Instructions
Read the information and complete the activities below to learn about ocean pollution and how we can help protect our amazing marine environments.
Activity 1: Unscramble the Pollution Words
Unscramble the letters to find words related to ocean pollution. Write the correct word on the line.
- CITSALP: _________________________
- SLAHCIMEC: _________________________
- LIO LLIPS: _________________________
- TRSHA: _________________________
- ERNIMA IFEL: _________________________
Activity 2: Pollution Fact Check
Read each statement carefully. Is it a fact (True) or a myth (False)? Circle your answer.
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Most of the pollution in the ocean actually starts on land.
TRUE / FALSE
-
Plastic bottles will break down and disappear in the ocean in about one year.
TRUE / FALSE
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Loud underwater noises from big ships can disturb and harm animals like whales and dolphins.
TRUE / FALSE
-
Anything flushed down the toilet eventually disappears and cannot harm the ocean.
TRUE / FALSE
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Cleaning up a beach is one way to help prevent ocean pollution.
TRUE / FALSE
Activity 3: Cause and Effect Match-Up
Pollution has serious effects on our oceans. Draw a line to match the Cause of pollution with its correct Effect on the marine environment.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1. Plastic bags and six-pack rings get into the water. | A. It can coat the feathers of seabirds, making it impossible for them to fly or stay warm. |
| 2. An oil tanker has a large spill. | B. This can create large "algae blooms" that use up all the oxygen, creating "dead zones" where fish cannot survive. |
| 3. Trash and food wrappers are left on the beach. | C. Marine animals can get tangled in them or mistake them for food and eat them. |
| 4. Chemicals from fertilizers on farms wash into rivers that lead to the ocean. | D. The tide can easily wash it into the ocean, where it becomes a danger to sea life. |
Activity 4: Be an Ocean Hero!
Even one person can make a big difference! Think about what you've learned. In the spaces below, list or draw three things you can do in your daily life to help reduce ocean pollution.
1. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
Activity 1: Unscramble the Pollution Words
- PLASTIC
- CHEMICALS
- OIL SPILL
- TRASH
- MARINE LIFE
Activity 2: Pollution Fact Check
- TRUE - Pollution from cities, farms, and factories often flows into rivers and ends up in the ocean.
- FALSE - A plastic bottle can take over 450 years to break down in the ocean.
- TRUE - This is called noise pollution, and it can interfere with how marine mammals communicate and navigate.
- FALSE - Wastewater treatment plants don't remove everything, and items like wet wipes can cause blockages and end up in waterways.
- TRUE - Removing trash from the coastline prevents it from being washed into the sea by the tide.
Activity 3: Cause and Effect Match-Up
1. C
2. A
3. D
4. B
Activity 4: Be an Ocean Hero!
Answers will vary, but here are some examples of great ideas:
- Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones.
- Help my family recycle properly.
- Never litter and participate in a beach or park cleanup.
- Make sure only toilet paper is flushed down the toilet.
- Use reusable shopping bags.
- Learn more about the ocean and share what I've learned with friends and family.