Topic: Pollution in the Ocean
| Reports: Academies' Findings | Workshop Summaries | Studies in Progress: Upcoming Reports | Upcoming Events | Past Events |
Board Reports: Academies Findings
These reports are unique, authoritative expert evaluations. Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review.
Search all Reports in this board topic
To search for an exact phrase, use quotation marks (e.g. "Earth and life")
Reports
Showing results 1 - 5 of 9
Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—in addition to contributing to climate change—is absorbed by the ocean, making sea water more acidic and leading to a suite of changes in ocean chemistry. Preliminary evidence suggests ocean acidification will have negative effects on corals, shellfish, and other marine life, with wide-ranging consequences for ecosystems, fisheries, and tourism. This report, requested by Congress, reviews th...
More >>
Humans once viewed the ocean as limitless, believing that disposal of debris into the marine environment would do little harm. However, awareness of the impacts of marine debris has grown as the public has seen horrific images of seabirds, turtles, and marine mammals that are dead or dying because they have ingested debris or become entangled in errant fishing gear. Littered beaches and surface waters impair recreational activities and reduc...
More >>
Although significant steps have been taken over the last 15 years to reduce the size and frequency of oil spills, the sheer volume of petroleum consumed in the United States and the complex production and distribution network required to meet the demand make spills of oil and other petroleum products inevitable. Oil dispersants (chemical agents such as surfactants, solvents, and other compounds) are used to reduce the effect of oil spills b...
More >>
Even a small amount of oil in the sea can have severe effects on marine life depending on the location and timing of its release. Changes in regulations and industry practices following the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 have helped to dramatically reduce oil inputs from petroleum transportation and extraction, but most oil that enters the sea does not come from oil exploration, extraction, or spills. In fact, nearly 85 percent of the 29 millio...
More >>
As a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and with that legislation, the Oil Spill Recovery Institute was created. The Oil Spill Recovery Institute was established to provide funding to support oil-spill-related research, education, and technology development projects for spills within Arctic and subarctic marine environments. The Oil Spill Recovery Institute is als...
More >>