The two biggest factors causing water pollution worldwide are industrial discharges and agricultural runoff. Meanwhile, oil spills, despite their significant media attention, only account for a small share of water pollution.
Distribution of factors causing water pollution worldwide as of 2023
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Nature. (March 29, 2024). Distribution of factors causing water pollution worldwide as of 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552335/causes-of-water-pollution-worldwide/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Nature. "Distribution of factors causing water pollution worldwide as of 2023." Chart. March 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed March 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552335/causes-of-water-pollution-worldwide/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Nature. (2024). Distribution of factors causing water pollution worldwide as of 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552335/causes-of-water-pollution-worldwide/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Nature. "Distribution of Factors Causing Water Pollution Worldwide as of 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552335/causes-of-water-pollution-worldwide/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
Nature, Distribution of factors causing water pollution worldwide as of 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552335/causes-of-water-pollution-worldwide/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed (last visited March 16, 2025)
Distribution of factors causing water pollution worldwide as of 2023 [Graph], Nature, March 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1552335/causes-of-water-pollution-worldwide/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
