Concentrations, Algal Biomass and Selected Physicochemical Characteristics of Ballast Water from Ships on Growth of Chaetoceros Gracilis F Schṻtt in Maritime Environment

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to assess the effect of concentrations, algal biomass and selected physicochemical characteristics of ballast water from ships on the growth of Chaetoceros gracilis F Schṻtt in maritime environment using appropriate standard methods. The results revealed that different concentrations of ballast water affected the growth of the freshwater microalgae, with optimal growth occurring at 1%, 5%, and 10% treatments; the 20% treatment had the highest percentage yield. Temperature(^oC), pH, total dissolved solid(mg/L), conductivity(mS), biochemical oxygen demand(mg/L) and chemical oxygen demand(mg/L) were recorded as follows; 27.3^oC, 7.73, 1274.67mg/L, 2711.33(mS), 58mg/L and 124mg/L respectively at the end of the experiment. pH, total dissolved solids, conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand increased after the experiment. This indicates that the ballast water had an impact a stimulatory on the growth of Chaetoceros gracilis.