief that the oceans were too big to be polluted is arguably disputable considering the recent events and human activities that have greatly contributed to the pollution of our oceans as well as other water bodies.

In as much as the ocean waters cannot be consumed directly by human beings, the waters provide a home for many a fish species and marine life which are facing extinction due to pollution. This statement leads us to the most crucial questions. What is ocean pollution? How does it happen? What are the effects of ocean pollution to man and the marine life? What solutions can be used to address this issue? And what recommendations can be implemented to supplement the solutions in finding lasting resolves to this issue?

Over the years, researchers have dedicated most of their time, efforts and resources to find answers to these questions. This study shall review relevant literature and present an informative report on how ocean pollution has over the decades affected human and marine life. The main focus shall be on the effects of this type of water pollution to the fishing industry.

Introduction

In the wake of the past century, man began to acknowledge the fragile balance that existed between him and the environment. In the course of the previous two centuries, mans industrialization efforts offset the balance that had been maintained between him and the climatic conditions that prevailed.

Detrimental practices such as deforestation, air and water pollution began to rise and consequently posed a threat to mankinds own survival. These malevolent practices could chiefly be attributed to the rise in the global population accompanied by rapid technological advancement which was characterized by all manner of pollution.

The consequences that have risen as a result of neglecting to take care of the environment have now become a reality to the whole of mankind. This status quo has forced environmental issues to take a center stage in mans life as can be exhibited by the recently held Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Nations have come together and put a valuable effort to restore, maintain and manage their respective eco systems.

In light of the importance with which environmental conservation is regarded, this research shall explore in detail the various aspects that impact our oceans negatively. A brief history of ocean pollution shall be presented and the causes and effects of ocean pollution addressed.

Viable solutions to this problem shall be discussed and supplementary suggestions as to how best the problem can be mitigated shall also be recommended. To this end, an informative discussion on this issue shall be presented with all the while giving an overview on how ocean pollution has affected life in the fishing industry.

What is ocean pollution?

As Ostopowich (2010) explains, ocean pollution often refers to a situation whereby one or more contaminants build up in the oceans to an extent that they cause problems to both people and marine life that depends on the oceans for survival.

Basically, ocean pollution is primarily man-made and can therefore be defined as the degradation of quality of oceanic water due to excess human activities (Ostopowich, 2010). Water is a very unique element. It has various characteristics that help it clean of any impurities that it comes in contact with through diffusion, filtration, evaporation and chemical breakdown of contaminant to an extent that they cannot be harmful.

With this in mind, the question that is left wanting is: considering these unique characteristics of water, why is ocean pollution so rife today? Goel (2006) claims that rapid population growth which led to increased industrialization, globalization and the need for more room for expansion is to blame.

Despite the fact that water is self healing, the process requires a lot of time. However, due to increased human activities, the oceans are under constant pressure and are overly charged with the duty of diffusing and decontaminating toxic substances that result from mans industrial efforts (Kumar, 2004). As such, the oceans capability to handle waste has been greatly overwhelmed leading to the now visible oceanic pollution.

Problem Statement

The fishing industry is a very important sector of many economies across the world. Its role in socioeconomic growth cannot be understated. However, in the past few decades, a series of unfortunate events and issues have attacked this once so successful sector. Among the primary problems affecting this industry is ocean pollution. Mans ambitious nature accompanied by globalization has led to the rapid expansion of the industrial, technological and agricultural sectors in an unprecedented rate.

These advancements though important to mans survival have affected the environment and various ecosystems detrimentally. Toxic wastes, excessive CO2 emissions and chemical substances emanating from mans activities have found their way into the oceans and other water sources (Calhoun, 2005).

Consequently, they have affected the aquatic life by either killing the animals and plants that depend on the waters or disrupting their life and reproductive cycles. To this effect, the number of harvestable species has decreased significantly thereby threatening the survival and successful continuation of the fishing industry.

Purpose statement

The aim of this study shall be to evaluate the extent to which ocean pollution has affected the fishing industry. To achieve this, pollution as a whole shall be defined and described. The various types of water pollution shall be addressed and the causes of pollution shall also be presented.

There after, a discussion pertaining to the effects of these pollutants shall be presented and viable solutions to the pollution problem highlighted. All this shall aim at providing detailed explanations as to how various pollutions interlink and affect aquatic life and subsequently, the fishing industry.

Brief history of ocean pollution

Pollution has been in existence since the wake of time. Every human activity no matter how minute has a direct effect on the environment. As mentioned earlier, water takes up a significant percentage of the earths surface. Bocknek (2004) states that in the earlier centuries, mans activities were restricted to the land and rarely did they come into contact with the water bodies which were primarily used as a source of food and a medium for transportation.

Unknown to him, early man was eco friendly. The materials and machinery used did little damage to the oceans and could easily be reversed. It should be noted that pollution is all about quantities. However, at the dawn of the industrialization era, mans activities in search for civilization increased significantly. This accompanied by the rapid population growth and technological advancements started to exert an unprecedented amounts of pressure on the waters.

Today, mans activities in terms of transportation, trade, business and discharging of toxic substances depend on the oceans in one way or the other. The use of machineries to promote efficiency and boost productivity has only made the situation worse. The only surprise is that despite the numerous warnings and signs provided by nature, man still persists on with more aggression. To this effect, ocean pollution today has increased by more than 15 times of what it used to be less than a century ago.

Problems in the global fishing industry

The fishing industry has been noted to generate an income of over $70 billion dollar. USA International Business Publications (2009) state that the fishing industry employs more than one million people in terms of fishermen, crew members and fish traders.

In total, the fishing industry harbors more than 37,000 industrial ships and an estimated 12 million small-boat fishermen contribute to a significant amount of fish products available in the markets today. These small-boat fishermen are highly valuable because their collective annual harvest is equivalent to that yielded by the industrial ships (World Bank, 2003).

Water pollution has however led to a situation whereby the annual harvest of fish from the industry has been constantly decreasing over the years. With this in mind, it is safe to say that the existence and survival of this multibillion industry lies on very shaky grounds due to the increased pollution of the water bodies.

A recent example of the adverse effects that pollution have on marine life is the over spill of oil within the Gulf Coast that completely blanketed the ocean for a considerable amount of time. This incidence is just one among many other forms of water pollution that have in the recent past affected the livelihoods and lives of the people, plants and animals that depend on the waters for survival.

Ostopowich (2010) states that the Gulf Coast is one of the richest region in the fishing industry as it has a wide variety of fish, shrimps and oysters that are exported all over the world. The spill drifted all the way to the Mississippi Delta that is almost five miles away from Gulf.

Speculations have it that the adverse effects of the spill will continue to be felt for years to come. Oil spills are dangerous because they blanket the water surface thereby making it difficult for sun rays to penetrate. In addition, oil spills inhibit the exchange of oxygen or carbon dioxide which is essential to the survival cycle of marine life.

According to Bocknek (2004), exposure of fish eggs and fingerlings to oil spills and other pollutants has detrimental long term effects on them. Whenever fish sense a change in their environment, they often opt to migrate in search of the optimum conditions. Consequently, this disrupts their life and breeding cycles.

This unwarranted migration has led to the death of many fish mainly due to infections, being preyed upon and abandonment of eggs which die off due to lack of a favorable environment for breeding. Due to this sad state of affairs, fishermen are forced to overfish from the little that is left. This in turn does not give the remaining fish a chance to repopulate thereby leading to the current situation whereby the demand of fish in the global market far outweighs the supply.

Fish larvae are highly affected by water pollutants and experience deformities and some times end up dying at a very young age. What should be noted in this case is that fish larvae play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance between plant and animal life in the water bodies.

As Goel (2006) states, they are consumed by other fish and they in turn consume much of the bacteria that if left unchecked may have negative effects on the water bodies. With this disruption of their life cycle, the fish population is greatly reduced and the life of the already existing species is under constant threat of extinction. On the same note, Arber (2001) states that fish can be displaced due to oil spills.

The author gives an example of the Atlantic bluefin tuna which gather in the gulf to reproduce before heading back to their original birth place. Consequently, this species of fish is forced to find new habitats which are often unknown to the fishermen depending on these fishes for their livelihood.

USA International Business Publications (2009) support this statement by stating that fishermen rely on their expertise as well as the habitual traits of the fish for success. They know where a particular species can be found and the best time to harvest the fish. However, these abrupt changes in fish behavior due to pollution have only made the life and work of the fishermen harder.

In some occasions, the fish often eat floating plantations algae and bacteria from the sea surface. However, due to pollutants such as oil spills and chemical substances, the fish often end up getting contaminated. This has been very problematic because fishermen are now required by law to have their harvest tested before sending the caught fish into the market. Considering that fish is perishable, the fishermen end up incurring extra costs in preservation and quality assurance processes.

Waste disposal has been documented by Bocknek (2004)as a major hurdle in the fishing industry. Most human beings have a tendency of throwing their rubbish and dirt into the water bodies and drainage systems assuming that they will be drained away to a better place.

Fishermen and other members of the shipping industry pollute the waters through the disposal of cargo waste, plastic as well as noise emanating from their ships and machineries. The presence of such pollutants has serious impacts on the fish life and has contributed to the migration and death of many fishes.

Arber (2001), states that radioactive substances are not only harmful to human beings but also to fishes and marine life. Radioactive substances can be classified into three categories namely; high-level waste that are small volumes of highly active products from the processing of fuel, intermediates-level waste which are waste products that need continuous follow up and assessment but do not remove high levels of heat and finally, the low level waste which is water that is a little contaminated and can be dealt with without much precaution.

The author reiterates that the most common channels through which radioactive materials can access the body is through ingestion, breathing or absorption. These radioactive substances affect the fish, kills them leading to the decreased amounts of fish in the markets and oceans.

Kumar (2004) suggests that in most occasions, fishes get contaminated indirectly. He explains that this happens when the food they eat is contaminated. Radioactive materials as well as most metallic elements are absorbed by the algae, plants and other sources of food. As such, when the fish consume these foods, they end up absorbing the pollutants thereby getting contaminated.

Continuous absorption of these substances contaminates the fish meat and at times may have serious health implications to the humans that enjoy eating fish. Today, due to excessive pollution, the quality of fish meat is under serious scrutiny and people opt for other forms of meat in fear for their health. This accompanied by the ban on fishing due to pollution in some areas has greatly affected the lives of the fishermen and the whole fishing industry.

Water pollution has also affected the reproduction cycles and systems of fish and other forms of marine life. This can be attributed to the fact that most of the pollutants affect the fish variably. For example, Kumar (2004) states that radioactive and metallic elements if ingested over a long period of time may lead to sterility among the fish. The eggs need to be fertilized if more fingerlings are to be produced.

However, if the reproductive capabilities of the fish are hampered, then the amount of fish will continue to decline. In addition, unwanted mutations and general behavioral change has been observed within the fishes and the marine life due to excessive exposure to radioactive substances and other pollutants.

Types of ocean/water pollution

To further understand pollution, researchers have classified the types of pollution that affect the available water bodies. According to Burk (2005), these classifications have been instrumental in determining the various causes and effects that can emanate from a specific type of water pollution and how best the problem can be addressed on a more specific level.

Earths water resources are often perceived by many as the surface water seen as lakes, oceans, rivers and other water catchment areas. These are therefore called surface waters. Burk (2005), states that the most obvious pollution affects these waters. He claims that they are obvious because the extent of pollution can readily be seen on the water surface.

For example, oil spills can cover a large area of the waters and affect the life resources within that area, garbage and non-biodegradable substances disposed by man into the water bodies can be seen on the surface and have an adverse effect on the lives of the humans, animals, and plants that depend on the water bodies for survival.

However, not all of the water sits on the surface. A great amount of water is hidden underground. Bocknek (2004) explains that water is transported underground from the oceans, lakes and rivers through rock structures called aquifers. These aquifers contribute to a significant amount of clean water that we use in our homes.

Nevertheless, underground water is polluted by the excessive chemicals that are used in the agricultural sector, and homes. For example, Kumar (2004) reiterates that the weed killers used by individuals to tend to their gardens often drain into the ground where they contaminate the underground waters. The author states that in as much as this type of pollution is not visible, it still presents a serious threat to life resources.

He further supports his statements by citing the Lowa study conducted in 1966 which indicated that over a half of the underground water in this region was contaminated by weed killers and other agrochemicals. How does this affect the oceans? The underground waters drain into the rivers which in turn often end up in the oceans and other water bodies. If such water constantly drains into these water bodies, they ultimately pollute the oceans over time thereby affecting the marine life therein.

Other than these two types of pollution, there is also the point-source pollution and the nonpoint-source pollution. According to Birch & Wachter (2008), point-source refers to the pollution that emanates from a direct and single source. Examples of this type of pollution include but are not limited to: direct pipes that discharge waste from factories into the oceans, oil spills from tankers and ocean-based oil rigs and runoff wash water from home based activities.

As Smith et al assert, the chemicals used to wash the cars accompanied by the oil, gasoline and grease extracts that are removed during car washing presents potential environmental pollutants. The results compiled from the Residential carwash water monitoring study of Federal way support the findings of the Puget Sound Partnership 2008 Action Agenda. The Action Agenda also points out that majority of the pollutants getting into the rivers, lakes and marine waters around Puget Sound came from various pathways.

Surface water runoff was highlighted as the primary transportation route for the main contaminants. As documented in the final report, the most concentrated contaminants came from the developed lands (residential and commercial estates). This study simply highlighted how the situation is thereby emphasizing on the need to take action in regards to car washing as a root cause of water pollution in this area.

Causes of ocean pollution

Ocean pollution does not necessarily need to be direct. According to Miller & Spoolman (2008), experts on climate agree that there is need to mitigate climatic change so as to ensure that the adverse effects of climatic change do not become a reality.

While there is no single solution to deal with this problem, one of the most effective means to achieve this is the taking of measures to diminish green house gases by lowering the consumption of fossil fuels (USA International Business Publications, 2009). This is because the gases emitted by fossil fuels are the major cause of global warming.

Developed countries make up the major consumers of fossil fuels with statistics from the National Energy Foundation stating that the US alone accounted for 26% of the total world consumption of coal, oil and natural gas as of 1999. From this figures, it is clear that the US is a key player in the emission of GHGs. As such, for any policy to be effective, it would be imperative that the US to be a participant.

These gas emissions lead to atmospheric pollution which in turn contributes to acid rain. This type of pollution is wide spread and very problematic because if it is not mitigated at the source, the chain reaction that follows cannot be prevented or stopped. The acid rain pours into the oceans and contaminates the water body leading to the rapid growth of bacteria and kills aquatic life. As Miller & Spoolman (2008) state, the fishing industry is failing not because of overfishing, but due to the increased water pollution that is prevalent in todays society.

Harrison (2001), states that biodegradable waste contributes to a significant amount of water pollution. The author reiterates that these types of waste include wastes emanating from both humans and animals. When the biodegradable waste finds its way into the water bodies (oceans, lakes and rivers), they create organic carbon which is a source of energy for bacteria. Over time, carbon dioxide is formed from the organic carbons.

Harrison (2001), states that excessive carbon dioxide lead to air pollution and acid rains which are very problematic to contain and control. In addition, the author states that an increase in organic matter in the oceans leads to a situation where aerobic bacteria multiply faster. Since this type of bacteria are consume oxygen, the oxygen levels in the oceans decrease significantly and consequently, aquatic life is hampered and killed because marine life depends greatly on the oxygen in the water for survival.

Another cause of ocean pollution is chemical substances and nutrients. According to Burk (2005), plant nutrients drains into the water through the sewer systems and runoffs. Phosphates and nitrates have been documented as the leading contaminants of water (Mooney et al, 2008).

In as much as these chemicals are natural, statistics presented by the EPA indicated that over 80% of nitrates and 75% of phosphates that are found in the waters are man-made. So, how do these chemicals cause pollution? Livingston (2005), states that a high concentration of these chemicals in the water leads to algal bloom. Algae smells and looks bad and at the same time, are a potential health hazard.

In addition, these chemicals have been known to affect marine life and lower the oxygen levels in the waterways. In addition, the author claims that nonylphenol surfactants have the ability to change the sex of fish and that the phosphates presents an environment where algae flourish.

In the event that this happens, weeds and bacteria grow and spread faster. Consequently, the decomposing plants consume most of the oxygen in the water thereby interrupting aquatic life, lessen aquatic biodiversity and even kill aquatic life. It should be noted that the process of plant decomposition (eutrophication) occurs over a lengthy period (thousands of years).

The process enables the water body to enrich itself with nutrients which support marine life. However, pollution disrupts this process and makes it happen over 1,000 times faster. This means that oxygen is consumed faster than expected leading to the death of aquatic life.

Heat has also been documented as a major source of water pollution. The earths temperature is on the rise. As the earth is getter hotter and hotter, so does the water temperatures. As the general water temperature increases, dissolved oxygen reduces significantly. Birch & Wachter (2008), state that thermal pollution can either be natural or man-made.

Hot springs and geysers are example of natural causes while the dispensation of water that has been used to cool down machineries and power plants represent man-made pollution. According to Birch & Wachter (2008), aquatic life requires certain temperatures and levels of oxygen to thrive and survive. As such, heat causes a serious problem to the lives of the plants and fish in the water and may lead to their deaths thereby reducing the available number to be fished or harvested.

Another cause of water pollution is sediments. Sediments refer to the organic matter and solid minerals that are wash or blow into the water sources. McKinney (2007), states that sediment pollution is often very difficult to spot because it emanates from various sources.

The author states that; Each year, water sources in the United States are polluted by over one billion tones of sediment (McKinney, 2007). Though unknown to many, Sediment have been known to suffocate marine life and can cause water to be turbid. Turbid water is detrimental because it absorbs more solar radiation leading to thermal pollution.

Most of the toxic wastes that invade our environment are human-made. In most cases, these hazardous and toxic chemicals are not used in the right manner or disposed of correctly. Examples supporting this statement include point-source pollutants such as factory and cargo waste as well as oil spills from tankers and ocean based oil rigs.

Point sources of chemical pollution include industrial discharges and oil spills. As Alvord (2000) reiterates, home based practices involve the use of excessive water and chemicals. However, if the practices are not regulated, they lead to a situation where the water used ends up polluting the runoff and storm drains. This can in turn have negative environmental impacts on both the quality and quantity of water resources.

The United States-based Natural Resources Defense Council (2000) equates the level of water pollution in urban and suburban storm water runoff to that experienced from sewage plants and large factories. The council claims that the drainage systems and storm water runoffs collect the toxic waste and other pollutants that flow into them and discharge them into the water resources where they affect the fish and other marine life.

They further emphasize that the toxic chemicals and pollutants left on roads, driveways, and gardens are deposited directly into local waterways without being treated Livingston (2005). This pollution can have negative effects on ecosystem functions and biological diversity, as well as social aspects such as public health, recreation, and general community well-being (Livingston, 2005).

As such, the environmental issues caused by the increasing volumes of pollutants being flushed down our drains, creeks and rivers, into recreational waterways and the sea, have forced us to acknowledge the detrimental impacts of conventional urbanization practices and the need for change (Livingston, 2005).

Radioactive pollutants have also presented a serious threat to marine life and the fishing industry at large. They include wastes that emanate from health care facilities, industries and mines. In addition, Canter & Knox (1985), state that some radioactive pollutants such as radon are created naturally.

These pollutants are very dangerous and hard to do away with because it takes a very long time for any form of radioactive pollutant to cease being effective. In regards to the topic under discussion, radioactive pollutants have led to the death of many sea animals as well as the disruption of their life and reproductive cycles. Consequently, the number of fish has declined thereby creating scarcity and other related problems in the fishing industry.

Another source of water pollution has been noted to be pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Products in this category include medicines, lotions, gels and soaps that people use to maintain their beauty and take care of their skins. As Brebbia et al (2006) state, only recently, has it been discovered that most of these products work as hormonal disrupters.

The author explains that the synthetic hormones that are in these products impede the full functionality of natural hormones in animals, especially aquatic life. Like any other form of pollution, these products often drain into the water sources through the drainage system and when people go to swim and have fun in the ocean.

Solutions

In its bid to reduce the pollution levels, the government has put various strategies in place. A significant policy is that of Tax rebates which is offered to all industries that adopt eco friendly practices. This move by the government will reduce industrial emissions as well as the level of toxic wastes that get into our oceans by a wide margin since industrial fumes are some of the biggest causes of air pollution.

In addition to this, all industries should be encouraged by law to plant trees which acts as carbon sinks thus reducing pollution levels. In so doing, the adverse effects that air pollution have on our oceans will greatly be reduced and aquatic life will be restored.

Over the years, it has been suggested that new architectural designs can help retard global warming. As such, the government must enforce the set laws which stipulate that new industrial, commercial and residential houses should be built using materials compliant with the new environmental laws.

More effective and efficient water and waste treatment methods have also been developed and it is a prerequisite to have them installed before starting up any industry. Citizens are also encouraged to use the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) model as part of their contribution towards a greener State.

Mooney et al (2008) assert that individuals can do a lot on their own to reduce the carbon footprint. Throughout the world, the level of electricity consumption is increasing every day. It is therefore important that they adjust their lifestyle if they are to meet the stipulated limits. This can be done by switching to less energy consuming light bulbs, using public means of transport as compared to personal vehicles, switching back to fans rather than using air conditioners, using LCD and plasma screens instead of tube televisions.

To curb water pollution, dish washers can be employed instead of hand washing thereby reducing water wastage. Using the shower instead of the bath tub has been known to reduce Co2 emissions. In so doing, the level of pollution will have reduced significantly and the effects of these pollutants on our oceans will be minimal thereby giving the marine life a chance to repopulate.

The industrial sector is notable the chief polluter in almost all countries. As such, any change in this sector no matter how small can spell a big difference to the overall reduction of carbon emission. Shifting to more eco friendly equipments that use less fuel is one of the notable ways in which industries can make a difference.

Industries that employ the use of boilers should install smoke density meters which check on the levels of smoke emitted into the air thereby creating a means through which these harmful emissions can be regulated (Mooney et al, 2008).

Implementation of a decentralization program can also help greatly reduce both vehicular and industrial pollution. This is because decentralization calls for the spreading out of industries as opposed to having them concentrated in one area. On the same note, potentially pollutant industries such chemical plants, sawmills, ship repairing, cement manufacturing should be located to either the seaward side or offshore side of the island in order to reduce water pollution.

In addition to the above measures, the government can also initiate tree planting program, encourage establishment of parks, offer funds to green groups and agencies which help find solutions to environmental issues. An increase in taxation on vehicles that are gas guzzlers can also aid in the battle to reduce green house gases emissions.

Brebbia et al (2006) reiterate that industrialization no matter how important posses a great threat to our environment if left unchecked. It is therefore in the best interest of everyone if the government adopts means to monitors the rates of industrialization and applies stringent rules and laws in matters concerning preservation of the environment.

Proponents of the Kyoto protocol are adamant in their stand that it is industrial pollutants that are responsible for the climatic havoc that is experienced. Their proposed solution is a reduction in emissions by the industries in accordance with the Kyoto policies. While there is truth in these assertions, the proponents fail to consider that there are many other means by which to curtail GHG emissions.

This is a view which is also held by Burk (2005) who declares that there is not single formula for dealing with global warming and pollution. The Kyoto Protocols overemphasis on industries as the major cause of pollution is the reason why the developing countries are omitted from the bid to alleviate the condition since they are deemed to be minor players in the industrial field.

The USA is the leading industrial power in the country and for this reason; proponents view the failure by the US to endorse the Kyoto protocol as a blow to the efforts of mitigating climate change. Hassan et al (2005) note that aside from the large scale efforts to limit CO2 emissions, individuals can do a lot on their own to reduce the carbon footprint.

This is because the end consumer is the one who utilized electricity and drives vehicles that also contribute to GHG emissions. A change in the lifestyle of the individual can therefore make a big impact on the environment. The Kyoto protocol fails to take this into consideration the impact that citizens of developing countries can make to the climate change efforts.

China for example boasts of the worlds largest population. Neglecting to consider the impact that its citizens might have if they are forced to make changes that are healthy to the environment would be a faulty move. Adoption of the Kyoto protocols is therefore a viable solution since it will ensure that all countries play an equal role in safeguarding the environment against various pollutants that threaten aquatic life.

The time and money spent by multinational corporations in lobbying for softer legislations on the use of CFCs would be better spent on research of cheap and safe alternatives. The belief that such alternatives would be too expensive is aimed at discoursing opponents on the use of CFCs. There are existing scientifically proven alternatives for CFCs but the big players have blatantly refused to embrace these choices.

According to Wood et al (2000), alternatives for some of the substances (e.g. Freon) that cause water pollutions have already been found. However, the authors point out that the prices of these substitutes may be slightly higher than those of the original product. This is because technological innovations are allowing the recycling of chemicals removable from used up refrigeration units and air conditioners.

The shifts to these alternatives will save these industries millions of dollars in the future. It is a fact that consumers will have to deal with high initial costs of the new technology; it is also obvious that this cost would be minimal in comparison to earth without the protective cover or aquatic life.

Effects of the use of CFCs not only affect the third world. The United States and China have not been spared with hurricanes and floods taking toll on these two nations respectively. In addition, the significant drop in revenue from the fishing industry as well as the decline in the availability of fish indicates that something ought to be done to address this issue of pollution.

It is good news to note that action is being taken to reduce the effects of CFCs, in both global and national fronts; each and every individual has a role to play in conserving the environment and reduce pollution. Miller & Spoolman (2008) state that consumers can form the first group of environmentalists by combating the use of these chemicals by shunning products composed of chlorine, phosphate, nitrate and nonylphenol surfactants compounds.

Consumers should have their air conditioning hoses properly fitted and certified by qualified personnel to avoid leaks of CFCs into the atmosphere. Furthermore, they can take their governments to task on proper guidelines regarding the disposal of air conditioning and coolants. In real fact, the most important weapon we have as individuals is education. In so doing, pollution will decrease and marine life will have a fighting chance for survival and repopulation.

Knowledge based solutions to our problems are so far the best techniques Goudie (2006). An informed society is likely to understand the consequences of its actions and as such use this knowledge to solve its challenges that it faces daily Individuals must raise their level of interest in environmental issues higher than it stands today.

The fact is that few people know about pollution leave alone their knowledge on its effects is a grim statistic (Goudie, 2006). Furthermore, few people are aware of the role of the ozone layer, water basins and atmospheric soundness. In response to these sad realities, few people are thus aware of heath risks they are exposed to by the use of these chemicals. Education and awareness still remain the central keys to a healthy future generation of our world (Harrison, 2001).

The author suggests that human nature has a tendency to overlook the problems that do not affect an individual directly. Just relax and take a picture of the earth brown and withered, without the beauty of the green vegetation, and completely barren. This remains the future of our beloved planet Earth, completely brought to destruction by man- the most intelligent creature in existence. When that time comes, there will be no choice of repair.

Conclusion

The oceans and other water resources have over the years proved to be valuable sources of income, livelihood, food and transport to the human race. However, mans lack of concern for these resources is increasingly turning into a cause for worry. Over fishing and pollution brought about by mans activity are affecting the quality of water in these sources all the while impacting negatively on the animal and plant life that depend on these waters for survival.

The fishing industry has also learned the hard way that preservation of the water sources is the only key to success in this trade. Low quality fish as well as a decline in the annual volume of fish harvests have in the recent past characterized this once so successful industry.

This study has in detail described the environmental situation that exists in our water sources. Pollution has been noted as a threat to existence and various aspects of pollution have been discussed. Examples of water pollutants such as oil spills, radioactive and chemical substances and industrial wastes have been documented as the leading sources of ocean pollution.

How these pollutants affect aquatic life has also been discussed and the ripple effects of the same to the fishing industry highlighted. While it has been observed that the many nations are indeed directing efforts to mitigate pollution by conforming to the required standards stipulated by the global community, there is still much more that can be done to even better the current scores.

It has also been established that the vision for a greener environment can only be realized if the public and private sectors come and work together as a team. Solutions and recommendations have also been made as to how the government and the citizens can contribute in this important task of reducing pollution in future.

If implemented, these changes no matter how little will at the end make a vast difference in the lives of many people as well as the ecological balance that supports such existence. It is therefore upon each person to foresee that they fulfill their roles in this quest in order to secure a greener and safer future not only for future generations, but also for the animal and plant life that depend on the ecosystems for survival.

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