ESTIMATES OF OIL ENTERING THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT FROM SEA-BASED ACTIVITIES, REPORTS AND STUDIES NO. 75

摘要

This report contains cautious findings from a major data collection effort developed from estimates first made in the early 1980s. It amounts to an assessment of the MARPOL (marine pollution control) regulations of the 1970s and makes several recommendations. We clearly know more today about the quantities of oil entering the ocean from several sources, but apparently not much more about its impacts there. Are oily discharges, even if they can be 'modelled', really a serious environmental problem? The report makes no contribution to this more fundamental question.