Alien toxic dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama from the Western Pacific in Kuwait, NW Indian Ocean

Oceanic Environmental Impact in Seaports

“…Accordingly, several studies of foreign species from ballast water have been undertaken. Saburova et al [74] reported the blooming of Heterocapsa circularisquama in the northwest Indian Ocean due to the discharge of ballast water from the western Pacific, resulting in a high mortality rate among bivalves. Queiroz et al [75] reported the presence of invasive phytoplankton on the Maranhão coast in Brazil due to shipping, while Tempesti et al [76] reported the presence of non-indigenous fouling communities in the western Mediterranean ports.…”

Ecological impacts of ballast water loading and discharge: insight into the toxicity and accumulation of disinfection by-products

“…Thousands of marine species that are carried away during the processes of applying and removing ballast water, resulting in an exchange of organisms in the area, can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems in certain areas ( Demann and Wegner, 2019 ; Hess-Erga et al., 2019 ; Jang et al., 2020 ). The mixing of native organisms that have long inhabited an area with alien organisms can also cause competition ( Saburova et al., 2022 ). Invasion of marine species carried by ballast water is a serious threat to the marine environment ( Kumar, 2021 ; Kurniawan et al., 2020 ).…”

“…The ecological impacts that arise include the emergence of competition between native and alien species in foraging for food, resulting in the possibility of native species being preyed upon by newcomers ( Queiroz et al., 2021 ). This condition can change the original habitat and cause a reduction in native biodiversity due to native species being replaced by alien species ( Imron et al., 2019 ; Saburova et al., 2022 ). In fact, there were signs of a new species invasion being recognized around 1903 with the discovery of the Asian phytoplankton algae ( Biddulphia sinensis ) by scientists in the North Sea ( IMO, 2001 ).…”

“…Introduction of foreign species carried in the ballast water into the receiving port area is the main issue in this particular topic ( Apetroaei et al., 2018 ). Saburova et al. (2022) reported the blooming of Heterocapsa circularisquama as alien species in the Northwest Indian Ocean introduced by the discharge of ballast water from Western Pacific cargos.…”