A number of observations on the impact of the tsunami on the environment were recorded in the affected countries. These related to both natural as well as man-made aspects of the environment.Solid waste and disaster debris remain the most critical environmental problem faced by the countries. The sheer magnitude of the disaster meant that the volume and nature of the disaster debris was far beyond the coping capacities of the cities and towns that were affected. Disposing these wastes in an environmentally appropriate manner, and recycling the waste where possible (for example, crushing of concrete and brick to produce aggregate for road and building construction) have been identified as critical priorities .Combined with the issue of waste is that of hazardous materials and toxic substances that have been inadvertently mixed up with ordinary debris. These include asbestos, oil fuel, and other industrial raw materials and chemicals. Rapid clean-up of affected areas has also resulted in inappropriate disposal methods, including air burning and open dumping, leading to secondary impacts on the environment.Contamination of soil and water was the second key environmental impact of the tsunami. Salination of water bodies such as rivers, wells, inland lakes, and groundwater aquifers has occurred in many of the affected countries. This has also affected the soil fertility of agricultural lands, due to salination and debris contamination, which will affect yields in the medium and long term. Some water bodies have been contamination by damaged or destroyed septic tanks and toilets, with sewage infiltrating the water supply system.
