It is a truth universally acknowledged that land consists of 30% of the earth's surface, while sea occupies the rest of the surface. Paradoxically, there has been a huge increase in the number of vessels traversing the seas around the globe. An estimated 300000 vessels are currently in circulation. They generate a significant amount of air pollution due to the tyep of fuel they use. A container vessel for example can generate more pollution than 1000s of cars. How are we inhabitants of land affected?
The types of pollution that may originate from ships include oil, chemicals, garbage sewage, air pollution from the ship’s engines and bunker fuel and the anti-fouling paint on a ship’s hull. Marine pests in ship’s ballast water or clinging to the ship’s hull can also harm new environments. Even old ships that are to be broken up or scrapped on beaches in India, Bangladesh China and Pakistan can cause pollution unless great care is taken. However, the most common pollution of the sea comes from the land and not from ships. It has been estimated that 80% of the rubbish, chemicals and oil found in the sea actually comes from the land.
It is one of the most important reasons that directly contaminate our life.
Emad
Shipping poses threats to the environment both on inland waterways and on the ocean. These problems come from six major sources; routine discharges of oily bilge and ballast water from marine shipping; dumping of non-biodegradable solid waste into the ocean; accidental spills of oil, toxics or other cargo or fuel at ports and while underway; air emissions from the vessels' power supplies; port and inland channel construction and management; and ecological harm due to the introduction of exotic species
transported on vessels...
http://www.oecd.org/trade/envtrade/2386636.pdf
Biofuels could be one of the options to reduce the carbon intensity of maritime transport. It could also possibly reduce the effect of ship emissions (SOx, NOx, PM) on local air quality. This helps reduce climate change and greenhouse effect.
[http://emsa.europa.eu/hns-pollution/149-air-pollution/1376-potential-of-biofuels-for-shipping.html]
Some European airports have started replacing fossil oils with biodiesel for their whole ground fleet. US navy also launches biofuel-powered ships and aircraft carriers [see link below].
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/21/us-navy-launches-first-biofuel-powered-aircraft-carriers
Shipping is a major cause of harmful air pollution in Europe and by 2020 shipping emissions of SO2 and NOx could exceed the emissions of these pollutants from all other sources in the EU.
In 2000, in the seas surrounding Europe (the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the North-Eastern part of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea), sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from international shipping were estimated at 2.3 million tonnes a year, nitrogen dioxide (NOx) ones at 3.3 million tonnes, and particulate matter (PM) at 250,000 tonnes. In a business as usual scenario, these emissions are expected to grow by 40 to 50% by 2020.
https://www.transportenvironment.org/what-we-do/shipping/air-pollution-ships
https://www.cleanshipping.org/.../111128_Air%20pollution%20from%20ships_New_Nov-1...
What is the biggest source of pollution in the ocean?
Most ocean pollution begins on land
Eighty percent of pollution to the marine environment comes from the land. One of the biggest sources is called nonpoint source pollution, which occurs as a result of runoff. Nonpoint source pollution includes many small sources, like septic tanks, cars, trucks, and boats, plus larger sources, such as farms, ranches, and forest areas. Millions of motor vehicle engines drop small amounts of oil each day onto roads and parking lots. Much of this, too, makes its way to the sea.
Some water pollution actually starts as air pollution, which settles into waterways and oceans. Dirt can be a pollutant. Top soil or silt from fields or construction sites can run off into waterways, harming fish and wildlife habitats.
......
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pollution.html
First the ocean biodiversity affects lot rather land. Most of the times petroleum spillage and gas emissions from engines.
Three steps to a green shipping industry
(https://www.nature.com/polopoly_fs/1.19369!/menu/main/topColumns/topLeftColumn/pdf/530275a-corr.pdf)
Environmental impact of shipping
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_shipping)
Health risks of shipping pollution have been 'underestimated'
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/09/shipping-pollution)
Effects of Noise Pollution from Ships on Marine Life
(http://www.marineinsight.com/environment/effects-of-noise-pollution-from-ships-on-marine-life/)
8 Ways in which Cruise Ships Can Cause Marine Pollution
(http://www.marineinsight.com/environment/8-ways-in-which-cruise-ships-can-cause-marine-pollution/)
This is a serious problem highlighted by you here. Definitely pollution created by ships or any transportation vehicle across the sea creates air pollution and water pollution as well. More transportation vehicles will generate more pollution. Specifically air pollution is created by big ships using diesel engines because of giving high torque at low speed so use of diesel in heavy vehicle is indispensable. But at the same time they pollute air specifically, NOX, CO2, and Particulate matter. So to keep environmental sustainability we need either to invent new technology or improve existing technology. In my view improvement in fuel property is a better solution for this problem we can use water emulsified fuel, that drastically removes pollution standards (reduction in NOX : 55% and PM: 88%) as well as save money.
Follow the advance of technology, maybe one day a small set and SAFE nuclear-powered engine can be used in all ships (and all airplanes or automobiles). This will dramatically decrease pollution from transportation.
Vessels are a major source of air pollution generated in the seas. Thousands of people die each year because of the black carbon, nitrogen oxide and sulphur. Vessels are considered to be a significant source of air pollution.
Dear Pierlorenzon,
Many thanks for taking the time to answer the posed question. Your inputs are valuable for this conversation and I believe other colleagues have further contributed to enlightening the issue more comprehensively.
Kind regards
the questions have an approach that does not correspond to my area of expertise, I do not know what they ask me
Dear @Mohamed, I have dug up some relevant articles about air pollution in the sea.
Article Estimation of air pollution from the OGVs and its dispersion...
Article Effect of nozzle diameter on the reduction of smoke emission...
Article A06 San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Analysis
Article THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REDUCTION OF AIR POLLUTION IN THE BLAC...
Some more resources have been brought to this thread.
Article Air Pollution Monitoring in the South-East Baltic Using the ...
Article Ship emission inventory and its impact on the PM 2.5 air pol...
Article Air pollution impacts due to petroleum extraction in the Nor...
I never thought of this but from what I do know about pollution and waters, it is very possible that land folks are affected. Pollution in the water kills life and water is life. Without water, nothing (that I am aware of) survives. Pollution affects the toxicity and survival rates of new and existing generations of marine life. The destruction of their homes or the development of them (coral reefs, their growth, and natural reproduction) will affect the marine life that requires their existence. We know this but it affects us because what we eat in the sea is affected. Salmon is a salt and fresh water animal drastically affected by something as simple as dams. Their prey is also affected (bears, people, orcas, etc.). Shoreline cultures (like ports, marinas, and native people) are affected by the lifestyle, both for survival and tourism. Prices raise and affect the economy of the people who make a living from the ocean. The argument of the trees being cutting down and affecting our carbon dioxide levels (although true) is often combated with the argument that most of our oxygen comes from the algae and plant life in the oceans. The true affect of these statements I do not know but I can see how ecological concerns in the marine discipline affects those on land as well. I would love to read and learn more about what you learn.
Worthwhile Point
Pollution can be avoided by building environmentally friendly motorized vessels
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