Exam Question

### (a) Effects of Ballast Water Discharge on the Environment
The discharge of untreated ballast water from ships is a significant environmental threat, posing risks to marine ecosystems, public health, and the economy. This is primarily due to the transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens (HAOP) from one geographical region to another.
* **Introduction of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS):** When a ship takes on ballast water in a port, it also pumps in a variety of local marine life including bacteria, microbes, viruses, algae, small invertebrates, and the eggs, cysts, and larvae of larger species. These organisms are transported within the ship's ballast tanks.
* **Survival in Transit:** Many of these organisms are resilient and can survive for extended periods in the dark, low-oxygen environment of a ballast tank.