Impacts of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) discharge waters on planktonic biological indicators. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Picone, Marco; Russo, Martina; Distefano, Gabriele Giuseppe; Baccichet, Marco; Marchetto, Davide; Volpi Ghirardini, Annamaria; Lunde Hermansson, Anna; Petrovic, Mira; Gros, Meritxell; Garcia, Elisa; Giubilato, Elisa; Calgaro, Loris; Magnusson, Kerstin; Granberg, Maria; Marcomini, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 190(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Scrubber water -- Marine pollution -- Copepods -- Open-loop scrubber; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), operating in open-loop mode, continuously release acidic effluents (scrubber waters) to marine waters. Furthermore, scrubber waters contain high concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and alkylated PAHs, potentially affecting the plankton in the receiving waters. Toxicity tests evidenced significant impairments in planktonic indicators after acute, early-life stage, and long-term exposures to scrubber water produced by a vessel operating with high sulphur fuel. Acute effects on bacterial bioluminescence ( Aliivibrio fischeri ), algal growth ( Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Dunaliella tertiolecta ), and copepod survival ( Acartia tonsa ) were evident at 10 % and 20 % scrubber water, while larval development in mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) showed a 50 % reduction at ∼5 % scrubber water. Conversely, larval development and reproductive success of A. tonsa were severely affected at scrubber water concentrations ≤1.1 %, indicating the risk of severe impacts on copepod populations which in turn may result in impairment of the whole food web. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Exposure to scrubber water impaired several traits in planktonic indicators. Acute effects on bacteria, algae, and copepods occurred at treatments >8 % (EC10 ). Larval development of mussels and copepods was inhibited at treatments <5 % (EC10 ). Scrubber water severely impacted copepod reproduction and offspring development.