Greta Jimenez
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to marine wildlife, ecosystems, and the industries and human livelihoods that depend on them. It is primarily caused by human activities, such as littering, poor waste management, and the use of fertilizers on farms, which result in the release of chemicals and trash into the ocean. This includes plastic pollution, ranging from large items like bottles and bags to microplastics, which are ingested by marine organisms and can lead to toxic effects. Marine pollution has far-reaching consequences, impacting the health of marine life, humans, and the environment, and it is essential to address this issue through prevention, cleanup efforts, and regulatory measures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The US DOT defines marine pollutants as materials that contain an elevated concentration of one or more of the chemicals listed in 49 CFR 172.101, Appendix B. |
| Marine Pollutant Threshold | For most materials, the threshold is a 10% concentration of Appendix B chemicals. |
| Severe Marine Pollutants | Some materials, designated by "PP" in Appendix B, are regulated at a 1% concentration. |
| International Criteria | The International Maritime Organization's Dangerous Goods Code (also known as the IMDG Code) defines a marine pollutant as a substance toxic to the aquatic environment when evaluated by the test methods in Chapter 2.9.3 of the IMDG Code. |
| Identification | Known and suspected marine pollutants are indicated by the symbol "P" in the IMDG Code's Dangerous Goods List or the MP column of the Code Index. |
| Shipping Requirements | When shipped by vessel, marine pollutants are treated similarly to other hazardous materials with additional rules for marking and shipping papers. |
| Hazard Classes | If a marine pollutant meets the criteria for Hazard Classes 1-8, it is assigned to the appropriate class; otherwise, it is assigned to Class 9 Packing Group III unless specified otherwise. |
| Bulk Packaging | Bulk packages containing marine pollutants must be marked with the "Marine Pollutant" label on two opposing sides or ends if the capacity is less than 3,785 L, and on each end and side if the capacity is 3,785 L or more. |
| Transport Vehicle Marking | Transport vehicles carrying packages subject to marking requirements must display the "Marine Pollutant" mark on each side and end, visible from the direction it faces. |
| Label Specifications | The "Marine Pollutant" mark consists of a black symbol (fish and tree) on a white or suitable contrasting background, enclosed in a square-on-point configuration. |
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What You'll Learn
Marine Pollutants and Environmentally Hazardous Substances
Marine Pollutants (MPs) are materials that are toxic to the aquatic environment. They are identified as such if they are listed in the IMDG Code Index or meet the criteria for classification as "Environmentally Hazardous Substance (aquatic environment)". The IMDG Code, or the Dangerous Goods Code, is a set of criteria for marine pollutants established by the International Maritime Organization.
To be classified as an Environmentally Hazardous Substance, aquatic toxicity data, degradation data, and BCF data are needed. A list of common environmentally hazardous substances or marine pollutants is publicly available. For a mixture, it is more challenging to determine if it is a marine pollutant. Typically, GHS mixture classification principles or laboratory testing are used. If a substance, mixture, or article is a marine pollutant and does not meet the classification criteria for inclusion in any other hazard class, it is declared under either UN 3077 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, SOLID, n.o.s. or UN 3082 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARODUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, n.o.s.
In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) defines marine pollutants as materials that contain an elevated concentration of one or more of the chemicals listed in 49 CFR 172.101, Appendix B. For most materials, the threshold is a 10% concentration of Appendix B chemicals, while severe marine pollutants are regulated at a 1% concentration. When a substance's effect on the aquatic environment is unknown, or when a designated marine pollutant is part of a mixture or solution, the material must be evaluated according to IMDG 2.9.3.
When transported by vessel, marine pollutants are shipped similarly to other hazardous materials, with some additional rules, such as extra descriptions on shipping papers and marking requirements for packages. If a marine pollutant meets the criteria of Hazard Classes 1 through 8, it is assigned to the appropriate hazard class. Otherwise, the material is assigned to Class 9 Packing Group III unless there is a specific entry in Class 9 for the substance. When shipped in bulk packages by ground or air in the United States, marine pollutants require additional communication. Proper shipping names and markings are crucial for the transportation of marine pollutants.
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Classifying Marine Pollutants
Marine pollutants are substances that are toxic to aquatic life. They are classified as environmental hazardous substances. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) defines marine pollutants as materials that contain an elevated concentration of one or more of the chemicals listed in 49 CFR 172.101, Appendix B. For most materials, the marine pollutant threshold is a 10% concentration of Appendix B chemicals.
However, some materials are considered "severe marine pollutants" and are regulated at a 1% concentration. These are designated by the letters "PP" in Appendix B. The international standard for classifying a marine pollutant was previously this 1% and 10% rule. There were two types of marine pollutants: severe marine pollutants and marine pollutants.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) uses a different set of criteria for classifying marine pollutants. According to the IMO's Dangerous Goods Code (also known as the IMDG Code), a substance is considered a marine pollutant if it is toxic to the aquatic environment when evaluated by the test methods given in Chapter 2.9.3 of the IMDG Code. Known and suspected marine pollutants are indicated by the symbol "P" in Column 4 of the Dangerous Goods List in Chapter 3.2 of the IMDG Code or in the MP column of the Code Index.
When a substance's effect on the aquatic environment is unknown, or when a designated marine pollutant is part of a mixture or solution, the material must be evaluated according to IMDG 2.9.3. Marine pollutants that meet the criteria of Hazard Classes 1 through 8 should be assigned to the appropriate hazard class. If not, the material should be assigned to Class 9 Packing Group III unless there is a specific entry in Class 9 for the substance.
When shipped in packages of less than five litres or five kilograms, marine pollutants are not regulated. However, if they are shipped in bulk packages, additional communications are required. Proper shipping names and markings are also required for marine pollutants, and they must be indicated on shipping papers and packaging.
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Marine Pollutant Labels and Placards
The universal symbol is a warning to shipping personnel about the potential impact of a spill on wildlife, seas and marshes. The symbol, also known as the Environmentally Hazardous Substance Mark, is a dead tree and fish, in black and white, or on a contrasting background. This mark became mandatory on 1st January 2009. The mark is required for combination packages where the inner package or single package is larger than 5 litres for liquids or 5 kilograms for solids. The minimum label dimensions are specified as 100mm by 100mm, with the border line forming the diamond being at least 2mm wide. The EHS placard has the same design but must be a minimum size of 250mm by 250mm with a wider border of at least 5mm.
The IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods code) uses the term Marine Pollutant, while ADR (road transport) and IATA (air transport) use the term Environmentally Hazardous Substance (EHS). The US DOT defines marine pollutants as materials that contain an elevated concentration of one or more of the chemicals listed in 49 CFR 172.101, Appendix B. International authorities use a different set of criteria, as codified by the International Maritime Organization in its Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).
When shipping marine pollutants, certain regulations must be followed. The presence of a marine pollutant must be communicated on the shipping paper and packaging. If the pollutant is not identified by name, then it must appear in parentheses near the basic description. If there are multiple pollutants, the two most hazardous must be listed, and the words "Marine Pollutant" must appear near the description. When transported by sea, additional rules apply, such as extra descriptions on shipping papers and marking requirements for packages.
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Marine Pollutant Marking and Labelling
Marine Pollutant labels are used to identify shipments that contain chemicals hazardous to the environment and aquatic life. These labels are required by IATA, ICAO, IMDG, UN, and DOT regulations for shipping marine pollutants and environmentally hazardous substances. The labels feature a universal symbol that communicates the potential impact of a spill on wildlife, seas, and marshes.
The specific requirements for marking and labelling marine pollutants depend on the regulatory body and the mode of transportation. For example, the IMDG Code, which is specific to transportation by sea, requires the use of the technical name "Marine Pollutant" or the abbreviation "MP". On the other hand, when shipping by road or air, the proper shipping name, such as "Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Solid, n.o.s." or "Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, n.o.s.," should be used, supplemented by the technical names.
In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) have specific regulations for marking and labelling marine pollutants. According to 49 CFR 172.322, the "Marine Pollutant" mark must be placed in association with the hazard warning labels or the marked proper shipping name. Additionally, bulk packaging containing marine pollutants must be marked on at least two opposing sides or ends, with the mark being visible from the direction it faces. This requirement also extends to transport vehicles and freight containers carrying packages with marine pollutants, where the "Marine Pollutant" mark must appear on each side and end.
The "Marine Pollutant" mark consists of a symbol featuring a fish and a tree, with black lettering and symbols on a white or suitable contrasting background. This mark should be displayed in a square-on-point configuration, with the same outside dimensions as a placard. It is important to note that there are situations outlined in 49 CFR 172.322 where the "Marine Pollutant" mark is not required, such as for certain non-bulk shipments of marine pollutants by motor vehicle, rail car, or aircraft.
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Monitoring Marine Pollutants
Marine pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to the health of the world's oceans and marine life. It is caused by a range of human activities, including land, air, and sea sources. As such, monitoring marine pollutants is essential to ensure a sustainable marine ecosystem and mitigate the adverse impacts of pollution on the environment and human life.
Remote sensing technology has emerged as a crucial tool for monitoring marine pollution, offering wide coverage and fast, accurate monitoring capabilities. Satellite remote sensing, in particular, has proven effective in detecting and mapping pollutant spills, providing valuable input data for oil spill models and tracking pollutants over time and space. Additionally, aerial remote sensing can detect and map marine pollution, especially in remote areas that are difficult to access by other means.
While remote sensing has advanced marine pollution monitoring, it also has limitations, such as estimating pollutants over the vertical dimension of the water column. To overcome this, researchers are focusing on developing marine remote sensing with enhanced data, technology, and standard sharing for three-dimensional monitoring. This includes combining optical and physical sensors with biosensors and utilizing multi-source and multi-temporal monitoring data.
In addition to remote sensing, other approaches to marine monitoring include the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), profiling floats, gliders, drifters, volunteer measurements from ships, and sensing nodes with cable networks. These systems measure various parameters, such as temperature, conductivity, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and fluorescence due to chlorophyll. However, these methods can be time-consuming, geographically constrained, and require specialized personnel and laboratory analysis.
To address the challenges of marine pollution, various programs and initiatives have been established, such as the Regional Seas Programme, which tackles pollution from land-based and marine-based sources, including plastic pollution, agricultural runoff, and oil spills. Regional frameworks like the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities also guide efforts to foster international partnerships and share best practices in pollution monitoring and reduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine Pollutants (MPs) are materials that are listed in the IMDG Code Index or meet the criteria for classification as "Environmentally Hazardous Substance (aquatic environment)". They are hazardous to the environment and aquatic life.
A substance is classified as a marine pollutant if it meets the following criteria:
- It is listed in Appendix B of the Hazardous Materials Table.
- If in a solution or mixture, the concentration of the material is ≥10% for all materials listed or ≥1% if identified as a severe marine pollutant.
Marine pollutants are shipped similarly to other hazardous materials, with some additional rules. For instance, extra descriptions are required on shipping papers, and packages must be marked with the "Marine Pollutant" label.
The "Marine Pollutant" label is used to identify shipments containing chemicals that are hazardous to the environment and aquatic life. It complies with IATA, ICAO, IMDG, UN, and DOT regulations. The label features a universal symbol that warns of the potential impact of a spill on wildlife, seas, and marshes.
