Biochemical and physiological effects of hull cleaning wastewater on non-target marine animals

Abstract

Hull cleaning processes can produce numerous transportable chemical contaminants into the coastal environment whereas their biochemical and physiological effects on non-target marine animals have not yet established. In this study, chemical compositions (e.g., metals, antifoulants, etc.) and concentrations of hull cleaning wastewater were analyzed and their biochemical and physiological effects were monitored in several non-target marine animals. In each animal, numerous detrimental effects such as mortality, developmental malformation, growth retardation, reduction in immunity and antioxidant defense, and inhibition of population growth across multigeneration were observed. These results would provide understanding of negative impact of hull cleaning wastewater on marine animals and also could be useful for its risk assessment and management on non-target ecosystem.