MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Dr. T. CitarasuDr. T. CitarasuAssistant ProfessorAssistant ProfessorTele-fax: + 91-4652-253078Tele-fax: + 91-4652-253078Mobile: +91-9994273822Mobile: +91-9994273822Email:Email: citarasu@gmail.comcitarasu@gmail.com citarasu@msuniv.ac.incitarasu@msuniv.ac.inWebsite:Website: www.msuniv.ac.inwww.msuniv.ac.in

CENTRE FOR MARINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE FOR MARINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BeachBeach

M S UniversityM S University

Fin fish FarmFin fish Farm

CMSTCMST

Planktonology DivisionPlanktonology DivisionMangrovesMangroves

Bird BiodiversityBird BiodiversityPhoto Courtesy : Muthamil Photo Courtesy : Muthamil Iniyan Iniyan

MARINE ENVIRONMENTS MARINE ENVIRONMENTS

OCEAN WORLD OCEAN WORLD

71% of Earth’s surface and they are inter connected

The oceans are traditionally divided into 4 large basinsNorth and South PacificNorth and South Pacific

North and South AtlanticNorth and South Atlantic

Indian OceanIndian Ocean

Arctic Ocean Arctic Ocean

Oceans are subdivided into 150 Seas

Table 1. Ocean depth, area and volume Table 1. Ocean depth, area and volume

Indian Ocean and Indian Coastal line Indian Ocean and Indian Coastal line

Third largest Ocean & Third largest Ocean & 20 %20 % water in the earth water in the earth

Bounded by Asia, Africa, Australia & Southern Ocean Bounded by Asia, Africa, Australia & Southern Ocean

Vast coast line (Vast coast line (7500 km7500 km) with 13 maritime mainland states ) with 13 maritime mainland states

Globally significant biodiversity Globally significant biodiversity

7516.6 km7516.6 km

MARINE LIFE AND RESOURCES MARINE LIFE AND RESOURCES

Providing food, medicines, cosmetics, nutraceuticals & Tourism

Contribute to oxygen cycle & help to regulate the Earths’ climate

Shorelines are protected by marine life, some organisms even help create new land

Marine Ecosystems: estuaries, coral reefs, marshes, lagoon, sandy and rocky beaches, mangrove forests and sea grass beds

MARINE POLLUTION MARINE POLLUTION

Subject to human activities (pollution & physical destruction)Subject to human activities (pollution & physical destruction)

Defined as (UN): Defined as (UN): “The introduction by man, directly, or indirectly, of substances or energy to the marine environment resulting in deleterious effects such as: hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities, impairment of the quality of seawater for various uses and reduction of amenities.”

Main sources of pollutions includeMain sources of pollutions includeRiver influx

Atmospheric deposition

Offshore deposition

WHAT IS POLLUTIONWHAT IS POLLUTION

MAJOR MARINE POLLUTION SOURCES WORLDWIDEMAJOR MARINE POLLUTION SOURCES WORLDWIDE

Land based activities – 80% Land based activities – 80% ((Sewage, industrial chemicals& Sewage, industrial chemicals& Food processing wastes) Food processing wastes)

Riverine Flows Riverine Flows

Global atmospheric inputsGlobal atmospheric inputs

Oily discharges Oily discharges ((ballast water and bilge water) by illegally ) by illegally

Accidental spills of hazardous gas and oil from ships

Pollution Estimates thatPollution Estimates that10 billion tonnes of ballast water

10,000 million gallons of sewage annually

3.253.25 million metric tonnes solid waste annually

POLLUTANTS TYPES &SOURCES POLLUTANTS TYPES &SOURCES Oil pollutants Persistent toxic substances (PTS)Toxic heavy metals Thermal pollutantsRadioactive pollutants Nutrients and microbial contamination Noise pollutantsShip based threatening Harmful algal bloomsOcean mining Plastics and microplastics Ocean Acidification Solid wastes Coastal tourism Ballast waterNatural calamities Marine littering Industrial effluents

OIL POLLUTANTS OIL POLLUTANTS

Hydrocarbon Compounds Hydrocarbon Compounds

Alkanes, naphthenes, aromatics and alkenesAlkanes, naphthenes, aromatics and alkenes

Benzene, toluene, xylene and polycyclic Benzene, toluene, xylene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are highly toxic.aromatic hydrocarbons are highly toxic.

Physical and chemical alterations & Physical and chemical alterations & toxication of marine habitats. toxication of marine habitats.

Affect photosysnthesis Affect photosysnthesis

Birds getting lose of water proofBirds getting lose of water proof

Accumulate in sediments as well as fishes Accumulate in sediments as well as fishes and shellfishes and shellfishes

PAHs are potential carcinogens, mutagens PAHs are potential carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens and teratogens

Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS)

Noxious substances including Noxious substances including perfluorooctanyl sulfonatesperfluorooctanyl sulfonates

Harmful and non-degradable.Harmful and non-degradable.

Halogenated or chlorinated . Halogenated or chlorinated .

Low water solubility leading to their bioaccumulation in Low water solubility leading to their bioaccumulation in fatty fatty tissues.tissues.

Heavy Metal Pollution

Toxicity and adverse health effects vary depending on the type of Toxicity and adverse health effects vary depending on the type of metal metal

Dangerous metals include Dangerous metals include mercury, lead, and copper, nickel and mercury, lead, and copper, nickel and cadmium cadmium etc  etc  

Atmospheric contamination: Atmospheric contamination: Fuel combustion, electric utilities, steel Fuel combustion, electric utilities, steel and iron manufacturing, fuel oils, fuel additives and incineration of and iron manufacturing, fuel oils, fuel additives and incineration of urban refuseurban refuse

Copper is dangerous to marine organisms from Copper is dangerous to marine organisms from anti-foulinganti-fouling paints paints

Heavy Metal Pollution [continue…]

Lead: Batteries, sewage, fuel combustion had Lead: Batteries, sewage, fuel combustion had neurotoxin and mental neurotoxin and mental health problemhealth problem in children in children

Cadmium: Batteries, sewage, electroplating factories, affect human Cadmium: Batteries, sewage, electroplating factories, affect human kidney function and bone deformitieskidney function and bone deformities

Nickel: Nickel: Potent carcinogen Potent carcinogen that is toxic at relatively low concentration that is toxic at relatively low concentration

Selenite: From Selenite: From sulfur sulfur in crude oil found in high concentrations in in crude oil found in high concentrations in marine environmentmarine environment

Mercury and lead poisoning: Mercury and lead poisoning: Brain damage and behavioral Brain damage and behavioral disturbances disturbances in childrenin children

Thermal pollutants

Water released from nuclear reactors, thermal power stations: Water released from nuclear reactors, thermal power stations: Oxygen Oxygen level changes level changes

The altered or The altered or low level Olow level O22 irrupt the degradation level irrupt the degradation level and create and create suffocation suffocation

Natural causes like Natural causes like volcanoes and geothermal activity volcanoes and geothermal activity can trigger the can trigger the temperature temperature

Lightening can also introduce Lightening can also introduce massive amount of heat massive amount of heat into the oceansinto the oceans

Thermal pollutants [Continue…..]

High temperature discharge from industries induce the High temperature discharge from industries induce the production of production of toxinstoxins

Changes in the environment may cause Changes in the environment may cause shift their living placesshift their living places

Affect the reproduction: Affect the reproduction: Release of immature eggs Release of immature eggs or can prevent or can prevent normal developmentnormal development

Increase metabolic rate, enzyme activity & Increase metabolic rate, enzyme activity & consume more food leading consume more food leading to disturb the food chainto disturb the food chain

Nuclear Radiation

Radiation may found in the coastal watersRadiation may found in the coastal waters

1. Natural 1. Natural

Cosmic rays by earths’ crustCosmic rays by earths’ crust

Potassium -40Potassium -40

Decay products of uranium Decay products of uranium 2. Human activity 2. Human activity

Oil exploration combustionOil exploration combustion

Phosphate production and usePhosphate production and use

Land-based miningLand-based mining

Discharges from nuclear power stationsDischarges from nuclear power stations

Fallout from atmospheric nuclearFallout from atmospheric nuclear

weapons testing and accidentsweapons testing and accidents

Medical diagnosis and therapyMedical diagnosis and therapy

Food conservation.Food conservation.

Nuclear Radiation [Continue…..]Radioactive wastes: nuclear weapon testing, Radioactive wastes: nuclear weapon testing,

reactor & accidents reactor & accidents (Chernobyl in 1985, (Chernobyl in 1985, Fukushima, 2011).Fukushima, 2011).

Dumping of high-level radioactive waste Dumping of high-level radioactive waste to to trenches trenches

iodine-131 & cesium-137: iodine-131 & cesium-137: absorbed by absorbed by phytoplankton ….Food chains phytoplankton ….Food chains

Long term effects Long term effects cause cancer & altering ‘DNA’ cause cancer & altering ‘DNA’ that ensures cell repair.that ensures cell repair.

Sand mining : A big problem for radiation –Sand mining : A big problem for radiation –IRE , IRE , ManavalakkuruchiManavalakkuruchi

Natural radiation in our district was Natural radiation in our district was 40 times 40 times higher higher than other places due to the presence of than other places due to the presence of monazite, a substance that contained 8 percent monazite, a substance that contained 8 percent radioactive thorium. radioactive thorium. 

In 2006: alpha radiation -9780 Bq/kg Beta In 2006: alpha radiation -9780 Bq/kg Beta radiation: 69260 Bq/kg of sand in Manavalakurichi radiation: 69260 Bq/kg of sand in Manavalakurichi causes causes cancer & mental retardationcancer & mental retardation (Hindu (Hindu NAGERCOIL, July 27, 2011)NAGERCOIL, July 27, 2011)

Nutrient InputsInputs of high levels of Inputs of high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus nitrogen and phosphorus

compounds, leading to “eutrophication”.compounds, leading to “eutrophication”.

This term denotes a process that significantly This term denotes a process that significantly changes growth conditions for phytoplankton.changes growth conditions for phytoplankton.

Nutrients in high concentrations, depending on the Nutrients in high concentrations, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the marine area physical and chemical properties of the marine area affected, may lead to excessive growth of algae affected, may lead to excessive growth of algae (“algae bloom”) and phytoplankton(“algae bloom”) and phytoplankton..

As a consequence, oxygen concentration As a consequence, oxygen concentration decreases, while concentrations of decreases, while concentrations of hydrogen hydrogen sulphides increase. sulphides increase.

Many aquatic organisms have Many aquatic organisms have low resistance low resistance against hydrogen sulphides against hydrogen sulphides and may therefore just and may therefore just die off. die off.

Compounding this problem, dead algae floats on the Compounding this problem, dead algae floats on the surface and thus covers the water, making it surface and thus covers the water, making it difficult difficult for sunlight to penetrate for sunlight to penetrate into the sea. into the sea.

Fertilizer runoff: During heavy rain the Fertilizer runoff: During heavy rain the organic organic fertilizers run off fertilizers run off from the agricultural field and it from the agricultural field and it affects the marine environment and back water affects the marine environment and back water bodiesbodies

Microbial ContaminationMicrobial ContaminationBacteria and Viruses Bacteria and Viruses

Seafood contamination (Process industry + shrimp farming)Seafood contamination (Process industry + shrimp farming)

Improper methods of handlingImproper methods of handling

Affect consumer levels (Cholera & typhoid)Affect consumer levels (Cholera & typhoid)

Noise PollutionNoise PollutionMarine life can be susceptible to noise or sound pollution from sources such as passing ships, oil exploration seismic surveys, and naval low-frequency active sonar.

Sound travels more rapidly and over larger distances in the sea than in the atmosphere.

Marine animals, such as cetaceans, often have weak eyesight, and live in a world largely defined by acoustic information. This applies also to many deeper sea fish, who live in a world of darkness

Between 1950 and 1975, ambient noise in the ocean increased by about ten decibels (that is a ten-fold increase)

Noise Pollution [continue……]Noise Pollution [continue……]Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are much more dependent on sound for communication and sensation.

Sight is less effective for marine mammals because of the way particulates in the ocean scatter light.

Smell is also limited, as molecules diffuse more slowly in water than in air, which makes smelling less effective.

However, the speed of sound is roughly four times greater in water than in the atmosphere at sea level.

Dead whales washed ashore near Manapad coast

Ship based threatening Ship based threatening Pollutants are released by vessels either

operationally or accidentally.

Operational pollution:Operational pollution: Discharge of sewage, tank residues, bunker oils, garbage, ballast water, emission from vessels & antifouling paints

Accidental Pollution:Accidental Pollution:Accidentally due to collisions by contacting with external objects, grounding, explosions, cargo transfer failures, loss of cargos & toxic materials discharges, oil spills etc.

Damage to habitat & Animals:Damage to habitat & Animals: Anchoring spoil the coral beds

Propellers; ship strikes: marine mammals such as whales

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) Harmful algal blooms (HABs) Toxin producing dinoflagellates Toxin producing dinoflagellates

Red tide Red tide

Sea and Fish culture EnvironmentSea and Fish culture Environment

Shrimp farm effluents (Algal bloom die off, large amount of dead Shrimp farm effluents (Algal bloom die off, large amount of dead organic load accumulate) organic load accumulate)

Affect filter feeding animals, shrimps, lobstersAffect filter feeding animals, shrimps, lobsters

Marine BiofoulingMarine BiofoulingUndesirable growth of marine organisms on immersed artificial Undesirable growth of marine organisms on immersed artificial structuresstructures

Affect the Affect the speed & balance of shipspeed & balance of ship

Increased Increased fuelfuel and and maintenance costmaintenance cost

Corrosion and Corrosion and mechanical failuremechanical failure

Seawater Seawater blockageblockage in pipes in pipes

Ocean Mining Ocean Mining Ocean mining sites are usually large areas of polymettalic nodules or active and extint hydrothermal vents at about 1,400-3,700 meters below the oceans’ surface

Removing parts of the seafloor disturbs the habitat of benthic organisms, possibly , depending on the type of mining and location causing permanent disturbances

Leakage , spilling and corrosion would alter the mining area by chemical contamination

PlasticsPlasticsIn recent years plastic pollution in the ocean has become a significant environmental concern for governments, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public worldwide.

80 % of marine debris is plastic - a component that has been rapidly accumulating since the end of World War II.

Discarded plastic bags, six pack rings and other forms of plastic waste which finish up in the ocean present dangers to wildlife and fisheries.

Aquatic life can be threatened through entanglement, suffocation, and ingestion

Plastic debris tends to accumulate at the center of ocean. In particular, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has a very high level of plastic particulate suspended in the upper water column

Micro plasticsMicro plasticsMicroplastic is plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters. These are fairly recently discovered in high and increasing concentrations in the ocean.

Nurdles are the plastic pellets used as a feedstock for producing plastic goods

They can spill from ships or land-based sources and “microbeads” used as scrubbing agents in personal care products such as skin cleansers, tooth-pastes, and shampoos, can escape water-treatment facilities and pass into water-sheds with treated water

Polythenes Polythenes Generated from hosehold and industrial wastes

Recreational beaches

Mistaken for food by sea turtles

100 type of birds100 type of birds

31 types of sea mamals31 types of sea mamals

FishesFishes

Release Bisphenol, phathalate & Release Bisphenol, phathalate & gasesgases

Cause cancer, heart failuresCause cancer, heart failures

Ocean Acidification Ocean Acidification The oceans are normally a natural carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Because the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are increasing, the oceans are becoming more acidic

Structures made of calcium carbonate may become vulnerable to dissolution, affecting corals and the ability of shellfish to form shells.

Ocean Acidification [continue….] Ocean Acidification [continue….] Increased acidity of the seawater, combined with other environmental stressors like increasing ocean temperature and pollution, has the potential to affect many biological processes.

Many animals and some algae use carbonate ions to make calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. Because ocean acidification decreases the availability of carbonate ions, these organisms will have to work harder to produce shells

Ocean acidification could make it harder for marine organisms to absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and other elements essential for growth.

Coastal Tourism Coastal Tourism Recreational and commercial fishing, marine vessels and marine-industries are all sources of polluting the sea by various solid wastes.

Tourism and recreational activities account for an array of plastics, polythenes and tin bottles being discarded along beaches and coastal resorts. The materials carried on in-shore- and ocean currents.

Fishing gear, plastic monofilament line and nylon netting are the most commonly noted plastic debris items with a marine source.

Ballasted Water Ballasted Water Ballast water discharges by ships can have a negative impact on the marine environment.

Cruise ships, large tankers, and bulk cargo carriers use a huge amount of ballast water, which is often taken on in the coastal waters in one region after ships discharge wastewater or unload cargo, and discharged at the next port of call, wherever more cargo is loaded

Ballast water discharge typically contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria.

These materials often include non-native, nuisance, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems, along with serious human health issues including death.

Natural CalamitiesNatural Calamities Floods or hurricanes can accelerate transportation of waste from land to the marine environment..

Marine Littering Marine Littering Input of 6-10 million tones of litter into the oceans each year, 70-80 % from land based sources, in total 100 million tones of plastics.

22 trenches within the ocean that have been identified. 18 trenches are in the pacific ocean, 3 in the Atlantic and 1 in the Indian ocean

The deepest trench within the Mariana trench system is the Challenger trench which is 36, 201 feet deep which is situated in the western Pacific Ocean, to the east of the Mariana Islands

Impact of Marine Pollution Impact of Marine Pollution

Marine Biodiversity Marine Biodiversity Marine Biodiversity is defined as “The variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia

[among other things], terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

Biodiversity is important for

Capture and store energy

Produce organic material

Decompose organic material

Cycle water and nutrients

Help regulate climate and

atmospheric gases

Coastal Ecology Coastal Ecology Climate changes spoiled by extreme weather events as well as sea level rise, warming of the sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification.

Corals Reefs: loss due to anthropogenic stress, collection and recreational activities.

Mangroves– degradation due to over exploitation

Fisheries– decline in catch rate due to overfishing and overdependence on trawlers

Beaches: reduction in benthic organisms due to oil pollution.

Human Health Human Health Poisoning, contaminated seafood and bioaccumulation

Pathogens spread diseases

Pesticides change hormonal system, reduce fertility, weaken immune system and create cancer

Bisphenols and phathalates

Name Major Health EffectsAldicarb (Temik) High toxicity to the nervous systemBenzene Chromosomal damage, anemia, blood disorders, and leukemia

Carbon tetrachloride Cancer; liver, kidney, lung, and central nervous system damage

Chloroform Liver and kidney damage; suspected cancerDioxin Skin disorders, cancer, and genetic mutationsEthylene dibromide (EDB) Cancer and male sterilityPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Liver, kidney, and lung damage

Trichloroethylene (TCE)In high concentrations, liver and kidney damage, central nervous system depression, skin problems, and suspected cancer and mutations

Vinyl chloride Liver, kidney, and lung damage; lung, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal problems; cancer and suspected mutations

Table . Synthetic chemicals detected in ocean and its impact on human health Table . Synthetic chemicals detected in ocean and its impact on human health

How to solve Environmental PollutionHow to solve Environmental Pollution

Role of Marine Biotechnology on Environmental PollutionRole of Marine Biotechnology on Environmental PollutionBioremediationBioremediation

““The act of adding materials to contaminated environments such as oil spill The act of adding materials to contaminated environments such as oil spill sites, to cause an acceleration of the natural biodegradation process”.sites, to cause an acceleration of the natural biodegradation process”.

PrinciplesPrinciplesGrowth improvements of microbes by Growth improvements of microbes by optimal nutrients/ oxygenoptimal nutrients/ oxygen

Reduce or neutralize Reduce or neutralize the pollutants the pollutants

Pycoremediation, Mycoremediation, complex strategiesPycoremediation, Mycoremediation, complex strategies

Important featuresImportant featuresExtremophilc bacteria Extremophilc bacteria with stand high temperature, pH & salinitywith stand high temperature, pH & salinity

Less expensive & Less expensive & Eco-friendlyEco-friendly

Genetically modified organism such as super bugGenetically modified organism such as super bug

Oil recovery Oil recovery MEOR MEOR (Minimal disruption in sites)(Minimal disruption in sites)

Remove Remove toxic elements toxic elements

Antifouling Antifouling Anti-fouling paint or bottom paint is a specialized coating applied to

the hull of a ship or boat in order to slow the growth of organisms that attach to the hull and can affect a vessel's performance and durability.

Silicone, Silicone epoxySilicone, Silicone epoxy

SiloxaneSiloxane

PolysiloxanePolysiloxane

WaxWax

FeaturesFeaturesInhibitors of Inhibitors of quorum sensing- quorum sensing- sponge sponge Luffariella variabilisLuffariella variabilis

Neurotransmission blockers Neurotransmission blockers -2,5,6-tribromo-1-methtyl gramine- bryozoan-2,5,6-tribromo-1-methtyl gramine- bryozoan

Inhibitors of adhesive Inhibitors of adhesive production/release- Inhibit the adhesion of mussels production/release- Inhibit the adhesion of mussels

Enzyme inhibitorsEnzyme inhibitors

Ion channel inhibitors- Ion channel inhibitors- Mediterranean sponge Mediterranean sponge Crambe crambe Crambe crambe inhibits the inhibits the settlement of bryozoanssettlement of bryozoans

Effluent Treatment by ProbioticsEffluent Treatment by Probiotics

Probiotics have been defined as “live microbial food supplements which beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal microflora balance”

Gut & Water ProbioticsGut & Water Probiotics

Competition exclusive principleCompetition exclusive principle

Used in Used in Shrimp farms and polluted areasShrimp farms and polluted areas

Improved strains of ProbioticsImproved strains of Probiotics

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spLactobacillus and Bifidobacterium sp

Effluent Treatment by MicroalgaeEffluent Treatment by MicroalgaeRemoval of nutrientsRemoval of nutrients

Removal Removal excess nutrients and Coexcess nutrients and Co2 2 in in waste water systemswaste water systems

Solve Solve BODBOD problems problems

Excess algal biomass may Excess algal biomass may harvestedharvested

Removal of organic pollutantsRemoval of organic pollutants

Chlorella, ankistrodesmus in paper mills Chlorella, ankistrodesmus in paper mills & olive oil mills& olive oil mills

Algae can Algae can produce Oproduce O2 2 to bacteria and to bacteria and bacteria bacteria degradedegrade the nutrients the nutrients

Removal of Heavy metalsRemoval of Heavy metals

Sargassum sp special affinity to Sargassum sp special affinity to heavy heavy metalsmetals

Waste water systemsWaste water systems

Suggestions to Protect Marine Environments Suggestions to Protect Marine Environments

Protect Marine Environments Protect Marine Environments Cleaning programme

• ICC (International Coastal Clean-up )ICC (International Coastal Clean-up )

• 2,800 peoples2,800 peoples

• 124 tones 124 tones

• 122 miles 122 miles

Public awareness

Set standards for effluent discharge

Minimal use of pesticides

Strict implementation of polluter pays principal

Strict implementation of laws pertaining to prevention & coastal zone management before establishing new industrial units on the coast.

Marine Acts Marine Acts National Marine sanctuaries Act of 1972: Protect marine resources

Fisheries Management and Conservation Act – 1976: Fisheries resources & Fishing activities

Clean Water Act of 1977: Polluted water and management

Endangered Species Act: Conservation

Oceans Act of 2000: Hazards and pollution

Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000: Restoration of estuary habitat

Thank

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