When you are on a cruise ship, it is easy to forget that your poop and pee don’t just disappear. The truth is that cruise ships have complex systems to handle the waste generated by passengers and crew members. It is essential for the vessel to have a reliable system for managing both human waste and greywater, which includes wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry.
Cruise ships typically have onboard sewage treatment systems that discharge waste into the ocean. Cruise ships use either marine sanitation devices (MSDs) or advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTSs).
Marine sanitation devices are the most widely used type of sewage treatment system on cruise ships because they are relatively inexpensive and simple to operate. The MSD treats sewage by passing it through a series of filters and then discharging it into the ocean once it meets certain quality standards.
Advanced wastewater treatment systems are more sophisticated than MSDs and can provide higher levels of treatment before discharging treated water into the ocean. These systems use biological processes such as activated sludge or membrane bioreactors to remove pollutants from wastewater before it is released back into the environment. AWTSs also produce less odor than MSDs, making them a good choice for large vessels carrying many passengers.
Environmental Impact:
The discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage from cruise ships has significant impacts on marine ecosystems. Sewage contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to excessive algal growth in coastal waters when discharged in large quantities. This can result in depleted oxygen levels in the water, which can cause fish kills and other ecosystem problems.
Cruise ships also discharge greywater containing chemical pollutants such as detergents, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, oil, grease, chemicals used in engine rooms, etc., which can cause environmental damage if not properly treated before release.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, cruise ships need reliable systems to manage both human waste and greywater generated onboard.
Most vessels use marine sanitation devices or advanced wastewater treatment systems for this purpose; however these systems can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems if not properly maintained or monitored.
What Happens to Poop and Pee on Cruise Ship?
Poop and pee on board a cruise ship does not simply disappear; rather there are complex systems in place for managing both human waste as well as greywater that is generated onboard. This waste is typically treated with either Marine Sanitation Devices or Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems before being discharged into the ocean – however this process can still have negative impacts on marine ecosystems if not monitored properly.