Which Atlantic coastal regions have experienced serious marine pollution?

In the Atlantic Ocean, serious marine pollution is most prevalent in poorly mixed coastal waters, particularly those situated near major population centers, industrial hubs, and river mouths.1

According to research, the most polluted locations within the Atlantic and its marginal seas include:

• The Baltic Sea1
• The southern North Sea and the English Channel1
• The northern and eastern portions of the Mediterranean Sea1
• The northeastern coast of the United States1
• The Río de la Plata and the southeastern coast of Brazil1
• The northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea1

Pollution in these areas primarily stems from land-based sources, including untreated or poorly treated sewage, industrial waste such as heavy metals, and agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides. These contaminants can lead to nutrient overloading, which triggers excessive algal growth, depletes oxygen, and harms or exterminates marine life. Additionally, chemically stable compounds like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain a persistent threat due to their resistance to breakdown and their tendency to bioaccumulate in marine organisms.1