THE DEEP OCEAN OPTION FOR WASTE DISPOSAL

The announcement on 5 March 1990 by UK Minister for the Environment that shallow sea disposal of industrial wastes and sewage sludge is to cease by 1998, and similar disposal of raw sewage at some future date, starts the race to find acceptable alternatives which will have to be both economically affordable and environmentally friendly. All the options presently adopted in the UK and on mainland Europe carry environmental penalties; the technologies needed for effective recycling are yet to be developed. Deep oceans of abyssal depths 3000-6000m cover half the Earth's surface; they are yet to be utilised by Man. Disposal of large-bulk low-toxicity wastes direct onto the seabed at abyssal depths offers an option which promises to be environmentally safe and relatively inexpensive. The acceptability of adopting such procedures is discussed. Existing knowledge suggests that a pilot scheme could be started without risk. However, monitoring would be necessary to ensure that the method continues to comply with the criteria suggested. Techniques for monitoring abyssal depths are now available.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Underwater Technology, 16 (1990) p.15 (No. 1) [10 p., 33 ref., 6 fig.]
• Authors:
  • Angel, M V
• Publication Date: 1990

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Sewerage; Waste disposal
• Uncontrolled Terms: Sewage
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00698070
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM