Silent but deadly. It might be too late to save the aquatic animals in the Great Lakes from migrant species that have come to take over, and make a new home. Shipping vessels coming from other waters carry many unwanted guests, known as invasive species, to make home in our waters in the United States. Invasive species hiding in the ballast of ships entering the Great Lakes damage the Great Lakes’ ecosystem.
Invasive species enter the Great Lakes in the ballasts of shipping vessels. Shipping vessels are large ships, such as a freighter, that contains cargo such as iron, grain, steel, and consumer products that are usually imported from other countries. In every large ship there is a ballast which is similar to a tank filled with water. The ballast main purpose is to ensure the safety and stability mandated to operate a ship. During the vessels voyage they will load and unload water at many …show more content…
Species brought over include the eurasian ruffe, many types of mussels, and the round goby. One of the most popular known and problematic species today is the european zebra mussel. Zebra mussels were brought over in 1984 and have remained here ever since. The mussels pose a huge threat to our ecosystem in many different ways. Zebra mussels are known for their excessive access to food and space. First and foremost, they like most other invasive species multiply so rapidly that they extend through the ecosystem quickly. In addition to them rapidly multiplying, the mussel is a threat to the ecosystems food web, these species consume food so quickly that they drive other species to starve, such as the phytoplankton whose numbers have fallen beyond predicted phosphorus levels. Also, with the zebra mussels rapid food consumption this leaves other species with less to consume in order to live a long and healthy
Invasive species enter the Great Lakes in the ballasts of shipping vessels. Shipping vessels are large ships, such as a freighter, that contains cargo such as iron, grain, steel, and consumer products that are usually imported from other countries. In every large ship there is a ballast which is similar to a tank filled with water. The ballast main purpose is to ensure the safety and stability mandated to operate a ship. During the vessels voyage they will load and unload water at many …show more content…
Species brought over include the eurasian ruffe, many types of mussels, and the round goby. One of the most popular known and problematic species today is the european zebra mussel. Zebra mussels were brought over in 1984 and have remained here ever since. The mussels pose a huge threat to our ecosystem in many different ways. Zebra mussels are known for their excessive access to food and space. First and foremost, they like most other invasive species multiply so rapidly that they extend through the ecosystem quickly. In addition to them rapidly multiplying, the mussel is a threat to the ecosystems food web, these species consume food so quickly that they drive other species to starve, such as the phytoplankton whose numbers have fallen beyond predicted phosphorus levels. Also, with the zebra mussels rapid food consumption this leaves other species with less to consume in order to live a long and healthy