Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.

Oceanit Test Systems, Inc.

Robert E Bourke

Patrick K Sullivan

Dayananda Vithanage

Christopher J Sullivan

Joanne S M Ebesu

Yoshitsugi Hokama

Warren E Takenaka

An immunological test kit suitable for the rapid detection of ciguatoxin and related low molecular weight lipid polyether marine toxins in fish tissues in the field, home or laboratory. The test procedure utilizes a synthetic membrane laminated onto one end of a solid plastic stick, which is immersed into alcohol with a piece of fish tissue. The membrane is then removed and dried thoroughly, then placed in the suspension of mixed colored beads coated with anti-ciguatoxin. The membrane is then rinsed in water and the intensity of the color compared with a standard range of colors formed (0-3&plus;). The color intensity is proportional to the concentration of toxin in the piece of tissue. The kit includes the synthetic membrane on a plastic stick, a suspension of mixed colored beads coated with anti-ciguatoxin antibody, testing instruments, and a supply of solvent.

Membrane immunobead assay for the detection of ciguatoxin and related polyether marine toxins

Ballast water is treated by applying ultrasonic frequencies to the water to kill organisms entrained in the water such as diatoms, veligers, fish larvae, plankton, and microorganisms, preventing the introduction of non-indigenous species between ports-of-call. The ballast water is circulated through a ballast treatment system. A pump is connected to a tube lined with a piezoelectric material for aiding in transmitting the ultrasonic frequencies connected to one or more ballast tanks of a ship. The use of the piezoelectric material as a lining allows a broad range of sound wavelengths and energy levels to be transmitted greater distances before problems with uniform sound penetration and energy loss within the sound field occur. Additionally, spatially-controllable, continuous constructive interference zones may be generated within the piezoelectric-lined tubes to specifically target the particular organisms entrained within the ballast water being treated. The treatment system includes a transducer pipe connected to diffusers and shrouds. The diffusers are closed at ends not connected to the pipe. The treatment system is provided in the ballast intake/drain device to route the ballast water through the treatment system. Ballast water is supplied through inlets in the shrouds into the diffuser which circulate the water through the tube which is lined with piezoelectric transducer material and then exhausted after treatment. The ultrasonic waves destroy organisms and prevent transfer of non-indigenous species between ports.

Ship ballast water ultrasonic treatment

A lysimeter has an elongated, relatively narrow sample pipe with flanges at upper and lower ends. A lysimeter assembly is connected to the lower end of the sample pipe by connecting an upper end of a central tube in the assembly to a lower end of the sample pipe. A circular lysimeter pan extends around the central tube. Vertical slits in the central tube provide a screen to permit water flow into the central tube from the pan but to prevent granular materials from the filter pack. Vertical webs in the pan rigidify the pan, and radial supporting webs and a ring beneath the pan support the pan. A relatively large diameter collection chamber has a spheroidal lower end and an upper end which receives the ring for centering the lysimeter pan at the upper end of the collection chamber. An outward and upward sloping flange at an upper end of the collection chamber with an elastic seal supports the lower conical wall of the lysimeter pan. A wick in the pan extends through slits in the central tube to wick water from the pan into the central tube and to flow water down along the inner wall of the central tube. The bottom of the central tube is open and is sloped, and an upward opening inner groove is formed around the lower end of the central tube. A drain tube is connected to a lower portion of the groove. A sampler is raised and lowered and positioned by a rod or chain extending through the sample pipe and central tube, so that a funnel at the upper end of a flask is aligned with the drain tube. Drain openings are provided in the canister bottom.

Lysimeter for collecting chemical samples from the vadose zone

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Honolulu, HI, United States of America

Robert E Bourke