| 1. |
- Jalkanen, Jukka-Pekka, et al.
(author)
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Modelling of discharges from Baltic Sea shipping
- 2021
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In: Ocean Science. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1812-0784 .- 1812-0792.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper describes the new developments of the Ship Traffic Emission Assessment Model (STEAM) which enable the modelling of pollutant discharges to water from ships. These include nutrients from black/grey water discharges as well as from food waste. Further, the modelling of contaminants in ballast, black, grey and scrubber water, bilge discharges, and stern tube oil leaks are also described as well as releases of contaminants from antifouling paints.Each of the discharges is regulated by different sections of the IMO MARPOL convention, and emission patterns of different pollution releases vary significantly. The discharge patterns and total amounts for the year 2012 in the Baltic Sea area are reported and open-loop SOx scrubbing effluent was found to be the second-largest pollutant stream by volume. The scrubber discharges have increased significantly in recent years, and their environmental impacts need to be investigated in detail.
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| 2. |
- Moschella, P. S., et al.
(author)
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Low-crested coastal defence structures as artificial habitats for marine life: Using ecological criteria in design
- 2005
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In: Coastal Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-3839. ; 52:10-11, s. 1053-1071
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal defence structures to protect sedimentary coastlines from erosion and flooding are increasingly common throughout Europe. They will become more widespread over the next 10-30 years in response to rising and stormier seas and accelerating economic development of the coastal zone. Building coastal defences results in the loss and fragmentation of sedimentary habitats and their replacement by artificial rocky habitats that become colonised by algae and marine animals. The engineering design and construction of these structures have received considerable attention. However, the ecological consequences of coastal defences have been less extensively investigated. Furthermore, due to their rapid proliferation, there is a growing need to understand the role of these man-made habitats in the coastal ecosystems in order to implement impact minimisation and/or mitigation measures. As part of the DELOS project, targeted studies were carried out throughout Europe to assess the ecological similarity of low-crested coastal defence structures (LCS) to natural rocky shores and to investigate the influence of LCS design features on the colonising marine epibiota. LCSs can be considered as a relatively poor surrogate of natural rocky shores. Epibiotic communities were qualitatively similar to those on natural rocky shores as both habitats are regulated by the same physical and biological factors. However, there were quantitative differences in the diversity and abundance of epibiota on artificial structures. Typically, epibiotic assemblages were less diverse than rocky shore communities. Also, LCSs offered less structurally complex habitats for colonisation and in some locations experienced higher disturbance than natural shores. We propose several criteria that can be integrated into the design and construction of LCSs to minimise ecological impacts and allow targeted management of diversity and natural living resources. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Raudsepp, Urmas, et al.
(author)
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Shipborne nutrient dynamics and impact on the eutrophication in the Baltic Sea
- 2019
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 671, s. 189-207
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Baltic Sea is a severely eutrophicated sea-area where intense shipping as an additional nutrient source is a potential contributor to changes in the ecosystem. The impact of the two most important shipborne nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, on the overall nutrient-phytoplankton-oxygen dynamics in the Baltic Sea was determined by using the coupled physical and biogeochemical model system General Estuarine Transport Model–Ecological Regional Ocean Model (GETM-ERGOM) in a cascade with the Ship Traffic Emission Assessment Model (STEAM) and the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. We compared two nutrient scenarios in the Baltic Sea: with (SHIP) and without nutrient input from ships (NOSHIP). The model uses the combined nutrient input from shipping-related waste streams and atmospheric depositions originating from the ship emission and calculates the effect of excess nutrients on the overall biogeochemical cycle, primary production, detritus formation and nutrient flows. The shipping contribution is about 0.3% of the total phosphorus and 1.25–3.3% of the total nitrogen input to the Baltic Sea, but their impact to the different biogeochemical variables is up to 10%. Excess nitrogen entering the N-limited system of the Baltic Sea slightly alters certain pathways: cyanobacteria growth is compromised due to extra nitrogen available for other functional groups while the biomass of diatoms and especially flagellates increases due to the excess of the limiting nutrient. In terms of the Baltic Sea ecosystem functioning, continuous input of ship-borne nitrogen is compensated by steady decrease of nitrogen fixation and increase of denitrification, which results in stationary level of total nitrogen content in the water. Ship-borne phosphorus input results in a decrease of phosphate content in the water and increase of phosphorus binding to sediments. Oxygen content in the water decreases, but reaches stationary state eventually.
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| 4. |
- Ytreberg, Erik, 1980, et al.
(author)
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Environmental impacts of grey water discharge from ships in the Baltic Sea
- 2020
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In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. - : Elsevier BV. - 0025-326X .- 1879-3363. ; 152
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Discharge of grey water from ships is today unregulated in most sea areas, including the Baltic Sea. Annually, an estimated 5.5 million m3 grey water is emitted to the Baltic Sea with largest contribution from RoPax (4.25 million m3) and cruise ships (0.65 million m3). In total 44 different contaminants in grey water was identified and sorted into the sub categories organic compounds (28) and metals (16). Zinc and copper had the highest average concentrations with yearly inputs of 2.8 tons (zinc) and 1.5 tons (copper). 159 tons of nitrogen and 26.4 tons of phosphorus were estimated to be discharged to the Baltic Sea annually. An environmental risk assessment of contaminants, performed at a shipping lane in the Baltic Sea, showed the risk for adverse effects from grey water to be low. Nitrogen and phosphorus input from grey water contributes to 0.25% of the exceedance of, for the Baltic Sea set, eutrophication target.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, Karin, 1952, et al.
(author)
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Shipping and the environment
- 2016
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In: Shipping and the Environment: Improving Environmental Performance in Marine Transportation. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg. - 9783662490457 ; , s. 3-27
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Humans have always had a close relationship with the aquatic environment, including the early use of the sea for food harvesting and communication. Today, the sea is an important component of the transportation system, with large amounts of cargo and passengers. This chapter provides a short introduction to ships and shipping, focussing primarily on commercial ships; nonetheless, many of the emissions, impacts and measures discussed throughout this book are common to other sectors, such as leisure, research and fishing. This chapter also introduces the environmental impacts related to ship operations. Ship transportation has increased tremendously since the industrial revolution, which has resulted in increased emissions due to shipping and increased stresses on the environment. However, this trend is not only related to shipping. Currently, there are several warning signs that we are not taking care of the Earth and its ecosystem in a sustainable manner, that the Earth's ecosystems are degrading and that natural capital is being exploited, e.g., by the burning of fossil fuels. The marine industry is a component of our society; similar to all industry sectors, it contributes to unsustainable patterns in our society. Although the marine industry is a contributor to these problems, it can also be part of the solution, yet several challenges must be addressed. Sustainability and related concepts, such as ecosystem services, planetary boundaries and resilience thinking, could be used as guidance in addressing these challenges. Humans have always had a close relationship with the aquatic environment. Indeed, a scientific discussion debates whether the first humans evolved in a dry land environment, on the savannah, or in shallow water environments (as the "water man" or "aquatic ape") [1]. With respect to environmental awareness, the sea has come into focus relatively late compared with other natural areas. Independent of this observation, the sea has served as an important transportation route and a source of food and recreation throughout history. In a world where more than 70 % of the surface is covered by oceans, our interaction with and dependence on the sea in numerous aspects is obvious.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Karin, 1952, et al.
(author)
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Shipping and the Environment
- 2021
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In: International Encyclopedia of Transportation: Volume 1-7. ; 3, s. 286-293
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The sea provides the infrastructure for shipping, but it is also a very important part of the natural environment, providing many kinds of ecosystem services to man. More than 90% of international goods transport is performed by sea, and although shipping is the most energy efficient means of transport, it also causes impacts on nature, health, crops, and the built environment. The main part of emissions to air from shipping is related to the fuel. Traditionally, combustion engines using fossil heavy fuel oil (HFO) or diesel oil with emissions of sulfur, nitrogen oxides, particles, and other pollutants have been dominating. In order to decrease environmental impact, “zero emission” fuels and propulsion alternatives have been developed. The impact on the marine environment from, for example, oil spills and use of antifouling coatings on ships are other areas of concern. Shipping has a large challenge in becoming fossil-free and in developing “zero emission” technology in the coming decades.
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| 7. |
- Brynolf, Selma, 1984, et al.
(author)
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Improving environmental performance in shipping
- 2016
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In: Shipping and the Environment: Improving Environmental Performance in Marine Transportation. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer. - 9783662490457 ; , s. 399-418
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This book addresses the environmental issues related to shipping and the natural environment, including descriptions of and proposed solutions to the issues. Currently, challenges exist that must be addressed if shipping is to become sustainable and fulfil the zero vision of no harmful emissions to the environment. In this chapter, we evaluate the steps that have been taken (if any) to limit the various environmental issues and discuss possible steps to be taken to improve environmental performance. Furthermore, future challenges must also be addressed, e.g., the current trend of increasing ship operations in the Arctic. In general, three factors could be addressed in order to reach environmentally sustainable shipping: regulations, technical solutions, and increased environmental awareness. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016. All rights are reserved.
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| 8. |
- Dinasquet, Julie, et al.
(författare)
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Cascading effects of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi on the planktonic food web in a nutrient-limited estuarine system
- 2012
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Ingår i: Marine Ecology Progress Serie. - : Inter-Research Science Center. - 0171-8630 .- 1616-1599. ; 460, s. 49-61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increasing biomasses of gelatinous zooplankton presumably have major implications for the structure and function of marine food webs at large; however, current data on lower trophic levels are scarce, as most studies have focused on the immediate effects on zooplankton and fish larvae only. We examined the short-term impact of larvae and adults of the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi on a summer planktonic food web in the estuarine southern Baltic Sea, with special emphasis on the microbial loop. Grazing by M. leidyi reduced the mesozooplankton biomass, followed by increased dinoflagellate biomass in treatments with M. leidyi. While chlorophyll a increased most in the treatments with M. leidyi, small phytoplankton and ciliates decreased in all treatments. M. leidyi had a slight effect on bacterial abundance, but not on bacterial production, ectoenzymatic activities, or community composition. Undetectable levels of phosphate and a gradual accumulation of dissolved organic carbon during the experiment suggested a malfunctioning microbial loop scenario. The experiment shows that direct and indirect short-term effects of M. leidyi on the estuarine food web are limited to higher trophic levels and indicates that top-down and bottom-up consequences of M. leidyi expansions on the microbial loop will likely depend on local nutrient conditions.
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| 9. |
- Dinasquet, Julie, et al.
(författare)
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Stimulated bacterioplankton growth and selection for certain bacterial taxa in the vicinity of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi
- 2012
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-302X. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Episodic blooms of voracious gelatinous zooplankton, such as the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, affect pools of inorganic nutrients and dissolved organic carbon by intensive grazing activities and mucus release. This will potentially influence bacterioplankton activity and community composition, at least at local scales; however, available studies on this are scarce. In the present study we examined effects of M. leidyi on bacterioplankton growth and composition in incubation experiments. Moreover, we examined community composition of bacteria associated with the surface and gut of M. leidyi. High release of ammonium and high bacterial growth was observed in the treatments with M. leidyi relative to controls. Deep 454 pyrosequencing of 16 S rRNA genes showed specific bacterial communities in treatments with M. leidyi as well as specific communities associated with M. leidyi tissue and gut. In particular, members of Flavobacteriaceae were associated with M. leidyi. Our study shows that M. leidyi influences bacterioplankton activity and community composition in the vicinity of the jellyfish. In particular during temporary aggregations of jellyfish, these local zones of high bacterial growth may contribute significantly to the spatial heterogeneity of bacterioplankton activity and community composition in the sea.
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| 10. |
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