Did you know that the ocean is the largest ecosystem on the planet? An estimated 50 to 80% of all life on the planet is found under the ocean surface, and about 99% of living space on the Earth is in the ocean. Quite surprisingly, humans have explored only 5% of the ocean, and the rest is still unknown.
The deadliest animals, like box jellyfish, beaked sea snakes, and great white sharks, live beneath the shimmering waters of the ocean. But do you know that various chemicals that pose a threat to marine as well as human life also lurk in the ocean? Extraordinary levels of toxic chemicals are present in the depths of the ocean.
In this article, we’ll delve into some chemicals found in the ocean that are harmful to human health.
#1 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have gained some notoriety in recent years due to their omnipresence and detrimental effects. These large, complex groups of man-made chemicals are found in your clothes, food, furniture, and even makeup. Their resistance to water, grease, stains, heat, and oil has contributed to their popularity.
Recent research by The University of Rhode Island has discovered that PFAS are flowing between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. PFAS in the ocean has become a matter of concern because they are persistent. These chemicals don’t degrade and can live up to several thousand years. That is why they are also recognized as forever chemicals.
Once PFAS make their way into the oceans, they contaminate seafood, posing a significant risk to human health.
A new study reveals that seafood is the dominant source of human exposure to forever chemicals. Eating a freshwater fish is equivalent to a month of drinking water polluted with PFAS. These chemicals, at very low doses, can suppress the immune system, reduce vaccine efficacy, and increase the risk of certain cancers. PFAS are also linked with developmental and reproductive cancers and birth defects.
Shocking levels of PFAS have been discovered in over 80% of the U.S. waterways. Rivers are the dominant source of PFAS in seawater. Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are contaminating the river waters in the U.S. These foams, commonly used at military facilities and fire training facilities, contain PFAS.
More than a dozen states have filed AFFF lawsuits. Arkansas, Tennessee, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Maryland, and Rhode Island, to name a few, are states that have sued the manufacturers of AFFF.
DuPont, 3M, Tyco Fire Products, and Chemours are some defendants named in the lawsuits. TruLaw reveals that 3M was ordered to pay $850 million to the State of Minnesota for PFAS contamination. Other chemical giants, Chemours, Corteva, and DuPont, have also agreed to settle the claims of forever chemicals contaminating the water systems.
#2 Mercury
Do you know high levels of mercury are found in the oceans?
While mercury is a naturally occurring chemical element, human activities like burning fossil fuels and mining are responsible for the bulk of mercury pollution throughout the world.
Runoff from land, industrial discharges, and atmospheric deposition cause this toxic metal to settle in the ocean. Thereafter, it is converted into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that is easily absorbed by marine organisms.
Mercury levels have been stubbornly high in tuna for more than 50 years. After analyzing thousands of tuna samples from 1971 to 2022, a team of French researchers revealed that mercury levels remain virtually unchanged.
Most people get this toxic metal in their bodies from eating seafood, such as tuna, contaminated with it. The detrimental effects of mercury on human health are well-documented.
Even in small amounts, this metal can have a toxic effect on the digestive, nervous, and immune systems. It can harm the brains of unborn children. Prenatal exposure to mercury can increase newborns’ risk of learning disabilities.
#3 Polychlorinated Biphenyls
A group of man-made chemicals consisting of hydrogen, carbon, and chlorine atoms are polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs.
These chemicals were used in hundreds of commercial and industrial products, such as adhesives, tapes, and fluorescent light ballasts. However, PCBs were phased out in 1979 because they were harmful to the human as well as the environmental health. Yet they persist in the ocean.
A study finds that the deepest parts of the ocean are polluted with PCBs. Deep-sea researchers have discovered traces of this chemical at the bottom of the Atacama Trench in the Pacific Ocean. Prior to the ban, improper disposal, leaks, and spills caused PCBs to enter the water along with air and soil. Perhaps that is why they are still found worldwide.
Humans may be exposed to PCBs through the seafood they ingest. Bottom-feeding fishes such as sea trout, American eel, bluefish, and striped bass and large predator fish such as walleye are believed to contain higher levels of PCBs.
These chemicals increase a person’s risk of liver and cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Numerous studies have linked PCBs with liver cancer and malignant melanomas. This probable human carcinogen is also linked with gallbladder cancer, gastrointestinal tract cancer, brain cancer, and biliary tract cancer.
To sum it up, many chemicals proven to be lethal to both marine life and human beings are lurking in the deepest depths of the ocean. While you might consider yourself powerless, there are several things you can do to reduce ocean pollution.
Switch to phosphate-free soaps and detergents. Avoid disposing of cleaning agents or household chemicals down the sink. Also, do not flush drugs or liquid or powder medications down the flush. Though small, these meaningful acts can make a world of difference.
