Domestic ships as a potential pathway of nonindigenous species from the Saint Lawrence River to the Great Lakes.

ABSTRACT: Ballast water moved by transoceanic vessels has been recognized globally as a predominant vector for the introduction of aquatic nonindigenous species (NIS). In contrast, domestic ships operating within confined geographic areas have been viewed as low risk for invasions, and are exempt from regulation in consequence. We examined if the St. Lawrence River could serve as a source of NIS for the Laurentian Great Lakes by surveying ballast water carried by domestic vessels and comparing biological composition in predominant St. Lawrence River-Great Lakes port-pairs in order to determine the likelihood that NIS could be transported to, and survive in, the Great Lakes. Thirteen potential invaders were sampled from ballast water, while 26 taxa sampled from St. Lawrence River ports are not report

SUBMITTER: Adebayo AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6568021 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature