The Dangers of Ocean PollutionBasic FactsOcean pollution is a serious problem in today's world politics. The delicate balance of the earth's ecosystem is threatened when the ocean is not clean. Ocean pollution problems directly harm marine life and indirectly affect human health and Earth's many valuable resources. Ocean pollution is a broad term that includes any foreign matter that directly or indirectly enters the ocean. This includes everything from the extreme: oil spills, toxic waste spills, and industrial spills, to the smallest: human activities and basic negligence. Because oceans and all other bodies of water are invariably connected in one way or another and make up 3/4 of the Earth's surface, they provide an ideal means of transportation for pollution, allowing the rapid spread of seemingly distant toxins into a nearby river. You! It is increasingly important that we educate ourselves on what exactly ocean pollution is, so that we can identify the causes at their source and take action on both small and large scales, and hopefully prevent this terrible form of pollution to get worse. than it is today. Oil Leaks and Spills Because they are the most publicized form of ocean pollution, oil spills, oil leaks, and general oil contamination are things that we all seem to be aware of. Since the Exxon Valdez incident, American public opinion in particular has become increasingly critical of oil companies. Every year, more than 700 million gallons of oil end up in the ocean. Contrary to what one might think, most oil pollution does not come from tanker accidents. In fact, tanker accidents account for less than 90 million waste...... middle of paper ......In 1995, an important event marked a victory for the national organization GreenPeace, but also for the 'humanity. The Brent Spar oil facility was not allowed to be dumped into the ocean. The significance of this decision was that there were over 600 oil installations that would one day expire, just like the Brent Spar. When the decision was made not to allow the dump, it set a precedent that other facilities would not be allowed to dump either. The main source of discharge at sea is sewage sludge. Sewer lines and storm drains often share space. Heavy rain can flood these pipes, causing the contents to mix and overflow. After that, the waste can be transported with rainwater to nearby water sources. Harmful effects of ocean dumping include animals at risk with waste in their habitat, as well as contamination of public waters..