KILLING THE CRITTERS
In the maritime shipping industry, the management of ballast water is considered to be the primary environmental issue. As ships travel faster and world maritime trade increases in volume, it is estimated that one new species is introduced into US coastal waters every 12 weeks. The introduction of new species and the inadvertent transport of established diseases, such as the zebra mussel, the Asian clam, and the cholera bacteria, cost millions of dollars to detect, control and when warranted, eliminate. The problem clearly is the result of inadequate ballast water management. Three areas need to be examined: ballast water exchange, alternatives to ballast exchange, and the specific problem of ships claiming no ballast on board (NOBOBs). Various methods to better manage ballast are being examined. Filtration, filtration and ultraviolet irradiation, chemicals and heat treatments are only a few of the possible preventive measures being explored. This is not just a problem for US coastal waters but exists on a global scale and will require international cooperative efforts if any real progress is to be made.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/42846137
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Corporate Authors:
Newman Burrows Publishing
1710 South Norman Street
Seattle, WA United States 98144-2819 -
Authors:
- Bate, A
- Publication Date: 2000-3
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Photos;
- Pagination: p. 15-17
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Serial:
- Marine Digest
- Volume: 78
- Issue Number: 7
- Publisher: Newman Burrows Publishing
- ISSN: 1542-5568
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Aquatic life; Ballast (Ships); Coastwise shipping; Costs; Environmental impacts; Environmental protection; Marine biology; Ocean shipping
- Uncontrolled Terms: Asian clams; Indigenous species; Zebra mussels
- Subject Areas: Environment; Finance; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00803341
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Dec 7 2001 12:00AM