Global changes, anthropogenic impacts and the future of the oceans

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are causing a number of changes in the oceans, whether through climate change, release of pollutants or use of their natural biotic and mineral resources. In this article, we present some of the anthropogenic impacts observed in modern oceans, such as the pollution by mercury, lead and plastics. The problems associated with acidification and deoxygenation of the oceans are also discussed in order to alert that even though it is so vast and remote, the ocean is directly influenced by the development patterns that our society has adopted over the past several hundred years. Continued and increasing contamination, coupled with the increasing of ocean mining activities, aquaculture, among so many other potentially impactful human actions, added to global climate changes represent a huge challenge to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).