Cruise ships are a popular form of vacationing today, with over 27 million people taking cruises in 2018 alone. While they are a great way to get away and enjoy the open waters, they do produce a large amount of pollution.
Cruise ships emit pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter that can have a negative impact on air quality. Additionally, cruise ships discharge untreated sewage and oil into the ocean, which can lead to water contamination.
Sulfur dioxide is one of the primary pollutants emitted by cruise ships. It is a colorless gas that is created when fuel containing sulfur is burned.
This pollutant contributes to acid rain and has been linked to respiratory illnesses. Additionally, it can cause damage to buildings and monuments.
Nitrogen oxides are another pollutant released by cruise ships. These gases are produced when fuel containing nitrogen is burned, and they contribute to ground-level ozone formation. Ozone can irritate the lungs and cause chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Particulate matter is also released by cruise ships. This is an umbrella term for tiny particles in the air such as dust, soot, smoke, and other aerosols. Particulate matter can irritate the lungs and worsen asthma symptoms.
Cruise Ships Discharge Untreated Sewage
Cruise ships also discharge untreated sewage into the ocean on a regular basis. This sewage contains bacteria which can then contaminate local waters impacting both marine life and human health.
Oil Spills from Cruise Ships
Oil spills from cruise ships are another source of pollution that can have long-lasting effects on the environment. Oil spills can cause damage to marine life and habitats as well as inhibit photosynthesis in plants.
The amount of pollution produced by cruise ships varies depending on their size and type of engine used for propulsion. Larger vessels tend to produce more emissions due to their size while vessels with older engines tend to be less efficient in terms of emissions.
Conclusion
Cruise ships generate a significant amount of pollution through their emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, untreated sewage discharges into the ocean and oil spills from their vessels. The exact amount of pollution produced will vary depending on size and type of engine used but all types generate some level of pollution which can have negative impacts on air quality, water contamination and marine life.