La marine pollution by synthetic chemicals has become a global concern affecting aquatic ecosystems, as these pollutants have been detected from the coasts to the open ocean.
International research has shown that these artificial compounds are present in seawater, affecting even regions far from the shore.
A recent study, published in Nature Geoscience, confirms the widespread presence of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial additives in the ocean.
The University of California in Riverside led an analysis of more than 2,300 water samples from various parts of the world, including reefs and open ocean areas in the Pacific, Indian, and North Atlantic Oceans.
The study reveals that at least 248 synthetic compounds make up the dissolved organic matter in the sea, representing about 2% of the global chemical signal, with higher concentrations near the coasts.
In areas near the shore, where urban, agricultural, and industrial waste converge, these pollutants can constitute up to 20% of the dissolved organic matter.
The concentration of these chemicals decreases with distance from the shore but persists in the open ocean, where 1% of these compounds are detected.
Among the substances identified are products from the plastic, cosmetics, and personal care industries, present in almost all the environments analyzed. Pesticides and pharmaceuticals are more frequent near human activity.
An innovation of the study is the ability to accurately measure these pollutants using new analytical techniques, which could significantly improve global monitoring.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights chemical pollution as an emerging challenge for the oceans, alongside climate change and acidification.
The persistence of these chemicals raises questions about their long-term effects on marine biodiversity, with reports suggesting alterations in biological processes and bioaccumulation in the food chain.
Experts advocate for improved international monitoring, more effective waste management, and the adoption of safer production models.
The ocean, once seen as a system capable of absorbing impacts, is showing its limits, highlighting the urgent need for action.
