China's nearshore seawater quality degrading

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China's nearshore seawater pollution is still severe and its seawater quality degraded in 2012. [File photo]

China's nearshore seawater is still severely polluted and its seawater quality decreased in 2012, according to data issued Wednesday by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

Nearly 68,000 square km of nearshore seawater received the lowest quality grade possible last year, 24,000 square km more than in 2011, the SOA said.

Nearshore waters totaling 170,000 km failed to reach the quality level necessary for marine fishery and natural reserves, the SOA said.

About 19,000 square km of nearshore seawater was affected by eutrophication, a process in which water bodies receive excess nutrients that stimulate the excessive growth of plants, such as algae and nuisance weeds, the SOA said.

According to a seawater quality communique issued by the SOA last year, China's territorial waters are generally in good condition, with 94 percent of the waters receiving the highest quality grade.

"However, nearshore seawater pollution is still severe," said SOA spokesman Shi Qingfeng.

Oceanic accidents like oil and hazardous chemical spills have aggravated the quality of the seawater, Shi said.

According to the communique, 81 percent of China's coastal estuaries and gulfs are sub-healthy or unhealthy.

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