Tomislav Skračić, MA Undergraduate English Course for MARITIME MANAGERS 5th Semester Essential reading: T. Skračić, Waypoint – English Textbook for Maritime Students, Pomorski fakultet, Split 2010, Units T. Trappe & G. Tullis, Intelligent Business, Longman 2005, Units 12-14

GLOSSARY coastal / aquatic / marine / benthic environment, habitat, species diversity, water column, sediments, pollutants, deplete, dissolve, impair, discharge, discard, runoff (BrE run-off), sewage, health threat, toxic compounds / substances, contaminated waters, shoreline erosion, nonpoint pollution

Marina and boating activities can introduce many different types of pollutants into the coastal environment. Scientists have found these pollutants can reach harmful concentrations in the water column, sediments, and tissues of organisms inhabiting the marine environment. Improper marina siting and design can also damage the coastal environment. Stressors from marina and boating activities

Low dissolved oxygen Untreated sewage discharged from recreational boats and fish wastes discarded into the water body deplete dissolved oxygen levels as they decompose. Fish and other aquatic organisms need dissolved oxygen in the water to survive; they suffocate without enough oxygen. Low levels have resulted in fish kills.

Fish kill in King Harbor Marina

Metals Metals such as lead, copper, arsenic, zinc, and tin and metal-containing compounds, have many functions in boat operation, maintenance, and repair. Common metal containing products include gasoline, anti-fouling paints, pesticides, and wood preservatives.

Metals can enter the waterways during uncontrolled pressure washing, painting, or fuelling activities. The metals then accumulate in the sediments and water column. Metals can be toxic to marine organisms resulting in death, or chronic impairments such as deformity, reduced fertility, and reduced species diversity.

Oils Oils and other petroleum products can enter the aquatic environment during refuelling and discharging bilge or fuel from boats. They are poisonous to fish and other aquatic life. Petroleum products can cause cancer and impair immune response in marine organisms. The latter can also die of suffocation, as oils stop oxygen from entering the water column. Finally, oils coat birds' feathers, preventing them from flying or staying warm.

Bacteria and reduced water flushing Marinas that restrict water flushing and movement can contribute to low dissolved oxygen levels and a build- up of toxic compounds. Boats and runoff from marinas can be a significant source of faecal coliform bacteria in areas of high boat density and poor water flushing.

High bacteria concentrations are a public health threat. People can contract diseases or even die from coming into contact with contaminated waters or by consuming shellfish from waters with elevated bacteria levels. High bacteria concentrations have closed shell fishing areas and swimming beaches near marinas.

Disruption of sediment and habitat Inappropriate boat operation and dredging can destroy habitat, resuspend bottom sediment, and reduce water clarity. Constructing marinas, ramps, and related facilities can physically alter or destroy wetlands, shellfish beds and other bottom communities. Cloudy or turbid water blocks light from reaching aquatic plants, such as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), reducing their photosynthetic activity. SAV provides valuable habitat for many important fish and shellfish, such as crabs.

Shoaling and shoreline erosion Shoaling and shoreline erosion result from physical transport of sediment due to waves and/or currents. Increased boat traffic can cause unnatural wave action that erodes coastal shorelines, introducing added sediment into the water column.

a) a)What types of pollutants can marina and boating activities introduce into the coastal environment? b) b)How does untreated sewage discharged from boats threaten fish and other organisms? c) c)How can metals enter the waterways? How can metals affect marine organisms? d) d)How can oils enter the aquatic environment? How can oils affect aquatic organisms? EXERCISE 1 – Answer the following questions:

e) e)Where can high concentrations of faecal bacteria be expected? f) f)Why is the photosynthetic activity of submerged aquatic vegetation important? g) g)What can physically alter or destroy shellfish beds and other bottom communities? h) h)What can be done to prevent low dissolved oxygen levels and a build-up of toxic compounds in marinas and ports? EXERCISE 1 – Answer the following questions:

Say how we can reduce the level of pollutants entering the marine environment? (Keywords: metals, oils, run-off, maintenance, repair, education, incentives, fines...) EXERCISE 2 – Discussion

introduce pollutants into be toxic to toxic compounds / substances harmful concentration result in be poisonous to prevent … from increased boat traffic contaminated waters coastal / marine / benthic environment impair EXERCISE 3 – Choose some of the following elements and write sentences of your own: