Ocean Pollution: Can It Fill Texas?

Marine debris is a critical issue for Texas, which regularly ranks among the top states for the volume of debris on its shorelines. The state's waterways are open for business for industrial projects, and Texas ranks first among US states for toxic discharges into streams, rivers, and lakes. The state's water future is uncertain, with the human population expected to double from 25 million in 2010 to over 46 million by 2060. This, combined with the state's water pollution issues, raises the question of whether ocean pollution could fill Texas.

Texas has regularly been among the top states with the greatest volume of marine debris

Marine debris is a pressing issue for many coastal areas, and Texas is no exception. The state consistently ranks among those with the highest volume of marine debris, with its shorelines accumulating 5-10 times more waste than areas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and other US states. This debris comprises plastic fragments, bottles, bottle caps, straws, utensils, and more, posing threats to both natural resources and human well-being.

Texas's marine debris problem has multiple sources. Firstly, the state is impacted by ocean currents, such as the North and South Equatorial Currents, which carry debris from other regions to its shores. This includes debris from as far away as Africa, contributing to the significant accumulation along the Texas coastline. Additionally, Texas's marine debris originates from local sources, such as derelict fishing gear and single-use plastics. Improper waste management, littering, and natural disasters like storms also play a role in the high volume of marine debris the state experiences.

The impact of this pollution is far-reaching. Marine life, including fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds, suffer from ingestion of trash and entanglement in derelict fishing equipment. The natural beauty of Texas beaches and waterways is also affected, creating unsanitary environments and hindering navigation. The trash in Texas's coastal environments can be attributed to both local and global factors, highlighting the interconnected nature of the marine debris issue.

To address this issue, Texas has implemented formal programs to deal with abandoned and derelict vessels under the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1991. This legislation is administered by the Texas General Land Office and includes provisions for the removal and disposal of these vessels. Additionally, the state has established a Coastal Protection Fund to cover the costs of oil spill response and prevention. These measures demonstrate Texas's recognition of the marine debris problem and its efforts to mitigate the issue.

The marine debris situation in Texas is a complex and ongoing challenge. While the state has taken steps to address the issue, the persistent presence of debris along its coastline underscores the need for continued attention and action to protect the environment and ensure the safety of its residents and visitors.

The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 to make US surface waters fishable and swimmable

The Clean Water Act (CWA) was passed in 1972 to make US surface waters fishable and swimmable. The CWA is the primary federal law in the United States that governs water pollution. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. The CWA establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into US waters and regulating quality standards for surface waters.

The CWA introduced the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a permit system for regulating point sources of pollution. Point sources include industrial facilities, municipal governments, and some agricultural facilities. These sources may not discharge pollutants into surface waters without an NPDES permit. The system is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with state environmental agencies.

The CWA also created a new requirement for technology-based standards for point source discharges. The EPA develops those standards for categories of dischargers, based on the performance of pollution control technologies, without regard to the conditions of a particular receiving water body. The intent of Congress was to create a "level playing field" by establishing a basic national discharge standard for all facilities within a category, using a "Best Available Technology."

The CWA further requires states to monitor their water bodies and establish Water Quality Standards (WQS) for them. WQS are risk-based requirements that set site-specific allowable pollutant levels for individual water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. States set WQS by designating uses for the water body and applying water quality criteria to protect those designated uses.

The CWA has been successful in reducing water pollution in the United States. According to one source, about twice as many waters are now fishable and swimmable compared to the 1970s. However, it is important to note that the CWA does not directly address groundwater contamination, and some types of water pollution, such as nonpoint source pollution, remain challenging to control.

Non-point source pollution is difficult to trace and control and is often caused by runoff from agricultural and urban areas

Non-point source pollution is a critical issue that is challenging to trace and control. It refers to the accumulation of pollution from various small sources that cannot be easily identified, such as individual cars, boats, farms, and construction sites. This type of pollution often occurs due to runoff from agricultural and urban areas, which can have significant impacts on water quality.

In agricultural settings, non-point source pollution is primarily caused by the improper management of working farms and ranches. The absence of a conservation plan can lead to activities that negatively impact water quality. For example, poorly located or managed animal feeding operations, manure handling, overgrazing, and the improper application of fertilisers can all contribute to non-point source pollution in agricultural areas. Pesticides applied to crops and livestock management also play a significant role in polluting both surface water and groundwater resources.

Urban environments are not exempt from non-point source pollution. The accumulation of chemicals on buildings, streets, impervious surfaces, soils, and lawns, as well as in storm channels and sewers, can be washed into nearby bodies of water during rainfall events. Common urban pollutants include pesticides, metals, solvents, and petroleum products. Additionally, the improper disposal of household chemicals, such as used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other hazardous substances, can further contribute to non-point source pollution in urban areas.

The diffuse nature of non-point source pollution makes it challenging to identify and address. It requires a comprehensive sampling effort over large geographic areas to pinpoint the contributing sources. Once the sources are identified, eliminating them becomes the next challenge. This often involves implementing best management practices, such as establishing buffer strips of native vegetation near water bodies and reducing pollution sources like acid rain-producing emissions.

Non-point source pollution is a pressing issue that demands attention and action. By understanding the sources and impacts of this type of pollution, we can work towards implementing effective solutions to protect our precious water resources for future generations.

Texas ranks first among US states for toxic discharges into streams, rivers and lakes

Texas ranks first among US states for toxic discharges into streams, rivers, and lakes. In a report by Environment America, a Denver-based nonprofit, Texas was found to have released 16.7 million pounds of toxic substances into its water in 2020, up from 13.2 million in 2007. This is due in part to the state's lax regulatory environment, which makes it easy to permit new polluting facilities and difficult to penalize violations. As a result, companies can often save money by paying fines instead of complying with pollution laws.

Nitrate compounds, a common component of fertilizer runoff and industrial waste, account for up to 90% of total toxic releases reported by industries nationwide. Other toxic substances released into Texas waterways include heavy metals such as lead, solvents such as tetrachloroethylene, manganese compounds, methanol, and ammonia. Small amounts of potent substances known as "persistent bioaccumulative toxics," including mercury and dioxin, are also present. These substances can end up in drinking water and breast milk, posing risks to human health.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is responsible for authorizing wastewater discharges and ensuring compliance with Texas Surface Water Quality Standards. However, Texas has been criticized for not providing transparent information on the specific toxic components released by industrial polluters. This makes it challenging for citizens to know exactly what pollutants are being discharged into their nearby waterways.

The problem of toxic discharges in Texas is not limited to rivers and lakes. The state has also been found to have significant marine debris on its shorelines, with 5-10 times more debris than areas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and other US states. This debris, largely consisting of single-use plastics, poses risks to marine life, sanitation, and the natural beauty of Texas beaches and waterways.

While Texas has taken steps to address these issues, such as implementing waste management and recycling programs, the state continues to face challenges in reducing toxic discharges and marine pollution.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an accumulation of ocean debris larger than Texas

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of litter, mostly microplastics, in the North Pacific Ocean. It is composed of two separate patches: the Western Garbage Patch, found near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, found between Hawaii and California. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the biggest garbage patch in the world, but it is not the only one. The Atlantic and Indian Oceans are also home to trash vortexes, and smaller bodies of water are developing them too.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has grown to twice the size of Texas, covering 618,000 square miles, which is nearly as big as the state of Alaska. It weighs about 79 metric tons, with 46% of that weight made up of fishing nets, eel traps, and other fishing industry gear. 94% of the individual pieces of debris floating in the patch are made of plastic.

The patch is formed due to the Earth's rotation, which creates water circulation around the equator that powers clockwise currents in the area. However, not all plastics can travel to the patch—they must be buoyant enough to float on the surface.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch poses a significant threat to marine life and humans. Marine animals can mistake small plastic debris for food or become entangled in plastic bags and discarded fishing nets. The plastic debris can also carry invasive organisms across oceanic basins. As plastic breaks down into microplastics, they become much harder to clean up, and the longer the problem exists, the worse it gets.

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