MASC511 MARINE POLLUTION

Course Objectives

The goal of Marine Pollution is to provide students with an overview of the various inputs to the ocean that constitute pollution, with an emphasis on coastal pollution.  Both organic and inorganic pollutants will be covered, as will the problems caused by living organisms (indigenous and non-indigenous) that produce toxins and diseases. The policies regarding marine pollution will be introduced.

Course Content

General aspects of marine pollution, pollution; pollution from land-based sources; atmospheric input; distribution of pollutants in the marine environment; environmental impacts; strategies of marine pollution monitoring; trend monitoring, legislation.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Define and distinguish different sources of marine pollution

2. Know and understand the the biological, chemical and/or physical nature of the inputs and how those inputs interact with water

3. Be familiar with the basic sources and sinks of chemicals, their distributions and their variability in the oceanic system and learn the roles that freshwater, estuaries and the ocean play in receiving, altering and distributing inputs

4. Based on the acquired knowledge to be able to trace and evaluate possible disturbances of the biogeochemical cycles caused by human activities  

5. Know the basic techniques and practices for the monitoring of pollution in the coastal marine environment

6. Learn the various policies, laws and regulations on National and European level relevant to the protection and/or conservation of “good environmental status” of marine waters and identify global and regional agreements and initiatives addressing marine pollution