Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic Ocean dumping

Lecture Marine environmental studies, this topic provides knowledge of ocean dumping. In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: London Dumping Convention of 1972, what is dumping? Orientation, London protocol basic rules, current and future issues,...

Ocean dumping Class Test • • • mins start work State reasons why ships use anti fouling paint Mention metals that can be found in antifouling paint Ocean dumping • Dumping of waste at sea is a deliberate activity London Dumping Convention of 1972 London Dumping Convention of 1972 • The London Convention 1972 (LC) is one of the first global conventions to protect the marine environment from human activities and has been in force since 1975 85 States are parties to it • The London Protocol 1996 (LP), which will eventually replace LC, is in force since 24 March 2006 37 States are parties to it 31 of which are also parties to LC London Dumping Convention of 1972 • The international convention on dumping is the “Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter” (London Dumping Convention of 1972) • Under this convention, there is a list of substances that are NOT ALLOWED TO BE DUMPED AT ALL and a list of substances that are ALLOWED TO BE DUMPED ONLY IN TRACE QUANTITIES, and also if it can be proved that they can rapidly be rendered harmless at sea WHAT IS DUMPING? • DUMPING IS THE DELIBERATE DISPOSAL AT SEA OF WASTES LOADED ON BOARD A VESSEL • DUMPING IS NOT: • • Pipeline discharges from land Operational discharges from vessels or offshore installations “ORIENTATION” • The objective of LP is to: • … protect and preserve the marine environment from ALL SOURCES of pollution, and • take effective measures,…… to prevent, reduce and where practicable eliminate pollution caused by dumping or incineration at sea of wastes • So LC + LP govern dumping activities world-wide, but always from the perspective of protection from all sources of pollution Dumping… • Many countries dump lots of waste at sea but this is normally done under a permit system and in accordance with international instrument • The list of substances that are allowed to be dumped are only done so with the permission of the sea authorities • In issuing a permit, the authorities will need to consider: The nature of the dumping site The quantity of the material to be dumped The toxicity of the material to be dumped ACHIEVEMENTS (1) • Parties have stopped unregulated dumping and incineration activities of the 1960s and 1970s (1 st phase) • All dumping is subject to licensing and controlled by regulatory programmes to assess the need for and potential impact of dumping • Prohibitions extended since mid-1990s for dumping of industrial and radioactive wastes and incineration at sea (2 nd phase) In other words, the “core business” under LC and LP is under control and the main politically sensitive issues of the past have been resolved ACHIEVEMENTS (2) guidelines have been developed for a logical, step-by-step assessment of each waste category addressing: • • • • • • • waste prevention audit assessment of alternatives waste characterization “Action List” assessment of potential effects of sea and land disposal options disposal site selection monitoring and licensing procedures ACHIEVEMENTS (3) • These guidelines draw on generally accepted approaches for integrated waste management and pollution prevention and are therefore also useful for other fora!! (Reviews are regularly made) • Guidelines for the Sampling and Analysis of Dredged Material Intended for Disposal at Sea (2004) • • Guidelines for placement of artificial reefs (2008) Training materials are being expanded and adapted (low-tech extension: 2009) • Guidance how to develop an “Action list” (2008) LESSONS LEARNED • Parties gained a wealth of practical experience on marine pollution prevention issues, interpretation, licensing, compliance and field monitoring activities • Full compliance still remains a substantial problem for many Parties, due to technical, legal and administrative issues Improvement of compliance is regularly discussed since 1999 A “Compliance Group” has been established (first session in 2008) A “Barriers to compliance” project is currently being implemented (2008-2011) • Continuous outreach activities to new Parties are a necessity • Not all Parties and potential Parties can afford coming to meetings in London Hence promotion of LP since 1996 in Regional and National Workshops such as this Workshop in Muscat • Collaborative agreements with other organizations (UNEP, IOI, IOC? FAO?) to move from “ad hoc” to more programmatic co-operation CURRENT AND FUTURE ISSUES • Core issues under control, so more attention for new, “boundary” issues, which invariably demand co-operation: • Spoilt cargo management 2008 (LP>>IMO) • LP amendments in 2006 permitting CO2 capture and storage in sub-seabed geological formations to limit ocean acidification (LP>>UNFCCC and IPCC) • Regulation of ocean fertilization (2008–2009)(LP>>IOC, UNEP, CBD, GESAMP) • Ship-recycling convention in 2009 (IMO>>LP) • Advice on Best Management Practices to remove TBT Paints from ships (IMO’s prohibition of TBT antifoulants in 2008) (LP>> IMO and GPA) • Placement of artificial reefs in the oceans (2008) OCEAN FERTILIZATION: ACTIVITIES UNDER LC/LP • What is it?: Stimulation of natural photosynthesis in the oceans, i.e., by “seeding” with iron particles, to draw down part of the surplus of CO2 from the atmosphere • Concerns: (1) effectiveness of the method, does it work? (2) potential impacts on the marine environment and human health • Action in 2007: Parties issued “Statement of Concern” and agreed to work towards regulation of ocean fertilization • Action in 2008: “Policy” resolution adopted allowing only “legitimate scientific research” (no commercial activities!) • Action in 2009??: Possibly: legally binding resolution or amendment of LP to regulate this activity POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR STATES WHEN JOINING LONDON PROTOCOL • • A better capability to prevent marine pollution from dumping activities Access to the annual meetings of Parties (policy and regulatory aspects of dumping and protection of the marine environment), and the annual meetings of the Scientific Groups (scientific and technical aspects of dumping) • Joining an agreement for control of ALL SOURCES of marine pollution which promotes finding the best overall environmental solution to specific problems and sustainable use of the oceans • • Additional tool to protect the coastal zone and marine environment Access to technical assistance and experience of other Parties to aid marine environmental protection and capacity building POTENTIAL COSTS FOR STATES WHEN JOINING LONDON PROTOCOL There are no membership fees The potential costs vary and depend on the dumping activities but funding would be required for: • Preparing enabling national legislation • Administering a licensing system and procedures • Conducting field and compliance monitoring activities and preparing reports thereon • Attending annual meetings of the Parties and the Scientific Groups Anti-fouling Paints • Anti fouling paints are used to paint the hull of vessels to prevent growth of algae and other marine sediments on it • These paints have been found to cause harm to marine organisms especially because they usually contain tin Air pollution from ships • • Transportation in general contributes 46% to total air pollution Shipping contributes to air pollution in the following ways… Fuel Firefighting Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Cargo Combustion • Burning of fuel can produce pollutants like Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur Oxide, Nitrogen Oxide and this causes Green House Effect (Global Warming) • In addition, Sulphur Oxide can cause Acid Rain which destroys vegetation and aquatic life Refrigeration & Air-conditioning • CFC’s and Freons are used in the above They are known to cause depletion of the ozone layer Some of their effects are: Skin Cancer (Melanoma) Affects the Iris of the eye Phytoplankton level and oceanic productivity reduces Breakdown of the immune system Firefighting • • Carbon dioxide is used to fight fires and this causes Greenhouse Effect Also, halons contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer Cargo • • With air pollution, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the issue • The issue of Ozone depleting substances is addressed internationally by the Montreal Protocol • For shipping the issue of air pollution is addressed by Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention These cargoes are volatile hence they easily evaporate into the atmosphere causing Greenhouse Effect akpe na mi! ... metals that can be found in antifouling paint Ocean dumping • Dumping of waste at sea is a deliberate activity London Dumping Convention of 1972 London Dumping Convention of 1972 • The London Convention... LC London Dumping Convention of 1972 • The international convention on dumping is the “Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter” (London Dumping Convention... storage in sub-seabed geological formations to limit ocean acidification (LP>>UNFCCC and IPCC) • Regulation of ocean fertilization (2008–2009)(LP>>IOC, UNEP, CBD, GESAMP) • Ship-recycling convention