POLLUTION AND
THE OCEAN
Carbon Dioxide harms ocean life. The
ocean has absorbed almost half of the carbon dioxide that humans have made in
the last 200 years, which is about 118 billion metric tons. Carbon dioxide harms coral and free-swimming
algae. The carbon dioxide makes it more
difficult for coral to form their outer shells.
How does the ocean gather carbon dioxide? When the currents stir the
ocean by pulling deep water from the surface, where the carbon dioxide gets
trapped. Carbon dioxide causes
the greatest threat to the species that live on the top of the ocean
water. That’s because that is where the
currents gather the carbon dioxide. Cars
can also cause pollution to the ocean, not directly, but indirectly. The car’s exhaust (which is carbon dioxide)
is evaporated, which can cause acid rain, and will eventually make is way into
the ocean. It’s the same thing with boat
gasses and agricultural pollution (except with pesticides).