(From left) Lee So-myung, Ph.D., Department of Oceanography, Incheon National University, Kim Jae-hee, Ph.D., and Professor Lee Jae-sung

Incheon National University announced on the 14th that three papers related to bio-impact assessment of underwater cleaning emissions of ships led by Lee So-myung and Kim Jae-hee, PhD students in the Department of Oceanography, were published simultaneously in three top international journals in the environmental field.

The research team conducted an impact assessment on various marine organisms subject to emissions generated by underwater cleaning robots while cleaning ships, and found that the antifouling paint used to prevent the adhesion of hull organisms in the emissions caused great toxicity to non-target organisms.

"Through this study, we have confirmed that suspended substances and sediments made from underwater cleaning of ships to maintain ship performance can be pollutants in nearby coastal ecosystems," said Dr. Lee So-myung, and Dr. Kim Jae-hee said, "The results of this study can be used as a related basis because international treaties and regulations on underwater cleaning emissions have not been clearly established so far."

Around the world, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and domestic researchers are leading the research fields related to underwater cleaning of ship vessels, leading the establishment of international treaties, regulations, and guidelines. In order to reduce the risk of underwater cleaning using existing divers, the application technology of underwater cleaning robots has been expanded and implemented worldwide, and the results of this study are expected to contribute as important data for establishing international related evidence.

The findings were published simultaneously in the April issue of "Journal of Hazardous Materials (IF: 13.6), "Marine Pollution Bulletin (IF: 5.8)," and "Comprehensive Biochemistry and Physiology Part C (IF: 4.5)," which are Elsevier journals in the top three to four percent of the JCR (Journal Citation Report) environment.

This study was led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and promoted by the Korea Institute of Oceans and Fisheries Science and Technology Development (Director of Research: Shin Kyung-soon, Director of Research at the Korea Institute of Maritime Science and Technology) and the "Transitional Research Focus Project" projects supported by Incheon National University.