International ship ballast water management in response to nuclear wastewater discharge

Abstract

On August 24, 2023, Japan officially began discharging nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. This unprecedented action has sparked worldwide concern over its ecological impacts, set a precedent for handling similar emergency pollution incidents, and exposed critical shortcomings in the current management framework for ship ballast water in terms of nuclear radiation risk prevention. By systematically analyzing existing ballast water treatment technologies and management framework, this paper reveals the inherent risks and deficiencies in addressing nuclear-contaminated water. These shortcomings include: a lack of uniform loading standards and vessel-specific regulations; Insufficient technologies for nuclear pollution treatment, with some vessels lacking ballast water treatment systems altogether, while others face high costs and technical challenges in retrofitting such systems; ballast water exchange practices that may accelerate the spread of contamination; the absence of clear discharge standards; inconsistent sampling and monitoring procedures characterized by low frequency and a singular methodological approach; and inadequate record-keeping practices, including short retention times, insufficient disclosure, and a lack of data on radionuclide concentrations. Moreover, the establishment of standards for radioactive ballast water is hampered by international political and economic conflicts. Then, this study proposes specific recommendations covering the improvement of loading regulations, the development and application of nuclear radiation treatment technologies, the optimization of shipping route planning, the enhancement of regulatory oversight and data recording, and the formulation of globally unified management standards. The aim is to provide a reference framework for maritime authorities, shipowners, and port states to effectively address the gaps in current systems for nuclear pollution prevention and to safeguard the marine ecological environment. By uncovering the core deficiencies in the management of nuclear radiation-related risks, this paper aspires to stimulate further research and practical advancements, fostering international collaboration to build a scientific and systematic ballast water management framework capable of effectively responding to nuclear contamination challenges.