Human Activities That May Affect Water 
Human activities that may affect water ecosystems such as oceans
FISHING
Reducing the fish communities in rivers and oceans, destructive fishing techniques can also cause water pollution and damage to coral and other aquatic life. Destructive fishing techniques involve the use of dynamite or cyanide; trawling in coral-rich ecosystems; bottom trawls that are dragged along the ocean floor, also disrupt and damage critical habitats.
DUMPING
Coastal communities have long used oceans as dumping grounds for all types of waste. Some of this pollution, such as toxins from heavy industry have directly killed plants and animals that are part of the marine ecosystem. Other pollutants, such as runoff from homes and farms, introduce chemical fertilizers into the water that create algae blooms on the surface. Large fields of algae deplete the oxygen in the water, block the sunlight to life on lower levels, and may even release toxins that poison fish.
OFFSHORE DRILLING
Comes with an inherent risk of accidents and spills that could have potentially devastating effects on an ocean ecosystem. Offshore drilling rigs often create fields of waste that include lubricants and fluids used on the drills, anti-corrosive chemicals, bleach and other chemical cleaners. Solid wastes such as tools, tubing, pipes and plastics are also found in the water surrounding offshore rigs. These types of pollution affect marine life and knock the surrounding ecosystem off balance.
BOATING
The increase of boating and ship traffic and industrial use of the ocean have ramped up the level of noise in the water. Studies have shown that increased noise affects different species of marine life in a variety of ways--from causing confusion and disorientation in dolphins and whales to inhibiting growth and reproduction of smaller animals
INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE
. A study done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that 48% of our stream and river water, and 41% of our lake water is polluted by
FISHING
Reducing the fish communities in rivers and oceans, destructive fishing techniques can also cause water pollution and damage to coral and other aquatic life. Destructive fishing techniques involve the use of dynamite or cyanide; trawling in coral-rich ecosystems; bottom trawls that are dragged along the ocean floor, also disrupt and damage critical habitats.
DUMPING
Coastal communities have long used oceans as dumping grounds for all types of waste. Some of this pollution, such as toxins from heavy industry have directly killed plants and animals that are part of the marine ecosystem. Other pollutants, such as runoff from homes and farms, introduce chemical fertilizers into the water that create algae blooms on the surface. Large fields of algae deplete the oxygen in the water, block the sunlight to life on lower levels, and may even release toxins that poison fish.
OFFSHORE DRILLING
Comes with an inherent risk of accidents and spills that could have potentially devastating effects on an ocean ecosystem. Offshore drilling rigs often create fields of waste that include lubricants and fluids used on the drills, anti-corrosive chemicals, bleach and other chemical cleaners. Solid wastes such as tools, tubing, pipes and plastics are also found in the water surrounding offshore rigs. These types of pollution affect marine life and knock the surrounding ecosystem off balance.
BOATING
The increase of boating and ship traffic and industrial use of the ocean have ramped up the level of noise in the water. Studies have shown that increased noise affects different species of marine life in a variety of ways--from causing confusion and disorientation in dolphins and whales to inhibiting growth and reproduction of smaller animals
INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE
. A study done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that 48% of our stream and river water, and 41% of our lake water is polluted by