Ship Ballast Water and Antifouling Paints

Ship ballast water and antifouling paints rank eighth among ocean pollution sources. The global shipping fleet transfers 10 billion tonnes of ballast water annually, introducing invasive species that outcompete native ones. Antifouling paints leach tributyltin and copper compounds, toxic to marine organisms. This dual threat is more ecologically disruptive than microplastics from synthetic textiles, given its direct impact on biodiversity.