nia:
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy
blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to
deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of
Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake
Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens
drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant
without adequate (IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systems

Aruba:
NA

Ashmore and Cartier Islands:
NA

Atlantic Ocean:
endangered marine species include the manatee,
seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is
hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to
international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US,
southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean
Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North
Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea,
North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea

Australia:
soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,
urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due
to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for
agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique
animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast
coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by
increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited
natural fresh water resources

Austria:
some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution;
soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air
pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power
stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria
between northern and southern Europe

Azerbaijan:
local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi
(Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian
Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because
of severe air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results
from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants
used in the production of cotton

Bahamas, The:
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Bahrain:
desertification resulting from the degradation of limited
arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal
degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea veget