From Hurricanes to Epidemics: The Ocean's Evolving Impact on Human Health - Perspectives from the U.S. (Global Perspectives on Health Geography)

This book provides a complete and current overview of the correlation between ocean conditions and human health, publishing comprehensively for the first time on the direct interactions among oceanography, marine biology and impacts on human health. Specifically the text addresses how changing ocean conditions result in health impacts and disruptions, with a focus on cases in the USA. ­ The changing ocean conditions that are discussed include diminishing marine biodiversity, climactic changes such as intensified weather events, shifting sea currents and increasing sea temperature. The book addresses the resulting health issues brought about by these various ocean conditions, such as emerging infectious diseases, starvation and poisoning among impacted communities, toxic algae blooms, threatened ecosystems, and other future implications. ­ The text was developed in conjunction with scientists from Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Texas at Austin,the University of California at Riverside and Ochsner Health, all located in areas deeply impacted by the changing Oceans. ­ The book will be of interest to marine research scientists, health care professionals, students, and general enthusiasts of oceanography and health. Preface 7 Acknowledgments 9 Contents 10 Contributors 12 About the Author 13 List of Figures 14 List of Tables 17 Chapter 1: Introduction 18 1.1 Changing Ocean Currents 20 1.2 Evolving Patterns of Marine Food Chains 20 1.3 The Blue Mind: The Science Behind the Mental Health Benefits of Aquatic Environments 21 1.4 Marine Plastic Contamination 21 1.5 COVID-19 and the Oceans: Impacts on the Environment, the Blue Economy, and Ocean Health 22 1.6 Historical Impact of Epidemics on the Environment 23 1.7 The Blue Economy 24 1.8 Challenges to Operational Ocean Science 25 References 25 Chapter 2: Changing Ocean Currents 27 2.1 Introduction 27 2.2 Influence of Changing Ocean Currents on Spatial Patterns of Sea Level 28 2.3 Shifting Ocean Currents and Predicted Influence on Future Climate 30 2.4 The Role of Ocean Circulation in Marine Heat Waves, Acidification, and Deoxygenation 33 2.5 Conclusions 36 References 37 Chapter 3: Health Consequences of Marine Oil Spills: Lessons Learned from the Deepwater Horizon Accident 43 3.1 Offshore Oil Exploration 44 3.2 Source of Marine Oil 44 3.3 Composition of Marine Oil 45 3.4 Human Toxicity 45 3.5 Epidemiological Studies on Oil Spills 46 3.6 Deepwater Horizon: Lessons Learned 47 3.7 Ecosystem Effects of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 48 3.8 Acute Health Impact 49 3.9 Long-Term Health Consequences of Oil Spills 49 3.10 Mental Health Outcomes: Association with Health Disparities 50 3.11 Risk Paradigm 50 3.12 Impact on Woman and Children 51 3.13 Conclusion 51 Resources 52 Chapter 4: New England Coastal Cities: The Struggle for a Resilient Future 54 4.1 New England Coastal Cities: The Struggle for a Resilient Future 54 4.2 Economic Struggles 55 4.3 Sea Level Rise and Extreme Rain Events 59 4.4 Developing Strategies for Resilience 62 4.5 The Boston Example 63 4.6 Moving Resilience Forward in Southern New England Cities 64 4.6.1 New Bedford 65 4.6.2 Bridgeport 66 4.6.3 Providence 68 4.7 Resilience Building in Southern New England Cities: Summary and Questions 70 References 71 Chapter 5: The Blue Mind 74 5.1 The Blue Gym: Threats to the Mental Health Benefits of the Ocean 75 5.2 The Blue Gym: Research Outcomes 75 5.3 Threats to the Blue Gym 77 5.4 The Need to Communicate Success Stories 78 References 79 Chapter 6: Oceans and Rapid Climate Change 81 6.1 Insights from Past Climates 83 6.2 The Stability of the AMOC 85 6.3 Future AMOC Variations and Climate Changes 88 References 90 Chapter 7: Evolving Marine Health Threats to Humans 95 7.1 Rising Sea Temperatures and the Spread of Pathogens: The Example of Vibrio vulnificus Infections 97 7.2 Disease Outbreak: Correlation with Sea Temperature and Climate Change 98 7.3 Melting Permafrost 99 7.4 Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB): Cyanobacteria and Red Tides 100 7.5 Cyanobacteria Lake, Pond, and River: Blue-Green Algal Blooms 100 7.6 Red Tides: Costal Blooms 101 7.6.1 Long-Term Impact of HAB on Human Health 102 7.6.2 Economic Impact of HAB 103 7.6.3 Conclusion: Outlook for HAB and Their Effect on Human Health 103 7.6.4 Decreasing Biodiversity: Threats to the Blue Biotechnology Industry 104 7.6.5 Ocean Currents and Disease Modeling 105 References 106 Chapter 8: International Maritime Law and its Applications for the Twenty-First Century 109 Bibliography 126 Chapter 9: Marine Pharmacology: Threats to Undiscovered Sources of Medical Therapeutics 129 9.1 Decreasing Biodiversity: Threats to the Blue Biotechnology Industry 131 References 134 Chapter 10: Tropical Cyclones 135 References 142 Chapter 11: Microplastic Invasion – A Threat to Animal and Human Health 143 11.1 Plastic Crisis 143 11.2 What Are Macro-, Micro-, and Nanoplastics? 144 11.3 How Do Microplastics Make It to the Ocean? 145 11.4 Breakdown of Plastic into Microplastics 147 11.5 Areas in the Ocean Where Plastic Is Most Prevelant 148 11.6 Effects on the Marine Life 149 11.7 Human Ingestion 151 11.8 Human Health Effects 153 11.9 Socioeconomic Factors 154 11.10 Neurodevelopmental and Psychological Effects 156 11.11 Nanoplastics 157 11.12 Conclusion 157 Bibliography 158 Chapter 12: The Oceans and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Explaining the Relationship with the Systems View of Life 162 12.1 Introduction 162 12.2 The Systems View of Life 164 12.3 Complex Adaptive Systems 166 12.4 The Ocean Is a Complex Adaptive System 168 12.5 The Looming Environmental Crisis Ahead of Us 170 12.6 Practical Application of Systems Thinking 173 12.7 COVID-19, Humanity, and the Ocean 174 12.8 Conclusion 177 References 178 Chapter 13: Oceans and Human Health: A Rising Tide of Challenges and Opportunities 180 13.1 Oceans and Human Health: A Rising Tide of Challenges and Opportunities 180 13.2 United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas, and Marine Resources 182 13.3 Sustainable Use of the Oceans, Seas, and Marine Resources: Success Stories 183 13.4 The Blue New Deal 184 References 184 Index 186 This book provides a complete and current overview of the correlation between ocean conditions and human health, publishing comprehensively for the first time on the direct interactions among oceanography, marine biology and impacts on human health. Specifically the text addresses how changing ocean conditions result in health impacts and disruptions, with a focus on cases in the USA. ­ The changing ocean conditions that are discussed include diminishing marine biodiversity, climactic changes such as intensified weather events, shifting sea currents and increasing sea temperature. The book addresses the resulting health issues brought about by these various ocean conditions, such as emerging infectious diseases, starvation and poisoning among impacted communities, toxic algae blooms, threatened ecosystems, and other future implications. ­ The text was developed in conjunction with scientists from Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California at Riverside and Ochsner Health, all located in areas deeply impacted by the changing Oceans. ­ The book will be of interest to marine research scientists, health care professionals, students, and general enthusiasts of oceanography and health