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MERC ER01-12
3
(if any) were monitored and noted. MERC also conducted two biological efficacy tests for each
filter option (four total), with three-day holding times for each. See descriptions below and in
MERC QAPP and SOPs.
4.2 Approach and Sampling Design
The simulated ballast system of the MERC Mobile Test Platform
has been designed to
allow for water to be split equally, and delivered simultaneously, to a “control” (untreated) tank
and a “treated” tank (passing first through the treatment system). Hyde selected a flow rate of
250m
3
/hr for this set of evaluations. The mimic ballast tanks to be used for the three-day holding
times are identical in size (310 m
3
) and structure. Each tank was be filled to 250 - 300m
3
for
each test trial. Water entering the control and test tanks was handled as close to identically as
possible, (e.g., passing through similar pumps and piping), aside from treated water passing
through the Hyde system. Detailed drawings of the MERC Mobile Test Platform and ballast
system can be found in SOPs.
Statistically-validated (Miller et al., 2011), continuous, time-integrated samples were
taken for each of the following: (a) uptake water for both control and treated conditions, (b)
control and treated water upon discharge after a three-day holding time. Sample volumes and
details of the physical, chemical, and biological analyses for each sample are described below
and in MERC SOPs.
All samples collected to quantify live organisms or water quality were taken by inline
sampling of water during the entire filling or discharge of water from the tanks through sample
ports located on appropriate filling or discharge pipes. All sample ports include a valve and
sample tube with a 90
o
bend towards the direction of flow, placed in the center of the piping
system (based on the design developed and validated by the US Naval Research Laboratory, Key
West Florida, see ETV Protocols).
Water for biological examination was split for sampling the >50µm size fraction
(nominally zooplankton), and the other fractions (10-50 µm size fraction, bacteria, water quality,
etc.). At the completion of each trial, test tanks were thoroughly cleaned by pressure washer, and
piping was flushed with fresh municipal water, prior to conducting the subsequent trial. See
SOPs for additional details on test operations and sampling.
Quantifying Physical Conditions:
Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll fluorescence, turbidity (NTU) and
pH were measured every 15 minutes during the test trials using two identical multi-parameter
probes (calibrated before each trial according to manufactures specification) deployed into both
the control and treated tanks. A third hand-held instrument was used to measure temperature,
salinity, and dissolved oxygen of water (and other parameters as required) during uptake or
discharge.
Arizona Test Dust, micronized humate (Micromate) and
Camellia sinensis
(tea) (as
described in ETV Protocols and MERC SOPs) was injected inline during initial filling of control
and test tanks to increase TSS, POC and DOC levels. Initial inline samples (three replicates,
approximately 500 ml - 2 L each) of ballast water during the filling of the control and treated
tanks were collected, filtered, and analyzed for the water quality parameter total suspended solids
(TSS). Samples for analysis of dissolved and particulate carbon and chlorophyll were collected
from the 100 L time-integrated canister. Similarly, inline samples of challenge water were