Effect of Ballast Water on Marine and Coastal Ecology

Abstract

Intercountry and intercontinental transport increasingly continues. In this regard, maritime transport has a major play role due to being cheaper and more reliable. Globalization and technological advances has been a major driving force for goods and people move at a much faster rate and to reach far more distances locations as soon as possible. Nowadays, about 90% of world trade is made by means of ships. As a result of human activities, plants, animals and other organisms are transported to new habitats with a speed and efficiency. Therefore, ship-based marine pollution reached serious levels for the marine environment.

Transfer of aquatic organisms through ships’ ballast water is one of the most important issues. Aquatic organisms that are transported ships' ballast water have a negative effect on marine and coastal ecology. Aquatic organism growth in their new area, competing with the habitat's natural species, and may replace keystone species or cause the decline or extinction of one or more indigenous species, severely disrupting the ecosystem. In addition to these, they cause serious environmental, economic, and human health impacts. These organisms/species are referred to as invasive non-native species.

The goal of this study is to introduce effect of ballast water on the marine and coastal ecology, and status of non-native species in the world. In this regard, IMO regulations are reviewed related to ballast water. This study is a preliminary study for further study.