Spewing Motorboats Foul Water Column
Dear EarthTalk: Do motorboats still spew a lot of toxins into water? What’s being done to clean them up and are newer engine models greener than the past or not?
—G.H., via email
In recent years, the climate crisis has drawn increasing attention to the ecological impacts of everyday activities, including motorboating. Motorboating creates immense pollution in various ways. Not only are pollutants often found in the water column of motorboats, but the toxins in the water column can be ingested by fish and, in turn, by people. According to A.K. Whitfield of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, motorboating “has created major problems to the ecology of aquatic systems.”
This is particularly the case with older motorboats. The propellers on such models are of poor quality, thus affecting water clarity by increasing the sediment particles in the water. The dissolved oxygen and pH levels can also harm fish around the motorboat, as metals and hydrocarbons are often toxic to wildlife, leading to a decline in marine life. In older models with two-stroke engines, the inefficient motor can release unburned fuel, entering and polluting the surrounding water. This pollution does not solely occur at sea; caring for boats can also pollute the water. This is because many materials used to care for boats, such as solvents, paints, oils and other pollutants, can seep into the groundwater. Many boat cleaners also contain chemicals that harm fish, like chlorine and phosphates. Another problem is oil spills, which can release sediments that persist in aquatic ecosystems and harm the bottom-dwelling organisms.
An alternative that many boat owners have begun to opt for is newer models, as cleaner, newer technology, such as four-stroke engines, is likely to help reduce the inputs of fuel and exhaust in water bodies over time. Particularly if these newer models are used properly through well-tuned engines and using the recommended mix of oil and gasoline to help engines run efficiently, these models can be incredibly beneficial in reducing the negative environmental effects of motorboats. Besides buying newer models, some are taking other steps to reduce toxins. For instance, people are increasingly choosing safe cleaning products that do not harm humans or marine life, as well as carefully fueling boat engines, recycling used oil, and discarding worn motor parts into proper receptacles. Another step that is being taken is draining water out of tanks during colder seasons to reduce the possibility of bursting pipes.
Ultimately, while motorboats continue to contribute to pollution, solutions are available, and newer models offer hope. Greener alternatives, better maintenance and stronger regulations can significantly reduce the negative environmental effects of motorboats.
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