30 Introduction
Pollution has a global distribution and extends from the poles down to the deepest part of the ocean. There are a number of potential impacts including to individuals (including humans), populations, communities and ecosystems; social impacts including socio-economic, equitability issues, impact to resources and recreation or traditional practices; and economic. Understanding the sources, types of pollution, how they are transported, bioavailability, bioaccumulation and impact are essential to adequately manage marine pollution.
Learning Goals
By the end of this chapter you should:
- Identify the main forms of marine pollution
- Understand the ways pollution can be distributed and taken up by organisms
- Understand impacts of pollution including at a social, economic, and environmental level
- Identify solutions to pollution
- Understand the complexities of achieving cleaner oceans, particularly with multiple stressors
- Propose and apply management strategies to work towards cleaner oceans
