Invasive species are considered to be one of the most destructive environmental problems facing the world today. They can alter habitats, cause extinction of native species, and have enormous related economic costs. Because ballast water is the primary source of aquatic invasions, the International Maritime Organization has recently passed regulations that will require ocean-going vessels to treat water prior to discharge. It has proven challenging, however, to find an environmentally friendly treatment that is effective at reducing the potential for invasions and yet also acceptable to the shipping industry in terms of safety, time and cost. This study examined a ballast water deoxygenation treatment system called Venturi Oxygen Stripping because it has been shown to remove estuarine and marine plankton while also reducing ballast tank corrosion. The specific focus was to examine the efficacy of this treatment on lake organisms to determine if VOS is appropriate for vessels operating freshwater environments. Studies suggest that VOS can be an effective ballast water treatment option.

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