Essay on Ocean Pollution and Ways to Combat It

Conclusion

A cruise ship refers to the excellent ship voyage used for traveling for leisure in the sea or ocean. It is one of the sources of entertainment thus provides all services needed for humans to enjoy. It has all essential entertainment features; casinos, clubs, restaurants, swimming pools, and cabins. This is part of the marine transportation system. As maritime transport increases so do the harmful effect to the environment increase thus adverse effects. Various significant specific harmful effects result from the cruise ships; marine, air, and land are environments that are polluted. I will begin with the marine pollution with particular forms of how the infection is done and suggest ways and methods how to curb the pollution and harmful effects

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One of the essential types of contamination is oil spillage to the ocean waters. As the engines and other mechanical parts of the cruise ship run, a lot of oil is used onboard. Thus the waste products of the oil and other pollutants resulting from faulty engine systems are released and leaked to the ocean. Research has shown us that fuel is denser than water. Once it is released, it mixes up with the water. Being heavier and thicker, it will take a while before it is degradable. This affects marine animals especially the fish family and water plants as they lack the fresh flow of oxygen and water. The living organisms in water are forced to ingest the polluted water which has too much bacteria, and in return, their growth system is affected dearly. Most marine creatures will die, become sick, and are also harmful for human consumption. It forms a layer in the water which makes for marine transportation of other ships harder. However, the cruise ships before starting any journey must make sure the proper oil is used. Certified engineers perform the engine systems and adequate repair works. This will help prevent more leaking of oil spillage thus causing pollution.

The other massive aspect of marine pollution is sewage pollution. Sewage pollution includes the waste products from the toilets; laundry used water, dry cleaning stations, pool, and those from the medical facilities offered on the ship. Large gallons of waste products are released into the sea daily. According to the U.S EPA estimates, 3000 people in a vessel could issue almost 210,000 gallons of fecal matter in the sewage within 6-7 days. This is due to enormous food and drink consumption in the cruise thus increased in the release of fecal matter. The sewage waste products in most cases are released into the ocean without proper treatment.

These wastes contain bacteria, viruses, pathogens, and dangerous healthcare facilities like needles and medication meant for human beings. When these wastes are released into the water, they become harmful to marine life and fish which are contaminated. This causes aquatic deaths and infections which could even lead to mutations in their lives. The primary solution to this challenge is the treatment of sewage waste before releasing and depositing it into the marine environment. This will eliminate any harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from the residues released that could affect the fish and other nautical life elements.

Another dominant form of water pollution is solid and chemical waste disposal. This includes; paper, plastic bottles, food and drinking cans, aluminum foils, utensil waste among other solid staff not in use. Chemicals include; the soaps used for showering and laundry activities, expired medication and other goods, batteries, and even the perfumes and jelly people use produce chemo cells that are released into the ocean. These solid waste products in most cases will float thus forming layers that prevent enough oxygen and light into the water. Chemicals contaminate the eco-system through the release of the infected bacteria thus affecting marine life. A solution to this substantial1 waste disposal pollution is through the use of recycling procedures and reusing them. Recycling will reduce the disposal rates into the ocean.

Apart from water pollution, the air is another aspect of infection. It is a concept that most people can relate to and attest to. During the running of the engines and other mechanical elements like exhaust tanks, there is the emission of waste fumes and air. It contains high degrees of nitrogen oxide in the air. Other gas wastes too are emitted into the oxygenated atmosphere. This causes air contamination above the ocean and land. Oxygen is essential, especially for human beings and animals. Thus they will have to breathe contaminated oxygen, and this causes different side effects. One of them is infecting the respiratory system of the living organisms causing infections in the body. This leads to serious human health problems, especially for people who live at the port and its environments. They are always the first who have been exposed apart from those on the ship.

Such emissions also affect the plants which may lead to growth mutations in the growth of crops and thus reduced production. Polluted air also affects the air that mixes with clouds during rain, the water also becomes contaminated and hazardous. This will pollute the aquatic life too. However, installation of treatment of air and fumes waste emission will be of great importance. This will reduce or stop air pollution thus clean air for living organisms and also save the water during rainy seasons.

Cruise ships are well known for offering luxury and pleasure activities. Although people are out there to enjoy it, the machine is vast and always moving. Due to the movements, the heavy machinery and other activities produce a lot of noise due to the friction of mechanism and motion. Noise will affect the humans first on board. Some cannot stand loud noises due to hearing problems and thus is significantly changed. The sound also affects marine animals since a large number of them depend on sensitive hearing systems. This could lead to death and slowed eco-system due to the loss of sensitivity. The solution to such pollution is through using adequate machinery which is greased and well oiled. This will reduce the friction among the moving parts and thus reduce noise production. This is due to using modern technology and engineering systems that the governments globally will install for better cruise ship service.

Pollution is a significant aspect of consideration on land and water. It affects everything in different cycles and systems. Pollution causes negative effects. First is the emission of waste fumes and noxious air into the air. This causes respiratory diseases and other forms of infections due to the bacteria, viruses, and pathogens in the emitted air. There are chemicals in the emissions which are in the form of lightless air and others in the way of smoke. Water pollution, especially from cruise ships and other types of water transport systems, is increasing with time. This has harmed the aquatic eco-system and life. The sea animals and mammals depend on the water for their survival thus the animals are forced to ingest polluting emissions. Life is a cycle, and this is in the form of the food cycle for humans. Many human beings do eat sea and ocean animals including fish. There is inter-dependence in the eco-system thus rational people end up taking contaminated fish among other seafood. This can cause other body infections thus spending more on medication.

However, it is essential for the installation of new technology in curbing pollution and its effects. One of the ways to do so is using new modernized machinery in making cruise ships. New and modern machines will make work more accessible through transport systems. It reduces the friction among moving parts which will limit noise pollution. Using treated oil, grease and fuel will help move parts to work excellently. This is also helpful during spillage into the water and that way it does not affect marine life. Another aspect of reducing the pollution aspect is through the use of recycling and reusing of the solid waste products as that will lessen the loose dirt on the oceans. Water is life, and it is crucial to maintain it clean for use and better marine life growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cruise ship pollution is on the high rise due to many people engaging in many entertainment activities. Pollution affects the health of the people on land and marine life. This is through the emission of poisonous gases, wastes into the ocean, loud noises, and oil spillage to the sea. The marine environment is vital for the production of seafood through fish and other aquatic life. Water is essential for us all living organisms through drinking, cooking, washing, and bathing. It is significant for keeping it clean for easy use. Clean water also is adequate for use in water transportation. Proper monitoring and testing of sewage systems before discharging them is of the essence and thus preventing infections and diseases.

Works Cited

Alexandra R. "The Solution to International Cruise Ship Pollution." 2014.

Jackie S. "Oceana Works to Stop Cruise Ship Pollution." Washington. 2003.

Keener, Robert. "Plastic Pollution": CQ Global Researcher. July 2010.

MI News Networks in Cruise." Ways in which Cruise Ships Can Cause marine Pollution". 2016.

Susan S. "Taking a close look at Cruise ship Pollution." Published on 19 December 2012. Updated in 2016.