Water Pollution Crisis: World's Waterways Choked By Trash

The world's water is polluted by a variety of trash, including chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. This pollution comes from a range of sources, such as land-based activities, industrial and municipal wastewater, and agricultural practices. It is estimated that 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into our oceans each year, with plastic products that don't make it to recycling centers or secured landfills being the most well-known source. This plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, with over 1,500 species having consumed toxic plastics and microplastics, and it also enters the human food chain when we eat fish and crustaceans that have ingested microplastics. In addition to plastic pollution, other trash such as cigarette butts, food wrappers, and abandoned fishing gear further contribute to the degradation of marine environments. Poor waste management practices and government inaction exacerbate the issue, threatening not only the health of aquatic ecosystems but also human health and wellbeing.

Mismanaged waste and plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a critical global issue, with an annual leakage of 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas. The mismanagement of plastic waste, including the lack of recycling, incineration, or sealed landfills, is a significant contributor to this problem. Mismanaged waste tends to be higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to inadequate waste management infrastructure. This waste often ends up in oceans, rivers, and lakes, with middle-income countries, particularly in Asia, being the primary sources.

The impact of mismanaged waste and plastic pollution extends beyond environmental degradation. It directly affects the livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being of millions of people. Aquatic trash, including plastic waste, affects water quality, endangers plants and animals, and pollutes outdoor spaces vital for tourism and recreation. The ingestion of plastic particles exposes aquatic organisms to toxic chemicals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Additionally, the agricultural sector, including farming and livestock production, is a significant water polluter. It is the biggest consumer of global freshwater resources, using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies. Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from agricultural operations wash nutrients and pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, into waterways.

To address the issue of mismanaged waste and plastic pollution, a combination of preventive and curative strategies is necessary. This includes controlled consumer demand, material innovation, and investments in better waste management infrastructures and collection technologies. Wealthy, industrialized economies, despite generating the highest amount of plastic waste per capita, often engage in the unfair practice of waste trade with developing economies, exacerbating the problem.

While recycling is an important part of the solution, it is not enough to solve the plastic pollution crisis. A systemic transformation towards a circular economy is required, along with improved waste management strategies. This includes reducing the use of packaging and single-use plastics, innovating materials science, and supporting policies like the Clean Water Act, which holds polluters accountable.

Industrial and municipal wastewater

Industrial activities contribute significantly to wastewater pollution. Sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electricity production, and construction are major generators of wastewater. These industries discharge wastewater characterized by a broad spectrum of pollutants. While technology exists to treat and remove these pollutants, its implementation is often limited by cost-effectiveness. As a result, only a small proportion of industrial wastewater is safely treated.

The consequences of inadequate wastewater treatment are severe. Chemicals and heavy metals from industrial wastewater contaminate rivers, lakes, and seas, posing toxic threats to aquatic life. These contaminants reduce the lifespan and reproductive capabilities of organisms, and their effects propagate through the food chain, resulting in the accumulation of toxins in larger fish like tuna.

Additionally, untreated wastewater from municipalities, particularly in poorer urban areas, poses significant health and environmental risks. Human waste, toxic chemicals, and medical waste are often directly discharged into drainage channels or water bodies without proper treatment. This contamination can lead to the spread of diseases and the degradation of ecosystems.

The issue of industrial and municipal wastewater pollution calls for urgent attention and improved wastewater management practices. By treating and reusing wastewater effectively, we can not only reduce pollution but also tap into a valuable source of water, energy, and nutrients. Implementing better wastewater treatment technologies and adopting more sustainable industrial practices can help minimize the volume and toxicity of wastewater, ultimately protecting our precious water resources and the life they sustain.

Agricultural pollution

The agricultural sector is the biggest consumer of freshwater resources, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the world's surface water supplies. However, it is also a leading cause of water degradation. In the United States, agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams, the second-biggest source in wetlands, and the third main source in lakes. It is also a significant contributor to contamination in estuaries and groundwater.

Additionally, bacteria and viruses from livestock manure can contaminate drinking water supplies and cause beach closures. Pesticide runoff poses risks to aquatic life, wildlife, and drinking water sources, and certain pesticides are harmful to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, contributing to their declining populations. Furthermore, manure management is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the release of methane and nitrous oxide from cow manure contributes to climate change.

The impact of agricultural pollution is not limited to water sources; it also affects the air we breathe. Manure emits ammonia, which combines with other air pollutants to form harmful solid particles that can cause heart and lung diseases.

To address these issues, various practices can be implemented, such as nutrient management, which involves targeted fertiliser and manure application, and the use of drip irrigation to control pesticide and nutrient levels in water. Storing livestock manure in covered areas can minimise runoff risks, and conservation practices can be tailored to target critical source areas to improve water quality.

Microplastics

The ingestion of microplastics by aquatic organisms can lead to bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food web. It can also cause physical damage to organisms, such as entanglement, which threatens aquatic life by drowning, suffocating, or strangulating. A 2022 study found that microplastics accumulate within freshwater systems, especially at the source of a river or stream, where the low speed of water flow favors the piling up of microplastics.

The concentration of microplastics differs across the world, with the surface water of lakes in China and Saudi Arabia found to be much more contaminated than water bodies in other countries. The salty nature of seawater may also affect the physical and chemical properties of microplastics, potentially influencing their behavior and interactions with marine organisms.

To reduce microplastic pollution, individuals can favor products made with bio-based and biodegradable plastics and sustainable packaging. Recycling and reusing plastic products are also effective remedies if every individual actively participates.

Abandoned fishing gear

The world's waters are polluted by a variety of trash, including chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Plastic pollution is a significant issue, with an estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems each year. Plastic waste can come from a variety of sources, such as single-use plastic items like plastic bottles and bags, as well as microplastics that break off from larger plastic debris or synthetic clothing.

One particular type of trash that pollutes the world's water is abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear". Ghost gear includes abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets, crab traps, and fishing lines that continue to trap and entangle marine life. The presence of ghost gear has been found to bring about declines of 5-30% in fish stocks and damages biodiversity. It is estimated that ghost gear represents 10% of all marine debris and up to 70% of all macro-plastic in the ocean.

The problem of abandoned fishing gear is not new, and there have been efforts to address it. In 2015, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) was created by the World Animal Protection to tackle the issue of lost and abandoned fishing gear. The GGGI brings together governments, private sector corporations, the fishing industry, non-governmental organizations, and academia to find solutions. One of the goals of the GGGI is to have the global tonnage of gear lost in the ocean equal to or smaller than the amount recovered, recycled, and reused by 2030.

Various initiatives and technologies are being implemented to mitigate the impact of abandoned fishing gear. Some companies are working on solutions to turn discarded fishing nets into new products, such as carpet tiles or recycled Nylon 6 material. Additionally, technology systems for marking and tracking fishing gear, including GPS tracking, are being trialled to promote greater accountability and transparency.

The impact of abandoned fishing gear on marine life can be devastating. In 2018, around 300 endangered sea turtles were found dead off the southern coast of Mexico, trapped in an abandoned fishing net. This incident highlighted the dangers posed by ghost gear, which can entangle and kill various marine creatures, including whales, dolphins, sea lions, and birds.

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