Help prevent water pollution
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY
Marine pollution is an increasing threat to the overall health of Florida. It makes a negative impact in many ways, and it comes from many sources. Many types of marine pollution are caused by human activity. Identifying threats and being proactive can help protect and preserve Florida’s ecosystems for generations to come.
Marine pollution includes chemical and trash waste that result in damage to water quality in Florida’s streams, rivers, bays, estuaries, and coastal shallow and deep waters. Healthy water quality is vital to habitats, living organisms and the ecosystem.
Where does it come from? Sources of chemical marine pollution can include mining, excessive nutrients from fertilizers and pesticides, animal waste, erosion, sewage systems, household products, storm run-off and harmful algae, just to name a few. Sources of trash commonly found in and around Florida waterways include glass, fishing line and gear, cigarette butts, food and drink containers, and utensils. Foam and plastics top the list.
In previous years, a growing amount of research has revealed dangerous amounts of non-biodegradable marine pollution in Florida waters, and the harmful impact on water quality and wildlife have become a focus of public awareness and education.
Many people are surprised to learn that marine pollution, including plastics, do not simply go away. It is estimated that the degradation or decomposition timeline rate for a single-use plastic bottle can be over 400 years. Fishing line can take 600 years to break down. It can take 10 to 20 years for a plastic bag to degrade. As plastics break down, they decompose into smaller particles called microplastics and nano plastics that have been found in water samples and inside marine creatures in many levels of the food chain. Chemicals released into Florida’s waters can cause a toxic chain reaction that depletes oxygen and causes death to sea grasses, and nutrients that can be fatal to marine organisms and ultimately affect humans.
Estuaries that provide nurseries for marine life to spawn can also be drastically affected. Wildlife is further harmed by ingesting marine pollution unintentionally or by eating smaller organisms that are contaminated. Some marine pollution is also ingested by wildlife, often causing life-threatening issues, suffering and death.
What can we do to help? While we can’t control every aspect of preventing marine pollution, there are many actions we can take. Using biodegradable, environmentally safe household products, and reducing waste by choosing packaging that decomposes quickly or can be reused or recycled is something most everyone can do. Choosing to use non-toxic marine and earth-friendly products inside and outside will go a long way toward keeping these poisons out of the water. Picking up litter and animal waste and disposing of it properly benefits everyone. Participating in a community group that advocates and actively pursues a clean environment is always a start.
Whether implementing personal habits that foster a healthier world or joining forces with other like-minded people, we all have a role in the future health of Florida’s waters and can make a positive difference to reverse the negative impacts. You can:
- Reduce, reuse and recycle.
- Use biodegradable packaging.
- Use non-toxic environmentally safe products.
- Dispose of litter and waste properly.
- Take personal action and implement positive habits.
Get involved. Visit bips.org
