The Polluted Beach Crisis: Are We Doing Enough?

Beach pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both the environment and human health. Despite their natural beauty and appeal for recreation, beaches continue to be plagued by various forms of pollution, including litter, sewage, plastic, and other harmful substances. These pollutants not only detract from the aesthetic value of beaches but also have severe ecological and economic consequences. With billions of pounds of pollution ending up in our oceans each year, it is crucial to understand the primary sources and impacts of beach pollution to address this global problem effectively.

Beach pollution sources: trash, sewage, pesticides, oil, and plastics

Beach pollution is any harmful substance that contaminates our coasts, including trash, sewage, pesticides, oil, and plastics. These pollutants can have significant negative impacts on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Here is a more detailed breakdown of each of these pollution sources:

Trash and litter are significant contributors to beach pollution. This includes items such as plastic bags, bottles, food containers, fishing gear, nets, ropes, light sticks, and cans left by beachgoers or washed up on the shore. Trash can also be carried by rain into storm drains, rivers, and streams, eventually making its way to the ocean and beaches.

Sewage pollution is another major issue affecting beaches. Sanitary sewer systems are designed to collect and treat sewage, but unintentional discharges of raw sewage, known as sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), can occur due to blockages, line breaks, or stormwater overloading the system. These SSOs can contaminate beaches with bacteria, viruses, and parasites, posing a health risk to swimmers and causing beach closures.

Pesticides and other chemicals are also among the pollutants found on beaches. Rainwater and stormwater runoff can carry pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural areas or residential use into nearby waterways and, eventually, to the coast. These chemicals can be toxic to marine life and harmful to human health.

Oil pollution on beaches is often a result of stormwater runoff, which can pick up motor oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products from paved surfaces and industrial sites. Oil spills from ships and recreational boats can also directly contaminate coastal areas. Oil pollution can have devastating effects on marine life, such as birds and sea animals, and can persist in the environment for an extended period.

Plastics are a significant and persistent form of beach pollution. Plastic debris, including bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, and fishing gear, can be washed up on beaches worldwide. Plastics do not readily degrade and can break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by marine organisms and enter the food chain.

These sources of beach pollution highlight the importance of proper waste management, sewage treatment, and environmental protection measures to preserve the health of our coasts and the safety of those who enjoy them.

Stormwater runoff: the leading cause of beach closures

Stormwater runoff is the leading cause of beach closures, with the Surfrider Foundation reporting that 64% of the almost 600 beaches monitored in the United States did not pass state health standards at least once. The foundation's Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) collected 9,538 samples from 567 different sites across beaches, oceans, estuaries, and freshwater creeks. About 22% of the samples showed high bacteria levels.

The pollution of coastal environments limits their economic, recreational, and aesthetic use. It degrades and destroys the unique beach habitats needed by animals and plants. A polluted beach poses a public health risk, reduces property values, and inhibits the economic growth of the community.

Urban stormwater runoff is particularly harmful to beaches. As forests and fields are replaced with impervious surfaces like roads and parking lots, more rain runs off the land and into water bodies, carrying pollutants with it. These pollutants include heavy metals, petroleum products, excess nutrients, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. For example, the Tijuana River annually discharges tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean due to inadequate sanitation infrastructure in Tijuana.

Stormwater runoff has also contributed to the closure of thousands of acres of productive shellfish growing beaches. Shellfish harvesting at many beaches is restricted or prohibited due to pollutants carried in stormwater runoff. For instance, since 1980, 45,000 of the 140,000 acres of commercial certified shellfish growing areas in Puget Sound have been closed or partially closed for harvesting due to polluted water and unhealthy shellfish.

To reduce stormwater runoff pollution, individuals can make small changes such as maintaining their vehicles, recycling used motor oil and antifreeze, fixing oil leaks, and properly disposing of pet waste. Communities can also implement stormwater capture projects that cleanse, hold, and reuse water, preventing polluted runoff from reaching the sea.

Sewage overflows: untreated sewage discharged into the ocean

Sewage overflows are a major contributor to beach pollution. More than 80% of the world's sewage is discharged into the environment untreated, causing significant harm to marine ecosystems and human health. Beaches are sensitive environments that support a variety of plants and animals, and pollution from sewage overflows can have detrimental effects on these ecosystems.

Untreated sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites that pose serious health risks to humans. High levels of bacteria and pathogens in beach water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, rashes, skin and eye infections, flu-like symptoms, and other illnesses. In some cases, toxins from sewage pollution can even become aerosolized, contaminating the air and affecting those who live or work nearby.

Sewage overflows can occur due to various factors, including blockages, line breaks, sewer defects, inadequate sewer design, and vandalism. In some cases, water companies have been accused of routinely releasing sewage outside of permitted times, a practice known as dry spilling. This has led to concerns from environmental groups and regulatory interventions.

To address the issue of sewage overflows, investments in infrastructure upgrades and wastewater treatment systems are crucial. While these projects can be costly and time-intensive, they are essential for protecting beach health and the surrounding ecosystems. Additionally, behavioral interventions and partnerships between organizations have emerged as promising approaches to reduce water pollution and mitigate the impacts of sewage overflows on the environment.

The impacts of sewage pollution on beaches highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. By investing in infrastructure upgrades, improving wastewater treatment processes, and promoting behavioral changes, we can reduce the occurrence of sewage overflows and protect the health of our beaches, marine life, and communities that depend on them.

Climate change: exacerbating beach erosion and pollution

Beaches are highly sensitive environments that support a variety of plants and animals. Pollution, human alteration, and climate change can harm these ecosystems. Climate change exacerbates beach erosion and pollution in several ways.

Firstly, rising sea levels due to climate change directly contribute to escalating rates of erosion on rocky shorelines. As sea levels rise, wave energy moves further inshore, eroding coastal cliffs. This process poses immediate dangers to human lives, properties, and infrastructure located along these coastlines. The stability of rock coasts has historically been neglected, and the potential acceleration of cliff erosion following sea-level rise has not been extensively studied. However, recent research has utilized coastal evolution models to project the impacts of rising sea levels on coastal cliff retreat rates for the year 2100. The findings suggest that rocky coastlines should be included in future planning for global climate change responses, such as coastal protection programs.

Secondly, more frequent and intense extreme weather events driven by climate change also contribute to beach erosion. While all coastlines experience erosion due to storms and natural events, the combination of storm surges at high tide with strong waves, often associated with tropical storms, creates the most damaging conditions. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of such storms, exacerbating beach erosion. Certain regions are particularly vulnerable; severe storms can remove wide beaches and substantial dunes in a single event.

Additionally, climate change intensifies beach pollution. More frequent extreme weather events increase stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants from land into waterways and ultimately onto beaches. This runoff contains a cocktail of pollutants, including road dust, oil, animal waste, fertilizers, and other chemicals. These pollutants not only contaminate the water but also pose significant health risks to nearby communities. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites in sewage can cause gastrointestinal issues, rashes, skin and eye infections, and flu-like symptoms. The impacts of beach pollution extend beyond environmental degradation, affecting public health, property values, and the economic growth of communities.

To mitigate coastal erosion, governments invest in beach nourishment and shoreline erosion control measures. However, structural solutions may cause more problems than they solve by interfering with natural water currents and preventing sand from shifting along coastlines. Nature-based or "green infrastructure" protection measures are gaining traction as they enhance the natural ability of shorelines to absorb and dissipate storm energy without disrupting natural coastal processes.

Human activities: the primary source of beach pollution

Human activities have a significant impact on beach pollution, posing risks to both the environment and public health. One major source of pollution is the discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater into coastal waters. This can occur through combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), which release a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater into the ocean. These overflows are often due to blockages, line breaks, inadequate sewer design, or lapses in maintenance, causing pollution that affects beach health and the unique habitats of plants and animals.

Another consequence of human activity is the pollution from vessels and marine operations. Accidental or intentional discharges from boats and ships can introduce trash, fishing gear, ballast water, bilge water, and sink or shower water into the ocean, ultimately affecting the beaches. The EPA regulates these discharges through the Clean Boating Act for recreational vessels and the Vessel General Permit for commercial vessels.

Human-induced climate change also plays a role in beach pollution. Rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events contribute to beach erosion and the destruction of habitats for coastal animals and plants. Additionally, stormwater runoff and wastewater released from damaged infrastructure during storms can carry pollutants onto beaches, further degrading their quality.

Beachgoers themselves can contribute to pollution by leaving behind trash, such as plastic litter, and losing or discarding fishing nets and lines in the ocean. These items not only ruin the aesthetic beauty of beaches but also entangle and choke marine life, including seabirds, sea turtles, and seals. Moreover, common chemicals found in skincare products can wash off into the water, threatening corals and other marine life.

Finally, human activities on land can also indirectly lead to beach pollution. Animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and common household items like dish soaps, dishwasher detergents, and fertilizers contribute to nutrient pollution. These products contain phosphorus, which can end up in waterways and beaches, promoting the growth of harmful algal blooms (HABs) that release toxins detrimental to aquatic ecosystems and human health.

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