Pollution resulting from coastal development, industrial waste and agriculture appears to have a negative impact on sea turtle habitat.

Runoff of high levels of nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium can wash into adjacent marine waters, creating algal blooms that damage seagrass beds and coral reefs. Increased sedimentation from degraded rivers and coastlines can smother important feeding habitats.

Many green turtles in parts of the world, including parts of Australia, and the United States have contracted a potentially deadly disease called Green Turtle Fibropapilloma. This disease may be linked to poor water quality.