New study published on indicative analysis methods used in the control of ships’ ballast water treatment
The aim of the regulations on ships’ treatment of ballast water is to prevent the spread of aquatic non-indigenous species via ballast water. The purpose of the new study was to find the best methods and instruments for use by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) when controlling the treatment of ballast water by ships.
Various indicative devices that give speedy preliminary results of the functionality of the ballast water treatment systems were tested. The use of such devices on board ships makes it possible to prevent unnecessary delays in port, etc.
The devices that were tested made use of the following methods of analysis: ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate), PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation), STAF (Single Turnover Active Fluorometry) and MFA (Motility and Fluorescence Assay). All tested devices and methods were capable of giving a preliminary result as to the functionality of the treatment system. The device with the best performance in Finnish conditions was the device utilizing the PAM method.
The study called Indicative ballast water analysis testing for port State control purposes (External link) has been published in its entirety on the website of Traficom (External link). The study was conducted for Traficom by the Finnish Environment Institute.
Further information:
Special Adviser Ville-Veikko Intovuori, tel. +358 29 534 6642, ville-veikko.intovuori(at)traficom.fi, Twitter @Intovuori (External link)
Chief Adviser Anita Mäkinen, tel. +358 29 534 6590, anita.makinen(at)traficom.fi, Twitter @AnitaMakinen (External link)
Assistant Researcher Okko Outinen, tel. +358 295 251 915, okko.outinen@ymparisto.fi
Research Professor Maiju Lehtiniemi, tel. +358 295 251 356, maiju.lehtiniemi@ymparisto.fi