The Mediterranean Sea: Pollution's Causes And Effects

The Mediterranean Sea is considered a hotspot for plastic pollution, with an estimated 730 tonnes of plastic waste entering its waters daily. This waste primarily comes from land-based sources, such as coastal zones, rivers, and maritime routing. The unique shape of the Mediterranean and its currents cause waste to accumulate within it, impacting marine ecosystems and economic activities. Initiatives to address this issue are complex due to the transboundary nature of plastic pollution and the variety of actors involved. However, efforts are being made at national, regional, and international levels to tackle this problem, including the implementation of the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean.

Plastic pollution

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the seas most affected by plastic pollution. It is estimated that the Mediterranean receives 730 tons of plastic waste every day, with plastics accounting for 95-100% of floating litter and more than 50% of seabed litter. Single-use plastics make up over 60% of the total recorded marine litter on beaches.

The primary land-based sources of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean are tourism activities, a large coastal population, inefficient waste management, unsustainable consumption patterns, and an increase in plastic use. The Mediterranean countries are the world's top tourism destination, and waste management facilities often become overloaded. The WWF has reported that all Mediterranean countries have underperformed in managing plastic contamination, with Egypt being the biggest source of plastic waste in the sea, followed by Turkey. The coastline of Cilicia in southeast Turkey has the highest level of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, with 31.3 kg of debris per kilometre.

The semi-enclosed shape of the Mediterranean Sea means that the harmful microplastics that enter it have reached record concentration levels, threatening marine life and human health. Studies have found that one in three fish had ingested plastic items, and more than half of the sea turtles analysed had plastic litter inside or around their bodies. Plastic has also been found in the stomachs of seabirds and mussels.

To combat plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, there have been calls for bans and reduction targets in the manufacturing of products containing microplastics, such as fabrics and cosmetics. The EU's single-use plastic directive has been implemented, and there have been promotions of recycling. However, more efforts are needed, including market restrictions, improved waste management, and agreements between producers and consumers. The WWF has called on governments and the EU to drastically reduce plastic production and increase recycling, with Giuseppe Di Carlo, director of WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative, stating, "Our plastic system is broken – all Mediterranean countries still fail to collect all their waste."

Noise pollution

Human activities are the primary source of this growing problem, with maritime transport, fishing, and tourism contributing significantly to the rising noise levels in the region. Shipping activities, including the use of propellers and engines, generate substantial noise that spreads easily through water, disrupting the natural soundscape of the Mediterranean Sea.

The impact of this noise pollution on marine life is profound. Many marine species, particularly mammals such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises, rely heavily on sound for their survival. They use sound to communicate, find mates and prey, navigate, and defend their territories. Noise pollution interferes with these vital functions, causing behavioural changes, hearing loss, and even death. For example, increased ship noise has led to simplified vocal calls in bottlenose dolphins, potentially reducing the effectiveness of their communication.

The noise created by seismic surveys, explosions, construction, and sonar devices further exacerbates the problem. These activities not only contribute to the overall noise levels but also introduce foreign sounds that can disrupt the natural behaviour of marine mammals. For instance, sonar has been shown to alter the feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales, causing them to stop feeding and move away from the sound source.

The Mediterranean's unique characteristics, such as its semi-enclosed shape and densely populated coasts, amplify the impact of noise pollution. With coastal urbanization, maritime traffic, and tourism expected to increase in the future, the noise levels in the Mediterranean Sea are likely to continue rising unless effective measures are implemented.

To address this issue, experts recommend establishing sensitive sea areas with limited noise levels, especially along migratory routes and breeding grounds. Improving waste management practices, regulating the use of ship paint and antifouling coatings, and creating bans and reduction targets for microplastics are also crucial steps in mitigating noise pollution and its detrimental effects on the Mediterranean's marine life and ecosystem.

Wastewater and sanitation

The Mediterranean Sea is the most waste-polluted sea in Europe, according to a 20-year study. The sea's coasts are densely populated and are the world's number one tourism destination. This, along with waste management facilities that frequently experience overload, has contributed to the sea's pollution.

The Horizon 2020 Initiative covers several countries in the Southern Mediterranean region, including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. These countries have made steady progress in improving sanitation over the last decade. Between 2003 and 2011, the proportion of the population with access to sanitation services increased from 87.5% to 92%. However, there are still 17.6 million people in the region lacking access to sanitation, a third of whom reside in urban areas.

The report highlights the potential for wastewater reuse in the region, as currently, only around 1% of wastewater is reused. By making better use of this resource, the amount of wastewater discharged into the sea can be reduced. The initiative also emphasizes the need for improved wastewater management and the creation of emissions inventories to track annual emissions from industrial facilities.

The Mediterranean Sea is facing a significant problem with microplastics, which are estimated to have higher concentrations than the global average. These microplastics enter the sea through various channels, including rivers and sewage outflows. To address this issue, experts recommend creating bans and reduction targets for industries that use microplastics, such as fabric and cosmetic manufacturers.

Solid municipal waste

The Mediterranean Sea is heavily impacted by solid municipal waste, with an estimated 730 tonnes of plastic waste polluting the sea daily. Plastics account for a significant portion of floating and seabed litter, with single-use plastics making up over 60% of the total recorded marine litter on beaches. The high population density and tourism in the region contribute to the large volume of plastic waste, with an estimated 24 million metric tons produced annually, only a small fraction of which is recycled.

The collection and management of solid municipal waste is a challenge, particularly in rural areas and South Mediterranean countries, where waste is often illegally dumped or burned. This waste includes items such as paper, plastic, and other materials that can be blown into the sea by the wind. The lack of proper waste management facilities and the overload of existing facilities further contribute to the problem.

The impact of solid municipal waste on the marine environment and human health is significant. Marine animals, such as fish, seabirds, and turtles, can ingest plastic debris, leading to gastrointestinal blockages, diseases, and even mortality. Microplastics, which are estimated to have higher concentrations in the Mediterranean than the global average, pose additional risks to marine life and human health.

To address the issue of solid municipal waste in the Mediterranean, several measures have been proposed and implemented. These include the Marine Litter MED II project, which focuses on southern Mediterranean countries, and the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management, which aims to prevent, reduce, and remove marine litter using environmentally sound techniques. Improving waste management practices, promoting recycling, and reducing plastic consumption are also crucial in mitigating the impact of solid municipal waste on the Mediterranean Sea.

Industrial emissions

Industrial discharges are responsible for about 10% of the nitrogen discharges into the Mediterranean, with the remaining 90% coming from urban wastewater treatment plants. Industrial pollution in the Mediterranean region has been linked to economic growth, with production and process innovations stimulating the exploitation of natural resources. This has resulted in the increased use of plastics and other pollutants such as UV filters, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and flame retardants, which enter the sea through agricultural, industrial, and urban runoff or coastal wastewater treatment plants.

The Mediterranean Sulfur Emission Control Area (SECA) is a recent initiative to reduce sulfur emissions from ships in the region. This policy will have environmental and health benefits, similar to the successful implementation of SECAs in the Baltic Sea and the European North Sea area, which reduced sulfur emissions and particulate matter. The Mediterranean SECA, covering 21 states, will take effect in 2025 and is expected to reduce emissions by 79% for SOx and 24% for PM, preventing premature deaths and childhood asthma cases.

However, the impact of the Mediterranean SECA on trade is a concern for some countries, as it will increase the cost of maritime transport due to the use of low-sulfur fuel or scrubber technology. Industries and policy-makers must balance the environmental and health benefits of reduced sulfur emissions with the potential economic implications for the region.

To address the complex issue of industrial emissions in the Mediterranean, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This includes implementing regulations and market restrictions, improving waste management practices, and fostering agreements between producers and consumers to reduce plastic pollution and the use of harmful chemicals. By combining these strategies, the Mediterranean countries can work towards achieving and maintaining a Good Environmental Status (GES) for the sea and its coasts.

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