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

If you look at the 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 more than the total land area. At first glance it seems improbable that the pollution of the world's oceans may be so significant that this problem will require the attention of all mankind. However, the figures and facts make us think seriously and start taking measures to not only save and support the ecology of the Earth, but also to ensure the survival of mankind.

Main sources and factors

The problem of pollution of the world ocean every year is of increasing concern. Harmful substances in it fall mainly from rivers, the waters of which each year bring to the cradle of mankind more than 320 million tons of various iron salts, more than 6 million tons of phosphorus, not to mention thousands of other chemical compounds. In addition, the 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 one third of all mineral fertilizers used in agriculture fall into their waters, only about 62 million tons fall in phosphorus and nitrogen annually. As a result of this, some unicellular algae develop rapidly , forming huge "blankets" on the surface of the ocean in the area of whole square kilometers and thicker than 1.5 meters. Acting like a press, they slowly suffocate in the seas all 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 mankind. When they are extracted from offshore fields, as well as as a result of coastal runoff and tanker accidents, 5 to 10 million tons per year are spilled. The oil film that forms on the surface of water blocks the vital activity of phytoplankton, which is one of the main producers of atmospheric oxygen, disrupts moisture and heat exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean, kills fish fry and other marine organisms. In the bottomless depths of the cradle of mankind, more than 20 million tons of solid domestic and industrial wastes and a huge amount of radioactive substances (1.5-109 Ci) have got through. The greatest pollution of the world's oceans occurs in the shallow coastal zone, i.e. In the shelf. It is here that the vital activity of most marine organisms occurs.

Ways to overcome

At present, the problem of protecting the world's oceans has become so urgent that it concerns even those states that do not have direct access to its border. Thanks to the UN, there are now a number of important agreements related to the regulation of fishing, shipping, mining from the depths of the 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 prohibitive and permissive economic measures to help prevent pollution. Numerous "green" societies follow the state of the earth's atmosphere. Enlightenment and educational work is of great importance , the result of which is clearly visible in the example of Switzerland, where the children perceive the love of the nature of their country with their mother's milk! It's no wonder that after they grow up, the very thought of encroaching on the purity and beauty of this beautiful country looks blasphemy. There are other technological and organizational means of struggle aimed at preventing further contamination of the world's oceans. The main task for each of us is not to be indifferent and to strive in every way to make our planet look like a real paradise, to which it originally was.