Introduction
Over the years, marine pollution in the MENA region has grown more severe with the World Bank estimating that total waste generation is expected to double by 2050 to 255 million tons. It also doesn’t help that the region is also home to one of the world’s fastest eroding coastlines. According to a region-focused World Bank report, coasts have eroded at an average of around 15 centimetres per year, more than double the global average of 7 centimetres per year.
Faced with an impending crisis which has far reaching implications, artificial intelligence has emerged as a viable solution to monitoring these negative impacts and guaranteeing speedy solutions. This article explores the role of AI towards environmental monitoring and how these technological systems can combat marine pollution.
The Environmental Concerns of Marine Pollution in the MENA Region
Marine pollution in the MENA region poses a severe threat with marine-damaged hotspots in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf. Major environmental concerns include:
Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution continues to be a financial burden to countries in the MENA region, costing 0.8% of GDP, on average, yearly. It’s also worth noting that oceans, unlike sea going vessels, are not limited by international borders. This means the plastic pollution in the waters of one nation in the region spills into the oceans of neighboring countries. This triggers a wave of damage to tourism, aquatic life, and human livelihood across the region.
Biodiversity Loss
With rapid plastic pollution, the MENA region is increasingly exposed to biodiversity decline. This is manifested through ingestion of harmful objects by aquatic life resulting in entanglement and harm. Spills from oil infrastructure such as offshore rigs and pipelines, are causing critical damage to mangroves and grassy seabeds.
Human Health Risks
Equally as concerning as the damage to aquatic life. Residents in the MENA region are exposed to harm through the consumption of contaminated seafood loaded with microplastics and heavy metals. This can result in a myriad of health problems, some of which might be difficult to diagnose as causes get more complex to identify.
How Artificial Intelligence can be used for Environmental Monitoring in the MENA Region
The advent of artificial intelligence has led to the introduction of monitoring advancements including the use of satellite data and sensors to track marine pollution in the MENA region. Artificial intelligence can be further deployed in the following ways:
Remote Sensing and Image Analysis
AI algorithms can be used to process satellite and drone data, making it easier to map and identify marine debris and oil spills. This makes cleanups easier and more effective.
Proactive Modelling
A major progress point for environmental monitoring of marine pollution is the ability to anticipate the damage before it gets worse. AI systems can be used to analyze environmental factors and predict pollution events before they happen or expand further into surrounding oceans. This makes mitigating solutions more practical and cuts down on the need to implement rushed plans that will only serve as stop-gaps.
Real-Time Water Quality
AI powered sensors can be used to provide real time data on water quality to notify researchers of any changes in chemical composition. This guarantees a step-up from traditional methods and ensures marine pollution can be fixed in shorter timespans, cutting out the need for months of further research and analysis.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence continues to be a game changer in the environmental landscape. With access to rapid detection systems and the assurance of comprehensive data insights, successful technology integration can reduce the adverse effects of marine pollution in the region and result in long-term environmental sustainability.