MINCIUNA NICOLAE SORIN GRUPA MA 21 MARITIME POLLUTION MARITIME POLLUTION PREVENTION

Shipping activities are accompanied by an important risk factor, and even with all the organizational, managerial and technical measures taken by the shipping companies and authorities, shipping accidents occur with significant consequences, among which the most important are the lives losses, material losses or damage to the marine environment by pollution. Events that occur require large and rapid interventions that lead to the minimization of material losses and save lives at risk. International Maritime Organization, as the United Nations intergovernmental organization, founded in 1948, adopted a series of international instruments that have created the appropriate legal framework for the organization and operation of intervention activities for rescue in case of pollution. In parallel with the rescue intervention, IMO also deals with issues related to prevention and intervention in cases of marine pollution. On this line have been adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, as modified by the Protocol signed at London, to which Romania is party, and the International Convention on Preparedeness, Response and Cooperation in case of Oil Pollution, adopted at London on 30th of November 1990, when Romania joined through a Government Ordinance. Oil spills have dramatic effects on marine ecosystems as a result of exposure to chemicals in living organisms. Oil pollution affects very large species like birds and aquatic mammals that live on the surface. Spilled oil contains hydrocarbons, pollutants that affect on long-term the marine communities. Some birds die only when ecological disasters occur, caused by oil leaking from damaged vessels. In most cases, experts are turning to chemicals called solvents that are scattered from a helicopter on the affected areas. These solvents are destined to whash the waters, but, in turn, they increase the effects of pollution and can not be spread evenly across the area affected by accidental spills of oil. Consequently, marine ecosystems are exposed, thus, to a double pollution. Romanian Black Seas coasts have not yet experienced such disasters as accidental oil spills. Oil pollution recorded by Romanian port authorities have so far been minor. The president of Mare Nostrum Constanta

Organization said that our state is already aligned with the EU requirements related to preventing and resolving accidents caused by oil spills. Prevention and control of marine pollution remains a significant problem in the commercial life and for the natural ecosystems, because the methods have not yet been perfected and there isnt a certainty, for now, especially in terms of combating the problem. Right now studies and research are being undertaken to obtain a compound that interacts with substances dumped at sea in accidents, and that destroys compounds in these substances without endangering marine ecosystems. Hydrocarbons Organic compound (such as benzene, methane, paraffins) made of two elements: carbon and hydrogen, and found in coal, crude oil, natural gas, and plant life. Hydrocarbons are used as fuels, solvents as as raw materials for numerous products such as dyes, pesticides and plastics; petroleum is a mixture of several hydrocarbons. Emission of gases resulting from combustion of hydrocarbons (in auto engines and industrial plants) is a major cause of air pollution and global warming.