News
A Shipping Rule Backfires, Diverting Sulfur Emissions From the Air to the Ocean
When large ships use scrubbers to meet international air pollution limits, the treated fuel exhaust gets dumped into the sea along with other contaminants. Researchers say the discharges are packed with metals and organic compounds that threaten marine environments.
By Lydia Larsen
In 2020, an international rule went into effect that sharply reduced the amount of sulfur allowed in ship fuel. The aim was to rein in atmospheric sulfur oxide emissions, which are known to be a threat to public health and the environment.