It is estimated that 80 per cent of pollutants in the marine environment originate from land. Some of the hazardous substances, such as toxic heavy metals, persistent organic compounds (including pesticides and industrial chemicals), hydrocarbons and radioactive substances released from industrial, agricultural, municipal and mining activities ultimately enter the marine environment through surface water and groundwater.
To assist Member States in addressing coastal and marine pollution, the IAEA has developed a number of science-based tools and techniques that help decision-makers protect the marine environment. The Agency maintains environment laboratories in Monaco and Seibersdorf, Austria, that use nuclear and isotopic techniques to study pollution processes and fingerprint pollutants’ sources.