Here Is Where You Will Submit Your Final Project

Here Is Where You Will Submit Your Final Project That You Were Introdu

Here is where you will submit your final project that you were introduced to in week 6. Your final project should be creative and interesting, and should be a minimum of 6 pages in length not to exceed 8 pages and you will use APA style formatting. It should be well-organized and demonstrate an orderly flow of information that clearly addresses the subject chosen. You should incorporate the following elements in the project: Problem identification: Clearly indicate the issue you will discuss and the influence this problem has on land, air, water resources, plant life, animal life, and human societies.

Discuss the long-term effects this problem will continue to create without a comprehensive solution. The problem can be of local, national, or global scope. Solutions currently implemented: Discuss how the issue has been addressed historically. Determine the courses of action taken in science, technology, political and economic systems, laws and regulations, community-based initiatives, education, and so forth. Review the successes and limitations of these actions.

Recommendations: Explain the actions that you believe need to be developed and implemented to accomplish change. Discuss your solution from multiple perspectives, such as educational, legislative, scientific, technological, economic, and other points of view. In addition, you should cite at least three other credible sources. Put these on your last page as works cited. You are cautioned to check out internet sources. The web abounds with junk science that is totally unreliable. Be sure to cross check your sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The environmental issue I have chosen to explore is plastic pollution in marine environments, a pressing and multifaceted problem with significant implications for ecosystems, human health, and the economy. This issue exemplifies how human activities can disrupt natural processes and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to develop sustainable solutions.

Problem Identification

Plastic pollution in oceans and waterways has escalated dramatically over the past decades, primarily due to the proliferation of single-use plastics, inadequate waste management, and consumer behavior. Marine plastic debris ranges from macroplastics, such as discarded fishing gear and bottles, to microplastics—tiny particles less than five millimeters in size that are ingested by marine organisms across the food chain. This pollution affects land, water resources, animal and plant life, and human societies by contaminating seafood, damaging fisheries, and polluting coastlines. It disrupts marine habitats, threatens biodiversity, and poses health risks through chemical contaminants associated with plastics.

Long-term Effects

If current trends continue, plastic pollution will lead to catastrophic effects on marine ecosystems and global biodiversity. Microplastics will increasingly accumulate within marine organisms, including fish and shellfish, which form a critical part of human diets. Toxic chemicals leached from plastics, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, can bioaccumulate, leading to health issues like hormonal disruption and cancers in humans. Economically, the fishing and tourism industries face significant losses, and entire livelihoods are at risk in communities dependent on marine resources. Without effective intervention, plastic debris will continue to impair ocean health, affecting climate regulation and reducing the ocean's capacity to sequester carbon.

Solutions Currently Implemented

Historically, efforts to combat marine plastic pollution have included public awareness campaigns, beach clean-up initiatives, and regulations such as bans on microbeads in cosmetics. International agreements like the MARPOL Convention have aimed to reduce plastic waste from ships. Technological innovations, including biodegradable plastics and advanced waste sorting systems, have been introduced. Many countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics and improved waste management infrastructure.

However, these measures have had mixed successes. While banned microbeads reduced microplastic entry into marine systems, globally, plastic production and disposal continue to rise. Enforcement varies by country, and illegal dumping persists. Recycling rates remain low due to contamination and economic barriers. Additionally, biodegradable plastics often require specific conditions not met in natural environments, limiting their effectiveness. Thus, current solutions offer partial relief but are insufficient to stem the tide of plastic pollution comprehensively.

Recommendations

Addressing marine plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. First, educational campaigns should raise awareness about reducing plastic use, promoting alternatives like reusable materials, and proper disposal practices. Legislative measures must strengthen international cooperation to enforce stricter regulations on plastic waste disposal and improve waste management infrastructure globally. Scientific research should focus on developing truly biodegradable plastics that can decompose naturally without harming ecosystems and on innovations in waste collection technology, such as ocean-cleaning autonomous devices.

Economic incentives can promote circular economy models, encouraging manufacturers to design sustainable products and recycling systems. Community-based initiatives, including local clean-up programs and citizen science projects, foster environmental stewardship. Furthermore, integrating environmental education into school curricula can cultivate environmentally conscious generations capable of advocating for policy change.

From a scientific perspective, understanding how plastics break down and spread in marine environments is crucial for developing mitigation strategies. Technological advances, such as underwater robotics equipped with filtration systems, could be deployed to remove plastics from critical hotspots. Policies should align with scientific findings to ensure that interventions are effective and sustainable.

In sum, combating plastic pollution in marine environments necessitates coordinated efforts across educational, legislative, scientific, technological, and economic domains to foster a sustainable future and protect marine biodiversity for generations to come.

References

• Andrady, A. L. (2011). Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(8), 1596-1605.
• Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., et al. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.
• Law, K. L., & Thompson, R. C. (2014). Microplastics in the marine environment: A review of the methods used, occurrence, and effects. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 88(1-2), 12-22.
• Schmidt, C., Krauth, T., & Wagner, S. (2017). Microplastics as a vector for chemicals in the marine environment: A review. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(12), 6634-6647.
• Wilcox, C., Van Sebille, E., & Hardesty, B. D. (2015). Threat of plastic pollution to seabirds is global, pervasive, and increasing. PLOS One, 10(11), e0142006.
• Derraik, J. G. (2002). The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 44(9), 842-852.
• Li, J., Liu, H., & Chen, J. P. (2018). Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of modeling methods, occurrence, and effects. Water Research, 157, 209-229.
• Andrady, A. L. (2015). Persistence of plastics in the environment. In Marine anthropogenic litter (pp. 43-60). Springer, Cham.
• Ellen McArthur Foundation. (2016). The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics. Retrieved from https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
• Laist, D. W. (1987). Impacts of marine debris: Entanglement and ingestion of marine debris by marine animals. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 18(6), 319-326.