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 several of the dirtiest seas have been identified, the situation in which, from an environmental point of view, is getting worse every year. So scientists say.
The article presents the rating of the dirtiest seas in the world and the reasons for this situation. Having become acquainted with them, you can make a choice in favor of relaxing on a particular coast.
Why is it impossible to determine exactly?
Scientists monitor the state of the seas at different points in it. For example, the same sea can have varying degrees of pollution on fairly remote parts of the coast. This situation is caused by the presence of industrial complexes on the coast, the arrangement of ports and the condition 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 offshore and on the high seas. If an accident occurs, the level of sea pollution increases several times.
Environmentalists also monitor the safety of a species of underwater inhabitants. If the population of a single species decreases markedly 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 is the conclusion reached by most scientists from different countries. A particularly deplorable state is observed off the coast of France, Spain, and Italy at the locations of large ports.
According to statistics, about 400 tons of oil products merge here for various reasons. Also, more than 2,000 items fall into the bottom, which are dumped by accident or on purpose.
Plastic waste is considered especially hazardous. They remain for many years at the bottom in the same form as they hit. Thus, the amount of pollution in these places is only growing, because the plastic does not decay and does not decompose.
For example, tuna and swordfish accumulate such a dangerous substance as mercury. Therefore, seafood cannot be caught in such places, and even less so.
The Gulf of Finland
Which sea is the dirtiest? This question sooner or later arises in the head of every tourist who plans to relax near the water. The Baltic Sea is not clean. This is due to the fact that almost all along its coast industrial enterprises of developed countries are located.
The Baltic countries are proud of their standard of living, but it is achieved through the work of a huge number of complexes that harm the ecology. All industrial waste is often discharged into the sea.
According to research by scientists in the Baltic Sea, the level of mercury and other substances hazardous to human health is just going through the roof. Therefore, eating fish from these regions can also be a risk to people from different countries.
Black Sea
This pond 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 the wastes of thousands of industrial enterprises in their waters.
The Kerch accident that occurred in 2007 also affected pollution. The Black Sea has poor water exchange due to the mismatch between the water intake area and its total surface. Approximate ratio 1: 6. Thus, the water exchange rate is extremely low and the ability to self-clean corresponds to these parameters.
At the bottom of the Black Sea in many of its places are deposits of hydrogen sulfide. In the warm season, due to high temperatures, it rises up and there is even greater pollution of the water.
Black Sea Resorts
Not many tourists know that the settlements that are in the coastal zone often become the culprits of pollution. In most cases, sewer systems are very outdated, especially in the private sector, and domestic waste is discharged directly into the sea.
This situation is especially acute off the coast of Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. Environmentalists every year in these regions observe a worsening situation and note that soon 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 communication with any ocean. But the oil industry is actively working here. Therefore, one very serious accident at such an enterprise will suffice and mine Caspian will turn into a "dead".
Already, not only underwater inhabitants, but also birds, which actively nest on the shores of this sea, suffer from waste emissions. Ecologists have long been sounding the alarm about this and note that some species are disappearing at a tremendous speed.
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 "stock pit." This is due to the lightning-fast development of industry in China.
And also a very large population in Asian countries makes it impossible to cope with purification systems and often household and sewage waste is directly discharged into the water.
A large number of ports that do not comply with environmental standards are met by ships from around the world. Often, ships release petroleum 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 holidays on local coasts. Not always vacationers monitor the cleanliness and leave heaps of garbage on the beaches.
Local residents "do not bother" and dump this waste directly into the water. Probably almost no one worries about the environment in these regions.
Environmentalists consider the main problem of pollution of the seas - industry and tourists. They note that few countries monitor waste emissions from enterprises. And also, according to scientists, most plastic fish and plastic bags can destroy most of the fish populations and other inhabitants of the seas.
These materials have been at the bottom for hundreds of years and cannot be split. Thus, after several decades, the bottom of the seas will simply be strewn with them. Every tourist, leaving trash on the shore or throwing it into the sea, should think that his children or grandchildren will soon have nowhere to relax and swim.
And the governments of all countries should worry about purification systems at 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 the huge environmental problem and leave our descendants with more or less clean reservoirs.