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Toxic paints from cruise ships endanger marine life, new research reveals

Worker uses spray gun to paint hull of ship.

Bogdan VASILESCU / shutterstock.com

New research reveals that pollution from cruise ship paint is significantly harming marine ecosystems. Dr. Peter Morton, a Texas A&M University oceanographer and professor in the Department of Oceanography, has uncovered evidence that chemicals leaching from ship paint into the ocean are posing a severe threat to marine life.

Morton’s study, conducted through the College of Arts and Sciences, focuses on the toxins released from the paint used on cruise ships. These pollutants, often overlooked, contribute to marine contamination and pose a serious threat to ecosystems.

Marine life, including coral reefs and various aquatic species, suffer from exposure to these toxic substances. The pollutants can disrupt biological processes and lead to long-term ecological damage. Morton’s findings emphasize the need for stricter regulations and innovative solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of cruise ships.

His research calls for the cruise ship industry to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional marine paints to significantly reduce its ecological footprint and protect ocean health.