Ballast water as a vector of coral pathogens in the Gulf of Mexico: the case of the Cayo Arcas coral reef |
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Authors: | Aguirre-Macedo M Leopoldina Vidal-Martinez Victor M Herrera-Silveira Jorge A Valdés-Lozano David S Herrera-Rodríguez Miguel Olvera-Novoa Miguel A |
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Institution: | a Departamento de Recursos del Mar, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN Unidad Mérida (CINVESTAV-IPN), Carretera Antigua a Progreso Km. 6, C.P. 97310 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico b Gerencia de Seguridad Industrial y Protección Ambiental - RMNE PEMEX Exploración y Producción, Calle 31 S/N, Edificio Complementario 1, Col. Sta. Isabel, Cd. del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico |
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Abstract: | The discharge of nutrients, phytoplankton and pathogenic bacteria through ballast water may threaten the Cayo Arcas reef system. To assess this threat, the quality of ballast water and presence of coral reef pathogenic bacteria in 30 oil tankers loaded at the PEMEX Cayo Arcas crude oil terminal were determined. The water transported in the ships originated from coastal, oceanic or riverine regions. Statistical associations among quality parameters and bacteria were tested using redundancy analysis (RDA). In contrast with coastal or oceanic water, the riverine water had high concentrations of coliforms, including Vibrio cholerae 01 and, Serratia marcescens and Sphingomona spp., which are frequently associated with “white pox” and “white plague type II” coral diseases. There were also high nutrient concentrations and low water quality index values (WQI and TRIX). The presence of V. cholerae 01 highlights the need for testing ballast water coming from endemic regions into Mexican ports. |
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Keywords: | Coral reef Tankers as vector Coral reef diseases Microbiology Ballast water Vibrio cholerae 01 |
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