Water is commonly used as ballast for vessels that range from smaller sailboats to large tankers, cruise ships and other vessels. In both larger and smaller vessels, ballasts using water are designed to improve the stability of the vessel. Furthermore, the amount of water ballast can be adjusted as needed based on the weight of the vessel and the need for buoyancy and stability. Increasing water ballast generally requires the vessel to take on water from the area where it is located at the time, and decreasing water ballast discharges water from the vessel into the environment to decrease buoyancy. There are ballast water control and management regulations in place in many areas of the world that are designed to minimize the environmental impact associated with this process.
The Potential Issues There are a number of environmental issues that are related to the use of water ballast. Water that is taken into a vessel in one location may contain a number of biological elements that are native to that area, and these can include everything from microorganisms and pathogens to vegetation and animals. These biological elements are picked up by the vessel, transported to another area and discharged into a unique and foreign environment. The introduction of these non-native biological elements can be destructive in a number of ways. It can affect fragile ecosystems, spread pollution and illness and more. Ballast water control and management regulations are in place to minimize the impact of these potential issues related to water ballast.