Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic Introduction

Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic: Introduction. In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: Why study (marine) environmental studies? The marine environment, uses of the marine environment, what is marine pollution? Implicit in the definition,... Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic: Introduction. In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: Why study (marine) environmental studies? The marine environment, uses of the marine environment, what is marine pollution? Implicit in the definition,... Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic: Introduction. In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: Why study (marine) environmental studies? The marine environment, uses of the marine environment, what is marine pollution? Implicit in the definition,...

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Gohoho Emmanuel Sena

Course Outline

4 Tropical Issues on Marine Pollution 4

5 Air Pollution & the Marine Environment 4

7 Relevant Pollution Prevention Conventions, codes, etc 6

Course Format

Course will be delivered through Interactive Lectures, PowerPoint

presentations, Video Clips

Students are free to ask questions and contribute at any time of their choice

Enjoy everyone.

Thanks

Why study (marine) environmental studies?

• Throughout our existence, human beings have taken advantage of the resources that the ocean provides – food, transport, minerals, etc

• As a result of global industrialization and a boom in population size, this once seemingly inexhaustible resource has become threatened by human activity

• Oil spills and pollution, careless commercial fishing practices, and general

disregard for delicate marine ecosystems has given rise to several serious

problems, which we shall study this semester

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

• The marine environment is home to many organisms

• The ocean covers 70 – 71% of the world and its depth is about 3000 metres.

• The oceans are separated into three major ocean basins: Atlantic,

Pacific & Indian

• There are two minor ocean basins: Antarctic and Arctic.

The marine environment itself is divided into two:

i Pelagic: Water column

ii Benthic: Ocean Bottom

Uses of the Marine Environment

• Food (fish, shell fish, etc)

What is Marine Pollution ?

According to GESAMP:

“It is the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances and energy into the marine environment (including estuaries), resulting in such deleterious effects as harm to living organisms, hazard to human health, hindrance of marine activities (including fishing), impairment for use of quality of sea water and reduction in

amenities”

Implicit in the Definition

The definition implies a distinction between contamination and pollution

• With contamination, the concentration of a substance can be raised above natural levels but does not result in any measurable effects.

• But with pollution, the concentrations must be raised to such a level as

to result in measurable effects on the environment

Sources of marine Pollution

Direct Outfalls

It involves the discharge of waste through pipes directly into the sea.

ultimately is deposited at sea

This can result in marine bodies becoming stinky and later lifeless.

Direct Outfalls - continued

discharge of sewage and garbage

• They discharge sewage and garbage through pipes (mostly untreated) directly into the sea

• This affects tourism because the sea and beach become very foul and dirty.

Direct Outfalls - continued

require large quantities of water for cooling purposes and also for waste disposal

This results in destruction of marine life and general pollution to the marine environment.

River Inputs

• Rivers enter the sea via estuaries, so any pollutant along the entire path of

a river, enters the river and ultimately, enters the sea

- Organic matter enters the sea through the river

- Pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture and forestry are washed off into rivers and then into the sea

- Petroleum and oils can be washed off roads, into rivers and into the sea

SHIPPING

It contributes to marine pollution in two ways:

Ships carry different items (cargo), which inherently are pollutants and they can get into the sea as a result of ship wrecks, grounding, collision, etc.

• Offshore industrial activities: these include exploration of petroleum, and

gravel and sand extraction

Atmospheric Inputs

• Anything discharged into the atmosphere comes back to land

or into the sea through rainfall and sometimes through some gases dissolving into the atmosphere.

• Most of the lead in the sea comes from the atmosphere

Lecture Notes available at:

sites.google.com/site/gohohoslectures/

akpe na mi!