Marine Pollution

MARINE POLLUTION
WHAT IS MARINE POLLUTION?
 Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and

trash, most of which comes from land sources and is
washed or blown into the ocean. This pollution
results in damage to the environment, to the health of
all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide.
It is a growing problem in today’s world. Our ocean
is being flooded with two main types of pollution:
chemicals and trash.
 Oceans, which account for 70 percent of the surface
of our planet, play a pivotal role in the health of our
planet and those who inhabit it. Unfortunately, our
oceans are polluted and this pollution is given the
name of marine pollution.
MARINE POLLUTION - THE CAUSES
 Nonpoint source pollution (Runoff):
Nonpoint source pollution comes from a variety of different

locations and sources. The result of this is runoff, which occurs when
rain or snow moves pollutants from the ground into the ocean.
 Intentional discharge:
Manufacturing plants in some areas of the world release toxic waste

into the ocean, including mercury. While it’s intentionally being
released into the sea, sewage also contributes to ocean pollution, as
well as plastic products. According to Ocean Conservancy, eight
million metric tons of plastic goes into our oceans every year.
 Oil spills:
Ships are major contributors to ocean pollution,

especially when crude oil spills occur. Crude oil lasts
for years in the ocean and is difficult to clean up.
 Littering:
Atmospheric pollution, which refers to objects

carried by the wind to the ocean, is a big problem.
Items such as plastic bags and Styrofoam containers
become suspended in the water and don’t
decompose.
 Ocean mining:
Deep-sea ocean mining causes pollution and

disruption at the lowest levels of the ocean. Drilling
for substances such as cobalt, zinc, silver, gold and
copper creates harmful sulphide deposits deep in the
ocean.
MARINE POLLUTION - THE EFFECTS
 Harmful to marine animals:
Sea animals are common victims of ocean pollution. Oil spills, for
instance, will ensnare and suffocate marine animals by permeating
their gills. When the oil gets into seabird feathers, they may not be
able to fly or feed their young. Animals that aren’t killed by crude oil
may suffer from cancer, behavioural changes and become unable to
reproduce.
Marine animals also mistake small plastic debris for food or become
entangled in or strangled by plastic bags and discarded fishing nets.
Animals most vulnerable to harm from plastic debris in the ocean
include dolphins, fish, sharks, turtles, seabirds and crabs.
 Depletion of oxygen in seawater:
As excess debris in the ocean slowly degrades over many years it

uses oxygen to do so, resulting in less 02 in the ocean. Low levels
of oxygen in the ocean lead to the death of ocean animals such as
penguins, dolphins, whales and sharks.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in seawater also cause oxygen

depletion. When a great deal of oxygen depletion occurs in an area
of the ocean, it can become a dead zone where no marine life can
survive.
 A threat to human health:
Pollutants in the ocean make their way back to humans. Small

organisms ingest toxins and are eaten by larger predators, many of
which are seafood that we eventually eat. When the toxins in
contaminated animals get deposited in human tissue, it can lead to
long-term health conditions, cancer and birth defects.
LAWS THAT PROTECT OUR OCEANS
 THE ACT TO PREVENT POLLUTION FROM SHIPS (APPS)
The APPS implements the provisions of Marpol 73/78, the International Convention for
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978. In
1987, APPS was amended by the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act.
The MPPRCA requires EPA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), to study the effects of improper disposal of plastics on the environment and
methods to reduce or eliminate such adverse effects.
 MARINE DEBRIS RESEARCH, PREVENTION, AND REDUCTION ACT

(MDRPRA)
The MDRPRA established programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) identify, determine
sources of, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris. MDRPRA also reactivates the
Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee, chaired by NOAA.
 SHORE PROTECTION ACT (SPA)
The SPA is applicable to transportation of municipal and commercial wastes in coastal waters. The SPA aims to
minimize debris from being deposited into coastal waters from inadequate waste handling procedures by waste
transporting vessels. EPA, in consultation with the Coast Guard, is responsible for developing regulations under the
SPA.
 MARINE PROTECTION, RESEARCH, AND SANCTUARIES ACT (MPRSA)
The MPRSA, also called the Ocean Dumping Act, generally prohibits:
- transportation of material from the United States for the purpose of ocean dumping;
- transportation of material from anywhere for the purpose of ocean dumping by U.S. agencies or U.S.-flagged
vessels; and
- dumping of material transported from outside the United States into the U.S. territorial sea.
 THE BEACH ACT OF 2000
The Act defines coastal recreation waters as the Great Lakes and marine coastal waters (including coastal estuaries)
that states, territories, and tribes designate in their water quality standards for use for swimming, bathing, surfing, or
similar water contact activities.
MARINE POLLUTION: RELATED
CASES
CASE STUDY 1:
PEOPLE OF RULL EX REL RUEPONG V MV KYOWA VIOLET (21 SEPTEMBER 2006)
Marine Environmental Pollution- Negligence- Public and Private Nuisance- Damages resulting from groundings and
oil spills
DECISION: Claims in negligence and nuisance allowed. Damages were awarded for damage to reef, mangroves and
marine resources, and loss of use. Compensation was denied for mental anguish, and loss of swimming opportunity.
HELD: A cause of action is available in maritime negligence for recovery of damages resulting from groundings and
oil spills. Damages were also available in private nuisance because the plaintiffs suffered substantial interference
with the use and enjoyment of their property as a result of the defendants’ improper navigation which could be
characterized as negligent or reckless. The claim in public nuisance was also successful, the court finding that the
plaintiffs suffered damages different in kind from that suffered by the public at large.
CASE STUDY 2:
The marine beach in Chennai may become out of bounds for pleasure seekers if
the discharge of pollutants by the Adyar and Cooum rivers into the sea goes on
unchecked. According to a study conducted by Institute of Ocean Management
(IOM) in the Anna University, Tamil Nadu, the pollutants may not only lead to
unbearable odour in the environment, but also cause several skin problems.
CASE STUDY 3:
A large crude carrier and an oil tanker collided, causing an oil spill of about 3000-
4000 tonnes in the Singapore Strait on October 15, 1997. The 75,428 tonne
Cyprus-registered oil tankers Evoikos was carrying about 123,000 tonnes of
marine fuel oil when it collided with the Thai-registered Orapin global just
outside Singapore port’s limits. Cleaning operations were in progress. And in the
meanwhile, time the marine life in that area suffered tremendously.
CASE STUDY 4:
A large oil slick is threatening marine life and birds along the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) coastline. The slick was caused by
stricken barge that spilled about 4000 tonnes of crude oil into
the sea. Authorities have temporally shut down a water
desalination plant to ensure that the oil slick would not be drain
into the plant through its water intake pipes.
WHAT ARE THE MARINE POLLUTION SOLUTIONS?
REDUCE CHEMICAL FERTILIZER USE:
Excess chemical fertilizer eventually makes its way into the oceans. Choose organic fertilizers, which tend to be
lower in nutrients, and use them at half strength or half as often as suggested.
OPT FOR REUSABLE BOTTLES AND UTENSILS:
Throw-away plastic bottles and utensils, including straws, are massive ocean polluters. Rather than contributing
to the threat to marine life, opt for reusable bottles and utensils.
HOLD A CLEAN-UP:
Organize a social distancing clean-up at the beach or a nearby park. The more trash you pick up and properly
dispose of, the less waste goes into our oceans.
PROPERLY DISPOSE OF PLASTICS AND TRASH
One of the simplest ways to reduce ocean pollution is to properly dispose of plastics and other recyclable
materials, so they don’t end up in the ocean. In outdoor spaces, such as beaches and parks, dispose of trash in a
secure receptacle or take it home with you.
DON’T JUST WATCH
IT !!!!
THANK YOU
PRESENTED BY :- ANUSHKA SINGH

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WHAT IS MARINE POLLUTION?

 Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and

 Nonpoint source pollution (Runoff):

Nonpoint source pollution comes from a variety of different

Manufacturing plants in some areas of the world release toxic waste

Ships are major contributors to ocean pollution,

Atmospheric pollution, which refers to objects

Deep-sea ocean mining causes pollution and

As excess debris in the ocean slowly degrades over many years it

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in seawater also cause oxygen

 A threat to human health:

Pollutants in the ocean make their way back to humans. Small

 MARINE DEBRIS RESEARCH, PREVENTION, AND REDUCTION ACT

 MARINE PROTECTION, RESEARCH, AND SANCTUARIES ACT (MPRSA)

 THE BEACH ACT OF 2000

PEOPLE OF RULL EX REL RUEPONG V MV KYOWA VIOLET (21 SEPTEMBER 2006)

OPT FOR REUSABLE BOTTLES AND UTENSILS:

PROPERLY DISPOSE OF PLASTICS AND TRASH

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