Ocean dumping - Cornell Engineering

Ocean dumping:
What
are the pros and cons of of disposing of
wastes, by placing them in the ocean.
How is ocean dumping regulated?
CEE 3510
Environmental Quality Engineering
Why use the ocean for waste disposal?
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Ocean disposal can pose less risk to human health
than does land disposal or incineration.
Disposal in the deep ocean may have minimal effect
on coastal fisheries and communities.
Oceans are HUGE with relatively high assimilative
capability. [Not true for the deep ocean.]
If disposal sites are properly chosen and dumping
methods are properly designed, wastes can either be
concentrated and confined to a small area in the
deep ocean, or dispersed throughout a large volume.
Aerobic conditions and extensive flora and fauna will
result in degradation of some wastes.
For coastal communities, like NYC, ocean disposal
appears to be the most economical alternative.
Cons
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While near shore ocean dumping may be economical for
some communities, it takes $$$$$ to transport wastes for
dumping in the deep ocean.
Limited knowledge of effects, particularly long term and
deep ocean. Biomagnification of toxins may significantly
impact coastal communities even if wastes are disposed of
in deep ocean. Ex. Whales have mercury levels one
million times that of ocean water.
If toxins are dumped and the intent is containment, ocean
dumping offers less control than current landfills.
Potential for negative press.
If organic waste is concentrated, O2 may be depleted.
The residence time of ocean water is very high, so if we
damage a particular area, it can take a long time before it
can repair itself.
History of Ocean Dumping
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Until only a few decades ago the oceans had been
viewed as limitless and unaffected by human actions.
Throughout the world, coastal countries have used the
oceans as receptacles for all types of waste, from
sewage and sewage sludge, to industrial and radioactive
wastes, to munitions and other warfare agents.
The results of shortsighted and poorly planned waste
disposal have been severe, particularly in coastal areas.
For example, Japan's Inland Sea experiences ≈200 red
tides annually, and in 1988 of New York and New Jersey
beaches were closed because medical wastes and
sewage were washing up.
Fishing industries have been among the most affected
by coastal dumping. Toxins accumulate in shellfish and
other marine organisms and make them unsuitable for
consumption.
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Regulations
Rivers and Harbors Act (1890) Prohibited deposition of refuse
into U.S. navigable waters.
Ocean Dumping Act (Marine Protection, Research and
Sanctuaries Act) (1972) US Agencies or US flagged vessels can
not dump in any ocean without a permit. No transport into US
waters for dumping. COE permits for dredged material. EPA
permits for others. EPA designates recommended ocean
disposal sites. Permits are not granted if a land based
alternative exists.
London Dumping Convention (1972) Meeting of 92 nations
which declared that all other options should be exhausted before
ocean dumping is considered and agreed to
regulations similar to the U.S. ODA.
Regulations (continued)
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Hughes Amendment to ODA (1978) Banned ocean
dumping of sewage sludge as of Dec. 31 1981. New York
City remained in violation until the 1988 Ocean Dumping
Ban Act.
In 1987 the United States ratified an amendment to the
Marine Pollution Treaty of 1973 prohibiting ocean dumping
of plastic materials.
Ocean Dumping Ban Act (1988 amendment to ODA) As of
Dec. 31, 1991, banned all ocean dumping of sewage
sludge, industrial waste, radiological, chemical, and
biological warfare agents, and
high
level radioactive waste.
Speaking of plastic in the ocean…
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An environmental survey in
2004 found that plastic
debris can erode away and
end up as microscopic
fibers and that these are
steadily accumulating in
the oceans.
The fibers include nylon,
polyester, and polyethylene
and can be ingested by
plankton, barnacles, etc.
The environmental impact Lab experiments show that marine
of this consumption is not
animals consume microscopic bits of
yet known.
plastic, as seen here in the digestive
tract of an amphipod.© Science 2004
Plastic and other debris accumulates in huge
ocean gyres (circulating fluid)
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The Great Pacific Garbage
Patch, also described as the
Pacific Trash Vortex, is a gyre
of marine litter in the central
North Pacific Ocean. The
gyre's rotational pattern draws
in waste material from across
the North Pacific Ocean.
Wind-driven surface currents
gradually move floating debris
toward the center, trapping it
in the region.
Estimates of size range from
270,000 sq mi. to more than
5,800,000 sq mi.
 Most debris consists of small
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plastic particles suspended at or
just below the surface, making it
impossible to detect by aircraft or
satellite.
The patch is defined as an area in
which the mass of plastic debris in
the upper water column is
significantly higher than average.
Regulations continued
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More recent status:
– After 3 years of deliberation, in 2003 the Pew
Oceans Commission declared:
 “U.S.
ocean governance is in disarray [and] . . . the
status quo is unacceptable”.
 More than a dozen federal agencies now have a voice on
marine issues (poor coordination).
– Panel recommendations include:
 Merging
fragmented ocean programs into an independent
agency.
 Creating a robust system of marine reserves (protected
areas).
 Doubling spending on marine research.
 Changing administration focus to prioritize healthy
oceans and not maximizing economic return.
Regulations update continued
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The congressionally appointed U.S. Oceans
Commission released a report in May 2004.
– This was the 1st comprehensive federal review of
ocean status & policy in 35 years!
– The commission found US oceans to be in serious
trouble (similar to the Pew Commission report).
 Management
programs were found to be fragmented,
under-funded and uncoordinated.
 Ecosystem-based management was recommended.
 Doubling of funding on ocean science (over next 5 years)
was recommended, including building of ocean
observatories and basic research.
Although it is not ocean dumping per se,
global warming is changing the oceans.
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The ocean has absorbed an estimated 118 billion metric tons
of carbon dioxide since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
20 to 25 tons of CO2 are being added to the atmosphere daily,
and increasing levels of dissolved CO2 are changing the pH
balance of the oceans.
– Shells, and coral dissolve within 48 hours when exposed to the
oceanic acidity expected by 2050.
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Measurements indicate circulation of warm ocean into
northern Europe slowed by 1/3 between 1957 and 2004
causing fear of a shutdown and cataclysmic climate change.