The U. S. National Ocean Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, home page has a link to a undated letter, titled A Message from the Assistant Administrator, by John H. Cunnigan, NOS Assistant Administrator, on a page revised January 09, 2009. The link box states “Our challenge is to manage our vast ocean and coastal resources in the face of mounting problems...” Mr. Cunnigan lists marine debris, water pollution, erosion, port congestion, and population as causing ocean pollution problems. To the right of Mr. Cunnigan’s article NOS states their (author unknown) vision as “A nation with safe, healthy, and productive oceans and coasts.”
Lists of Environmental Problems
The home page of National Ocean Service contains an “Ocean Facts” link to an NOS article (author unknown) titled Most Ocean Pollution Begins On Land, on a web page updated December 12, 2008. The article states “Eighty percent of pollution to the marine environment comes from the land. One of the biggest sources is called nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a re a result of runoff." The NOAA article does not say how the eighty percent figure was calculated. The article also states that some of the environmental factors indirectly (nonpoint) causing ocean pollution are listed as pollution from “...septic tanks, cars, boats... farms... motor vehicle engines drop small amounts of oil each day onto roads....much of this makes its way to the sea. Nonpoint pollution can make ocean water unsafe for humans and wildlife...”
Effects of Ocean Pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (author anonymous) Ocean, Coasts, & Estuaries home page, updated November 14, 2008, lists more causes as well as effects of ocean pollution. The EPA states, “Coastal environments are strongly influenced by upstream sources of pollution and freshwater inflow...” Marine debris, solid material directly or indirectly deposited into an aquatic environment is a major problem, according to EPA. The debris can be detergent bottles, plastic, hazardous medical wastes, and other materials. EPA states that 50% of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of the coasts. EPA says "...industry discharges and most debris is hazardous to marine life, coral health, and human health, and hazardous medical wastes that find their way through water systems to the ocean."
Solution for Ocean Pollution for Citizens
Solutions for ocean pollution prevention is on the shoulders of government and environmental organizations, and with citizens, according to the EPA “What You Can Do” link on the home page. The (author unknown) EPA page, updated October 9, 2008, lists several things each person can do to make our waters cleaner and safer:
- Do not litter because water empties into rivers and streams through storm drains and flows to the ocean.
- Choose nontoxic chemicals for household use.
- Dispose properly all household and yard chemicals.
- Minimize use of pesticides and fertilizers.
- Septic system users should oversee the system is working properly.
- Don’t flush toxic wastes, chemicals, or medications down the toilet.
- Remember gutters and storm drains deliver water into the system and on to the ocean.
- Reduce oil leaks by maintaining boats, cars, and other equipment.
- Don’t dump oil or other petroleum products down the drain, and recycle used motor oil.
Government sources and other environmental organizations, are working to bring facts to the public about how to stop ocean pollution, and water pollution from nonpoint sources. According to NOA and the EPA sites air pollution and land pollution have the potential to increase ocean pollution.
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