International commerce and globalization of markets has brought the US many opportunities.  Unfortunately, it has also brought unwanted species of plants and animals that are harming our environment. 

In order to maintain stability and trim, ships take on water in the port of call.  This ballast water can be infested with bacteria, protozoa, viruses, fish, plants and other species native, and possibly unique to, the port.  This microbiologically infested ballast water is transported overseas and may be deposited into a foreign port when the ship adjusts the amount of ballast water on board during loading/unloading.

Discharge of foreign ballast water in the coastal waters of the US has led to numerous non-indigenous species inhabiting our waterways.  Most famous of these unwelcome visitors is the Zebra Mussel.  The Zebra Mussel has essentially no known predators and is capable of filtering water very efficiently.  The increased clarity allows for penetration of more sunlight and can result in large blooms of blue-green algae.  These algae can release toxic chemicals, wash up on beaches and impart taste and odors in finished drinking waters.  Zebra Mussels reproduce in large

numbers and have clogged many water intakes.  Costly physical removal and/or chlorination of

the water intake is necessary to prevent them from completely fouling intake structures.

The Zebra Mussel is only one example of a harmful invasive species.  The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center maintains several databases containing information about ballast water and invasive species.

In response to the threat posed by invasive species, the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act was passed in 1990.  The act was amended by the National Invasive Species Act in 1996.  Several states have passed their own laws, and the International Maritime Organization has also developed an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments.

In response to the severity of environmental impacts of invasive species, several states have adopted their own ballast water regulations.   For state specific information please click on the links below.

The best mechanism to minimize introduction of invasive species is to treat ballast water before discharge.  To attain this goal, The United States Coast Guard has implemented a treatment technology demonstration program called "STEP", or Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program.  Information about this program can be found at the following link:  US CG STEP.

Additional shipboard treatment research information has been compiled by the International Maritime Organization's GloBallast Programme Coordination Unit.  The information can be found at the following link: IMO Ballast Water Treatment R&D Directory.

SMI is interested in partnering with other organizations that are investigating the efficiency of shipboard water treatment systems for treating ballast water prior to discharge.  UV disinfection, membranes, heat treatment, dissolved air floatation and other treatment technologies may be employed to address treatment concerns.  SMI personnel have extensive knowledge of these treatment technologies and can provide microbial testing to validate the treatment efficiency.

For further information about SMI's services, please feel to contact a project manager at (574) 277-4078.