Dumping's Impact: Faecal Water And Rubbish In Our Oceans

Human activities have had a devastating impact on the oceans, with marine dumping being a major contributor to water pollution. This includes the disposal of garbage, sewage, faecal sludge, and waste from various sources such as factories, ships, and aircraft into the oceans. These wastes often contain toxic substances and hazardous materials, such as plastics, heavy metals, and chemicals, which contaminate the water and degrade the habitats of marine species. Additionally, improper rubbish and faecal water dumping on land can lead to groundwater pollution, as contaminants infiltrate dumps and landfills, eventually reaching drinking water supplies. This type of pollution introduces microorganisms and bacteria that can cause waterborne diseases, posing risks to both human and animal health.

Faecal pollution introduces disease-causing microorganisms

Faecal pollution is a major cause of waterborne diseases, introducing disease-causing microorganisms into bodies of water. These microorganisms are largely derived from human sewage or excreta from warm-blooded animals. Sewage and faecal sludge are the most common sources of human-infectious pathogens.

Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) have been used for over 150 years to indicate faecal contamination of water and the associated health risks. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and certain Enterococcus species such as E. faecalis and E. faecium are the primary representatives of FIBs. While FIBs are useful for determining water quality, they cannot identify the origins or sources of the contamination.

In addition to FIBs, faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) are used to index water quality. FIOs are not considered direct causative agents of illness but may be related to illnesses in a dose-responsive manner. FIOs are used in sanitary surveys, which are comprehensive inspections that identify pollution sources and risks, such as nutrient sources that promote harmful algal blooms, chemical contamination, and other microbial hazards.

The likelihood of a pathogen causing infection or disease depends on the dose, with some viral and parasitic protozoan infections requiring very few infectious units. The presence of these disease-causing microorganisms in recreational water can lead to serious waterborne diseases in humans and animals.

The impact of faecal pollution on water quality and the health of recreational water users is a significant concern. It is crucial to assess the potential impact of faecal pollution on the natural water environment and to implement measures to prevent and mitigate its effects.

Dumping waste into oceans reduces oxygen levels

Dumping waste into oceans has emerged as a pressing issue, with far-reaching consequences for marine life and the environment. One of the most detrimental impacts is the reduction of oxygen levels in the water, which poses a severe threat to the survival of marine species.

The waste dumped into the oceans often contains toxic substances that deplete the oxygen available in the water. This depletion of oxygen-rich water has a direct impact on the respiratory functions of marine mammals and fish, leading to their untimely death in their natural habitat. The presence of plastic debris on the ocean surface further exacerbates the problem, as plastic does not decompose quickly and remains floating for extended periods, contributing to the decline in oxygen levels.

The introduction of harmful substances, such as industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff, into the oceans has created "dead zones" where oxygen levels are extremely low. These areas, devoid of any life, can be massive in size, as seen in the coastal zones of Louisiana and Texas. Pesticides, fertilisers, and oil from land seep into water bodies after rainfall and contribute to the growth of algal blooms, which further deplete oxygen levels and lead to the destruction of ecosystems.

The accumulation of waste in the ocean has detrimental effects on both marine life and human health. Eutrophication, a biological process triggered by excess nutrients, leads to the proliferation of oxygen-depleting bacteria and plants, creating a hypoxic environment. This, coupled with the release of toxins from waste buildup, can destroy entire habitats and ecosystems.

To address the issue of oxygen depletion caused by waste dumping, it is essential to implement effective waste disposal strategies and reduce the amount of waste generated. Recycling, producing less wasteful products, and properly treating sewage sludge can help mitigate the harmful impacts of waste dumping on oxygen levels in the oceans.

Industrial dumping, farming pollution, and water plant deterioration affect water systems

Industrial dumping, farming pollution, and water plant deterioration all have a significant impact on water systems, causing widespread water pollution and contamination.

Industrial Dumping

Industries such as manufacturing, mining, and waste disposal are among the worst water polluters. They contaminate water sources with toxic substances, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and chromium, through improper waste disposal and dumping. This affects both surface water and groundwater, with rivers, lakes, and marshes being particularly vulnerable. In the US, industrial waste has contaminated drinking water sources for millions of people. For example, the Ohio River, which provides drinking water for nearly 3 million people, has received about 600 million pounds of toxic substances from various industries since 1987.

Farming Pollution

Agriculture is responsible for about 70% of water withdrawals worldwide and is a major contributor to water pollution. Farms discharge large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, and saline drainage into water bodies. The use of fertilizers and pesticides in crop production increases nutrient levels in water, stimulating algal blooms and affecting the health of streams, reservoirs, estuaries, and drinking water supplies. Pesticides pose risks to aquatic life, wildlife, and drinking water sources. Additionally, veterinary medicines, antibiotics, vaccines, and growth promoters used in farming can enter water ecosystems and drinking water sources, further contributing to water pollution.

Water Plant Deterioration

Deteriorating water distribution systems can also impact water quality and reliability, potentially leading to waterborne disease outbreaks. Aging infrastructure may experience issues such as leaks, which can allow the intrusion of non-potable water and contaminants like metals, organic compounds, or asbestos into the water supply. This can have adverse effects on public health, especially as many water systems have already exceeded their life expectancy and are prone to various problems.

The cumulative effects of industrial dumping, farming pollution, and water plant deterioration have severe consequences for aquatic ecosystems, human health, and the environment. Proper waste management, stricter environmental policies, and infrastructure upgrades are essential to mitigate these issues and ensure clean and safe water for all.

Rubbish dumping causes loss of biodiversity

Marine dumping, or the disposal of waste into the ocean, has been a common practice for centuries. However, with the introduction of indestructible plastics, this practice has become an enormous ecological problem, causing water pollution and a loss of biodiversity.

The waste dumped into oceans often contains toxic substances, which soak up oceanic oxygen, leading to a depletion of oxygen available for marine life. This has resulted in the deaths of many marine mammals and birds, with thousands of dolphins and porpoises dying each year. The presence of plastic on the ocean surface is a significant contributor, as it does not decompose quickly and remains floating for years, severely impacting the survival of marine species.

Additionally, marine dumping destroys and degrades important habitats for aquatic species. Wetlands, for example, are a favourite place for waste deposition, and the loss of these habitats can have a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem. Coastal marshes, which help control pollution and provide a safe haven for young fish, are disappearing at an alarming rate of 20,000 acres per year. The coral reef, another crucial ecosystem, is also under threat, impacting the protection of coastlines and the biodiversity that depends on it.

The most toxic waste materials dumped into the ocean include dredged material, industrial waste, sewage sludge, and radioactive waste. Dredging alone contributes to about 80% of all waste dumped into the ocean, with a significant amount ending up in landfills. The toxins in this waste, such as heavy metals and pesticides, can leach into nearby waterways, impacting both wildlife and human well-being.

The loss of biodiversity caused by rubbish dumping can have profound effects on human survival. For instance, species like sea sponges possess chemicals that could potentially beat cancer and viruses. If pollution from runoff and ocean dumping continues unchecked, we risk losing these valuable resources.

To address these issues, several laws and regulations have been enacted, such as the London Convention of 1975, the Clear Water Act, and the Ocean Dumping Act. Additionally, initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup project aim to remove plastic wastes from the sea and prevent further plastic debris from entering our oceans.

Faecal dumping can lead to water-borne diseases

The likelihood of a pathogen causing infection or disease depends on the type and dose of the pathogen. For example, viral and parasitic protozoan infections can have a very low infectious dose, meaning even a small amount of faecal contamination can cause disease. Faecal pollution can come from a variety of sources, including inappropriate practices for sewage or faecal sludge disposal, such as illegal dumping, as well as from the recreational population using the water, through defecation, vomiting, or accidental shedding.

In addition to the direct introduction of pathogens, faecal dumping can also lead to water-borne diseases by promoting the growth of harmful algal blooms and other microbial hazards. This can occur through the introduction of nutrients and chemical contamination, which can create favourable conditions for the proliferation of harmful microorganisms.

The impact of faecal dumping on water-borne diseases is not limited to surface water used for recreation or drinking. It can also affect groundwater supplies. For example, precipitation that percolates through a roadside dump containing faecal waste can create leachate (pollutants) that may contaminate down-gradient drinking water supplies. This can lead to the spread of water-borne diseases even in areas that do not have direct contact with the contaminated surface water.

To prevent water-borne diseases caused by faecal dumping, it is crucial to have proper sanitation infrastructure and practices in place. This includes appropriate sewage and faecal sludge disposal methods, such as effective wastewater treatment facilities, to ensure that human and animal waste is safely managed and does not contaminate water sources. Additionally, regular sanitary surveys and microbial water quality analyses are important tools to identify and mitigate the risks associated with faecal pollution.

Frequently asked questions