GB2514609A - Water monitor/treatment apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A water treatment apparatus 10 comprises a filter 12, a biomonitor device 28, a treatment device 18, and a control device 38. The apparatus is operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter. The treatment device, such as an ultraviolet treatment device, is operable to treat the filtered water. The biomonitor device determines the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold and provides a data signal 36 to the control device in response thereto. The control device provides a control signal 39 relating to the data signal, for controlling the treatment of the filtered water by the treatment device. Preferably, the apparatus treats ballast water. The biomonitor device may have a flow cytometer 34 for quantifying and/or determining a species of the organisms. Suitably, the biomonitor device has a concentrator device, such as a dielectrophoresis device 30, for concentrating the organisms in the filtered water.

Description

Water Monitor/Treatment Anparatus and Method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a water monitor apparatus and method, and in particular although not exclusively, to a ballast water treatment apparatus and method.

Background

Large ocean going vessels such as container ships, tanker vessels or cruise ships use large volumes of ballast water. Typically the ballast water is taken from coastal waters in one region after the vessel has unloaded cargo, and discharged at another region when more cargo is loaded onto the vessel. Ballast water may contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms or biological material that can cause harm. These materials often include non-native, nuisance, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems. Ballast water poses a significant threat to the environment since it may contain invasive species which are discharged to sea. The cost for controlling invasive species is very high, for example of the order of tens ofbillions of Euros per year, and preventing invasive species from entering forei habitats is generally seen as the most appropriate solution.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) introduced standards relating to ballast water in 2004, and the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention is due to come into force from 2016.Various other international standards and regulations also exist which relate to ballast water such as those provided by the United States Coast Guard USCG), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Generally the IMO Convention standards are considered to be the more stringent.

A variety of different systems are currently used to treat ballast water either in situ on the vessel or using on-shore equipment after the ballast water has been pumped on-shore. The different systems are required to be reliable, and provide a sufficiently low ruiming cost. It is generally accepted that viable ballast water treatment consists of at least two stages targeting both macro and micro invasive species separately. Filtration is generally seen as the first stage to remove macro invasive species. The second stage is sterilisation to remove micro invasive species using apparatus such as electrolysis, Ultra Violet (UV), or chemical treatment.

A problem associated with the know ballast water treatment apparatus is that it may be detrimental to the environment or the vessel, and may have a high running cost. For example, electrolysis may cause corrosion of ballast tanks, and chemical treatment is generally less environmentally friendly. In addition, the known ballast water treatment apparatus may have a high running cost, for example, the known liv treatment apparatus requires frequent treatment of liv bulbs, their performance may be too sensitive to variable water parameters such as water turbidity and frigidity. In general the known ballast water treatment apparatus may have a low efficacy in difficult water conditions. Such problems may also exist with general water monitoring and treatment systems.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages of the previously known ballast water treatment systems and water monitoring systems.

Summary

What is required is a ballast water treatment apparatus and method which may reduce or minimise at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a ballast water treatment apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, a treatment device, and a control device, the apparatus being operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter, the treatment device being operable to treat the filtered water, the biomonitor device being operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold and to provide a data signal to the control device in response thereto, wherein the control device is operable to provide a control signal relating to the data signal, the control signal for controlling the treatment of the filtered water by the treatment device to treat the filtered water.

Such an apparatus may provide the advantage of a reduced operational cost of using the treatment whilst still providing a high efficacy under difficult water conditions. Such an advantage may be provided by the biomonitor device which in effect determines the amount of treatment that is required. The apparatus may use less energy and may require reduced maintenance. Such an apparatus provides the advantage of intelligently combining information from the biomonitor device with the operation of the treatment device in order to optimise the treatment dosage required so that the ballast water is within the predefined threshold. In this context the predef'ined threshold may relate to a watcr standard, such as thc IMO Convcntion, and may relate to a plurality of predeflncd thresholds. It will be appreciated that the apparatus sterilises or substantially sterilising the filtered water according to the predefrned standard in order to render the organisms inoperative. In the context of the invention the organisms may be a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, bacteria, cells, algae, microorganism, etc. Such organisms may also be termed yjable organisms.

Preferably the biomonitor device is operable to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined threshold. Preferably the control device is opcrablc to modify thc control signal to modify thc trcatmcnt by thc trcatmcnt devicc so that the treated water is within the predefined threshold. Such an arrangement provides the advantage that the apparatus is able to iteratively adjust the operation of the treatment device so that the organisms in the filtered water are with the predefined threshold.

Prcfcrably the biomonitor device has a conccntrator device for concentrating the organisms in the filtered water. Such a coilceiltrator device provides representative samples of the filtered water to be obtained for detection of organisms and may minimises disruption of the organisms to keep them alive so that they can be analysed.

The biomonitor device may have a staining device for staining particular organisms or cell components. Preferably the staining device is operable to stain live and/or dead organisms. Preferably the staining device is operable to use are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green. Such staining provides the advantage that the biomonitor is able to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water.

Preferably the biomonitor device has a flow cytometer for quantifying and!or determining a species of the organisms. Preferably the flow cytometer is operable to distinguish live andlor dead organisms. Such a flow cyctometer provides a way to quickly quantifying and!or detcrmining a specics of thc organisms.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a database for recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water andior the treated water. Preferably the database is provided as a tamper proof database. Such arrangements may permit vessel operators to show to regulators that thcy have complied with the regulations for ballast water treatment. In addition such arrangements may provide a quality control instrument to validate the operation of the apparatus in real time.

Prcferably the control devicc is operablc to substantially automatc the apparatus such that the filtered water is treated by the treatment device according to the predefined threshold whilst minimising or substantially reducing the treatment required by the treatment device.

Preferably the filter is opcrable to permit the passagc of organisms and objects having a dimension of less than SOmicrometres. Preferably the filter is operable to permit the passage of organisms and objects having a dimension of less than 2Omicrometres or less than I Omicrometres.

Preferably the biomonitor device is operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water and the treated water by taking water samples via one or more separate water ducts.

The concentrator device may be a Dieleetrophoresis (DEP) device. Preferably the DEP device is operable via negative DEP. Preferably the DEP device has a body with a channel through it for water. Preferably the channel has a trap for concentrating the organisms. Preferably the DEP device has an electrode array. Preferably the apparatus further includes a plurality of concentrator devices. Such an arrangement may provide the advantage of being able to provide the required rate of water flow through the biomonitor device.

Preferably the apparatus further includes one or more measurement devices to measure one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance. Preferably the one or more measurement devices are operable to provide water condition information to the control device, the control device being operable to modify the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment device to in response to the water condition information.

Such arrangements may assist with improving the operation of the apparatus.

Preferably the control device is operable to provide and/or receive information relating to water quality and/or biological conditions generated from other similar ballast water treatment apparatus. This may provide the advantage of being able to automatically and continuously populate a worldwide community of shared databases, which may provide additional useful information to vessel operators.

Preferably the treatment device is an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment device, and the control signal is for controlling the amount of energy to be imparted on the filtered water by the UV treatment device.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating ballast water using a ballast water treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, a treatment device, and a control device, the method including: filtering the water using the filter; t5 treating the filtered water using the treatment device; determining the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold using the biomonitor device; using the biomonitor device to provide a data signal to the control device in response to determining the presence of organisms; and using the control device to provide a control signal to control the treatment device in response to the data signal, the control signal for controlling the treatment of the filtered water by the treatment device.

Such a method may provide the advantage of a reduced operational cost of using the treatment whilst still providing a high efficacy under difficult water conditions. Such an advantage may be providcd by thc biomonitor device which in cffcct determines thc amount of treatment that is required. The method may use less energy and may require reduced maintenance. Such a method provides the advantage of intelligently combining information from the biomonitor device with the operation of the treatment device in order to optimise the dosage required so that the ballast water is within the predefined threshold.

Preferably the method further includes using the biomonitor device to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined threshold.

Preferably the method further includes using the control device to modify the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment device so that the treated water is within the predetined threshold. Such an arrangement provides the advantage that the method is able to iteratively adjust the operation of the treatment device so that the organisms in the filtered water are with the predefined threshold.

Preferably the method further includes using a concentrator device in the biomonitor device for concentrating the organisms in the filtered water. Such a concentrator device provides representative samples of the filtered water to be obtained for detection of organisms and may minimises disruption of the organisms to keep them alive so that they can be analysed.

The method may further include using a staining device in the biomonitor device for staining particular organisms or cell components. The method may further include using the staining device to stain live and/or dead organisms. Preferably the method further includes using are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green. Such staining provides the advantage that the biomonitor is able to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water.

Preferably the mcthod ifirther includes a flow cytometer in the biomonitor device for quantifying and/or determining a species of the organisms. Such a flow cyctometer provides a way to quickly quantifying and/or determining a species of the organisms.

Preferably the method further includes distinguish live and/or dead organisms using the flow cytometer. t5

Preferably the method further includes recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water and/or the treated water in a database. Preferably the method frirther includes providing the database as a tamper proof database. Such arrangements may permit vessel operators to show to regulators that they have complied with the regulations for ballast water treatment. In addition such arrangements may provide a quality control instrument to validate the operation of the apparatus in real time.

Preferably the method further includes substantially automating the apparatus such that the filtered water is treated by the treatment device according to the predefrned threshold whilst minimising or substantially reducing thc trcatmcnt by thc treatment device.

Preferably the method further including using a Dielectrophoresis (DEP) device as the concentrator device.

Prcfcrably method further includes operating the DEP dcvicc using negative DEP.

Preferably the method further includes using a plurality of concentrator devices. Such an arrangement may provide the advantage of being able to provide the required rate of watcr flow through thc biomonitor dcvicc.

Preferably the method further includes measuring one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance. Preferably the method further includes using the control device to modify the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment dcvicc in response to the water condition information. Such arrangcmcnts may assist with improving the operation of the apparatus.

Preferably the method thrther includes providing and/or receiving information relating to water quality and/or biological conditions generated from other similar ballast water treatment apparatus. This may provide the advantage of being able to automatically and continuously populate a worldwide community of shared databases, which may provide additional useful information to vessel operators.

Preferably the method further includes using an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment device as the treatment device, wherein the control signal is for controlling the amount of energy to be imparted on the filtered water by the LV treatment device.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a water monitor apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, and a control device, the apparatus being operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter, the biomonitor device being operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold and to provide a data signal to the control device in response thereto, wherein the control device is operable to provide a control signal relating to the data signal, the control signal relating to a required treatment of the filtered water.

Such an apparatus may provide the advantage of a reduced operational cost of monitoring water under difficult water conditions. Such an advantage may be provided by the biomonitor device which in effect determines the amount of treatment that is required. Such an apparatus provides the advantage of intelligently combining information from the biomonitor device with treatment required so that the filtered water is within the predefined threshold. In this context the predefined threshold relates to a water standard, and may relate to a plurality of predefined thresholds.

Preferably the biomonitor device has a staining device for staining particular organisms or cell components.

Preferably the biomonitor device has a flow cytometer for quantifying and/or determining a species of the organisms. Preferably the flow cytometer is operable to distinguish live and/or dead organisms.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a database for recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water. Preferably the database is provided as a tamper proof database.

Preferably the staining device is operable to stain live and/or dead organisms. Preferably the staining device is operable to use are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, D1BAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.

Preferably the apparatus further includes one or more measurement devices to measure one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance. Preferably the one or more measurement devices are operable to provide water condition information to the control device, the control device being operable to modify the control signal in response to the water condition information.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of monitoring water using a water monitor apparatus, the apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, and a control device, the method including: filtering the water using the filter; determining the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold using the biomonitor device; using the biomonitor device to provide a data signal to the control device in response to determining the presence of organisms; and using the control device to provide a control signal in response to the data signal, the control signal relating to a required treatment of the filtered water.

Such a method may provide the advantage of a reduced operational cost of monitoring water under difficult water conditions. Such an advantage may be provided by the biomonitor device which in effect determines the amount of treatment that is required.

t5 Such an apparatus provides the advantage of intelligently combining information from the biomonitor device with treatment required so that the filtered water is within the predefined threshold. In this context the predefined threshold relates to a water standard, and may relate to a plurality of predefined thresholds.

Preferably method further includes using the biomonitor device to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined threshold.

Preferably the method further includes using a staining device in the biomonitor device for staining particular organisms or cell components.

Preferably the method further includes using a flow cytometer in the biomonitor device for quantifying and/or determining a species of the organisms. Preferably the method further includes distinguish live and!or dead organisms using the flow cytometer.

Preferably the method further includes recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water in a database. Preferably the method further includes providing the database as a tamper proof database.

Preferably the method further includes using the staining device to stain live and/or dead organisms. Preferably the method further includes using are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.

t5 Preferably the method further includes measuring one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance. Preferably the method further includes using the control device to modify the control signal in responsc to thc watcr condition information.

According to an alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a ballast water treatment apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment device, and a control device, the apparatus being operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter, the biomonitor device being operable to determine the presence of viable organisms in the filtered water according to a predefined standard and to provide a data signal to the control device in response thereto, wherein the control dcvicc is operable to control the UV treatment dcvicc with thc data signal to treat the filtered water so that it is within the predefined standard.

Any preferred or optional features of one aspect or characterisation of the invention may be a preferred or optional fcature of othcr aspects or characterisations of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows a process flow diagram for an apparatus according to an t5 embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a diagram of an electrode array for use with a dieleetrophoresis device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a diagram of a dielectrophoresis device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows experimental results for fluorescence microscopy of bacteria; and Figure 5 shows steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a process flow diagram for an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10. The first stage in the process is filtration of sea water using a filter 12, the sea water being taken from a ballast tank 14 of a ship.

Alternatively the ballast tank 14 shown in Figure 1 may be a first storage tank. The filter 12 is operable to remove macro invasive species and biological materials such as plants.

The apparatus is able to use different types of filter 12 with different pore sizes, which may allow the reduction of the back pressure and energy consumption for filtration. The water is drawn from the ballast tank 14 using a pump (not shown) for example a centrifugal pump, for delivering in the region of hundreds of cubic meters of water per hour. After the filter 12, the water passes to a sample point A, shown at 16, which is a first sample point. The water then passes to an Ultra Violet (LV) treatment device 18.

After the LV treatment device 18, the water passes to a sample point B, shown at 20, which is a second sample point. An inlet 22 to the apparatus 10 is shown before the filter 12. An outlet 24 from the apparatus 10 is shown after the second sample point 20, which delivers treated water as shown at 26, which may be a second storage tank of the ship or may represent delivery of the treated water back into the sea.

The apparatus 10 has a biomonitor device 28, which receives water from the first or second sample point 16, 20 at a rate of 6 litres per hour. The biomonitor device 28 operates to determine bacteria/cells. The biomonitor device 28 may have a concentrator device, such as a Dielectrophoresis (DEP) device 30, a staining device 32, and a flow cytometer 34. In another arrangement the DEP device 30 is omitted and the water from the sample points 16, 18 passes directly to the staining device 32 or the flow cytometer 34. Water from the first or second sample point 16, 20 passes in turn through the DEP device 32, the staining device 32, and the flow cytomctcr 34. Data is then output from the biomonitor device 28 as shown at 36 to a control system 38. The arrow 36 represents a data signal. The data is produced by the flow cytometer. The control system 38 interpreters the signals from the biomonitor device 28 and determines the biological eontcnt of thc water, and dctermines a required control signal 39 to send to the LV treatment device 18 to define the operating parameters thereof. The control signal 39 enables the IJV treatment device 18 to apply sufficient energy to neutralise the biological material. The control signal 39 contains information relating to the amount of liv energy to be imparted on the filtered water, which may include the amount of energy to be imparted on the filtered water and the length of time the water is to be treated by the LV treatment device 1.. For this purpose the amount of water flowing through the liv treatment device 18 may need to be adjusted using a water flow control means (not shown). Water from the biomonitor device 28 may be returned to the ballast tank 14. The control system 38 has a database 40 to record sampling events and parameters relating to the water taken from the first and second sample points 16, 20.

The control system 38 is a control device which is an intelligent control system with a data-logger provided by the database 40. In one arrangement the staining device 32 is bypassed as shown at 33 for samples from the DEP device 30 that are not required to be stained prior to being analysed by the flow cytometer 34. In one arrangement the control system 38 is provided as a computer such as a personal computer with a suitable user interface and also including the database 40.

The biomonitor device 28 is used to connt the viable organisms in order to regulate the functioning of the UV treatment device 18 to minimise power consumption whilst also meeting the IMO D2 standards shown in Table 1. The biomonitor device 28 provides an indication of the degree of contamination of the ballast water and the amount of LV treatment that is required. For the purposes of the apparatus 10, Table 1 may relate to one or more predefined thresholds.

Table 1: MO D2 standards for discharged ballast water.

Orqa:nistn cathory *Rguition* Pbnkton >50 pp ffl dmen&on <10 cesim Pinkton. 0-50 m <10 cetJm.

TOxicogenk Vbrio choterae 101 ni 01.39 C du5lOO ml Eschedcha coil <20 thffiO'3 mi lnteslthal Enleicocd 1.00 c& 1100 mi colcnw fOtmn}rg Ufl In operation of the apparatus 10, water is pumped through the filter 12, through the sample point 16, through the liv treatment device 18, through the sample point 20, and to the output 24. The filter 20 permits the passage of objects and bacteria'cells having a dimension of less than 50micrometres and optionally 20micrometres or lOmicrometres.

It will be appreciated that with such a filter 20 only the last four rows of Table I are relevant for analysis and treatment by the apparatus 10. Samples of the water are taken to at the first and second sample points 16, 20 and passed to the biomonitor device 28 via water ducts. The result from the flow cytometer 34 are processed by the control system which then controls the appropriate amount of energy to be imparted on the water by the UV treatment device 18.

t5 Typically the number of cells per millilitrc in ballast water is low, which means that before analysis of the water can be performed the cell concentration may be required to be increased. An alternative to concentrating the ballast water may be achieved using more sophisticated sampling techniques. In order to obtain representative samples at the first and second point 16, 20 for detection of viable bacteria/cells it is required to minimise disruption of the bacteria/cells during the concentration process to keep them alive. The operation of the biomonitor device 28 is described in further detail below.

Figure 2 shows a diagram of an electrode array 44 for use with the DEP device 30 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2 the electrode array 44 is an interdigitated electrode array.

The array 44 consists of twenty five pairs of gold or platinum electrodes with electrode widths and gaps of 5, 10, 15 or 20 micrometres on a borosilicate glass substrate 46.

Figure 3 shows a diagram of the DEP device 30 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 3 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 and 2 are shown with like reference numerals.

In Figure 3 the DEP device 30 has a body 51 with a channel 52 through it, which water from the first of second sample points 16, 20 can selectively flow as shown by the arrows 54. The channel 52 has a concentrator portion 56 at an inlet to the channel 52, and a trap 58 downstream of the concentrator portion 56. The channel 52 has the electrode array 44 on one side of it, and the trap 58 on the other side of it. The trap 58 is a wider part of the channel 52.

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the application of an Alternating Current (AC) in a non-uniform geometry and can be used for concentrating, manipulating and separating cells, bacteria, viruses, DNA, parasites and nanoparticles from an aqueous solution.

Dielectrophoretic forces arise when dipoles and multi-poles are exposed to spatially non-uniform electric fields. The force exerted depends on complex variables such as particle size, structure, and dielectric properties. These properties can vary dramatically, even between similarly sized biological targets. By exploiting these properties seemingly similar particles can be differentiated based on subtle distinctions. Since the water in the channel 52 is sea water which is saline, the use of positive DEP is not possible. The DEP device 30 uses negative DEP.

The DEP device 30 operates to supply a sufficiently concentrated sample of the water to the staining device 32, which has a sufficient concentration of bacteria/cells from the watcr. The DEP device 30 is an electrode-based diclcctrophorcsis (eDEP) dcvicc that works by generating a non-uniform high-frequency AC electric field between pairs of electrodes, i.e. the electrode array 44, that is in the channel 52. Together the specific properties of the electric field and the physical geometry of the electrodes can be used to focus, trap, concentrate, or sort particles and bacteria/cells so that they can be selectively controlled by differences in the charges on their membranes at a given AC t5 frequency, which causes them to behave differently from each other. Since the electrical properties of a cell are highly dependent on membrane integrity, selection can be based on bacterial viability.

In operation the DEP device 30 pushes bacteria/cells in the flow of water away from the electrode array 44 under negative DEP. A bacteria/cells is shown at 60 upon entering an inlet to the channel 52. As the bacteria/cells moves through the channel 52 they are pushed away from the electrode array 44, as shown at 62. The bacteria/cells continue to move through the channel 52 in the flow of water and enter the trap 58 as shown at 64.

Over time many bacteria/cells collect in the trap 58. It will be appreciated that the trap 58 is a cavity on the opposite side of the channel 52 to the electrode array 44. When the current in the electrode array 44 is switched off, the bacteria/cells elute in the flow of water in the channel 52. That is, the bacteria/cells are release and move back into the flow and continue in the water flow and are more concentrated in the water. In this manner the DEP device 30 operates as a bacteria/cell trapping and concentration device by deflecting the bacteria/cells in the water flow towards the trap 58 or cavity. Reynolds numbers have been calculated for several examples of such channels 52 together with expected flow rates, and it has been found that they have values <I. This means that flows in thc channel 52 and around thc trap 58 are unlikely to be turbulent.

The DEP device 30 is operable with a relatively high flow rate, which is particularly the ease when many DEP devices 30 are used in parallel. In addition the DEP device 30 is robust, scalable and inexpensive, and is able to concentrate a wide variety of microorganisms without affecting their viability, or at least having a minimal affect on their viability. Furthermore the DEP device 30 is operable over a wide range of salinities and temperatures, and is relatively resistant to bio-fouling and clogging when used in conjunction with the filter 12. Since the DEL' device 30 utilizes electronic signals to control it, the technology is capable of extensive automation, and is portable.

Alternative DEL' technologies include contactless DEL', curvature-induced DEL', insulator-based DEP and insulator-gradient DEP. Each type of DEP technology has been developed to overcome some of the shortcomings of traditional in-channel eDEP including impacts on the sample due to heating, clogging and fouling.

Contactiess DEP (cDEP) uses an electric field generated in the channel 52 using electrodes inserted into two additional side channels filled with a conductive solution.

These are separated from the sample channel by thin insulating barriers. An electric field is produced in the sample channel by applying an AC field across the side channels, and electric field gradients can be enhanced and modified using insulating structures within the sample channel. The absence of contact between the electrodes and the sample inside the fluidic channels avoids any contaminating effects the electrodes may have on the sample. As the side channels and the fluidic channels arc fabricated on the same layer, it is possible to produce relatively inexpensive and disposable eDEP devices amenable to mass fabrication techniques.

Curvature-induced dielectrophoresis (c-iDEP) is characterised by the unique geometry of the sample channel which bends through 90 degrees at the point where the electric field is produced. The method exploits the curvature of insulating walls to electrically t5 control particle and cell motions in the curved sample channels via both dielectrophoretic motion and streamwise electrokinetic particle motion. This leads to different particle trajectories dependent upon the intrinsic particle properties, including size, charge and electric conductivity. Using c-iDEP eliminates the need for in-channel fabrication of electrodes or micro-insulators and hence reduces the probability of device fouling. Moreover, the use of a curved channel reduces the footprint of a particle/cell focuser or separator.

Insulator-Based DEP (iDEP) is a technique where the voltage is applied using only two electrodes that straddle an insulating structures array. Various implementations of iDEP include features such as glass beads, insulating hurdles, and curved channels. Other approaches use arrayed features like uniformly sized insulating posts within a straight microchanncl. In each of these cases, insulating features induce non-uniformities in the electric field to create the dielectrophoretic forces. When an electric field is applied across such an array, the presence of the insulating structures create regions of higher and lower field strength known as dielectrophoretic traps. Insulator-based DEP systems do not lose their functionality despite fouling effects, which makes them more suitable for biological applications. Such IDEP systems can also be fabricated from a wide varicty of matcrials, including plastics, leading to inexpensive systems, increasing their potential for high throughput applications.

Insulator-Gradient DEP (i-gDEP) utilizes a series of varied insulating features along a channel wall. A channel having a tapered saw tooth design with aligned and opposing teeth creating a series of successively narrower gaps or gates through which fluid and t5 particles must pass. The slight difference in geometry at each set of teeth causes particles to experience increasing local DEP forces as they travel through the channel. A given particle driven down-channel by electrokinetic forces will encounter multiple, distinct DEP traps of increasing strength, until it rcachcs a trap strong enough to block its progressive translational motion. In this way, multiple classes of particles may be captured and spatially resolved within the confines of a single continuous channel and within a single experimental run. Such a tapered saw tooth channel is able to separate and capture viable and non-viable cells within a single channel. Live cells are captured first, in weaker DEP traps, while dead cells arc captured downstream in stronger DEP traps.

The use of the DEP device 30 allows selective concentration of one or more species of livc bacteria from a sampled stream of ballast water, and release of thc concentrated bacteria continuously or in batches. The DEP device 30 also allows concentration of the sample taken at the first and second sample points 16, 20 to be statistically representative which can be analysed in a short time period downstream of the DEP device 30.

It is to bc notcd that as well as limiting thc DEP device 30 to ncgativc DEP, thc high conductivity of sea water also has the effect of increasing the heat generated when a voltage is applied. Controlling the temperature maybe necessary to maintain viability of thc bactcrialcclls and ensurc that DEP forccs arc not overcome by thermodynamic effects. Cooling can be achieved with a low power peltier cooling device, although heating may bc mitigated by the small size of the DEP device 30 and reducing the applied voltage.

The dimensions of the channel 52 and therefore flow rates through the channel 52 are limitcd by thc proximity of thc clcctric field to thc clcctrodcs and thc particle levitation height in the water flow. Such a levitation height may be in the region of 20 to 50 micrometres at an applied voltage to the electrode array 44 of 10 Volts. Such parameters require the channel 52 to have a maximum channel height of about 50 micrometres.

Scaling up this type of device for the flow rates required for the ballast water treatment requires a plurality of DEP devices 30 operating in parallel.

The DEP device 30 described above is operable to selectively sort and manipulate bacteria/cells according to their type and viability. The DEP device 30 traps and conccntratc bacteria!cclls quickly using a flow rate in thc channel 52 of thc ordcr of millilitres!minute from a relatively large volume of water, for example many litres of water. The concentrated bacteria/cells are then subsequently stained and analysed using the staining device 32 and the flow cytometer 34 as described below.

The flow cytometer 34 rapidly separates populations into individual cells and charactcrises thcm according to properties such as forward scatter (which indicates geometry), and fluorescence. By staining cells with appropriate dyes, flow cytometry is able to classify cells according to cell type and different cellular functions. A number of stains havc becn dcvcloped which can bc uscd to distinguish bctwccn viablc and non-viable cells in the flow cytometer 34.

Using triggering functions in software that controls the function of the flow cytometer 34 it is possible to automatically remove all particles from the particle analysis using size based differentiation. Whereas the flow cytometer 34 may produce a large amount of data, the apparatus 10 only requires a fcw specific triggers to dctcrminc whethcr to increase or decrease the water flow rate through the UV treatment device 18, thereby 2) changing the residency time of the water in the chamber and hence the exposure to liv treatment.

The staining device 32 uses different stains to distinguish between live and!or dead bacteria/cells in the concentrated sample provided by the DEP device 30. The stained sample is then passed to the flow cytometer 34 for analysis. The stains used by the staining device 32 are one or more of SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green which are green fluorescent stains that stain both live and dead Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These stains are used to stain all bacteria and can be used to estimate total populations. Total bacteria numbers are a good indicator of changes in water quality through various treatments.

In order to comply with IMO regulations the numbers of viable organisms are required to be evaluated. In order to do this stains arc required that assay for specific cellular functions. A green fluorescent dye such as Ethidium bromide is able to cross the cytoplasmic membrane and bind nucleic acids, but is removed from active cells by a non-specific ATP-indepcndent proton antiport transport system, thereby labelling only inactive cells. Propidium iodide is a red fluorescent dye which is only able to enter cells when their cytoplasmic membrane is disrupted, and intercalates with dsDNA. The stain DiBAC4(3) is a green fluorescent lipophilic dye which stains proteins and membranes in depolarised cells or those with disrupted cytoplasmic membranes. The stain 2-NDBG is a green fluorescent glucose analogue which accumulates in active cells through transport via a glucosc-spccific transporter.

Deactivation of cellular functions by exposure to UV treatment follows a typical pattem, whereby ATPase activity is lost, leading to a loss of proton gradient, followed by loss of membrane potential and glucose uptake. Finally, there is loss of membrane integrity and the cytoplasmic membrane becomes permeable. Loss of membrane potential correlates strongly with decreased culturability, even in conditions which enable recovery of injured cells. The staining device 32 of the biomonitor device 28 utilises a LIVE/DEAD BACLIGFIT'M system (available from Invitrogen Inc.) that combines SYTO 9, which labels both live and dead bacteria with green fluorescence, together with propidium iodide, which labels only dead cells with red fluorescence. In this way, viable bacteria/cells can be identified by green staining in the absence of red staining. The performance of the LIVE/DEAD BACLIGHTTh{ viability kit and SYTOX Green was tested with organisms under a range of water conditions. Both types of stain performed well which included sea water of variable salinity, suspended oil and suspcndcd solids. The LIVE/DEAD BACLIGHTIM rcagcnts are available in desiccated form, and are stable at ambient temperature for at least a year. This has a significant advantage for a reagent that is likely to be stored under less than ideal conditions aboard ships.

Prorocentrum minimum is widely distributed in estuaries and coastal waters and is able to form algal blooms that form >90% of phytoplankton biomass. Cultured Prorocentnim minimum was used to evaluate staining with SYTOX Green. It was found that staining dead cells with SYTOX Green while monitoring chlorophyll fluorescence in the red channel is currently the most reliable method for assessing phytoplankton viability.

Both SYTOX Green and the LTVE/DEAD BACLIGHT reagents utilise simple incubation protocols that do not require washes, which is advantageous for automation of the apparatus 10.

Figure 4 shows experimental results for Fluorescence microscopy of bacteria incubated in either sea water or 70% isopropanol for 60 minutes, followed by staining with the LIVE/DEAD BACLIGHTThI reagents. The images show the results of staining viable and nonviable populations of E. faecalis and V. Cholera, and show that the bacteria were killed by incubation in 70% isopropanol for 60 minutes (controls were incubated in sea water). Both viable and nonviable bacteria appeared green, and nonviable bacteria stained red due to propidium iodide being able to cross the bacterial membrane. This differential staining allows discrimination between viable and nonviable populations in samples. In the flow cytometer 34, these differences in labelling can be exploited by plotting red fluorescence against green fluorescence for individual particles. Bacteria treated with isopropanol showed an increase in red fluorescence compared to those trcatcd with sea water only.

Sea water varies in salinity from about S ppt (brackish, estuarine water) to about 35 ppt (open ocean). It was found that staining of V. cholera, but not E. faccalis decreased sharply in water of salinity <5 ppt. It was also found that varying salinity between 0 and ppt had little effect on staining with 20 pM SYTOX Green. However, staining with low concentrations of SYTOX Green was reduced at 35 ppt compared to S ppt.

Experimental results have shown that the LIVE/DEAD BACLIGHT" viability stains were found to perform well in distinguishing viable from nonviable bacteria across a range of marine water conditions.

The flow cytometer 34 operates using a focused laser to produce multiple light scattering and fluorescence properties from individual cells while passing the focussed laser at high speed. Using flow cytometry the biomonitor 28 is able to count and measure bacterial/cell populations. The flow cytometer 34 is automated to monitor the water quality from the sample provide via the staining device 32 or the DEP device 30.

The flow cytometer 34 needs to distinguish between live and dead bacteria, but in effect only needs to detect viable cells in the water. Following the IJV treatment device 18 the water is sampled again at the second sample point 20 and tested using the biomonitor device 28 to count the viable cells using the flow cytometer 34. Using the flow cytometer 34 to detect viable bacterialcells before and after the treatment of the water by the LV treatment device 18 provides a way to veri' that the water quality is within the parameters defined by the IMO. If the analysis at the second sample point 20 shows that the water quality is outside the parameters defined by the IMO, this information is used to regulate power, i.e. increase power, to the LV treatment device 18 to improve the sterilisation process, or modify the length of time that the water is within the LV treatment device 18. The flow cytometer 34 allows several identifiable groups of more or less similar particles, i.e. one species to be singled out and identified, so that appropriate LV treatment can be performed.

The LV treatment device 18 is an electromagnetic (EM) wave powered LV plasma chamber, which is electrodeless. The EM wave is a microwave. Such a UV treatment device 18 is a UV radiation source, and has an increased internal reflectance of the liv light. Exposing organisms to LV treatment is an effective way to treat a wide range of organisms and its effectiveness varies with type, size and morphology of the organism.

It will be appreciated that liv treatment device 18 operates to sterilise, i.e. kill, or at least partially disable or render ineffective the bacteria/cells. Experiments have shown that using a petri-dish containing a microbial suspension the required liv energy to provide effective treatment is of the order of 2 to lOmJ!cm2 for between I to 6 minutes.

With other microbial samples of petri-dishes containing pond water the required LV energy to provide effectively treatment is of the order of 130 to 200mJ/cm2 for between I to 6 minutes. In one arrangement the IJV energy may be up to 500mJ/cm2 for between 1 to 6 minutes to providc the rcquircd sterilisation. Typically with such an intcnsity of IA' treatment the apparatus may be able to kill or substantially kill all biological materials including plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria, other microorganisms or biological material that can cause harm, or that may be within the water. There might be unknown biological material that is killed/deactivating without necessarily knowing it.

It will be appreciated that physical conditions of the water such as turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance may havc an effect on thc required level of IJV treatment, and the apparatus 10 may also have measurement devices or sensors to determine such physical conditions. Such measurement devices will be known to the skilled person. The apparatus 10 may use thc measurcmcnts to optimisc thc amount of UV energy imparted to the water by the IJV treatment device 18. The control system 38 is capable of optimising the UV energy output from the UV treatment device 18 based on feedback from the bio-monitor 28 and other sensors of the apparatus 10 that measure parameters such as temperature and liv light transmittance of the water.

Optimising the opcration of the UV treatment dcvicc 18 aims to cnsure thc removal of unwanted organisms, e.g. microbes, in the water. The reduction of organisms due to the 2) IJV treatment device 18 is monitored with the bio monitoring device 28 by sampling at the second sample point 20. The apparatus 10 operates to find the right balailce between UV treatment stringency and microorganism load and aims to ensure the ability to use the optimal liv light amount required for a particular task. Such an apparatus may at least partially avoid the wasting of energy in treating water that can be treated with a lower dosage of UV light, which may help to keep operational costs to an acceptable level.

Figure 5 shows steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 70. It will be appreciated that the steps may be performed in a different order, and may not necessarily be performed in the order shown in Figure 5.

The method 70 is a method of treating ballast water using a ballast water treatment apparatus comprising a filter 12, a biomonitor device 28, a treatment device 18, and a control device 38. The method includes filtering the water using the filter 12, treating the filtered water using the treatment device 18, determining the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold using the biomonitor device 28, using the biomonitor device 28 to provide a data signal 36 to the control device 38 in response to determining the presence of organisms, and using the control device 38 to provide a control signal 39 to control the treatment device 18 in response to the data signal 36, the control signal 39 for controlling the treatment of the filtered water by the UV treatment device 18, as shown at 72.

The method further includes using the biomonitor device 28 to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined threshold, as shown at 74. The method further includes using the control device 38 to modify the control signal 39 to modify the treatment by the treatment device 18 so that the treated water is within the predefined threshold, as shown at 76.

The method further includes using a concentrator device 30 in the biomonitor device 28 for concentrating the organisms in the filtered water, as shown at 78. The method further includes using a staining device 32 in the biomonitor device 28 for staining particular organisms or cell components, as shown at 80. The method frirther including operating the DEP device 30 using negative DEP. The method further including using a plurality of concentrator devices 30. The method further includes using a flow cytometer 34 in the biomonitor device 28 for quantifying and/or determining a species of the organisms, as shown at 82. The method further including distinguish live and/or dead organisms using thc flow cytomctcr 34.

The method further including recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water and/or the treated water in a database 40, as shown at 84. The method further including providing the database as a tamper proof database.

t5 The method further including substantially automating the method 70/apparatus 10 such that the filtered water is treated by the treatment device 18 according to the predefined threshold whilst minimising or substantially reducing the treatment by the treatment device 18, as shown at 86.

The method further includes using a Dielectrophoresis (DEP) device 30 as the concentrator device 30.

Thc method further including using the staining device 32 to stain live and/or dead organisms. The method further including using are one or more of the specific stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.

The method frirther including measuring one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance, as shown at 88. The method frirther including using the control device 38 to modified the control signal 39 to modify the amount of energy imparted by the treatment device 18 in response to the water condition information. The method furthcr including providing and/or rccciving information relating to water quality and/or biological conditions generated from other similar ballast water treatment apparatus 10.

The method further including using an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment device 18 as the treatment device 18, wherein the control signal is for controlling the amount of energy to be imparted on the filtered water by the liv treatment device 18.

The apparatus and method described above is an automated system for measuring and treating ballast water in a vessel based on a measured level of bio material in the ballast watcr, and also taking into account UV light transmittance and salinity of thc watcr. The apparatus and method may be described as "on line" in that they operate in situ on the vessel in an automated way when the vessel is ballasting or de-ballasting, so that the intensity of the UV treatment provided by the UV treatment device 18 is automatically adjusted based on the process flow diagram shown in Figure 1, and the method diagram of Figure 5. The apparatus and method may also be used during a voyage of the vessel the ballast water is already in the ballast tanks of the vessel. It will be appreciated that the apparatus and method utilise a feedback mechanism whereby untreated water is sampled at the first sample point 16, then the untreated water is treated at the liv treatment device 18, then the treated water is sampled at the second sample point 20. If the treated water at the second sample point is not within the required IMO regulations the UV treatment device 18 is adjusted.

It will be appreciated that in the treatment stage of the apparatus 10, i.e. the UV treatment device 18 which is between the first and second sample points 16, 20, there arc no chemical used to treat the water.

Vessel operators may be required to show to regulators that they have complied with the IMO regulations for ballast water treatment. In this regard the data-logger provided by the database 40 may be used to confirm and validate system compliance by providing a date and time stamp for a sample which confirms that measured blo activity is within the parameters defined by the IMO regulations. The data-logger and the database 40 are configured to be tamper-proof such that when source data has been generated it cannot be adjusted or changed. The data recorded may be encrypted. In effect the apparatus may be used to validate system compliance with the IMO regulations and provide a quality control instrument to validate system efficacy in real time. The apparatus may be used to automatically and continuously populate a worldwide community of shared secure databases 40 relating to water quality and biological conditions generated from local data, which is continually updated by all such installed systems from separate vessels.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus 10 shows individual components, such as the DEP 30 shown in Figure 1, which comprise a plurality of DEP devices. In addition more than one apparatus 10 may operate in parallel to treat the same body of ballast water. Such arrangements are aimed at providing a greater through flow of water.

It will be appreciated that whereas a liv treatment device is described above, the apparatus 10 and method 70 may be operable to work with other types of treatment device.

Furthermore, whereas the apparatus 10 is described for use with ballast water it will be appreciated that the filter 12, the biomonitor device 28, and a control device 38 may be operable as a separate unit for integration into other water monitoring or treatment apparatus. Such an arrangement may be termed a water monitor apparatus and provide a method of monitoring water using the water monitor apparatus. The water monitor apparatus is operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter 12, the biomonitor device 28 being operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold and to provide a data signal 36 to the control device 38 in response thereto. The control dcvice 38 is operable to provide a control sial 39 relating to the data signal 36, where the control signal 39 relates to a required treatment of the filtered water.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS1. A ballast water treatment apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, a treatment device, and a control device, the apparatus being operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter, the treatment device being operable to treat the filtered water, the biomonitor device being operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold and to provide a data signal to the control device in response thereto, wherein the control device is operable to provide a control signal relating to thc data signal, thc control signal for controlling the trcatment of the filtered water by the treatment device to treat the filtered water.
2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biomonitor device is operable to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined thrcshold. t5
3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control device is operable to modify the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment device so that the trcatcd watcr is within thc prcdcfincd threshold.
4. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the biomonitor device has a concentrator device for concentrating the organisms in the filtered water.
5. 5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein thc biomonitor device has a staining device for staining particular organisms or cell components.
6. 6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the biomonitor device has a flow cytomctcr for quantifring and/or determining a species of the organisms.
7. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flow cytometer is operable to distinguish live andlor dead organisms.
8. 8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further including a database for rccording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered watcr and/or the treated water.
9. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the database is provided as a tamper proof database.t5
10. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control device is operable to substantially automate the apparatus such that the filtered water is treated by the treatment device according to the predefined threshold whilst minimising or substantially reducing the trcatmcnt required by the treatment device.
11. 11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter is operable to permit the passage of organisms and objects having a dimension of less than 50mierometres.
12. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the filter is operable to permit the passage of organisms and objects having a dimension of less than 2Omicrometres.
13. 13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the biomonitor device is operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water and the treated water by taking water samples via one or more separate water ducts.
14. 14. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the concentrator device is a Dielcctrophorcsis (DEP) device.
15. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the DEP device is operable via negative DEP.
16. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the DEP device has a body with a channel through it for water.
17. 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the channel has a trap for concentrating the organisms.
18. 18. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 -17, wherein the DEP device has an electrode array.
19. 19. An apparatus according to any of claims 4 and 14 -18, and further including a plurality of concentrator devices.
20. 20. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the staining device is operable to stain live and!or dead organisms.
21. 21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the staining device is operable to use are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.
22. 22. An apparatus according to any prcccding claim, and frirther including one or more measurement devices to measure one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance.
23. 23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the one or more measurement devices are operable to provide water condition information to the control device, the control device being operable to modify the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment device to in response to the water condition information.
24. 24. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control device is operable to provide and/or receive information relating to water quality and/or biological coilditions generated from other similar ballast water treatmeilt apparatus.26. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment device is an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment device, and the control signal is for controlling the amount of energy to be imparted on the filtered water by the UV treatment device.27. An apparatus as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 -3 of the accompanying drawings.28. A method of treating ballast water using a ballast water treatment apparatus, the apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, a treatment device, and a control device, the method including: filtering the water using the filter; treating the filtered water using the treatment device; determining the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold using the biomonitor device; t5 using the biomonitor device to provide a data signal to the control device in response to determining the presence of organisms; and using the control device to provide a control signal to control the treatment device in response to the data signal, the control signal for controlling the treatment of the filtered water by the treatment device.29. A method according to claim 28, and thither including using the biomonitor device to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined threshold.30. A method according to claim 29, and further including using the control device to modify the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment device so that the treated water is within the prcdcfincd threshold.31. A method according to any of claims 28, 29 or 30, and further including using a concentrator device in the biomonitor device for concentrating the organisms in the filtered water.32. A mcthod according to any of claims 28 -31, and further including using a staining device in the biomonitor device for staining particular organisms or cell components.33. A method according to any of claims 28 -32, and further including a flow cytomctcr in the biomonitor device for quantifying and!or determining a species of the organisms.34. A method according to claim 33, and further including distinguish live and/or dcad organisms using thc flow cytomctcr.35. A method according to any of claims 28 -34, and further including recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water and!or the treated water in a database.36. A method according to claim 35, and further including providing the database as a tamper proof database.37. A method according to any of claims 28 -33, and further including substantially automating the apparatus such that the filtered water is treated by the treatment device according to the predefined threshold whilst minimising or substantially reducing the treatment by the treatment device.38. A mcthod according to claim 31, and further including using a Diclcctrophorcsis (DEP) device as the concentrator device.39. A method according to claim 38, and further including operating the DEP device using negative DEP.40. A method according to claim 31, 38 or 39, and further including using a plurality of concentrator devices.41. A mcthod according to claim 32, and further including using the staining device to stain live and/or dead organisms.42. A method according to claim 41, and flirther including using are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.43. A method according to any of claims 28 -42, and further including measuring one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance.44. A method according to claim 43, and further including using the control device to modi the control signal to modify the treatment by the treatment device in response to the water condition information.45. A method according to any of claims 28 -44, and flirthcr including providing and/or receiving information relating to water quality and/or biological conditions generated from other similar ballast water treatment apparatus.46. A method according to any of claims 28 -45, and further including using an Ultra Violet (UV) treatment device as the treatment device, wherein the control signal is for controlling the amount of energy to be imparted on the filtered water by the UV treatment device.47. A mcthod as substantially describcd hcrcin with refcrence to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.48. A water monitor apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, and a control device, the apparatus being operable to receive water and to filter it with the filter, the biomonitor device being operable to determine the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold and to provide a data signal to the control device in response thereto, wherein the control device is operable to provide a control signal relating to the data signal, the control signal relating to a required treatment of the filtered water.49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the biomonitor device has a staining device for staining particular organisms or cell components.50. An apparatus according to claim 48 or 49 wherein the biomonitor device has a flow cytomctcr for quantiring and/or determining a species of the organisms.51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the flow cytometer is operable to distinguish live andlor dead organisms.52. An apparatus according to any of claims 48 -51, and further including a database for recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water.53. An apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the database is provided as a tamper proof database.54. An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the staining device is operable to stain live and/or dead organisms.55. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the staining device is operable to use are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.56. An apparatus according to any of claim 48 -55, and further including one or more measurement devices to measure one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance.57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the one or more measurement devices are operable to provide water condition information to the control device, the control device being operable to modify the control signal in response to the water condition information.58. A method of monitoring water using a water monitor apparatus, the apparatus comprising a filter, a biomonitor device, and a control device, the method including: filtering the water using the filter; determining the presence of organisms in the filtered water relative to a predefined threshold using the biomonitor device; using the biomonitor device to provide a data signal to the control device in response to determining the presence of organisms; and using the control device to provide a control signal in response to the data signal, the control signal relating to a required treatment of the filtered water.59. A method according to claim 58, and further including using the biomonitor device to determine the presence of the organisms in the treated water relative to the predefined threshold.60. A method according to claim 59, and further including using a staining device in the biomonitor device for staining particular organisms or cell components.61. A method according to claim 58 or 59, and further including using a flow cytomctcr in the biomonitor device for quanti'ing and!or determining a species of the organisms.62. A method according to claim 61, and further including distinguish live and/or dead organisms using the flow cytometer.63. A method according to any of claims 58 -62, and further including recording the determination of the presence of organisms in the filtered water in a database.64. A method according to claim 63, and farther including providing the databasc as a tamper proof database.65. A method according to any of claims 58 -64, and further including using the staining device to stain live and/or dead organisms.66. A method according to claim 65, and further including using are one or more of the stains selected from Ethidium bromide, DiBAC4(3), 2-NDBG, propidium iodide, SYTOX Green, SYTO 9, SYTO 13 and SYBR Green.67. A method according to any of claims 58 -6, and further including measuring one or more water conditions of the filtered water and/or treated water relating to one or more of turbidity, salinity, temperature and light transmittance.68. A method according to claim 67, and further including using the control device to modify the control signal in response to the water condition information.