A Research on the Sewage Problems of Cruise Ships in the Mediterranean

Abstract

Currently, some regulations have been studied to reduce the pollution caused by cruise ship wastewater. Particularly, EPA has important studies. In EPA’s reports, working principle of treatment systems, and the suitability of the wastewater to determined microorganism standards after treatment are investigated. In recent studies, it was observed AWT systems are more efficient on treatment than MSD systems. EPA also developed methods to estimate sewage concentration formed in the wake of a ship. The researchs are commonly valid for Alaska however there are not so many researches for the Mediterranean. In this study, it is investigated if the cruise ships, operating in the Mediterranean, meet the wastewater criterion of MARPOL. Hence, EPA’s dilution factor is used. Besides, dilution factors are developed for the ships whose passenger capacity, dimensions, cruising speed and wastewater discharge flow rate are specified. Although the discharged wastewater are exposed to an effective dilution factor due to the ship dimensions and flow rate, it is observed wastewater must be treated before discharging to meet the wastewater criterion specified by the authorities. © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, London.