The Option to Discharge Industrial or Sewage Effluent to the Marine Environment

Abstract

The utilisation of the ocean for the disposal of domestic or industrial waste is a controversial subject with different views and perceptions by the public, the scientific community and developers. With extensive developments, increased stresses are exerted on the coastal zone areas. Disposal of wastes will have effect on the environment (land, atmosphere or ocean) and it is the responsibility of the scientific community and the authorities to minimise detrimental effects to the environment. The ocean as a disposal medium is an inappropriate medium to dispose of persistent toxic materials, however, the assimilative capacity of the sea is enormous for certain substances providing:Impact assessments to determine the influence of disposal to the marine environment should be compared to similar assessments of the environment to be influenced by alternative disposal options.Social and economic considerations should also form an integral part of such an assessment.Water quality criteria should be clearly defined and scientifically sound to provide the basis for the design of outfalls as well as for monitoring the short and long-term impacts.Authorised control and effective legislation should be available to enforce quality requirements and remedial actions to be taken.