The Top 10’s in question – conveyor garbage

It’s usually nice to be in the top 10 but when it comes to the dirtiest rivers, there should not be a top 10 at all.

Those living far away from the sea might think that their garbage remains at a safe distance from the ocean. Not even close! Ninety percent of the sea’s pollution that hit the seas are from far away parts of the country. The aqueous garbage conveyors discharge up to 4 million plastic waste into the sea each year. This corresponds to a weight of 400 Eiffel towers.

There is no question that the littering of the oceans is not a blemish. It poisons this important habitat and becomes the source of death for the sea creatures. According to estimates, about 700 species of marine animals have already taken in plastic particles. The effects on the ocean are numerous: micro particles in sea salt and in zooplankton, which potentiates through zooplankton in the subsequent food chain; Seabirds, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, etc, with plastic-filled stomachs that die cruelly; Animals that tangled in plastic and are doomed to die … the list is long.

The rivers, which are on the top 10 list of polluters, are moving through East and South Asia and Africa. And here are the dirtiest flows in the name with the respective rank number of the top 10 called:

East Asia: Yangtze River (1) – Yellow River (3) – Hai He (4) – Pearl River (7) – Amur / Heilong Jiang (8) – Mekong (10)

South Asia: Indus (2) – Ganges (6) Africa: Nile (5) – Niger (9)

These rivers meander through the densely populated areas of China, Pakistan, India, Africa, Kombadshas and also Russia. With the exception of the Amur, all others share the factor of high population density. The resulting exploding industrialisation, lack of sewage systems and a lack of recycling contribute to the conspiring situation.

In need is also the opportunity! If sustainable behavior could be implemented at these sources of pollution, the sea could be greatly relieved. In Australia, large garbage collecting nets are being tested at river intake points. Could this be a promising measure? Without question, education, awareness of sustainability and efficient recycling comes first.

By Fatima Kutzschbach