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MERC STDN Test Plan
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(chronic toxicity units), where TUc = 100/EC25 (e.g., an EC25 of 100% (i.e., undiluted effluent)
would yield a TUc of 1.0). In order for a test trial to pass, chronic toxicity of discharged ballast
must not exceed 1.6 TUc for any species tested (equivalent to an EC25 of 62.5%). Calculation
of a TUc greater than 1.6 for any test species will constitute a test trial failure based on residual
toxicity within discharged ballast water.
Toxicity Quality Assurance:
Toxicity test acceptability (i.e., performance) criteria are presented in Tables 4 through 8.
The quality assurance procedures for the algae tests will follow those discussed in detail in
Section 13 of ASTM Designation E 1218-04 “
Standard Guide for Conducting Static Toxicity
Tests with Microalgae
” (ASTM, 2006). Any deviations from the quality assurance procedures
will be given in the final report.
7. Evaluation Schedule
(planned dates based on current Test Plan and may vary)
•
Test Plan for STDN BalPure finalized and Evaluation Agreements signed by August 14,
2009
•
BalPure ballast water treatment system delivered to
Cape Washington
for testing by
MERC Sept. 8
•
BalPure system installed and operating on the
Cape Washington
by Sept. 14, 2009.
•
Two BalPure calibration run completed by September 21, 2009
•
MERC evaluation of the BalPure systems initiated by September 24, 2009
•
MERC will complete sample analysis and compile data from the evolution by November
16, 2009
•
Draft report on the performance of the BalPure system for review by the Advisory
Board/Committee and STDN by December 31 2009
•
Final report submitted and released to public by March 2010
8. Data Recording, Processing, and Storage
This section describes methods employed during data recording, processing, and storage
to minimize errors and assure high quality analyses.
Documentation and Records:
A variety of data will be acquired and recorded electronically and manually by MERC
partners (CBL/UMCES, SERC, UM and WREC) during this evaluation. Operational
information and results will generally be documented in field/laboratory record books and on the
data sheet/chain-of-custody forms (see below). Copies of these raw data will be transferred to
the MERC office, which will store it permanently along with the rest of the study data.
Data Review:
All data are to be recorded directly in the field/laboratory record book as soon as they are
available. Records are to be written in water-proof ink and written legibly. Any corrections will
be initialed by the person performing the correction, will be crossed out with a line (not