Helena Joyce
Marine pollution is a pressing global issue, with a variety of sources contributing to the degradation of ocean ecosystems. One significant contributor is pollution from ocean vessels, which encompasses a range of negative impacts on the marine environment. From plastic waste to oil spills and even noise pollution, the environmental footprint of ocean vessels is extensive. With the continued growth of global shipping traffic, it is crucial to address and mitigate the pollution stemming from these vessels to protect marine life and ecosystems, as well as human health and economic activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine debris | Plastic, derelict fishing gear, abandoned vessels, microplastics, etc. |
| Marine debris sources | Land-based sources, such as littering, poor waste management, storm water discharge, extreme natural events, etc. |
| Ocean pollution sources | Oil spills, fertilizer, sewage discharge, runoff from urbanization, mining, etc. |
| Plastic pollution | Over 75% of all marine debris; 20% of global plastic pollution comes from oceanic sources, with shipping being a key contributor |
| Shipping contribution to plastic pollution | 24% of solid waste generated by vessels worldwide comes from cruise ships |
| Marine life impact | Marine species harmed or killed through ingestion or entanglement; habitats threatened |
| Human impact | Marine debris can interfere with navigation safety and pose a threat to human health |
| Sunken vessels | There are an estimated 3 million sunken and abandoned vessels in the ocean, with over 8,500 classified as potentially polluting wrecks |
| Sunken vessel pollution | Heavy fuel oil, chemical pollutants, unexploded munitions, etc. |
| Regional impacts of wreck pollution | Loss of wildlife populations, damage to coastal and marine ecosystems, threatening food security, livelihoods, shelter, and climate change mitigation |
| Global shipping traffic | Expected to grow in response to increased trade |
| Shipping emissions | Greenhouse gases (GHG), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate matter, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), etc. |
| Shipping emission goals | IMO targets include reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 and net-zero emissions by or around 2050 |
| Reducing emissions | Alternative energy sources, modifications to ship components, operational efficiencies, shore power, low-sulphur fuel, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Oil spills and chemical pollutants
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 and the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 are well-known examples of maritime oil spills with significant environmental and long-lasting impacts. In addition, the sinking of the Prestige oil tanker in 2002 resulted in the spillage of 77,000 tonnes of crude oil, causing severe economic and environmental damage. Oil spills can also occur from offshore platforms, drilling rigs, wells, and spills of refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
Chemical pollutants from ocean vessels are another significant issue. Vessels that violate international regulations discharge plastic waste directly into the sea, contributing to marine debris. This plastic pollution breaks down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine life and can absorb toxic substances, acting as carriers for persistent organic pollutants. These pollutants can accumulate in seafood, making it harmful for human consumption.
Furthermore, exhaust gases from ships are a source of air pollution, releasing conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases. The development and implementation of alternative fuels, such as green ammonia, hydrogen, and biofuels, aim to reduce these emissions and address the environmental impact of ocean vessels.
Sunken vessels from World War I and World War II also pose a threat, as they contain harmful chemical pollutants and an estimated 6 billion gallons of heavy fuel oil. Preventing pollution from these wrecks is critical, as leaks from sunken vessels are expected to increase over time due to corrosion. The financial cost of addressing pollution from wrecks can be prohibitive, especially for developing nations. International cooperation and a new International Standard are necessary to effectively address this global issue.
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Air pollution and greenhouse gases
Air pollution is a leading threat to human health worldwide, and maritime shipping traffic is an increasingly important source of air pollution, especially in coastal areas. Marine vessels emit several types of air pollutants, including sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
The combustion of heavy fuel oil (HFO) and other fossil fuels used by ships releases harmful gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), contributing to climate change. In 2018, the U.N. agency that regulates global shipping set a goal of reducing ships' carbon emissions to half of 2008 levels by 2050. However, there has been little progress made towards this goal. According to the Fourth Greenhouse Gas Study in 2020, CO2 emissions from shipping (international, domestic, and fishing) increased from 977 million tonnes in 2012 to 1,076 million tonnes in 2018, an increase of 9.6%. The share of shipping emissions in global anthropogenic emissions also rose from 2.76% in 2012 to 2.89% in 2018.
To reduce air pollution from marine shipping, various measures are being implemented, including the use of alternative energy sources, modifications to ship components, and operational efficiencies. For example, shore power, where electrical power is provided to a ship from the shore while it is berthed, can reduce SOx, NOx, and particulate matter emissions by 88% or more. Additionally, ships can switch to low-sulphur fuel or alternative fuels like green ammonia, hydrogen, and biofuels to reduce SOx emissions and particulate matter emissions.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted strategies to reduce ship-source greenhouse gas emissions, including lowering the combustion of fossil fuels and developing alternative fuels. In July 2023, the IMO set a series of non-binding targets for cutting emissions, with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by or around 2050. While these targets are a step forward, they still fall short of the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
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Plastic waste and microplastics
Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic smaller than 5mm, are also a significant concern in ocean pollution. They are created through the breakdown of larger plastic pieces, as well as from primary sources such as nurdles, cosmetic microbeads, synthetic textiles, and tyre abrasion. Microplastics are particularly harmful due to their small size, which increases their bioavailability and potential impact on a larger number of species. They have been found in seafood, tap water, salt, beer, and soil, indicating their presence at every step of the food chain. The ingestion of microplastics has been linked to health issues in both marine life and humans, including intestinal injuries, developmental issues, and potential toxicity.
The impact of plastic waste and microplastics on marine life is devastating. Marine animals such as birds, whales, fish, and turtles often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to starvation, internal injuries, and death. It is estimated that over 1 million marine animals die each year due to plastic pollution, with sea turtles and seabirds being the most affected. Additionally, plastic pollution contributes to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change.
Addressing the issue of plastic waste and microplastics in ocean pollution requires a multi-faceted approach. Improved waste management systems, recycling infrastructure, and a reduction in single-use plastics are crucial. Implementing legislation and regulations that treat plastic pollution as hazardous waste and hold producers accountable for their waste are also essential steps towards curbing this global issue.
While the task of eliminating plastic pollution in the oceans is daunting, there are signs of progress. Some states in Australia have banned a range of single-use plastics, and California has introduced legislation to make the plastic industry responsible for its waste. These efforts, combined with increased awareness and advocacy, offer hope in the fight against plastic waste and microplastics polluting our oceans.
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Noise pollution
Ocean noise pollution is a form of environmental pollution caused by human activities, such as commercial shipping, oil exploration, seismic surveys, offshore wind turbine installation, and military sonar operations. These activities generate excessive and unnatural sounds that propagate through the ocean, impacting marine life. More than 500 studies have confirmed that human activities have altered the ocean soundscape, with noise levels reaching up to 190 decibels, comparable to the noise of a rock concert.
The impact of noise pollution on marine life is significant and multifaceted. Marine animals rely on sound for navigation, communication, hunting, and predator avoidance. The excessive noise created by human activities can interfere with these natural processes, leading to disorientation, altered behaviour, and difficulty in finding food or mates. For example, loud shipping noises have caused whales to abandon their critical feeding grounds, endangering their survival. Noise pollution has also been linked to physiological stress and increased mortality rates in marine mammals, as evident in cases of mass whale strandings associated with military sonar operations.
To address the issue of ocean noise pollution, several guidelines and initiatives have been put forth. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established guidelines encouraging the adoption of quieter ship designs, modifications to hulls, and the use of quieter propellers to minimize underwater noise. Local governments and individual ports have also implemented their own regulations, such as the Port of Vancouver offering discounts to vessels that comply with environmental guidelines. Additionally, technologies like bubble curtains have been effectively used during offshore construction to reduce underwater noise transmission.
Despite these efforts, the regulation of ocean noise pollution faces challenges. Currently, there are no international standards for its regulation, and the initial IMO guidelines were not widely adopted by industry members. However, a revised version of the guidelines has been developed, and the IMO has approved an experience-building phase starting in 2023 to gather information on best practices. Researchers are also working to improve their understanding of the impact of noise pollution by studying quiet zones and noisy habitats, as well as natural experiments such as re-routing shipping lanes and reducing ship speeds in certain areas.
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Wreckage and leaks
There are an estimated 3 million sunken and abandoned vessels in the ocean, over 8,500 of which are classified as 'potentially polluting wrecks'. The majority of these wrecks date back to World War I and II and contain harmful chemical pollutants, unexploded munitions, and an estimated 6 billion gallons of heavy fuel oil. This is 545 times more oil than the Exxon Valdez leak in 1989 and 30 times that of the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, both of which had severe and long-lasting environmental consequences.
These wrecks are leaching chemicals, fossil fuels, and heavy metals into the water, with their environmental risk increasing over time due to corrosion. Higher ocean temperatures caused by climate change will also enhance the ability of pollutants to dissolve into the water, potentially exposing marine organisms to higher levels of toxic compounds.
The financial cost of responding to pollution from wrecks is often prohibitive, especially for developing nations. It is also unclear who is responsible for this cost, as many of the countries most affected were not participants in WWI and WWII, and ships sunk in war remain owned by the country they sailed for under the principle of sovereign immunity.
The lack of data and international cooperation on how to manage pollution from wrecks means many governments do not act proactively to prevent leaks. Responses are often too late to prevent serious harm to marine ecosystems and the health and livelihoods of coastal communities. Therefore, collaboration between governments is crucial to manage cross-border impacts and develop a new International Standard to guide action and prioritise resources.
National governments should also incorporate wrecks into their marine spatial and contingency planning. National plans should include stopping pollution from spreading, providing financial support for affected communities, and restoring damaged ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 20% of global plastic pollution comes from oceanic sources, with shipping being a key contributor. Vessels that discharge plastic waste directly into the sea violate international regulations. Plastic pollution in the oceans can be classified by size: macroplastic (>20 mm), mesoplastic (5–20 mm), microplastic (<5 mm), and nanoplastic (<1000 nm).
Marine pollution from sunken vessels is a global issue that affects people, the environment, and economies worldwide. It is estimated that there are 3 million sunken and abandoned vessels in the ocean, with over 8,500 of them classified as 'potentially polluting wrecks'. These wrecks contain harmful chemical pollutants, unexploded munitions, and an estimated 6 billion gallons of heavy fuel oil. This pollution can lead to the loss of wildlife populations and damage to coastal and marine ecosystems, threatening communities' food security and livelihoods.
Marine life can be affected by noise or sound pollution from passing ships. Oil spills are also a significant form of marine pollution, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in crude oil being toxic to marine life and difficult to clean up. Plastic pollution can cause entanglement and ingestion risks for marine species, and microplastics can absorb toxic substances, acting as carriers for persistent organic pollutants.
