Ocean pollution and warming oceans: toward ocean solutions and natural marine bioremediation
Alava, J.J. (2019). Ocean pollution and warming oceans: toward ocean solutions and natural marine bioremediation, in: Cisneros-Montemayor, A.M. et al. Predicting future oceans: Sustainability of ocean and human systems amidst global environmental change. pp. 495-518. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817945-1.00046-0 In: Cisneros-Montemayor, A.M.; Cheung, W.W.L.; Ota, Y. (Ed.) (2019). Predicting future oceans: Sustainability of ocean and human systems amidst global environmental change. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISBN 978-0-12-817945-1. xxvii, 554 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/c2018-0-02416-0, more |
| Abstract | The global ocean is at risk, so is the marine biodiversity inhabiting this unique realm. Since the origin of the anthropocene, a myriad of anthropogenic impacts have been assaulting the environmental quality of the oceans and the abundance of marine living resources. While more than 10,000 chemicals, many of which are contaminating the oceans, are traded in the world, the accelerated rate of global warming has exceeded preindustrial levels by 1°C due to cumulative CO2 emissions, causing ocean warming and acidification. Pervasive pollution by plastic (e.g., microplastics) is now chronic and widely disseminated, affecting many species in the ocean. The ecological footprint of these stressors is revealed in the interaction of ocean pollution and climate change, altering the biogeochemical processes sustaining marine ecosystems and pushing marine biodiversity to tipping points; however, the ocean is the best ecological ally for human beings to confront and mitigate these impacts. While the oceans and blue carbon ecosystems serve as sinks to capture and store CO2, natural marine bioremediation with the associated depuration system performed by marine species can help to counteract chemical pollution to restore marine and coastal ecosystems. In addition to the conventional human-made approaches to abate and mitigate anthropogenic marine pollution and climate change, this work highlights the importance of precautionary solutions in concert with the role of marine species providing ecological services and functioning as natural bioremediators to maintain the health of the oceans and conserve marine biodiversity. |
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