We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to A Review of Microplastics Research in the Shipbuilding and Maritime Transport Industry
ClearIdentifying and managing ship paint microplastic pollution along the supply chain: a shipbuilding case study
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.
Qualitative and quantitative assessment of microplastics derived from antifouling paint in effluent from ship hull hydroblasting and their emission into the marine environment
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.
Investigation of plastic and microplastic waste from ships in the marine environment
Researchers investigated plastic and microplastic waste originating from ships in the marine environment, examining the types, quantities, and pathways by which vessel operations contribute to marine plastic pollution. The study addresses a relatively underexplored source of marine plastic contamination compared to land-based inputs.
Potential microplastic release from the maritime industry: Abrasion of rope
Researchers quantified microplastic production from maritime rope use, finding that older, more worn ropes shed significantly more microplastic fibers during hauling, identifying the maritime industry as an underestimated source of ocean plastic pollution.
Understanding the potential release of microplastics from coatings used on commercial ships
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.
Estimating total microplastic loads to the marine environment as a result of ship biofouling in-water cleaning
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.
Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of Microplastics and Antifouling Paint Particles from Ship-Hull Derusting Wastewater and Their Emissions into the Marine Environment
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.
Environmental pollution with antifouling paint particles: Distribution, ecotoxicology, and sustainable alternatives
This review examines antifouling paint particles as a type of microplastic pollution loaded with toxic biocidal compounds in the marine environment. Researchers found that these particles are mainly concentrated around boatyards and port areas and contribute significantly to overall microplastic pollution, while also discussing recent advances in nontoxic, biobased antifouling alternatives.
Microplastics in Ship Sewage and Solutions to Limit Their Spread: A Case Study
Researchers found microplastic particles in both grey water and post-treatment sewage from transport ships, with mean concentrations of 72 particles per litre in grey water and 51 per litre in treated sewage, demonstrating that ships represent a significant and underregulated source of microplastic pollution in protected marine areas.
Microplastic Pollution in Ship-Sourced Wastewater: Assessment of Pollution Load Risk for Ballast and Bilge Water
A study of ship-generated wastewater found substantial microplastic contamination in both ballast water and bilge water, identifying maritime transport as an underappreciated pathway for spreading microplastic pollution across ocean environments. The findings suggest that current international shipping regulations may be insufficient to prevent microplastic dispersal from vessel operations.
Methods for the detection and characterization of boat paint microplastics in the marine environment
This study developed and evaluated analytical methods for detecting and characterizing boat paint microplastics in the marine environment, addressing a largely overlooked source of plastic pollution from antifouling and decorative coatings that enter seawater through normal boat use.
The potential release of microplastics from paint fragments: Characterizing sources, occurrence and ecological impacts
This review examines paint fragments as a significant but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution, coming from deteriorating building coatings, road markings, and ship hulls. Beyond the plastic particles themselves, paint fragments can release toxic biocides and heavy metals that harm aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The findings highlight paint as a source of microplastics that people may encounter through water, air, and food, but which receives far less attention than packaging or textile sources.
Paint particles in the marine environment: An overlooked component of microplastics
Researchers highlight that paint particles, which consist of polymers combined with additives, are frequently overlooked or misclassified in studies of marine microplastic pollution. They found that paint fragments from ships, buildings, and infrastructure represent a significant but underreported source of microplastic contamination in ocean environments. The study calls for paint particles to be consistently included in marine debris monitoring to provide a more accurate picture of plastic pollution.
Research status and prospect of microplastics in ship grey water
This review examines microplastic pollution in ship grey water, covering potential sources, current management measures, and progress in qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques for characterizing marine grey water microplastics. The authors propose future research directions including standardized analytical frameworks and improved estimation methods for marine plastic inputs from vessels.
Characterization of microplastics from antifouling coatings released under controlled conditions with an automated SEM-EDX particle analysis method
Researchers demonstrated that antifouling coatings on boat hulls release microplastic particles into seawater during normal sailing conditions, with most particles between 1 and 5 micrometers in size. These particles contain both plastic binder material and toxic metals like copper and zinc used as biocides. This study reveals an often-overlooked source of microplastic pollution in the ocean, where the released particles carry both plastic and heavy metal contamination into marine ecosystems.
Assessment of Microplastic Abundance and Discharge from Greywater of Ships
Researchers quantified microplastics in ship greywater from showers, washbasins, laundry, and dishwashers and found that laundry sources produced the highest microplastic concentrations. Since greywater can be discharged to the sea without treatment in most areas, ships contribute substantially to marine microplastic pollution. The study supports the case for regulating greywater discharge from vessels.
Strategies for Green Shipbuilding Design and Production Practices Focused on Reducing Microplastic Pollution Generated during Installation of Plastic Pipes
This paper proposes that shipbuilders should account for microplastic pollution during the design and fitting-out stages of vessel construction, particularly when cutting and preparing plastic pipes — a process that scatters plastic debris that can easily enter the marine environment. By choosing pipe layouts that minimise cutting and handling near open water, the shipbuilding industry could meaningfully reduce its contribution to ocean microplastic pollution.
Lost in definition: unravelling microplastics from marine coatings through bibliometrics science mapping in thematic analysis and systematic narrative literature review
Researchers conducted a bibliometric and narrative review to analyze why marine coatings—paints applied to ships—have been excluded from microplastic classification despite being recognized as a source of marine MPs. They identify the lack of a unified definition and classification system as the key barrier, and map how this knowledge gap has evolved in the literature.
Sea-based sources of microplastics to the Norwegian marine environment
This report inventories sea-based sources of microplastics entering the Norwegian marine environment, covering nine categories including maritime coatings, aquaculture, fishing gear, and shipping traffic. The findings provide a basis for targeted regulation of sea-based plastic emission sources in Norwegian waters.
Paint: a ubiquitous yet disregarded piece of the microplastics puzzle
This review found that microplastics from paint and coatings are a largely overlooked but major source of plastic pollution, with concentrations reaching up to 290,000 particles per kilogram of sediment near painted surfaces. Paint microplastics come from buildings, cars, boats, and industrial infrastructure. Of the toxic effects tested, 66% showed significant harm to organisms, particularly from antifouling paints, yet very few studies have examined this pollution source.