Marine Pollution

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course provides a foundational understanding of the sources, fates and societal impacts of marine pollutants. Students will explore what constitutes pollution in the marine environment and examine the effects on humans and wildlife. Key concepts include bioaccumulation, biomagnification and the risks of emerging contaminants. The course emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of marine pollution, preparing students to engage with complex environmental topics. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Understanding marine pollution is essential for informed environmental stewardship. This course connects scientific principles to real-world issues by examining the laws and policies related to various pollutants. The knowledge gained prepares students for future studies, careers and active participation in environmental sciences and policies. KEY TOPICS AND THEMES. Through this course, students will examine a broad spectrum of pollutants and environmental stressors. Major themes include the impacts of plastics, oil and excess nutrients in the marine environment. The course covers chemical contaminants like metals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, as well as physical pollutants such as sediment input, sound and light. Additional topics include wastewater, pathogens, radiation, ocean acidification and changes in temperature and salinity. Prerequisite: OCNG 251 , ENSS 105 , ATMO 201 , GEOL 101 or GEOG 203 .