Coastal Pollution: A Review

Abstract

The harmful effects of various substances on the marine environment were reviewed by collecting and studying the relevant literature. Various sources for the pollution of marine environment were identified and the causes for the same are understood. Many of the pollutants that are let into the sea are directly or indirectly by human activities. Some of these substances are biodegradable, while some are not. Several laws and policies have been taken in preventing marine pollution at the national and international levels. Simulation of oil spills has been done by developing models in some parts of the world. The pollution off the shore is increasing at an alarming rate and to address this problem of pollution in the oceans is a difficult task, and a variety of approaches are urgently required. In this paper, the definition of coastal pollution, causes of coastal pollution, its impacts and preventive measures are discussed.

La acuicultura frente a los impactos de la actividad agrícola en la calidad de los servicios ambientales de la cuenca del río mayo. Una propuesta para su abordaje desde la economía ecológica.

“…Los contaminantes provenientes de los sistemas productivos agropecuarios uyen a través de los ríos hacia los océanos. La liberación de nutrientes químicos a los mares provoca la reducción de los niveles de oxígeno, la decadencia de la vida vegetal y una severa disminución en la calidad del agua de mar (Vikas y Dwarakish, 2015).…”

Towards an urban marine ecology: characterizing the drivers, patterns and processes of marine ecosystems in coastal cities

“…Many of these conurbations have expanded into megacities of more than ten million people (Nicholls , Li ). For ecologists, coastal cities are of particular interest and concern, not only from a terrestrial perspective, but also in terms of consequences for, and interactions with, the marine environment (Dafforn et al , Firth et al ).…”

“…Understanding of the effects of urbanization on marine ecosystems and ecological processes is growing (Burt , Mayer‐Pinto et al , Firth et al ). Human density is strongly related to resource exploitation, and one of the early effects of marine urbanization is the depletion of nearby fishery resources (Li , Kirby ).…”

“…They also lead to nearshore development, usually starting with a harbour, but also including hard coastal defences to reduce erosion of valuable land, whether it be pre‐existing or reclaimed (Charlier et al , Lotze et al , Tian et al ). These artificial structures have significant effects on the ecology of shorelines, especially when entire habitats are replaced with novel materials such as concrete and granite (Firth et al , Dyson and Yocom , Loke et al a).…”

“…Several recent reviews have separately highlighted urban‐related pollution and physical modifications of urban shorelines as critical components of urban marine ecosystem dynamics (Dafforn et al , Firth et al , Heery et al a), but exploitation of marine resources is rarely discussed in an urban context (though see Li , Baum et al ). The overarching characteristics of urban marine ecosystems that result from each of these factors and their potential combined effects have yet to be thoroughly considered.…”