Human Factor Climatic change in the ocean and pollution.

DR Stavros Kaniklides Ocean Scientist CMAS Scientific Committee

OUTLINE Introduction Anthropogenic pollution Debris Impacts
Global Ocean changes Atmospheric Emissions Marine Pollution Overfishing Exploitation of marine life Coping with the Ocean Pollution Recommendations Conclusion

Introduction: We all know that life is water, and the air we breathe a great amount of more than 50% is origin from the phytoplankton production in the oceanic environment.Oceans Covers 71% of our planet, and we have explored less than 5%. Typically, the ocean that makes our planet habitable as it is essential to life and human survival.As you already have noticed that our planet earth as is rapidly changing and evolving this is a real challenge for me to express myself from a scientific point of view what phenomena in our oceans are affecting our life and consequently the life on our water planet. As I have been scuba for more than 25 years and more than 150,000 hours of dive time, I have seen so many thinks in that underwater world and words cannot describe the amazing mysterious and beauty of the marine realm. I can call it the Garden of Eden.

Ocean Garbage: From the beginning of industrial revolution human kind, based on the emerging markets demands and ignorance of the nature process, we offer to our global ocean: a highly human made Death-support equipment.Ocean garbage composing of plastics (bags, Styrofoam cups, bottles, balloons), glass metals and rubber, abandon fishing gears, like nets and lines, and thousands of abandon ships laying in front of estuaries and coastlines.Waste such as marine debris, and is clearly defined as any form of persistent hard material that is manufactured or treated and directly or indirectly, intentionally or accidentally disposed of or rejected into the marine environment. Resulting to the creation of ocean garbage composing of plastics, glass metals and rubber, abandon fishing gears, like nets and lines, and thousands of abandon ships laying in front of estuaries and coastlines.

Plastic Pollution: Plastic production increase to tones by 2012, mainly disposable where the ultimate receptor is going to the ocean.Marine Pollution Bulletin found around 35% of fish specimens with plastic in their stomachs. Hence are we eating organic food? Or Plastic fish-combination?Plastic production increase to tones by 2012, mainly disposable where the ultimate receptor is going to the ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin found around 35% of fish specimens with plastic in their stomachs. Hence are we eating organic food? Or it contains toxic plastic.

Global C02 Bugged: As Global industry increases production it is obvious that we generated more co291% from fossil fuels and Cement9% from land uses deforestation. The receptors of these emissions are Atmosphere 50%26% goes to land24% goes to ocean Those figures are updated on to 2010 by natural geosciences

Co2 Emissions: As you notice on the above chart the co2 emissions rise dramatically causing additional loading to our atmosphere in an extreme rate these data are up to October 2013Credits :Mauna Loa Observatory (Scripps Institution of Oceanography image from co2 NOW.ORG

Combine Global land and sea Temperature
on this graph we can see the impacts from co2 emissions in our planet that is to say the earths temperature is rising you will noted the red bars of 2013, compare with the yellow bars of the data on March 2013Credits : NOOA-NCDC image from co2NOW.ORG

Arctic sea ice melting: Thanks to advance satellite we are able to observe that ice melting is real and is this it may have an impact on sea level riceCredits : NASA

Sea Level Rise: It may be result from thermal expansion the tendency of warm water to take up more space than cooler water and intake from melting glaciers. The key fact is sea level rose, on average, 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) per year.Sea Level Rise It may be result from thermal expansion the tendency of warm water to take up more space than cooler water and intake from melting glaciers. The key fact is sea level rose, on average, 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) per year.Credits : NASA

Ocean Acidification: The carbon dioxide is absorbed, it reacts with the ocean water to form carbonic acid, and this process is term ocean acidification; meaning we are turning our ocean to be more acidic as the pH values of the oceanic water is decreased.The consequences are dramatic to marine life and to coral reefs.We have managed to change the ocean chemistry turning our Oceans to be more aceticThis event is a product of carbon dioxide release in the atmosphere from human industrial and agriculture activities altering the normal values of CO2. The carbon dioxide is absorbed, it reacts with the ocean water to form carbonic acid, and this process is term ocean acidification meaning we are turning our ocean to be more acidic as the pH values of the oceanic water is decrease(the term PH is to measure the acid values). The consequences are dramatic to marine life and to coral reefs. Calcium carbonate of marine shells species dissolve, and the ones already have are going to disappear. Nobody really knows if these species are going to adapt under high levels of toxicity.

Marine Pollution: Marine Pollution can be defined as “ the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into marine environment, resulting in such deleterious effects as harms to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fisheries, impairment of quality for use of seawater and reduction of amenities.”Marine pollution its one of the most critical matters. Contaminants are penetrating the estuary and ocean in five main pathways: (1) nonpoint-source runoff from land; (2) direct pipeline discharges; (3) rivertime influx ;( 4) dumping and accidental releases from ships at sea; (5) atmospheric deposition. It’s notable that 80 to 90% of pollutants are source from land.

Causes of Marine Pollution: Nutrient LoadingOrganic Carbon loading: raw sewageOilToxic ChemicalsHalogenated HydrocarbonsDDT and PCBsHeavy Metals1. Nutrient Loading: Large amounts of nutrient and in particular nitrogen and phosphorous causes the water quality to drop significantly and as a consequence hyperproduction of phytoplankton and benthic flora occurs, this result to the degreased of oxygen cause anoxia and hypoxia (means a “low oxygen) thus benthic accelerates and the luck of oxygen, due to very high populations in respect to poorly oxygen water bodies such as, Shallow bays and restricted areas from tidal flow. Eurotrophication, or hypereutrophication, takes place endangering the marine life resulting to massive kill of marine species and humans severe illness and death,(we have recorded already 400 dead zones?)Why should we know? Humans utilization i.e. consumption of seafood contamination with algal toxins, can cause:(1) (PSP) paralytic shellfish poisoning (2) (DSP) diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (3) (NSP) neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (4) (ASP) amnesic shellfish poisoning (Gastrointestinal symptoms occur in the first 24 hours followed up cramps and haemorrhagic gastritis and in most severe cases neurological symptoms )2. Organic Carbon loading: The anthropogenic input of carbon (e.g. raw sewage and sewage slash,) causes anoxia or hypoxia, the repercussions from chronic organic carbon enrichment reveal reduces benthic communities i.e., species richness, dominance, diversity and total abundances.it generates pathogenic microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria of the genera Salmonella, and Shigella which are accountable of typhoid, dysentery, Hepatitis A, and caused by a virus gastroenteritis takes place from human consumption.Scientific studies indicated about 100 human enteric pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and parasites have identified in urban stormwater (is water that accumulates on land due to storms, and can include runoff from urban areas such as roads and roofs.) overflow and process to municipal wastewater.3. Oil: Coastal zones biotic communities facing truthful danger from oil spills. Estuaries is an ideal point in respect to oil transport via non point origins, are taking more than one third of total oil input in the marine environment, and cause the death of marine life,Additionally, this effect due to toxic chemicals within the oil is causing unstable the whole natural conditions (ph values) and in extreme cases may remain of more than 10 years.4. Toxic Chemicals: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) are considering highly dangerous compounds as causes, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity (change of DNA IE LIKE X RAYS EXPOSURES), and teratogenicity, to a broad range of organisms included humans. PAHs go through in the water column environment, from oil spills, and from atmospheric deposition that derives from burn of oil fuels, forest and brush fires and volcanic eruptions.Scientific laboratory and field an examination indicates the PAHs affect on estuarine showing the rapid development of lesions (caused by any process that damage tissues and tumors in fishes and neoplasia (abnormal mass of tissue) in bivalves.5 .Halogenated Hydrocarbons: Contamination may come in a form of stealth manner with catastrophic effects in estuarine and marine environment belong to the Halogenated Hydrocarbons this group can be distinguished as persistent and toxic, include chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine (halogens). Causing (pulmonary edema) lungs6. DDT and PCBs are of great attention in marine studies as have been located in biotic, sediments, and water samples from all types of water column environments globally. DDT it’s responsible for the damage of central nervous system of animals’ exposure to this contamination lead to hyperactivity, involuntary contraction of the muscles of the body, paralysis and death. PCB polychlorinated biphenyls Animal and fatty foods contain the highest levels of DDT and PCBs because they are stored in fat and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain.High concentration of this contaminant on fishes in estuarine cause anemia, epithermal lesions, and fin erosion analogous results are shown in marine birds and mammals including limited reproduction and malformations.7. Heavy Metals: A significant threat to humans and marine environment are caused by heavy metals, anthropogenic occurrences as industrial waste waters discharges, leaching of antifouling paints, dredge materials’ disposal, combustions of fossil fuels, mining of metal ores, smelting operations, refining, electroplating, and factory production of dyes, paints, and textiles. Mercury, arsenic, and lead,A repercussion in estuarine and marine environments generates severe physiological, reproductive, and development changes level of exposure or consumption.Heavy metals including mercury and arsenic posing a grave danger to humans.

Oil Production and Marine Mining
Commercially important mineral derives from sea, such as: sand, gravel, and tin. Many dredging methods are applied for the recovery on seabed; several beaches are mine for prized minerals like, iron, tin, titanium. In this event of recovery modifies the marine benthic habitants and biotic communities. Over the coming decades and centuries, ocean health will become increasingly stressed by at least three interacting factors. The Rising seawater temperature, ocean acidification and ocean deoxygenating.Accidents occasionally happened from rig’s stations on offshore sites, and consequently, release hydrocarbon and toxic chemicals in the sea, these event versus tanker spills and related costal installations are having lower impact in respect to marine fauna and biotic communities, in estuaries and oceanic shorelines, while the mining of minerals on coast lines and seabed of continental shelves results in the upsets bottom habitants.

Overexploitation of Marine Life
Marine fishing has boosted up to four times, to >80 million metric tones, fish consumption trends have been change towards smaller invertebrates and planktivorous species.Two types of Extinctions:Extinctions and Biodiversityin the Marine RealmI. Extinction by Loss of HabitatCredit: HMAP / CoML / Monroe County LibraryOne of the most serious global extend activities is the overexploitation of marine life,considering that since 1950 marine fishing has boosted up to four times, to more than 80 million metric tones, fish consumption trends have been change towards smaller invertebrates and planktivorous species, if you go to a fish restaurant or a supermarket you will notice to advertise jelly fish, seaweed etc etc etc> the market it appears to have a global impact, studies indicate that 120 species among the 200 valuable are over fishing. You recall before 10 years you could purchase a good fish in half the price you are paying today to purchase even smaller size fish and the price is double?We got two types of extinctions1. Extinctions and Biodiversity in the Marine Realm: If we compare our knowledge among land and marine life, we would definitely admit our poor understanding in marine life; once rich areas of marine species such as, barndoor skate disappeared without notice, shark’s populations, sea star (Oreaster rediculatus) in Caribbean.2. Extinction by Loss of Habitat:Marine life is rapidly disappearing, using destructive fishing methods, i.e. bottom trawling, land and marine pollution, and climatic changes; cause a significant decline of marine life globally. Technological Fisheries: in western fisheries, the use of behavioral knowledge of fish has become a vital tool for exploitation commercial stocks, as this interact with high technology fishing gear, leading to overutilization.Bycatch The accidental catching of non target species by weight is estimated globally more than 25% and in some shrimps fishing is over 90% (Isaken and Valdermarsen 1994).

Implications for Conservation Biology
Many governments have responded to the marine conservation movement in regard to threads of anthropogenic impacts, several treaties been signed with, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) code of contact responsible for fishing. However, commitments cannot be implemented.The issue of sustainability is confusing the public, as they believed about extinction of marine life.The Conservation Challenge:Many governments have responded to the marine conservation movement in regard to threads of anthropogenic impacts, several treaties been signed with, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) code of contact responsible for fishing. However, commitments cannot be implemented. These systems are important and very sensitive to the commercial fishing industry. The effect of MPAs on fish populations, ecosystems and people depends on where they are located, how many there are, how big they are, the nature of protection within the MPA, effectiveness of management and enforcement, and the movement of the fish species across MPA boundaries.

Implications for Conservation Biology Japan coast are occupied by big populations of giant jellyfish. The local residents say that they have never seen jellyfish of such enormous size. The jellyfish reach about two meters in diameter and weigh around 200 Kgs Nomura’s jellyfish is that our new trend as we are running out fish?east coast of Japan is occupied by big populations of giant jellyfish. The local residents say that they have never seen jellyfish of such enormous size. This jellyfish is about two meters in diameter and weigh around 200 Kgs Nomura’s jellyfish.It may be the new trend as we are running out fish?Did we create an environment for these creatures to grow? Some researches suggest is a product of acidification and warm waters.

A combine project of London zoological society with Earth-Touch

Coping with the Ocean Pollution
How Scuba Diving can help in these global pollution issues to protect our underwater environment? I do believe that all of us have been a Witness of debris can we take off a plastic bag?Can we identify an oil spill?Can we dive and keep our hands and fin fins away from sea bottom?Can we hear an explosion and report it?Can we see a dead shark or top predator and report it? A number of other questions also exist; however, all of them pose the same question.CMAS Take action by EducationCMAS Can take action for garbage colleting during scuba.How Scuba Diving can help in these global pollution issues to protect our underwater environment? I do believe that all of us have been a Witness of debris can we take off a plastic bag or relative small debris the answer is yes we can. Can we identify an oil spill yes we can, can we see fish and we will touch or see it without harming it yes we can, can we dive and keep our hands and fin fins away from sea bottom? Can we hear an explosion and report it? Yes we can. A number of other questions also exist; however, all of them pose the same question.

Recommendations: We have all noted these climatic changes either we are scientists or not, we do feel those changes We really don’t have enough time to stop these devastating events of global warming, global acidification, global pollution, and global sea level rise, and other sources of pollution.We hear the word global tens of thousands of times and now we hear a global economic crisis, As a scientist to my understating the crisis is a product of giant polluting organizations, and unfortunately governments are depend upon them. The Aggressive actions for exploitation are resulting to the ruin of our planet oceans.

MOBILITY AND AWARENESS
Imagine millions of scuba divers to engage in a dive to take one plastic debris, able assisting a global campaigns.They don’t want to see that aggressive exploitation is resulting to degradation of our planet is the destruction of Eden garden for all life and off course the same applies for the big economic powers and individuals that are behind them.The challenge is how we can we are combating the asymmetrical mode to symmetrical balance of utilization and stability in our hydroplanet.Imagine millions of scuba divers to engage in a dive to take one plastic debris, able assisting a global campaigns of all what I mention just now. Indeed united we can make the difference or at least we can say we have tried our best to save our oceans. Divers can speak to their fellows to respect the hosting aquatic environment, use any method while teaching to emphasize this issue, use the internet, media and any means of communication. Use your influence to management and government authorities.

THERE IS A HOPE: The hope is to protect the remaining 10% of the big predators’ fish.The remaining 60% coral reefs are in good health.The Posidonia oceanica meadows the rain forests of the Mediterranean Sea are still in abundance.we only have explore 5% of our oceans.New technologies of restorations are taking place by transplantation, genetics and exploration in our oceans. Sciences never stop this challenge as we are giving motivations through education.The hope is to protect the remaining 10% of the big predators’ fish. The remaining 60% coral reefs are in good health. The Posidonia oceanica meadows the rain forests of the Mediterranean Sea are still in abundance. More than a quarter of a million marine species have been described since today and there are to that need identification we only have explore 5% what about the rest of our oceans life we don’t really know and research must continue, nonetheless new technologies of restorations are taking place by transplantation, genetics and exploration in our oceans. Sciences never stop this challenge as we are giving motivations through education.

Conclusion: In conclusion I must say without any hesitation, we really don’t have enough time to stop these devastating events of global warming, global acidification, global pollution, and global sea level rise, and other sources of pollution.The challenge is how we can we are combating the asymmetrical mode to symmetrical balance of utilization and stability in our hydro planet.The big economic organizations must act in a mutual symbiotic relationship.We can write thousands of regulations The basic problem is the implementation Changes. And many among us we are forecasting these consequences base on moral values and it’s our only hope for the rest to understand and give a priority to moral scientific approach whatever is the cost to safe our humankind, learning from our mistakes. We have to make a choice between aggressive economy expansions or to create new platform sustainable base on harmonization with our oceans. What is needed is to combat the asymmetry mode and return back to symmetry. The big economic organizations must act in a mutual symbiotic relationship Ending this presentation I would like to use the wisdom words of the Greek philosopher ZENO that he came in Larnaca my town in Cyprus“All things are parts of one single system, which is called Nature; the individual life is good when it is in harmony with Nature.”

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