Welcome back Ocean Olympians! Today we’re going to list some eye opening facts regarding pollution in the ocean. We hope reading these terrifying facts push you to do more to help the ocean!
Fact #1: Over 8 million tons of garbage enters our ocean each year
According to Passport Ocean, over 8 million tons of plastic is deposited into our ocean every single year! This amount of plastic is “equivalent to emptying a garbage truck of plastic into an ocean every minute.”
To grasp the reality of this fact the article “Simple Math Problems,” ” has made this crazy plastic statistic more comprehendible by comparing it to being the same as “two Empire State Buildings every month going into the ocean.”
It might difficult to imagine that making a couple of changes in your daily life can help lower pollution and have a positive impact, but it really can.
Fact #2: Pollution easily contaminates your seafood causing possible serious health issues
Think about it, pollution affects thousands and thousands of fish everyday. With that being said, it’s very possible that the seafood you eat contains some sort of plastic contamination.
That sushi you ate last week could cause some serious health issues for your future. Don’t you want to be able to eat seafood without having to worry if it could hurt you?
Fact #3: There is an island of garbage two times the size of Texas in the middle of the Pacific ocean
According to Passport Ocean, “the number of floating plastic pieces outnumbers total marine life six to one in the immediate vicinity.”
This island grows bigger and bigger everyday.
Fact #4: There are now many dead zones in the ocean
What are dead zones? Dead zones are extremely scary because these places have no marine or plant life. Imagine, parts of the ocean completely void of life.
Why are dead zones formed? Well, you guessed it- pollution. Due to pollution, low oxygen levels are formed in certain parts of the ocean creating dead zones.
There are over 500 dead zones in the ocean, covering a similar size to the united kingdom.
Most Common Items Found in the Ocean
- Cigarettes
- Food/Candy Wrappers
- Plastic Bottles
- Plastic Bags
- Caps and Lids
- Beverage Cans
- Straws and Tableware
These facts are extremely alarming considering that nothing is getting better. Our fish continue to consume plastic, the garbage island continues to grow larger, and dead zones continue to increase.
If we all start making changes in our daily routine such as recycling or buying less plastic products, we could contribute to making a positive change in our oceans.
Written by Skylar Griffin
Edited by Emily Ram