Oceans Are In The News! This Semester You Are Going To Tune ✓ Solved

Oceans are in the news! This semester you are going to tune

Oceans are in the news! This semester you are going to tune your eyes and ears to news stories specifically about the oceans, ocean pollution, marine life, and ocean exploration. Be sure to review comments from your News Report #1. Skills: exploring the news & media for quality scientific news. Learn to connect out-of-class information to in-class information.

Spark interest in quality science reporting. Become aware of current events we can change or that impact us. Submission: A ~500 word write-up based on a news story related to the oceans. Date of article/news release should be after August 1, 2021 (no old news). Include full citation information of article/news item included at the top of your submission.

Please be sure you are correctly citing your news source. Follow guides you have used in other classes or on the HCC library site. Expectations: Find a news item of interest to you related to the wide topic of Oceanography. This should be a news story of substance (more than a couple paragraphs of text or more than 5 minutes of audio/video segment). Read the article/listen to the story carefully and consider how it relates to what we have been learning.

Your write up should include a clear summary of the scientific news presented (~1 paragraph). Then the majority of the write-up will be your reflection and commentary of the news. Examples of things to consider depending on the news item you selected: What connections did this information have with what we have covered in class? what chapters does it connect to? or will it connect to? Did it surprise you? Does it impact people? Is the event or topic short-term or long-term?

Paper For Above Instructions

The oceans are a vital part of our planet, teeming with life and playing crucial roles in climate regulation, oxygen production, and carbon capture. Recently, ocean-related news has highlighted pressing issues such as ocean pollution, species extinction, and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. This write-up is based on the article "How Ocean Pollution is Affecting Marine Life" published by National Geographic on September 15, 2022. The article discusses the alarming rate at which plastic pollution is affecting marine animals, from microplastics embedded in the tissues of fish to the ingestion of larger plastic debris by sea turtles and whales (Parker, 2022).

Plastic pollution is a rising threat to marine ecosystems, with an estimated 8 million tons of plastic entering the oceans each year (Jambeck et al., 2015). The National Geographic article highlights various examples, such as the choking of sea turtles by plastic bags resembling jellyfish, which are a primary food source for these creatures (Parker, 2022). The piece also discusses the harmful chemicals in plastics, which can leach into the water and accumulate in marine life, ultimately affecting human health through the seafood we consume. This alarming reality serves as a wake-up call for both scientists and the general public, emphasizing the need for immediate action to combat this form of pollution.

Upon reflecting on the information presented in the article, I was struck by the direct correlations between the issues discussed and the content we've covered in class regarding ocean chemistry and marine biology. For instance, the chapter on marine ecosystems explained how pollutants disrupt food chains, leading to broader ecological consequences. The implications of plastic pollution are serious, as they do not only impact individual species but also destabilize entire oceanic ecosystems. The interconnectedness of life in the ocean is a recurring theme in our studies, resonating profoundly as I read about the detrimental impacts of plastic waste.

Moreover, the article implies that the consequences of plastic pollution extend beyond the immediate harm to marine animals. It raises pertinent questions regarding the long-term effects of persistent pollutants and how they can alter the genetic makeup of marine species over generations. The timeline for these changes is vital to understand; while some effects may seem short-term—such as visible injuries and deaths caused by entanglements or ingestion—others, such as genetic mutations and altered reproductive cycles, pose significant long-term risks (Thompson et al., 2009).

Another connection I made relates to our class discussions on the phenomenon of harmful algal blooms (HABs) that are exacerbated by nutrient pollution. These blooms can lead to dead zones and are harmful to marine life, illustrating the complexity of ocean health and how interconnected issues like plastic pollution and nutrient runoff can compound one another (Diaz, 2001). Such connections highlight the multifaceted nature of oceanography and marine ecology, illuminating the importance of integrated approaches in combating ocean degradation.

In examining how the information affects people on a broader scale, it is clear that ocean pollution is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health concern that requires community awareness and involvement. People living near coastal areas can be severely impacted by the decline in fish populations and the health risks associated with contaminated seafood. This community dynamic underscores the essential role of education and advocacy in promoting sustainable practices that can mitigate pollution at individual and collective levels (Kowalski, 2021).

Ultimately, this news story resonated deeply with me, as it draws attention to a pressing global challenge and the urgent need for collective action against ocean pollution. The long-term impacts of our current plastic usage habits could be catastrophic if left unaddressed. As future scientists and stewards of the planet, it is our responsibility to raise awareness, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage in solutions that promote the health of our oceans.

References

• Diaz, R. J. (2001). Overview of hypoxia around the world. Journal of Environmental Quality, 30(2), 275-281.
• Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., & Andrady, A. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.
• Kowalski, P. (2021). The impact of plastic pollution on human health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(1), 010002.
• Parker, L. (2022). How ocean pollution is affecting marine life. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ocean-pollution
• Thompson, R. C., Moore, C. J., vom Saal, F. S., & Swan, S. H. (2009). Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 2153-2166.