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Using Microwaves To Cook Ballast Stowaways

Smivs writes "US researchers say they have developed an effective way to kill unwanted plants and animals that hitch a ride in the ballast waters of cargo vessels. Tests showed that a continuous microwave system was able to remove all marine life within the water tanks. The UN lists 'invasive species' dispersed by ballast water discharges as one of the four main threats to the world's marine ecosystems. For example European zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have infested more than 40% of the US's inland waterways. Between 1989 and 2000, up to $1B is estimated to have been spent on controlling the spread of the alien invader."

18 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. I think not.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microwaves confuse the molecules and these molecules of nutrition then misbehave and cause disorders such as cancer, diabetes and hair loss. This would be detrimental to anything that ate the food that was microwaved.

    A better solution, I propose, is to simply put some spent nuclear fuel into the ballast tank to kill off any invasive species before dumping the ballast water.

    Posing as AC b/c I work for an environmental consulting firm...and my boss would fire me if he knew I was this "green".

    1. Re:I think not.... by pimpimpim · · Score: 2, Funny

      you mean, like, nuclear waste?

      --
      molmod.com - computing tips from a molecular modeling
  2. Why it's important to RTFA by StudMuffin · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought this was a method to take care of STOWAWAYS. you know, like people trying to sneak into the country.

    My first thought was, "Wow, that sounds effective."

    My second was, "But that is kinda harsh."

    My thirs, "Cooooooool."

    --
    Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel. -
    1. Re:Why it's important to RTFA by JonTurner · · Score: 5, Funny

      Same thought, here! I was picturing this system being adapted to zap those poor schmucks that hold onto the landing gear of jet aircraft. At least they wouldn't have to worry any more about freezing to death at high altitude.

      "Excuse me, stewardess? Is something burning in the kitchen? Smells like bologna..."

    2. Re:Why it's important to RTFA by Chris+Burke · · Score: 2, Funny

      My first thought was, "Wow, that sounds effective."

      My second was, "But that is kinda harsh."

      My thirs, "Cooooooool."


      Wait... are you counting your thoughts, or your Alabama Slammers?

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
  3. Re:Invasive species? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Because there are intelligent design proponents making policy.

  4. What about the railroads? by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 4, Funny

    Could Burlington Northern, for example, use this to solve their hobo problem?

    I'm just asking.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:What about the railroads? by BForrester · · Score: 2, Funny

      Probably. Except that hobos tend to be comprised of very "gamey", tough meat.

      Therefore, it is necessary to microwave on HIGH for a few additional minutes. Marinating helps too.

  5. Re:Too little too late by Dahamma · · Score: 5, Funny

    Skinner: Well, I was wrong; the lizards are a godsend.
    Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
    Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.

    Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?
    Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
    Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!
    Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.

  6. What could possibly go wrong? by ndansmith · · Score: 2, Funny
    This sounds like the premise to a really bad sci-fi movie:

    Microwaves "cook ballast aliens"

    US researchers say they have developed an effective way to kill unwanted plants and animals that hitch a ride in the ballast waters of cargo tankers.

    Tests showed that a continuous microwave system was able to remove all marine life within the water tanks. Cut to: Hordes of radioactive sea life terrorizing humanity.
  7. Mmmmmmmm..... Microwaves! by jpellino · · Score: 2, Funny

    Cause the only thing more noxiously aromatic than a ballast tank would be a steaming hot ballast tank!

    Somebody call Mike Rowe...

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  8. Re:Too little too late by Tablizer · · Score: 3, Funny

    The example cited of the zebra mussels, for instance, has created a huge problem

    But without muscles, zebras would be all floppy and squishy. Plus, zoo revenue would go down. Who wants to watch a flat patch of stripes laying on the field?

          -1 Lame

  9. Re:Too little too late by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Come to Australia, we have bettles, toads, horses, donkeys, water buffalo, pigs, rabbits, foxes, mice, rats, sparrows, starlings, starfish and more wild camels than Saudi Arabia. Every single one of them plus the many species I have ommited are pests.

    Have you considered removing them from your flat? That might make a difference on how you look at wildlife.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  10. Re:Great! But... by illegalcortex · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not true. They can also be microwaved.

    And in answer to the followup question - delicious!

  11. Other uses... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Funny
    With apologies to Monty Python's "The Undertakers" sketch:
    [For you youngsters: s/ballast/mother/g;]

    • ...
    • Fred: I'll get the oven on!
    • Man: Um, er...excuse me, um, are you... are you suggesting we should eat my ballast?
    • Undertaker: Yeah. Not raw, not raw. We cook 'em. They'll be delicious with a few french fries, a bit of stuffing. Delicious! (smacks his lips)
    • Man: What! (he stammers)
    • Man: Actually, I do feel a bit peckish - No! NO, I can't!
    • Undertaker: Look, we'll eat your ballast. Then, if you feel a bit guilty about it afterwards, we can dig a pit and you can throw up into it.
    • Man: All right.
    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  12. Re:Too little too late by nametaken · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah, I read this story. Eventually the lion eats the people. ;)

  13. Nice but by ajs318 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Could the same principles be applied to Eurostar trains?

    --
    Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
  14. Re:Too little too late by TapeCutter · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Have you considered removing them from your flat?"

    Flats are for cute & cuddly native animals called possums, often refered to as "roof rabbits" or "dim sims".

    "That might make a difference on how you look at wildlife."

    Please don't presume you know how I "look at wildlife".

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.