Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic Ballast water

In the past, ships used solids as ballast; this included metals, sand and rocks. Today, ships use sea water as ballast and it is referred to as ballast water. It is therefore very normal for ships to pump in ballast water at one port and discharge at the loading port before taking cargo. In this chapter you will be able to understand ballast water.

BALLAST WATER

Gohoho Emmanuel Sena

Ballast Water

Necessary to maintain the trim and stability of oceangoing vessels

Ballast water…

• In the past, ships used solids as ballast;

this included metals, sand and rocks.

• Today, ships use sea water as ballast and

it is referred to as ballast water

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS)

Ballast Water and AIS

• As a result, ships and mariners have unintentionally transferred organisms from one environment to

another through the ballast water and sediments

• Species are introduced with ballast water discharge in recipient regions

What are AIS ?

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are organisms

transported by human activities to a region where they did not occur historically and have

established reproducing populations in the wild.

• Also known as invasive,

exotic, alien, introduced,

aquatic nuisance species (ANS),

nonindigenous species (NIS),

non-native

Additional Facts

• Non-native species are considered the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction

• Many non-native species are capable of causing

significant ecological, economic or human health impacts

• In the marine environment, the rate of new introductions has increased exponentially during the last 200 years

Example: Overbite Clam

species associated with

spread of clam, may be

associated with decline

of Delta smelt

Ballast Water and AIS

• Approximately 7000 species transported around the

world each day in ballast water of ships

• Volume of global trade is increasing = more ballast water (and species) in movement

• Speed of global trade is increasing = more species

areas: sea chests,

around rudder, dry

dock strips

12

Fouling and AIS

• Species introduced when organisms fall/drop off structures or spawn

(reproduce)

Ecological Effects

• The AIS are introduced in some cases on

a daily basis When they become

established, they disrupt the native

ecology and their presence cannot be

reversed

• A non-pacific Sea-star that was introduced

in Australian waters threatened

commercial shell fish stock like scallops, and in just one estuary in Tasmania, it

reached a population of 30 million

Economic Effects

• The invasive organisms tend to threaten commercial activities like fishing, coastal resources and industrial activities

• In the USA, an average amount of $1.8

billion is spent on invasive species

annually

• The Zebra mussel which has been

transferred into North American Waters, has invaded inland water ways including industrial water uptakes

• Between 1999 and 2000, the USA spent

$750 million - $1 Billion on the Zebra Mussel alone.

Zebra Mussel

Human Health Effects

• Pathogens and diseases are also carried

by ballast water

• The dinoflagellates (single-celled marine life) can release toxins which can bloom into red tides and can be absorbed by shell fish When consumed by humans, this can cause paralysis or even death

How do they get here?

• Many mechanisms (vectors) capable of transporting AIS around the world

• Aquaculture, live seafood shipments, bait, pet store trade, intentional release

• Commercial ships responsible for up to 80% of introductions in coastal habitats

• Includes ballast water and vessel

fouling

Dealing with Ballast Water

• The problem of invasive species is not a pollution problem only, it is also a problem

of biodiversity

• Hence, a convention on ballast water

management has been adopted to deal with the problem…

International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and

Sediments (BWMC)

• A diplomatic conference from 9 to13 February 2004 adopted this convention to prevent the potentially devastating effects of the spread of harmful aquatic organisms carried by ships' ballast water

• The Convention will require all ships

• To implement a Ballast Water and

Sediments Management Plan

• To carry a Ballast Water Record Book

• To carry out ballast water management procedures to a given standard

of the world’s merchant tonnage have ratified the Convention

• The outstanding ratification is expected to be obtained shortly and the Convention will likely enter into force in 2016

Source; http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/stricter-ballast-water-controls-are-imminent/#

Which ships will the Convention apply to?

• A ship is defined in the Convention as “a vessel of any

type whatsoever operating in the aquatic environment and includes submersibles, floating craft, floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs”

• The Convention will apply to:

• Ships 400gt and above

• Ships from Flag States that have ratified, and ships entering jurisdictions of Flag States

Source; http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/stricter-ballast-water-controls-are-imminent/#

Which ships will the Convention not apply to?

• Ships not designed or constructed to carry ballast water,

• Ships operating only in waters of one member State (unless the member State determines otherwise),

• Ships of one member State operating only in waters of another member State and the latter authorises an exclusion

• Ships which only operate in waters of one member State and

on the high seas (subject to conditions)

• Any warship,naval or State owned ships

• Ships with permanent ballast water in sealed tanks not subject

to discharge

Source; http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/stricter-ballast-water-controls-are-imminent/#

• Ballast water treatment system

akpe na mi!

Questions ?

Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center