Beach Garbage: Environmental Impact And Solutions

Beach pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to the environment and public health. Every year, tons of garbage, including plastic waste, litter, sewage, and other pollutants, wash up on shores worldwide, turning once pristine beaches into dumping grounds. This pollution has far-reaching consequences, from harming marine life and destroying habitats to impacting the health of nearby communities and hindering economic growth.

Marine debris

Injury and death of marine life

Damage to habitats

Large debris, such as derelict fishing gear, vessels, and appliances, can crush and smother sensitive habitats like coral reefs. Derelict fishing gear can also continue to trap fish and other animals, a practice known as ghost fishing, even after it is no longer being used by fishers.

Interference with navigation

Some types of marine debris, such as abandoned and derelict vessels, can obstruct navigational channels and pose a risk of collision for boaters.

Economic loss

Impact on human health and safety

Transport of non-native species

Sewage overflows

Combined sewer systems (CSSs) are a particular concern. These systems collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipes. While most of the time, the wastewater is treated before being discharged, heavy rainfall or snowmelt can exceed the system's capacity. In such cases, combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur, releasing a mixture of raw sewage, industrial wastewater, and stormwater directly into nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies, including beaches.

Sanitary sewer systems, or sanitary sewage systems (SSS), are designed solely to transport sewage to treatment facilities. However, they are not designed to manage large amounts of rainwater, and as a result, they can also experience overflows during heavy precipitation. These overflows, known as sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), can occur due to blockages, line breaks, sewer defects, operational lapses, power failures, inadequate sewer design, or vandalism.

The impact of sewage overflows on beach health and the environment cannot be overstated. Sewage contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as nutrients for algae. The excess nutrients stimulate the growth of algae, leading to harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms can have detrimental effects on the ecosystem, including reducing light availability for plants and producing toxins that sicken humans and wildlife. HABs can also deplete oxygen levels in the water as they decompose, leading to the death of fish and other organisms.

In addition to the ecological consequences, sewage overflows also pose risks to human health. Sewage can contain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, and potential human pathogens. When sewage-associated waste washes up on beaches, it can act as a reservoir for these bacteria and pathogens, potentially impacting beachgoers.

To mitigate the issue of sewage overflows, several measures can be implemented. Upgrading and improving sewer infrastructure is crucial, ensuring that systems can handle increased volumes of wastewater and reducing the likelihood of overflows. Additionally, proper waste management practices should be enforced, including the responsible disposal of trash, fishing gear, and other pollutants that can contribute to sewage issues. Public education and participation in beach clean-up events can also help reduce the impact of sewage overflows on beach health.

Human and animal waste

Sources of Human and Animal Waste Pollution on Beaches

Sewage Overflow

Combined sewer systems (CSSs) and sanitary sewer systems (SSS) are designed to collect and treat wastewater before discharging it into nearby water bodies. However, during heavy rainfall or snowmelt, these systems can become overwhelmed, leading to overflows of untreated sewage into oceans and rivers. This raw sewage can contain harmful bacteria and viruses, posing a risk to both human health and the environment.

Runoff from Yards, Fields, and Paved Surfaces

Rain or snowmelt can pick up bacteria-laden pet waste, animal manure, and other pollutants as it flows over land and impervious surfaces. This polluted runoff then enters storm drains, rivers, and oceans, contributing to water pollution. Inefficient drainage systems can exacerbate this issue, making it easier for waste to reach beach waters.

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Large-scale animal feeding operations, including CAFOs, can generate significant amounts of animal waste. This waste can spill into waterways during storms, contributing to nutrient pollution, particularly from nitrogen and phosphorus. These excess nutrients can lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms (HABs), which have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Boats and Ships

Accidental or intentional discharges from boats and ships can introduce human and animal waste into beach environments. These discharges may include sewage, fishing gear, ballast water, and bilge water, which can contain harmful bacteria and pollutants.

Impacts of Human and Animal Waste Pollution on Beaches

Health Risks

Environmental Degradation

Excess nutrients from human and animal waste can fuel the growth of HABs, which have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. HABs block light, deplete oxygen levels, and release toxins, leading to the death of marine life and the destruction of habitats. Additionally, human and animal waste pollution contributes to water quality degradation, leading to closures of beaches and shellfish beds, and inhibiting economic activities dependent on clean coastal environments.

Harmful algal blooms

HABs are caused by high levels of nutrients in the water, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are often the result of human activities. These nutrients can come from agricultural runoff, sewage, fertiliser use, and even household cleaning products. When these nutrient levels increase, they feed larger algae colonies, leading to large-scale blooms.

The impact of HABs is significant. As the algae colony grows, dies, and decomposes, it consumes oxygen, creating "dead zones" with little to no oxygen. This depletion of oxygen affects the survival of fish and other marine life, causing many animals to suffocate. Some types of algae also release toxins that build up in the ecosystem, further harming wildlife and causing illness in humans and animals that come into contact with or ingest them. These toxins can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms, including paralysis, seizures, vomiting, and cardiovascular problems.

HABs can also have economic consequences for coastal communities. They can result in closures of recreational areas and commercial fisheries, affecting tourism and local businesses. Additionally, the clean-up and mitigation efforts required to manage HABs can be costly and challenging.

Scientists are actively researching methods to control and prevent HABs. Some potential approaches include using tiny bubbles to aerate the water and dissolve the algae, employing chemicals or bacteria to halt algal growth, and binding the algae with clay to make them sink and collect excess nutrients. Public education and responsible practices, such as proper waste management, reduced fertiliser use, and participation in beach clean-up events, are also crucial in preventing and mitigating the impacts of HABs.

Boat pollution

Discharges from Boats:

• Sewage and Waste: The discharge of sewage and waste from boats can have severe ecological and health consequences. Fecal contamination, resulting from the improper disposal of human waste, can render water unfit for recreational use, destroy shellfish beds, and cause health issues in humans.
• Trash and Debris: Boats can release trash, such as plastic bags, bottles, cans, and fishing gear, that ends up in the ocean and washes up on beaches. This form of pollution poses threats to marine life and coastal ecosystems.
• Ballast Water and Bilgewater: Discharges of ballast water and bilgewater from boats can introduce invasive species and pollutants into marine environments, disrupting ecosystems and harming native species.

Boat Maintenance and Operations:

• Chemical and Oil Spills: Boat maintenance and refueling activities can lead to spills of chemicals, paints, solvents, and oils. These spills contaminate water and harm aquatic life, particularly bottom-dwelling organisms crucial to the marine food chain.
• Antifouling Paints: The use of antifouling paints on boat hulls can release toxic chemicals, impacting water quality and limiting the growth of aquatic organisms.
• Air Emissions: Boat engines and fuel combustion contribute to air pollution, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere that can eventually affect beach ecosystems.

Marina Construction and Operations:

• Physical Alteration of Shoreline: The construction and expansion of marinas often involve the alteration of shorelines, wetlands, and natural habitats. This can lead to the destruction of sensitive ecosystems and the displacement of aquatic communities.
• Stormwater Runoff: Marinas generate stormwater runoff from parking lots and operational areas, which can carry pollutants such as oil, chemicals, and debris directly into coastal waters, impacting nearby beaches.
• Sewage and Wastewater: Inadequate sewage and wastewater treatment systems at marinas can result in the discharge of untreated or partially treated effluent, contaminating coastal waters and affecting beach ecosystems.

Solutions and Mitigation:

To address boat pollution and its impact on beaches, several measures can be implemented:

• Proper Waste Disposal: Educating boaters about responsible waste management practices, such as using onshore sanitary facilities for sewage disposal and utilizing pump-out stations for marine sanitation devices, is essential.
• No Discharge Zones (NDZs): Establishing and enforcing NDZs can help prevent the discharge of sewage from vessels within designated boundaries, reducing pollution in coastal waters and beaches.
• Clean Boating Practices: Promoting clean boating habits, such as using non-toxic cleaning products, proper fuel handling, and regular boat maintenance, can minimize the release of pollutants into the water.
• Marina Planning and Design: Careful planning and design of marinas can reduce their environmental impact. This includes considering natural water circulation, implementing erosion control measures, and providing adequate sewage collection and fueling facilities.
• Regulations and Enforcement: Strengthening and enforcing regulations, such as the Clean Water Act and the Vessel General Permit program, is crucial to hold boat operators and marina managers accountable for their environmental impact.

Frequently asked questions