Wastewater pollution from cruise ships in coastal sea area of the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Marine pollution from wastewater is a problem especially pronounced on large cruise ships. There is a great disproportion in quality of discharged wastewater directly related to the type of wastewater treatment system installed on cruise ships. To obtain exact empirical data case study was done which included one-year monitoring of cruise ships in the Adriatic Sea, their routes and retention times in defined navigation zones. The aim of this paper is to present data related to the coastal sea area of the Republic of Croatia and display results of marine pollution for that area. The scientific contribution of the research can be recognized in the evaluation of pollution of coastal areas in the Republic of Croatia in different scenarios of wastewater discharge and identification of gray water as a pollutant which is not recognized by the international legal regulations.