Department of Marine Science | Academics | Courses | MAR 652

MAR 652
Marine Pollution - Fall 2003

Course Credit: 3 hours

Bulletin Description: An exploration of pollution in the marine environment emphasizing geochemical aspects of the sources, transport and fates of pollutants.

Course Prerequisites: MAR 541 or permission of the instructor.

Instructor:
Office: Building 1020, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Intended Audience: Graduate students pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. in Marine Science, although it is anticipated that students in many fields, in addition to Marine Science, would benefit from this course.

Course Rationale: The quantities and types of waste material routinely or accidentally discharged into the marine environment can create serious contamination problems. Marine science students should appreciate magnitudes and causes of ocean pollution. Biological and chemical marine science students especially need to be knowledgeable of the scientific issues relating to and potential remedies for marine pollution, in order to conduct research in this important area or to be able to advise policy makers and the public on appropriate courses of action.

Course Objective: The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the sources, sinks and biological effects of major classes of pollutants in the marine environment. The course will help prepare students for careers in academic programs, research centers and consulting firms by providing them with an in-depth understanding of causes, consequences and methods of assessment of marine pollution.

Course Description: The course begins by presenting a set of fundamental concepts that need to be understood to properly interpret the difference between contamination and pollution. Basic ecological principles relevant to water pollution are described as a basis for examination of the influence of a series of specific classes of contaminants on the marine environment. Topics that will be considered include chemical contamination from excess nutrients, trace metals, synthetic organic compounds (both pesticides and poly-chlorinated biphenyls), natural organic compounds and radionuclides. Selected topics in environmental law will be covered, as well as the unique characteristics of the Gulf of Mexico, which make it more susceptible to pollution. Results from NOAA’s 20-year contamination study (Status and Trends) will be used to illustrate sources and responses. Several case studies (e.g. the Exxon Valdez oil spill) will be examined in detail in order to focus on major events that accelerated changes in marine pollution policies. The course will include both lectures and student presentations that will require research on a specific topic and presentation and discussion in class. A research term paper is required.

Required Textbook: Clark, Robert B. 2001. Marine Pollution, 5th Edition, Oxford University Press, 248 pages.

Recommended Textbooks:

Laws, Edward A. 1993. Aquatic Pollution, 2nd edition, Wiley-Interscience. (or later edition)

Kennish, Michael J. 1992. Ecology of Estuaries: Anthropogenic Effects, CRC Press.

Clark, Robert B., Chris Frid, and Martin Attril. 1997. Marine pollution, 4th edition, Oxford University Press.

Day, Robert A. 1988. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 3rd edition, Oryx Press.

Grading: Grades (A-F) will be awarded based upon class participation and presentations (60%) and research paper (40%).

Presentations: Students will make four approximately half-hour presentations during the semester. Presentations will cover background and detailed information on oceanic contamination of (1) heavy metals, (2) radionuclides, (3) hypoxia and (4) presentation of the research term paper. Areas to be considered in the presentations include: sources, discharge amounts over time, oceanic levels and distributions, sinks, harmful effects, and case studies. A handout to include a figures and a bibliography is to be provided for each presentation.

Research Paper: Each student will prepare a research term paper. You will need to choose aspect of the results from the NOAA National Status and Trends (S&T) Program and write a synthesis paper using these data. The paper should cover S&T results from the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Coast or Pacific Coast. The paper should summarize the coastal region of contamination, discuss specifically the general levels and “hot spots” in your region and provide perspectives on future research. The research paper should be written for an interested, scientific reader - at least at the graduate student level. The following deadlines apply to the research paper:
Week 4 - Research paper topic approved by the instructor
Week 6 - 1-page overview of topic provided to the instructor for comment
Week 8 - Outline of paper to be discussed with the instructor
Week 14- Research papers due

ADA Compliance Notice:

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical impairments, or chronic health disorders. Students should contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Box 8568; Telephone (601) 266-5024; TTY (601) 266-6837; Fax (601) 266-6035.