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Marine Pollution

The increasing pollution caused by plastic waste and pollutants puts a considerable strain on the seas and oceans. Munition waste, too many nutrients, and increasing underwater noise add to this.

Overview
> Pollution

Pollution of the Ocean

Influenced by the misconception that the ocean is infinte and invulnerable, humans have been disposing of feces, wastewater, pollutants, radioactive substances, and various inconvenient legacies in the sea for centuries.

Meere Online
Insight
Thailand, Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier), Tauchen, Wrack, Schiffbruch, Schiffsartillerie 2. Weltkrieg.Foto von Wouter Naert auf Unsplash
Foto: Wouter Naert, Unsplash
> Ammunition

Ammunition in the Ocean

Since the end of World War II, significant amounts of ammunition and chemical warfare agents have been dumped in the ocean.

Meere Online
Insight
Ein Ozeandampfer hinterlässt eine lange, weiß schäumende Spur, die bis zum Horizont sichtbar ist. Schiffsschraubenverwirbelungen sind hör- und sichtbar. Bild von neufal54 auf Pixabay
Foto: neufal54, Pixabay
> Underwater Noise

Underwater Noise Pollution

Perceiving and utilising sounds successfully is becoming increasingly challenging for marine organisms, as human-induced noises are added to the natural soundscape of the ocean.

Meere Online
Insight
Seil am Segegelboot hängt über Wasser mit Ölfilm-Flecken.Foto von Waldemar auf Unsplash.
Foto von Waldemar auf Unsplash.
> Pollutants

Pollutants

The consequences of marine pollution with pollutants are diverse and depend on the characteristics of the environmental toxins.

Meere Online
Insight
Fädige Grünlagen wachsen über Seegräser am Wattboden
Foto: Dirk Schories
> Nutrients

Nutrient input into the Ocean

If nutrients are present in sufficient quantities, marine life follows its usual course. However, when they are excessively introduced – experts refer to it as marine eutrophication – large blooms of algae can occur.

Meere Online
Insight
Verendeter Vogel in einem angespülten, zu einem Nest verarbeiteten Geisternetz. Ein Lebendiger Vogel steht neben dem Netzgewirr. Bild von Silke auf Pixabay
Foto: Silke, Pixabay
> Plastic Litter

Marine Plastic Litter

The ocean's pollution issue is growing exponentially. An increasing production and disposal of plastics contribute to the problem.

Meere Online
Focus
Karte von Norddeutschland mit gekennzeichneten Gebieten Munitionsversenkung, Munitionbelastete FLäche, Munitionsverdachtsfällen.
Karte: Nach Böttcher et al. 2011, in DAM Factsheet Munition im Meer
> Ammunition

Munition in the Seas – Current Knowledge and Perspectives

Munitions in the seas and oceans threaten the marine environment and risk their sustainable use and management. For several years, research has been conducted to evaluate the scale of the impacts and to develop solutions for their future remediation.

DAM
Focus
Foto vieler zusammengeknüllter Plastikflaschen, dicht aneinandergereiht. Hans / Pixabay.
Foto: Hans / Pixabay
> Plastic Litter

Die Geschichte des Plastiks

Vom "Material der 1.000 Anwendungen" zum Abfallprodukt, die Geschichte des Plastiks ist eine Reise durch Innovation, Wandel und wachsenden Herausforderungen.

Meere Online
Website
> Ammunition

Clearance of munition in the seas

The Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) provides information on the immediate action programme for the clearance and disposal of munitions in German marine waters. A pilot project is testing available technologies. Available in German only.

BMUV
Multimedia
> Plastic Litter

Online portal for marine litter

The “Litterbase” database of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) compiles extensive scientific knowledge on marine litter and offers maps and infographics.

AWI
Website
> Plastic Litter

Round table marine litter

An information platform for all relevant stakeholders on the coordination and implementation of national measures against marine litter. Around 130 experts support the work of the round table, established in 2016. Available in German only.

UBA
Website
> Ammunition

Research into munitions in the North Sea and Baltic Sea

The CONMAR project, part of the DAM research mission sustainMare, investigates munitions in German marine waters and provides solution-oriented knowledge for action.

sustainMare | DAM
Multimedia
> Pollutants

Digital toolbox for marine pollution

Based on scientific findings, the Coastal Pollution Toolbox (CPT) provides information on the sources, impacts, and mitigation options for marine pollution.

Hereon
Website
Screenshot der Microplastic Compendium Startseite. DAM.
Screenshot: DAM
> Plastic Litter

Microplastic Compendium

What is microplastic, how does it end up in the sea, and what are the consequences of pollution for the marine environment? The digital information platform of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon provides answers to these and other questions.

Hereon
Website
Screenshot der Startseite der Plastikpiraten Initiative. DAM.
Screenshot: DAM
> Plastic Litter

Plastic Pirates

School classes and extracurricular youth groups can explore pollution along rivers and coasts as Plastic Pirates.

BMBF
Website
Transparent plastic bottle on the beach
> Plastic Litter

Waterway Rescuers

The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) from Germany invites people to act as “Waterway Rescuers” and proactively free nature and the environment from carelessly discarded waste. Available in German only.

NABU
Website
Junge Fische schwimmen in Plastik. Naja Bertolt Jensen / Ocean Image Bank.
Foto: Naja Bertolt Jensen / Ocean Image Bank
> Plastic Litter

PlasticSchool

Teaching materials (information, work and answer sheets) on the topic of plastic waste in the ocean for different school levels. Available in German only.

IOW | DMM
Website
> Nutrients

Assessment report Baltic Sea

In 2023, a new assessment report under the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) was published – the ecological status of the Baltic Sea is poor in almost all areas. The report is available in English (State of the Baltic Sea 2023).

UBA
Multimedia
> Underwater Noise

Children's audio book on the sounds of the sea

This nearly ten-minute podcast for children brings the soundscapes of the ocean to life. Listen to the rumble of underwater volcanic eruptions, the songs of whales, and the noise caused by humans. Available in German only.

DMM
Multimedia
> Underwater Noise

No place of silence – Sounds in the sea

This seven-minute podcast explores the underwater soundscape – from the noises made by marine life to the sounds caused by human activity above and below the water. Available in German only.

DMM
Website
> Nutrients

Information on nutrient pollution in the seas

The German Environment Agency (UBA) summarises what it means when excessive nutrients enter the seas (eutrophication) and which regulations are in place to protect the marine environment. Available in German only.

UBA
Website
Plastikflasche unter Wasser, Bali. Brian Yurasits / Ocean Image Bank.
Foto: Brian Yurasits / Ocean Image Bank
> Plastic Litter

Environment in class – Plastic waste in the ocean

Lesson plans, teaching materials, and background information on the topic of plastic waste in the ocean for different school levels. Available in German only.

BMUV
Website
> Pollutants

Pollution of the oceans

The World Ocean Review “The Ocean, Guarantor of Life” describes in this chapter the global extent of pollution in seas and oceans, including thousands of chemicals, nutrients, plastics, toxic heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals.

WOR
Website
> Plastic Litter

Marine plastic debris

In this thematic focus, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) provides a clear overview of current knowledge on plastic waste and microplastics. For those who want to learn more, contact details for the experts are available.

AWI
Multimedia
> Ammunition

Ammunition in the sea

The ammunition cadastre AmuCad (“Ammunition Cadastre Sea”) provides comprehensive information on munitions contamination in the ocean and a digital map showing areas of greatest pollution.

AmuCad
Website
> Sea Level Rise

Seagrass meadows and nutrients in the Wadden Sea

Seagrasses are sensitive to rising nutrient concentrations. The development of seagrass populations in the Wadden Sea is described on the Wadden Sea National Park website. Available in German only.

Wadden Sea National Park
Multimedia
> Underwater Noise

Soundscapes and noise underwater

This lecture provides insights into the various sources of noise in the ocean. How does noise affect fish and plankton? How are marine conservation and noise protection interconnected? Available in German only.

University of Hamburg
PDF
Ein Mantarochen schwimmt im Meer, umgeben von Plastikmüll wie Tüten und Flaschen.
Foto: Vincent Kneefel / Ocean Image Bank
> Plastic Litter

Plastic waste in the ocean — Teacher’s guide

The WWF guide provides primary and secondary school teachers with valuable materials and ideas on the topic of plastic waste in the ocean. Available in German only.

WWF
PDF
> Ammunition

Munition in the seas – Value creation perspectives

In its position paper, the German Association for Marine Technology (GMT) outlines the value creation perspectives of munitions in the sea for the German marine technology industry. Available in German only.

GMT
Website
> Ammunition

Short film on munitions in the sea

The five-minute explainer film by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) illustrates the impacts of legacy munitions on the marine ecosystem and presents protective measures. Available in German only.

BfN
Multimedia
Kleine Queller-Inseln im Nordsee Watternmeer bei Ebbe.Bild von Kerstin Herrmann auf Pixabay.
Bild von Kerstin Herrmann auf Pixabay.
> Plastic Litter

Waste kit from the Wadden Sea Learning Lab

The waste kit developed by the ICBM includes informational and task materials, a collection of experiments, and additional suggestions on the topic of plastic waste in the ocean. Available in German only.

ICBM | University of Oldenburg
Website
Foto von einer Möwe, die eine Plastiktüte am Meer entlang zieht. Ilie Barna / Pixabay.
Foto: Ilie Barna / Pixabay
> Plastic Litter

Plastic Mythbusters

Myth, misconception, or truth? The Plastic Mythbusters quiz, developed as part of the Coastal Pollution Toolbox, reveals the true facts about marine pollution caused by plastic waste.

Hereon
Website
Verschiedene bunte Verschlusskappen, gefunden als Plastikmüll am Strand. Meredith Andrews / Ocean Image Bank.
Foto: Meredith Andrews / Ocean Image Bank
> Plastic Litter

Plastic in the environment – Modular learning toolkit

A customisable modular learning toolkit on plastic in the environment for various educational levels. Available in German only.

AWI | University of Oldenburg

Find Connections

More on "Marine pollution" from other subject areas:

Website
Rosa und braunes Korallenriff, Ägypten, Sataya-Riff (Delphinhaus)
Foto von Veronica Reverse auf Unsplash
> Educational Materials

Seas and oceans - Teaching materials

Knowledge rises empathy, empathy rises a sense of responsibility. The German Education Server provides useful links and teaching materials on the topic of oceans and marine pollution. Available in German only.

Deutscher Bildungsserver
Multimedia
Zwei Hände berühren einen Touchdisplay und interagieren mit dem Interaktiven Weltozean.
Foto: DAM Sinje Hasheider
> Educational Materials

Interactive world ocean

Touchscreen-based ocean map for schools, educational institutions and exhibitions - navigate simply and intuitively by touch and immerse yourself in the underwater world.

DAM
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

Marine protection as part of the European marine strategy

The information portal of the working group of the federal states and the federal government on the North Sea and Baltic Sea (BLANO) provides information on the implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Germany. Only in German.

BLANO
Website
> Marine and Climate Research

sustainMare: protection and sustainable use of marine areas

The research mission sustainMare of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) investigates ecological, economic and social impacts of the utilisation and pollution of various marine regions and provides concrete knowledge for action.

sustainMare
Website
> Measuring Devices and Data

Marine environmental database

The Marine Environmental Database (MUDAB) summarises and provides data from the marine monitoring activities of the coastal federal states and other federal and research institutions. Available in German only.

UBA
Focus
Große Algen unter Wasser aufgenommen
Bild: Dirk Schories
> Ocean Warming

Sauerstoffarmut in den Meeren

Die Meere und Ozeane verlieren Sauerstoff – und damit einen der wichtigsten Bausteine des Lebens. Die Hauptursachen: Erwärmung und Überdüngung der Meer.

Meere Online

The federal government and the governments of the five northern German states support the current development and sponsor the DAM

Topics at a Glance

Biodiversity

Climate Change

Ocean Use

Pollution

Management

Research