Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2017
Publication Title
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume
99
Issue
2
First Page
194
Last Page
199
Abstract
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enforce a new abundance-based performance standard for ballast water in September, 2017. Strong oxidants, like chlorine, have been proposed as a method for achieving this standard. However chlorine treatment of ballast water can produce hazardous trihalomethanes. We assessed maximum trihalomethane production from one chlorine dose for three types of ballast water (fresh, brackish and marine) and three levels of total organic carbon (TOC) concentration (natural, filtered, enhanced). While the current standard test considers a 5 day voyage, there is a high possibility of shorter trips and sudden change of plans that will release treated waters in the environment. Water source and TOC significantly affected trihalomethane production, with the highest amounts generated in brackish waters and enhanced TOC concentration. The concentration of brominated trihalomethanes increased from background levels and was highest in brackish water, followed by marine and fresh water. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
DOI
10.1007/s00128-017-2125-3
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, M. R.; Ismail, N.; Drouillard, K. G.; and MacIsaac, Hugh J., "Ships’ Ballast Water Treatment by Chlorination Can Generate Toxic Trihalomethanes" (2017). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 99, 2, 194-199.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/biologypub/705