Effects of scrubber washwater discharge on microplankton in the Baltic Sea

Ytreberg, Erik; Hassellöv, Ida-Maja; Nylund, Amanda T.; Hedblom, Mikael; Al-Handal, Adil Y.; Wulff, Angela

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.05.023

Cited by 40 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Also in the present study Table S3) and are expected to be acutely toxic for most aquatic organisms. Acute toxic effects of scrubber washwater on phyto-and zooplankton are reported, even at concentrations of metals and PAHs much lower than the concentrations reported in present work 23,25 . The synergistic effects caused by the mixture of metals and PAHs combined with low pH in scrubber washwater result in higher toxicity than estimated from the effect thresholds of the individual compounds 23,44 .…”

Section: 1scrubber Washwater Qualitycontrasting

confidence: 66%

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

Teuchies

Cox

Itterbeeck

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set limits on sulphur content in fuels for marine transport. However, vessels continue to use these residual high sulphur fuels in combination with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS or scrubbers). Next to high sulphur, combustion of these fuels also results in higher emissions of contaminants including metals and PAHs. In scrubbers, exhaust gases are sprayed with water in order to remove SOx, resulting in acidic washwater with elevated contaminant concentrations discharged in the aquatic ecosystem. The number of vessels with scrubbers is increasing rapidly, but knowledge on washwater quality and impact are limited. Results: The scrubber washwater is found to be acidic with elevated concentrations of e.g. zinc, vanadium, copper, nickel, phenanthrene, naphthalene, fluorene and fluoranthene. Model calculations on the effects of scrubber discharge under scenario HIGH (20% of vessels, 90th percentile concentrations) on the water quality in harbor docks showed a decrease in pH of 0.015 units and an increase in surface water concentrations for e.g. naphthalene (189% increase) and vanadium (46% increase). Conclusions: The IMO established sulphur regulations to mitigate the impact of high sulphur emissions of the maritime sector. However, the use of open loop scrubbers as an abatement technology will not reduce their contribution to ocean acidification. In addition, different types of scrubbers discharge washwater that is acute toxic for aquatic organisms. However, washwater is diluted and the compounds for which a large increase in surface water concentrations was calculated in the Antwerp (Belgium) harbour docks (Naphthalene > Phenanthrene > Fluorene > Acenaphthene > Vanadium) were not the compounds that already exceed their respective Water Quality Standards (WQS). Nevertheless, the WQS of several ‘priority hazardous substances’ (Water Framework Directive) are already exceeded in the docks and the Scheldt estuary. Since these hazardous substances are also identified in the washwater, scrubber washwater discharge should be discouraged in coastal waters and estuaries with large ecological value.

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Section: 1scrubber Washwater Qualitycontrasting

confidence: 66%

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

Teuchies

Cox

Itterbeeck

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…The concentrations of most PAHs and all metals in closed loop bleed-off largely exceeded their WQS (Table 1, Additional file 2: Table S3) and are expected to be acutely toxic for most aquatic organisms. Acute toxic effects of scrubber washwater on phyto-and zooplankton are reported, even at concentrations of metals and PAHs much lower than the concentrations reported in present work [23,25]. The synergistic effects caused by the mixture of metals and PAHs combined with low pH in scrubber washwater result in higher toxicity than estimated from the effect thresholds of the individual compounds [23,44].…”

Section: Impact On Water Qualitycontrasting

confidence: 48%

“…However, PM emissions and removal by scrubbers depend on many factors and lower removal efficiencies from scrubbers resulting in higher emissions of particles including black carbon and PAHs compared to vessels operating on MGO have been reported [21,22]. In addition, scrubbers are an end-of-pipe solution and a substantial part of the emitted compounds will be trapped in the scrubber washwater and discharged in the surrounding surface water with potential consequences for aquatic ecosystems [18,[23][24][25][26]. Existing studies are limited, mainly focus on open marine systems and conclude that the overall impact of scrubber use on pH changes and contaminant concentrations is expected to be small under most conditions [24,[27][28][29].…”

Section: −mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set limits on sulphur content in fuels for marine transport. However, vessels continue to use these residual high-sulphur fuels in combination with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS or scrubbers). Next to high sulphur, combustion of these fuels also results in higher emissions of contaminants including metals and PAHs. In scrubbers, exhaust gases are sprayed with water in order to remove SOx, resulting in acidic washwater with elevated contaminant concentrations discharged in the aquatic ecosystem. The number of vessels with scrubbers is increasing rapidly, but knowledge on washwater quality and impact are limited. Results: The scrubber washwater is found to be acidic with elevated concentrations of, e.g. zinc, vanadium, copper, nickel, phenanthrene, naphthalene, fluorene and fluoranthene. Model calculations on the effects of scrubber discharge under scenario HIGH (20% of vessels, 90th percentile concentrations) on the water quality in harbour docks showed a decrease in pH of 0.015 units and an increase in surface water concentrations for e.g. naphthalene (189% increase) and vanadium (46% increase). Conclusions: The IMO established sulphur regulations to mitigate the impact of high sulphur emissions of the maritime sector. However, the use of open-loop scrubbers as an abatement technology will not reduce their contribution to ocean acidification. In addition, different types of scrubbers discharge washwater that is acutely toxic for aquatic organisms. However, washwater is diluted and the compounds for which a large increase in surface water concentrations was calculated in the Antwerp (Belgium) harbour docks (naphthalene > phenanthrene > fluorene > acenaphthene > vanadium) were not the compounds that already exceed their respective Water Quality Standards (WQS). Nevertheless, the WQS of several 'priority hazardous substances' (Water Framework Directive) are already exceeded in the docks and the Scheldt estuary. Since these hazardous substances are also identified in the washwater, scrubber washwater discharge should be discouraged in coastal waters and estuaries with large ecological value.

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“…When Equations (10) and (8) are substituted in Equation (6), the following standard acid-alkali titration equation is obtained:…”

Section: Chemistry Reactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there has been a discussion on the harmful effects of scrubber wash water [7,8], and some European sea areas and U.S. coastal areas prohibit the discharge of scrubber wash water. The number of sea areas where the discharge of scrubber wash water is restricted may increase in the future.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation and Validation in Scrubber Wash Water Discharge from Ships

Choi

Lim

2020

JMSE

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A regulation on the sulfur emissions of ships sailing in global sea areas has been enforced since 1 January 2020. In this new regulation, ships are required to use low-sulfur fuel oils or to install an after-treatment equipment, such as a scrubber. Open and hybrid scrubbers wash the exhaust gas using seawater and then discharge the wash water overboard. According to the regulation promulgated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the wash water must have a pH of 6.5 or higher at 4 m from the discharge point. Wash water is generally acidic, with a pH of 2.5–3.5, whereas seawater is alkaline, with a pH of approximately 8.2. The wash water is dispersed after being discharged overboard through a nozzle, and its pH is restored through dilution with the surrounding seawater. In this study, the pH was calculated by using a theoretical chemical reaction model, and then the dispersion of wash water was analyzed using CFD simulation. This study describes the process of selecting the appropriate turbulent Schmidt number in a wide range of nozzle diameters. Finally, the appropriate nozzle diameter was determined based on the initial pH of the discharged scrubber wash.

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Effects of scrubber washwater discharge on microplankton in the Baltic Sea

Cited by 40 publications

References 29 publications

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

The impact of scrubber discharge on the water quality in estuaries and ports

Numerical Simulation and Validation in Scrubber Wash Water Discharge from Ships

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