Analysis of Pollution from Marine Engines -
Status Report
JOHN E. SCHENK, Associate
PETER G. MEIER, Consultant
Environmental Control Technology Corporation
Ann Arbor, Michigan
MICHAEL E. BENDER, Assistant Director
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Gloucester, Virginia
INTRODUCTION
The number of recreational boats in this country has shown a continual increase, as a
result of the additional leisure time available and the higher standard of living enjoyed. The
total number of such boats is now approximately nine million, with the great majority (82
percent) being equipped with outboard engines. This increased boating activity has
generated a good deal of concern as to what effect the emissions from such engines might
have on the aquatic environment. Indeed legislation has been, and is being, proposed in
various areas to curtail motor boat activity. In order for this legislation to be truly valid,
however, it should be based on sound technical information. Unfortunately, it is only of late
that systematic attempts to attain such information have been undertaken. One such project
will be discussed herein.
This project on "The Analysis of Pollution From Marine Engines and Effect on the
Environment" is jointly sponsored by The Environmental Protection Agency and The
Boating Industry Association. It is a multi-faceted program, consisting of essentially three
separate projects: field studies in both a northern and southern climate, and a basic
laboratory study. The northern field study is being performed by the Environmenmental
Control Technology Corporation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The southern field study is
being carried out by Environmental Engineering, Incorporated, Gainsville, Florida. The
laboratory investigation is being pursued by the Department of Water Resources and
Mechanical Engineering, The University of Michigan.
The total project, which was initiated on April 1, 1971, has three basic objectives. The
first of these, which is basically a function of the two field studies, is to determine the effects
of marine engines on the aquatic ecosystem. This includes not only determining whether
any detrimental effects do occur, but also pinpointing that portion or portions of the food
chain which might be most seriously effected. The second objective is the quantitative and
qualitative characterization of the exhausts from marine engines which tend to remain in
the aqueous phase. This second objective is being pursued in the laboratory phase
undertaken by the University of Michigan. Thirdly, the information obtained from these
aforementioned studies will be integrated into a predictive model of engine exhaust
emission impact on the lacustine ecosystem.
This discussion will be concerned primarily with the first of these aspects, namely, the
field investigations into the effect of outboard engine stressing on natural, freshwater
systems. Since only the first year of a projected two-year study has been completed, the
discussion will, of necessity, be limited to the method of approach, preliminary results, and
projected program for the coming year.
METHODOLOGY
The field studies are being conducted in "mini-lakes" (0.5 to 4 acres) in both a northern
and southern climate. The southern study is being carried out in three lakes near Archer,
Florida. Two of these lakes (approximately two to four acres each) serve as test ponds, with
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