Greta Jimenez
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that threatens ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The ocean is polluted with a wide variety of debris, from microplastics to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels. While marine pollution has many sources, it is estimated that 80% of it comes from land-based sources, with the remaining 20% coming from marine sources. Rivers are a major contributor to ocean pollution, with 1000 rivers responsible for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions. These plastics enter rivers through littering, poor waste management, stormwater discharge, and natural events like tsunamis and hurricanes. Nonpoint source pollution, which includes runoff from farms, vehicles, and septic tanks, is another significant contributor to ocean pollution. Point source pollution, such as oil spills or chemical leaks, has less frequent but more severe impacts on the ocean. Asia is the largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with China, the Philippines, and India being the top three countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of ocean pollution from land-based sources | 70% to 80% |
| Percentage of ocean pollution from marine sources | 20% to 30% |
| Top ocean pollutants | Plastic, nutrients from fertilizer runoff, nonpoint sources, light, noise, and industrial chemicals |
| Percentage of ocean pollution from nonpoint sources | 60% |
| Causes of nonpoint-source pollution | Excess fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides from agricultural land, oil, grease, toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production sites, bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet waste, faulty septic systems, sediment from poorly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, eroding stream banks, salt from irrigation practices, acid drainage from abandoned mines |
| Region contributing most to ocean plastic pollution | Asia |
| Top countries contributing to ocean plastic pollution | China, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Brazil |
| Number of animals that die each year from plastic ingestion or entanglement in fishing gear | 100,000 |
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Rivers
The probability of a river carrying plastic waste into the ocean is influenced by various factors such as plastic waste management, land use, wind, precipitation, and the river's size and location. Mismanaged plastic waste, for example, is more likely to end up in oceans via rivers in countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Identifying these high-risk rivers is crucial for prioritizing mitigation efforts and implementing solutions like The Ocean Cleanup's Interceptor™ technology.
The impact of river pollution on ocean ecosystems is significant. It not only affects marine life and wildlife habitats but also poses risks to human health, with contaminated water causing illnesses and even deaths worldwide. Therefore, addressing river pollution is essential to mitigating its harmful effects on ocean environments and human populations dependent on these water sources.
To tackle river-borne ocean pollution, it is necessary to focus on reducing plastic waste and improving waste management practices, especially in high-risk regions. This includes supporting low- and middle-income countries in developing better waste management infrastructure and banning the export of plastics to countries with inadequate waste management systems. By addressing the root causes of river pollution, we can help prevent the spread of contaminants into the oceans and protect the health and well-being of marine life and human communities alike.
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Land-based sources
Eighty percent of marine environment pollution comes from land-based sources. Nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff, is one of the biggest contributors. This type of pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches, and forest areas. For example, millions of motor vehicle engines leak small amounts of oil each day onto roads, which eventually makes its way to the sea. Some water pollution starts as air pollution, which settles into waterways and oceans. Dirt can also be a pollutant, as topsoil or silt from fields or construction sites can run off into waterways, harming fish and wildlife habitats.
Fertilizer from yards and agricultural land is another example of nonpoint source pollution. This type of pollution can cause high levels of algae growth, which restricts sunlight and oxygen from entering the water. Without these two key ingredients, aquatic plants decay, lowering the oxygen levels in the water and creating "dead zones" for marine life.
Plastic waste is another major land-based source of ocean pollution. Plastic waste from litter in parks, beaches, and streets is carried into drains, streams, and rivers by wind and rainwater runoff. Rivers then transport the plastic to the oceans. A large chunk of ocean plastic also comes from damaged fishing nets that are directly discarded into the sea. According to one study, 70% to 80% of ocean plastic comes from land-based sources, while the remaining 20% to 30% comes from marine sources.
The majority of ocean plastic emissions come from Asia, with eight of the top ten emitting rivers located in the Philippines, India, and Malaysia. The Pasig River in the Philippines alone accounts for 6.4% of global river plastics. Rapid economic growth, urbanization, and inadequate waste management systems contribute to these high figures.
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Marine sources
While most plastic in the oceans comes from land-based sources, it is estimated that 20-30% comes from marine sources. This plastic waste comes from the 1000 most polluting rivers, which account for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions. The remaining 20% of plastic emissions are distributed over 30,000 rivers.
The Pasig River in the Philippines alone accounts for 6.4% of global river plastics. Seven of the top ten rivers are in the Philippines, two are in India, and one is in Malaysia. Most of the world's largest emitting rivers are in Asia, with some also in East Africa and the Caribbean.
In addition to plastic pollution, ocean pollution also includes chemical contamination, or nutrient pollution, which occurs when human activities such as the use of fertilizer on farms lead to the runoff of chemicals into waterways that eventually flow into the ocean. This type of pollution is concerning for health, environmental, and economic reasons.
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Human activities
Nonpoint source pollution includes runoff from septic tanks, vehicles, farms, livestock ranches, and timber harvest areas. It also encompasses excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands, as well as oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban areas and energy production sites. Poor waste management practices, stormwater discharge, and natural disasters like tsunamis and hurricanes further exacerbate this issue.
The maritime industry, including vessel construction, repair, scrapping, and cargo transportation, is another significant contributor to ocean pollution. Abandoned vessels, derelict fishing gear, and damaged fishing nets, also known as "ghost nets," directly discarded into the high seas, have severe environmental consequences.
Additionally, human activities have led to the accumulation of debris in ocean gyres, formed by large rotating ocean currents. These gyres create garbage patches that are constantly changing in size and shape due to winds and currents. The debris, including microplastics, can be found from the ocean surface to the ocean floor, ingested by marine life, and accumulated in seafood, posing risks to human health.
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Nonpoint source pollution
Eighty percent of marine pollution comes from land-based sources, and nonpoint source pollution is one of the biggest contributors. Nonpoint source pollution occurs as a result of runoff, which is when rain or melted snow moves over and through the ground, absorbing any pollutants it comes into contact with. This can include oil leaked from millions of motor vehicle engines, as well as litter, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, sediments, and leaky septic systems. These pollutants are then carried via waterways such as streams, lakes, and rivers into the ocean.
To address nonpoint source pollution, various organizations and governments have developed control plans and management programs. For instance, the NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program creates specific nonpoint source pollution control plans for participating coastal states. The US EPA has also published several fact sheets on managing nonpoint source pollution from different sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, boating, and households. Additionally, organizations like Clean Ocean Action are working to educate citizens about reducing pointless pollution and organizing beach cleanups to mitigate its effects.
While nonpoint source pollution is a significant issue, efforts are being made to understand and mitigate its impacts. By implementing control measures and raising public awareness, it is possible to reduce the amount of nonpoint source pollution that reaches our oceans and protect the health and beauty of coastal ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
The majority of ocean pollution comes from human activities along coastlines and far inland. The top sources of pollution are plastic, nutrients from fertilizer runoff, nonpoint sources, light, noise, and industrial chemicals.
Nonpoint source pollution occurs as a result of runoff. It includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches, and forest areas.
Most of the plastic in our oceans comes from land-based sources. 70% to 80% of plastic is transported from land to the sea via rivers or coastlines. The remaining 20% to 30% comes from marine sources such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels.
Asia is the biggest contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with 81% of ocean plastics emitted from the region. Within Asia, the Philippines, India, China, and Malaysia are the largest contributors.
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