Plankton found in ballast waters of foreign ships harboring in ports of Southeast China
中国东南沿海港口外轮压舱水生物的调查

Seventeen foreign ships (including 8 container ships and 9 bulks) entering ports in coast of southeast of China were randomly selected as the monitoring objects. Temperature, salinity, abd plankton species diversity and abundance in the ballast waters were measured. At least 309 taxa from seven plant phyla and five animal phyla were found. The distribution characteristics and survival states of organisms were correlated with the age and salinity of ballast waters. Release of ballast water from ships is a major vector for the introduction of exotic aquatic species. Results of this study indicate that the potential risk for organisms invasion from ballast waters discharged from foreign bulk Carriers harboring in coasts of Southeast China should receive greater attention than those from foreign container vessels.