Although the IMO D-2 standard only requires that ship ballast water be able to treat TSS of 50 ppm or less, many of the world’s busiest ports have TSS levels much higher than that – as high as 1,000 ppm in Shanghai. There’s virtually no popular shipping route that can save your BWMS from challenging waters!
What causes these high TSS levels isn’t necessarily clear. The following factors contribute to lots of suspended solids in port that can create problems for a BWMS that isn’t up to the job.
Soil Erosion: The Mighty Mississippi is called the Big Muddy because run-off from farms along the way brings soil particles into the river.
River Speed: Faster-flowing rivers carry more suspended particles than slower-moving ones, where the particles have more time to settle out.
Proximity to Wastewater & Septic Systems: While treatment plants and septic systems are meant to remove dangerous particles before the water is reintroduced into the environment, it doesn’t remove all of them. Also during heavy rain events, these systems can be overwhelmed, resulting in more particles entering the water system.
Runoff: Densely populated areas have a lot of pavement that accumulates debris from exhaust, industry, and other sources. When it rains the water washes the pavement and can run directly into nearby bodies of water, especially if the sewer system is overwhelmed.
Living Organisms: When alive, fish and other aquatic animals eat and release organic matter into the water. When plants and animals die they breakdown into organic matter that might not be entirely consumed, especially if they die due to anoxia or other conditions that disrupt the ecosystem.
The right filter for your ship and the route it sails can save you money! Learn more about the cost of compliance and choosing the right filter for your ship here.