Pollution of the world's oceans: the importance of the problem, the main factors and ways to overcome

If you look at a photo of our planet,made from space, it becomes unclear why it was called "Earth". More than 70% of its entire surface is covered with water, which is 2.5 times the total land area. At first glance it seems incredible that the pollution of the world's oceans may be so significant that this problem will require the attention of all mankind. However, the numbers and facts make us seriously think and start taking measures not only to save and support the ecology of the Earth, but also to ensure the survival of humanity.

Main sources and factors

The problem of pollution of the oceans with eachyear is all the more alarming. Harmful substances enter it mainly from rivers, whose waters each year bring more than 320 million tons of various iron salts, more than 6 million tons of phosphorus, not to mention thousands of other chemical compounds, to the cradle of humanity. In addition, pollution of the world's oceans also occurs from the atmosphere: 5 thousand tons of mercury, 1 million tons of hydrocarbons, 200 thousand tons of lead. About a third of all mineral fertilizers used in agriculture fall into their waters, only about 62 million tons annually of phosphorus and nitrogen. As a result, some single-celled algae are rapidly developing, forming huge “blankets” on the ocean surface, covering an area of ​​whole square kilometers and more than 1.5 meters thick.

Acting like a press, they are slowly choking in the seasall living things Their rotting absorbs oxygen from the water, which contributes to the death of benthic organisms. And of course, the pollution of the world's oceans is directly related to the use of oil and oil products by humanity. When they are extracted from offshore fields, as well as as a result of coastal runoff and tanker accidents, from 5 to 10 million tons are poured out annually. The oil film, which forms on the surface of the water, blocks the vital activity of phytoplankton, which is one of the main producers of atmospheric oxygen, disrupts the moisture and heat exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean, kills fry of fish and other marine organisms. More than 20 million tons of solid household and industrial waste and an enormous amount of radioactive substances (1.5-109 Ci) got into the bottomless depths of the cradle of humanity. The greatest pollution of the world's oceans occurs in the coastal shallow zone, i.e. in the shelf. It is here that most of the marine organisms live.

Ways to overcome

Currently, the problem of protecting the world's oceanshas become so urgent that it concerns even those states that do not have direct access to its border. Thanks to the UN, a number of important agreements are now in place related to the regulation of fisheries, shipping, mining of minerals from the deep sea, etc. The most famous among them is the Charter of the Seas, signed in 1982 by most countries around the world. In developed countries, there is a system of prohibiting and permitting economic measures to help prevent pollution. The state of the earth's atmosphere is monitored by numerous “green” societies. Enlightening and educational work is of great importance, the result of which is perfectly visible in the example of Switzerland, where children perceive the love of the nature of their country with their mother's milk! It is not surprising that after they grow up, the very thought of encroaching on the purity and beauty of this beautiful country looks like a blasphemy. There are also other technological and organizational means of struggle aimed at preventing further pollution of the world's oceans. The main task for each of us is not to be indifferent and to strive in every way so that our planet looks like a real paradise, which it was originally from.