Management of Ocean Pollution (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Grace Bower
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Strengths and weaknesses of Management Initiatives
Oil, plastic and radioactive waste pollute our oceans
Management of ocean pollution takes place on local and global scales
Individual consumers can minimise their impact on ocean pollution
International treaties and conventions act as global strategies to reduce pollution problems
Solving these issues is a large task for the future
Oil spills
Oil spills come from oil rigs and tankers onshore and offshore
Sometimes they are accidental, but in some cases, they can be purposeful
Oil spills are devastating for the environment and marine life
Oil stops animal fur from keeping in heat and bird feathers from keeping out water, so animals are at risk of death from hypothermia
Oil is also poisonous to marine life
Even if not directly ingested, it enters the water column or food chain. Animals suffer from stunted growth, heart or lung issues and loss of reproductive abilities
Oil spill cleanups can have negative effects on human health
Managing oil spills
Strategy | Description | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
Dispersion | Dispersion is the addition of chemicals to separate oil into smaller droplets, to help remove the oil from the water | Useful for removing oil from the surface waters of the ocean Smaller oil particles biodegrade more easily | Chemicals may also damage human and marine health Dispersants increase the amount of oil in the water column. They enter the food chain and can damage the environment e.g. coral reefs |
Burning | Setting oil alight whilst it is still in the ocean. Floating “booms” stop the oil from spreading further | It is an efficient method, removing most of the oil from the ocean Don’t need to use other resources to collect and store the oil | Emits toxic gases and causes pollution Can injure or kill wildlife in the region of the fire Toxic pollutants affect wildlife |
Skimming | Skimmers attached to boats drag the oil off the ocean surface | Some skimmers can work with all types of oil thickness Some skimmers are very efficient in calm waters | Skimmers can be easily blocked by debris They need constant management They are ineffective in rough waters, as more water enters the skimmer than oil |
Containment | Floating fences (booms) that stop the oil from spreading further | Some booms can soak up some of the oil spills They are useful when the water is calmer They cause the oil to merge in one place, making it easier for other collection methods | They are costly and difficult to manage They only keep the oil in one place; another method is required to remove the oil In rough conditions, the moving water and wind can cause the oil to spill out over the boom |
Plastic pollution
Around 20 million tonnes of plastic can be found in oceans per year
The causes of plastic pollution include:
River runoff, sewage outputs and wind transportation
Plastic dumping
Industry (fishing)
Poor management of waste disposal
Plastic can kill marine life:
Animals ingest pieces of plastic and plastic bags
Animals can become entangled in things like packaging or discarded fishing nets
Phytoplankton and even coral polyps can ingest microplastics
Managing plastic pollution
Strategy | Description | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
Consumer consciousness | Reducing your plastic waste, boycotting products, taking part in beach cleanups, supporting organisations | Beach cleanups minimise the amount of plastic reaching the ocean Elicits a feel-good factor Minimises plastic entering the system | Tackles the problem on a smaller level Needs lots of people to get involved |
The Ocean Cleanup | An organisation using technology systems to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The system involves a large floating barrage that scoops plastic up. The material is collected and sorted for recycling | It is reducing the plastic in our ocean It is a non-profit organisation The upgraded second system has removed enough rubbish to fill the country of Luxembourg | Uses ships that pollute the air with carbon dioxide Can harm ecosystems that float on the ocean surface Might not be that effective in collecting microplastics In the first system, it proved difficult to keep the plastic inside the barrages |
River interceptors | Machines that sit at river mouths pick up rubbish before it enters the ocean. The Ocean Cleanup has created these technologies to trap material | Different technologies exist to cater to rivers of different sizes and types Solar powered | May not be stable during bad weather, resulting in pollution of the waterways The entrance is quite small; some larger debris may not fit |
Changing the plastic industry | Phasing out plastic, improving recycling technologies and ensuring plastic can break down more easily | Reduces pollution and the use of vital resources Creates jobs in new plastic and recycling industries | It is a huge task, involving all industries across the world Possibly an unrealistic solution |
Radioactive materials
Nuclear waste typically comes from nuclear power stations or mining
It can be solid, liquid or gas
Radioactive material can stay radioactive for hundreds of years
Contamination of marine life can occur through the food chain
Contaminated organisms may make their way into clean waters
Humans consume this radiation by eating contaminated fish
Earthquakes and tsunamis can exacerbate radioactive waste leaks
There are no real solutions for dealing with nuclear waste; it is an unknown territory
There are global conventions and laws in place concerning the disposal of nuclear waste e.g. the London Convention
Possibilities for managing radioactive waste
Strategy | Description | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
Storage | Using concrete or glass to keep the radioactive waste trapped inside; buried in sediment in the ocean or in containers under the ocean | Stops waste leaking into the surrounding waters Radioactive material settles in the clay sediment, undisturbed Burying the material even deeper is much safer, protecting humans | If storage is not undertaken properly, it can be catastrophic Containers can decay Deep sea burial is not yet legal Ocean pressure could damage containers |
Waiting time | Keeping material on the land until radiation levels go down | This means that the material doesn’t have high radiation levels when entering the ocean | This can take a very long time This isn’t a very viable option Impacted by laws and conventions |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you know the types of pollution and the effects they cause. You might be asked to discuss the sources and issues of ocean pollution.
Global strategies
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
A convention created in 1982
It is the law and governance of all oceans and resources
The convention separates the ocean into 5 marine areas:
Internal waters
Territorial sea
Contiguous Zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
High seas
The Maritime Zones of UNCLOS
Different laws operate in each marine area, with guidance for the responsibilities of governments and states
The convention guidance includes:
Territory limits
Ship passages
Conservation and management
Protection
Dispute settlement
Resource use
Marine research
UNCLOS has 168 signatures from states or other governing bodies
UNCLOS states that all signatories should do everything possible to:
Take all measures possible to minimise pollution
Analyse the scientific effects and consequences of pollution
Enforce laws and restrictions to combat pollution
It has been a successful initiative to support states in reducing ocean pollution
On the other hand, this guidance is extensive and vague
A “take into account” strategy of certain international rules and guidelines results in the state’s decision on what or how many restrictions operate
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
MARPOL deals with reducing pollution from ships
This convention was created in 1973
It provides regulations to all ships with the flag of a country that signed the convention
It provides six annexes, working to prevent pollution from:
Oil
Noxious substances
Substances in packages
Sewage
Garbage
Air pollution
It aims to make sure that transport via ship is the least damaging form of transport to the environment
It has successfully reduced shipping pollution
If there are violations of MARPOL, it can result in fines, probation and even imprisonment
In some cases, the flag system is an issue. Some vessels fly the flag of a country that has weaker laws (Flags of Convenience or FOC):
These are typically developing countries
There is not enough money to regulate ships or care about pollution
The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
This convention aimed to reduce waste dumping in ocean waters, including plastic
It was created in 1975
It aims to control and stop waste pollution
In 1996, the convention added the London Protocol, which banned waste dumping (with some exceptions)
It provides guidance and advice on dumping and how to deal with waste
In 2006, the London Protocol became the official name
It provides a complete ban on radioactive waste and sewage sludge dumping
However, radioactive dumping may still be occurring e.g. Fukushima began pumping wastewater into the ocean in 2023
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