Pulse amplitude modulation as an indicative method for monitoring compliance of ballast water management – Walz Water PAM instrument test

Vessels are considered one of the primary pathways for the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens. The D-2 Regulation of the Ballast Water Management Convention specifies the maximum number of organisms per unit volume in order to prevent their spread and transfer, and the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens around the globe. The Convention also requires an inspection of every ship’s ballast water in order to verify compliance with the requirements. Inspectors take samples of ballast water and perform quick analyses on board using indicative instruments. We evaluated the appropriateness of the Walz Water PAM instrument for indicative analysis of ballast water. The instrument estimates the phytoplankton biomass and its photochemical efficiency. The instrument measurements were compared to the results of detailed laboratory analyses of samples for phytoplankton cells in the size range 10–50 µm and with minimum diameter, as addressed by the Regulation D-2. The instrument correctly evaluated all 19 compliant samples from the detailed analyses and 88 of 95 non-compliant samples from detailed analyses (93%). We can thus conclude that Walz Water PAM is a suitable tool for the indicative analysis of vessels’ ballast water.

IMPACT OF SHIP'S BALLAST WATER ON INVASIVE SPECIES OCCURRENCE, AND AS A CONSEQUENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH: A SHORT REVIEW

Water is one of the main ways of transportation. The reduction of water pressure on the ship hull, controlling ship submergence, compensate for the impact of losing weight from fuel or water consumption, help to the existence of lateral balance and stability are the factors that show all ships need ballasting. Ballast water contains a large number of organisms from different species, which are in different life stages (egg, Larvae, Cysts, Spores, or adult). These aquatic invasive species cause damage to fisheries, aquaculture, water supply system, industrial infrastructure, biodiversity, and habitat. The study aims to review open information sources and analyze them to identify the Impact of ship's ballast water on invasive species occurrence, and as a consequence on environmental and public health effects. The search for sources was carried out for the keywords «ballast water», «ecology», «environment», «public health» and «invasive species», as well as for various combinations of these words through the Google Scholar. Restrictions in the search for sources amounted to: since 2005 and in relevance. The features of one of the reasons for the spread of invasive species and negative environmental consequences for aqua systems and public health are studied. The study's practical value lies in the fact that the study results can be used to train workers from water transport and ensure the environmental safety of aqua systems. Predation, parasitism, competition, the introduction of new pathogens, genetic changes, habitat alterations, species shift, and loss of biodiversity are the most important ecological impacts. Exotic species, which are often brought with ballast water, cause change to ecosystem function by changing in a nutrient cycle and a decrease in water quality. It is established that some invasive species including Vibrio Cholera and Giardia duodenalis that are transported by ballast water also affect the public health by increasing the risk of pathogens and parasitism.

Analysis of Ballast Water Treatment Technologies on Ships Operating in the Baltic Sea Region

The introduction of invasive aquatic species in new environments has been identified as one of the four biggest threats to the world's oceans causing serious threats and harm to both ecology and human health. There is a major exchange of ship’s ballast water over longer distances between continents and regional seas, and it has been known for decades that ballast water transfers organisms to new ecosystems, where the strongest, most aggressive and adaptable species can survive and become invasive under favourable conditions. The focus of the research is to study available ballast water control technologies to determine their suitability and effectiveness in the reduction of harmful aquatic organisms and compounds in the Baltic Sea.

Marine Phytoplankton in Port and Ship’s Ballast Water at Tanjung Priok Harbour, North Jakarta, Indonesia

This research aimed to study the phytoplankton community in ships’ ballast water in comparison with the natural assemblages in the waters of Tanjung Priok Harbour in Jakarta, Indonesia. Phytoplankton samples were collected between November 2011 to October 2012 from four ports of Tanjung Priok Harbour and from discharged ballast water of randomly selected ships in the port. Skeletonema, Thalassiosira, and Chaetoceros were three predominant phytoplankton genera in all samples. Ceratium and Protoperidinium were also commonly found in high densities in most samples. An unusual phytoplankton bloom (> 109 cells m-3) was observed in the ballast water sample taken in March 2012. It was unknown whether this bloom was formed inside the tank or was already present at the source. Ballast water samples of BWD11, BWM12, and BWA12 had significantly different phytoplankton community from the natural assemblages in the harbour, which increase the risk of non-indigenous phytoplankton introduction to Tanjung Priok Harbour.