Through this monitoring, scientists found chemicals that do not naturally occur in Statia waters. These substances originate from everyday activities, including the use of boat paint, fuel spills, cleaning agents, and materials or chemicals from the land washed into the sea during periods of heavy rainfall. Once introduced into the marine environment, these chemicals can settle into the sediment (sand and dirt) on the sea floor. Corals, fish, and shellfish can absorb these chemicals. This affects how they grow. The chemicals build up over time and move through the food chain.
Additionally, our wastewater affects our water quality. Even though wastewater is not a human-made chemical itself, it can become toxic as residues of medicines we consume often end up in the environment as well.
This poses risks not only to ecosystems but also to our island community, as these chemicals possibly end up on our plate.
