Researcher Luu Van Dieu, from the Institute of
Marine Environment and Resources, said cross-border rivers including the Red, Ma
and Ca rivers were major sources of pollutants poured into the gulf.
According to a country report by United Nations
Environment Programme, Vietnam's marine pollution issue dates back to 2004.
Every year since then, the Red River alone brings to the gulf 232,000 tonnes of
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), 353,000 tonnes of chemical oxygen demand (COD),
31,000 tonnes of nitrogen, over 7,000 tonnes of phosphate, over 4,000 tonnes of
heavy metals, 210 tonnes of fertiliser and about 13,000 tonnes of
oil.
BOD and COD are two different ways of measuring
how much oxygen will be depleted from the water. In both cases the
oxygen-consuming substances are mainly of organic origin.
Waste from the river made up 95 percent of the
total pollutants discharged from this part of territory where the river runs
through, the report said.
Dieu said that the stream flowing into the gulf
led the transboundary pollution not just in the countries adjacent to the gulf
and offshore area. There was also evidence of oil spills, marine waste and
pollutants.
It is reported that in the last 25 years, about
140 oil spills occurred in the western region of the gulf. In late January and
early February of 2007, oil spills were seen in coastal areas of the central
provinces Ha Tinh and Quang Binh before spreading to the south. The accumulative
collected oil was more than 1,700 tonnes.
"Up to 77 percent of oil spills in Vietnam's
waters have yet to be dealt with, or properly compensated," Dieu said, adding
that it was due to poor management and insufficient legal framework.
Raised awareness and capacity to manage
transboundary pollution were necessary, he said.
Domestic and international co-operation among
countries and organisations could help minimise the impact of transboundary
pollution, he emphasised
.
Dr Dinh Van Huy from the institute also said
that so far, there were few insightful studies completed on this
issue.
Investing in observation and assessing the
current situation were necessary first steps, he said, adding that the institute
submitted a proposal for requesting funding further research.
More observation stations should be set up
along coastal lines and along the upper parts of rivers, facilitating a proper
data base for assessment of the current situation and forecast changes in the
coastal areas.