2. Introduction of oil into marine environments.

3. Introduction of plastics/pollutants into marine environments.

4. Possible solutions to waste disposal into our water systems.

The oceans and the life they sustain have had enough. They can no longer endure the unwanted pollution of careless, inconsiderate people worldwide. The societies of this world need to wake up, and not only listen to, but understand that it is time to find better ways of dealing with wastes, rather than nonchalantly dumping it into our oceans. For decades people in societies worldwide have taken advantage of the Earth=s waters simply by dumping whatever they do not want into them. Apparently our time of easy disposal has run out, the oceans and the life within our showing distinct signs of poor health. The continuous dumping (or traditional dumping) of industrial wastes as well as sewage and garbage into the oceans is beginning to show definite signs of pollution caused stress. The National Research Council recently pu

Arguably the most contributing polluters to our oceans are the major industries of the world. Industrial ocean pollution has incorporated a wide variety of polluters, ranging from major oil spills dispersing toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons (the resultant of the breakdown of petroleum) to PCB=s (polychlorinated biphenyls) as well as DDT=s (dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane, which is banned in the U.S. but still largely used in third world countries) all of which are used widely in chemical pesticides and detergents (Gourlay 85). The introduction of oil into our oceans occurs in three major ways; by tanker accidents, faulty underwater pipelines, or oil-rig blowouts. The times atlas of oceans lists one-hundred eighty-six tanker accidents between the years 1970 - 1985. Each accident was given an estimated oil-spill of ten thousand barrels (1,130 tons) or more (Gourlay 86). Potentially more disastrous are the oil rig blowouts, since they are more difficult than the tanker accidents. For example, in January 1969 an underwater oil drill exploded in the Santa Barbara Channel off the California coast. For nearly two weeks crude oil was polluted into the channel at nearly twenty-one thousand gallons a day. To this day wildlife experts are calling this spill the worst to ever hit the California coast, affecting over thirty different beaches, killing thousands of birds, seals, and dolphins as well as affecting hundreds of different species of fish (Gourlay 98).

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 Anholt 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 suspectable 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).

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 Laist, a senior policy and program analyst for the United States Marine Mammal Commission said, AYou can see animals struggling to survive at individual oi

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Approximate Word count = 2335
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)