SCI 209
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SCI209Week3NOAAActivityPart2MarinePollution1.pptxSCI/209
NOAA Activity Part 2: Marine Pollution
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Began in 2007
Mission is conducted on the Florida and Bahamas reefs
Wanted to understand and help reverse the deterioration of coral reefs
Facts about the Mission
The Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary had a mission in 2007 to study 50 different stations that were set up on the coral reefs of the Bahamas and Florida. The scientists involved were studying the effects of coral bleaching along with certain bacterial diseases that were plaguing the reefs(Foster, 2007). The scientists wanted to understand why the bacteria and bleaching were having such a negative affect on the coral reefs and they also wanted to see if human activities was a direct correlation to the deterioration of the coral. Their findings will be used to help other organization alter the affects that are deteriorating the coral reefs.
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One of most diverse ecosystems in the world
Feed of plankton and other small organisms
Found in tropical and subtropical oceans
Facts about Coral Feefs
The coral reef is the most diverse ecosystem in the ocean. Reefs are known as the rainforest of the sea. One fourth of the ocean’s wildlife is associated with coral reefs and the wildlife use the reef for food and habitat necessitates(Fact Sheet Coral Reefs, 2016). That is a remarkable statistic because reefs only make up about two percent of the ocean. The reef itself is a living organism. It feeds off of plankton and other small organisms. There are many reefs all over the world and they can usually be found in tropical or subtropical oceans. Coral reefs are very important to humans as well. Coral reefs are estimated to be worth 30 billion dollars. It is imperative that the help for coral reefs begin because they are a vital part of the world(Fact Sheet Coral Reefs, 2016).
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Coral Reef Alliance
Mission: To Unite Communities to Save Coral Reefs
Based out of Oakland, California
Founded 1994
Environmental Group
The Coral Reef Alliance was founded in 1994 by Stephen Colwell. The Environmental Group is based out of Oakland, California. The group has been advocating and protecting marine wildlife and habitats ever since its opening. Its mission is to unite communities to save coral reefs. This group would be a great advocate for the information from the 2007 mission that the Florida Key Sanctuary conducted(Colwell, 2014). The mission was designed to understand what is plaguing reefs and with this vital information the Coral Reef Alliance can begin advocating and educating multiple people, companies, and industries on how they are affecting the reefs(Colwell, 2014).
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Marine Debris
Agricultural Runoffs
Sewage
Ocean Dumping
Types of Pollution
There are multiple types of pollution that is plaguing the ocean. Most of it is known as second hand pollution because it is not directly put into the ocean, but due to other factors it actually ends up in the ocean. Marine debris is a primary pollutant because it directly put in the ocean. Marine debris can be plastic, littering material, boat parts, or any man made object that comes from the shore and ends up in the ocean(NOAA, 2012). Not all debris is purposely put in the ocean but it does affect habitats, wildlife, and ecosystems. It can kill or harm animals because it is not meant to be in the ocean. The next type of pollutant that affects the ocean is known as secondary pollutant. Agricultural runoffs, sewage, and dumping are not meant to be in the ocean but due to other circumstances this material ends up there. Due to rain, the water cycle, and other factors the pesticides and toxins that are in these pollutants end up in the ocean causing water temperatures to rise, pH balances to changes, and other reactions to occur(NOAA, 2012). This makes habitats and ecosystems change. This causes danger for the wildlife in the ocean and the faster we control the pollution the better chance we have at saving the ocean.
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Florida keys
Caribbean Reefs
High populated areas near the coast
Region Pollution is Prevalent
There are multiple regions in the world where the reefs are being affected by pollution, but the mission was looking at how bad the pollution was affecting the Florida and Bahamas region. These areas are affected due to high populated areas near the coast(NOAA, 2012). The debris and local pollution is causing global warming to affect the reefs. The reefs cannot combat viruses and bacteria because the water temperatures are rising(NOAA, 2012). These diseases thrive in warm waters. The necessity for these local areas to learn about the decline in the reefs will further the cause of trying to save them.
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Migration patterns altered
Increase in ocean temperature
Destruction of habitats, ecosystems, and wildlife
Pollution affecting the Ecosystem
Pollution has already taken its toll on the ecosystems of the reefs. Due to the pollution, temperature in the ocean has begun to rise. This rise in temperature does not just affect the diseases that thrive in warm water, it also affects the wildlife and their habits. The rise in temperature has cause migration patterns to alter. Animals have begun to feel the difference and this is causing there biological clocks to alter(Trujillo, 2015). Birth, hunting, and natural process that ocean life goes through is beginning to be affected by the pollution. Their habitats and ecosystems are beginning to be destroyed, so they must find ways to adapt or they will begin to die as well(Trujillo, 2015). Pollution must be stopped or we will lose more than just the ocean’s ecosystems.
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Government regulations
Renewable resources
Limiting agriculture pesticides
Proper sewage treatment
Measures taken to avoid Pollution
Many want to put the spot light on all the pollution that is causing the problems, but no one wants to find the alternatives to avoid the pollution that is plaguing our seas. The best way for people to stop polluting the Earth and seas is to change their every day life styles at home(10 Things you can do to Save the Ocean, 2016). People need to limit their use of nonrenewable resources and begin using more renewable ones. They also need to begin recycling more and discussing the negative affects of pollution to children. The government can begin making more regulations and putting more restrictions on sewage treatment plants and agricultural industries to limit toxins and pesticides that reach the ocean(10 Things you can do to Save the Ocean, 2016). The most important measures are easy, but the hard part is getting more people to be more engaged in saving the oceans.
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School education
Recycle
Donate to organizations helping the ocean
Visit local beaches to help the community
Aiding Environmental Groups
Small things can lead to big results when trying to help the environmental organizations protect the wildlife of the ocean. School education, donations, and just being involved at local beach communities can make a huge difference when trying to help the environment(Colwell, 2014). The biggest threat to pollution and those polluting the Earth is knowledge that it is going on. If people are educated and the crimes of destroying the ocean comes to light, then movements to bring justice to those doing it will begin(Colwell, 2014). Environmental groups just need a chance to make a difference and they need everyone's help to get that chance.
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10 Things you can do to Save the Ocean. (2016). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from National Geographic: http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/10- things-you-can-do-to-save-the-ocean/
Colwell, S. (2014). Coral Reefs. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from Coral Reef Alliance : http://coral.org/
Fact Sheet Coral Reefs. (2016). Retrieved January 23, 2016, from Defenders of Wildlife: http://www.defenders.org/coral-reef/basic- facts
Foster, N. (2007, September 20). Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Mission Plan. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Sanctuaries : http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/missions/2007floridakeys/mission_pla n.html
NOAA. (2012, July 19). How Pollution Affects Coral Reefs. Retrieved January 22, 2016, from NOAA: http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/visions/coral/side.html
Trujillo, A. P. (2015). Essentials of Oceanography . Prentice Hall.
All Pictures taken from Clip Art
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