Maritime Accidents and Environmental Pollution - The X-Press Pearl Disaster by Vithanage, Meththika; Priyal de Alwis, Ajith; Botheju, Deshai;

Short description:

This book discusses in detail the facts and findings related to the X-Press Pearl container vessel accident that occurred in May 2021 off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Through many case studies, accumulated knowledge, and experiences, the authors discuss the accident response, risk mitigation, investigation, and damage assessment.

Long description:

This book discusses in detail the facts and findings related to the X-Press Pearl container vessel accident that occurred in May 2021 off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship was carrying a large consignment of chemicals and diverse hazardous materials that caused a disastrous and vast environmental and social catastrophe in the region. Through many case studies, accumulated knowledge, and experiences, the authors discuss the accident response, risk mitigation, investigation, and damage assessment activities from the very onset of the accident. It helps researchers and regulators understand the facts of this unique marine chemical accident and to formulate necessary future regulations as well as to develop robust safety and sustainability management systems and safety cultures.

Features:

• Written by authorities who led the team involved in accident response and damage assessment


• Focuses on identifying plausible root causes, pitfalls in accident response, and weaknesses in current regulatory and management protocols


• Delivers in-depth understanding of a unique marine chemical accident to help formulate necessary future policies and regulations related to such disasters


• Includes many case studies related to the accident illustrated with photos and figures that are true evidence of the disaster, the response, and the mitigation


• Explains and discusses key research findings in a streamlined manner understandable for a wide audience

A valuable resource for readers in environmental management and policy creation, as well as for researchers, professionals, academics, and students involved in environmental science, chemical engineering, technical safety and sustainability management, maritime, polymer, and ocean sciences. Countries where maritime disasters are a concern will also find this book is an important guide for taking a responsible approach when handling similar situations in the future; not least to avert such events from occurring.

Table of Contents:

1. X-Press Pearl - The Fateful Journey  2. Recent Maritime Accidents: Chemicals and Plastic Spills  3. X-Press Pearl: The Cargo and its Complexity in Impact  4. The Fate of the Pearl  5. Onshore Responses During the X-Press Pearl Disaster  6. Societal and Media Response  7. Plastics, Nurdles, and Pyrogenic Microplastics in the Coastal Water Environments; Implications of the X-Press Pearl Maritime Disaster  8. Sources and Fate of Plastics into Microplastics: Degradation and Remediation Methods  9. X-Press Pearl Ship Impact on Sea Turtles  10. Impacts of the MV X-Press Pearl Ship Disaster on Marine Mammals in Sri Lankan Marine Waters  11. Impact of MV X-Press Pearl Disaster on Coastal and Marine Fish and Fisheries  12. Impact of the X-Press Pearl Disaster on Coastal and Marine Birds  13. Beach and Marine Microplastics: Physiochemical Removal Techniques Targeting Marine Disasters  14. Navigating Container Ship Impacts  15. Management and Policy Recommendations MV X-Press Pearl Ship Accident  16. X-Press Pearl Maritime Disaster: A Framework for Valuation of Environmental Damages  17. Lessons from the Pearl