Water pollution, involving the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances, poses a significant challenge to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most directly, it affects SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), as it impairs the quality of water making it unsafe for consumption and use, thereby exacerbating water scarcity. It also impacts SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) since polluted water can lead to a variety of health issues, including waterborne diseases and poisoning. Water pollution threatens SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by damaging aquatic ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity. Additionally, it can disrupt livelihoods dependent on these ecosystems, affecting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Furthermore, addressing water pollution requires responsible consumption and production practices (SDG 12) to reduce the discharge of harmful substances into water bodies.
Water, Land, and Forest Susceptibility and Sustainability: Geospatial Approaches and Modeling, Volume 1, 2023, Pages 155-169
Water and Climate Change: Sustainable Development, Environmental and Policy Issues, Volume 1, 1 January 2022
The pollution of the marine environment by solid wastes, either directly introduced into the sea or discharged into the oceans from rivers or pipelines, is considered from the perspective of both their impacts and their regulation. The waste materials covered include dredged material, particulate wastes from sand/gravel extraction, and land reclamation, and industrial wastes including mining wastes, munitions, and plastics/litter.
