Development of a Tool for Verification of Ballast Water Exchange

Introduction of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) by ballast water poses a significant ecological and economical threat to the United States harbors. Open ocean exchange of ballast water outside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in waters greater than 2000 meters deep is the primary method used to reduce this threat. To verify that ballast exchange has occurred, the United States Coast Guard needs tools capable of differentiating coastal from oceanic water. A tool that is capable of simultaneously measuring both salinity and dissolved organic matter (DOM) will be developed as part of the proposed research program. These measurements make it possible to clearly distinguish coastal from oceanic water.