Hemigrapsus sanguineus(Asian shore crab)

Description: Also known as Japanese shore crab; reaches 7-8 cm, brown striped legs with red spots on claws, with three spines on either side of carapace.Pathway: Introduced from Asia to eastern seaboard most likely by ballast water; discovered in New Jersey in 1988; spread north and south; reported in Long Island Sound in 1993.Current Distribution: Maine to North Carolina; prefers rocky cobble areas.Impact: Dominant rocky intertidal crab; consumes juvenile mussels and oysters, green crabs, snails, polychaetes, algae, hydroids, barnacles.

Human Impact on The EnvironmentSharon Brostrom- Oceanography B4

Invasive Species

Pollution

Overfishing

Ocean Acidification

Invasive species are those that are alien to an ecosystem that they have been introduced into and…• Are likely to cause harm to the

environment or human health• exhibit an aggressive growth

habits• out-compete and displace native

species

Phragmites australis(Common reed, stout grass)Description: Stalks reach heights of 6-12 feet; color of inflorescence is purple to light brown. Found at edges of marshy areas, both fresh and brackish water, along roadsides, or in open disturbed areasPathway: Natural immigrationCurrent Distribution: Found in all of the New England states; native to some parts of the U.S.; has been in New England for at least 4000 years. Non-native strains were also introduced and are believed to be the ones with the invasive tendencies.Impact: Forms monocultures that exclude native species.

Pterois volitans(Lionfish)

Description: Also known as zebrafish or turkeyfish; one of several species of venomous coral reef fishes; striking reddish-brown striped pattern on body and finsPathway: Native to Indian and Pacific Oceans; introductions likely the result of intentional or unintentional releases by aquarists; first reported in LIS (1999).Current Distribution: Florida to Long Island Sound; seasonal invader of eastern Long Island Sound; comes in with warm core rings of water that break off from Gulf Stream; first observed by divers in Florida in 1994Impact: Venomous; no natural predator.

Federal Statutes: The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA), as amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, is the primary federal law dealing with aquatic invasive species and ballast water management. NANPCA established the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, which is co-chaired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The legislation also addresses research, prevention, species control, monitoring, and information dissemination.

What can you do…Support Sustainable seafood companies and restaurants (Whole Foods)Use and share Seafood Watch pocket guides (iPhone and Android app)Educate yourself

The oceans supply us with food, help regulate our climate, and provide a livelihood for millions of people. We depend on them for recreation and renewal. But the bounty of our seas is not endless. Today, no part of the oceans remains unaffected by human activities. And among the many factors influencing our ocean ecosystems, few have as great an impact as fishing and aquaculture. Through better practices, we can create healthy, abundant oceans for everyone.

CO2 + H2O

CO2 + CO32- + H2O

carbonate ions

H2CO3

carbonic acid

2HCO3 –

bicarbonate ions

Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, where it causes a potentially more serious problem ocean acidification. Ocean acidification poses a threat to shell-forming organisms like corals and calcifying plankton. As the ocean acidifies, organisms such as corals, snails, and calcifying plankton will not be able to make their shells and grow.

Carbonic acid reduces

ocean pH.

The concentration of carbonate

ions decreases.

Pteropods are zooplankton and

an important prey of fish.

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse areas of the

ocean.

Coccolithiphores are the base of the marine food web.

Types of Pollution• Nitrogen (wastewater, farming)• Pharmaceuticals• Garbage• Heavy metals (Hg, Zn, Pb, Fe)• Chemicals (PCB’s, industrial waste) • Petroleum products

Rivers and streams transport nutrients, salts, sediments, and pollutants

from watersheds to estuaries ( through runoff) and ultimately to ocean.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: many smaller point sources• Occurs as a result of runoff• Caused by: septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches,

construction sites, cities, etc.• Hard to manage • Loss of aquatic species diversity, damage to coral reefs, algae

blooms, sea grass bed decline, closure of beaches (swimming) and shellfish beds

Point Source Pollution: Pollution originates from an identifiable source• Oil spills, algae blooms, industrial plants, sewage pipes

Nitrogen:• Fertilizers; overfertilization of crops,

runoff• Treated and untreated sewage• Wastewater released from treatment

plants; combined sewer overflows (CSO’s)

Pacific Garbage Patch• Plastic, debris, chemical sludge trapped by currents in

Pacific• Actually two patches; West and East• About twice the size of the state of Texas• Located between the Hawaiian Islands and California

Examples of nonpoint source pollution Example of point source pollution

How Pollution Travels Through the Water Cycle

What is the Seafood Watch Program?• The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses

make choices for healthy oceans• recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices," "Good

Alternatives," and which ones you should "Avoid”• Seafood Watch recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed, and use

ecosystem-based criteriaFish Resources:• Humans have been fishing the oceans for thousands of years, but over the past five

decades technology has allowed us to fish farther, deeper and more efficiently than ever before.

• Scientists estimate that we have removed as much as 90 percent of the large predatory fish (shark, swordfish and cod from the world's oceans).• Global catch of wild fish leveled off over 15 years ago and 85 percent of the world's fisheries are being harvested at capacity or are in decline.What can you do?• Support Sustainable seafood companies and restaurants (Whole Foods)• Use and share Seafood Watch pocket guides (iPhone and Android app)

This picture shows a difference in a coral reef ecosystem as the amount of dissolved CO2 in seawater increases. As CO2 increases, water temperature also increases and the pH of the seawater decreases.