PollutionWhat is pollution? Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant into the environment. Pollution is mainly caused by human actions, but can also be the result of natural disasters. The most common pollution is plastic. Because single-use plastic bags end up in the ocean, dolphins, turtles and other marine life mistake them for food. Plastic contains toxic chemicals that, when ingested by fish or marine organisms, cause serious harm or even death. Marine debris is all accumulating in the North Pacific Gyre, with by far the main ingredient in all of this debris being plastic. Instead of calling it “Pacific Garbage Patch,” we call it “Plastic Soup.” All over the world, day by day, the amount of debris is increasing significantly. Marine plastic pollution has affected at least 267 species worldwide. Choking, entanglement, ingestion, starvation and drowning are just a few examples of how plastic affects our marine ecosystem. Plastic doesn’t just affect our animals; it can potentially affect us too. Plastic begins to degrade at temperatures we didn't think possible. Scientists thought they began to degrade at high temperatures, but they found that they began to degrade at temperatures as low as 86 degrees Fahrenheit. When these plastics begin to break down, they release chemicals into the waters that can kill us. Chemicals like bisphenol A can cause cancer and serious health problems or even death. (Oceana)The next important topic regarding the pollution of our ecosystems is drilling. To be able to drill, researchers must find oil reserves, but to find these oil reserves, researchers must send seismic waves into the ocean. If the wave bounced back, they might have found the reserve. Seismic waves... middle of paper ... causing them to die and potentially disappear as well. Not only would the loss of coral reefs affect marine life, but it would also affect us socially. The extinction of coral reefs would greatly harm the fishing and tourism industries. Additionally, if we lose these coral reefs, hurricanes and storms could become much more violent. Coral reefs protect coastal communities. Without these coral reefs, these storms can become more intense with stronger winds. Women and children are the people most affected by pollution. Children are more vulnerable than adults. Sometimes they are even more exposed since they eat, drink and breathe more than adults. Children also tend to inhale more dirt and dust than adults because they crawl and play outside more. More than three million children under the age of five die each year due to environmental factors. (Pollution Facts)