Humanity and Its Impact on the Environment
How Water Pollution Affects the Environment and YOU
By Thea Scott
This is not a doom and gloom article.
Our goal is to encourage awareness of the urgent need to reduce water pollution on a global and personal scale. We hope to do this by providing you with some information on our current circumstances, what this means for the environment and for you, what you can do to create positive change individually and within your community.
The Current Climate
Innumerable academic articles are stressing the significance of understanding the possible sources of microplastics to encourage the development of effective pollution reduction strategies. [1] We would argue that this understanding is not only crucial politically and environmentally but personally too.
Did you know that your washing machine can release thousands of synthetic fibres per wash cycle? [2] Although some of this material is retained during wastewater treatment processes, it is estimated that as much as 160,000,000 microplastic particles are released into coastal waters daily. [3]
Furthermore, results from studies published last year revealed that over 80% of the wipes found in shoreline waste were non-flushable due to the plastics they contain. There has been an increase in wipes found on the UK coastline of 400% in the last 10 years. [4]
Much to our concern, these phenomena are occurring globally.
What Does This Mean for the Environment?
The impact of anthropogenic water pollution is not limited to our species…
In a 2001 study conducted to investigate the effects of marine debris and human activity on sea turtles in Southern Brazil, it was found that the
ingestion of human made debris resulted in the
death of 13.2% of the turtles examined. [5]
All turtle species examined in this study are on
the endangered species list.
17 years later, a published article revealed that
‘plastic was found in every turtle tested.’ [6]
However, this is just some of almost 1,000 species
of marine animals impacted by ocean pollution.
Fig. 1
[Fig.2]
What Does This Mean for You?
It is increasingly recognised that the oceans have potential direct impacts on human health, good and bad. [7] Due to natural environmental processes and human pollution, the conditions of our coasts are worsening, which especially impacts those who reside there.
These impacts include global change, microbial and chemical contamination of oceanic waters and seafood and natural products. [8]
Those who live by the coast rely heavily on marine waters being unpolluted for food and recreation. However, a variety of marine contaminants are becoming increasingly problematic, including high levels of heavy metals entering the marine food chain. [9]
Everyone depends on the coast in some way, be it their home, their favourite holiday destination, or a source of their food.
On top of this, our oceans are a source of incredible biological diversity with vastly unexplored opportunities to further pharmaceutical and nutritional development, [10] including anticancer compounds and anti-inflammatories. [7]
Fig. 3
What YOU can do – 5 Ideas!
1. As we know, flushing non-flushable wipes and sanitary products can be catastrophic for the environment and this behaviour must discontinue immediately.
A small sign in the bathroom may be enough to remind yourself and your loved ones of what should not go into the toilet. This could be homemade or purchased online!
This link will show you some signs available to buy on Amazon!
LINK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=do+not+flush+sign&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
2. Better yet, purchase biodegradable wipes.
This Amazon page offers various brands!
LINK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=biodegradable+wipes&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
3. Look into environmentally friendly sanitary products and cosmetics, such as menstrual cups and reusable sanitary towels.
This blog compares the value of various eco-friendly sanitary products.
LINK: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1808249/cheapest-reusable-sanitary-towels/p2
This site offers a list of zero-waste makeup brands!
LINK: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/best-of-sustainable-beauty/zero-waste-make-up/
4. Participate in local beach cleans! This could be as a family, with friends, with your local community or alone! Or beach clean along your local beach as a part of your daily exercise during COVID!
LINK: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/beach-clean-ups-around-the-world
5. We could all implement some of the changes National Geographic have suggested and identified as an effective step in reducing plastic pollution, these suggestions work for families and individuals alike.
The interactions between global waters, environmental wellbeing and human health are complex and extremely important. Therefore, we hope you will take some steps to contribute towards our global responsibility
Additional Sources:
1. https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/water-pollution-control/pages/ten-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-water-pollution
2. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/07/microplastic-pollution-revealed-absolutely-everywhere-by-new-research
3. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/27/plastics-leading-to-reproductive-problems-for-wildlife
4. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/solving-microplastic-pollution-means-reducing-recycling-mdash-and-fundamental-rethinking1/
5. https://marinesavers.com/2019/03/sea-turtles-eating-plastics/
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-53947161
7. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/12/12/250438904/how-plastic-in-the-ocean-is-contaminating-your-seafood
8. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/innovative-ways-to-build-environmentally-friendly-home.php
Fig. 4
References:
[1] Ó Briain, O., Marques Mendes, A.R., McCarron, S., Healy, M.G. and Morrison, L. (2020). ‘The Role of Wet Wipes and Sanitary Towels as a Source of White Microplastic Fibres in the Marine Environment’, Water Research 182 pg. 1
[2] Carr, S.A., Lui, J. and Tesoro, A.G. (2016). ‘Transport and Fate of Microplastic Particles in Wastewater Treatment Plants’, Water Research 91 pg. 174-182. Cited by Ó Briain, O., Marques Mendes, A.R., McCarron, S., Healy, M.G. and Morrison, L. (2020). pg. 2
[3] Horton, A.A., Svendsen, C., Williams, R.J., Spurgeon, D.J. and Lahive, E. (2017). ‘Large Microplastic Particles in Sediments of Tributaries of the River Thames, UK – Abundance, Sources and Methods for Effective Quantification’, Marine pollution bulletin 114(1), pg. 218-226
[4] MCS. (2016). ‘Great British Beach Clean 2019 Report’, Marine Conservation Society, Herefordshire, UK; MCS, (2019) ’Great British Beach Clean 2019 Report’ Marine Conservation Society, Herefordshire, UK. Cited by Ó Briain, O., Marques Mendes, A.R., McCarron, S., Healy, M.G. and Morrison, L. (2020). pg. 9
[5] Bugoni, L., Krause, L. and Petry, M.V. (2001). ‘Marine Debris and Human Impacts on Sea turtles in Southern Brazil’, Marine Pollution Bulletin 42(12), pg. 1330-1334
[6] Carne, N. (2018). ‘Microplastics Found in Every Turtle Tested’, [Online] Available at: https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/microplastics-found-in-every-turtle-tested/ (Accessed: 25/02/21)
[7] Fleming, L.E., Broad, K., Clement, A., Elmir, S., Knap, A., Pomponi, S.A., Smith, S., Solo Gabriele, H. and Walsh P. (2006). ‘Oceans and Human Health: Emerging Public Health Risks in the Marine Environment’, Marine Pollution Bulletin 53, pg. 545-560
[8] Knap et al. (2002)., Dewailly et al. (2002)., NRC. (1999)., Anon. (2001)., Pew Report. (2003)., Stegman et al. (2002)., Kovats et al. (1998)., Tyson et al. (2004)., Flemming and Laws. (2006),, cited by Fleming, L.E., Broad, K., Clement, A., Elmir, S., Knap, A., Pomponi, S.A., Smith, S., Solo Gabriele, H. and Walsh P. (2006). ‘Oceans and Human Health: Emerging Public Health Risks in the Marine Environment’ Marine Pollution Bulletin 53, pg. 545
[9]Dewailly et al. (2000). cited by Fleming, L.E., Broad, K., Clement, A., Elmir, S., Knap, A., Pomponi, S.A., Smith, S., Solo Gabriele, H. and Walsh P. (2006) ‘Oceans and Human Health: Emerging Public Health Risks in the Marine Environment’ Marine Pollution Bulletin 53, pg. 546
[10] NRC. (1999). and Faulkner, (2001)., cited by Fleming, L.E., Broad, K., Clement, A., Elmir, S., Knap, A., Pomponi, S.A., Smith, S., Solo Gabriele, H. and Walsh P. (2006) ‘Oceans and Human Health: Emerging Public Health Risks in the Marine Environment’ Marine Pollution Bulletin 53, pg. 546
Image Sources:
[1] Marine Savers. (2012). Marine Savers and Four Seasons Resorts Maldives. [image] Available at: https://marinesavers.com/2019/03/sea-turtles-eating-plastics/ (Accessed: 10/03/2021).
[2] Guardian Australia. (2018). Welcome to Australia's plastic beach. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM8uvAZ2wU0> (Accessed: 10/03/2021).
[3] The Salt. (2013). How Plastic in the Ocean is Contaminating Your Seafood. [image] Available at: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/12/12/250438904/how-plastic-in-the-ocean-is-contaminating-your-seafood (Accessed: 11/03/2021)
[4] SAS. (2020). Surfers Against Sewage hold regular beach clean-ups across the UK. [image] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-53947161> (Accessed: 10/03/2021)