Marine pollution

Abstract

Pollution is a big problem that has impact on all of the planet's ecosystems, including the oceans. Economic developement has been most active In coastal zones, putting enormous pressure on coastal ecosystems. Marine pollution has Increased throughout the world, mainly due to direct discharges from rivers, increased surface run-off and drainage from expanding port areas, oil spills and other contaminants from shipping and domestic and industrial effluent. Most of the world's wastes-some 20 billion tonnes of it a year-end up in the sea, often without any preliminary processing.