Pollution

  media type="file" key="sharks.mp3"  1970-Present Pollution is a problem. Kelley Smars, Alyssa Peters, Katie Hintz

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[|March 24,1989] a ship hit Bligh Reef near Alaska. The ship was carring a total of 1.2 million barrels of oil. The spill ended up covering 1,776 square miles. Because of this between 100,000 and 600,000 birds, 5,500 sea otters, 30 seals, and 22 whales were killed.

           Pollution isn't just a problem in the U.S., it's a growing problem across the world. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day due to contamination of drinking water. In the state of Massachusetts alone, diesel emissions are responsible for 450 premature deaths. According to the US-EPA, emissions from power plants contribute to over 2,800 lung cancer deaths and 38,200 heart attacks annually in the US.

    Water pollution is mainly cause by human activities. It consists of several different classes; 1. Disease causing agents, such as bacteria and viruses. 2. Oxygen-demanding wastes, which deplete oxygen levels in water, causing marine life to die. 3. Water-soluable inorganic pollutants, such as acids, salts, and metals. These make the water undrinkable, also causing marine life to die. 4. Nutrients, which are water soluble nitrates and phosphates, that cause large amounts of algae and plants, causing oxygen levels to drop. If drank, young children can die. 5. Organic Compounts such as oil, plastics, and pesticides. These can even harm humans. 6. Suspended sediment, which causes pesticides and other compounds to spread through the water rapidly. 7. Water-soluble radioactive compounds, which can cause cancer, birth defects, and genetic damage.