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MERC STDN Test Plan
5
prior to the split in water to control and test tanks. The second five mesocosm are used to sample
after water has passed through the BalPure treatment during the initial filling of the test tank. At
the end of each trial (after five-days), five mesocosms are used for sampling water from the
control tank, and the second five mesocosm for water from the test tank. At each sampling time
(initial and after holding time), the designated five mesocosms will be filled to approximately
1.05 m
3
in sequence over 75 to 80 minutes of the 90 minutes required to fill or drain the ship’s
ballast tanks (i.e., sampling takes place > 80% of the time during filling or draining of tanks).
Immediately after filling of each mesocosm (< 5 minutes), physical parameters of the water will
be measured (see below), and then the precise samples volumes described below will be
collected for each biological and water quality categories by gravity draining through a bottom
valve and tubing. A table (Table 2) of samples to be collected, with corresponding volumes and
purpose can be found on page 19.
Each mesocosm has been calibrated (by filling with potable water and a flow meter) and
marked with known volumes to assure accurate sample collection. Each mesocosm will also be
rinsed thoroughly with potable water for a minimum of three times after each use and kept clean
and dry between uses.
MERC test and sampling system on the
Cape Washington
.
4. Test Trials
MERC will conduct a maximum of six test trials (12 total) of the BalPure system to
assess its ability to meet IMO D2 ballast water discharge standards in land-based testing during
the spring/summer 2009. As noted above, a valid test is regarded as one for which discharge
densities of live organisms are at least 10 times the IMO D2 standard, consistent with IMO G8
MEPC 58/23 ANNEX 4, Part 2, Section 2.3.36.
Two treatment calibration test runs for the BalPure system will also be allowed just prior
to the formal evaluation at each facility. For any test that is considered valid (and for which the
facility testing system functioned properly), an inability to: (a) successfully treat ballast water
without interruption, (b) to meet D2 discharge standards after a five-days holding time, and/or (c)
to discharge water environmentally benign (i.e., no residual toxicity) water (see page 8), will be
considered a “failure”. Results of tests regarded as failures will be noted and included in the
final report. Two failures on the part of the BalPure system may result in the termination of