Dr.

Ong Meng Chuan Department of Marine Science Faculty of Maritime Studies and Marine Science Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution

CHAPTER 5
SEWAGE & DEBRIS POLLUTION
SEWAGE POLLUTION Sewage waste is created by residences, institutions, hospitals, commercial and industrial establishments Industrial sources of wastewater often require specialized treatment processes

Major pollutants in the rivers of Asian countries is the domestic sewage Major constituents of sewage are : o A large portions are organic matter in dissolved, suspended or settable solid forms o This will give high BOD and low DO or it could cause anoxic condition. High mortality of fish or organism may be found

Sewage is one of the most significant pollutants affecting the coastal environments especially in the developing nations Sewage includes everything that goes down the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms sink, as well as what is flushed down the toilet

Sewage is mostly made up of water approximately 99.5%

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution The major contributor is human sewage from population center that is discharged from waste treatments plants: o The inadequate number of sewage treatment plants in operation o Poor operating conditions of available treatment plants o Disposal practices of discharging mostly untreated wastewater The discharge of sewage can cause public health problems either from contact with polluted waters or from consumption of contaminated fish or shellfish The discharge of untreated sewage effluents also produce long-term adverse impacts on the ecology of critical coastal ecosystems in localized areas due to the contribution of nutrients and other pollutants The typical pollutants in sewage effluents are suspended solids, oxygen demanding substances, nitrogen, phosphorus, oil, grease and pathogens Industrial wastewater has a wider range of pollutants, which are dependent on the type of industry producing the waste o Food processing industry oxygen demanding substances o Chemical industry toxic substances Pollution due to inadequate sewage disposal causes nutrient enrichment around population centers possible will cause eutrophication or red-tide

High level of chemical nutrients mainly nitrogen and phosphorus Increase nutrient concentrations promote increased algal and bacterial growth, degradation of seagrass and coral reef ecosystems, decreased fisheries production, along with risks to human health High amount of bacteria may contain pathogenic species and cause contamination to shellfishes and other organism, and render water to be unsafe for recreation and aquaculture

Presence of detergents, oil and greases, heavy metals and other chemicals which may be toxic to the aquatic organism or they may be bioaccumulated in the organism through food chains and become toxic to human High level of suspended particle are found cause reduction of primary productivity and suffocation of the benthic organism Aquatic Pollution | MMS 3202 3

Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution SEWAGE / WASTE TREATMENT What microorganism is used in sewage treatment process? BACTERIA

The sewage treatment involves several stages, called preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary treatment The final effluent can be discharged into a stream, river, bay, lagoon or wetland, or it can be used for the irrigation of a golf course or park If it is sufficiently clean, it can also be used for agricultural purposes.

SEWAGE / WASTE TREATMENT IN MALAYSIA Preliminary Sewage Treatment Deal with large solids, which are removed by screening or ore, macerated and returned to the sewage flow Screening and grinding for the removal of debris and rags, grit removal by sedimentation and flotation for the removal of excess oil and grease

Primary Sewage Treatment Screening and sedimentation remove some of the suspended solid and organic matter It is initially filtered to remove large, non-biodegradable solids by passage through bar screens.

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution Secondary Sewage Treatment Remove biodegradable organic and suspended solids, mainly using biological processes Based on maximizing (activating) the growth of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and protozoa such that they break down the dissolved organics and/or incorporate them into new microbial cells (biomass) which then settle out of suspension, together with undigested material, as "sludge Since the desired microbial populations are aerobic, it is crucial that the system be highly aerated

Tertiary Sewage Treatment Remove nutrient, toxic substances including heavy metals and further removal of suspended solids and organics The now nearly purified water flows from the post-secondary sedimentation tanks into a large basin, where it is chlorinated to kill any remaining potential pathogens

Finally, any remaining solids are left to sink to the bottom of a tank and the effluent will flow out The treated wastewater is now safe to be released into rivers, lakes and seas. But what left is the sludge which need to be dried by pressing, drying or burning Sludge is also an excellent soil conditioner for plant

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution

WHAT IS AQUATIC DEBRIS Aquatic debris is any man-made object intentionally or unintentionally discarded, disposed of or abandoned that enters the aquatic environment Also known as litter, is human created waste that has deliberately or accidentally been released in the lake, river, sea, ocean or waterway. Marine environment : 80% of debris originates onshore and 20% from offshore sources

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution Marine debris is something in the marine environment (ocean and beach) that does not naturally occur there More technical definition according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is : any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment

Floating oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the center of gyres and on coastlines known as beach litter Deliberate disposal of wastes at sea is called ocean dumping Naturally occurring debris, such as driftwood are also present the aquatic environment

Aquatic debris is a problem with no geographical boundaries Although various countries have had a more publicized problem, persistent aquatic debris can be found on just about every coast and waterway in the world

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution

TYPE OF AQUATIC DEBRIS Plastic As society has developed new uses for plastics, the variety and quantity of plastic items found in the marine environment has increased dramatically These products range from common domestic material (bags, cups, bottles, balloons) to industrial products (strapping bands, plastic sheeting, hard hats, resin pellets) to lost or discarded fishing gear (nets, buoys, traps, lines).

Glass, Metal, Styrofoam, and Rubber These materials are similar to plastic in that they are used for a wide range of products Aquatic Pollution | MMS 3202 8

Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution While they can be worn away broken down into smaller and smaller fragments, they generally do not biodegrade entirely As these materials are used commonly in our society, their occurrence as marine debris is overwhelming

Derelict Fishing Gear Derelict fishing gear (DFG) refers to nets, lines, crab/shrimp pots, and other recreational or commercial fishing equipment that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded in the marine environment. Modern gear is generally made of synthetic materials and metal, and lost gear can persist for a very long time.

Derelict Vessels Thousands of abandoned and derelict vessels litter ports, waterways and estuaries, creating a threat to navigation, recreation, and the environment. Many vessels end up sinking at moorings, semi-submerged in the intertidal zone, or stranding on shorelines, on reefs or in marshes, and breaking apart

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution EXAMPLE OF AQUATIC DEBRIS Plastic bags Plastic containers Plastic pellets Styrofoam Cloths Abundance fishing gears Tires Medical waste Glass bottles Balloons Appliances and machinery Food packaging Cigarette butts and lighters ETC

Plastic Doesn't Belong in Our Oceans, It Belongs in Your Recycling Bins Aquatic Pollution | MMS 3202 10

Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution HOW DEBRIS ENTER THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT Land-based Sources Indirectly when washed out to the ocean via rivers, streams and storm drains Littering, Dumping, and Poor Waste Management Practices Intentional or unintentional disposal of domestic or industrial wastes on land or in rivers or streams Storm Water Discharges Storm drains carry this water and debris to a nearby river, stream, canal, or even directly to the ocean Extreme Natural Events Hurricanes, tsunamis, floods and mudslides have devastating effects on human life and property

Ocean-based source Directly by illegal dumping or accidental loss of debris from a ship and stationary platform

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution Fishing Vessels Fishing gear may be lost from commercial fishing vessels as well as from recreational boats Stationary Platforms Offshore oil and gas platforms are surrounded by water, and all items lost from these structures become marine debris Cargo Ships and Other Vessels Cargo lost overboard from freighters, cruise ships and other vessels poses serious threats to marine navigation

Estimated 10,000 containers at sea each year are lost by container ships, usually during storms One famous spillage occurred in the Pacific Ocean in 1992, when thousands of rubber ducks and other toys went overboard during a storm. The toys have since been found all over the world, providing a better understanding of ocean currents Similar incidents have happened before, such as when Hansa Carrier dropped 21 containers in 1990 (with one notably containing buoyant Nike shoes) Great Shoe Spill of 1990

COMMON CAUSES AND SOURCES Illegal dumping Onshore industries Offshore oil and gas operation Unsecure garbage bins Improper disposal

Recreational boaters Commercial vessels Cumulative small-scale sources Event balloon releases Carelessness

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution

DEBRIS CHARACTERISTIC Some types of debris persist in aquatic environment for extremely long periods

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution

Floating debris can be transported by water current on the surface or in the water column

Other debris sinks and remains on the sea floor

THREATS OF MARINE DEBRIS Marine debris threatens both people and wildlife On the beach, people can step on debris such as broken glass, and children can put debris like discarded cigarette butts into their mouths. In the water, debris can damage boats and present a safety hazard for divers Marine debris threatens wildlife through entanglement and ingestion. Animals such as whales and sea turtles have died from ingesting items such as plastic bag Aquatic Pollution | MMS 3202 15

Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution MARINE DEBRIS : AFFECTS MARINE LIFE Each year, many species of marine animal, including sea birds, marine mammals and sea turtles die from becoming entangled in marine debris or ingesting marine debris they have mistaken for food

Entanglement and ingestion of marine debris can harm marine life o Entanglement an animal gets ensnared in the loops and opening of debris o Ingestion an animal can mistake marine debris for food, accidentally ingest it, and degraded debris can be ingested by filter-feeding organisms o Smothering marine debris may disrupt feeding, reproduction, movement or severely impair the health of sessile animals

ENTANGLEMENT Entanglement can occur : o Accidentally o When animal is curious about an object or using it for shelter Harmful to marine organism because it can : o Cause drowning o Disrupt or prevent feeding o Restrict movement or ability to swim o Increase vulnerability to predators o Result in infection or loss of limbs

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution ENTANGLEMENT EXAMPLE Derelict fishing gear, rope and strapping bands are common items that entangle marine organism Ghost nets, lost or abandoned fishing nets hundreds of meters long, threaten protected species and other marine organism Ghost nets often become concentrated in relatively small areas by wind and currents and can continue ghost fishing for extremely long periods

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution INGESTION Ingestion can occur o Accidentally o When an animal feeds on debris that look like food Harmful to marine organism because it can : o Blockages of the esophagus and intestinal tract can kill organism o Sharp object can cause injuries and infections o Toxins can accumulate in an animals tissue affecting the health and wellness of the organism

INGESTION EXAMPLE Seabird and hatchling sea turtles may eat plastic debris that is toxic, resulting in reproductive failure or death Sea turtle may mistake floating debris for food, which can lead to suffocation or intestinal blockage Whale can ingest marine debris that can become entangled in the baleen, cause choking or interfere with digestion

MARINE DEBRIS : AFFECTS HABITAT Debris can damage coral reefs, seagrasss, mangrove area and other protected habitats o Marine debris can break or damage coral o Floating debris can carry non-native species long distance that can alter habitats and ecosystem o Marine debris can block sunlight and prevent the growth of sea grass beds and coral reefs Marine debris can cause obstruction or alter important habitat used for shelter, feeding or reproduction

MARINE DEBRIS HUMAN Human dump more than 14 billion pounds of garbage each year into the worlds ocean Pacific Whale Foundation

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Chapter 5: Sewage & Debris Pollution HUMAN - EXAMPLE Navigation submerged of floating debris can pose navigational hazards or entangle vessel propellers Human health and safety injure swimmers when stepped on, or entangle divers and swimmers, endangering their lives Local economy result in lost tourism revenue Industrial damaging vessels and equipment

THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MARINE DEBRIS Degradable / Not degradable It comes in many forms Marine debris can hurt or kill animals Hazard to human This is a global problem It's your problem, too Small steps lead to big results

3R Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

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