Maritime Pollution

Shipping activities, particularly the discharge of oily bilge water and accidental spills, are the major contributors to oil pollution in the marine environment.

Sewage pollution refers to the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage and wastewater into the marine environment, leading to contamination with harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Land-based littering, including improper waste disposal and littering, is the major source of plastic pollution in the oceans, accounting for approximately 80% of the total input.

Plastic gyre refers to the accumulation of plastic debris in the marine environment, forming large, rotating ocean currents that trap and concentrate plastic waste.

MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is the primary international convention aimed at preventing and controlling marine pollution from ships, covering various aspects such as oil pollution, sewage discharge, and garbage disposal.

Oily water discharge refers to the intentional release of oil or oily mixtures into the marine environment, typically resulting from the discharge of oily bilge water or other oily residues from ships.

Oil spill refers to the accidental release of oil or oily mixtures into the marine environment, often resulting from tanker accidents, pipeline ruptures, or offshore oil drilling incidents.

Industrial waste discharge, particularly from chemical industries, is the major source of chemical pollution in the marine environment, including the release of heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and persistent organic pollutants.

Bioaccumulation refers to the process by which toxic chemicals accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms, often through the food chain, leading to higher concentrations in higher trophic levels.

Biomagnification refers to the process by which toxic chemicals become more concentrated at higher trophic levels in the food chain, resulting in higher levels in top predators compared to lower trophic levels.

Shipping activities, particularly the operation of large vessels, are the major source of noise pollution in the marine environment, generating underwater noise that can disrupt marine life and affect their behavior.

Marine debris entanglement refers to the phenomenon where marine animals, particularly marine mammals, become entangled in fishing gear or other marine debris, leading to injury, starvation, or death.

Plastic ingestion refers to the phenomenon where marine animals, particularly seabirds, ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food, leading to various health issues and potential mortality.

Agricultural runoff, particularly from excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, is the major source of nutrient pollution in the marine environment, leading to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.

Eutrophication refers to the process by which excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, stimulate excessive growth of algae and other phytoplankton in the marine environment, leading to various ecological imbalances.