Discharges to the sea
Book chapter, 2016

In this chapter, various environmental issues from the shipping industry which ends up in the oceans are described. Oil pollution, wastewater, antifouling paint, ballast water and litter are all described in detail. Various sources of oil pollution exist, ranging from large accidents to small continuous leakages from, e.g., propeller shaft bearings. The behaviour of oil when it enters the sea can differ, ultimately affecting the environment. Wastewater from ships is divided into sewage and grey water, and different regulations can affect their characteristics. Fouling on ship hulls affects the drag on the ship, which increases fuel consumption when maintaining a constant speed. The various antifouling paints used today to combat fouling are described herein, and a review of the environmental implications of using these paints is provided. Ballast water contains organisms that can become invasive if released into a new geographical area. Invasive species can entail costs on the order of millions of euros. Finally, litter is discussed in this chapter. Litter is deposited in the ocean via several sources and can affect organisms over long periods of time. Plastic causes the largest litter-related problem because it does not biodegrade; such material only becomes smaller, ultimately reaching a microplastic state. Henee, litter can affect organisms in different ways.

Ballast water

Fouling organisms

Wastewater

Oil pollution

Invasive species

Litter

Antifouling

Accidental spills

Operational spills

Author

Fredrik Lindgren

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Magda Wilewska-Bien

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Lena Granhag

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Karin Andersson

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Martin Eriksson

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Shipping and the Environment: Improving Environmental Performance in Marine Transportation

125-168
9783662490457 (ISBN)

Subject Categories

Ecology

DOI

10.1007/978-3-662-49045-7_4

ISBN

9783662490457

More information

Created

10/7/2017