Human impacts
Section outline
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Human population growth and drivers of pressure. Organic and inorganic pollution. Effects of urban wastewater discharges. Eutrophication. Synthetic pollutants and effects on the marine biota. Emerging contaminants. Heavy metals. Bioaccumulation and magnification. Oil spills. Plastics and marine litter. Physical alterations: radioactive compounds, thermal, acoustic, and light pollution. Artificial structures and alteration of the coastline. Pathogens and alien species. Study cases. Fishing and aquaculture. Overexploitation of natural stocks. Cumulative pressure and estimates of expected impacts. Loss of marine biodiversity and consequences. Impact assessment and monitoring.
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