• Question: Is it ok to pee in the ocean?

    Asked by killa to Colin, John, Kevin, Shikha, Triona on 7 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Tríona O'Connell

      Tríona O'Connell answered on 7 Nov 2014:

      Yes, but wash your swimsuit well afterwards. The urine gets diluted as it spreads away from you, so the sea would be a more acceptable venue than peeing in the bath. Toilet water ultimately makes it to the sea if you don’t have a septic tank (usually the toilet water passes through sewage treatment, but not always). Also, we’re not going to make whales and dolphins wear nappies, so it’s probably ok.
      What’s more interesting is how fish sort out their pee. Urea is a way that we get rid of waste nitrogen from proteins that we no longer need. Instead of getting rid of waste nitrogen as urea in urine, fish get rid of their waste nitrogen as ammonia via their gills. I am very happy that we don’t use our lungs for that 🙂

    • Photo: Kevin Motherway

      Kevin Motherway answered on 8 Nov 2014:

      That’s a classic question. Looking at it from an environmental law perspective….. Could you be prosecuted for water pollution ? How could it be proved in court. Where’s the evidence of the alleged offence? What impact did you have? How much pee was involved ? What was your intention when you were peeing? This is a serious issue that requires careful consideration. I’d advise you not to say anything more until you’ve spoken to legal counsel as you may be incriminating yourself.

    • Photo: Colin Johnston

      Colin Johnston answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      I don’t know. Maybe you should ask a fish.

    • Photo: Shikha Sharma

      Shikha Sharma answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      Hi Killa,
      Yes of course it’s fine. Even the American Chemical Society has officially declared, that urine is a safe substance in the ocean. You can even watch the video on t YouTube ACS’ “Reactions”. Urine is made up of more than 95% water; and contains sodium and chloride ions, which are also naturally present in seawater. So, you are not polluting ocean. In fact, urine combined with ocean water produces ammonium, which actually nourishes marine plants.
      While it might sound a little bit disgusting, but I am sure almost everyone has peed in the ocean at some stage in their lives. It’s just whether they like to admit it or not.
      And It’s okay to swim in fish and dolphin urine and feces, but not the other way around?
      😀 😀 😀 😀

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