Marine Pollution

1.       Explain the general meaning of pollution and pollutants.

                Pollution is anything that makes something unlhealthy.  Scientifically, it is the chemical, gaseous, and organic wastes that contaminate the air, soil, and water. 

                Pollutants are anything that pollutes these elements.

2.       Distinguish marine pollution from other types of environmental pollution.

                It is easier to distinguish marine pollution from other types of environmental pollution through the definition given by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which defines marine pollution as an introduction by man, directly, or indirectly of substances or energy into the marine environment (including estuaries) resulting in such deleterious effects as harmful to living resources, hazard to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of seawater and reduction of amenities.

3.       What are the two common causes of vessel-sourced pollution?  How do the sources of marine pollution?

                Vessel-sourced pollution comprises about 20% of marine pollution.  The 10% originates from  direct shipping operations and another 10% comes from ship’s dumping.

4.       Why is the coastal-based pollution considered as the largest source of pollution?

                Coastal-based pollution is considered as the largest source of pollution because it is estimated to contribute  almost 70% of all marine pollution.  Many  coastal-based activities are visible sources of marine pollution such as human settlement, land-use construction of coastal infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, urban development and tourism industries.

5.       State the six main sources of marine pollution according to UNCED and example of its source.

1.       Land-based and coastal based activities

        Example: solid wastes and sewage coming from coastal residents

2.       Continental Shelf Drilling

        Example: activities involving extraction of mineral deposits from the ocean floors

3.        Seabed Mining

        Example: wastes from extraction of minerals disposed into the waters

4.       Ocean Dumping

        Example: nuclear wastes

5.       Vessel-Sourced Pollution

        Example: from cargoes carried by ship which contains hazardous substances

6.       Atmospheric Sources of Pollution

        Example: burned fossil fuels

6.       What is the meaning of acronym GESAMP? Give its importance in the act of marine environment conventions.

                GESAMP means Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution. 

7.       Enumerate three international conventions relating to marine pollution and example the objectives of each convention.

               

1.       International convention for the prevention of pollution of the sea by oil (1954)

        Example: to prohibit the discharge of oil from all seagoing vessels

2.       International Convention Relating to Intervention on the Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties (1969)

        Example:to prevent, eliminate, or miigate danger to its coastlines

3.       International Conference on Human Environment (1972) and the Inter-Governmental Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea (1972)

        Example: prohibits the dumping of certain hazardous materials

8.       Explain the importance of Ecological Wastes Management Act 2000 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

                It provides the national ecological solid waste management framework and enables local goverment units to adopt envinronmental friendly practices of waste reduction,segregation,recycling, composting, reuse, and disposal.

9.       What are the dangers of using chemicals in plants in gardens?

                Some chemicals may contain toxic substances that may endanger life of human beings.

10.   Why is sea-bed mining dangerous to marine environment?

                In Sea-bed mining, wastes from such operations are disposed into waters which will contribute to marine pollution.  It greatly endagers the existence of aquatic animals and marine species.