Potential transfer of aquatic organisms via ballast water with a particular focus on harmful and non-indigenous species: A survey from Adriatic ports

摘要: Abstract Ballast water discharges may cause negative impacts to aquatic ecosystems, human health and economic activities by the introduction of potentially harmful species. Fifty untreated ballast tanks, ten in each port, were sampled four Adriatic Italian ports one Slovenian port. Salinity, temperature fluorescence measured on board. Faecal indicator bacteria (FIB), phyto- zooplankton qualitatively quantitatively determined identify species assemblage arriving water. FIB exceeded convention standard limits 12% tanks. Vibrio cholerae was not detected. The number viable organisms size groups (minimum dimension)