Coastal and marine pollution
It is known that coastal areas are among the most sensitive zones around the world. The coast of Bangladesh is known as a zone of multiple vulnerabilities due to various forms of pollution which made the whole coastal and marine environment vulnerable.
Coastal and marine water pollution in this region is mainly due to direct discharge from ships and other marine activities, direct discharges from rivers, waste oil, indirect discharge from terrestrial activities, untreated effluents from establishments like hotels, waste dumping from other countries, surface run-off and drainage from port areas, open dumping of solid waste domestic and industrial effluent discharges through outfalls and various contaminants from ships. Marine pollution also arises from sea-based activities, including marine transportation and offshore mineral exploration and production activities. In the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh, it is estimated that about 6,000 tonnes of crude oil are spilled a year and crude oil residue and wastewater effluents from land-based refineries amount to about 50,000 tonnes per year.
Such types of pollution are very detrimental to the marine ecosystem. Crude oil makes a layer on water surface which protects the penetration of sunlight. As a result, the dissolved oxygen (DO) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) declines dramatically. Finally, a number of marine species are affected seriously including their respiratory activities. Coastal pollution has an effect on sand dune vegetation and fauna. It also changes the soil properties of the coast areas.
Ocean use licensing, total pollutant limit, controlling pollution from ships and ocean disposal of solid waste, proper management of agro-chemicals and domestic waste, proper management of industrial waste including ship breaking industries etc. are some important solutions to coastal and marine pollution.
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