INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
E
IMO
MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
COMMITTEE
47th session
Agenda item 2
MEPC 47/INF.11
28 December 2001
ENGLISH ONLY
HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN BALLAST WATER
Description of the proposed model groups defined under Tier 1
Submitted by Norway
SUMMARY
Executive summary:
This document presents a detailed description of representative
species from the proposed model groups, and how they can be used in
a standardised test for type approval of ballast water treatment
technologies.
Action to be taken:
See paragraph 4
Related documents:
MEPC 47/2, MEPC 47/2/8, MEPC 47/INF.5, MEPC 46/3/8
Introduction
1
MEPC 46 developed two possible options in the development of a Ballast Water
Treatment Standard (MEPC 47/2, paragraph 4.6). One option is to use representative species
from five taxonomic groups. Following that preliminary conclusion Norway has submitted
information on that matter to the Ballast Water Standard Correspondence Group
(MEPC 47/INF.5). In order to progress on the matter at MEPC 47, this document presents
additional information on representative species of five possible model groups.
2
The criteria for selecting the five model groups are primarily functional, as they will
cover different life stages of representative organisms. This manner of selecting model groups
will cover a wider range of organisms and be adaptable to the variations within different
treatment systems. These model groups will cover different size classes, different habitats,
life-stages and a wide range of taxonomic groups.
3
In MEPC 47/2/8 Norway proposes the five model groups which can be used in a Ballast
Water Treatment Standard (see table 1). A more detailed description of the five model groups is
given in the annex to this document.
For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are
kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.
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-2-
Table 1 Selection of model groups for the Ballast Water Treatment Performance Standard.
Model group
(Functional group)
Bacteria / Microalgae
Pelagic invertebrates
Benthic invertebrates
Cysts/Dormant life-stage
Macroorganisms
Suggested representative species for
testing/certification purposes
Natural bacterial/algal populations
Artemia salina
e.g. Corophium sp. (Crustacea) Abra alba
(Mollusca), Capitella capitata (Annelida)
Bacillus sp. Spores
Action requested of the Committee
4
The Committee is invited to note the information provided in this document and comment
as it deems appropriate.
***
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ANNEX
Description of the proposed model groups defined under Tier one
Model group 1: Bacteria / Microalgae
Involves living, natural or cultured populations of pelagic micro-organisms, relevant for natural
seawater. The selected organisms should be distributed in the size range of 0 µm to <100 µm.
The preferred population is a natural population, containing >100 % of the normal population
density. Treatment effects may be measured in the form of respiration (O2-consumption), living
cell count, or growth following a treatment. Cell/organism density may not be measured using
chemical markers (chlorophyll fluorescence/ATP concentration) as these may be independent of
survival of individual organisms.
Examples of suitable organisms are:
Heterotrophic bacteria
-
Typically 5x106 cells/ml in euphotic zone and 103 cells/ml in deep ocean.
Phytoplankton
Cyanobacteria , previously known as the Blue Green Algae.
-
A common marine example is Oscillatoria sp., found in tropical waters and may
cause them to appear orange-brown.
Picoplanktonic Synechococcus sp. May be 104 - 106 cells/ml - important in
primary production.
Diatoms
Dinoflagellates
-
Two forms: Desmophyceae – Dinophyceae
Some species produce toxic blooms
Coccolithophorids
-
Emiliania huxleyi most widespread.
Prymnesiophytes
eg Phaeocystis
Silicoflagellates
Model group 2: Pelagic invertebrates
Involves all groups of organisms normally associated as pelagic invertebrates. Those which live
in the water column. They include plankton (carried by the currents), nekton ( able to control
their position by swimming), neuston (at or on sea surface), pleuston ( in air/water interface).
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Pelagic invertebrates could be divided into functional groups like zooplankton and nekton.
Zooplankton: animals with locomotive powers that cannot prevent passive movement by
currents. These include:
-
Cnidarians (medusae (jellyfish), siphonophores (colony of specialised individuals
eg Portuguese Man o War)),
Ctenophora (transparent animals with no nematocysts. E.g. 'sea=gooseberry,
Pleurobranchia.Chaetognatha or arrow worms),
Annelida
Mollusca
Urochordata
Arthropoda - class crustacea
-
Copepods
Euphausiids
Amphipods
Ostracods
Cladocera
Mysids
Decapods
Nekton
Nekton are pelagic animals capable of swimming against a current. They are predominantly fish vary in size, trophic level and depth adaptation. The category includes cephalopods (squid) and
crustaceans (crabs, shrimp).
This model group does not include cysts, eggs, or other dormant life-stages of these
invertebrates. Most robust life-stage of the organism is preferred for testing, and may include
larval, juvenile or adult life stage. Examples of suitable organisms are i.e Artemia salina. Artemia
salina is initially considered a very suitable model group organism as the robustness of this
species is well documented.
Model group 3: Benthic invertebrates.
Involves testing of invertebrates normally associated with benthic communities. > 70% of
benthic species have reproductive stages in the plankton. Typical phyla of such organisms
include:
Phylum Porifera (Sponges)
Phylum Cnidaria (or Coelenterata)
Phylum Ctenophora (Combjellies)
Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms
Phylum Nemertea (Ribbon worms)
Phylum Nematoda (Nematodes or roundworms
Phylum Annelida (Segmented worms)
Phylum Sipuncula (Peanut worms)
Phylum Pogonophora (Beard worms)
Phylum Bryozoa ('Moss animals')
Phylum Phoronida
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Phylum Brachiopoda (Lamp shells
Phylum Mollusca
Phylum Arthropoda
Phylum Echinodermata
Suitable species selected for testing purposes could be robust test organisms as i.e. Corophium
sp. (Crustacea) Abra alba (Mollusca) and Capitella capitata (Annelida). Most benthic hazard
species have a pelagic lifestage, and this lifestage is most likely the one responsible for transfer
with ballast water. It could be preferred to use representative hazard organisms as model group
species (pelagic life-stages) provided the use of these in treatment testing does not represent a
risk of spreading the species to non-domestic areas. Pelagic lifestages should be considered
within the pelagic model group, not benthic model group.
Model group 4: Cysts, spores, and dormant life stages.
This group is considered the most crucial, yet most difficult model group. Cysts, eggs, spores,
and other dormant life stages are protected, living life stages that are encapsulated from the
surrounding waters. Are extremely relevant for the migration of hazard species with ballast
water. Includes fish eggs (non-hatched), invertebrate hibernating life-stages, phytoplankton
dormant stages etc. May be measured as hatchability or survival following a treatment, or as
direct viability of each egg/cyst.
Some species of dinoflagellates produce preservable organic walled resting cysts (hypnozygote
dinocyst) after sexual reproduction that sinks to the sea floor after being produced.
Some larvae are capable to stop their development into juvenile and adult if the environmental
conditions are not optimal.
Bacterial spores are considered to be the most resilient life-stage for such micro-organisms.
Commercially available, non-pathogenic strains of Bacillus sp. spores are considered to be very
suitable model group organisms.
Model group 5: Macroorganisms.
Involves fish, plants or macroalgae normally associated with natural seawaters. The selected
group of organisms should be relevant for the treatment method (do not use plants to evaluate a
herbicide chemical treatment etc.). Suitable organisms include fish (adults), kelp, seaweed or
plants. Does not include juvenile fish, planktonic or single cellular life-stages (cysts, macroalgal
spores, and plant seeds).
Macro-Algae
•
•
•
Chlorophyta (green algae)
Rhodophyta (red algae)
Phaeophyta (brown algae)
Fish:
AGNATHA
CHONDRICHTHYES
OSTEICHTHYES
__________
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