Monday, September 30, 2019

Focus on Trash Island, Save Our Life Essay

Ignored by humans for decades of years, garbage floating on the ocean has become a trash island. The island consists of plastic bags, cans, tires and other plastic debris. The worse thing is that the trash island is still growing. The seawater in the center of Subtropical Airflow of pacific flows extremely slowly, with the addition of weather patterns, a large amount of garbage gather in this place. Year after year, a trash island has formed, which was called â€Å"the eighth continent†. It consists of four million tons of pelagic plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris, researchers estimate island area may be twice the size of Texas! (Wikipedia.com) The floating debris can absorb organic pollutants from seawater, and then such debris can be ingested by small fish, which are then eaten by larger fish. Many of these fish are then consumed by humans, resulting in their ingestion of toxic chemicals. (Ballard 2004). Therefore, human life will be threatened by this situation. What should be done to reduce the amount of pollution and garbage building up on trash islands? It is undeniable we should take this problem seriously; otherwise humans will be faced with disaster. After realized how urgent we should clean the trash island, humans did a lot of work, try to diminish it. Once it was a project called â€Å"Project Kaisei†, which devoted to study the ways of cleaning up the trash island. According to the material, in 2009, Project Kaisei embarked on its first expedition to the Pacific Patch. There are two vessels in this trip, one is the â€Å"Kaisei†, and the other is the â€Å"New Horizon†. Each research vessel had a crew of scientists and volunteers on board in order to research the effects that might be occurring as a result of the large amounts of floating debris in this area of ocean. Investigation was carried out for material science, toxicity, invasive species, ecosystem impact and new catch methods to develop ways for removing some of the debris in the future in a larger scale.(projectkaisei.org). Similar projects are taken; scientists and government are trying to find ways to recycle plastic wastes. Project Kaisei drawn out a plan to save the ocean, which will raise about 200 million dollars in the next 18 month, then it will clean up more than 400,000 tons of garbage; those garbage can be decomposed as fuel. The Kaisei Project indeed got a good return, basically it clean up part of the island, however, the island is still growing because those factories never stop dumping plastic waste into the ocean. Take the real situation into consideration, I think the best strategy we should do is to avoid the island growing bigger. Charles Moore, who firstly found â€Å"the eighth continent†, said even cost all the country’s financial resources, and killed a large number of wildlife, it is impossible to clean up the whole trash island in the Pacific Ocean. (Earth Island Journal, 2010). The technology may not be advanced so much that we can’t clean up the whole island at present; moreover, the costs have far exceeded the benefits. I believe we should develop the technology firstly and seek out the most effective and economical process to recycle and resolve the trash. On the other hand, we can take other actions to prevent more debris from inflowing the ocean. And the costs will be much lower than cleaning the island up. Unquestionably the garbage island is a serious issue that worth to think. Prevention may not solve the problem once for all, but it can avoid it getting worse. And it is practical and workable, has a chance to be enacted. Government can encourage entrepreneur to develop green industry; policy can be carried out to close those factories which had high pollution productive process. Research and development department has the ability to improve technology, as a result, the discharge of pollutant will be reduced and eliminated. Communities can contribute by lobbying companies to find environmentally safe alternatives to plastic and formulate reusable packaging. â€Å"International treaties prohibiting dumping at sea must also be enforced, such as prohibiting sewage from being allowed to flow into the ocean, or eliminating the use of plastic bags†(Silverman, 2007). Factories can find a way to reduce the discharge of plastic waste, or they can stop dumping the wasted into the ocean; there must be approach to resolve the waste rather than simply discard them to the sea. With all efforts, the trash island will not bigger any more. Beyond this, our individual should stop dumping plastic wastes into the sea. As an article said, about 80% of the debris comes from land, much of which is plastic bags, bottles and other consumer products as wind â€Å"blows plastic rubbish out of littered streets and landfills where it gets into rivers and storm drains before riding the tides and currents out to sea† (Grant, 2009). Some tourists always think the ocean is â€Å"a big trash dustbin†, they enjoy the scenery as well as drop the trash unconsciously. Environmental protection advertisement, public announcement and collection can be made to wake up the awareness of environmental protection from human. Although it’s hard to persuade those factories to close down their pollution business, the policies still need to be put into effect. It is indeed the most helpful approach to prevent the trash island grow up. At the national level in the United States, authorities like the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 do not specifically mention marine debris, but include standards applicable to the control of land based sources of marine debris (Interagency 2008). The most important thing is, such management can heighten human’s awareness of protecting environmental, constant dropping wears the stone, I believe it will lead a right direction. If we can change our habits, the trash island will not grow. â€Å"Ultimately more plastic recycling and wider use of biodegradable materials is the best hope for controlling these garbage patches† (McLendon, 2010). Without global effort, we cannot successfully control the situation and protect the ocean environment; marine animals and human’s life will be at risk. Changes and actions need to be made, thus we can fix the problem and prevent it from occurring again. In conclusion, reduction of sources and international collaboration for cleanup is the most efficient way to reduce the expansion of the trash island. Work Cited â€Å"Project Kaisei – Capturing the Plastic Vortex.† Project Kaisei – Capturing the Plastic Vortex. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2012. Ballard, K. ―The importance and conservation of Biomes.â€â€" University of California. (2004) â€Å"Great Pacific Garbage Patch. â€Å"Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation . Captain Charles Moore. Earth Island Journal, Aug. 2009. Web. 05 Dec. 2012. Silverman,J.(2007,September 19).Why is the World’s Biggest Land fill in the Pacific Ocean Retrieved February13,2012,from HowStuffWorks: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/greatYpacificYgarbageYpatch3.html Grant, R.(2009,April 24).Drowning in plastic: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is twice the size of France.The’Telegraph . Interagency Report on Marine Debris Sources, Impacts, Strategies and Recommendations. Interagency marine debris coordinating committee (2008) McLendon,R.(2010,February 24).What’is’the’Great’ Pacific’Garbage’Patch? Retrieved February 13, 2012,from Mother Nature Network: http://www.mnn.com/earthYmatters/translatingYuncleYsam/stories/whatYisYtheYgreatYpacificYoceanYgarbageYpatch

Sunday, September 29, 2019

The Looking Glass Self states that we imagine

The Looking Glass Self states that we imagine how we appear to others and how we imagine others reaction to our imagined appearance and that we evaluate ourselves according to how we imagine others have judged us. Every day of my life that I leave the house to go to school or to work or even to do shopping; I spend a long time in the mirror trying to reassure myself that I look alright, when I go out, I imagine that people I pass by look at me and notice that I do not look good. I imagine them passing on judgments at me, commenting at my hair, my shirt, my shoes, my over all appearance etc. Thus when I meet someone who says that I look good, I usually tell myself that they are just saying it out of politeness and that they are just to ashamed to tell me I look awful. I understand now that our self-concept is influenced by how we think other people see us and that it is a very dangerous path to take, because our belief in who we are is dependent on other people and we will end up continuously comparing ourselves to others which ultimately lead us to feel negatively about our selves. When I watched the video of Reviving Ophelia, I felt alarmed at how media has become a greater force in shaping how teens behave and think about themselves. The media portrays what the ideal teen should be and they are sending the message that girls should be provocative and sexy, that to feel good they should make every effort to catch the attention of boys, and the most popular with the boys are the best. After watching the video, I watched TV and took notice more of the present advertisements that targeted teens, and I was appalled at how blatantly sexual the messages are. I strongly feel that something should be done about this advertisements, and that parents and the school should take a more active role in the lives of teens beyond the home and the classroom. Upon completing the readings for chapter 3, I think I have a better understanding of how teens develop their self-concept and their identities. Erikson calls this identity crisis, which refers to the phase that any adolescent undergoes to establish his/her identity and this is a process wherein other people’s perception are the most influential. A number of theorists have explained this phase and have come up with varied explanations ranging from the biological to the psychological and even to the idea of generational differences. What I have learned is that an individual is affected by society and that society affects the individual in a number of ways. Â  

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Reaction Paper Rizal’s Poems Essay

1. THROUGH EDUCATION OUR MOTHERLAND RECEIVES LIGHT The third stanza of the poem â€Å"Through Education our Motherland receives Light,† mentions about what education does to those who are under bad influences. Can education really make a change? In our generation, education can only be afforded by those who have money. How about those who can’t? I think this stanza does not apply anymore. There was a time when I caught one of the street children opening my backpack. I realized, how will education turn black crimes pale when those who commit these crimes cannot afford education? There are also those who educated themselves yet, still do deceitful doings at will. That’s why I have doubts in this stanza. Yes, it can change someone. It can produce teachers, engineers, accountants and managers but, it’s true power is somehow nulled by those who fail to give importance to it. Nowadays, people go to school for grades and to earn a degree, and not to learn living life with the right values and morals. 2. THE INTIMATE ALLIANCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND GOOD EDUCATION Written with conviction, the poem made me realize how education would be useless without religion. In the third stanza, the vessel struck by winds represents how a human journeys in a life full of challenges and difficulties. Though life continually goes on when you are educated, it is still like a helm deprived when religious teachings and guidance are not included. Life would be out of control with paths unclear and undecided. Some may even result to ending his or her life in unexpected circumstances. In an instance, a person may successfully earn a college degree, but when struggles come just like the strong winds of Tempestuous Boreas, he or she may not survive when the cruelty of life measures his or her dignity and strength to overcome these trials. One concrete example of that downfall is an act of suicidal.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Leadership - Essay Example On the other hand, an ineffective and unsuccessful team may be witnessed from a group of people who are greatly focused on gratifying self-interests and are often engaged in unnecessary arguments with one another. Members of such team assert themselves to no avail and exercise ‘crab mentality’ where individual functions and the task of decision-making seem unclear. For instance, in the event that members keep complaining about not meeting personal expectations yet lack the responsibility to follow the leader and contribute to the productivity of the team, there only emerges poor performance with no sense of fulfillment. Sources: AchieveMarketing. â€Å"Effective and Successful Teams: Is It Teamwork or Performance that Matters?† HubPages. Retrieved from http://achievemarketing.hubpages.com/hub/Effective-and-Successful-Teams-Is-it-Teamwork-or-Performance-that-Matters on July 9, 2012. Hager, Timothy D. â€Å"Effective and Ineffective Team Characteristics.† Enr ichment Journal. Retrieved from http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200304/082_stf04_teamchar_sb.cfm on July 9, 2012. (2) Scenario: Given that I am managing a team of eight members whose major task involves architectural design of a commercial site, I have 4 individuals (group A) assigned to come up with one particular scheme while the other 4 (group B) ought to create an alternative so that our client can decide based on the project design that suits their requirements well. In the process, people consult me for further insights besides their resources and group A consists of members who have tenured as much as my length of stay in the organization, being colleagues who are within my circle of intimate relations. Group B, on the other hand, is composed of members who have just been regularized in the company and compared to group A, they are younger, competitive, more dynamic, and most of all, are highly eager to obtain promotion and pay increase. With the first 2 quarters, the client has consistently expressed satisfaction with the progress report of group B and yet on the third quarter, the client wavers decision between the two designs, rationalizing that they also perceive huge potentials from the work of group A, considering future systems. Both divisions worked hard and persevered creatively in my regular assessment, it is just that while group B delivers optimum results, they rarely share ideas to group A though the latter encourages open communication within the team. Then I am about to evaluate performances per group where only one group is entitled to appraisal and one group to receive award after the site project is through. To resolve my ethical dilemma as a manager, I suppose it would be fair for group B to have the award and for group A to be appraised, thinking that people who are focused on obtaining personal achievements should be rewarded right away whereas those who are greatly concerned about teamwork and are more disposed to keep healthy soci al relations and behavior within the entire organization must be found deserving of appraisal. Source: â€Å"Ethics Dilemmas – Hypothetical Scenarios.† Retrieved from http://www.ccat-ctac.org/downloads/2004_Felter_Juteau_e.pdf on July 9, 2012. (3) Diverse organization, as I see it, pertains to an organization consisting of members of various

Thursday, September 26, 2019

State Education Standards (my state is Florida) Essay

State Education Standards (my state is Florida) - Essay Example The standards that have been mentioned in each of the documents are logical, realistic and attainable. For student achievement standards the bureau of student development has provided a thorough analysis of the standard. The best part that makes the state department’s claim commendable is the practicality of the standards it expects of its students. A detail report in the stream of Language Art shows how scientifically and strategically the standards are fixed for each grade. Specific requirements of standard for each grade are mentioned like â€Å"Grades 11-12: Reading----Standards/Benchmark†. As the document is in the form of a table based on class grades one can easily navigate through it. Standards seem to be listed as objectives though it is not mentioned specifically. The performance standard of teachers is mentioned in detail. Florida stresses on recruitment of teachers with the skill and resource of teaching non-English speaking students. The requirements in terms of teaching standard are described distinctly especially for ESOL teachers. The document is presented in point form and the objectives are mentioned in specific terms. As there are no sub-headings and as the analysis is content based navigation becomes a little cumbersome to reach a specific detail. The document of the national standards of education of the state of Florida is comprehensive and inclusive of all the different departments of education. It provides a concise but complete view of the standards fixed for each of the different branches. The document presents the content in a very systematic pattern in bullet points with headings and sub-headings for each point. Adopting this technical approach has not only made the document to the point but has also made it easy for one to navigate through it for related points or links. There are no specifications of the standards being regarded as objectives but it seems so in

Answer chapter 8 question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Answer chapter 8 question - Essay Example While listening, we must, concentrate on the meanings of the speaker, sustain eye contact, be quiet, send acknowledgement. While reading someone’s message, even then try your best to decipher the meaning of writer. Do not assume anything or draw conclusion if some word is confusing. Just write back for clarification. When speaking, try to keep listeners engaged through gestures and postures and make your meaning and words clear for listeners. Answer: Emotions are driving force. How to handle emotions intelligently is called emotional intelligence. Do not take anything personally. You would face a lot of conflicts but you need to manage conflicts by controlling your emotions by taking deep breath and trying to see the outcome of your would be action as a result of emotions. Answer: We write all the day: on cell phones, on the internet, in a class, etc. This demonstrates the importance of writing. Getting ready to write, writing a first draft and revising your draft are three phases of writing best practices. Following these phases make us write effectively. Answer: Academic writing papers and report are designed to make you do your own work that transforms your skills. But copying the works of other serves no purpose. It is unethical, it is a theft and it is a bar in the way of learning. So we must try to just use the research of other with proper citation and to prove our thesis

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Application of Enginerring Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Application of Enginerring Principles - Essay Example However, this increase in deflection is going to be minimal. iii. Discuss the possibilities of errors occurring in the tensile test. Errors may be introduced into the tensile test due to various reasons such as: incorrect measurement of length of the sample due to incorrect reading from vernier calliper due to: zero error; parallax error. errors in dial calliper; zero error during initial calibration; parallax error while reading dial calliper. c. The figure shows a bar consisting of four lengths. i. Find the load carried by the bar at B, if the total extension is 0.063 mm. ii. Find the total extension of the bar, if loads applied at both ends are increased by 10%. If the loads at both ends are increased by 10% then inserting the new values into (1) gives: Take E = 2 x 105 N/mm2 for both the cases. d. A load of 500kN is applied on a short concrete column 400mmx500mm. The column is reinforced with 3 steel bars of 20mm diameter and 3 bars of 30mm diameter. If the modulus of elasticity for steel is 20 times that for concrete, find the stresses in both concrete and steel bars. Areas for concrete and steel bars are: AS = 400 x 500 = 2 x 105 mm2 AC = 3?(10)2 + 3?(15)2 = 3063.45 mm2 Solving simultaneously we get: Now: e. Discuss the load shared by composite cylinder will be more than the conventional cylinder. A composite cylinder can bear greater load than a conventional cylinder. This is due to the presence of materials that have greater tensile strength than the majority composing material. For example, in the case of steel reinforced steel bars, the steel has a greater tensile strength and being stronger can bear larger loads than what concrete could otherwise bear. Moreover, the steel in question tends to deform as much as the concrete which helps it to bear greater loads too. Another reason for composite cylinders being better at load bearing is because the constituent materials are distinct and are trying to move past each other within the overall structure. Th e presence of friction between the composing materials of a cylinder enable it to take larger loads too because the friction would need to be overtaken if the cylinder were to disintegrate. Question Two a. Based on the results obtained from Shear Force Measurement Experiment in the laboratory: i. Name the type of beam used. ii. Critically analyse the variations of theoretical shear force and experimental shear force at the sensor for the given load condition in the laboratory. iii. Usually measuring instruments absorbs some input energy to respond. Discuss how this affects the measurement. Measuring instruments absorb some of the energy that is produced in an experimental or other situation. The instruments need energy to generally overcome their own internal inertias. The absorption of energy tends to lower the amount of force actually available for measurement. However, in most situations the instruments are kept simple and light enough to ensure that the loss of energy is not t oo high to affect the actual measurement process. iv. Analyse the indication of a sudden change in shear force from negative to positive value. Positive shear tends to produce positive bending with geometrical minimas becoming apparent. On the other hand, negative shear tends to produce negative bending with geometrical maximas becoming apparent. As soon as the shear changes from negative to positive, the shape of the sag in the object changes as mentioned

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

International corporate reporting issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International corporate reporting issues - Essay Example Literally, the differences in the financial reporting system in varying countries have acted as an obstacle in the integration of national economy with global economy (Verschoor, 2011; Alexander, Britton & Jorissen, 2007). Thus, in order to deal with these challenges, IASB and FASB together have been duly engaged in promoting harmonization of financial reporting systems (Whittington, 2008; Mogul, 2003). Emphasising on these aspects of the international accounting standards, this paper intends to identify and explain the six major qualitative characteristics of accounting information. Furthermore, this paper aims to evaluate the application of these qualitative characteristics by Diageo plc focusing on three particular areas. ... The institutions in the accounting standards namely International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) have been involved in developing conceptual framework for enhancing the financial reporting system. The primary objective of this conceptual framework has been related with identifying the major purpose of financial reporting in business in accordance with the prevailing economic circumstances (Obaidat, 2007). In other words, the conceptual framework developed in accumulation of the principles specified by IASB and FASB deals with establishing objectives and guidelines which are expected to serve as the basis for the preparation of financial accounting and reporting standards. It is worth mentioning that conceptual framework mainly consists of four major items which includes: Objectives related with financial reporting Elements concerning with financial statements Recognition and measurement concepts Qualitative characteristics of accountin g information Additionally qualitative characteristics are considered to be one of the vital components of the conceptual framework that supports decision-usefulness and stewardship. Moreover, there are six primary qualitative characteristics that are considered to be vital for economic as well as business decision making according to the specified guidelines in the international standard (Obaidat, 2007). These six elements of qualitative characteristics have been further explained below in relation to their usefulness in terms of decision making and stewardship. Relevance In order to ensure the obtained accounting information to be relevant to creditors, investors and other interested parties, it has been argued that such accounting information

Monday, September 23, 2019

Impacts of climate change on water management in Sierra Leone Research Paper

Impacts of climate change on water management in Sierra Leone - Research Paper Example In Sierra Leone, the problem of climate change is a major focus on how it affects water management and the people who depend on it. It is necessary to analyze the relationship between climate change, water administration, and its effects on the people of Sierra Leon (Dean, James and Pavel). Sierra Leone economy is largely fueled and dependent on natural resources since agriculture is a major focus for the people. For instance, rice is a major agricultural production in the country and it is cultivated to sustain the livelihood of many. The country has historically enjoyed good temperature for cultivating with an estimate of 26.7Â °C from the 1960s to 1990s. However, the effects of climate change are now being experienced in Sierra Leone threatening sustainable water sources and quality food reserves. There have been many current incidents of climatic problems like droughts, landslides, heat waves, floods, thunderstorms, and changing rainfall formats. The low income earners from poor neighborhoods are the ones that suffer more for these changes because they do not have the resources to insure from such damages. For instance, poor farmers are not able to secure their crops when heavy rainfall destroys them and therefore, they are left without any source of survival (Dean, James and Pavel 84). ... Most of these gases are as a result of human activities for example, carbon dioxide occurs when remnant fuels (oil, gas, as well as coal) are burnt. It also increases when deforestation rises since trees are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen. Contaminants like methane result from cattle byproducts, cultivation of rice, fossil energy as well as landfills while nitrous oxide is generated from chemical industries and animal feed lots. People across the globe have constantly increased the generation and use of greenhouse gases and therefore, emissions has also grown (Adger, et al 178). In addition, (Adger, et al 181) suggests that since the period of industrial revolution in 1750, carbon dioxide has gone up by 31% while methane has increased by 151% and nitrous oxide has increased in the atmosphere by 17%. In addition, research by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that anthropogenic which are human induced pollutants is also regularly incre asing. It is evident that human influence on the atmosphere is big and has led to an increase on climate change and its negative effects. The pollution in the atmosphere for the last 50 years can all be attributed to human activities globally and especially in the developed countries. The developing countries have less carbon dioxide emissions compared to large productions from industries in developed countries (Dean, James and Pavel). Climate change effects are not only realized through scientific research but also observational signs shows that there is influence on physical and biological parts of the ecosystem. For instance, there is observed change in high-latitude seasons which have become longer and lengthened pole-ward as well as altitudinal modifications of plants and

Sunday, September 22, 2019

The Milestones and Major Developments in the Early Paleozoic Era Essay Example for Free

The Milestones and Major Developments in the Early Paleozoic Era Essay Understanding the diversity and complexity of life as observed in the current modern days may seem as difficult as defining life itself. The changes, developments, and evolution of the earth and the life forms it holds are all varied and sundry enough which makes it hard to understand without looking back to when, where, and how it all started. History, Geology, Paleontology, and many other branches of Science play a significant role in aiding people to better understand the roots and beginnings of the life seen today. These fields of studies help and serve like windows to the past which make it easier to know what it was like back when the Earth was young and life was primitive. These various disciplines draw attention to where life originated. Knowing the evolution of the earth and life forms can help make people understand what the modern life is made of. While some would see this study as a lame and monotonous venture, it can never be denied that knowledge about the origins of life and the world addresses very common issues like confusions as to how the modern human beings got their form and the very controversial issue as to where actually life came from. Debates and ideological arguments will always be inevitable, but Science got the only factual proofs and pieces of evidence about where life actually started and how it came to its present form from the simplest and most primitive elements. All these can only be understood by studying and looking back at the beginning. Thus, this paper shall discuss one of the most important and most highlighted eras in the history of life and the Earth—the Early Paleozoic Era. The Paleozoic Era The term â€Å"Paleozoic Era† literally equates to the term â€Å"time of ancient life† (Farabee). This is the bracket of time between 544 and 245 million years in the past. The Online Biology Book written by Michael Farabee and sponsored by Estrella Mountain Community College summarizes the major highlights of the Paleozoic Era. A section of the book explains meticulously about this prehistoric period. The Paleozoic era is from the general period when life forms began to spring known as the Phanerozoic Eon. This period has been known to exist about 542 million years ago (Farabee). Phanerozoic Eon consists of three specific eras such as: 1) Paleozoic Era—also known as the â€Å"ancient life† which existed 542 to 251 million years ago; 2) Mesozoic Era—also regarded as the â€Å"middle life† which existed 251 to 65. 5 million years ago; and 3) Cenozoic Era—dubbed as the â€Å"recent life,† which has existed since 65. 5 million years ago up to the present time (Gore 1). The Paleozoic Era appears to be the first period from the Phanerozoic Eon when the earliest complex life forms first existed. The Early Paleozoic specifically can be further divided into three periods such as the 1. ) Cambrian, 2. ) Ordovician, and the 3. ) Sulirian periods. It was during the earlier parts of the Paleozoic era when major advances in biological evolution were dated. The first of such developments and evolutions was that of the Cambrian Explosion. After this highlight came the developments of some group of green algae from the Ordovician period. This development in the early forms of primitive plants led to the evolutions of vertebrates since most plants during that time were found to move from water to land (Farabee). The Cambrian Explosion (544-505 million years ago) The Cambrian explosion during the earliest years of the Paleozoic era has been considered as the most interesting zoological myth there is about the origin of life (Dawkins and Wong 436). This is because this was the period when the earliest known animal and plant life sprang and had left very remarkable pieces of fossils which served as their memoirs for the modern scientists of today. It was during the Cambrian period when primitive life such as Coelenterates, protozoa, poriferans, molluscans, worms, echinoderms, trilobites, tribitmorphs, achaocyathids, and brachiopods were found to rule the animal kingdom (Balisteri et al. ). However, these primitive life forms were seen only in bodies of water. The Early Cambrian period was also tagged as a â€Å"wild time† for animal evolution (Farabee). This was because within the relatively short period of time, a wide variety of body plans among animals have already developed. One of the most prevailing groups of primitive animals during that time was the trilobites. These shallow-marine dwelling organisms lived during the Cambrian period, and through the rest of the period, this group has diversified into other more complex forms of organisms (Balisteri et al. ). However, due to the massive cooling and freezing on most of the Earth’s land during this time, extinction was found very distinct in this period. As to primitive plant life during the Cambrian period, algae was found to be the major group of plant life that existed in this period. These plants were known to have secreted lime-like substances which aid in the development and formation of rocks (Balisteri et al. ). Also, plants were found to have inhabited the lands first before the animals did during the Cambrian period. It was also during this period when the world’s primitive supercontinent, Pangaea, was believed to start breaking apart (Balisteri et al. ). During the Cambrian period, the large continent of the North America moved upward the globe through the equator. Gondwana, which is the largest remaining land mass of Pangaea during that time, divided into what we know today as India, Australia, Antarctica, and South America. The Ordovician Period (505-440 million years ago) The Ordovician period was characterized by the emergence of the world’s earliest volcanoes. This caused the formation of igneous rocks from the produced ash and lava from eruptions (Balisteri et al. ). This period was also marked by the continental submergence. The most highlighted part of this event was the Late Ordovician Flood which caused continents to contract and moved closer to each other. The most popular remain of this great flood as of today is the Atlantic Ocean (Balisteri et al. ). It was also noted that sea levels were generally high during the Ordovician period. However, there were still shallow waters that have been dated and found to have depositions of shallow water carbonated rocks. These were eventually traced through the presence of mudcracks and stromatolites nowadays (Gore 6). When it comes to life form evolution, diversification will best describe the action by the survivor organisms among the many life forms that became extinct from the Cambrian period (Farabee). During this period, the earliest forms of sea vertebrates, such worm-like creatures, evolved (Christian and McNeill 123). These are the creatures were found to be the ancestors of the sharks and common fishes today. These Ordovician marine vertebrates were complete with backbone, limbs, and a nervous system which formed mainly the head. Also, the remaining species that the Cambrian period left like the brachiopods, trilobites and mollusks were reported to undergo a Jurassic evolution. Thus, the first Ordovician marine vertebrates were reported to be armored, jawless, and covered with hard shells (Balisteri et al. ). On the other hand, the development of plants from the earlier group of green algae was also a milestone during this period. Scientific studies of fossils and biochemical proofs show that modern plant species rooted from the multicellular green algae that prospered during the Ordovician period (Cartage. org). Among these green algal groups, Charophytes were found to be most dominant at that time. These algae with the rest of the other algal groups were known to reside within the cool waters of the ocean, but between 500-400 million years ago, some algal groups were found to transfer to land through various levels of adaptations and evolutions which aided them to live outside the waters (Farabee). The Sulirian Period (440-410 million years ago) This period was characterized by the evolution of scorpion-like creatures as large as modern human beings (Christian and McNeil 123). These creatures were known as Euyperiods which were known to root from the extinct family of marine arthropods (Balisteri et al. ). These creatures were averagely 3 meters long and these were known to reside in the seas. Moreover, various other creatures that were abundant in the Cambrian and Ordovician periods have decreased in number during the Silurian period. Some of these animals were the Trilobites. However, the Silurian period was also distinct for the abundance of coral reefs, cephalopods, and jawed fishes that colored up and made the waters alive during this period. The said reefs have covered what people now know as the sea floors of Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie (Balisteri et al.). This period was found to be dominated by the early vascular plants—which developed tiny tubes within their structures to support the transport of nutrients—as well as varieties of insects (Paull). However, both these plants and animals went through specific challenges which threatened their early extinction during that time. These challenges were that of 1) Drying out—plants and animals would have to take sometime to adapt to a new environment like when they transfer from water to land; 2) Gas exchange—respiration also takes sometime to adapt to the change in environment these creatures had to go through; 3. ) Weight support; 4. ) Conduction; and 5. ) Reproduction—the change in environment also has great effects on the reproduction process of organisms. More often than not, the change of environment tends to slow down their reproduction ability (Farabee). In addition, the Caledonian Mountain which is currently found in Canada was found to have started to form through the collision of European and North American plates (Paull). These were the major highlights and developments during the Early Paleozoic era of life and world history. This field of study may appear too complicated and boring for most people to study. However, by going through the facts and amazing discoveries of the life forms of the past and discovering how they come to produce what life is like today, it may seem that studying where the modern life rooted from is indeed an interesting and adventurous ride through both history and science. Works Cited Balisteri, Alex, Ulrike Balisteri, Bernd Bickel, Ron Schumacher, Beate Steger, and Sarah Young. â€Å"History of the Earth.† Think Quest. 1998. 04 December 2008 http://library. thinkquest. org/20886/. Christian, David and William H. McNeil. Maps of Time: An Introduction to Big History. California: University of California Press, 2004. Dawkins, Richard and Yan Wong. The Ancestor’s Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books, 2004. Farabee, Michael J. â€Å"The Early Paleozoic. † On-Line Biology Book. 07 October 2002. Estrella Mountain Community College. 04 December 2008 http://www. cartage. org. lb/en/themes/sciences/Paleontology/Paleozoology/EarlyPaleozoic/EarlyPaleozoic. htm. Gore, Pamela J. W. â€Å"Early Paleozoic Events. † The Earth Through Time. 10 November 2005. Georgia Perimeter College. 04 December 2008 http://higheredbcs. wiley. com/legacy/college/levin/0471697435/chap_tut/chaps/chapter10-01. html. Paull, Gene J. â€Å"Early Paleozoic. † University of Texas at Brownsville. 20 August 2008. 04 December 2008. http://blue. utb. edu/paullgj/geol1404/lectures/early_paleozoic. html.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Research Essay Ballast Water Environmental Sciences Essay

Research Essay Ballast Water Environmental Sciences Essay INTRODUCTION The proper control and management of ballast water from ships is now a major environmental challenge not only to the International Maritime Organization but also for the shipping industry worldwide. This problematic issue has led some countries to consider actions at the national level to establish regulations and criteria for the discharge of ballast water in areas under its jurisdiction. In this way, the IMO adopted in 2004 the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship ´s Ballast Water and Sediments and several guidelines and resolutions. As the Convention previously mentioned has not yet entered into force, several states have taken unilateral action to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the risks of the introduction to the marine environment of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from ballast water. Consequently, in 1998 the Argentine maritime authority approved Order No. 7-98 entitled Prevention of pollution by aquatic organisms in the ballast water of ships bound for Argentine ports in the estuary of the River Plate, which requires ships from overseas bound for Argentine ports in the estuary to discharge, change or treat their ballast water before entering a zone in which polluting activities are prohibited, which is located at the exterior limit of the River Plate. Even though Argentina is an IMO member state, for political reasons it has not signed the IMO Convention for Ballast Water. However, Argentina follows the IMO recommendations to create its own regulations in a standardized way, in order to avoid the negative impacts that ballast water discharge involves. This paper will analyze Argentina ´s national regulations and procedures for dealing with ballast water and determine the similarities and differences with the IMO recommendations. In addition, before analyzing this specific aspect, it is necessary to introduce the ballast water issue. First, the ballast water definition and its brief history. Second, this paper will describe the problems that ballast water implies. Third, the IMO responses in concordance with the international cooperation, regarding ballast water management and the assistance to developing countries, like Argentina, to reduce the entry of invasive species. Finally, this research will compare the Argentine legal framework with the international one; to be concluded with some suggestions and recommendations to improve this significant environmental problem. BALLAST WATER BACKGROUND What is Ballast Water? To understand the problems that ballast water imply, it is necessary to know the meaning of ballast water. According to the IMO Convention, ballast water means water with its suspended matter taken on board a ship to control trim, list, draught, stability or stresses of the ship. Ships are designed and constructed to sail carrying cargo such as oil, minerals, containers and so on. Consequently, if the ship travels without charge from one port and goes to the next port, the ballast must be on board to allow the vessel to operate efficiently and with safety. This includes keeping the ship at a depth sufficient to guarantee efficient operation of the propeller and rudder, and to avoid stress and strain on the hull, mainly in heavy seas, that could cause it to break or to sink the ship. Thousands of years ago, when ships began to be built, they carried solid ballast, such as rocks, sand or metal. However, since 1880, ships have used water as ballast, mainly because it is more affordable, it is much easier to load and unload and is, therefore, more effective and economical than the ballast solid (Ballast Water Defined, n.d.). As the figure 1 shows, when a ship is freed from its cargo, it is filled with water ballast. The water is distributed into the ballast tanks in the vessel. These tanks are strategically located depend on the vessel structure. They are usually located along the side and bottom of the hull. Ballast water is extracted through sea water intakes located in the side or vessel bottom, with the aid of feeding pumps for ballast or gravity. The seawater intakes are covered with grills or filters that prevent large foreign objects from entering the ships ballast tanks. However, many species are able to pass through the ship ´s water intake and pumps (The Issue, n.d.). Figure 1 Cross section of ships showing ballast tanks and ballast water cycle Note: Globallast Partnerships Retrieved from: http://globallast.imo.org/index.asp?page=problem.htmmenu=true C:Usersanalia soleda viggiaDesktopJING IMAGESBW.png The ballast water sediments are closely associated with ballast water. When ships charge ballast water, they also receive the solid material contained in the water. When this material enters into the ballast water tank, it sits in the bottom of the tank as sediment and the problem is that it can carry a variety of invasive species. Consequently, approximately 7,000 diverse invasive species could be transported into the ballast water tanks around the world. Many of these species may not survive during the ships ´ voyage. In the same way, other species are able to survive but when they are discharged in a place with different environmental conditions, they may die. However, several of the invasive species not only are able to survive but also find favourable conditions in the new environment to reproduce and to be a competitor or depredator of native species (The Issue, n.d.). BALLAST WATER PROBLEMS Invasive Species There are many problems in the ballast water discharge due to invasive species that are introduced in a new environment. These invasive species could be defined as species that have been introduced, intentionally or accidentally in a place, area or region where not found naturally. Other synonyms that are used to refer to invasive species are non-native species, non-indigenous species or invasive alien species (IAS) (Invasive species, n.d.). Furthermore, according to the IMO BW Convention, the invasive species are defined as: Aquatic organisms or pathogens which, if introduced into the sea including estuaries, or into fresh water courses, may create hazards to the environment, human health, property or resources, impair biological diversity or interfere with other legitimate uses of such areas. The problem involving invasive species is that after they have been introduced into a new geographic area, they are established and spread, which causes or may cause, damage to the environment, economies or the health of human beings (Invasive species, n.d.). Invasion Process The invasive process has three main steps: Introduction, establishment and propagation. 1 Introduction of the species: The species is introduced successfully in a new geographical area, intentionally or accidentally. This means that the species survives the voyage and is able to live in that area because the environmental conditions such as light, temperature, salinity, nutrients, among others, are adequate. 2 Establishment and reproduction of introduced species: Survivors persist and reproduce successfully, establishing a self-sustaining foundational population. 3 Propagation: The established population begins to spread, sometimes after a stationary period (or stationary stage) that could be for years and even decades. Then an explosive growth stage begins, this moment is when the new species becomes invasive (Invasive species, n.d.). Negative impacts The introduction of invasive species and their spread is recognized as a devastating issue in the affected environment because the damage that species cause to the local biodiversity could be irremediable. In this way, these complications in the environment imply also a negative impact in the economy of the affected area and to human health that is impaired by the invasive species ´ effects. In addition, all these negative impacts that invasive species produce in the environment, the economy and the human health are interrelated and influence each other (Ballast Water Management, n.d.). Ecological/ Environmental Negative ecological impacts happen when invasive species alter the local biodiversity of the area and/or ecological processes. While the initial impact may be insignificant and therefore, not detected; over time, as the population increases, also the severity of the effects increases. The most significant ecological impacts that invasive species cause in the environment are (The Ballast, 2002, p.8): Competing with native species for space and food. Preying upon native species. Altering habitat. Altering environmental conditions. Altering the food web and the overall ecosystem. Displacing native species, reducing native biodiversity and even causing local extinctions. Economic Invasive species can produce huge economic losses to society, whether in the form of direct economic impacts, such as loss of marine food production, or secondary economic impacts associated with the health of humans or ecological impact. For example, it is estimated that in the U.S., the cost associated with the control of invasive species is enormous. To clear Zebra Mussels were cost between US$750 and US$1 billion between 1989 and 2000. In general, the economic impacts include (The Ballast, 2002, p.10): Reductions in fisheries production (including collapse of the fishery) due to competition, predation or displacement of the fishery species by the invading species or through environmental changes caused by the invading species. Impacts on aquaculture (including closure of fish-farms), especially from introduced harmful algae blooms. Physical impacts on coastal infrastructure, facilities and industry, especially by fouling species. Reduction in the economy and efficiency of shipping due to fouling species. Impacts and even closure of recreational and tourism beaches and other coastal amenity sites due to invasive species (e.g. physical fouling of beaches and severe odors from harmful algae blooms). Secondary economic impacts from human health impacts of introduced pathogens and toxic species, including increased monitoring, testing, diagnostic and treatment costs, and loss of social productivity due to illness and even death in affected persons. Secondary economic impacts from ecological impacts and bio-diversity loss. The costs of responding to the problem, including research and development, monitoring, education, communication, regulation, compliance, management, mitigation and control costs. Human health Because of the continued transfers of ballast water, chances are high that ships carry microorganisms on a large scale. For instance, there is evidence that cholera epidemics can be directly related to the discharge of ballast water. While Vibrio cholera and other pathogens are normal elements of coastal waters, they are not usually present in concentrations high enough to cause health problems for humans. However, with the increase in global trade and vessels transiting between international ports, the transfer of microbes could well be the worst threat related to the discharge of ballast water. A clear example is the cholera epidemic that happened in Peru in 1991 because of ballast water discharge, affecting more than a million people and killing more than ten thousand. Another problem in the human health that ballast water implies is that ships could carry in the ballast tanks not only bacteria and viruses, but also a range of species of microalgae, including toxic species that may form harmful algae blooms or red tides' (The Ballast, 2002, p.13). This kind of algae causes shellfish poisoning, which can produce sever illness and death in humans. ARGENTINE CASE STUDY The invasive species introduced by ballast water have affected Argentine waters causing many negative impacts. For instance, since 1991, the Golden Mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) entered to Argentina through the River Plate into the ballast water tanks of Asian ships (Crosier, Molloy, n.d.). One of the complications that golden mussel causes is the damage in water intakes and water treatment plants, in which it is adhered. Consequently, the pipes are clogged, the water flow moves slowly and filters are clogged (macro-fouling) (Figure 2 and 3). Other disorders associated with the presence of this invasive bivalve are the rapidly changing in communities of organisms living on the bottom of water bodies (called benthic) and the displacement of indigenous species of mollusks. Figure 1 and 2 Golden Mussel Note: Para Nauticos Retrieved from: http://www.paranauticos.com/Notas/Tecnicas/Oceanografia/mejillon-dorado.htm C:Usersanalia soleda viggiaDesktopJING IMAGESGolden_Mussel.pngC:Usersanalia soleda viggiaDesktopJING IMAGESGolden_Mussel_002.png Furthermore, the Golden Mussel produces changes in the food chains of the environment, such as change of diet of vogue in the River Plate. In this case, this fish chooses the golden mussel as their main food, altering the normal ecosystem characteristics. On the other hand, the arrival of the invasive bivalve has economic negative effects that can be quantified by the value of the damage it causes, plus the costs of prevention and control tasks (Mirasso, n.d.). As a result of the Golden Mussel invasion in the River Plate, there are several negative impacts, such as in the human health, taking into account that the water consumed by people is that one that be affected by the Golden Mussel in the treatment plant. Moreover, other negative effects are ecological (because the environmental changes) and economics (due to the procedures used it to solve the problems that the bivalve produces). INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION RESPONSES Since late 1980, the IMO has been actively engaged in trying to find a solution to the problem of ballast water. Initially, the IMO developed and published a set of guidelines in 1991, which were replaced in 1997 with Resolution A.868 (20) called Guidelines for the control and management of ship ´s ballast water to minimize the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens. Subsequently, IMO began working on an international legal instrument that resulted in the adoption by consensus of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediments in the Diplomatic Conference that was held at the IMO headquarters in London on February 13, 2004. This Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage. The last IMO report of  August 31, 2011 shows that 35 States have ratified the Convention, representing 27.95% of world merchant shipping tonnage (Ballast Water Man agement, n.d.; Status of Conventions, 2012). Basically, the BWM Convention will require all ships to implement a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan; all ships will have to carry a Ballast Water Record Book and will be required to carry out standard ballast water management procedures. In addition, Parties to the Convention are given the option to take additional measures which are subject to criteria set out in the Convention and to IMO guidelines. These guidelines were created by the IMO Member States between 2005 and 2008 to facilitate the uniform implementation of the ballast water process. The mentioned guidelines are the following (BWM Guidelines, n.d.): Guidelines for sediment reception facilities (G1) (resolution MEPC.152(55)) Guidelines for ballast water sampling (G2) (resolution MEPC.173(58)) Guidelines for ballast water management equivalent compliance (G3) (resolution MEPC.123(53)) Guidelines for ballast water management and development of ballast water management plans (G4) (resolution MEPC.127(53)) Guidelines for ballast water reception facilities (G5) (resolution MEPC.153(55)) Guidelines for ballast water exchange (G6) (resolution MEPC.124(53)) Guidelines for risk assessment under regulation A-4 of the BWM Convention (G7) (resolution MEPC.162(56)) Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) (resolution MEPC.174(58)) Procedure for approval of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances (G9) (resolution MEPC.169(57)) Guidelines for approval and oversight of prototype ballast water treatment technology programmes (G10) (resolution MEPC.140(54)) Guidelines for ballast water exchange design and construction standards (G11) (resolution MEPC.149(55)) Guidelines on design and construction to facilitate sediment control on ships (G12) (resolution MEPC.150(55)) Guidelines for additional measures regarding ballast water management including emergency situations (G13) (resolution MEPC.161(56)) Guidelines on designation of areas for ballast water exchange (G14) (resolution MEPC.151(55)) Guidelines for ballast water exchange in the Antarctic treaty area (resolution MEPC.163(56)) However, the most relevant IMO recommendation regarding ballast water is the before mentioned Resolution A.868 (20) Guidelines for the control and management of ship ´s ballast water to minimize the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens. This Resolution was adopted on 27 November 1997 not as a solution to the ballast water issue but as a tool to minimize the risks caused by invasive species. Also, it asked countries to cooperate with this issue, applying the resolution itself and any other necessary measures. First, the Resolution A.868 (20) establishes several indications both to port States and ships. Beginning with the port States, they should inform the IMO of specific requirements that they have such as regulations, specific zones, standards and exemptions, in order that IMO can distribute this information and in this way, the ships could obtain each country ´s requirements prior to their arrival at port. Other information that the port States should pass on to IMO is the results of inspections and analyses of samples of ballast water tanks. In addition, the port States should have adequate reception and treatment facilities in their ports for safe disposal of ballast tank sediments. Second, according to the Resolution, the ships should have a specific ballast water management plan including safe and effective procedures during the charge and discharge of ballast water. All ships should record each discharge, mention at least dates; geographical location; ship ´s tanks and cargo holds; ballast water temperature and salinity; amount of ballast water loaded or discharged. Additionally, the ships should follow precautionary practices such as avoiding taking ballast water in darkness, shallow water or where propellers may stir up sediments. Also, they should avoid unnecessary discharge of ballast water. The ballast water exchange process could be done in deep water, in open ocean, as far as possible from shore or where the port State authorizes. In case of using pumping systems, the water should be pumped through the tank at least three times. Third, the Resolution takes into account future considerations in relation to ballast water exchange. This means that the measures could be revised and adjusted according to new technologies or developments. In addition, this document has two appendices. Appendix 1 is the Ballast Water Reporting Form to be provided by ships to port State Authority upon request. Appendix 2 is the Guidance of safety aspects of Ballast Water Exchange at sea. This appendix mentions the safety measures (stability, weather conditions, and stress on the hull, among others) and two recognized methods: Sequential method, in which ballast tanks are pumped out and refilled with clean water; and Flow-through method, in which ballast tanks are simultaneously filled and discharged by pumping in clean water. Finally, the Resolution establishes the necessity of crew training and familiarization regarding the ballast water management plan, ballast water methods, pumping system and recording the information required concerning ballast water loading and discharge. This point is very important because conscience and compromise about the ballast water risk, not only from the crew members but also from the port States, are the first steps to minimize the introduction of invasive species. The IMO not only carries its own efforts to solve the ballast water problem, but also it has been supporting the international cooperation among countries in order to achieve a common solution, and to help developed countries to implement the necessary measures to avoid invasive species and to implement the Ballast Water Convention. In this way, one of the most important programs under the IMO auspices is the GloBallast Patnership that it will be developed in more detail in the next section. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION International cooperation is essential to prevent the transferences of invasive species. This means that it is necessary joint cooperation among states, the maritime community, shipping companies and non-governmental organizations, in order to prevent, reduce and control human caused pollution of the marine environment, including the intentional or accidental introduction of harmful or alien species to a particular part of the marine environment. (Ballast Water Management, n.d.). In this way, since 2000 the IMO has been working with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to deal with the introduction of invasive species from ships ´ ballast water in new environments. In order to confront this issue with an international effort, these organizations initiated the Global Programme of Ballast Water Management to avoid obstacles to the effective implementation of control measures and ballast water management in developing countries (GloBallast Partnership). This is a comprehensive technical cooperation program for help developing countries to (GloBallast, n.d.): à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduce the transfer of harmful organisms from ballast water of ships. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Implement the IMO guidelines on ballast water. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Prepare for the implementation of the Ballast Water Convention of IMO (which was still in negotiations at that time). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Develop mechanisms for sustainability and reforms at national level. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Promote regional coordination and cooperation. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Develop new technologies and exchange of information among governments measures. The GloBallast Partnership is divided into phases. The first phase was initiated in 2000 and finished in 2004. The second phase was initiated in 2007 and continuous running during this year. This second phase aims to build on the progress achieved in the original project. It will focus on national policy, legal and institutional reforms in developing countries with particular emphasis on integrated management. The approach includes: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Build on the achievements and use the skills and knowledge acquired in the first phase; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Repeat best practices and technical activities to promote national policy reforms. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Support countries particularly vulnerable and high environmental sensitivity in their efforts to adopt legal reforms and to implement the Convention on Ballast Water Management. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Promote collaboration with industry to facilitate the successful transfer of new technologies from developed to developing countries (GloBallast Partnerships, n.d.). Consequently, Argentina participated in the GloBallast Partnership Program and this year the Argentine Coast Guard was designated as the focal point to represent Argentina to International Organizations in this Program. In order to assist with other nations in the world particularly vulnerable countries regarding the introduction of invasive species and pathogens through ballast water of ships, to fortify political and legal aspects (Environmental Protection, 2012). ARGENTINE LEGAL FRAMEWORK The BWM Convention was opened to signature from 01 June 2004 to 31 May 2005. Eight countries including Argentina signed the instrument subject to ratification. Until now Argentina has not ratified the Convention because it still remains in the Congress to analyze. However, this situation does not mean that Argentina does not support the fight against invasive species incoming from the ships ´ ballast water. On the contrary, Argentina was a pioneer in this issue. In 1998 the Argentine maritime authority approved Ordinance No. 7-98 entitled Prevention of pollution by aquatic organisms in the ballast water of ships bound for Argentine ports in the estuary of the River Plate, which obliges ships from overseas bound for Argentine ports in the estuary to discharge, change or treat their ballast water before entering a zone in which polluting activities are prohibited, which is located at the outer limit of the River Plate. On December 1999, this national regulation was submitted to the I MO through MEPC 44/4/2, in order to be distributed among the states. In the same way, Ordinance No. 12-98 entitled Special Protection Areas on the Argentine Coast was submitted to the IMO. This Ordinance established twelve special protection areas, where among other prohibitions, it is forbidden to discharge ballast water, even if treated in some way, unless it has been exchanged for water taken within 150 miles from the outer limit of the area concerned. Both regulations were made by the Environmental Protection Department of the Argentine Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval Argentina). This Department is in charge of all the issues related to environmental protection. Within this Department is found the Scientific Research Division that works with specialists such as biologists, and this group is continuously conducting research about ballast water and the impact in the environment. In this way, they confirmed with several studies that three species of freshwater bivalves that have been found in the River Plate (Corbicula fluminea, Corbicula largillierti, and Linmoperna fortune, known as Golden Mussel) originating from the estuaries of south-east Asia, and that they had entered via the discharge from ships from that region, to which bulk cereals had been exported from Argentina. Considering that the River Plate is the gateway of the export/import activity of Argentina, it was necessary that this national regulation be applicable and mandatory both for national ships and foreign flagged ships. This last consideration was possible because Argentina submitted the Ordinance to IMO and then it was distributed among the states. Several of the Ordinance requirements are similar to the IMO Resolution A. 868 (20), because it was made based on this last one. For instance, as the Resolution, the Ordinance has a final annex including Guidance on Safety Aspects of Ballast Water Exchange at Sea and Crew Training and Familiarization. Other similarity appears in the ship-shore communication and the methods admitted by both regulations. However, some requirements are specific to the Ordinance, such as sealing ballast tanks or pumping control valves and the exigency of salinity levels. Furthermore, the Ordinance does not have many requirements included in the Resolution, such as the port states procedures or the Ballast Water Reporting Form. The Ordinance No. 7-98 Prevention of pollution by aquatic organisms in the ballast water of ships bound for Argentine ports in the estuary of the River Plate establishes that all ships that navigate along the River Plate shall exchange ballast water avoiding the prohibited zone of polluting actions located in front of the external limit of the River Plate. Another requirement is the radio electric communication that ships must make with the Vessel Traffic Services of the River Plate (CONRASE) informing them of the ballast water exchange or ballast retention on board. In case of exchange, they must indicate position, amount of water discharged, exchanged or retained on board and method applied for the ballast water exchange. According to this Ordinance, the methods admitted by Argentine Coast Guard are: Total deballasting and reballasting (like the Sequential Method indicated in the Resolution A. 868 (20)), Flow-through (the same as in the IMO Resolution) and Overflow (it is similar to the flow-through method, but pumping water for a time and making it overflow from the top of tank). In case of considering new methods, these should be approved by the IMO. Some methods admitted as a complement are: Filtering systems, oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides, thermal techniques, electric pulses and plasma pulses, ultraviolet treatment, acoustic systems, magnetic field, deoxidation, biological techniques and anti-adherent coatings. Furthermore, the Ordinance allows Coast Guard members to seal ballast tanks and pumps to control valves of ships, to be sure that they would not discharge the water on the way to Argentine Ports. Also the officers may take samples of the contents of ballast tanks, pipes and pumps to control the presence of invasive species and water salinity. In case that the water salinity is below 30mg/cm3, the ship would be not be allowed to enter into the River Plate because this water quality means that the ship exchanged ballast water very near the River Plate without taking into account the requirements of the Ordinance. Finally, Argentina tries to arrive at a ballast water solution with its own national regulations. However, this is not enough because, since the adoption of the Ordinance No.7-98, many cases of new invasive species have happened, not only in the River Plate but also in the Argentine south where it does not exists any particular regulation, referent to ballast water. For example, the Golden Mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) that entered through the River Plate, affecting this complete zone until Brazil or the Wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) that invaded Puerto Madryn (a southern Argentine province) causing economic losses because this place is a touristic beach where people make activities like scuba diving but since this seaweed has invaded this place it is impossible to practice this activity. This is a shortcoming in the Argentine regulation because the Ordinance No.7-98 only contemplates the River Plate but not the others ports of entry at the country, mainly in southern Argentina . On the other hand, the Argentine regulation does not contain any reference to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships ´ Ballast Water and Sediments because both instruments are not contemporary; the Ordinance was made six years previously. CONCLUSION The introduction of invasive species is a ballast water problem that involves the majority of the countries in which the trade is made by ships. Nowadays, most of the ships in the world fleet effectively carry ballast water and, therefore, would need to manage ballast water as part of their operations. The ecological, economic and human health impacts of invasive species are significantly severe for each country or region affected. Ballast water transfers and aquatic invasive species are perhaps the biggest environmental challenge facing the global shipping industry this century. For this reason, the problem of ballast water and invasive species must be addressed on an international basis involving cooperation between all countries and the shipping and port industries because the ships are involved in the international trade around the world; the port states are linked to receive and to c