Bronte Wells
Vessel-source pollution refers to any type of pollution originating from vessels engaged in navigation or transportation. This includes oil pollution from accidents at sea, as well as other sources such as toxic chemicals, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other hazardous materials. Vessel-source pollution is a significant contributor to marine pollution, which is a growing problem in today's world. Marine pollution occurs when substances used or spread by humans, such as industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, particles, noise, excess carbon dioxide, or invasive organisms enter the ocean and cause harmful effects. While most marine pollution comes from land-based activity, vessels significantly contribute to the problem through oil spills, noise pollution, and the release of ballast water containing invasive species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Vessel-source pollution refers to any type of pollution originating from vessels engaged in navigation or transportation. |
| Main Sources | Oil spills, toxic chemicals, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hazardous materials, noise, invasive species, and plastic waste. |
| Impact | Environmental damage, harm to marine life and wildlife, and negative economic consequences. |
| Regulation | MARPOL 73/78 treaty, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, UNCLOS, and various national and international laws and conventions. |
| Solutions | Prevention through reduced plastic use and improved waste management, and cleanup of existing pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
Oil spills and leaks
The largest oil spill ever recorded happened during the Gulf War in January 1991, when oil wells and tankers in Kuwait were destroyed. Other large oil spills include the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, which was the largest U.S. oil spill, and the Fergana Valley (Mingbulak) oil spill in 1992 in Uzbekistan, which was the largest inland spill. Oil tanker spills are considered a major ecological threat due to the large amount of oil spilled per accident and the fact that they often occur in areas of high sea traffic.
Oil spills from vessels can occur due to operational releases, which are regulated by the MARPOL convention, or accidental spills. As of 2007, operational discharges from vessels accounted for 21% of oil releases, while accidental oil tank vessel spills accounted for 8-13% of all oil spilled into the oceans. The main causes of oil tank vessel spills include collision, grounding, mishandling, and sinking.
To prevent and mitigate oil spills, various measures have been implemented. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held liable for the costs of cleanup and restoration. The MARPOL convention has also played a significant role in reducing oil tanker spills, with amendments requiring large tankers to have double hulls, which reduce the risk and severity of spills. Other innovations such as GPS, sectioning of vessels, and sea lane management have also contributed to the decrease in oil tanker spills.
When an oil spill occurs, the U.S. Coast Guard is primarily responsible for cleaning up the spill, while organizations like NOAA provide scientific support and expertise to inform the response and protect people and the environment. Various techniques and equipment are used to contain and remove oil from the environment, including booms, skimmers, in situ burning, and chemical dispersants. However, it is important to note that cleanup activities may never remove 100% of the spilled oil, and care must be taken to avoid causing additional harm.
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Invasive species
Vessel-source marine pollution occurs when ships introduce substances such as industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, particles, noise, excess carbon dioxide, or invasive organisms into the ocean, causing harmful effects on the environment, the health of all organisms, and economic structures worldwide.
The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted in 2004 to introduce global regulations to control the transfer of potentially invasive species. Ships are now required to manage their ballast water according to a ship-specific ballast water management plan. This includes treating ballast water, which significantly reduces the risk of introducing invasive species.
In addition to ballast water, biofouling, or the accumulation of species on ship hulls, anchors, and other equipment, can also introduce invasive species to new environments. Pieces of plastic can also transport invasive species around the ocean.
Some notable examples of invasive species with destructive impacts include the European green crab, which has colonized estuaries in North America, South America, South Africa, and
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Noise pollution
Marine pollution occurs when substances used or spread by humans, such as industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, particles, noise, excess carbon dioxide, or invasive organisms enter the ocean and cause harmful effects. Vessel-source pollution is a major contributor to marine pollution.
Sound travels more rapidly and over larger distances in the sea than in the atmosphere. Between 1950 and 1975, ambient noise at one location in the Pacific Ocean increased by about ten decibels (a tenfold increase in intensity). Underwater noise pollution is unevenly distributed across marine environments, with the highest concentrations occurring in shipping lanes, port areas, and densely trafficked ocean routes. These areas experience sustained high ambient noise levels due to the dominance of older and larger vessels, which emit significant low-frequency noise (10 to 500 Hz) caused by engine vibrations, propeller cavitation, and hull turbulence.
Studies have shown that while these "sounds" may have no impact on humans, they can be detrimental to marine life. The population of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) has declined in areas prone to such noise pollution from ships. The death of marine animals can occur hours after exposure to extreme underwater noise. For example, whales can strand themselves shortly after exposure to tactical sonar exercises. More than 500 studies have established that humans are responsible for altering the ocean soundscape. Harsh noises have impacted marine animals, causing them to flee their original habitats, leaving their feeding grounds, and ending up dead or hurt.
However, advancements in ship design have shown potential to reduce noise emissions. For example, most cruise ships have electric motors to drive propellers and reduce noise levels. Additionally, ship-quieting technologies increase the vessel's fuel efficiency and decrease its environmental impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were fewer cargo ships and container carriers in the water, and the seas and oceans sounded like they did almost 150 years ago. Marine mammals returned to their original habitats, and some fish populations thrived due to decreased fishing.
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Plastic pollution
Marine pollution occurs when substances and waste spread by humans enter the ocean and cause harmful effects. While the majority of this waste (80%) comes from land-based activity, marine transportation significantly contributes to the issue as well.
The marine environment is highly productive and complex, consisting of various subsystems such as coral reefs and seagrasses, and supporting a rich biodiversity of organisms. However, human activities have invaded even the most remote ocean basins, such as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic oceans.
To address plastic pollution from vessels, regulations such as those adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prohibit the discharge of garbage containing plastics into the sea. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) also requires governments to ensure adequate port reception facilities to receive ship waste. While these regulations are in place, more needs to be done to ensure their full and effective implementation.
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Chemical contamination
Vessel-source pollution refers to the contamination of the marine environment by ships. Marine pollution occurs when substances such as industrial, agricultural, and residential waste, particles, excess carbon dioxide, or invasive organisms enter the ocean and cause harmful effects. While most of this waste comes from land-based activity, marine transportation is also a significant contributor.
The risk of chemical contamination is heightened when ships carry large amounts of chemicals as cargo. Several factors can cause spills and accidents, with collisions being among the most serious and common. In addition to the immediate dangers posed by chemical spills, they can also cause fires or lead to environmental damage. For example, a chemical spill on board a ship could spread to other cargo, resulting in a more severe accident.
Proper safety measures and training are essential to reducing the risk of chemical contamination. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hazardous chemicals in the maritime industry must be labelled correctly to warn workers of potential dangers. OSHA defines hazardous chemicals as those that can cause any physical or health hazard, including asphyxiants, combustible dust, pyrophoric gases, and flammable liquids. Employers have the obligation to ensure that vessels are seaworthy and properly ventilated to prevent the buildup of toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide. Adequate safety equipment and worker training are also crucial in preventing accidents and reducing the risk of exposure during chemical spills or leaks.
There have been various efforts to prevent and regulate vessel-source pollution. In 1973 and 1978, MARPOL 73/78 was written to control vessel pollution, especially regarding oil. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships enforced the MARPOL 73/78 treaty internationally in 1983. Additionally, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) aimed to protect the marine environment by governing states to control their pollution output into the ocean.
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Frequently asked questions
Vessel-source pollution is any type of pollution that originates from vessels engaged in navigation or transportation. This includes international operational discharges, such as reballasting and tank cleaning, which constitute around 80% of the world's vessel-source oil pollution.
Vessel-source pollution includes oil pollution from accidents at sea, as well as other sources such as toxic chemicals, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other hazardous materials.
Vessel-source pollution can have significant negative impacts on the environment, including damage to marine ecosystems, the health of organisms, and economic structures worldwide. For example, the 1978 Amoco Cadiz oil spill polluted over 100 miles of the Brittany coast, ruining a third of France's seafood industry and tourism in the region.
Vessel-source pollution is primarily associated with the discharge and accidents involving oil from ships. However, it also includes pollution from vessels engaged in deep-sea mining, transportation of hazardous materials, and operational discharges.
To prevent and mitigate vessel-source pollution, various international treaties and conventions have been established, such as MARPOL 73/78, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Additionally, countries are taking action by enacting regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items, and organizations like the National Geographic Society are raising awareness about plastic pollution.
