Kiera Jefferson
Boating can cause pollution and have a heavy impact on the ocean and its environment. Boat motors that use fuel pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide. Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats, such as solvents, oils, paints and cleansers, may spill into the water, or make their way into waterbodies via runoff. Spilling fuel (gasoline or oil) at marinas or discharging uncombusted fuels from engines also contributes to nonpoint source pollution. In addition, poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats or poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boat motors that use fuel | Pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide |
| Garbage from boats | Ends up in the oceans |
| Larger boats | Cause noise pollution |
| Oil and gas pollution | Both recreational and shipping boats contribute to this |
| Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats | Solvents, oils, paints, and cleansers may spill into the water or make their way into waterbodies via runoff |
| Poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats | Can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water |
What You'll Learn
Boat motors that use fuel pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide
Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats, such as solvents, oils, paints, and cleansers, may spill into the water, or make their way into water bodies via runoff. In addition, poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats or poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water.
Boating can also cause noise pollution, which can be harmful to fish and other marine life. Larger boats, in particular, can cause noise pollution.
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Marinas and boating activities can contribute to nonpoint source pollution
One of the main ways that marinas and boating activities contribute to nonpoint source pollution is through the use of chemicals to maintain and repair boats. Solvents, oils, paints, and cleansers may spill directly into the water or make their way into water bodies via runoff. Spilling fuel (gasoline or oil) at marinas or discharging uncombusted fuels from engines also contributes to nonpoint source pollution. In addition, poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats or poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water.
Another way that boating activities can contribute to nonpoint source pollution is through noise pollution. While noise pollution on land is mostly harmless, it can be harmful to fish and other marine life. Larger boats, in particular, can cause significant noise pollution.
To reduce the impact of boating activities on nonpoint source pollution, it is important to properly maintain boat engines and sanitary waste systems and to avoid spilling chemicals or fuels into the water. Additionally, boaters can reduce trash pollution by never throwing garbage off the side of the boat and by volunteering for garbage cleanup.
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Boating can cause noise pollution
Boat motors that use fuel pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide. Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats, such as solvents, oils, paints and cleansers, may spill into the water or make their way into water bodies via runoff. Spilling fuel (gasoline or oil) at marinas or discharging uncombusted fuels from engines also contributes to water pollution.
Even if you are not leaking oil or gas, you can still contribute to the ocean or other water bodies' oil and gas pollution. One major cause of oil and gas pollution by recreational vehicles is improper engine maintenance.
Poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats or poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water.
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Boats can cause oil and gas pollution in the water
Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats, such as solvents, oils, paints, and cleansers, may spill into the water, or make their way into water bodies via runoff. These chemicals can contaminate the waters around marinas.
Boat motors that use fuel pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide. Individual boats and marinas usually release only small amounts of pollutants. However, when multiplied by thousands of boaters and marinas, they can cause distinct water quality problems in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
Noise pollution is another issue caused by boats. While on land, noise pollution is mostly harmless, in the ocean, it can be harmful to fish and other marine life.
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Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats can spill into the water
Boating can cause pollution and have a heavy impact on the ocean and its environment. Boat motors that use fuel pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide. Even if you are not leaking oil or gas, you can still contribute to the ocean or other water bodies' oil and gas pollution. One major cause of oil and gas pollution by recreational vehicles is improper engine maintenance.
Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats, such as solvents, oils, paints, and cleansers, may spill into the water, or make their way into water bodies via runoff. Spilling fuel (gasoline or oil) at marinas or discharging uncombusted fuels from engines also contribute to nonpoint source pollution. In addition, poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats or poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water.
Furthermore, larger boats can cause noise pollution. Noise pollution can be harmful to fish and other marine life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, boats can cause pollution.
Boat motors that use fuel pollute by emitting gases and carbon dioxide. They can also cause noise pollution. Chemicals used to maintain and repair boats, such as solvents, oils, paints, and cleansers, may spill into the water, or make their way into waterbodies via runoff.
Never throw trash of any kind off the side of your boat. Try to use reusable bags, water bottles, and other items. Volunteering for garbage cleanup can also reduce trash pollution in the ocean and our other bodies of water.
Poorly maintained sanitary waste systems aboard boats or poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas can significantly increase bacteria and nutrient levels in the water.
