Physical and Chemical Properties of Ships Ballast Waters and the Sea Water around Khark Petrochemical Terminals, Persian Gulf

Ballast waters are one the most important sources of pollution in continental areas. Khark Island is among sensitive areas according to International Maritime Organizations (IMO). Shipping activities have emotional impact on marine waters around Kharg Petrochemical terminals. In this study, ballast water and sea water samples around Khark Petrochemical terminals were seasonally analyzed in 2015. Temperature, pH, DO, salinity, EC, TDS, TSS, chloride, total hardness, sulphate, silicon and phosphate were measured in Kharg Petrochemical laboratory. In water, chloride ion was observed in the range of 19100 to 24300 mg / l and sulfate ions in the range of 2100 to 3340 mg / l. Phosphate ions were not detected in any of the ballast water samples and the waters around the island of Kharg. In the waters around Khark Island chloride ions at concentrations of 2100 to 23217 mg/l and sulfate ions in the range of 2370 to 3100 mg/l were observed. The results indicated that, availability of anions and cations in the ballast waters changed the balance of physical and chemical properties. This may cause stress and may affect marine life in the region. According to this study, water changing characteristics are not identified as an acute danger in the ecosystem.