Greta Jimenez
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that threatens the health of our oceans, wildlife, and humans alike. Coastal pollution, in particular, is caused by a range of factors, including human activities on land, such as the disposal of solid waste, industrial production, and agricultural practices, which together account for over 80% of marine pollution. Additionally, direct discharges of oil from offshore activities, illegal ship discharges, and seismic activities contribute significantly to the degradation of coastal ecosystems. Plastic pollution, in the form of microplastics, poses a grave threat to marine life and, ultimately, human health. The economic impact is also significant, with coastal communities facing increased costs for beach cleaning, public health measures, and waste disposal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources of coastal pollution | Human activities on land, nonpoint source pollution, oil spills, pipeline leaks, industrial effluents, agricultural emissions, urban pollution, shipping activities, seismic activities, drilling, rig construction, maritime transportation, plastic waste, and natural sources like volcanoes |
| Impacts of coastal pollution | Environmental damage, biodiversity loss, economic losses, health risks to humans and wildlife, contamination of seafood, disruption of biogeochemical cycles, habitat destruction, reduced productivity of coastal wetlands |
| Efforts to Address Coastal Pollution | UNEP's Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment, NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program, Save Our Seas Act of 2018, local, national, and international initiatives, research and monitoring of pollution, beach cleaning, public health measures, waste disposal |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The accumulation of plastic contaminants in aquatic ecosystems disrupts their structure and functioning. Plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, with additives that extend their durability. Once in the ocean, plastic waste is broken down by sunlight, wind, and waves into microplastics, which spread throughout the water column and have been detected globally, even in municipal drinking water systems and the air we breathe. These microplastics can be ingested by aquatic life, leading to toxicological effects and the transfer of toxins up the food chain, potentially impacting human health.
The sources of plastic pollution in coastal areas are both land-based and sea-based. On land, solid waste dumped along coastlines, scattered litter on beaches, and broken-down ship parts contribute to pollution. Floods and storms wash this waste into the sea. At sea, discarded fishing gear, shipping activities, and legal and illegal dumping add to the problem. Plastic pollution in the ocean forms "garbage patches," large areas where trash, fishing gear, and other debris collect due to ocean currents.
The impact of plastic pollution on coastal communities is significant. It leads to increased costs for beach cleaning, public health measures, and waste disposal. The shipping and fishing industries are particularly affected by higher expenses associated with propeller fouling, engine damage, and contaminated catch. Additionally, plastic pollution causes biodiversity loss and disrupts ecosystem functions and services.
To address plastic pollution, local, national, and international efforts are necessary. Initiatives such as the Save Our Seas Act of 2018 and the UNEP's Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities aim to promote international cooperation and provide guidance to authorities. Reducing, recycling, and reusing plastics, along with raising awareness and holding producers accountable, are crucial steps in mitigating plastic pollution in coastal areas.
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Oil spills and chemical discharge
Oil spills can harm sea creatures, contaminate seafood, and ruin coastal areas for humans. The impact of an oil spill depends on various factors, including the shoreline type, tidal energy, and environmental conditions. Oil stranded on shorelines may persist for extended periods, affecting the productivity of these biologically rich areas. Oil spills can also have long-lasting effects on sensitive habitats, and cleanup efforts may cause additional damage. For instance, the use of high-pressure, hot-water hoses to clean up beaches after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 was found to cause more harm than the oil itself.
Chemical discharge, including pesticides and other toxins, can adhere to microplastics and be ingested by aquatic life, accumulating in the food chain and potentially impacting birds, sea life, and even humans. These contaminants can also accumulate in seafood, making it unsafe for human consumption. More than one-third of shellfish-growing waters in the United States are adversely affected by coastal pollution, including oil spills and chemical contaminants.
To address oil spills and chemical discharge, various measures have been implemented. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 holds those responsible for oil spills accountable for cleanup and restoration costs. The U.S. Coast Guard oversees the response to oil spills in coastal U.S. waters, with assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provides science-based expertise. Techniques such as booms, skimmers, in situ burning, and chemical dispersants are used to contain and remove oil from the water's surface. However, despite these efforts, it is challenging to completely eliminate the impact of oil spills, and preventing them remains crucial.
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Agricultural and industrial waste
Agricultural practices, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides, are a significant concern. When it rains, these chemicals are washed into rivers and oceans, leading to nutrient pollution. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus cause algal blooms, which can be toxic to humans and wildlife, creating marine "dead zones" where life cannot survive. Additionally, pesticides adhere to microplastics, which are ingested by aquatic life, causing toxins to move up the food chain and potentially affecting humans who consume seafood.
Industrial activities also play a significant role in coastal pollution. Oil spills, waste dumping, and gas flaring in regions like the Niger Delta have severely impacted the local ecology and human population. Industrial waste often contains heavy metals and other contaminants that accumulate in seafood, making it unsafe for human consumption. Furthermore, the construction and operation of ports and shipping activities can alter sediment patterns and generate substantial pollutants, harming coastal ecosystems.
The combination of agricultural and industrial waste has detrimental effects on coastal ecosystems. These pollutants can lead to eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and the introduction of invasive species. As a result, the plants and animals that depend on these ecosystems are under significant stress, and the future of the world's oceans is at stake. Addressing these issues requires local, national, and international efforts to regulate and reduce pollution from land-based industries.
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Marine traffic and litter
The sources of marine litter are diverse, ranging from land-based sources such as urban areas, tourism, and waste disposal to sea-based sources like shipping activities and fisheries. Rivers play a significant role in transporting litter from land to the sea, and ocean currents can create "garbage patches" where litter accumulates. Human activities on land are a major contributor, with an estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the oceans annually. The slow degradation rate of plastic waste means that litter is accumulating in the marine environment, with some scientists warning that by 2050, the quantity of plastics in the oceans will outweigh fish.
Shipping activities contribute to coastal pollution through discharges and waste management in harbours. The shipping industry faces higher costs due to fouled propellers, damaged engines, and the need to manage waste in harbours. Shipping activities are regulated by organisations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which has adopted strategies and action plans to reduce marine plastic litter from ships and improve port reception facilities.
To address marine litter and coastal pollution, local, national, and international efforts are required. Initiatives such as the Marine Litter MED II Project, funded by the European Commission, aim to reduce and prevent marine litter in the Mediterranean by implementing key reduction and prevention measures. The IMO's strategies include enhancing public awareness, education, and seafarer training, as well as strengthening international cooperation to combat marine plastic litter. Additionally, the Save Our Seas Act of 2018 amends and reauthorizes the Marine Debris Act, promoting international action and increasing coordination among federal agencies to address marine debris.
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Microbial pollution
While human activities on land are the biggest sources of marine pollution, microbial pollution is also a significant contributor to the contamination of coastal areas. Microbial pollution can harm both aquatic wildlife and human health, reducing the benefits that coastal environments provide to communities.
Microbial source tracking methods are used to identify the sources of faecal pollution, which can be library-dependent or library-independent. Library-dependent analyses compare the characteristics of isolates from contaminated water samples to a database of known microbial characteristics to find a match and identify the source. Library-independent approaches, on the other hand, analyse water samples for source-specific markers, such as human-specific bacterial strains, without the need for a representative database.
Rivers have been identified as major contributors to the contamination of coastal marine environments, transporting pathogenic bacteria and other microbial pollutants to coastal areas. A study conducted in the north-central Adriatic Sea examined the presence and distribution of microbial pollutants in three Italian coastal areas affected by freshwater discharges from rivers with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The samples collected from the Tronto estuary, which receives freshwater discharge from three Italian rivers, showed the highest level of contamination, likely sewage-associated.
Alternative indicators are also being proposed to help track sources of faecal pollution, and advances in measurement technologies will likely lead to changes in monitoring strategies. A tiered monitoring strategy has been suggested, with the first step involving rapid tests for faecal indicators, the second step differentiating human from animal sources, and the third step, if necessary, measuring specific pathogens.
Addressing non-point source contamination, such as runoff from agricultural and urban areas, leaking septic systems, and discharges from boats, is a significant challenge in understanding and mitigating microbial pollution in coastal areas. Further research is needed to assess the effects of non-point sources on pathogen loading and the potential risks to human health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Human activities on land are the biggest sources of marine pollution.
Some examples include the use of fertilisers on farms, industrial production, and agricultural emissions.
Coastal pollution can cause serious economic losses, biodiversity loss, and public health issues.
Coastal communities face increased expenditures on beach cleaning, public health, and waste disposal. The shipping and fishing industries are also impacted by higher costs.
Microplastics can be ingested by marine life, causing toxic chemicals to accumulate in seafood, making it harmful for humans to consume.
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