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8 - Physical Effects of Ships on the Environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2021

By
Timothy Fileman ,
Stephen de Mora  and
Thomas Vance
Edited by
Stephen de Mora ,
Timothy Fileman  and
Thomas Vance
Stephen de Mora
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Timothy Fileman
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Thomas Vance
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
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Summary

The physical impacts that vessels may cause have not generally been emphasized in the past. However, they are becoming more and more apparent (Roberts, 2011), and this chapter offers a brief overview of the physical impacts that ships have on the marine environment. Numerous mechanisms are considered, together with examples of deleterious consequences. Coral reefs and seagrass communities are highlighted. The impacts of various processes, such as sediment suspension, aeration and microorganism mortality, are described.

Type
Chapter
Information
Environmental Impact of Ships , pp. 216 - 224
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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