What are some of the threats to the ocean ecosystem?

Answer 1

Most pollutants to the ocean environment are local in nature - chemicals and such near-river discharges and oils from shipping lanes. A larger concern is the collection of plastic bits in the large vortexes in several of the oceans. The single greatest impact is the warming of the oceans by climate change. This changes the salinity of the water, the range of the various species of plant and sealife, the creation of corals and sea animal shells, the hunting and breeding of seals and polar bears, the water's oxygen content and the pH of the sea water due to CO2 absorption.

Answer 2

There are generally considered to be nine major threats to the stability of ecosystems on Earth. Climate change and loss of biodiversity are often the most publicised, although there are seven other factors that may be equally threatening.

The spread of agriculture and other human activities into natural habitats poses a large threat to ecosystems. Similarly, the disruption of fresh water systems through damming and diversion by humans can lead to vast habitats becoming dry and barren.

Chemical pollution can have devastating effects of the health of ecosystems (as well as humans) and the release of aerosols into the atmosphere (through activities such as burning fossil fuels) damages ecosystems in numerous ways. The release of aerosols (among other things) can also lead to the depletion of the ozone layer which threatens to allow harmful solar radiation to cause damage to organisms and ecosystems.

Another potential threat to global ecosystems that is rarely discussed is the acidification of the oceans due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which can have serious knock-on effects on important aspects of ocean chemistry. Lastly, the disruption of the nitrogen cycle can lead to bacteria converting too much nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form not readily available for living things (this is often encouraged by agriculture to give higher crop yields).

Of course, many of these threats are interlinked and if one threat were to go unchecked and get out of control, others will likely follow suit.

In 2009, the current threat level from each of these factors was assessed. Climate change, disruption of the nitrogen cycle and the rate of biodiversity loss were considered to pose the most imminent threats to ecosystems on Earth, although others were not far behind.

Answer 3

Oh my goodness gracious, you have no idea. In Australia there is a BIG change going on. With Global warming, warmer water temperatures, the fishes are having a hard time to adjust to the warm temperatures. Along with acid rains, the coral reefs are breaking down, leaving no home for the fishes. Keeps asking yourself questions, you'll find answers

Answer 4

Pollution through water , air, soil do disturb the ecosystem, then the food chain is disturbed, the breeding is disturbed , the adaptive features do tend to be totally different or change, this is visible in the most sensitive, fragile living forms - be it plants aquatic/terrestrial .By following the changes and researching on these changes can help us to understand, can prepare us to change for a better living.

Answer 5

Nutrient runoff and industrial waste discharges, overfishing and entanglement of marine mammals in trawl nets, and sewage and algal blooms.

Answer 6

very good question. it is:

logging

non-native species

oil spills

overfishing

soil runoff

weathering

Answer 7

Human pollution.

Answer 8

to litter