I:\MEPC\54\INF-6.doc For reasons of economy, this document is pr inted in a limited number. Delegates are kindly asked to bring their copies to mee tings and not to request additional copies. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

IMO 

# E

MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

COMMITTEE

54th session Agenda item 2 MEPC 54/INF.6 13 January 2006

ENGLISH ONLY

HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANI SMS IN BALLAST WATER

A Swedish Disinfection System

Submitted by Sweden

SUMMARY

Executive summary: This document contains informa tion about a Swedish Disinfection System, a system which adds no chem icals or precursor substances to the water, to be used in a Ballast Water management system that is to be approved in accordance with Pr ocedure for approval of Ballast Water Management systems that make use of Active Substances (G9) adopted by resolution MEPC.126(53). Su stainable test results for a proposal for Basic Approval are e xpected to be finalized in February 2006. After the competent au thority in Sweden has verified the dossiers and believes them to satisfy the data requirements of the Procedure (G9) a proposal for approval is to be sent to GESAMP-Ballast Water Working Group and a document on the proposal for approval is to be submitted to MEPC 55.

Action to be taken: Paragraph 5

Related documents: MEPC 53/24/Add.1, BWM.2/Circ.2

Introduction

1 Regulation D-3.2 of the International Conve ntion for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments stipulates th at Ballast Water Management systems that make

use of Active Substances shall be approved by the Organization based on a procedure developed by the Organization. The procedure for approval of Ballast Water Management systems that

make use of Active Substances (G9) was adopted during MEPC 53 as resolution MEPC.126(53).

2 According to BWM.2/Circ.2 proposals fo r approval of Ballast Water Management systems that make use of Active Substances are to be sent to GESAMP-BWWG. In the meantime, a document on the proposal for approva l containing all the non-confidential data related to the respecitve Active Substance shall be submitted to MEPC.MEPC 54/INF.6 - 2 -

I:\MEPC\54\INF-6.doc 3 This document contains information about a Swedish Disinfection System used in a Ballast Water Management system that is to be approved according to resolution MEPC.126(53) Procedure for approval of Ballast Water Mana gement systems that make use of Active Substances (G9). Sustainable test results for a proposal for Basi c Approval are expected to be finalized in February 2006.

4 After the competent authority in Sweden ha s verified the dossiers and believes them to satisfy the data requirements of the Procedure (G9), a proposal for approval is to be sent to GESAMP-BWWG and a document on the proposal for approval is to be submitted to MEPC 55.

Action requested of the Committee

5 The Committee is invited to note the information provided in this document.

***MEPC 54/INF.6

I:\MEPC\54\INF-6.doc ANNEX

1 INTRODUCTION

An advanced electrochemical system, the EctoSy sTM, is proposed as the disinfection step in a complete system for ballast water treatment. EctoSysTM is an electrochemical system utilizing electrodes with high oxygen overpot ential, and therefore producing powerful disinfectants such as the hydroxyl radical directly into the me dia and also providing direct oxidation of microorganisms and other contaminants on the el ectrode surface. No chemicals or precursor

substances are added to the wate r. In addition small amounts of by-products (free active chlorine) from the cell will prevent biofouling and regrowth in the tanks, but the cell design and electrode configuration will also prevent the formation of secondary chlorinated organics such as for example trihalomethanes, THM. The EctoSysTM is designed for purification and disinfection of a wide range of water types and mainly in applica tions with high flow rates. A minimum of media conductivity is needed, but that crite ria is well satisfied in natural sea water or brackish water. One single, compact EctoSysTM module can be di mensioned for treatment of flow rates up to 500 m3/h, with no additional chemicals and a mi nimum of maintenance needed. The EctoSysTM is typically used for ballast water treatment as a disinfecting step after mechanical separation (i.e. filters, hydrocyclones etc.) of contaminants down to 40-45μm scale.

An electrochemical cell working with a natural wa ter media such as sea water could theoretically produce an endless number of va rious oxidative species. Howe ver, the oxidative species and by-products produced in the EctoSysTM either have a very short degradation time, are produced in extremely low concentrations (in the order of natural occurrence in sea water) or are completely harmless. The air emissions will contain oxyge n gas and small amounts of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. Neither the hydroxyl radicals nor a ny of the theoretically and practically possibly formed by-products are bio accumula tive, persistent or have endoc rine disruptive properties and will (in detectable concentrati ons) ultimately degrade under environmental conditions to oxygen, water, carbon-dioxide and chloride ions.

The key factors for the EctoSysTM electrochemical system are the electr ode type and the cell design. Permascand AB has over 30 years of experience in developing, producing and characterizing different kinds of electrochemical cells, electrodes an d catalytic coatings used by the electrochemical industry. Different kinds of el ectrochemical cells, electrodes and coatings are used for different industrial applications. In the case of treating ballast water by using catalytically inactive electrode s with high oxygen- and hydrogen ove rpotentials it is possible to selectively produce the desired highly oxidative species (e.g. hydroxyl ra dicals) without the problems associated with conven tional chlorine electrolysis.

2 COMPLIANCE WITH THE D-2 STANDARD

The EctoSysTM electrochemical system is proposed to be used as the disinfecting step in a complete Ballast Water Management (BWM) system. The BWM system will treat the whole water stream, single flow, during ballasting or/a nd deballasting. The EctoSysTM will operate after a mechanical separation step.

The results from pilot-scaled trials with this BW M concept indicates that the performance of such a system will be in compliance with the D-2 Standa rd at all points. The tests have been carried out using a worst-case scenario approach, e.g. regarding turbidity, temperature and dissolved organics. A complete full-scaled land based expe rimental system is currently being set up, and will be in operation during spring 2006 for ongoing tests and evaluation.MEPC 54/INF.6

ANNEX Page 2

I:\MEPC\54\INF-6.doc 3 APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF CHEMICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

The hydroxyl radical specie is a subject of interpreta tion of the definitions and criteria given in the Procedure (G9) regarding “Active Substan ces”. A proposal for approval of Ballast Water Management systems that make use of Activ e Substances will be sent to GESAMP-BWWG according to BWM.2/Circ.2. A document on the proposal for approval containing all the non-confidential data related to the possible Active Substances, will be submitted to the MEPC accordingly.

Due to the fact that the proposed electrochemical ballast water disinfection system EctoSysTM is not based on the supply or addition of any chem icals to the water to be treated, the guidance provided in the Procedure(G9) regarding the testing and characterization of the Active Substances are not applicable at all points . Furthermore, one of the Active Substances (e.g. hydroxyl radicals) in question has such a short ha lf-life that it is not possible (or relevant) to characterize from the point of view of persis tency, bio accumulation, endocrine disruption etc. which is a major part of the Procedure (G9). The disinfecting effect of the hydroxyl radicals produced will take place inside the electrochem ical system itself within a few micrometers distance from the electrodes, and will not (bes ide a beneficial regrowth preventing effect originating from small amounts of residual free active chlo rine species) occur in other parts of the ballast water system either on the ship or after discharge of the ballast water back to the sea.

Risk assessment, toxicity data collection and en vironmental impact predictions regarding the use of EctoSysTM as a component in a complete BWM system will be thoroughly investigated and reported. The tests and assessments will be carried out by a well renowned environmental laboratory certified according to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). The experimental approach will focus on whole-effluent toxicity testing an d chemical specification of ballast water treated under relevant conditions. The guidance provided by the Procedure (G9) will be followed when applicable. The whole-effluent toxicity tes ting will also be supplemented by computer

modulations of the dilution of di scharged ballast wate r in a typica l harbour area and possibly a specific case study of a European port. The whole- effluent toxicity eval uations and computer simulations will be finished and reported during March 2006, and will be submitted to

GESAMP-BWWG as well as to the MEPC.

4 WHOLE-EFFLUENT TOXICITY AND MODELLING APPROACH

4.1 The approach to assessing the effluent fr om the EctoSysTM system is a practical one starting with basic acute toxicity testing of the effluent combined with modelling to show the potential area of impact in the environment. A tiered approach as recommended in the European

Union Technical Guidance Document on Risk Assessment of new substances (EU TGD, Reference I), will be carried out fo r the study of the effluent. In the first instance toxicity testing is based on the following strategy:

.1 Acute toxicity testing will be carried out to determine any short term effects from the effluent. This in itself will provide a significant safety factor since the timescale of dilution of the discharged effluent will be much shorter (of the order of a few minutes) than the timescale of the acute tests (72 or 96 hours); modelling

will be used to confirm this and to show the extent of any toxic zone that may be present from extended discharge from a moored ship.MEPC 54/INF.6

ANNEX

Page 3

I:\MEPC\54\INF-6.doc .2 The choice of species for the toxicity tes ting needs to be appropriate to the marine and estuarine situation (algae ( Skeletonema costatum ), Tisbe battagliai and turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus ) tests have been selected).

.3 Species need to be selected from diffe rent trophic levels to represent species variations and lifestyles representing various feedi ng strategies (PARCOM, Reference II).

The data from the acute toxicity tests will provide information to establish a PNEC (Predicted No Effect Concentration) for the effluent using an appropriate safety fact or (EU TGD, Ref I). Further information is available from PARCOM (R efence II). It is anticipated that the results from the acute toxicity testing together with the modelling predictions (Reference III) would provide adequate information for assessing the safety of the efflue nt. It should be noted that the algae growth study is actually a chronic study since the orga nisms go through many generations during the time of the study (72 hou rs). If unexpected results s hould be obtained a higher tier of toxicity testing (including chronic tests) and mo re detailed modelling would be considered and a new proposal for work would be drawn up.

4.2 EU Technical Guidance document pr ovisions relevant to testing approach

4.2.1 Reference I: EU TGD (tiered approach)

(http://ecb.jrc.it/Documents/TECHNICAL_ GUIDANCE_DOCUMENT/E DITION_2/tgdpart2_2 ed.pdf)

The TGD provides information on safety factors for the PNEC, which depend on various issues,

such as:

• intra- and inter-laboratory variation of toxicity data; • intra- and inter-species variations (biological variance); • short-term to long-term t oxicity extrapolation; and • laboratory data to field impact extrapolat ion (additive, synergistic and antagonistic effects from the presence of other subs tances may also play a role here).

In particular the TGD states, in regard to safe ty factors: “The size of the assessment factor depends on the confidence with wh ich a PNEC water can be derived from the available data.

This confidence increases if data are available on the toxicity to organism s at a number of trophic levels, taxonomic groups and with lifestyles repr esenting various feeding st rategies. Thus lower assessment factors can be used with larger and mo re relevant datasets than the base-set data. Calculation of a PNEC using a ssessment factors is described in Section 3.3.1.1.” This is of particular importance in assessing if there is any need to carry out ch ronic toxicity tests.

4.2.2 Reference II: PARCOM (species selection)

The CHARM model web site provides informati on on the application of toxicity testing and modelling to discharges from oil platforms in the North Sea.

(http://www.eosca.com/Docs/CHARMManualFeb05.pdf)MEPC 54/INF.6

ANNEX Page 4

I:\MEPC\54\INF-6.doc PARCOM provides information on the selection of species. Ecotoxicity testing schemes for both single chemicals and mixtures of chemicals (e.g . aqueous effluents) ar e addressed and follow a similar approach.

Measurement of the effect of chemicals on or ganisms from different trophic groups (e.g. algae [primary producers], invertebrates [primary consumers] and fish [secondary consumers]) provides an ecological perspec tive and accounts for potential differences in sensitivity among different organisms. Unfortunate ly, the ‘ideal’ organism does not exist although some organisms may meet many of the criteria listed above.

In purely practical terms, organisms must be amenab le to culture and testing in the laboratory and

must be:

- relevant to environment; - tried and tested methods for culture and testing; - representative of functi onal group to be protected; - susceptible to potential contaminants; - abundant, therefore readil y available for testing; - scope for assessment of acute and chronic effects; - robust, allowing easy handling and manipulation; and - wide geographic distribution.

The organisms selected are all of th e above and recommended by e.g. PARCOM.

4.2.3 Reference III: Modelling of discharges

To support the toxicity testing of the effluent st ream from the treatment system the construction of a generic model is proposed. This will be a generic simulation of dilution in a typical harbour or port and will provide predicted dilution, concentr ation or toxicity levels in the harbour based on the following assumptions:

• a fixed water depth and tidal range; • a fixed size and shape of the harbour and its entrance; and • a fixed number of ships in the harbour or dock with an agreed number of these discharging the same type of effl uent for defined periods of time.

A report will be prepared describing the model a nd the predicted results. For different possible, but realistic, discharge scenario s (e.g. number and size of ships di scharging) the size and duration of toxic zones will be presented.

If further evidence should be needed a more de tailed model could be developed, probably in the form of a case study for a European port.

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