Water pollution by plastic materials and its
environmental effects
Completion period of this study: from 22/2/2025 to 15/3/2025.
Abstract:
Plastic pollution of water is a prominent global environmental issue. In modern
times, plastic has become a major pollutant of fresh and salt water, significantly
affecting the ecosystem, human health, and riverine life. In the cities of Al
Musayyab and Al-Saddah, the main problem of plastic accumulation in water
bodies (such as rivers and ponds) is its negative effects on the environment and the
health of living organisms, including humans. This pollution causes deterioration
of water quality and destruction of ecological habitats, as well as negative impacts
on river life and biodiversity. In some cases, waste is illegally dumped on river
banks and pond edges. This not only contributes to water pollution, but also leads
to soil and air pollution. This research explores the causes of this problem and its
impacts on the environment and public health, and suggests potential solutions to
mitigate the problem. Through improved infrastructure, better plastic waste
management, public awareness, and law enforcement, this problem can be
effectively addressed to improve the overall quality of life for local residents and
visitors.
Key words: Al-Musayyab and Al-Saddah cities, Plastic pollution, riverine life,
SDGs.
Introduction:
The accumulation of plastic waste along the banks of rivers, canals and streams,
and its failure to remove and improper disposal, such as burning, is a growing
environmental problem that has profound impacts on public health and the
surrounding ecosystem [1]. Plastic waste management has become one of the
greatest challenges in urban areas, where drinking and irrigation water sources
such as rivers and canals are often flooded with plastic waste that is improperly
disposed of, leading to significant environmental and health risks [2]. This is
particularly evident in the cities of Al-Musayyab and Al-Saddah
,
where the
accumulation of plastic waste along the banks of rivers and streams, along with its
illegal burning, poses serious threats to the environment and the well-being of
those living and passing through the area. This research aims to explore the
underlying causes of this problem and its environmental and health impacts,
and propose practical solutions to address it.
This study addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
1-Goal 6
: Clean water and sanitation
:
:
Objective: To ensure availability and sustainable management of clean water
and sanitation for all; Water pollution by plastics affects the quality of
drinking water and increases the risk of waterborne diseases. Therefore,
reducing water plastic pollution contributes to keeping water sources clean
and improving public health.
2-Goal 12
: Responsible consumption and production
:
Objective: To ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns;
Reducing the consumption of non-biodegradable plastics and encouraging
recycling or the use of sustainable alternatives contributes to reducing plastic
pollution. Sustainable environmental practices can also be promoted by
encouraging the reduction of plastic waste.
3-Goal 13
: Climate action. Objective:
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects; Water pollution
by plastics affects the environment in general and can contribute to changing
the river ecosystem, which exacerbates the effects of climate change.
Therefore, reducing plastic pollution contributes to protecting the
environment and climate.
4-Goal 14
: Life below water
:
Objective: Conserve, protect and use seas, rivers and marine and river
resources for sustainable development; Plastics pose a major threat to marine
and river life and affect marine and river biodiversity. This objective focuses
2
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on reducing plastic pollution of seas and rivers to conserve marine and river
life.
5- Goal 15: Life on land:
Objective: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use and management of
terrestrial ecosystems; Plastic pollution of water not only affects marine and
freshwater environments, but can also reach land through rivers and streams.
Reducing plastic pollution of water helps protect terrestrial environments
and integrated ecosystems.
These goals contribute to addressing the challenges of water pollution by plastic
materials through a set of sustainable environmental policies that aim to preserve
the environment and human health.
Problem core:
The main problem is the accumulation of plastic in water bodies (such as rivers
and oceans) and its negative impacts on the environment and the health of living
organisms, including humans. This pollution causes deterioration in water quality,
destruction of ecological habitats, and negative impacts on marine life and
biodiversity. The lack of waste management infrastructure exacerbates the
problem, as waste accumulates and causes further environmental degradation.
Furthermore, rapid population growth and urbanization have exacerbated the
problem, leading to increased waste production and straining disposal systems.
The key dimensions of this problem include:
1- Accumulation of plastic in the oceans: Many quantities of plastic, such as
bags and bottles, accumulate in oceans and rivers, where they remain for
years without decomposing, posing a threat to marine life.
2- Threats to marine life: Plastics pose a risk to marine organisms that ingest or
become entangled in them, leading to injury or death.
3- Impact on ecosystems: The effects of plastic pollution in water extend to the
terrestrial environment via rivers and waterways, contributing to the
destruction of ecosystems and affecting the health of organisms that depend
on these environments.
4- Difficulty in disposal and recycling: Many plastics cannot be effectively
recycled, increasing environmental pollution and making it difficult to
address.
5- Human health effects: Plastics may contain toxic substances, such as
phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA), which can leach into water and affect
human health when consumed.
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(a)
(b)
Figure: Plastic waste accumulation: a) in the Bani Hassan River in Al-Saddah city, b) in a water
channel in Musayyab city.
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Types of plastic pollution in water:
1- Microplastics: These are tiny plastic particles (less than 5 millimeters in
size) that come from larger plastics breaking down or are intentionally
produced for use in products like facial scrubs and cleaning agents [2,3].
They are nearly impossible to remove and pose a significant threat to aquatic
organisms.
2- Macroplastics: These include larger plastic items such as bottles, bags,
fishing nets, and other debris that can be visibly seen in water bodies [4,5].
These plastics tend to break down over time into smaller particles but can
persist for hundreds of years.
Causes of water pollution by plastic:
Water pollution by plastics, often referred to as “plastic pollution”, is a growing
environmental problem with multiple causes. The main causes include:
1. Poor waste disposal: Great amounts of plastic waste enter water bodies as a
result of poor waste management. Inadequate disposal systems, especially
in developing countries, lead to improper disposal of plastic, which often
ends up in rivers, lakes, and streams.
2. Single-use plastics: Items such as plastic bottles, straws, bags, and
packaging are used only once and then discarded. These products are
lightweight and easily carried by wind or water to nearby water sources
such as ponds and small rivers.
3. Microplastics: These are tiny plastic particles (less than 5 mm in size) that
result from the decomposition of larger plastics or are intentionally
produced for use in products such as cosmetics, cleaning products, and
synthetic fabrics. Microplastics easily migrate into water, polluting
ecosystems even in remote areas.
4. Industrial Waste: Factories and manufacturing plants often dump plastic
waste directly into water bodies or through wastewater from landfills. This
type of pollution can include large plastics or smaller plastic fibers that leak
into the environment.
5. Fishing Gear: Lost or discarded fishing nets, lines, and other equipment
significantly contribute to ocean plastic pollution. These materials often
continue to trap marine life, harming aquatic ecosystems.
6. Rainwater Runoff: During heavy rainfall, plastics are washed from streets
and urban areas into nearby rivers, lakes, and ponds. Densely populated
cities often experience significant plastic runoff due to the accumulation of
large amounts of plastic waste in public spaces.
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7. Waste from Tourism and Recreational Activities: Popular tourist
destinations, especially coastal areas, often suffer from plastic waste due to
human activities such as beachgoers leaving litter and the widespread use of
disposable plastics for convenience.
8. Plastic Manufacturing and Packaging: The production of plastic products
and packaging materials, particularly for consumer goods, results in waste
from production processes. Sometimes, these plastics end up in water
bodies if they are not recycled or disposed of properly.
The combined effect of these factors leads to widespread plastic pollution in
our aquatic systems, harming aquatic life, disrupting ecosystems, and
impacting human health.
Environmental impacts of plastic pollution:
1- Harm to river life (illustrated in the figure below): Many rivers and marine
animals, such as fish, sea turtles, and birds, mistake plastic debris for food.
Ingesting plastic can lead to blockages, malnutrition, and even death.
Ingested plastic can also accumulate toxins in an organism's body, leading to
long-term health problems [4].
2- Entanglement: Large plastic objects, such as fishing nets and hexagonal
fishing rings, can entangle marine animals, restricting their movement,
causing injury, or leading to death [3]. This is particularly harmful to marine
mammals such as seals and whales, which may become trapped or
suffocated.
3- Chemical pollutants: Plastic in water can absorb harmful chemicals, such as
pesticides, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants. These toxic
chemicals can leach into the water, affecting the entire food chain [3]. When
aquatic organisms ingest plastic, the toxins are passed up the food chain,
potentially affecting humans who consume seafood.
4- Ecosystem Disruption: Plastic waste can alter natural habitats, such as coral
reefs and seabed environments, disrupting the delicate balance of these
ecosystems. Plastic can smother coral reefs, block sunlight from reaching
organisms that depend on it, and impact biodiversity [4].
5- Spread of invasive species: Plastic can serve as floating platforms for
invasive species, which can attach to the waste and carry it to new areas.
This can introduce invasive species into sensitive ecosystems, potentially
competing with native species and disrupting the local environment [5].
6- Aesthetic and recreational impacts: The presence of plastic waste in water
bodies reduces the aesthetic value of natural landscapes, impacting tourism
and recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming [2,4]. This
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can have economic consequences for communities that rely on tourism and
recreation.
7- Long-term effects:
a) Persistence in the Environment: Plastic does not biodegrade; instead, it
photodegrades when exposed to sunlight, breaking down into smaller and
smaller pieces over time. However, it can take hundreds to thousands of
years for plastic to fully degrade, making it a long-term environmental threat
[1,4].
b) Impact on Human Health: As microplastics enter the food chain, they may
eventually be consumed by humans. Studies have found microplastics in
seafood, drinking water, and even in the air, raising concerns about potential
long-term health impacts. Although the full extent of the health risks is still
under research, plastics may release harmful chemicals that can cause
hormonal imbalances, developmental issues, and other health concerns [2].
Solutions to plastic pollution in water:
• Reducing Plastic Production and Consumption: One of the most effective
ways to combat plastic pollution is to reduce the production and use of
single-use plastics. Encouraging alternatives such as reusable materials,
biodegradable options, and better waste management systems can
significantly decrease plastic waste entering waterways.
• Improved Waste Management: Governments and organizations can improve
waste collection and recycling systems, ensuring plastics are properly
disposed of and not discarded into the environment. This also involves
increasing the efficiency of recycling programs to prevent plastics from
reaching landfills and water bodies.
• Clean-Up Efforts: Large-scale efforts such as beach clean-ups, river clean
ups, and the development of technologies like the rivers Cleanup Project aim
to remove plastics from the rivers and waterways. However, these are only
short-term solutions and will not address the root cause of plastic pollution.
• Public Awareness and Education: Educating the public about the impacts of
plastic pollution on water systems and encouraging responsible plastic use
and disposal is essential. Consumer awareness can help reduce plastic waste
through better choices in packaging and products.
• Policy and Regulation: Governments can implement policies such as plastic
bans, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and stricter regulations on
plastic production and disposal. International agreements to tackle plastic
pollution on a global scale are also crucial.
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Results:
By implementing these solutions, we expect to see a significant reduction in the
accumulation and illegal dumping of plastic waste along rivers, ponds, and
streams. Improved waste collection systems will result in cleaner water, better air
quality, and healthier living conditions for residents. Increased awareness and
education will likely change waste disposal behaviors and reduce harmful practices
such as waste burning. Furthermore, recycling efforts will help divert plastic waste
from landfills into useful products, reducing harmful plastic waste and contributing
to a more sustainable environment.
Conclusions:
The problem of improper accumulation of plastic waste along riverbanks, canals,
and pond edges in the cities of Al-Musayyab and Al-Saddah is a pressing
environmental concern that requires immediate attention. Through improved waste
management infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of
environmental regulations, and community engagement, this problem can be
effectively addressed. By working together, we can ensure a cleaner and healthier
environment for current and future generations. A collaborative approach that
includes local authorities and the public is crucial to finding long-term solutions to
plastic waste management and achieving environmental sustainability.
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References:
1- MacLeod, Matthew, et al. “The global threat from plastic pollution”,
Science, 373, 6550, 2021: pp. 61-65.
2- Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., and Roser, M., “Plastic pollution”, Our world in
data, 2023.
3- Li, Penghui, et al., “Characteristics of plastic pollution in the environment: a
review”, Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology, 107,
2021, pp. 577-584.
4- Strand, J., Feld, L., Murphy, F., Mackevica, A., & Hartmann, N. B.,
“Analysis of microplastic particles in Danish drinking water”, Aarhus
University, 2018.
5- Mintenig, S. M., Int-Veen, I., Löder, M. G., Primpke, S., & Gerdts, G.,
“Identification of microplastic in effluents of waste water treatment plants
using focal plane array-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging”,
Water research, 108, 2017, pp. 365-372.