PJB-2024-532
The risk of ballast water as a vector for harmful algae
Nermin Adel El Semary
Abstract
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia overlooks two of the most important water bodies: Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. Arabian Gulf is semi-closed whereas Red Sea is an internal sea surrounded by land. Both water bodies have straits on the end are connected to Indian Ocean. Desalination plants dispose of their brine in them and water is not renewed frequently. In addition, those reservoirs are important water ways for oil tankers and cargo ships. The study reports that a number of toxin-producing protists or Pyrrophytic algae characterized by traditional morphological attributes are found in those water bodies. This is quite alarming as some of them are considered alien species. This only shows the widespread nature of these harmful microorganisms and the possible transport of these protists through ballast water and/or biofouling of marine vehicles from one place to the other. Since the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) was co-signed by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and came into force by the end of 2017, this finding should be alarming as the Convention aimed at reducing the perils of ballast water and biofouling that introduce harmful invasive species from one port in one side of the world to the other side. thereby causing serious environmental and health damages. Harmful pyrophytic algae are producers of many kinds of toxins that cause serious health effects, sometimes death. One of the main conditions of the convention is to carry out periodic examinations of ballast water. Here, light is shed on methods that help detect and monitor these harmful algae. The policy and updates on the standards that must be met to concur with the convention and maintain environmental sustainability and safety are highlighted.
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