Tackling nitrogen pollution in the Maldives

18 August 2024

As part of a major environmental effort, environmental economist Dr. Olivia Rendón from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is visiting the Maldives this August to support a programme led by the Maldives National University in partnership with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and University of Edinburgh, to address the growing issue of nitrogen pollution on the island nation's delicate marine ecosystems.
 
Funded through UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) ‘Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Programme’, the initiative will take a comprehensive approach, working at the policy level to develop a national action plan on nitrogen management, while also engaging with local stakeholders, integrating an understanding of nitrogen pollution into education, and piloting a number of studies into how nitrogen is impacting coral reefs. Dr Rendón will also be working with the Maldives Resilient Reefs organization, an NGO dedicated to restoring Maldivian coral reefs.

 

"The impacts of nitrogen pollution on the marine environment is a major issue for the Maldives. 99% of their territory is actually ocean, and they have a high dependence on coral reefs for their economy and also for local livelihoods," explains Dr. Rendón. "By dealing with the nitrogen pollution that's happening in the Maldives, we will hopefully help relieve this problem and improve the situation for local people in the country".
 
The project builds on previous scientific work done by PML, including through the South Asia Nitrogen Hub, and will take a collaborative approach, engaging with key stakeholders such as island councils, women's committees, and farmer’s groups across three different islands.
 
"We're really excited because we're going out there to meet stakeholders, both in the government at national level and also local stakeholders in the islands. It’s very important for us before we start the project to engage with them and make sure that they're on board with the initiatives that are undertaken," says Dr. Rendón.
 

Q&A with Dr. Olivia Rendón:

How does nitrogen pollution impact the marine ecosystems in the Maldives?
Nitrogen is a component that we need in the natural cycles but when it's in an excess it can cause a lot of problems. Nitrogen pollution creates hypoxic environments, or low levels of oxygen, in the marine ecosystems. This can eventually cause diseases and death of coral reefs, seagrasses, and other marine life - even leading to what is known as “dead zones”. High nitrogen levels also have implications for the health of human and other animals.
 
What are the key sources of nitrogen pollution in the Maldives?
The main sources of nitrogen pollution in the Maldives are land-based, such as sewage, agriculture, industry, and municipal sources, which are going straight into the ocean. There has been a high rate of increase in tourism, which is great for the economy, but unfortunately it's causing increased sewage. There are also agricultural islands in the Maldives with excess nitrogen being used, and all the excess nitrogen ends up leaching into the groundwater and eventually into the marine environment.
 
What are some of the key initiatives planned as part of this project?
The project has several components. We'll be working at the policy level to develop a national action plan on nitrogen management. We'll also be integrating nitrogen knowledge into school curricula and universities, as well as conducting research on the impacts of nitrogen on coral reefs. Specifically, as an environmental economist, I'll be looking at how people trade off different options for managing nitrogen pollution, comparing nature-based solutions versus more top-down approaches.
 
Why is stakeholder engagement so important for this project?
Stakeholder engagement is crucial because the local people are the ones who know their environment best and will be living with the outcomes of this project. We've found that a lot of people are not even aware of the problem of nitrogen pollution, as it's an "invisible" issue. By engaging with the island councils, women's committees, farmer groups, and other local stakeholders, we can raise awareness, get them involved in the project, and empower them to make the best decisions for their islands and communities.
 
How has your personal background and experience influenced your involvement in this project?
As an environmental economist who grew up in a developing country, this project is very personal for me. I've seen these types of environmental issues firsthand, and I find it extremely important to help countries like the Maldives, which are small island developing states, to deal with these problems. The Maldives' economy and local livelihoods are heavily dependent on the health of their marine ecosystems, and nitrogen pollution is threatening that. I'm passionate about using my expertise to help raise awareness, offer solutions, and empower the local communities to take action.
 
What are your hopes for the long-term impact of this project in the Maldives?
Ultimately, my hope is that the Maldivian people will become fully aware of the threats posed by nitrogen pollution and that they will actively support and participate in the initiatives to reduce this pollution. I would like to see the Maldives adopt sustainable nitrogen management practices, reduce the pollution in their oceans, and implement more nature-based solutions. If we can pilot successful projects, such as converting sewage into usable fertilizer on the islands, I believe we can set the Maldives on a path towards clean and healthy oceans that support their economy and local livelihoods.
 
 

Related information

United Nations Environment Programme

The Maldives National University

Global Environment Facility

Maldives Resilient Reefs 

South Asia Nitrogen Hub

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