Ballast Tanks Research Articles

セルオートマトンによる塗膜下腐食シミュレーション手法に関する研究（第1報：スクライブ塗装鋼板の解析）

An underfilm corrosion simulation method for epoxy coated steel panels in ship’s water ballast tanks (WBT) has been developed. The incubation and extension of coating failure are simulated by using 2-dimensional cellular automaton method, and the steel diminution is simulated by modifying the corrosion model proposed by Kawamura et al. (2015). Analysis parameters are determined by using the results of onboard exposure and cyclic corrosion tests performed by Shiotani et al. (2014). The change in corroded surface shape of epoxy coated and scribed steel panels made of conventional steel and corrosion resistant steel (CRS) exposed in an ore carrier’s WBT for 4.8 years is simulated. The simulated coating deterioration (blister) area and the corroded surface profile agree well with those measured. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the developed simulation method and the determined parameters. The differences in analysis parameters between conventional steel and CRS suggest that CRS can reduce the harmful effect of the active corrosion region on the remaining coating life at the blister’s frontline and the corrosion under the blister.

Evaluation of Epoxy Coating for Ballast Tanks under Thermal Cycling by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Evaluation of Epoxy Coating for Ballast Tanks under Thermal Cycling by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Ultraviolet radiation as a ballast water treatment strategy: Inactivation of phytoplankton measured with flow cytometry

This study investigates different UV doses (mJ/cm2) and the effect of dark incubation on the survival of the algae Tetraselmis suecica, to simulate ballast water treatment and subsequent transport.Samples were UV irradiated and analyzed by flow cytometry and standard culturing methods. Doses of ≥400mJ/cm2 rendered inactivation after 1day as measured by all analytical methods, and are recommended for ballast water treatment if immediate impairment is required. Irradiation with lower UV doses (100–200mJ/cm2) gave considerable differences of inactivation between experiments and analytical methods. Nevertheless, inactivation increased with increasing doses and incubation time. We argue that UV doses ≥100mJ/cm2 and ≤200mJ/cm2 can be sufficient if the water is treated at intake and left in dark ballast tanks. The variable results demonstrate the challenge of giving unambiguous recommendations on duration of dark incubation needed for inactivation when algae are treated with low UV doses.

Recent invasion of the foraminiferNonionella stellaCushman & Moyer, 1930 in northern European waters: evidence from the Skagerrak and its fjords

The eastern Pacific benthic foraminifer Nonionella stella Cushman & Moyer, 1930 was recorded for the first time in the Skagerrak (North Sea) and its fjords. In this short note we evaluate its migration, considering both dispersal by propagules and ship ballast tanks. We suggest that the predominantly southward surface currents along the western European seaboard and Morocco would impede a wide-range dispersal of N. stella propagules and hypothesize transportation by ship ballast tanks as the possible vector of N. stella immigration into northern European seas.

Amplicon-Based Pyrosequencing Reveals High Diversity of Protistan Parasites in Ships' Ballast Water: Implications for Biogeography and Infectious Diseases.

Ships' ballast water (BW) commonly moves macroorganisms and microorganisms across the world's oceans and along coasts; however, the majority of these microbial transfers have gone undetected. We applied high-throughput sequencing methods to identify microbial eukaryotes, specifically emphasizing the protistan parasites, in ships' BW collected from vessels calling to the Chesapeake Bay (Virginia and Maryland, USA) from European and Eastern Canadian ports. We utilized tagged-amplicon 454 pyrosequencing with two general primer sets, amplifying either the V4 or V9 domain of the small subunit (SSU) of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene complex, from total DNA extracted from water samples collected from the ballast tanks of bulk cargo vessels. We detected a diverse group of protistan taxa, with some known to contain important parasites in marine systems, including Apicomplexa (unidentified apicomplexans, unidentified gregarines, Cryptosporidium spp.), Dinophyta (Blastodinium spp., Euduboscquella sp., unidentified syndinids, Karlodinium spp., Syndinium spp.), Perkinsea (Parvilucifera sp.), Opisthokonta (Ichthyosporea sp., Pseudoperkinsidae, unidentified ichthyosporeans), and Stramenopiles (Labyrinthulomycetes). Further characterization of groups with parasitic taxa, consisting of phylogenetic analyses for four taxa (Cryptosporidium spp., Parvilucifera spp., Labyrinthulomycetes, and Ichthyosporea), revealed that sequences were obtained from both known and novel lineages. This study demonstrates that high-throughput sequencing is a viable and sensitive method for detecting parasitic protists when present and transported in the ballast water of ships. These data also underscore the potential importance of human-aided dispersal in the biogeography of these microbes and emerging diseases in the world's oceans.

Assessing the viability of microorganisms in the ballast water of vessels transiting the North Atlantic Ocean

Testing phytoplankton viability within ballast tanks and receiving waters of ballast water discharge remain understudied. Potentially harmful dinoflagellates and diatoms are transported via ballast water to Galveston Bay, Texas (USA), home to three major ports: Houston, Texas City and Galveston. Ballast water from vessels transiting the North Atlantic Ocean was inoculated into treatments representing low and high salinity conditions similar to the Ports of Houston and Galveston respectively. Phytoplankton in ballast water growout experiments were deemed viable and showed growth in low and mid salinities with nutrient enrichment. Molecular methods identified several genera: Dinophysis, Gymnodinium, Gyrodinium, Heterocapsa, Peridinium, Scrippsiella, Chaetoceros and Nitzschia. These phytoplankton genera were previously identified in Galveston Bay except Scrippsiella. Phytoplankton, including those capable of forming harmful algal blooms leading to fish and shellfish kills, are transported to Galveston Bay via ballast water, and are viable when introduced to similar salinity conditions found in Galveston Bay ports.

Research on Quick Decision Technology of Liquid Cargo Supply’s Program

The liquid cargo replenishment decision based on ship’s stability, strength and the floating state is a multiobjective optimization problem. The mathematical model of multi-objective is built in this paper. Aiming to obtain the feasible solution, the adaptive step ergodic of permutation and combination is applied in terms of the cargo oil tank and the water ballast tank. particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied into the project. On the basis of constraint conditions, the multi-objective optimization function is proved and take it into real operating mode for calculation and analysis. Improved objective function that is built based on multi-objective mathematical model. Taking real calculation example to verify the effectiveness of improved function and PSO algorithm. The result is good and the time complexity and mathematical precision are both improved effectively.

Experimental Depth Positioning Control for a Spherical Underwater Robot Vehicle (URV)

Recently, position control of URVs has been a challenge due to the buoyancy forces, and high current load of ocean. In this paper, variable ballast tank (VBT) of a spherical URV is developed as vertical motion actuator, and the problem of internal dynamic forces which caused by empty space inside the VBT has been discussed. In order to test the stability of the proposed system, the experimental model of URV has been tested in 1-5 meter underwater depth.

Environmental DNA evidence of transfer of North Sea molluscs across tropical waters through ballast water

Maritime transport, in particular of ballast water, is considered to be one of the most important pathways of marine biological invasions worldwide. Here we provide the first molecular evidence of potential survival of the European mudsnail, Peringia ulvae, in ballast water on cross-latitudinal voyages. Ballast water from the RV Polarstern was sampled at its departure from the North Sea and again in tropical latitudes; DNA was extracted and amplicon-sequenced employing high-throughput sequencing methodology. Mollusc species were detected by cytochrome oxidase subunit I DNA barcode sequences. The increasing proportion of operational taxonomic units that were identified as P. ulvae after 2 weeks of navigation suggests that this species withstands the harsh conditions in the ballast tank. As such, P. ulvae has the potential to reach very distant, new marine areas where it eventually might establish itself as a nonindigenous species. We also discuss the potential of environmental DNA analysis for en-route biodiversity screening and species-specific risk assessments, as well as some current limitations of the approach.

Detecting nuisance species using NGST: Methodology shortcomings and possible application in ballast water monitoring

Detecting the presence of potential invasive species in ballast water is a priority for preventing their spread into new environments. Next generation sequencing technologies are being increasingly used for exploring and assessing biodiversity from environmental samples. Here we apply high throughput sequencing from DNA extracted from ballast water (BW) samples employing two different platforms, Ion Torrent and 454, and compare the putative species catalogues from the resulting Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU). Water samples were taken from the RV Polastern ballast tank in five different days between the second and the twentieth navigation day. Pronounced decrease of oxygen concentration and increase of temperature occurred in the BW during this time, coincident with a progressively higher proportion of unassigned OTU and short reads indicating DNA degradation. Discrepancy between platforms for species catalogues was consistent with previously published bias in AT-rich sequences for Ion Torrent platform. Some putative species detected from the two platforms increased in frequency during the Polarstern travel, which suggests they were alive and therefore tolerant to adverse conditions. OTU assigned to the highly invasive red alga Polysiphonia have been detected at low but increasing frequency from the two platforms. Although in this moment NGST could not replace current methods of sampling, sorting and individual taxonomic identification of BW biota, it has potential as an exploratory methodology especially for detecting scarce species.

The applicability of hydrofoils as a ship control device

Centrifugal forces are commonly created when ships turn, which may cause a ship to capsize in a critical situation. A mathematical model has been developed to optimize the stability coefficients for ship, with the aim to prevent capsizing and to increase ship maneuverability in high-speed water craft. This model can be used to develop algorithms for control system improvement. The mathematical model presented in this paper optimized the use of multipurpose hydrofoils to reduce heeling and the trimming moment, maintaining an upright ship’s position and lessening the resistance via transverse force. Conventionally, the trimming and heeling of a ship are controlled using ballast water; however, under variable sea conditions it is sometimes difficult to control a ship’s motion using ballast water. In this case, a hydrofoil would be more stable and maneuverable than a ballast tank controlled vessel. A movable hydrofoil could theoretically be adapted from moveable aerofoil technology. This study proves the merit of further investigation into this possibility.

COMPARISON OF DEPTH CONTROL FORM SURFACE AND BOTTOM SET POINT OF AN UNMANNED UNDERWATER REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE USING PID CONTROLLER

This paper investigates the depth control of an Unmanned Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) based on ballast tank system using conventional PID controller. The PID Controller is applied to control the depth of the ROV from two different reference points, from the surface and from the seafloor. The concept of ballast tank system selected is piston tank type. Two different sensors are selected, which is pressure sensor for measurement from the surface, and sonar sensor for measurement from the bottom. Control method from both references point are investigated and compared to find out which feedback reference points are more appropriate in different conditions. The implementation phase will be verified through MATLAB Simulink platform. The verified algorithms will then be tested on the actual prototype ROV. And also the prospect of automated the vertical movement of a ROV.

Implications of ballast tank geometry and treatment technology on NIS removal

Regulation D-1 of the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention requires that pumping seawater into a ballast tank should achieve a volumetric flushing efficiency of 95%. The IMO criteria for shipboard testing require a NIS removal rate of at least 90%. To examine the influence of tank geometry and treatment technology on satisfying IMO protocols, a general network model is developed and validated to analyse the transport of NIS through a ballast tank.The model is applied to analyse the flushing from typical ballast tanks. For the hopper side and upper wing tank considered, setting a single outlet further from the inlet may effectively improve the flushing efficiency. For the ‘J’-type bottom and side tank considered, the flushing can be relaxed from 3 to 1.7 exchange volumes to save costs.The influence of treatment technology on the NIS removal rate is investigated in the closed-loop system. For the ‘J’-type tank considered, if the treatment efficiency is 70%, 2.4 times circulation is needed to achieve the 90% NIS removal rate.

Transport of harmful marine microalgae via ship's ballast water: Management and mitigation with special reference to the Arabian Gulf region

The potential for transport of non-indigenous marine microalgae via ship's ballast water has been amply demonstrated, and nearly all known harmful algal bloom species have been documented in viable form from ship's ballast water. Ballast water uptake needs to be strongly discouraged during harmful algal bloom events. Efficacy of ballast water exchange in removing harmful microalgal cells is limited, since this nearly always leaves behind a viable inoculum. The precise location of ballast water exchange needs to be carefully chosen, and retention of dinoflagellate cysts and diatom spores in ballast tank sediments is of special concern. The only fully effective ballast water treatment for microalgae is the application of biocides, but heat treatment also offers considerable promise especially in subtropical and tropical waters. To manage harmful algal blooms, other key environmental drivers such as eutrophication and climate change also need to be addressed. Effective monitoring for harmful algal species and their toxins remains the critical tool to protect human health, fisheries, aquaculture and desalination industries. Challenges and opportunities for ballast water management in the Arabian Gulf region are discussed.

High colonization and propagule pressure by ship ballast as a vector for the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia

Most harmful diatoms belong to the marine, planktonic genus Pseudo-nitzschia and are responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning through the production of domoic acid. Fifteen Pseudo-nitzschia species, nine of them toxigenic (approximately 60% of the species found in our samples) were recovered from 185 ship ballast tanks (water and sediment) destined for Canadian ports. Our results demonstrate that the three Canadian coastal regions receive considerable total propagule pressure (1.2 × 10 13

Paralia (Bacillariophyta) stowaways in ship ballast: implications for biogeography and diversity of the genus.

BackgroundThe genus Paralia Heiberg is one of the most recognizable, widely distributed and commonly reported diatoms from contemporary coastal marine environments and ship ballast. Species discovery has historically been made in diatoms through the recognition of morphological discontinuities between specimens, first using light and later electron microscopy. However, recently, morphologically semi-cryptic species of Paralia were delineated using genetic analyses, among mostly tropical and subtropical sites.ResultsTen morphological characters of the frustules and sequence fragments from the nuclear genome (conserved 18S regions of ribosomal RNA and the variable internal transcribed spacer [ITS]), and from the RuBisCo large subunit (rbcL) gene of the chloroplast genome were examined. Frustule morphology did not segregate species, however, comparisons of sequence fragments and ITS2 secondary structures yielded a new species from North American waters, P. guyana (with four genodemes), and another widely-distributed species, P. marina. The latter was lecto- and epitypified here because it is most similar to specimens in the type preparation BM1021 representing Smith’s concept of the species. Paralia marina and certain genodemes of P. guyana were morphologically cryptic. Only those genodemes of P. guyana that possess prickly separation valves could be morphologically distinguished from P. marina with relative confidence in SEM preparations. All clones established from chains isolated from the ballast sediment of the ships sailing along the Atlantic coast of North America belonged to P. guyana. All DNA sequences of preserved Paralia chains recovered from the three trans-Atlantic voyages (TAVs) samples arriving to eastern Canada from Europe shared 100% identity with P. marina.ConclusionFirst, if the overline{x} = 130592 P. marina cells per ballast tank at the end of the TAVs represents their abundance in ballast tanks of similar crossings and following mid-ocean ballast water exchange, then this diatom, if de-ballasted, exerts a strong and continued propagule pressure on Eastern Canadian coasts. Despite this, as of 2009, P. marina was found only in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada. Second, genetic analysis readily segregated cryptic and semi-cryptic taxa of Paralia, highlighting the usefulness of the molecular approach to species recognition, e.g., in programs monitoring alien introductions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40709-015-0024-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Analysis of invertebrate resting eggs and other biota in ballast tank sediment of domestic Great Lakes cargo ships

Domestic shipping in the Laurentian Great Lakes may be a vector of secondary spread for non-native species, but research has not yet assessed the role of ballast tank sediment. Here, ballast tank sediment was collected from three domestic ships (M/V American Century, M/V Edwin H. Gott, and M/V Mesabi Miner) during 2011 and 2012 at Lake Superior harbors in the USA and analyzed for invertebrates. Samples contained evidence of active life stages of Bivalvia, Cladocera, Copepoda, Gastropoda, Hydracarina, Nematoda, Oligochaeta, and Ostracoda as well as dormant life stages of some species including ones hatched in the laboratory from Cladocera, Copepoda, Ostracoda, and Rotifera. Excluding resting eggs, the groups Bivalvia, Copepoda, and Ostracoda comprised 83% of individuals recovered. The mean density of resting eggs per ballast tank ranged from 16.0 to 24.8 eggs/g wet sediment for samples collected during November and from 0.2 to 2.7 eggs/g wet sediment for samples collected during December to March. The mean viability (percentage hatched) of resting eggs per ballast tank ranged from 31.2% to 75.8% for samples collected during November; December to March samples were not assessed for egg viability. Bosminidae (Cladocera) were the most commonly hatched taxa and comprised 548 of 819 hatchlings (or 67%). Hatched eggs included Eubosmina coregoni and Bythotrephes longimanus which are non-native to the Great Lakes. Densities of resting eggs and other biota were comparable to, or greater than, published densities of organisms in ballast tank sediment of foreign ships entering the Great Lakes and ballast tank water of domestic ships operating within the Great Lakes.

Aracia sp. (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) from the Don River estuary (Sea of Azov basin)

During the monitoring investigations in the Don River estuary, an alien polychaete species of the family Sabellidae was recorded. Polychaete specimens were collected two times within a month, in the later sample one specimen had eggs in anterior abdominal chaetigers. The description of present specimens is provided. All the specimens match the diagnosis of the genus Aracia Nogueira, Fitzhugh et Rossi, 2010. However, there is an uncertainty at the species level: both A. riwo and A. heterobranchiata characters are present, though the latter seems to be more likely. Probable way of penetration into the Don River estuary is ballast water tanks, for many tankers use to spill their ballast water in this area.

エポキシ塗装鋼板塗膜下腐食モニタリングのための鉄 2 価イオン感応性蛍光プローブの開発

Effectiveness of fluorescent ferric iron indicator for under film corrosion detection of coated steel panels in water ballast tank is examined. (1S)-3'-(diethylamino)-N,N-diethyl-3-oxo-3', 9a'-dihydro-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9'-xanthen]-6'-amine oxide “RhoNox-1” synthesized by Hirayama et al. (2013) is chosen as Fe2+ indicator. Under film corrosion sensing semi-transparent modified epoxy films which contains RhoNox-1 are prepared. SS400 steel test panels are blasted and the prepared semi-transparent Fe2+ sensing paints are applied. Some panels are scribed after coating, and NaCl solution is dropped onto the steel surface before coating in other panels. These panels are subject to immersion tests in NaCl solution and cyclic corrosion tests by using artificial seawater. Changes in fluorescence are observed during these tests. As results, followings are found: 1) RhoNox-1 is not responsive to amine-based hardener, and prematurely fluorescent” can be prevented; 2) RhoNox-1 is functioning as an early detection indicator for steel corrosion; 3) Steel's anode reactions in underfilm corrosion that progressed during the cyclic corrosion tests had been detected clearly by using the developed Fe2+ sensing paint; and 4) It is enough to apply 1wt% RhoNox-1 containing paint as a mist coat for nondestructive monitoring of anode reaction when semi-transparent paint used in this study is applied as a top coat.

THE RESULTS OF THE DEFECT PLACES INVESTIGATION OF DONETSK RAILWAY ROAD BED BY GROUND PENETRATING RADAR COMPLEX

Purpose. Defective places definition of road bed at ground penetrating radar is examined. Methodology. For achievement of this goal the experimental research on ground penetrating radar inspection of road bed defective places of the Donetsk Railway, which are caused by a complex of various reasons of geotechnical and constructive character, were conducted. Findings. According to these diagnostic results of road bed on the three districts of the Donetsk Railway is revealed the main causes which lead to the defects appearance, deformities and injuries in it, there is abuse of process parameters and modify its physic mechanical soil properties of natural and technology-related factors. As it is established, the use of ground penetrating radar of series “Losa” on the railways of Ukraine allows searching ballast tank in the body of road bed, defining damp places in soil road bed and foundations, to find arrangement of foreign matter in the soil road bed and work search heterogeneity and places weakening soil. In addition, the use of ground penetrating radar provides rapid detection of defects, deformation and damage of railway track, especially in areas the most dangerous for rolling stock that creates the high level security at the main and auxiliary lines of Ukrzaliznytsia. In conducting the research was justified the high level of reliability and performance with autonomous use of ground penetrating radar. Originality. In modern conditions of defects determination, deformations and damages by traditional methods with application of engineering-geological investigations, it is impossible in connection with their insufficient efficiency. Therefore the using of highly effective methodology of expeditious tool identification of defective places allows reducing significantly the periods of repair of a railway track which is very important for introduction of the highspeed movement on the Ukrainian Railways. Practical value. On the basis of the executed investigations the main actions for defects elimination, deformations and damages which consist in the device of counter dams, the draining sections, the augercast and augured piles are offered.