Discharge of Noxious liquid substances is never permitted in which area?

• A. Antarctic area
• B. Arctic area
• C. Pacific Ocean
• D. Indian Ocean

Answer: (A)

Discharges of noxious liquid substances are tightly controlled under MARPOL Annex II, which designates certain areas as Special Areas where stricter rules apply. The Antarctic area is one of these Special Areas, and in that region the discharge of any noxious liquid substances into the sea is prohibited in all circumstances. This strict prohibition is in place to protect the very sensitive, pristine marine and coastal ecosystems found there. In other areas, discharges may be allowed only if they meet specific conditions (such as distance from land and substance concentration), but in the Antarctic area the rule is a complete ban.