3.17 A full description of the onboard tests and
evaluations to be undertaken should be provided. When available standard
methods for the collection, handling (including concentration), storage,
and analysis of samples should be applied. These methods should be
clearly referenced and described in test plans and in reports. This
includes methods for detecting, concentrating, enumerating, and identifying
organisms and for determining viability. When non-standard methods
are used they should be validated, documented and reported. A description
of the experimental design and sampling procedure should be provided.
3.18 The Programme should evaluate:
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.1 the biological efficacy of the installed prototype
ballast water treatment technology;
-
.2 the operational performance which should include,
but not be limited to:
-
– unplanned maintenance and manning requirements
-
– operational data relative to manufacturer's
specification
-
– consideration of the environmental conditions
identified in section 3.9.2;
-
.3 the effects upon the ship's systems and structure;
and
-
.4 any other characteristics identified by the
participants or the Administration.
3.19 Experimental Design and Protocols should
include:
-
.1 a general description of the experimental test
including the experimental hypotheses being tested and methods for
the determination of biological efficacy and operational performance.
The Programme Application should identify the test locations, source
waters, and relevant environmental water conditions, to the extent
possible. The overall study plan should take full advantage of the
range of locations provided by the vessel’s operations, to the
extent practicable;
-
.2 a detailed description for each of the experiments
including:
-
.1 ballast water sample collection for each treatment
and control, identification and number of replicate tanks, ballast
water samples and time points encompassed in the test;
-
.2 description of test runs: replicate tests (tests
at same location and environmental conditions) and comparative tests
(tests at different locations or environmental conditions). Description
of how the efficacy of the treatment process should be evaluated;
include a description of how the efficacy should be quantified, as
well as a description of the comparison of biological efficacies;
-
.3 the plan should address statistical analysis
(including power analysis) and data confidence issues. Fully describe
the intended statistical tests, use of controls, and replicates for
each experiment; and
-
.4 how the experiment accounts for the range of
seasons, organic matter content, turbidity, pH, salinity, etc. likely
to be encountered in operation and, to the extent possible, describe
the range of these variables;
-
.3 the experimental design should address the
operation of the ship’s systems whose arrangements (e.g., cross
connections) have the potential to confound the resulting data.