We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantification and global emission estimates of antifouling paint-derived microplastics released during ship hull in-water cleaning
AI summary Read the abstract
When ships get their hulls scrubbed clean underwater to remove algae and barnacles, that process also scrapes off tiny plastic particles from the paint—an estimated 78 tons per year globally—which then end up in the ocean. The good news: treating the wastewater from this cleaning process before it's released can cut this plastic pollution by over 96%, showing a practical fix that could help reduce one more source of microplastics entering seafood and marine ecosystems that humans depend on.
In-water cleaning (IWC) is conducted underwater to remove biofouling from ship hulls, thereby reducing hydrodynamic drag and improving ship's fuel efficiency, but it can unintentionally release ship coating-derived materials into the marine environment. This study investigated microplastic (MP) pollution derived from ship coatings released during IWC, with the aim of quantifying MP emissions to the marine environment. Polymer type, abundance, mass concentration, and size distribution of MPs in IWC wastewaters were determined before and after wastewater treatment within the particle size range of 20 µm to 5 mm. Acrylate-based antifouling (AF) paint particles dominated the MP fraction, accounting for approximately 99% of total particles by both number and mass. Following wastewater treatment, number-based AF-MP concentrations decreased from 503 to 26 particles mL (96.6% removal), while mass-based concentrations decreased from 24.7 to 1.2 mg L (96.2% removal). AF-MPs smaller than 100 µm represented 73.8% of total particle numbers and 28.8% of total mass prior to treatment. Global AF-MP emissions associated with IWC were preliminarily estimated by combining the measured AF-MP emission factor (0.65 g m²), the global ship wetted surface area (3.26 × 10 m), and an average hull-cleaning frequency (0.368 yr). Annual AF-MP emissions were estimated at 78.3 t yr without wastewater treatment, decreasing to approximately 3.0 t yr under the assumption that all generated wastewaters were processed through wastewater treatment systems. These results demonstrate that IWC represents a significant yet potentially controllable source of paint-derived microplastics and underscore the importance of effective wastewater capture and treatment in mitigating marine microplastic pollution.
More Papers Like This
Qualitative and quantitative assessment of microplastics derived from antifouling paint in effluent from ship hull hydroblasting and their emission into the marine environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination generated during ship hull hydroblasting, a common maintenance procedure. They found that a single vessel produced billions of paint-derived particles, with the vast majority smaller than 5 millimeters and composed primarily of acrylic polymers. The study identifies ship maintenance activities as a significant but often overlooked source of microplastic emissions into marine environments.
Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of Microplastics and Antifouling Paint Particles from Ship-Hull Derusting Wastewater and Their Emissions into the Marine Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a systematic analysis of microplastics and antifouling paint particles found in wastewater from ship hull cleaning operations. They found that both types of particles are released in significant quantities during derusting, with antifouling particles being particularly toxic due to their high metal and biocide content. The study highlights ship maintenance activities as an important but often overlooked source of marine microplastic and toxic particle pollution.
Estimating total microplastic loads to the marine environment as a result of ship biofouling in-water cleaning
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers estimated that the global shipping industry could be releasing thousands of tons of microplastics annually through the wear, maintenance, and cleaning of marine coatings on commercial vessels. Predictive modeling showed that bulk carriers are the largest contributors, and manual biofouling cleaning by divers generates more microplastics than mechanized cleaning systems with debris capture. The study highlights ship coatings as an underappreciated but substantial source of marine microplastic pollution.
Understanding the potential release of microplastics from coatings used on commercial ships
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined how polymer-based paints applied to commercial ships contribute to ocean microplastic pollution. The study found that anticorrosive and antifouling coatings shed plastic particles through normal weathering and in-water hull cleaning, with the extent of release depending on coating type, condition, and maintenance practices.
Identifying and managing ship paint microplastic pollution along the supply chain: a shipbuilding case study
AI summary Read the abstract
This case study examined how shipbuilding supply chain activities contribute to ship paint microplastic pollution, which accounts for more than half of ocean microplastic contamination. Researchers found that specific project characteristics, strategies, and paint-related operations during shipbuilding can generate microplastic pollution across the entire project lifecycle. The study highlights the need for new regulations and industry policies to manage this significant but overlooked source of marine pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.