Ballast Water Management System Testing on the M/V Cape Washington: Summary of Biological Efficacy (BE) Results

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Abstract:

Three commercial ballast water management systems (BWMS) were the subject of operational testing by the U.S. Navy on the Ready Reserve Force Vessel M/V Cape Washington. The tests were conducted while pierside in Baltimore, MD over the period between October 2017 and January 2021. As part of this effort, measurements of organisms were made in ballast uptake and treated ballast discharge waters. This report documents the results of these biological efficacy (BE) tests in order to provide public documentation of the observed treatment capabilities. This report does not identify the individual BWMS tested or any of operational assessments other than BE results; here they are identified as BWMS A, BWMS B, and BWMS C. Results from the BE tests show varying performance of filter treatment subsystems used to remove organisms 50 m in size. Both BWMS A and BWMS B were ineffective in removing sufficient quantities of organisms in this size class to meet the regulated discharge standard of 10 living organisms per cubic meter; these two BWMS generally achieved only a 1-log (10x) reduction for this size class of organisms. BWMS C did meet the discharge standard in one test, and nearly met it in the second, showing a much more effective filtration system with at least a 4-log (10,000x) reduction. In the latter two tests, these findings were corroborated via qualitative assessments of ballast water samples obtained before and after the filter where collected particulates were examined via photomicrography.

Author(s):
Grant, Jonathan F ; Robbins-wamsley, Stephanie ; First, Matthew R ; Wier, Timothy P
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC
Funding Organization(s):
NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON, DC
Document Type:
Technical Report/Memorandum Report
Publication Date:
2023 Sep 25
Pagination:
37

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release.
Copyright: Not Copyrighted

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Identifying Numbers
Contract Number(s):
MIPR N0002423WX11171
 Subject Terms
Descriptor(s):
test methods, chemistry, test and evaluation, environmental protection, management personnel, detectors, engineers, coast guard, measurement, particle size, test facilities, ballast tanks, department of defense, detection, environment, glass fibers, materials science
Keyword(s):
bwms(ballast water management systems)
Subject Categories:
Mechanical, Industrial, Civil and Marine Engineering; Earth Sciences and Oceanography
Communities of Interest:
;
Descriptor(s):
test methods, chemistry, test and evaluation, management personnel, environmental protection, coast guard, engineers, measurement, particle size, test facilities, ballast tanks, department of defense, glass fibers, materials science, particles, water chemistry, water quality
Creation Date:
2023 Oct 02
Update Date:
2023 Nov 06