WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao is facing emerging pollution concentration zones along its northwest coast, according to a new scientific study conducted by the University of Ljubljana and international research partners, recently published in the journal Ocean Science.

Using an advanced ocean circulation model, scientists have for the first time accurately mapped how substances from land are dispersed around the island by sea currents.

Westward Currents Transport Pollution

The researchers found that the southern coast of Curaçao generally experiences a westward current pattern, which carries floating debris and pollutants from urban areas toward the northwest coast.

Once there, the particles are slowed by a countercurrent, causing them to accumulate in specific areas. These so-called hotspots largely lie outside the natural flushing zones of the coastline, meaning that pollutants can linger for weeks.

Innovative Ocean Model

The study, led by oceanographer Vesna Bertoncelj, used the new SCARIBOS (South CARIBbean Ocean System) model to simulate high-resolution current patterns around Curaçao from 2020 to 2024.

The model revealed that temporary cyclonic eddies—rotating water movements—play a major role in spreading pollutants. While these eddies sometimes push contaminants away from the coast, they more often trap them near sensitive reef zones.

Vulnerable Area West of Willemstad

The area west of Willemstad was found to be particularly vulnerable. Runoff from urbanized zones combines with the westward current, increasing the likelihood of buildup.

“The southern coast appears relatively protected, but the northwest coast acts as a collection zone for floating substances,” the authors wrote.

According to the study, this dynamic is crucial for managing coral reefs and coastal ecosystems, as nutrient and waste discharges from urban sources follow similar circulation patterns.

Guidance for Policy and Monitoring

The findings offer valuable insights for environmental policy and coastal monitoring. Policymakers can now focus measurement and cleanup efforts on locations where accumulation is most likely to occur.

The researchers emphasize that local pollution does not disperse evenly, but rather forms specific zones of concentration that can cause long-term damage to Curaçao’s marine environment.