Effect of wastewater from the in-water cleaning of ship hulls on attached and unattached microalgae

Temporal changes in microalgal biomass and species composition on different plastic polymers in nutrient-enriched microcosm experiments

Marine plastic debris (MPD) is a potential threat to marine ecosystems, but its function as a vector for the transportation of harmful microalgae and its impact on the habitats of other marine organisms are uncertain. To address this gap in knowledge, we performed month-long experiments in 30 L microcosms that contained plates made of six different plastic polymers (polypropylene [PP], low-density polyethylene [LDPE], high-density polyethylene [HDPE], polyvinyl chloride [PVC], polyethylene terephthalate [PET], and polystyrene [PS]), and examined the time course of changes in planktonic and periphytic microalgae. There were no significant differences in the composition of periphytic microalgae or biomass among the different plastic polymers (p > 0.05). Nutrient depletion decreased the abundance of planktonic microalgae, but increased the biomass of attached periphytic microalgae (p < 0.05). In particular, analysis of the plastic plates showed that the abundance of benthic species that are responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs), such as Amphidinium operculatum and Coolia monotis, significantly increased over time (days 21-28; p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that periphyton species, including benthic microalgae that cause HABs, can easily attach to different types of plastic and potentially spread to different regions and negatively impact these ecosystems. These observations have important implications for understanding the potential role of MPD in the spread of microalgae, including HABs, which pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems.

Exposure to hull cleaning wastewater induces mortality through oxidative stress and cholinergic disturbance in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis

While wastewater and paint particles discharged from the in-water cleaning process of ship hulls are consistently released into benthic ecosystems, their hazardous effects on non-target animals remain largely unclear. In this study, we provide evidence on acute harmful effects of hull cleaning wastewater in marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis by analyzing physiological and biochemical parameters such as survival, burrowing activity, and oxidative status. Raw wastewater samples were collected during ship hull cleaning processes in the field. Two wastewater samples for the exposure experiment were prepared in the laboratory: 1) mechanically filtered in the in-water cleaning system (MF) and 2) additionally filtered with a 0.45 μm filter in the laboratory (LF). These wastewater samples contained high concentrations of metals (zinc and copper) and metal-based booster biocides (copper pyrithione and zinc pyrithione) compared to those analyzed in seawater. Polycheates were exposed to different concentrations of the two wastewater samples for 96 h. Higher mortality was observed in response to MF compared to LF-exposed polychaetes. Both wastewater samples dose-dependently decreased burrowing activity and AChE activity. Drastic oxidative stress was observed in response to the two wastewater samples. MDA levels were significantly increased by MF and LF samples. Significant GSH depletion was observed with MF exposure, while increased and decreased GSH contents were observed in LF-exposed polychaetes. Enzymatic activities of antioxidant components, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase were significantly modulated by both wastewater samples. These results indicate that even filtered hull cleaning wastewater can have deleterious effects on the health status of polychaetes.

Hull-cleaning wastewater poses serious acute and chronic toxicity to a marine mysid-A multigenerational study

We conducted a comprehensive assessment involving acute effects on 96-hour survival and biochemical parameters, as well as chronic effects on growth and reproduction spanning three generations of the marine mysid Neomysis awatschensis exposed to filtered wastewater to evaluate the potential impact of ship hull-cleaning wastewater on crustaceans. The analyzed wastewater exhibited elevated concentrations of metals, specifically zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) and metal-based antifoulants, i.e., Cu pyrithoine (CuPT) and Zn pyrithoine (ZnPT). The results revealed dose-dependent reductions in survival rates, accompanied by a notable increase in oxidative stress, in response to the sublethal values of two wastewater samples: 1) mechanically filtered using the cleaning system (MF) and 2) additionally filtered in the laboratory (LF) for 96 h. Mysids exposed to MF displayed higher mortality than those exposed to LF. Furthermore, mysids subjected to continuous exposure of 0.001% LF across three generations exhibited significant inhibition of the feeding rate, more pronounced growth retardation along with an extended intermolt duration, and a diminished rate of reproduction compared to the control. A noteworthy inhibition of the feeding rate and growth was observed in the first generation exposed only to the LF sample. However, although the reproduction rate was not significantly affected. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential harm posed by sublethal concentrations of wastewater to the health of mysid populations under consistent exposure.

Detrimental effects of hull cleaning wastewater on oxidative status, life cycle parameters, and population growth of the monogonont rotifer Brachionus manjavacas

While wastewater discharged from in-water cleaning process of ship hulls on rotifer consistently released into aquatic ecosystem, its detrimental effects on non-target animals are largely unclear. In this study, we provide evidence on detrimental effects of hull cleaning wastewater in the monogonont rotifer Brachionus manjavacas by analyzing biochemical and physiological parameters in its oxidative status, survival, lifespan, growth, fecundity, and population. The wastewater contained high concentrations of metals (Zn and Cu) and metal-based antifoulants (CuPT and ZnPT). Significant oxidative stress was observed in response to two wastewater samples [1) raw wastewater (RW) and 2) mechanical filtrated in the cleaning system (MF)]. Higher detrimental effects in survival, lifespan, fecundity, and population growth for 10 days were measured in the RW-exposed rotifers than those results analyzed in the MF-exposed rotifers. Two growth parameters, lorica length and width were also significantly modulated by both wastewater samples. These results indicate that even filtered hull cleaning wastewater would have deleterious effects on the maintenance of the rotifer population when they exposed constantly.