Environmental dangers and concerns due to Costa Concordia cruise ship
Posted by Lisa Carey
The loss of life and missing persons due to the Costa Concordia cruise accident may not be the only resulting tragedy. Sinking in a protected marine area this ship still contains over half a million gallons of oil, as well as other waste products, chemicals and trash. Could this be the next ecological disaster of BP proportions?
As the search continues for several missing persons, the Costa Concodia is sitting on its side just off the coast of Isola del Giglio, which is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, which is the largest marine protected area in Italy.
Did you know that this protected area is home to several plants and wildlife including some rare frogs, while the seas support coral, cetaceans and the occasional Mediterranean monk seal which is considered a highly endangered species? The area is also home to coral, dolphins, sponges and many other rare creatures.
But the National Park is not the only area at risk. Between waves and winds the many environmental dangers of an accident of this proportion not only threaten the direct coastline but many others in the area. The Natural Park of Maremma is just north of the cruise ship, and is the only Italian habitat for rare form of dune dwelling plant life as well as a stopover point for migratory birds and a safe place for the reintroduction of osprey to the area. Laguna di Orbetello, is just to the east and is an important bird reserve.
At this time, there doesn’t appear to be any leaking oil or other chemicals, and a boom has been erected around the ship in an effort to protect the outlying areas in case of a “spill” or leak. Salvage efforts are in place to not only raise the ship out of the water but to pump the fuel tanks as well.
Here are some facts about cruise ships that may surprise you:
• The average cruise ship with 3,000 passengers and crew generates and air pollutants equivalent to 12,000 automobiles every day
• The average cruise ship with 3,000 passengers and crew generates about 30,000 gallons of human waste and 255,000 gallons of non-sewage gray water every day. (Source EU Oceana.org)
So far so good, is the only answer available to those worried about the environmental impact of this cruise ship accident. Some believe that cruise ships are essentially an environmental problem.
According to the Huffington Post:
“Alessandra Motola Molfino, president of Italy’s national conservation group, told Reuters, These monstrous floating cities pollute the scenery with their very presence and the rivers, seas and cities where they stop with the refuse that they produce.”
“In the past, Greenpeace has warned against Mediterranean ship congestion and, according to CNN, “a lack of management of the sanctuary” where the ship lies.”
While others would argue that cruise travel is an amazing way to be able to see and enjoy the environment around you in ways you may not have a chance to otherwise.
But there is no doubt about the fact that waste and grey water are mass produced. It takes millions of gallons of fuel to power a cruise ship. Once one is involved in an accident you know how chemicals from the electronic controls, everyone’s personal items, the waste collected, the fuel and all of the other dangerous environmental elements involved that you would imagine a floating city to have.
At this time “No news is good news” when it comes to the fuel leakage and spilling, but the answers to “What if” are frightening.
According to Agence France-Presse
A representative from US-based Titan Salvage said the [Smit] contract could run into the millions of euros.
“It’s very close to the edge of much deeper water,” said the man, explaining that the waves could push it off its resting place and it could sink entirely.
[Italy's] environment Minister Corrado Clini meanwhile said that the environmental risk has been “our nightmare.”
“The vessel has reservoirs full of fuel, it is a heavy diesel which could sink down to the seabed, that would be a disaster,” he said.
In a worst-case scenario, the fuel could “leak into the sea, contaminating an exceptional coastline and affecting marine and bird life,” he warned.
“We are ready to intervene if there is a spill,” Clini said.
I hope so, because the results of a spill could be catastrophic to this are that is needed to protect many endangered species and the habitat in which they live.
See this Video from Al Jazeera about environmental fears for more information and updated information.
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