Australia contains the world’s largest reef system stretching 2,000 kilometers along the northeastern coasts (“Australia’s Great Barrier”). The extremely ancient Great Barrier Reef, hosting millions of living things has been studied to be as much as twenty million years old. The area of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland combined would still be smaller than the Great Barrier Reef, which can be seen from outer space. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Being the home of ten percent of the World's total fish, it has been established that over 1,500 species of fish live on the reef. Also, researchers have discovered more than 215 species of birds and at least 330 ascidians who call the Great …show more content…
The Great Barrier Reef supplies natural medicines that could be produced into effective drugs. Many coastal and island communities depend on coral reef fisheries for their economic, social, and cultural benefits. The Great Barrier Reef protects the vulnerable land that it surrounds. It can dissipate wave energy from storms and tsunamis. The biodiversity ensures that some life will maintain survival, even after major catastrophic events that abolish many species (Carilli). The importance of the Great Barrier Reef needs to be recognized due to the rapid increase of the recent mortality rates. After examination of the causes and effects of the Great Barrier Reef destruction, pollution plays the most significant …show more content…
Oceans are being polluted by substances such as farm fertilizers, chemicals produced in factories, and harmful sewage from towns and cities (Claybourne 38). Trash and debris, especially plastics, are deposited into the oceans by humans. These objects can be mistaken as food by many species, which eventually leads to death. When species consume what looks like to be food, but in reality is hazardous waste, the animal contains that chemical inside of them. When a larger animal consumes the hazardous animal, it affects the entire food chain (“What Is Ocean”). Plastic garbage from ships collects in the oceans, where it is eaten by some animals, causing it to choke them or to block their stomachs (Claybourne 38). Littering raises the carbon dioxide levels in the ocean. The carbon dioxide in the trash raises the temperatures of the water, which can lead to coral bleaching. Most of the trash and debris released into the oceans cannot decompose, leaving it floating in the ocean for many years. As the trash degrades, oxygen is used. This decreases the oxygen levels in the ocean, leading to the chances of survival of the coral and marine life to drop (“What Is Ocean”). Studies show that agricultural pesticides are being dumped into the ocean, causing the health of the Great Barrier
That being said, one would see the importance in preserving the integrity of this structure. Elizabeth Kolbert’s choice to explore the destruction of this massive landmark will surely evoke passion for her subject matter and as a reader had no difficulty depicting her passion. I favor the assumption that other readers will react in a similar manner with the thought that the Great Barrier Reef is in peril. Much of society is only concerned with what affects them personally In chapter seven, she piggybacked with atmospheric scientist Ken Caldeira on One Tree Island to find out learn about ocean acidification and her findings show neither good news nor promise concerning the future of the ocean’s coral reefs. The tone of the chapter is that of death: the balance of coral reef revolves around life and death in its current state.
Conflicts are challenges faced by people, which in turn helps them to succeed in their lives. In the novel The First Stone by Don Aker, Chad Kennedy faces different types of conflict that lead to positive personal growth. Chad was unable to cope with the death of his grandmother. His depression and anxiety led him to be unkind towards others.
Australia is a country with a lot of history. It all began back then, at least 30,000 years ago about 40,000 BC when the first Aborigines, who are the native people of Australia, arrived from South East Asia. Many Aborigines to this day earn money through selling their native artworks. Aboriginal music is commonly perceptible for its well known instrument, the didgeridoo. Its a wind instrument usually made from bamboo.
The coral was so weak and brittle, with only a little movement of water it withered away into a fine dust of calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. The acidic water wiped out of all the coral to almost extinction. Bothered by what I saw on this trip I headed up to the boat to report my findings to the unesco. The boat ride returning to the mainland I was shocked to find out how much oxygen I used up in my tank, the coral seemed so much farther down than I expected, the sea level insinuate so much higher. Perturbed by this I knew it was all an effect from climate change and we were all to late to correct the damage
The ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef is a fragile balance, with a food chain that has several points, in which each one is reliant on one another. The Great Barrier Reef’s coordinates are 18.2871° S, 147.6992° E. The Reef has a huge amount of flora
Oceans are peaceful, majestic, and filled with amazing and vibrant color. A lot of the prostown beauty in oceans can be credited to coral reefs. Lately though, natural coral reefs have been dying for various reasons, and some people believe that artificial reefs can help not only the natural reefs, but other surrounding ecosystems in their environment. Various articles use rhetorical techniques in hopes of enhancing their articles about whether or not artificial reefs are helping or harming the oceans. The first article, “Concern Lingers on Success of Artificial Reefs”, was written by Charles Q. Choi, and for Live Science, looks at both the pro and con side of artificial reefs.
Before, it was assumed that because the ocean was so big, vast, and deep, that the effects of dumping trash and littering into the sea will only have minimal consequences. But after decades of littering, we have seen the consequences. Oil spills, floating plastic, and toxic wastes
Water Pollution is a huge environmental problem that has serious effects on marine habitats, animals, and water quality. BP1: The world's marine habitat has been getting worse because of how bad the pollution has gotten. “ Over 80% of marine pollution comes from land based activities “ (source 5 ). This quote explains how most of the water pollution is caused by human activity. “ Plastic litter does not degrade, can be expected to last in the oceans for hundreds of years “ ( source 6 ).
Modern human life is polluting the world. The products that make our life livable, are a big threat to the oceans. Even places that are untouched by mankind, are experiencing the effects of pollution. Entire populations of fish species are being wiped out by overfishing, not even mentioning the species caught as bycatch. The oceans suffer a lot from pollution as well.
However, humans are not very quick to accept said responsibility, due to the location of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Since it is not particularly close to any one country’s coastline and is situated near the center of the ocean, no one country is standing up to fund clean-up efforts. Because of this, the burden is falling on individual and international organizations who are dedicated to clean up the Patch and prevent further growth, such as The Ocean Cleanup and the Algalita Marine Research and Education Foundation, among countless others. Despite said dedication, the issue is very daunting, as small marine animals can camouflage with microplastics and be scooped up with the trash, as creating a trash net that deciphers the difference between the two and is large enough for the job is very difficult and time consuming. According to the Marine Debris Program of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, over the course of one year 67 ships would only be able to clean up less than 1% of the affected North Pacific Ocean.
Therefore, the impact of overfishing and illegal collecting of coral may destroyed the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life. Beside, it is also direct overexploitation of fish, intertebrates, and algae for food and the aquarium trade, removal of a species or group of species impacting multiple trophic levels, bycatch and mortality of nontarget species, and change from coral to algal dominance due to reduction in herbivores (Reef Resilience Organisation,
Therefore the negative tone and connotations associated with the state of the reef will consequently influence debate within the public sphere to focus on the negative aspects of this contemporary issue. Similarly it has the ability to spark debate regarding the involvement of the government
Our marine ecosystems are at risk because of pollution and climate change. The coral reefs are bleaching because of increase of water temperature. A quarter of our ocean species depend on coral reefs and if this continues we will lose a great amount of marine species. Most people litter because they are
Marine pollution such as presence of organic matter in the ocean can result in the condition known as hypoxia or oxygen depletion and this can have adverse effect on the marine life including plant and animals and fish. Death of these fish can result in loss of millions of US dollars that are generate from the fishing industry. Marine pollution can also result in presence of foul smell resulting from the decomposing sewage being directed to the ocean and this has the effects to hinder recreational activities taking place in the sea as well as cause discomfort and breathing problem to the surrounding population (Laura, 11).marine pollution can also result in danger to human health. The human swimmers and water sport lovers can become endangered by swimming in the polluted marine waters (Laura,
The ocean is nowadays undergoing numerous environmental issues that further lead to marine pollution. Marine pollution is a very serious environmental issue that most of the countries of the world encounter. Aquatic littering is considered as one of the major causes of marine environment. The misleading use of the marine environment is extremely impacting the marine life and ecosystems. Moreover, the total amount of toxins and debris discharged by human beings is incredibly increasing in today 's world.