BIOASSESSMENT OF BALLAST WATER USING Dunaliella salina

ABSTRACT

Ballast water is water that helps keep ships in safe condition, guarantees stability and enhances maneuverability. Ballast water is otherwise a pollutant that is dangerous to most plants and microalgae. Dunaliella salina is a microalgae that is able to thrive in ballast water. A study on bioassessment of ballast water using Dunaliella salina was carried out. This study was conducted in triplicates using concentrations, control (0%), 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of ballast water used for the test algae in a marine environment. Samples were analyzed for physio-chemical parameters periodically (every two days interval) for 14 days using standard methods. Growth in Dunaliella salina was determined using a 721 visible spectrophotometer. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA), descriptive statistics and Duncan multiple range test (DMR) were done using Microsoft excel 2010 and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 22. The results indicated that the different concentrations of ballast water however, did not deter the growth of the algae as it can thrive in ballast water. Optimum growth for Dunaliella salina occurred in both 50% and control (0%) treatments.