Biological and Ecological Effects of Wastewater Discharges from Cruise Ships in Alaska

Abstract

A Science Advisory Panel of the Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative investigated possible effects of commercial passenger vessel wastewater discharges on marine life in coastal waters of the Gulf of Alaska. The Panel concluded that due to the high dilution rates of moving cruise ships there is little likelihood of contaminant impacts to marine life in the water column, at the sea surface, in subsurface sediments or on the shoreline. However, stationary discharge in a low tidal exchange area could lead to water quality issues and should be minimized.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA500423

Entities

People

  • Alan Mearns
  • C. J. Krause
  • Kenneth Hall
  • Marlin Atkinson
  • Michael Stekoll
  • Michael Watson

Organizations

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Birds
  • California
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Environmental Protection
  • Eutrophication
  • Fish
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Puget Sound
  • Sedimentation
  • Toxicity
  • United States
  • Urban Areas

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Maritime Security/Maritime Homeland Security
  • Polar and Arctic Studies