Seawater used for ballast typically contains numerous macroscopic and microscopic organisms discharged into the oceans worldwide. Thus, ballast water disposal is believed to be a primary vector for globally spreading aquatic invasive species. Records of ballast water-mediated introductions and their threat to marine biodiversity, coastal economies, local cultures and livelihoods, and human health are well-documented by various studies. Subsurface intake systems as a source of filtered seawater or freshwater eliminate the macro-and microorganisms from ballast water at ports where it is uploaded. This natural filtration technology using wells or galleries has been demonstrated to be cost-effective in improving water quality (pretreatment) in seawater reverse osmosis desalination facilities.
Taxonomy
- Ballast Water
- Water Balances