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features of the IMO G8 guidelines for testing, and the ETV protocols
.
MERC testing also can be adapted
to address other possible benchmarks such as stricter performance standards or non-regulatory end-points
.
A.6.1.
Test Description
Systems that will be tested under MERC will be capable of treating the entire discharge or ballast water
volume for biological organisms, either through a one-step treatment process or through multi-step
treatment processes, and will be capable of treating a wide range of source water typical of ballast uplifted
from fresh, coastal, estuarine and/or marine origins. These technologies may be mechanical, chemical,
physical or biological in nature or a combination of any of the technologies. Treatment systems or
components of systems that provide only partial treatment of the discharge can be evaluated as separate
demonstration exercises but are excluded from full certification testing. The factors that are verified
during BWTS testing include: biological treatment performance, operation and maintenance,
predictability/reliability, cost factors, environmental acceptability, and safety. In performing a BWTS test
MERC follows the technical and QA procedures specified in this QAPP and complies with the data
quality requirements in the MERC QMP. Table 1 compares MERC test protocols with those of IMO G8
Guidelines and ETV Protocols.
Table 1. Comparison of Key Test Parameters Proposed for MERC Tests with G8 and ETV Test
Parameters.
Parameter Sub-category
G8
ETV
MERC
Organisms To
Be Evaluated
Zooplankton,
live organisms
≥ 50 µm in size
Naturally occurring, or cultured
organisms may be added to the
test water.
Ambient assemblage
supplemented by the
addition of standard test
organisms.
Naturally occurring
Chesapeake Bay
assemblage. Native culture
organisms can be added if
required.
Protists, live
organisms 10 -
50 µm in size
Naturally occurring, or cultured
species that may be added to
the test water.
Ambient assemblage
supplemented by the
addition of standard test
organisms.
Naturally occurring
Chesapeake Bay
assemblage. Culture
organisms can be added if
required.
Bacteria
Naturally occurring, or cultured
species that may be added to
the test water.
Ambient assemblage
supplemented by the
addition of standard test
organisms.
Naturally occurring
Chesapeake Bay
assemblage.
Intake
Organism
Diversity &
Density
Zooplankton,
live organisms
≥ 50 µm in size
Organisms ≥50 µm in
minimum dimension should be
present in a total density of
preferably 10
6
individuals but
not less than 10
5
individuals
per m3, and should consist of at
least 5 species from at least 3
different phyla/divisions.
Total concentration =
minimum of 1 x 10
5
organisms/m
3
.
Organisms ≥ 50 µm in
minimum dimension are
typically present in a total
density above 10
5
live
individuals per m
3
, and
consist of at least 5 species
from at least 3 different
phyla/divisions.
Protists, live
organisms 10 -
50 µm in size
Organisms ≥10 µm and less
than 50 µm in minimum
dimension should be present in
a total density of preferably 10
4
individuals but not less than
10
3
individuals per ml, and
should consist of at least 5
species from at least 3 different
phyla/divisions.
Organisms in the ≥10 µm
and <50 µm size class must
be present in minimum
concentrations of 10
3
organisms/ml with at least
5 species across 3 phyla.
Entities ≥10 µm and less
than 50 µm in minimum
visible dimension are
typically present in a total
density above 10
3
cells per
ml, and consist of at least 5
species from at least 3
different phyla.
Bacteria
Heterotrophic bacteria should
be present in a density of at
Organisms in the < 10 µm
size class must be present
Heterotrophic bacteria are
typically present in a