When you are talking about water pollution your mind starts to think about a large oil spill that invades the world’s oceans, right? But there are a lot of things that we do every single day and they can do major damage to our oceans.

Unfortunately, the things that we consume, do, or make can often be harmful to the ocean waters and fauna. For instance, the foods that we eat could pose a risk and even the clothes that we wear could lead to water pollution.

So, here are some common things we do that could harm the world’s oceans. Read on for more info!

Using your car too much

Driving your car too much can increase the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, so this could lead to air pollution and can harm the world’s oceans as well. 

“Increased CO2 levels in our ocean make the water more acidic, and acidic waters make it more difficult for calcifying sea animals to produce the carbonate they need to survive,” says Guy Harvey, PhD, a marine scientist and artist in Florida. “This includes animals like coral, whose reefs protect the coastline and support billions of dollars of industries; shellfish, like seafood favorites oysters and crabs; and plankton, the foundation of the marine food chain. One can help by reducing energy use and supporting renewable resources.”

Using cleaning products

The percentage of cleaning product sales has increased significantly because of the coronavirus pandemic, so many people use a lot of cleaning products these days. But some of these products are really dangerous to the world’s oceans if poured down the drain. Instead, try to find other sustainable alternatives that don’t contain harmful chemicals, such as phosphorus. 

“Unfortunately, all of the pipes in our homes lead out to our oceans,” said Lindsay French, the STEM education coordinator at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida. “Improper disposal of chemicals can lead to polluting our oceans and marine life that inhabit them.”

Disposable plastic straws

There are a lot of people who don’t know that disposable plastic straws are among the top items found on the beach, including plastic bags, cigarette filters and soda containers. These items are not beneficial for the environment or the ocean waters, especially because they could cause a lot of harm to seabirds, turtles, fishes and other marine creatures. 

“For the vast majority of us, refusing the single-use plastic straw is the easiest and simplest way to take action today to address plastic pollution,” said Dune Ives, PhD, executive director of Lonely Whale, an incubator for ideas that drive impactful change on behalf of our ocean. “If we don’t act now, by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight).”

Not eating sustainable seafood

As you probably know, fish and shellfish eat large amounts of plastic and microplastic, so it could be equally dangerous to our health. Instead, you should always consume sustainable seafood and ask how the fish was harvested when you order food. 

“In fact, if you live in the United Kingdom and eat shellfish, it is thought that you are likely to consume up to 11,000 particles of plastic each year,” Ives explains. “We also know that 90 percent of our global fisheries are fully fished or overfished. When ordering, ask from where the fish was harvested and how it was harvested. If your fishmonger or server doesn’t know, it may not be considered sustainable.”

Disposable plastic water bottles

Unfortunately, many people use disposable plastic water bottles even though they are really harmful to our environment, not just our ocean waters. Plastic bottles are among the top five most common items found during the beach clean-ups.

“Today, 500 billion plastic bottles are used around the globe annually, one million single-use plastic bottles are sold every minute around the world yet only around 30 percent are recycled,” Ives explains.

Instead, you can opt for reusable water bottles, if you want to save money and protect the oceans. 

Not getting rid of COVID-19 waste properly

In some cases, the measures we take to protect ourselves from the coronavirus disease can adversely affect the oceans, especially the marine creatures, if you don’t get rid of them properly and responsible. Unfortunately, there are a lot of latex gloves and face masks on the ground that could end up in the ocean waters. So, you should get rid of them in a responsible and safe way.

“For example, a washable cloth face mask is more environmentally friendly than a disposable one, and reusable utensils are safe when washed appropriately,” Ives says. “With a chance of more pandemics in the future now is the time to reconsider how we protect ourselves and the environment.”

Eating farmed beef

According to experts, eating farmed beef can affect both the air and oceans, because raising beef involves a lot of water and the release of methane – a natural gas that affects climate change. 

“Eat less beef, and instead choose sustainable seafood, vegetables, and chicken,” said Sandy Trautwein, PhD, vice president of animal husbandry at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. “Ninety percent of the world’s fish are caught at or above sustainable levels. Seafood that is farmed or wild-caught in the United States is usually more sustainable than imported wild-caught seafood.”

Using glitter products

It seems that glitter products can negatively affect the world’s oceans, as they are made from plastic and it could be harmful to marine creatures that think it’s food. But if you still want to use it (maybe for your child’s school projects), you should opt for an eco-friendly alternative, such as colored salt or biodegradable glitters. 

“Most glitter products used for children’s arts and crafts are made from plastic and when washed down the kitchen sink will contribute to the growing problem of microplastics in our environment,” Ives explains. “Microplastics are consumed by fish, birds, and sea turtles. One study found that microplastics have even contaminated the deepest point of the ocean, Challenger Deep, in the western Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench.”