Environmentalists from all over the world are constantly conducting research on the pollution of the seas. They have not yet come to a consensus. But some of the dirtiest seas have been identified, the situation in which, from an environmental point of view, is deteriorating every year. Scientists think so.
The article presents a rating of the dirtiest seas in the world and the reasons for this situation. After reviewing them, you can make a choice in favor of a holiday on a particular coast.
Why can't we pinpoint exactly?
Scientists monitor the state of the seas at different points. For example, the same sea can have different degrees of pollution on parts of the coast that are quite remote from each other. This situation is caused by the presence of industrial complexes on the coast, the development of ports and the state of recreation areas.
And also sometimes on various ships there are accidents with the release of oil or other substances. This situation can happen both near the coast and in the open sea. If an accident occurs, the level of sea pollution increases several times.
Environmentalists also monitorthe safety of one or another type of underwater inhabitants. If the population of a single species noticeably decreases in a short period, then this indicates a deterioration in the ecological state of the reservoir.
Mediterranean
This sea is the dirtiest in the world. This conclusion was reached by most scientists from different countries. A particularly deplorable state is observed off the coast of France, Spain, Italy in the locations of large ports.
According to statistics, about 400 tons of oil products are drained here for various reasons. Also, more than 2,000 items fall to the bottom, which are dumped accidentally or on purpose.
Plastic waste is considered especially hazardous. They remain at the bottom for many years in the same form as they got. Thus, the amount of pollution in these places only increases, because the plastic does not rot and does not decompose.
For example, tuna and swordfish accumulate such a dangerous substance as mercury. Therefore, it is impossible to catch seafood in such places, and even more so to eat them.
Gulf of Finland
Which sea is the dirtiest? This question sooner or later arises in the head of every tourist who plans a vacation near the water. The B altic Sea is not clean. This is due to the fact that industrial enterprises of developed countries are located almost along its entire coast.
The B altic countries are proud of their standard of living, but it is achieved thanks to the work of a huge number of complexes that harm the environment. All production waste is often discardedat sea.
According to research by scientists in the B altic Sea, the level of mercury and other substances hazardous to human he alth just rolls over. Therefore, eating fish from these regions may also pose a risk to populations from different countries.
Black Sea
This reservoir is considered the most popular for recreation in the post-Soviet space. But according to statistics, it is the dirtiest sea in Russia. Many European rivers flow into it and carry in their waters the waste of thousands of industrial enterprises.
Also, the Kerch accident, which occurred in 2007, also affected pollution. The Black Sea has poor water exchange due to the discrepancy between the water intake area and its total surface. Approximate ratio 1:6. Thus, the water exchange rate is extremely low and the self-cleaning capacity is in line with these parameters.
At the bottom of the Black Sea in many places there are deposits of hydrogen sulfide. In the warm season, due to high temperatures, it rises and more water pollution occurs.
Resorts on the Black Sea
Not many tourists know that settlements that are located in the coastal zone often become the culprits of pollution. In most cases, the sewer systems are very outdated, especially in the private sector, and household waste is dumped directly into the sea.
This situation is especially acute off the coast of Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. Every year environmentalists in these regions observe a deterioration in the situation and note that insoon swimming in local resorts will simply be dangerous.
Caspian
Where is the dirtiest sea? This question is rather difficult to answer, because the rapid development of industry contributes to the pollution of almost all water bodies in the world. But the Caspian Sea occupies a leading position in the ranking under discussion.
This body of water has no connection with any ocean. But the oil industry is actively working here. Therefore, one very serious accident at such an enterprise will be enough and the Caspian mine will turn into a “dead one”.
Already now, due to waste emissions, not only underwater inhabitants suffer, but also birds that actively nest on the shores of this sea. Ecologists have been sounding the alarm about this for a long time and note that some species are disappearing at a tremendous rate.
South China
Which sea is the dirtiest in the world? In the Southern Hemisphere, the leader in this ranking is the South China Sea. It gradually turns into a "sink hole". This is due to the lightning-fast development of industry in China.
And also the very large population in Asian countries makes it impossible to cope with purification systems and often household and sewer waste is directly discharged into the water.
A large number of ports that do not meet environmental standards meet ships from all over the world. Ships often release oil products and other hazardous substances.
This situation is also observed due to the rapid development of the tourism business in these regions. Guests are attracted by low prices for vacations on local coasts. Vacationers do not always keep cleanliness and leave heaps of garbage on the beaches.
Locals "do not bother" and dump this waste directly into the water. Probably, almost no one worries about the environment in these regions.
Environmentalists consider industry and tourists to be the main problem of sea pollution. They note that few countries monitor waste emissions from enterprises. And also, according to scientists, ordinary plastic bottles and plastic bags can destroy most of the populations of fish and other inhabitants of the seas.
These materials have been at the bottom for many hundreds of years and are not subject to splitting. Thus, in a few decades, the bottom of the seas will simply be strewn with them. Every tourist, leaving behind garbage on the shore or throwing it into the sea, should think about the fact that his children or grandchildren will soon have nowhere to relax and swim.
And the governments of all countries should take care of cleaning systems in enterprises and strictly follow through legislation on compliance with environmental regulations. Resort areas should worry about the future of their development and overhaul their sewer systems.
Only in this way can we stop a huge environmental problem and leave more or less clean water bodies to our descendants.
