More than 1,500 ships have idled in the Strait of Hormuz since President Donald Trump’s began his war with Iran on February 28, creating what scientists warn could be an invasive species “super-spreader event,” reported USA Today.
Mario Tamburri, lead author of a University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science study, called the situation a “perfect storm.”
Organisms, including microbes and algae, colonize ship hulls during extended idle periods and reach a rapid growth phase after 10 days.
“These organisms, when introduced to other ecosystems, can cause a wide array of consequences, from outcompeting native species to damaging infrastructure to introducing pathogens harmful to marine life and, sometimes, humans,” USA Today reported.
Middle East-adapted organisms threaten ports in Southeast Asia and India, both of which have similar salinity and temperature conditions.
Singapore, a major international shipping hub, faces heightened vulnerability.
“Those organisms can withstand extremes,” Tamburri said.
“They’re tolerant organisms, which makes them good candidates for invasions when they go to a new location.”
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