Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
of non-indigenous or other potentially harmful organisms in the ballast water
which originated from the same biogeographic region (i.e., compatible environ-
ments) (David 2007 ). More recently a RA approach also in line with the IMO
requirements was developed for the North and Baltic Seas (David and Gollasch
2010 ; David et al. 2013 ).
RA approaches can be differentiated in terms of data expressions, which can
be qualitative, semi-quantitative, or quantitative (Norton et al. 1995 ). The quali-
tative approach aims to express the number of organisms or other parameters
and uses descriptive values instead of fi gures (e.g., the quantity of organisms at
origin: many, medium, few, the environmental match regarding salinity, e.g.,
high, medium, low). The quantitative approach is based on the quantifi cation of
all data in the RA system. Requirements on data intensity and the system com-
plexity increase from the qualitative to the quantitative approaches. Different
initiatives and approaches which were all developed prior the G7 Guidelines
were adopted, and are presented in Table 1 . Thereafter, to our knowledge, only
one BWM related RA approach was yet prepared worldwide which strictly fol-
lows the G7 Guidelines and the precautionary approach (David et al. 2013 ). In
Europe new approaches are currently being developed for the HELCOM/
OSPAR area as regional activities, for the Baltic, North and western
Mediterranean Seas during the VECTORS project, 1 and for the Adriatic Sea
during the BALMAS project. 2
Risk Assessment Process
The fi rst RA steps are the introduction vector identifi cation, followed by a hazard
assessment relative to this vector and identifi ed species. The RA approach should be
selected depending on the objectives to be achieved and the data and resources
availability. All these factors determine also the selection of the RA end-point.
Identifi cation of the Vector of Transfer
More than a decade ago, 13 anthropogenic non-indigenous species transfer vectors
were identifi ed, addressing unintentional and intentional introductions (Gollasch
and Leppäkoski 1999 ; Hewitt and Hayes 2002 , see Table 2 ). In another summary
more than 50 recognised vectors were listed (Minchin et al. 2005 , 2009 , see also
chapter The Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens with Ballast
Water and Their Impacts ).
1 Vectors of Change in Oceans and Seas Marine Life, Impact on Economic Sectors (VECTORS),
http://www.marine-vectors.eu/
2 Ballast Water Management System for Adriatic Sea Protection (BALMAS), http://www.balmas.eu/
Search WWH ::




Custom Search