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Article: Ocean Health, Assessing
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- Water:Science and Issues
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Ocean Health, Assessing
The ocean has long been thought to have both a limitless bounty and ability to absorb human impacts. Its sheer volume supported the observation that "dilution is the solution" to
point-source
pollution, as tides and currents removed almost anything that entered the sea. However, increased pressures on the marine environment resulting from increases in human population, industry, and agriculture have led to concern that the ocean's health is being negatively affected by human activities.
Evaluation Methods
The ability of scientists to monitor the ocean's health is hindered by the ocean's complexity. Although the basic chemistry of sea water has been stable ...