McPhail 1

Gertz, Emily J. "Ocean Plastic Pollution's Shocking Death Toll on Endangered Animals."

TakePart. Participant Media, 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 May 2017.

<http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/20/ocean-plastic-pollutions-shocking-death-toll-

endangered-animals/>.

This articles main idea is the impact of debris on marine life and how many animals have

been affected or killed by this epidemic. IUCN research is used to identify the types and number

of animals which have been endangered, harmed, and killed. Most of the sea animals encounters

with waste is fatal. Countless sea life has been harmed by the liter which clutters our oceans,

100,000 marine animals are killed by an injury or an illness caused by marine debris, and

hundreds of species are close to endangerment and even extinction because of this issue. One of

the solutions in the work is figuring out how to make plastic waster not only contain less harmful

chemicals, but also so that they do not last as long. This knowledge is relevant to my research

because it clarifies the impact that ocean pollution is having. In addition to this, not only does is

describe the impact, but it also offers a solution. Although not everyone can get to a lab and

figure out how to make a more environmentally safe plastic, but donations can be made to these

kinds of causes as well as awareness to be raised.

 McPhail 2

"Ocean Pollution - MarineBio.org". MarineBio Conservation Society. Web.

Accessed 20:50 PM 5/8/2017. <http://marinebio.org/oceans/ocean-dumping/>.

This article discusses the different types of pollution which contributes to waste in marine

life, as well as the effects that it is having on the ocean and its inhabitants. The writers main

source of information has come from the United Nations Group of Experts on the Scientific

Aspects of Marine Pollution, and their research covers numerous topics. Important evidence

covered in the article is what people do to contribute to waste in the ocean, as well as the effects

that these things have, not only on the marine, but everyday life as well. To summarize, a portion

of this writing was on types of ocean pollution, which includes industrial waste, sewage sludge

and radioactive waste, as well as the different effects they have. It addresses the issues with

waste in the ocean and why this problem is so prevalent. As a resource, this website is

tremendously helpful and interesting in its history of ocean dumping. It gave me a better

understanding of how the ocean has gotten to the point it is at today, as well as giving me helpful

idea on how this generation can improve its current state.

 McPhail 3

"Ocean Pollution." Noaa.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric, Aug. 2011. Web. 8

May 2017. <http://www.noaa.gov/resource-collections/ocean-pollution>.

The articles purpose is to answer the questions or misunderstandings that a large majority

of the population have. The author answers questions with the use of information and facts found

from both the NOAA National Ocean Service and the NOAA Marine Debris program. One of the

main questions addressed was what is the real effect, if any, of beach clean ups. The answer is

that even something as small as going around and picking trash up off the beach can have

massively positive effects on marine life! By keeping micro plastics that are found in trash out of

the ocean we can have these effects on the ocean: Nutrients and algal can thrive, removes debris

known to harm marine wildlife, and makes our seafood safer for consumption. A topic of

significance that I believe furthers my knowledge and contributes to my capstone topic is that

pollution is effecting the quality of food we get from bodies of water. Not only is it important to

understand what the effects of pollution are on marine life, but also to know that it directly

effects the quality of human life as well.

 McPhail 4

"Preventing Ocean Pollution." Greenpeace. Greenpeace / Marco Care, n.d. Web.

<http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/oceans/preventing-pollution/>

The main purpose of this article is to make people aware of the magnitude of human

contribution to pollution, but also to inform them how they can work together to diminish its

effects. After reviewing how much waste humans produce, the author then reveals how much of

that waste can be found in our marine life. In summary, this resource discusses what is polluting

marine biomes and what can be done about this. Most people would assume that most pollution

comes from oil spills and other pollutions at sea, and while these are serious issues, the main

source of pollution comes from land. Things like sewage, industrial and agricultural run-offs

which make it nearly impossible for marine life to survive. To get involved, the source advises

people to reduce, reuse, recycle, to donate, and to pick up any liter they see. What I found that

was applicable to my capstone project is the realization that most waste comes from things we do

not even think effect the ocean. A necessary part of protecting marine life is keeping people

informed about what causes it.

 McPhail 5

"Pristine Seas- Marine Pollution." Nation Geographic. 2015-2017 National Geographic

Partners, LLC., n.d. Web. 8 May 2017.

<http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/explore/pristine-seas/critical-issues-marine-

pollution/>.

The main topics of this article which are addressed are unexpected forms of pollution as

well as misunderstanding people have in solving the problem. The speaker references the reports

of marine biologists which have claimed to have found over 400 deadzones, or areas where life

cannot exist within the ocean because of such poor conditions caused by pollution. Like most

articles on ocean pollution, the article goes over all the types of pollution which have contributed

to the state of ocean life, including noise pollution. The article also discusses dilution, which

people have thought to be the cure to a polluted ocean. In short, it was widely believed that the

ocean diluted the waste poured into it, but marine biologists now understand that this is not the

case. Laws have been created to crack down on waste dumping, but these laws are poorly

enforced. Something that really intrigued me in this article was the concept of noise pollution.

Any soundwaves created, whether they are man-made, from ships, sonar devices and oil rigs, or

from natural causes such as earthquakes, can disrupt marine life. This was something I didnt

know and I think its important to raise awareness about.