Ship Ballast Research Articles

Simultaneous Detection of Viability and Concentration of Microalgae Cells Based on Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Bright Field Dual Imaging.

Ship ballast water contains high concentration of plankton, bacteria, and other microorganisms. If the huge amount of ballast water is discharged without being inactivated, it will definitely spell disaster to the marine environment. Microalgae is the most common species exiting in ballast water, so the detection of the concentration and viability of microalgae is a very important issue. The traditional methods of detecting microalgae in ballast water were costly and need the help of bulky equipment. Herein, a novel method based on microalgae cell intracellular chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) imaging combines with cell bright field (BF) microscopy was proposed. The geometric features of microalgae cells were obtained by BF image, and the cell viability was obtained by CF image. The two images were fused through the classic image registration algorithm to achieve simultaneous detection of the viability and concentration of microalgae cells. Furthermore, a low-cost, miniaturized CF/BF microscopy imaging prototype system based on the above principles was designed. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, four typical microalgae in ballast water (Platymonas, Pyramimonas sp., Chrysophyta, and Prorocentrum lima) were selected as the samples. The experimental results show that the self-developed prototype can quickly and accurately determine the concentration and the viability of microalgae cells in ship ballast water based on the dual images of BF and CF, and the detection accuracy is equivalent to that of commercial microscope. It was the first time to simultaneously detect the viability and concentration of microalgae cells in ship ballast water using the method that combining the fluorescence and bright field images; moreover, a miniaturized microscopic imaging prototype was developed. Those findings expected to contribute to the microalgae detection and ship ballast water management.

Research and development of ship ballast water treatment system

If the ballast water is discharged without treatment, it will cause serious ecological damage to the local port. This paper takes the ship ballast water treatment system as the research object. The existing ballast water treatment system is investigated. A ship ballast water treatment system with capacity of 150m3 /h, filtration accuracy of 40um and UV dose of 350mJ/cm2 is designed. This paper introduces the working principle of the main unit of ship ballast water treatment system, and designs an automatic monitoring system based on PLC and LabVIEW. The results show that the device has high practicability and feasibility.

Removal of Escherichia coli from ballast water via high-gradient magnetic separation

Ship ballast water is a prominent medium for the growth of several foreign species. This study aimed to develop a high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS)-based method to eliminate Escherichia coli and the mechanism underlying E. coli death, per regulation D-2 of the Ballast Water Convention. A novel wheat straw magnetic seed characterized by good flocculation performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness was prepared via chemical implantation. The HGMS system using this wheat straw magnetic seed had a significantly higher total suspended solid (TSS) removal rate and E. coli removal rate than a system comprising Fe3O4 (MP) + polyaluminium chloride (PAC) + polyacrylamide (PAM). A hydraulic retention time of 60 s, these rates were increased by 18.5% and 0.15log, respectively. Furthermore, with an increase in magnetic field strength, the E. coli removal rate continued to increase, and Escherichia coli cells were markedly damaged. Lipid peroxide MDA levels increased rapidly over a short period, and a large volume of K+ leaked out, eventually leading to cell death. The present HGMS system using wheat straw magnetic seeds is a novel ballast water pretreatment system with good potential applications.

Технология очистки и обеззараживания балластной воды

The paper considers the problem of transferring microorganisms with ballast water used in the ship operation. It is noted that the search for a solution to the above problem takes a significant amount of time and requires developing special purifying equipment for disinfecting ballast water. Currently, there are various plants ensuring the decreased number of microorganisms in the process of disinfection. There has been proposed a new technology for ballast water treatment and decontamination that involves depositing microorganisms, removing them from the total volume of ballast water followed by ozone treatment. Actually, the volume of water containing sediment and decontaminated with ozone is significantly less than the total volume of ballast water and makes up about 3-5% of it. Microorganisms depositing takes place due to coagulation and sedimentation. The diagram of the ballast water purification and disinfection technology has been presented. The basic circuit of the ballast water disinfection plant includes a ship's ballast tank, receiving pipeline, reagent tank, metering pump, coagulant, collector, bulkhead, contact column, ozone generator, dehydration device and ultraviolet lamps. The operating conditions of the ship plants have space and time limits. The above technological solutions infer carrying out some operations (coagulation, sedimentation) and disinfection by using the ultraviolet lamps inside the ballast tanks for saving space. The proposed technology can be applied both on board a ship and in the floating or onshore environmental protection equipment, for example, in the port facilities.

Transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria via ballast water with a special focus on multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria: A survey from an inland port in the Yangtze River

Ship ballast water can transfer harmful organisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), among geographically isolated waters. In this study, the presence and composition of ARB and multiple ARB (MARB) were investigated in the ballast waters of 30 vessels sailing to the Port of Jiangyin (Jiangsu Province, China). ARB were detected in 83.3% of the ship's ballast water samples. Moreover, penicillin- and cephalothin-resistant bacteria were the most and least prevalent ARB in the ballast waters, respectively. Oxytetracycline-, chloramphenicol-, tetracycline-, and vancomycin-resistant bacteria were also detected at high concentrations. The multiple antibiotic resistance index demonstrated the presence of MARB, which exceeded 200% in the ballast waters of five ships. Furthermore, 15 species, including the human opportunistic pathogens Vibrio alginolyticus and Serratia nematodiphila, were resistant to at least three antibiotics. Therefore, the potential ecological risk of ARB warrants further attention because of their effective invasion by ballast water.

Ship Ballast Water Treatment

Ships use ballast water to ensure their buoyancy and stability. A significant amount of them is transported in various water basins of the World Ocean. Thus, together with ballast water, many microorganisms, phytoplankton and zooplankton are transported. The constant increase in the number of ships in the World Merchant Navy increases the risk of the spread of these invasive species in the local aquatic environment. This led to the decision of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to legalize the control and treatment of ships' ballast water in order to minimize the risks of the spread of these invasive species.. Their transfer through ballast water to a new water environment is estimated as one of the 4 largest treats for the World Ocean. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediments plays an essential role in the control of ballasting and de-ballasting processes. It regulates the D-1 and D-2 standards, as well as various ballast water treatment systems. Improving the possibility of subsequent change in the application of invasive species, the only way to solve this problem, is to fully prepare for ballast water and to develop alternative methods to ensure the buoyancy and resilience of ships.

Electrokinetic detection and separation of living algae in a microfluidic chip: implication for ship's ballast water analysis.

Detecting living algae from treated ship's ballast water is an important task for port state control (PSC) under the requirement of the International Ballast Water Convention. In this paper, electrokinetic detection and separation of living algae from NaClO- and UV-treated ship's ballast water in a microfluidic chip are presented. The electrokinetic movement of algae in a straight poly ethylene glycol (PEG)-modified PDMS microchannel filled with 10% PEG solution was measured by using an optical microscope. The experimental results show that the moving velocity of dead algae is lower by more than 80% in comparison with living algae. The decreased velocity is larger for larger dead algae and the velocity is decreased to zero for dead algae larger than 6μm in diameter. A curve was obtained to evaluate the vitality of algae with similar moving velocity but different sizes. Electrokinetic separation of living algae from a mixture sample in a straight channel was also achieved. The method presented in this paper provides a moving velocity-based approach for quickly evaluating the living status of algae in treated ship's ballast water.

A STUDY ON SELECTION OF BALLAST WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET BWM 2004 CONVENTION

Ballast water is essential for ship operation. However, it also carries potential risks of contamination and disease transmission. The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) was introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to minimize the transfer of pathogenic microorganisms to ecologically sensitive marine areas, through ballast of ocean-going ships. Therefore, thorough research and analysis of ballast water treatment technologies are essential. This paper summarizes the existing technologies applied for ballast water treatment. These technologies can be port-based or ship-based, with the latter being easier to implement. Particular attention is given to onboard processing methods, which can be classified as physical separation, mechanical or chemical methods. This work describes recent ballast water treatment studies from the scientific and academic communities since the last IMO Convention in 2004, and the treatment methods that have been approved by the IMO substantially and ultimately. We have examined the various methods currently available in scientific means for ballast water treatment and we conclude that standardization of ballast water treatment still has to be done to ensure IMO Standards.

An Assessment of Progress in the Implementation of the BWM Convention on Ships as an Important Element in Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems

The purpose of this study was to assess progress in the implementation of rules for the control and handling of ballast water and sediments, regulated by the International Convention on the Control and Handling of Ship Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention). The survey was conducted in 2018-2019 among seafarers responsible for handling ballast tanks. Analysis of the survey data revealed that despite the introduction of water treatments, ballast water continues to be a vector for the transfer of non-native organisms. This is due to the low effectiveness of the methods used, and the fact that 8% of the respondents answered that no BWT systems were used on the ships they manage. Despite this, some seafarers (4.7%) indicated that increasing environmental awareness and adherence to BWM principles should result in improved protection of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the global problem concerning the transport of non-native organisms via ballast water has still not been solved effectively. In the near future, improved BWT systems should be introduced, which after proper training of the crew will act as a barrier to the transfer of non-native organisms in ballast water.

A STUDY OF SHIP BALLAST WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES

Ballast is a commonly used solution to ensure the stability and balance of ships during voyages. The volume of ballast water that is circulated by ships between different seas is extremely large, with which a lot of creatures move along. Organisms that follow the ballast water to a new environment mostly have a negative impact on the ecosystem there. Good ballast water management is an important measure to ensure that organisms do not migrate with the ballast water to other areas. Ballast water management requires specific regulations and regulatory policies that are relevant and applicable globally. The International Convention on the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Ship Sediments, adopted in 2004, has specified issues for ballast water management. Ballast water treatment technologies and techniques need to be studied so that the ballast water after treatment meets the requirements of the convention. This paper presents an overview of the technological and technical solutions currently being applied to treat ballast water to meet the requirements of the convention and points out the advantages and limitations of each solution. In the discussion, the authors also present a solution that combines many different ballast water treatment methods. This is a very effective solution, both technically and cost-effectively. The combined solution can be applied in the future to effectively treat ship ballast water.

Findings of the Korean Rockfish Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880 in the Black Sea

A new species for the Black Sea, a representative of the Far Eastern fauna, the Korean (dark) rockfish Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880, was found in the coastal zone of Crimea and the Caucasus. The first find of the Korean rockfish took place in 2013; presently, the findings of this species have become more frequent, which suggests a successful introduction. This paper presents the detailed morphological characteristics of the Black Sea individuals and the features of their biotopic distribution. Random introduction of Sebastes schlegelii with ship ballast waters or during the acclimatization of the giant oyster Crassostrea gigas is assumed to be the most probable result of the appearance of the species in the Black Sea.

A Study into the Coating Thickness of Ship Ballast Tanks

Ballast tanks are expected to be coated according to the IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coating regulations (PSPC15), in addition to the paint application requirements of the paint producer. In general, a coating system should consist of minimum two spray coats of light-colored epoxy coating on flat surfaces with a Nominal total Dry Film Thickness (NDFT) of 320 μm and 90% of all thickness measurements greater than, or equal to the NDFT and none of the remaining measurements below 0.9 x NDFT (the “90/10 rule”). Allegedly, the value of 320 μm in this PSPC15 rule may be misconstrued as a benchmark for coating application on flat surfaces, eventually leading to a non-PSPC15 compliance due to the resulting variation in coating thickness violating this 90/10 rule. This study indicates that over the years, the arithmetic mean in-situ DFT appears to be 498±18 μm and that too high and low thicknesses, below 288 μm and above 800 μm, were noted in the field. Analysis of a survey of ballast tank coating performance of ships indicates that too low thicknesses appear to be negatively impacting the average theoretical ballast tank performance. However, when an application mean DFT benchmark of 525 μm is used, the coating will almost surely comply to the 90/10 rule and the risk of falling below the 288 μm threshold is small, less than 2% in most cases. Consequently, using 320 μm as a mean DFT benchmark could result in a non-PSPC15 compliance with the in-situ ascertained coating thickness variation as this does not exclude coating thicknesses below 288 μm, which may then result in a significantly less than average theoretical coating performance. If the coating application is performed very evenly, the benchmark may be reduced to 429 μm with a probability of falling below 288 μm reduced to 0.1%. It should therefore be emphasized that the PSPC15 requirement is a coating system framework description, and that the requirement should be broadened to include a mean DFT as a coating applicator benchmark together with a clearly specified minimum and maximum DFT, in order to avoid any misinterpretations.

Green method of stemming the tide of invasive marine and freshwater organisms by natural filtration of shipping ballast water

Marine and freshwater pollution caused by transport of invasive species in shipping ballast water is a major global problem and will increase in magnitude as shipping of commodities increases in the future. An economical method to preclude biological organisms in the seawater used for ballast is to exclude them at the source port. Integrated natural filtration using onshore wells or seabed gallery systems has been thoroughly investigated for use as pretreatment for seawater desalination systems and has proven to be environmentally acceptable and economic. Thus, the use of this proven filtration technology to another issue, ballast water treatment, is an innovative method of providing marine organism free seawater by non-destructive means in port-based facilities. This method is ecosystem-friendly in that no chemicals or destructive processes are used. Design and construction of well or seabed gallery intake systems for production of ballast seawater are feasible in virtually all global port facilities.

Inactivation effect and mechanisms of combined ultraviolet and metal-doped nano-TiO2 on treating Escherichia coli and Enterococci in ballast water.

The discharge of ship ballast water (containing large amounts of alien organisms) has caused severe ecological hazards to marine environments. In this study, three metal elements (Ag, Fe, and Gd) were doped to nano-TiO2 material respectively (content: 0.4%, 0.7%, and 1.0%) to improve inactivation effect of Escherichia coli and Enterococci in ballast water. Experimental results indicate that compared with the sole ultraviolet (UV) and the UV and original nano-TiO2, the UV and metal-doped nano-TiO2 increased the bacterial inactivation rate to different extents. For each metal element, high external metal content (1.0%) corresponded to high inactivation effort. The doping of Ag resulted in optimal inactivation effort, and the addition of Fe and Gd caused unobvious effort. At the end of the inactivation process (20 s), the UV and 1% Ag-doped nano-TiO2 reached the highest logarithmic sterilization rates (0.915 for Escherichia coli and 0.805 for Enterococcus). The doping of Ag, Fe, and Gd did not change the anatase phase TiO2 crystal form, and 1% Ag-doped nano-TiO2 had the smallest particle diameter and the evenest distribution of nanoparticles. Compared with the sole UV, the UV and Ag-doped nano-TiO2 treatment resulted in higher malondialdehyde contents (0.0646 μmol/L for Escherichia coli and 0.0529 μmol/L for Enterococci) and lower superoxide dismutase activities (0.672 U/mL for Escherichia coli and 0.792 U/mL for Enterococci), which were in accordance with high inactivation rates in these cases.

Optimization of nickel nanoparticles concentration for biogas enhancement from green algae anaerobic digestion

The process of ship ballast water treatment and algae disaster management has produced a large amount of algae waste, and its disposal has become a key problem in the field of marine environmental protection. Algae waste has great potential to become a raw material for biogas production, and can comprehend multiple benefits of waste treatment and resource utilization. In order to increase the productivity characteristic of algae waste, this study is focused on introducing nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) in anaerobic digestion (AD) of green algae Enteromorpha . Optimization of Ni NPs was carried out by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Batch experiments were conducted to optimize AD process of green algae at different temperature (25–45 °C), initial pH (5–9) and Ni NPs concentration range of (0.5–2 mg/L). Results showed that favourable concentration for Ni NPs is 1 mg/L whereas the temperature and initial pH of 35 °C and 7 had better effect on anaerobic digestion of green algae. The results showed that 1 mg/L Ni NPs produced highest biogas yield of 346 ml in comparison with other concentrations and control.

Vessel transport of antibiotic resistance genes across oceans and its implications for ballast water management

The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance are major threats to ecosystems and human health. Transoceanic channels (e.g., ship ballast water) can transfer harmful aquatic organisms across geographically isolated waters. However, the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in ship ballast water and their relationship with microbial communities and environmental factors remain unknown. In this study, ballast water from 28 vessels sailing to Shanghai and Jiangyin (China) were collected, and the ARGs in these water samples were investigated. Considerable levels of ARGs and integrase of the class-I integrons (intI1) were detected in all ballast water samples. sul1 and tetQ were the most and least abundant ARGs in ballast water samples, respectively. The ARGs were strongly correlated with those of the 16S rRNA and intI1 genes. Ballast water exchange can reduce the absolute abundance of some kinds of ARGs while increasing the relative abundance of several ARGs (e.g., mefA, mexF, strB, sul1, and tetQ). Moreover, the bacterial hosts of ARGs were generally different in the unexchanged ballast water (UEBW) and exchanged ballast water (EBW). In particular, Leisingera and unclassified_Erythrobacteraceae were the main ARGs-associated genera in the EBW, while Pseudohongiella, Cycloclasticus, OM43_clade, norank_f_Rhodospirillaceae, and norank_f_Rhodobacteraceae were the dominant ARGs hosts in the UEBW. Overall, ship ballast water is an effective moving carrier for the global transference of ARGs, and its sufficient management is required for mitigating ARGs propagation across oceans.

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.

Effects of holding time on the diversity and composition of potential pathogenic bacteria in ship ballast water

Ballast water is a common vector for the transport of invasive species to new marine and aquatic environments. We used a metagenomics approach to examine the diversity and composition of potential pathogens communities in ballast water from ships in the route of China- Southeast Asia (CSEA). 16 kinds of potential pathogenic genus were detected in the ballast water. Interestingly, the ballast holding time had an important effect on the distribution of potential pathogens in ballast water. The abundance of Pseudoalteromonas in the longer ballast water holding time was less than the shorter ballast water holding time. Bacteroides had completely disappeared in the long ballast holding time samples. Moreover, The Shannon index of samples with longer ballast water holding time (1.80 ± 0.07) was higher than those with shorter ballast water holding time (0.83 ± 0.13). The potential pathogenic genus (Arcobacter, Aeromonas, Enterobacter and so on) lived in the long ballast holding time vessels had more diversity. Besides, the total suspended solids (TSS), total organic carbon (TOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) had a strong positive correlation with most potential pathogens in the ballast water, while the dissolved oxygen (DO) had a clear negative correlation with the potential pathogens in the longer ballast holding time samples. In conclusion, these results provide detailed descriptions of the characteristics of the potential pathogens present in ballast water, document significant potential pathogens diversity, and indicate the importance of ballast holding time for potential pathogens lived in ballast water.

Prioritizing marine invasive alien species in the European Union through horizon scanning

Abstract The disproportionately low presence of marine species in the list of invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern of the European Union (EU) Regulation 1143/2014 does not fully acknowledge the threat they pose to the EU marine environment. In this study, the first EU‐scale Horizon Scanning (HS) focusing on marine alien species was performed, aiming to deliver a ranked list of species that should be of high priority for risk assessment (Article 5 of the EU IAS Regulation). Species absent from or with a limited distribution in EU marine waters were targeted. In total, 363 alien species were initially screened for HS by a panel of experts, including a broad range of taxonomic groups. Species were scored for their likelihood of arrival, establishment, spread, and impact in EU waters. A consensus workshop ranked 267 species, including a subset of 26 prioritized species. These species are considered to be mainly introduced by shipping (fouling and ballast water), via the Suez Canal, and aquaculture activities. The 26 priority species were also scrutinized in terms of feasibility of their management; 18 of them were suggested for performing risk assessments on the basis of the EU IAS Regulation. Since biological invasions are dynamic and connected with accelerated globalization and diversified human activities, we recommend HS to be repeated periodically to review the species already listed and assess new ones.

About the Results of Monitoring Researches of Ballast Waters and Data of Identification of the Vibrioes Strains Selected During the Ships Researches in Russian Seaports in 2018

Relevance. In September, 2017 the International Convention on Control of Ships’ Ballast Waters and sediments, in which the Russian Federation takes part, came into effect.Aim of article is to cover the results of implementation of the Convention in Russia, regarding selection and analysis of ballast waters tests for compliance with the international standard.Material and methods. The materials for work were data on ship arrivals at the international seaports of the Russian Federation, provided by sanitary and quarantine departments of the Russian ports, and monitoring researches of ballast waters in seaports of some regions of the Russian Federation. Analytical, bacteriological, molecular methods were applied.Results. The studies of ballast waters in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions have been conducted for the first time in 2018, and in the Rostov region the study lasts since 2010. The laboratory researches of ships’ ballast showed that E. coli, Enterococcus spp. were in norm, V. cholerae O1 and O139 in ballast were absent. 12 of 21 ballast water tests investigated by specialists of the Rostov region laboratories contained V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139, ballast was taken on the ships which arrived from Romania and Turkey.Сonclusion. The results of the molecular and genetic researches suggest that there is a probability of V. сholeraе introduction brougth with ship ballast. Management decisions are demanded to ensure biological safety of shipping and to decrease intestinal infections incidence in residents of the seaside cities.