The Ocean Environment

We live on the Blue Planet, a planet with 75% of its surface covered in water. Of that water, 97% is found in the oceans.

These oceans provide a habitat for millions of species of plants and animals, moderate our temperature, provide major transportation and communication routes, offer abundant petroleum deposits in the sedimentary rocks of the continental shelves and create fishing resources.

Threats to the ocean environment presented by oil spills, plastic debris, and toxic wastes at sea create a need to examine the importance of this water resource and any necessary methods to protect it.

Your task is to examine the factors that threaten the health of our oceans. Your research into this issue should uncover the long term impact of our current treatment of this resource as well as some recommendations about changes that should be considered.

Resources

"Ocean Alert" - interactive page on Discovery Channel website. Allows students to scroll to any region on the globe and discover information about waves, wildlife, plant life etc.

Sources of ocean pollution and affects on animals and humans.

Navigate through the causes, effects, and responses to oil pollution, toxic contaminants, marine debris, and ocean mining and dumping.

Explores many environmental issues, with the main focus being ocean pollution. Many sites to connect to.

Sources of ocean pollution

Identifies major environmental issues, and offers opportunity for students to examine issue and different opinions in order to form own opinion.

Various sites identified as "good science sites." Ocean pollution is one of the topics covered.

Global Warming and Aquatic Ecosystems

How to Save the Oceans

Oceans in Peril Presented by the Smithsonian Institute

General Resources on Water