CS-4
COVID-19 & Climate Change
Negative Effects
on Hydrosphere
About 8.4 million tons of plastic waste related to COVID-19 quarantine occurred, of which more than 25,900 tons flowed into the sea. Such waste can negatively affect the coastal environment. Waste such as disposable masks and gloves discarded on the coast deteriorates the appearance of the coast. In addition, microplastics and toxic substances produced by decomposition of waste can cause damage to various organisms.
The inflow of domestic sewage, as well as illegally dumped quarantine products and disposable products, also contributed to coastal environmental pollution. In some areas, domestic sewage flowed out of the capacity of the sewage treatment plant, and sewage was discharged to the coast as it was. Therefore, the quality of seawater deteriorated due to sewage that did not filter enough pollutants
The increased use of disinfectants and treatments is also one of the reasons for the deterioration of the coastal environment. In coastal seawater, the concentration of harmful compounds, which are their components, is higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. This can have a negative impact on marine organisms.