NUCLEAR AND ISOTOPIC TECHNIQUES FOR MARINE POLLUTION MONITORING A. Introduction

The greatest natural resource on the Planet, the World Ocean is both the origin of most life forms and the source of survival for hundreds of millions of people. Pollution of the oceans was an essential problem of the 20th century that was associated with the rapid industrialization and unplanned occupation of coastal zones It continues to be a concern in the 21st century. The most serious environmental problems encountered in coastal zones are presented by runoff of agricultural nutrients, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants, such as pesticides and plastics. Oil spills from ships and tankers continually present a serious threat to birds, marine life and beaches. Also, many pesticides that are banned in most industrialized countries remain in use today, their trans-boundary pathway of dispersion affecting marine ecosystems the world over. In addition to these problems, ocean dumping of radioactive waste has occurred in the past, and might occur again, with authorised discharges of radioactive substances from nuclear facilities into rivers and coastal areas contributing to the contamination of the marine environment.