Environmental Impact of Water Pollution in Penang

Water pollution has severely impacted Penang's marine ecosystems. Coral reefs around the island have experienced bleaching and degradation due to increased water temperatures, sedimentation, and chemical pollutants.

Studies have shown a 35% decline in coral cover around Penang over the past decade, with areas near coastal developments showing the most significant damage.

The waters around Penang were once rich in marine biodiversity, but pollution has led to significant declines in fish populations and other marine life. Local fishermen report catching fewer species and smaller fish compared to previous decades.

Sensitive species such as seahorses and certain reef fish have become increasingly rare in local waters, indicating a deteriorating ecosystem health.

Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage has led to harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Penang's coastal waters. These blooms deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.

The frequency of HABs has increased by 60% in the past five years, with particularly severe incidents reported near Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi.

Mangrove forests, critical for coastal protection and as nurseries for marine life, have been affected by pollution and development. Penang has lost approximately 40% of its mangrove coverage since the 1980s.

Pollutants, particularly heavy metals and plastics, accumulate in mangrove sediments, affecting the health of these ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

Pollutants such as heavy metals and persistent organic compounds accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms and become concentrated as they move up the food chain, a process known as bioaccumulation.

Studies of fish in Penang's markets have found concerning levels of mercury, lead, and other contaminants in larger predatory fish, posing risks to both marine ecosystems and human consumers.