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... s discovered that both species (feline and human) were suffering from acute mercury poisoning brought about by contaminated fish (Simon 51). Added research revealed that the consumption of contaminated fish and shrimp were ensuing culprits. Anthony Tucker, a scientist helping with the research explained, Anyone who eats one normal fish a day contaminated by toxins will most certainly be disabled and more than likely die (Simon 51). @ Likewise, biologist Gregory Kansas a member of Citizens For a Better Environment, also recognizes the severe consequences of the toxic food chain, Axis and shellfish that have absorbed toxins can indirectly pass the contaminants to humans. Birds migrating from Central America and the Arctic Circle, for example, make a stopover in San Francisco = s wetlands, where they feast on clams and mussels that contain high concentrations of cadmium, mercury, and lead. The birds become so polluted that there is a risk from eating the ducks from the South Bay of San Francisco (Toufexis 48) @.
Also, state officials in New York have warned against eating more than half a pound of Bluefish a week, and to never eat the striped bass caught off of long island (Toufexis 48). The New England regional administrator for EPA has also been quoted on the distraught of toxic contaminated seafood, Anyone who eats the liver from a lobster taken from an urban area in New England is living dangerously (Toufexis 48). Similarly on the west coast of the United States, the sale of mackerel has been outlawed. Research has revealed impermissible human consumption of this species of Mackerel due to highly excessive amounts of toxic DDT = s found in the fish = s flesh and tissue (Goldberg 11). Unfortunatly, the other side effects of toxins are beginning to appear worldwide. Scientists have recently noticed an increasing rate of mortality in marine mammals, dolphins, harbor seals, and sea lions just to name a few.
In June of 1988 over one hundred sea lions had been diagnosed as suffering from Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease affecting the kidneys (Barinaga 8). Because of the outbreak being local, to a region where there is oil exploration, the center has involved the EPA to investigate whether the symptoms are associated with the high levels of metal toxins polluted in that area (Barinaga 8). During the same month of that year (June 89), residents on the Danish island of Anhalt have witnessed a shocking shore-washing of more than one-hundred and fifty dead or dying North Sea seals (Time 45). Scientists there are under the strong impression that the seals immune systems may have been weakened by chemical pollutants in the water, making them suspect able to various types of viruses (Time 45).
Even more horrific, was the direct effect of chemicals on surfers of Northern California = s Humboldt Bay. The local surfers there began complaining of sinus infections as well as sore throats and skin rashes. After a short investigation, it turned out to be the result of untreated toxic chemicals dumped into the ocean by nearby pulp mills. The regional EPA then tested the level of toxicity upon sea urchin sperm and eggs; fertilization was halted. The EPA then immediately stopped the dumping, placed healthy fines upon the paper mills and set new regulations for treatment as well (Shao 38). As described by H.
V. Thurman and H. M. Webber, authors of the textbook Marine biology, A Pollution is the introduction of substances or energy into the marine environment that cause harm to the living resources of the oceans or humans that use those resources (Thurman 402). @ A prime example of pollution would be the case of the garbage littered island of Ducie Atoll in the South Pacific. This uninhabited is one of the most remote in the world, the nearest inhabited island is two hundred and ninety three miles away, yet Ducie Atoll = s beaches are littered with garbage ranging from toy dolls to plastic food and drink containers (Benton 113).
More importantly, is the amount of plastic garbage on Ducie Atoll and throughout the oceans. The problems occurring from the disposal of plastic products are enormous as well as outrageous, the most important of which has to be the impact of plastic pollution upon marine life, Animals are killed when they ingest or become entangled in the plastic debris (Block stein 19). @ The National Marine Mammal laboratory concluded that up to forty thousand seals a year are dying of plastic entanglements (Weisskopf 61). This exceptionally large number is attributed to the playful demeanor of the seals. Seals find the fragments of plastic debris or netting curiously playful, the result of the seals curiousness can be ultimately lethal. If plastic netting or beverage six-pack rings can find there way around a seals neck, death is inevitable. The seal is Aunable to extricate itself, the animal eventually drowns, starves to death, or dies of exhaustion or of infection from the deep wounds caused by the netting or drink holders (Weisskopf 62). @ Another deadly affect of plastic pollution is upon the different species of birds found out and around the seas and oceans.
Along Florida = s coasts the Brown Pelican sometimes will dive for fishermen = s bait and unfortunately get hooked. Most fishermen will then release the bird by cutting their fishing line, assuming the bird will be all right. Unfortunately this is not true, the birds may become entangled in the line cutting off circulation and either maiming itself or killing itself (Weisskopf 63). Sea turtles also suffer from plastic debris floating out at sea, they mistaking accept plastic-transparent bags as jellyfish or food, which they choke on very easily (Weisskopf 47).
The severity of this problem is astounding. Many scientist believe that the effects of plastic pollution upon the marine environment is by far most devastating, even more so than industrial oil and waste pollution (Weisskopf 61). David List, a senior policy and program analyst for the United States Marine Mammal Commission said, About can see animals struggling to survive at individual oil spill sites, but those dangers are concentrated at one place. With plastic pollution its a different situation. Plastics are like individual mines floating around the oceans just waiting for victims (Weisskopf 61). @ In Conclusion, we need to take more positive steps toward a cleaner, safer and more enjoyable oceans and seas. But there is much that needs to be done, societies worldwide must realize that the Earth = s oceans are not the solution to waste disposal; they are however the homes of millions of species of organisms and animals.
With increasing amounts of awareness, people worldwide can reduce the flow of wastes and garbage dumped into the oceans and halt industrial pollution altogether. With the positive attitude people can make a difference and restore some of the lost luster to our tarnished forgotten waters. Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Marine Environment San Francisco
