Download Tomislav Skračić, MA Undergraduate English Course for

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 22-28
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
Stressors from marina and boating
activities
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.
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
The latter
can also
of organisms.
immune
response
in die
marine
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 buildup 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.
EXERCISE 1 – Answer the following questions:
a) What types of pollutants can marina and boating
activities introduce into the coastal
environment?
b) How does untreated sewage discharged from
boats threaten fish and other organisms?
c) How can metals enter the waterways? How can
metals affect marine organisms?
d) How can oils enter the aquatic environment?
How can oils affect aquatic organisms?
EXERCISE 1 – Answer the following questions:
e) Where can high concentrations of faecal
bacteria be expected?
f) Why is the photosynthetic activity of
submerged aquatic vegetation important?
g) What can physically alter or destroy shellfish
beds and other bottom communities?
h) What can be done to prevent low dissolved
oxygen levels and a build-up of toxic
compounds in marinas and ports?
EXERCISE 2 – Discussion
Say how we can reduce the level of pollutants
entering the marine environment?
(Keywords: metals, oils, run-off, maintenance,
repair, education, incentives, fines...)
EXERCISE 3 – Choose some of the following
elements and write sentences of your own:
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