Philippine E-Journals

 Phytoplankton Diversity in Offshore, Port and Ballast Water of a Foreign Vessel in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Brian Gil S. Sarinas | Lorna D. Gellada | Marlon Terunez | June Raymund Peter V. Flores | Aaron C. Hisanan | Jomar Rey B. Garzon | Erviwynn M. Tiangao | Dennis Albert Envidiado | Kier Nicole Morato

 

Abstract:

 Introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in our ocean is one of the greatest threats according to the IMO (International Maritime Organization). Alien or invasive species travel from one ocean to the other through ballast water from the international shipping industry which is very inevitable. In the Philippines, few existing studies were established on phytoplankton composition in ballast tanks of a foreign vessel; thus this study is conducted. This study aimed to identify the phytoplankton diversity of offshore, port and ballast water from a foreign vessel docking in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine the cell density, generic diversity and evenness and physicochemical characteristics such as pH, temperature and salinity. A total of 39 liters were taken from the middle column of the offshore, port and ballast tanks through sounding pipe and siphon technique. Temperature, pH and salinity were measured, in situ. All water samples were preserved with Lugol’s solution and transported in the Phycology laboratory at Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-AQD. This study provides baseline information on phytoplankton diversity present in offshore, port and ballast water from a foreign-going vessel in the Philippines.