Human Impact on the Oceans
Created by K. Crossley and L. Wong 1/9/09
Unfortunately, people do a great deal of damage to the essential waters of the Earth. There are many human activities and practices that endanger the ocean ecosystem and creatures who live there. You will be researching one of these damaging human influences, or a species which is endangered because of the actions of people. You will identify a problem, find out the cause and effect of that problem, and research possible solutions to protect our oceans.
Of course, as in any research project, you must cite your sources in NoodleTools and turn in your bibliography as part of your grade. You are required to use at least three different sources for this project.
Subscription Databases - We suggest using these subscription databases for your research. There are suggested search terms for some topics in the chart below. Look for NoodleTools citation hints in pink!
Gale Power Search - (Searches Student Resource Center, Opposing Viewpoints, Science Resource Center & History Resource Center: US) – Use the search box at the top of this page to search 4 different subscription databases. NoodleTools: Look at the top of your article to see the document type and cite for that document type. Look under “Source” for most of the information you need for the citation, including the subscription database in which the article was found.
SIRS Knowledge Source - Click on “Keyword/Natural Language” for the best results. Type your search term in the search box. NoodleTools: Look at the top of the article you are using to see what type of source this article came from (magazine, newspaper, etc.). That will tell you what type of citation you must use.
World Book Student Encyclopedia - Use the World Book Student version (for easier to read articles try World Book Discover). It is good to begin by using an encyclopedia because it gives you clear information to start you on your research. There is a print World Book in the media center if you prefer. NoodleTools: Cite as a reference source (subscription database).
Endangered Species E-Book - You can look up your threatened or endangered species in this e-book. The print version is on a bookcart in the media center, if you prefer. NoodleTools: E-books are considered a “book” in NoodleTools. They are on-line versions from a subscription database. Call the database "Gale Virtual".
NetTrekker - Use this search engine to look for websites about your topic. Look first to see if there are websites on your topic below. NoodleTools: Cite as websites.
Suggested Topics
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Gale Power Search (includes 4 databases)
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SIRS Knowledge Source
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World Book Student Encyclopedia
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Offshore oil drilling
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Offshore oil drilling
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Offshore oil well drilling
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petroleum
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Driftnet fishing
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Driftnet fishing
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Driftnet fishing
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Fishing industry
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Overfishing
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overfishing
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overfishing
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Fishing industry
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Sea mammals in entertainment business
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Marine mammals in captivity; training marine mammals
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Marine mammals in entertainment; …in captivity
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Sea mammals (captivity)
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Corals and fish used in pet trade
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Coral fishing; marine pets
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Coral reef ecology; coral fishing
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Coral reefs (and environment, people)
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Increased greenhouse gases; global warming; melting sea ice
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Ocean warming
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Ocean warming
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Ocean global warming (special reports)
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Bycatch
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bycatch
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Bycatch
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Bycatch (fishing industry)
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Fish farming
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Fish farming
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Fish farming; Fishes, conservation
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Fishing industry
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Whaling
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whaling
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whaling
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Whale (future of)
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Harvesting seals
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Seal hunting
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Seal hunting
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Seal (people and)
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Dumping trash in oceans – water pollution
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Ocean pollution; plastic pollution
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Ocean pollution; plastic pollution;
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Environmental pollution
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Harvesting sea turtle eggs
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Endangered sea turtle eggs
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Harvesting sea turtle eggs
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Sea turtle (and people)
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Extracting chemicals, energy, metals and minerals
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Ocean mining
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Ocean mining
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Water pollution; mining; conservation (ocean)
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Noise pollution
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Ocean noise pollution
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Ocean noise pollution
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Environmental pollution
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General Articles – Human Impact on OceansSearch Student Resource Center with term “oceans environmental aspects” for this article: “What People are Doing to the Ocean – the Facts”
Websites – NoodleTools: Cite as websites.
General Articles - Human Impact on Oceans
Marinebio
Defenders of Wildlife
High Seas Gems: Hidden Treasures of Our Blue Earth -
A beautiful brochure describing ecological problems in specific ocean locations -
Threats to Aquatic Biodiversity
Find Your Topic Here! These websites contain info on many of your topics. Some topics also have websites listed below.
Oceana
Marine Conservation Biology Institute -
Greenpeace -
LA Times: Altered Oceans [a five part series]
Ocean Conservancy
MarineBio
The Humane Society
World Society for the Protection of Animals
World Wildlife Fund
Alien Species/Marine Bioinvaders
Center for Coastal Resources
MarineBio
Guidebook of Introduced Species of Hawaii
World Wildlife Fund
Bottom Trawling
Journal of Marine Education
Endangered Species
Hoover Media Center Animal Adaptations pathfinder -
Ghost Fishing
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Bellona
Bay Journal
Marine Habitat Loss
Earth is a Marine Environment
Melting Sea Ice
Defenders of Wildlife
Offshore Drilling
Defenders of Wildlife
USA Today article
Culture Change
Pet Trade – Corals and Fish
International Trade of Coral Reef Species (PowerPoint)
International Trade in Coral Reef Animals: Causes, Consequences and Courses of Action (PowerPoint)
Coral Reefs in Crisis - http://www.aaas.org/international/africa/coralreefs/overview.shtml
Plastic Wastes in Ocean
LA Times
Junk
Greenpeace
Sea Mammals in Captivity (Entertainment)
In Defense of Animals
Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
World Society for the Protection of Animals
Seal Harvesting
Seals and Sealing in Canada
Humane Society Legislative Fund
The Humane Society
Whaling
Greenpeace
Center for Whale Research –
These are photographs from a whaling ship off California circa 1964 – warning: very graphic, some are difficult to look at.