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Report on the Health of the World's Oceans (5)

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To implement these solutions, means we must first convince the public in the U.S. of the need for such measures. Luckily, several of these solutions have clear benefits other than reducing the pollution in the ocean. For example, a buffer of grass between fields and streams greatly reduces the chance of croplands flooding, and helps to prevent stream erosion. Fewer chemicals and pesticides used in farming, greatly enhances the health and nutrition of the food we eat, a marked benefit for consumers. Other benefits include improved health and sanitation.

Reduction of pollution, and stopping the spread of dead zones along the coasts of other nations will have to be dealt with on a local level. The United States can provide information and support, but it is ultimately up to the governments of the polluted nations to deal with the problem surrounding their coasts.

Not only do the oceans face pollution from the land along their coasts, but also pollution within the ocean itself. One area of concern is ship-based pollution. The pollution from ships in European waters amounts to 1.9 million tons of SO2, and 2.3 million tons of NOx each year (3). This amount is equivalent to 390 50-MW power plants running nonstop, and is predicted to reach 30-40% of total emissions in the EU by 2010 (3). Ship-based emissions are highest along well-traveled trade routes, and the exhaust has been shown to have an effect of cloud seeding (making particles available for droplets to form on, which promotes rainfall) (18).

The Exxon Valdez oil spill brought ship transportation of oil to the forefront of public concern. Double hulls on the ships, has decreased this danger. Another step that has been taken is alternating ship pilots, so there is always an alert pilot on duty (much like the shift system of airline pilots). Oil and gas drilling rigs can also introduce pollutants into the ocean through leaks, and spills. This problem can be reduced or eliminated by finding leaks quickly, and taking measures to stop the leaks.

Another form of pollution, frequently cited in large cities, but rarely considered in the oceans, is noise pollution. Marine mammals use sound to locate food, communicate, and gather information about their surroundings. It is believed that their sense of hearing is not only their primary sense, but also vital to their survival (19). Military sonar and detonations used in seismic testing produce sounds up to 240 decibels, and can cause lung and sinus hemorrhaging and even death (19). Oil and gas drilling rigs, and large ships produce low frequency sounds ranging around 200 decibels (19). If you consider that the threshold for pain in humans is 90 decibels (19) its easy to see how sound could be affecting marine species.

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