Marine Pollution's Impact On Beaches: A Growing Concern

Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to the health of our planet and its ecosystems. With billions of pounds of trash and other pollutants entering our oceans annually, the impact of marine pollution on beaches is a significant concern. Marine pollution encompasses both chemical contamination and physical debris, such as plastic, sewage, litter, and oil. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on both human health and marine life, leading to illnesses, behavioural changes, and even death. The accumulation of plastic in our oceans and on our beaches has become a global crisis, with plastic pollution expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. The impact of marine pollution on beaches is a critical aspect of this broader issue, as beaches provide a sensitive environment that supports a diverse range of plant and animal life.

Marine pollution and human health

Marine pollution has far-reaching consequences for human health and well-being. The impacts of marine pollution on human health are extensive and increasing in magnitude, severity, and geographic reach. The consumption of contaminated seafood is the primary pathway for human exposure to marine pollutants. Chemical pollutants, HAB toxins, and plastic microparticles and microfibers bioaccumulate in seafood, leading to various adverse health effects in humans.

Mercury, PCBs, and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are of particular concern. These toxins accumulate in high concentrations in fish and marine mammals, which, when consumed by humans, can result in serious health issues. In utero exposure to these contaminants through maternal consumption of contaminated seafood can be especially detrimental, potentially causing brain damage, reduced IQ, and increased risks for autism, ADHD, and learning disorders in children.

Plastic pollution, which kills marine life, including fish, seabirds, whales, and dolphins, also has indirect effects on human health. Plastics break down into microplastics, which are then ingested by marine organisms, eventually making their way up the food chain and into the human food supply. Pharmaceutical waste is another contributor to marine pollution, destroying coral reefs and further contaminating seafood sources.

Climate change exacerbates the problem of marine pollution and its impact on human health. The warming oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, leading to ocean acidification, which in turn harms coral reefs and plankton, disrupting the marine food web. Additionally, more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change increase beach erosion and contribute to pollution through stormwater runoff and wastewater releases from damaged infrastructure.

The effects of marine pollution disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, including small island nations, indigenous communities, coastal communities in the Global South, and fishing communities worldwide. These communities bear the brunt of the negative consequences of marine pollution on their health, livelihoods, and economic development.

The impact of marine pollution on wildlife

Marine pollution has a devastating impact on wildlife. The ocean is a vulnerable environment when it comes to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the sea, it can be carried by waves and storms to even the most remote areas, where it accumulates in large gyres or becomes embedded in shorelines and delicate coastal ecosystems. This waste can then break down into smaller pieces, making it extremely difficult to retrieve.

The impact of this pollution on wildlife is significant. Marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals each year. The major factor in this is the size of the plastic, which can affect different species in different ways. Large plastics, such as fishing gear, six-pack rings, and plastic bottles, can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators. Discarded nets can smother and break coral reefs, hindering their growth. Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination.

Microplastics, which are smaller than 5mm, are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They can also absorb toxins, which then transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. As a result, hundreds of fish species, including those consumed by humans, have been found with traces of microplastics in their bodies. Molluscs such as mussels and oysters, which filter seawater to feed, have also been affected, with studies showing that 100% of mussel samples from UK waters contained microplastic pieces.

A particular threat to marine apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas, is the cumulative impact of microplastics in the food chain and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics. A single plastic particle can absorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water. This leads to biomagnification, where chemicals build up in the fatty tissues of animals that consume other contaminated species. Orcas, for example, have been found with high levels of chemicals in their fatty tissues and breast milk, which is then passed on to their young.

In addition to plastic pollution, other forms of marine pollution also have detrimental effects on wildlife. Wastewater, for example, can transport pathogens, nutrients, contaminants, and solids into the ocean, causing coral bleaching, disease, and mortality for coral, fish, and shellfish. It can also alter ocean temperature, pH, salinity, and oxygen levels, disrupting essential biological processes and physical environments for marine life.

Pollution from agricultural runoff and wastewater can cause excess nutrients in the marine environment, leading to coral bleaching, disease, decreased coral reproductivity and skeletal integrity, reduced coral cover and biodiversity, and algal overgrowth. Algal blooms can devastate coral reefs and coastal ecosystems, producing toxins that can kill fish, mammals, and birds, and even causing human illness or death in extreme cases.

Contaminants such as heavy metals, oil spills, and pesticides can directly harm fish and other aquatic organisms, causing deformities and even death. For example, the 2021 oil spill off Los Angeles led to the death of countless fish and birds.

Overall, marine pollution has far-reaching and devastating impacts on wildlife, affecting a wide range of species and disrupting entire ecosystems.

Sources of marine pollution

Marine pollution has far-reaching consequences, negatively impacting both human health and marine ecosystems. The sources of this pollution are varied, but most of it originates from land-based activities caused by humans. Here is a detailed breakdown of the sources of marine pollution:

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Nonpoint source pollution is a significant contributor to marine pollution and occurs when small sources of pollution accumulate and are carried by rainfall or snowmelt into the ocean. This includes runoff from roads, parking lots, septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. For example, vehicles leak small amounts of oil onto roads, which is then washed into the ocean during rainstorms. Similarly, pesticides and fertilisers from farms can be washed into the sea, causing harm to marine life and their habitats.

Intentional Discharge

Intentional discharge of pollutants into the ocean is a major concern. Manufacturing plants in many areas release toxic waste, including mercury, and sewage into the ocean. Plastic waste is also a significant issue, with eight million metric tons of plastic ending up in the oceans annually. This plastic waste comes from single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, and styrofoam containers, which can take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

Ship-Based Pollution

Ships and boats are a notable source of marine pollution. Accidental or intentional discharges from vessels include trash, fishing gear, ballast water, bilge water, and water from sinks and showers. Oil spills from ships are particularly devastating, with crude oil persisting in the ocean for years and posing a severe threat to marine life. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico is a notable example, with approximately 134 million gallons of oil spilled.

Atmospheric Pollution

Atmospheric pollution, caused by littering, is another source of marine pollution. Single-use plastics and styrofoam containers are carried by the wind into the ocean, contributing to the growing plastic pollution problem. Microplastics, in particular, are a concern as they can be ingested by marine organisms, leading to physical damage and the accumulation of toxins.

Deep-Sea Ocean Mining

Deep-sea ocean mining for minerals such as cobalt, zinc, silver, gold, and copper creates harmful sulphide deposits in the ocean depths, disrupting ecosystems.

Wet weather discharges

Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melted snow flows over impervious surfaces like paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, picking up trash, chemicals, sediment, and other pollutants along the way. These pollutants can include gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste. This polluted water then flows directly into storm drains, rivers, lakes, streams, and eventually the ocean, carrying these harmful substances into the marine environment.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)

Combined sewers are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in a single pipe. During heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the volume of wastewater can exceed the capacity of the sewer system or treatment plant, leading to overflows. These overflows, known as CSOs, discharge a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater directly into nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies. CSOs have resulted in beach closures, shellfish bed closures, and aesthetic problems for coastal communities.

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)

Sanitary sewer systems are intended to collect and transport all sewage to a treatment facility. However, unintentional discharges of raw sewage, known as SSOs, can occur due to various factors such as blockages, line breaks, sewer defects, power failures, or inadequate sewer design. These overflows can contaminate nearby water bodies, including coastal areas, posing risks to both environmental and human health.

Marine pollution solutions

Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to the environment, society, and the economy. It is essential to address this issue to protect the health of beaches and the oceans. Here are several solutions to tackle marine pollution and its impact on beaches:

Reduce Plastic Production and Use

Plastic pollution is one of the most prominent issues affecting marine environments. A crucial step in mitigating this problem is to reduce plastic production, particularly single-use plastics and plastic packaging. Individuals can play a role by refusing single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives, such as reusable grocery bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups. Governments and businesses can also contribute by implementing legislation and initiatives to curb plastic production and promote sustainable practices. For example, the European Union's Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic products and ban certain items for which reusable options exist.

Improve Waste Management and Recycling

Proper waste management and recycling are essential to preventing plastic pollution from reaching oceans and beaches. Individuals can ensure they recycle single-use plastics and support legislation that promotes extended producer responsibility, holding plastic producers and distributors accountable for their products' end-of-life disposal. Additionally, the development of a global plastics recycling industry is crucial to effectively reusing and recycling collected plastics on a larger scale.

Support Beach and River Cleanups

Participating in or organizing cleanups of local beaches, rivers, and waterways is a direct and rewarding way to remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from becoming marine debris. These efforts can be undertaken individually or through local organizations and international events dedicated to ocean cleanup initiatives.

Address Agricultural and Chemical Runoff

Agricultural and chemical runoff is another significant source of marine pollution. Implementing measures to reduce the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals in fields and agriculture can help prevent these pollutants from reaching oceans and affecting marine life. Proper waste management systems and treatment processes are also crucial to ensuring that chemicals and residues do not enter water bodies.

Combat Climate Change

Climate change exacerbates the impacts of marine pollution on beaches. By addressing climate change, we can reduce the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that contribute to beach erosion and increase pollution from stormwater runoff. This includes transitioning to alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and low-emission biofuels, in the transport and energy sectors, as well as exploring carbon absorption and storage solutions using tidal and ocean thermal energy.

Protect Coastal Habitats

Protecting and restoring coastal habitats, such as beach dunes, is essential for maintaining the natural resilience of beaches against pollution and the impacts of climate change. These habitats provide a vital buffer against flooding and storms while also supporting a diverse range of plant and animal species.

Addressing marine pollution requires collective action from individuals, governments, and businesses. By implementing these solutions and raising awareness about the issue, we can work towards healthier beaches and oceans for future generations.

Frequently asked questions