Excerpt: How does Invasive Species Dispersal in Ballast Water Occur? As vessels take on ballast water in one location, they can inadvertently pick up aquatic organisms. Such organisms can then be transported to a different location when the ship discharges its ballast water. If the new environment is suitable for the organisms, they can establish populations, becoming invasive species. Ballast water discharge can occur in both coastal and open ocean environments, increasing the potential for invasive species to spread to new areas. What are the Ecological Impacts of Ballast Water Invasive Species Dispersal? The ecological impacts of invasive species dispersed by ballast water can be significant. These species can outcompete native species for food and habitat, altering entire ecosystems. They canRead more

Excerpt: FastBallast is capable of determining the phytoplankton cell density of ballast water at the IMO D2 & USCG Discharge Standards (10 to 50 µm range) with a higher degree of confidence than laboratory analysis. As well as its established presence in Europe and Asia, Chelsea Technologies’ FastBallast is in use worldwide, to help ensure industry tools for portable ballast water testing standards. What is an Invasive Species? An invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area; it has ‘invaded’ an area and hence the very specific description ‘invasive’. It is not the same as a successful or rampant species that’s native to the area. Successful species can and do of course extend theirRead more