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Eliana Durell

Water Pollution

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pile of trash

Water pollution has drastically limited the availability of Earth’s freshwater, leaving us with less than 1% of it usable. Water’s unique ability to dissolve more substances than any other liquid makes it particularly vulnerable to contamination from harmful chemicals and toxins. These pollutants degrade water quality, rendering it toxic and unsuitable for use. Beyond harming humans, water pollution significantly impacts ecosystems. Contributors include agriculture, sewage and wastewater, oil, and radioactive substances.

keep out of water sign

Agriculture, as the largest consumer of water, accounts for 70% of the Earth's water usage, encompassing farming and livestock production. Agricultural activities introduce pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste into waterways through runoff. This runoff carries harmful chemicals, excessive nutrients, and bacteria, polluting water and disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Untreated runoff reintroduces these contaminants into the environment, further threatening aquatic life. For example, agricultural nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algal blooms, which are toxic to wildlife and pose health risks to humans.

sewer draining water

Sewage and wastewater are also major contributors to water pollution. Stormwater runoff transports salt, oil, grease, trash, and other road pollutants into sewage systems or directly into waterways, often without treatment. Wastewater includes water used in daily activities such as bathing, washing, and sanitation, as well as water from industrial and commercial processes. UNESCO reports that over 80% of the world’s wastewater is released back into the environment untreated or not reused, furthering the problem.

oil in water

Oil is another significant pollutant, as it does not mix with water and creates lasting damage. While large oil spills capture public attention, most oil pollution originates from everyday activities such as oil and gasoline leaks from vehicles and operations in the shipping industry. Thousands of ships navigate global waters daily, introducing oil into the oceans through accidental spills, routine maintenance, and tank cleaning.

fish and plastic bag

The consequences of water pollution are far-reaching, impacting human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity. According to the EPA, approximately 3.5 million Americans annually suffer from illnesses such as skin rashes, respiratory infections, and hepatitis caused by sewage-contaminated coastal waters. Water pollution renders freshwater undrinkable and restricts recreational activities like swimming, fishing, and beach visits. Moreover, pollution leads to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in water—a process known as eutrophication. This suffocates aquatic life in smaller water bodies and produces neurotoxins in oceans, harming larger marine species such as whales and sea turtles. Additionally, the chemicals introduced into waterways can alter the reproduction and behavior of aquatic organisms. These pollutants ultimately climb the food chain, showing that water pollution impacts us all.

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The Ocean Cleanup

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Ocean Cleanup ship

Millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean, affecting nearly 900 marine species. In five major ocean areas, massive amounts of plastic have accumulated, with the largest being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), located between Hawaii and California. Spanning an estimated 1.6 million square kilometers, the GPGP poses severe risks to marine life. Plastic can entangle and suffocate animals or kill them when ingested. Once in the ocean, plastic begins breaking down into microplastics, which are even more dangerous. Marine animals often mistake microplastics for food, ingesting toxic pollutants that can travel up the food chain and eventually harm humans. Because microplastics are harder to clean up, The Ocean Cleanup has developed technology to intercept plastic waste before it breaks down.

netting catching trash

This technology, called System 03, is designed to gather and concentrate floating plastic in the ocean, making collection more efficient. System 03 consists of a U-shaped barrier that floats on the water’s surface, with a large net extending beneath it. The net is fine enough to capture plastics just millimeters in size while allowing small plankton to pass through. It is also long enough to capture large debris, such as discarded fishing nets.

netted bag of trash on ship

The U-shaped barrier guides plastic debris to the base of the system, where an opening leads to a netted tunnel known as the retention zone. With the aid of active propulsion, System 03 moves slowly at 1.5 knots, relying on ocean currents to direct plastic into the retention zone. When the zone is full, vessels retrieve the collected debris. The net can be sealed, detached, and brought on board for emptying. Once the vessels are filled, the waste is sent for recycling. Currently, System 03 is actively deployed in the GPGP.

diagram of System 03

While concerns exist about potential harm to marine life, The Ocean Cleanup has implemented several safety measures to minimize risks. Green LED lights surround the system, warning marine animals of its presence and indicating escape routes. Acoustic deterrents emit high-frequency sounds to keep animals at a safe distance. Additionally, cameras monitor for any signs of animal presence near the system.

escape hatch in net

If an animal becomes trapped, escape aids within the retention zone help ensure their safety. The Marine Animal Safety Hatch (MASH) opens a hatch at the bottom of the netting, allowing trapped animals to swim out while preventing garbage from escaping. The retention zone is positioned slightly above the surface to enable animals like dolphins to breathe if they cannot immediately find the escape hatches. In emergencies, a release mechanism at the end of the retention zone allows for the immediate release of both the trapped animal and the debris. These measures aim to balance effective ocean cleanup with the preservation of marine life.