United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office Of Water
(WH-556-F)
EPA-503/4-9t/OOt
December 1990
Monitoring, Research,
And Surveillance Plan For
The 106-Mile Deepwater
Municipal Sludge Dump Site
And Environs
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FINAL
Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance
Plan for the 106-MSIe
Deepwater Municipal
Sludge Dump Site and Environs
Developed Jointly by
Environmental Protection Agency
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The United States Coast Guard
December 1990
xvEPA
United Stales
Environmental Protection
Afleney
200,
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ... ......................................... ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .... ........... . ............................. xi
UST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .............. . ............ xffi
1.0 INTRODUCTION .................. .... .......................... 1
1.1 HISTORY OF WASTE DISPOSAL AT THE 106-MILE SITE ........... 2
12 THE REGULATORY BASIS FOR MONITORING ................ 3
13 PREVIOUS MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SITE:
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EPA'S
MONITORING PLAN .......................................... 5
1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STRATEGY FOR MONITORING,
RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE ............................. 6
2.0 PAST MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SHE: RESULTS FROM
EPA'S MONITORING PLAN ....................................... 10
2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES ......... 10
2.1.1 Dissolved Oxygen ........................................ H
2.1.2 Trace Metals ............................................ 12
2.13 Organic Compounds ...................................... 12
2.1.4 Benthic Organisms ........................................ 12
2.L5 Plankton and Pelagic Organisms ............................. 13
2,1.6 Endangered Species .................................... ... 14
22 TIER 1: WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS . 14
Waste Characteristics ...................... ................ 14
222 Disposal Operations . ...................................... 17
23 TIER 2: NEARFTFT.D FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS .......... 18
23.1 Nearfield Fate ____ . .................................... 18
232 Shprt-Term Effects ................... . ........ '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 26
2.4 TIER 3: FARFIELD FATE ................. . ............ ....... 27
2^ TIER 4: LONG-TERM EFFECTS ................................ 31
m
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
3.0 CONTINUING MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE OF
THE 106-MILE SHE 34
3.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES 34
32 TIER 1: WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS . 34
3.2.1 Waste Characteristics 34
322. Disposal Operations 38
33 TIER 2: NEARFffiLD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS 39
3.4 TIER 3: FARFIELDFATE 41
3.4.1 Water-Mass Studies 42
3.4.2 Settling Studies 47
3.4.2.1 Mooring Locations and Design 47
3A22 Recommended Analysis of Trapped Material 53
3.43 Sediment Studies 55
3.43.1 Studies by the NOAA National Undersea Research Program .. 54
3.43.2 NMFS Sediment Studies 56
3.4.4 Modeling 58
3.5 TIER 4: LONG-TERM EFFECTS 59
3.5.1 Bioaccumulation Studies 60
3.5.2 Chitinoclastic Disease in Macrobenthic Crustaceans 66
3.53 Benthic Studies 67
3.5.4 Fish Distribution and Abundance 67
3.5.5 Sensitive Life Stage Studies 68
3.5.6 Pathogen and Biological Tracers of Sewage Sludge 68
3.5.7 Endangered Species Studies 69
4.0 SCHEDULE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA USE FOR THE 106-MILE
SITE MONITORING PLAN 70
4.1 MASTER SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM 70
42 COMMUNICATIONS AND DATA EXCHANGE 75
4.2.1 Quality Assurance Requirements 75
422 Reports and Information Exchange 76
423 Data Management and Archival 81
4.2.4 Expert Review of Plans and Results 82
425 Public Awareness 83
IV
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
43 USES OF MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DATA .. 83
43.1 Enforcement Actions 84
43.2 Changes in Permit Conditions 84
433 Changes in Monitoring Activities 84
5.0 REFERENCES 85
Appendix A STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE
Appendix B MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
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LIST OF TABLES
Page
TABLE 3-1. ANALYTICAL PARAMETERS INCLUDED IN ONGOING
TIER 1 MONITORING 36
TABLE 3-2. DEPTHS OF INSTRUMENTATION ON MOORED ARRAYS
TABLE 3-3. SUGGESTED PARAMETERS FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF
THE MATERIAL CAPTURED BY THE SEDIMENT TRAPS
TABLE 3-4. PARAMETERS THAT WELL BE DETERMINED BY NOAA IN
SF.PTMF.NT ORGANISMS COLLECTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE .
TABLE 4-1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH,
AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992
TABLE 4-2. SUMMARY OF REPORTS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED
UNDER THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH,
AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN
50
53
57
71
79
VI
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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1-1. LOCATION OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL
SLUDGE DUMP SHE 4
FIGURE 1-2. PREDICTIONS INCLUDED IN THE 1988 EPA
MONITORING PROGRAM 7
FIGURE 1-3. MONITORING TIERS ADDRESS PERMIT COMPLIANCE
AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 8
FIGURE 2-1. SIGHTINGS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES DURING
BASELINE MONITORING 15
FIGURE 2-2. CURRENT METER RESULTS BETWEEN JANUARY 1989
AND SEPTEMBER 1989 FROM EPA REAL-TIME CURRENT
METER MOORING AT THE 106-MILE SITE 21
FIGURE 2-3. WIDTH OF SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME
AFTER DUMPING 23
FIGURE 2-4. COPPER CONCENTRATIONS IN SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME
FOR PLUMES SAMPLED IN OCTOBER 1988 24
FIGURE 2-5. CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM OF DILUTION OF SLUDGE
PARCELS UNDER TWO MIXING CONDITIONS 25
FIGURE 2-6. TRAJECTORIES OF DRIFTERS RELEASED AT THE SITE 30
FIGURE 3-1. POSSIBLE STATIONS FOR CTD AND
DRIFTER DEPLOYMENTS 45
FIGURE 3-2.106-MILE SITE SEDIMENT TRAP MOORING LOCATIONS 48
FIGURE 3-3. MOORING DESIGN CURRENT METERS AND
SEDIMENT TRAP LOCATIONS 51
FIGURE 3-4. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA SEDIMENT AND TRAWL
STATIONS 62
FIGURE 3-5. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA MYCTOPHID
SURVEYS 65
FIGURE 4-1. MASTER SCHEDULE CONDUCTED AS OF OCTOBER 1990
FOR THE MONITORING, RESEARCH,
AND SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM 74
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LIST OF FIGURES (continued)
Page
FIGURE 4-2. TIER 2 AND TIER 3 MONITORING AND RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES, DATA SOURCES, DATA
PROCESSING REPORTS, AND SYNTHESIS 77
FIGURE 4-3. NOAA NMFS ODEA-FUNDED RESEARCH AND
MONITORING ACTIVITIES, DATA SOURCES,
REPORTS, AND DATA SYNTHESIS 78
viii
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 1972, the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA, Pub.L. 92-
532) was passed to regulate the disposal of wastes in the ocean. As amended, MPRSA is the
primary legislative authority directly related to ocean dumping. In 1988, Congress passed the
Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA) to end the practice of ocean dumping of sewage
sludge and industrial waste by December 31,1991. OBDA also required that the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), design a
monitoring program for the 106-Mile Site and the environs that may be impacted by the
dumping of sewage sludge. In addition to requiring increased monitoring of the area, the joint
Monitoring Plan required by ODBA was to include (1) sampling of an appropriate number of
fish and shellfish species and other organisms to assess the effects of environmental conditions
on living marine organisms in the areas of interest and (2) use of satellite and other advanced
technologies in conducting the program.
In responding to the ODBA requirements, EPA, NOAA, and the USCG convened a
workshop in Ocean City, New Jersey, March 28 - 30,1989, to address concerns about the
potential impact on fisheries and about the human health risks of disposing sewage sludge at
the 106-Mile Site, to assist in the process of identifying critical monitoring, research, and
surveillance needs relative to the 106-Mile Site, and to develop recommendations for future
research, monitoring, and surveillance activities at the 106-Mile Site.
Building on the previous EPA Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site plus input from the 106-
Mile Site Workshop, EPA/NOAA/USCG prepared the ODBA-required Monitoring Plan.
This document summarizes the activities, hypotheses, and implementation schedule that the
agencies have developed.
A key feature of the plan is the retention of the tiered monitoring approach of the previous
EPA Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site. In addition, many of the activities being
conducted under the EPA Monitoring Plan have been retained. However, an expanded
program to determine the transport and fate of sludge is presented. This expanded program
will use state-of-the-art physical oceanographic techniques such as satellite-tracked surface
drifters, satellite imagery of sea-surface temperature, expendable current profilers, and an
extensive sediment-trap program to evaluate the movement of sludge away from the dump
site. Also, a series of studies has been conceived to determine if sludge can be detected in
sediments located both near the site and at potential depositional areas away from the site.
Several studies of the potential effects of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site are also planned.
These will include measurement of sludge-related contaminants hi benthic organisms,
assessment of shellfish populations for the prevalence of shell disease, and evaluation of
midwater fish species for contaminants, plus other more specific studies.
Many of the activities to be conducted under this plan will be funded by fees and penalties
generated under ODBA. However, EPA and the NOAA National Underseas Research
Program (NURP) are supplying additional funds to support many of the planned activities.
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Section 1 of this plan summarizes the history of disposal at the 106-Mile Site, establishes the
regulatory basis for monitoring the site, reviews the hypotheses and monitoring activities
proposed under the EPA Monitoring Plan that preceded this plan, and discusses activities
occurring since the passage of ODBA that have resulted in the this joint EPA/NOAA/ USCG
Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance Plan for the 106-Mile Site and Environs. Results of
monitoring under the original EPA plan are summarized in Section 2 to provide a perspective
on the activities that will be conducted as part of the joint Monitoring Plan (discussed in
Section 3). Schedules for planned activities, communication and reports, and planned data
usage are given in Section 4.
Prior to finalizing the plan, a Federal Blue Ribbon Panel was convened by EPA/NOAA/
USCG to receive comments from a peer review of the draft plan. The comments received by
the panel have been incorporated in to this final plan.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This joint Monitoring Plan was prepared under the guidance of a working group composed of
scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and United States Coast Guard. Working group participants included
Mr. David Redford, EPA OMEP
Mr. Darrell Brown, EPA OMEP
Mr. Doug Pabst, EPA Region IE
Dr. Joel O'Connor, EPA Region H
Mr. Hal Walker, EPA ERLN
Dr. Andrew Robertson, NOAA OAD
Dr. Hank Frey, NOAA NOS
Dr. Frank Aikman, NOAA NOS
Dr. Kurt Hess, NOAA NOS
Dr. Hal Stanford, NOAA NOS
Mr. Stan Chanesman, NOAA NMFS
Dr. Jack Pearce, NOAA NMFS
Mr. Richard Lyons, USCG
Dr. Carlton Hunt, Battelle
Dr. Scott McDowell, Battelle
Dr. Van Waddell, SAIC
Additional technical input and information concerning planned research program
were provided by
Dr. Robert Murchelano, NOAA NMFS
Mr. Jay O'Reilly, NOAA NMFS
Dr. Merton Ingham, NOAA NMFS
Dr. Carl Sinderman, NOAA NMFS
Dr. Harris White, NOAA NOS
Mr. David Duane, NOAA NURP
Dr. Richard Cooper, University of Connecticut
Dr. Fred Grassle, Rutgers University
Drs. Christine Werme and Carlton Hunt of Battelle Ocean Sciences drafted the original text
and addressed comments of the working group. An intensive review of the joint Monitoring
Plan was conducted by
Dr. Pierre Biscaye, Lament Daugherty Geological Observatory
Dr. Paul Boehm, Arthur D. Little, Inc.
Dr. Judith Cappuzzo McDowell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Dr. Richard Cooper, The University of Connecticut
Dr. Fredrick Grassle, Rutgers University
Dr. Malcolm Spaulding, The University of Rhode Island
Dr. Larry Swanson, State University of New York, Stony Brook
XI
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The comments from these reviewers were received by a Federal Blue Ribbon Panel of
Experts convened by EPA, NOAA, and USCG. Members of the Federal Blue Ribbon Panel
include
Mr. David Redford, EPA
Mr. Bill Muir, EPA
Mr. Doug Pabst, EPA
Mr. Hal Walker, EPA
Dr. Andrew Robertson, NOAA
Ms. Nancy Foster, NOAA
Dr. Tom O'Connor, NOAA
Dr. Jack Pearce, NOAA
Mr. Richard Lyons, USCG
XII
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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AVHRR advanced very high resolution radiometer
CPUE catch per unit effort
CTD conductivity/temperature/depth
DDT dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FY90 fiscal year 1990
FY91 fiscal year 1991
LC50 lethal concentration for 50 percent of test organisms
LFM limited-area, fine-mesh
LPC limiting permissible concentration
MARMAP Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction [program]
MASAR Middle Atlantic Slope and Rise [program]
MPRSA Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
MOU memorandum of understanding
NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NODC National Ocean Data Center
NOS National Ocean Service
NRC National Research Council of Canada
NS&T National Status and Trends
NURP National Undersea Research Program
NWS National Weather Service
ODBA Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988
ODES Ocean Data Evaluation System
ODNF Ocean Dumping Notification Form
ODSS Ocean Dumping Surveillance System
PAH polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon
PC personal computer
PCB polychlorinated biphenyl
SEEP Shelf Edge Exchange Processes [program]
SST sea-surface temperature
USCG United States Coast Guard
UV ultraviolet
WQC water quality criteria
XBT expendable bathythermograph
XCP expendable current profiler
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The only ocean disposal site in the United States designated for dumping of sewage
sludge is the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Dump Site (106-Mile Site). In 1984, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the 106-Mile Site to receive municipal
sewage sludge. The site designation expires in March 1991. Currently, sludge from the New
York/New Jersey Metropolitan area is dumped at the site. Disposal operations were
transferred from the 12-Mile Site, located in the New York Bight, beginning in 1986. By late
1987, all authorities permitted to conduct ocean disposal of sewage sludge were using the 106-
Mile Site.
During 1986 and 1987, EPA developed a draft Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site
(Battelle 1988a,b). This joint Monitoring Plan was designed to develop information on
potential adverse effects of sludge on marine life and human health and to gain information
regarding continued site management and permitting. Under this plan, EPA conducted
baseline studies plus several surveys designed to evaluate nearfield fate and short-term effects.
In November 1988, Congress passed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA)
that ends ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste by 1991, or as soon after as
possible. One of. the requirements of ODBA is that EPA, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) design a
monitoring program for the 12-Mile Site, the 106-Mile Site, the industrial-waste sites, and
other areas that might be impacted by dumping. The required monitoring program is to
include (1) sampling an appropriate number of fish and shellfish species and other organisms
to assess the effects of environmental conditions on living marine organisms in these areas
and (2) use of satellite and other advanced technologies in conducting the program. ODBA
also requires the payment of fees and penalties by those holding permits to dispose of sludge
at the 106-Mile Site. A portion of these fees goes to EPA and NOAA to conduct monitoring
and research, and to the USCG to conduct surveillance operations.
This document responds to the ODBA requirement for increased monitoring by
presenting a joint EPA, NOAA, and USCG Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance Plan for
the 106-Mile Site (joint Monitoring Plan). Activities to be conducted under this plan will be
funded in part by fees and penalties generated under ODBA. However, the EPA and NOAA
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National Underseas Research Program (NURP) are supplying additional funds to support
many of the activities proposed in this plan.
The plan is presented in four sections. Section 1 develops the history of disposal at
the 106-Mile Site, establishes the regulatory basis for monitoring the site, reviews the previous
EPA Monitoring Plan, and discusses activities since the passage of ODBA that have resulted
in the joint Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site. A summary of results gathered under the
EPA 106-Mile Site Monitoring Plan is presented in Section 2 to provide a perspective on the
activities that will be conducted as part of the joint Monitoring Plan, discussed in Section 3.
Schedules for planned activities, communication, reports, and planned data usage are
presented in Section 4.
1.1 HISTORY OF WASTE DISPOSAL AT THE 106-MILE SITE
Designation of the 106-Mile Site resulted from the EPA decision to end municipal
sludge disposal at the 12-Mile Site, located within the apex of the New York Bight. The 12-
Mile Site had been used for disposal of municipal sludges since 1924. From 1981 until the
106-Mile Site was designated in 1984, sludge was dumped at the 12-Mile Site under a court
order resulting from City of New York v. EPA, 543 Supp. 1084 (S.D.N.Y. 1981).
When the 106-Mile Site was designated, the sewerage authorities involved negotiated a
court-ordered schedule to shift operations offshore. Phasing out the use of the 12-Mile Site
and phasing in the use of the 106-Mile Site took place during 1986-1987. The nine sewerage
authorities that use the site are
Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities, New York
Bergen County Utilities Authority, New Jersey
Joint Meeting of Essex and Union County, New Jersey
Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority, New Jersey
Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority, New Jersey
Middlesex County Utilities Authority, New Jersey
Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority, New Jersey
Nassau County Department of Public Works, New York
New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York
Although the 106-Mile Site was not designated until 1984, it had been used for past disposal.
Originally, it was part of a larger disposal site. Approximately 500 nmi2 (al715 km7') in area,
that site had been used since 1961 for disposal of chemical wastes and other materials. The
original large site came under EPA regulation in 1978, and in 1982 EPA published its
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intention of formal designation. However, concern that mixed dumping of municipal sludges
and industrial wastes would complicate monitoring efforts led to a decision to designate two
smaller sites within the larger one. The resulting 106-Mile Site is approximately 100 nmi2
(«343 km2), with boundaries at 38°40'00* to 39°00'00" north latitude and 72°00'00" to
72°05'00" west longitude. Its location is approximately 120 nmi southeast of Ambrose Light,
New York, and 115 nmi (w213 km) from Atlantic City, New Jersey (Figure 1-1).
The Deepwater Industrial Waste Site was also designated within the original larger site
in 1984. The Deepwater Industrial Waste Site is circular, with a radius of 3 nmi and a center
at 38°40'00* north latitude and 72°20'00" west longitude. The area of the site is
approximately 28 nmi2. It is located 120 nmi southeast from Ambrose Light and 105 nmi
from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Although the site was used during the late 1970s and early
1980s, no dumping now occurs at the Deepwater Industrial Waste Site. Any effects of waste
disposal at the site are thought to have been transient and short-lived, because concentrations
of wastes disposed at the site were reduced to very low levels within 2 h after dumping, and
waste plumes were small (O'Connor and Park, 1982).
Sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site now proceeds according to permits issued in 1989.
An estimated 8 to 9 million wet tons of sewage sludge is dumped at the site annually.
Although the general characteristics of the sludge will vary from plant to plant, the material
being dumped at the site is primarily biological sludge. Biological sludge may contain small
amounts of debris, such as grit, paper, and fibers. The sludges disposed at the site are
somewhat buoyant, comprising 2 to 4 percent solid material. The sludge contains trace levels
of organic contaminants, such as aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, DDT and its
degradation products, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Metals, including cadmium,
copper, chromium, and mercury, are also present at trace levels. The sludges are not
permitted to contain any floatable materials. EPA is requiring the permittees to sample
quarterly for floatables.
12 THE REGULATORY BASIS FOR MONITORING
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 presents the
U.S. policy to regulate the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters and to prevent
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77 '90' 78 °00' 75 °00' 74 °00' 73 °0(T 72 °00' 71-°00' 70 °00' 69 °00'
41800'
40s 00' -
39'00' -
33s 00
37«00' -
35"
°00' 76 °00' 75 °00' 74 "00' 73 °00' 72 °00' 71 °00' 70 °0()' 69
ifOO
FIGURE 1-1. LOCATION OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE
DUMP SHE
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or strictly limit the dumping of any material that would adversely affect human health,
welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic
potentialities. Acting under the MPRSA, EPA has published regulations and criteria for
ocean dumping. The most recent revisions to these regulations were published in 1977 (40
CFR Parts 220-229).
Under the MPRSA, EPA is responsible for (1) site designation—conducting disposal
site evaluation and designation studies and recommending modifications in site use or
designation; (2) permits—regulating times, rates, and methods of disposal and quantities and
types of materials that can be disposed; and (3) monitoring—developing and maintaining
effective monitoring programs. These three functions are interrelated and are intended to
prevent unreasonable degradation of the environment. The MPRSA also directs NOAA to
conduct monitoring and long-range research on the effects of ocean dumping. The MPRSA
assigns the USCG responsibility for surveillance of ocean dumping activities in conjunction
with EPA.
13 PREVIOUS MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SITE:
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EPA'S MONITORING PLAN
Acting under the MPRSA and the ocean dumping regulations, EPA developed and
initiated implementation of a Monitoring Plan [most recently updated in March 1988
(Battelle, 1988a,b)] to determine whether (1) conditions of permits to dump sludge were met
and (2) sludge dumping at the site adversely affected the environment or human health.
Although permit conditions are set to protect the environment, EPA's monitoring efforts have
assessed not only whether those conditions are being met, but also whether the conditions are
sufficiently protective.
EPA's Monitoring Plan considered characteristics of the site and the sludge to predict
possible impacts of sludge disposal and to formulate the null hypotheses that these predictions
suggest. The following impact categories itemized in the ocean dumping regulations were
used to develop predictions of possible impacts:
Impingement of sludge onto shorelines
Movement of sludge into marine sanctuaries or shellfishery or fishery areas
Effects of sludge on commercial fisheries
Accumulation of sludge constituents in biota
Progressive changes in water quality related to sludge disposal
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• Progressive changes in sediment composition related to sludge disposal,
• Impacts on pollution-sensitive species or life-cycle stages as a result of sludge
disposal
• Impacts on endangered species as a result of sludge disposal
• Progressive changes in pelagic, demersal, or benthic biological communities as a
result of sludge disposal
The predictions developed for each of these impact categories are summarized in Figure 1-2.
These predictions served as the conceptual foundation for formulating testable null
hypotheses. The hypotheses addressed assessment of permit compliance as well as assessment
of potential impacts.
EPA's Monitoring Plan presented an overview of the implementation of the
monitoring program, including a description of how questions about the impacts of
monitoring were organized into a framework of tiers. The tiered approach organized the null
hypotheses into a hierarchy, whereby data collected in each tier were used as the foundation
for the design and extent of monitoring activities in the next tier. Such an approach ensured
that only information needed for making decisions would be collected (Zeller ami Wastler,
1986).
The four tiers included in the 106-Mile Site monitoring program were as follows:
• Tier 1: Sludge Characteristics and Disposal Operations
• Tier 2: Nearfield Fate and Short-Term Effects
• Tier 3: Farfield Fate
• Tier 4: Long-Term Effects
Activities planned under these tiers assessed permit compliance and impacts (Figure 1-3).
1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STRATEGY
FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AMD SURVEILLANCE
In 1988, the Congress passed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA), legislation that
amended the MPRSA and was aimed at ending ocean dumping of municipal sludges and
industrial wastes by December 31, 1991. One requirement of ODBA was to develop a
monitoring program for the 106-Mile Site and the region that could be affected by sludge
disposal at the site.
In response to the ODBA requirements, EPA, NOAA, and the USCG held a
workshop in March 1989 to solicit recommendations for monitoring, research, and surveillance
of the 106-Mile Site. Discussions at the workshop focused on four questions:
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Impingement of sludge onto shorelines.
P-l: Sewage sludges dumped at the 186-Uile
Site will probably not inpact any shoreline
in detectable quantities.
UoveMAt of sludge into mtrinc sanctuaries
or shel(fishery or fishery *r«as.
P-2: Uarine sanctuaries and she!(fishery
areas will probably not be impacted by
shoreward movements of sludge.
P-3: Sewage sludge aay be transported to the
continental slope and shelf where fisheries
activities exist.
Effects of sludge on commercial fisheries.
P-4: The iipact of sludge dumping on
commercial fisheries, expressed as direct
decrease in fish stocks or decrease in eggs
or larvae, will probably not be detected,
and the use of any area for fishing will not
be reduced.
Accumulation of sludge constituents in
biota.
P-S: Bioaccumulation of low levels of
contaeinants associated with sewage sludge
froa the 186-Mile site will occur, from tiie
to tiie, at the site or directly adjacent to
the site, by migrating fishes or
invertebrates, but may be difficult to
distinguish froe other potential sources.
P-fl: Bioaccueulation of low levels of
contaminants by resident continental
shelf/slope fishes or invertebrates eay
occur, depending on direction and extent of
transport of sludge to these areas, but eay
be difficult to distinguish free
bioaccusulation froe other potential
sources.
Progressive changes in water quality.
P-7: Sewage sludge movement and transport
beyond the site boundaries eay result in
significant iepact on the water quality
beyond the site.
P-8: Sludge constituents may be found in
significant quantities within the site at
all tiees and eay persist beyond four hours
after disposal. Chronic effects on marine
biota are possible.
P-9: Though certain sludge constituents aay
be detectable well outside the site, these
levels are not expected to have significant
effect on marine biota.
Progressivo changes in sadiment composition.
P-1B: Sludge particles may settle outside
the disposal site boundaries. However, this
settling will occur over a very large and as
yet undefined area. The resultant changes
in sedieent composition, the destruction of
habitat, and/or the accumulation of sludge
constituents in surficial sediments will
probably be nil to minimal.
Impacts on pollution-sensitive species.
P-ll: The disposal of sewage sludge probably
will not cause long-term impacts on
pollution-sensitive species or life-cycle
stages in the water column or the sedieents
of the 106-Uila Site region. Effects may be
detectable, but local and short-lived.
P-12: The sea-surface microlayer in the
disposal site and in an undefined area
adjacent to the site and the sensitive life
stages of marine biota within may be
affected by the surface-active components
and nonpolar pollutant compounds present in
sludges.
Impacts on endangered species.
P-13: Endangered species of mammals or
reptiles will probably not be impacted by
sewage sludge disposal at the 106-Uile Site.
Progressive changes in biological
coemunitios.
P-14: Due to nutrient enrichment in the
upper water column, there may be a localized
increase in primary productivity related to
individual sewage plumes.
P-15: There will probably be no long-ten or
large-scale impact on the plankton community
as a result of sludge disposal at the 106-
Uile Site.
P-16: Due to the expected absence of sewage
sludge particles in the demersal or benthic
environment, no effects on the benthic or
demersal community structures are likely.
FIGURE 1-2. PREDICTIONS INCLUDED IN THE 1988 EPA MONITORING PLAN
(Battelle, 1988a)
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00
ASSESSMENT OF PERMIT COMPLIANCE
- Methods o! Disposal
— Sludge Constituents
— Disposal Rales
— Limiting Permissible Concentrations
- Water Quality Criteria
ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS
— Shoreline Impingement
— Movement into Marine Sanctuaries
— Eflecl on Commercial Fisheries
— Accumulation in Biota
— Changes in Water Quality
— Changes in Sediment Composition
— Absence o! Sensitive Species
— Absence ol Endangered Species
— Changes in Biological Communities
TIER 1
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS/DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
Assessing information on the characteristics of
the sludge and on the disposal operations.
TIER 2
NEARFIELD FATE 4 SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
Assessing late and ellecl ol sludge within and
in the vicinity ol (he site.
TIER 3
FARFIELD FATE
Assessing direction and areal exlenl ol transport
ol sludge beyond the site and over the long term.
TIER 4
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Assessing long-term eiiects Ihat are a result o5
sludge disposal at the site.
FIGURE 1-3. MONITORING TIERS ADDRESS PERMIT COMPLIANCE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT
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(1) What is the physical and chemical fate of the sewage sludge dumped at the
106-Mile Site?
(2) What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on living marine
resources?
(3) What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on human
health?
(4) Are there changes in site designation, permits, or surveillance that can
provide better protection of the environment, living marine resources, or
human health?
During the workshop, participants assessed available information concerning the 106-
Mile Site and the dumping activities. Because EPA's monitoring program already focused on
the issues described in ODBA, EPA's Monitoring Plan provided the focus for many of the
discussions. Participants examined the potential effects on marine life and the risks to human
health associated with sludge dumping at the site. They discussed whether changes in the
existing monitoring, research, and surveillance efforts were needed, and they provided
recommendations for refining EPA's Monitoring Plan. The workshop also identified research
needs. The proceedings of the workshop are detailed in EPA (1989).
NOAA, EPA, and USCG used the recommendations and findings from the workshop
to develop a joint strategy (attached as Appendix A) for monitoring, research, and
surveillance (EPA, NOAA, and USCG, 1989). The agencies considered priorities and
available resources as well as recommendations from the workshop in developing the strategy.
Implementation of the strategy is being accomplished through close cooperation
among NOAA, EPA, and USCG. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines the
roles of each agency (attached as Appendk B), and an interagency agreement administers the
MOU. Interagency coordination will include conducting joint ocean surveys, planning, and
data interpretation. The joint monitoring, research, and surveillance plan described in
Section 3 is based on the strategy developed by the agencies. The joint Monitoring Plan
supersedes all previous plans, including EPA's Monitoring Plan. However, because many of
the monitoring needs for the 106-Mile Site have already been provided by EPA's monitoring
program, Section 2 of this plan describes those results.
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2.0 PAST MONITORING OF THE 106-MILE SITE:
RESULTS FROM EPA'S MONITORING PLAN
Several programs conducted in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site have already provided
information to meet the requirement of ODBA to monitor the effects of dumping at the site.
EPA's 106-Mile Site monitoring program, already in place when ODBA was passed, provided
much of the necessary information. Therefore, the results from that program are summarized
in this section.
Other relevant monitoring and research programs include NOAA's Northeast
Monitoring Program and Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction Program
(MARMAP) and EPA's baseline evaluation of a potential ocean incineration site that would
have been contiguous to the southern border of the site. Results from these programs were
used in EPA's monitoring program and are included in this section's discussion of baseline
studies. Complete reviews of these and other programs have been prepared by Battelle (1986,
1988c, 1989a).
EPA's plan is now superseded by the joint EPA/NOAA/USCG monitoring, research,
and surveillance plan that is presented in Section 3. The remainder of Section 2 presents the
framework of EPA's plan and results that have been obtained from baseline studies and
monitoring.
2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES
A wealth of information on chemical and physical characteristics and baseline
biological conditions at the 106-Mile Site is available from studies performed during the past
decade. This information was used to develop the framework of EPA's 106-Mile Site
Monitoring Plan (Battelle, 1988a). It will also be used as the baseline information against
which monitoring results are being compared.
Information available on the physiography, physical oceanography, and baseline
chemical and biological characteristics of the 106-Mile Site and surrounding regions was
summarized in EPA's Monitoring Plan. An extensive review is also found in NOAA (1983),
which updated information summarized in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
prepared as part of the process to designate the site.
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2.1.1 Dissolved Oxygen
Atmospheric gases such as oxygen dissolve in seawater. At a given temperature and
salinity and in the absence of biological activity, the concentration of dissolved gases in
seawater in contact with the atmosphere will reach an equilibrium value. This value is known
as the saturation value. Because the amount of oxygen that can dissolve in seawater varies
inversely with temperature, the saturation value of oxygen for wanner surface waters is lower
than for colder water. Thus, during the winter months, oxygen concentrations are expected to
be higher than during the summer months. Saturation values for oxygen in seawater with
salinity near 32 °/oo are 73, 6.4, 5.9, and 5.1 mL/L for temperatures of 4°, 10°, 15°, and 20°C.
In addition to the dependence on temperature, oxygen concentration in seawater is
affected by biological processes that can either produce or consume oxygen. The former may
increase the oxygen concentration; the later will decrease the oxygen concentration, especially
in water that is isolated from atmospheric exchange processes. Thus, biological processes may
cause the oxygen content of the seawater in the open ocean to be above or below the
saturation value expected from equilibration with the atmosphere. Generally, these processes
result in a gradual lowering of dissolved-oxygen concentrations with depth within the upper
500 m of water.
At the 106-Mile Site, the average monthly dissolved-oxygen levels in the surface water
range from 4.9 mL/L in August to 7.5 mL/L in April (Warsh, 1975). These values reflect
typical saturation values for surface waters. Similar dissolved-oxygen concentrations were
observed in surface waters during 1986 and 1988 surveys of the site (Battelle, 1988d, 1989b).
The oxygen-minimum zone is located between 200 and 300 m, with oxygen values ranging
from 3.0 mL/L in February to 3.5 mL/L in September. These values reflect oxygen
consumption typically occurring at these depths in the ocean. An oxygen-maximum zone
develops over several months, ranging from 7.0 mL/L at 30 m during August to 8.2 mL/L at
10 m during February.
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2.1.2 Trace Metals
Results of studies of trace elements in the water column at the 106-Mile Site
(Hausknecht, 1977; EPA, 1980; Battelle, 1987a) indicated that levels of mercury and zinc were
comparable to those found in the open ocean and on the continental shelf. Badqjround
concentrations of cadmium, copper, and lead in the water column at the site were considered
comparable to other oceanic regions (Battelle 1988c-e, 1989b).
Concentrations of trace metals in the sediments in the vicinity of the site vary
considerably, depending on local topography, depth, and sediment grain size. Baseline
sediment samples collected by NOAA in the vicinity of the site contained higher levels of
trace elements than sediments on the adjacent continental shelf (Pearce et al., 1975). These
concentrations may be higher than values found in other studies because of the proximity of
sampling stations to the Hudson Canyon. NOAA (1977) analyzed five trace elements at the
site, EPA analyzed eight trace elements at the site (Battelle, 1987a), and Bothner et al.
(1987a,b) analyzed 12 trace elements southwest and northeast of the site. The metal
concentrations in the surface sediments from these baseline studies were found comparable
and are characteristic of uncontaminated natural sediments of similar mineral composition.
2.13 Organic Compounds
Concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in sediments collected in the vicinity of the site are low (low
parts per billion) and appear comparable to those found in sediments from remote
continental slope areas. In addition, baseline hydrocarbon levels in sediments at the site were
lower than those found at other dumpsites in shallower waters (Greig and Wenzloff, 1977).
2.1.4 Benthic Organisms
Benthic invertebrate samples collected and analyzed by Pearce et al. (1975, 1977)
showed no significant differences in numbers of individuals, numbers and types of species
present, or diversity between stations at similar depths inside and outside the site,, More
recently, Battelle found infaunal densities and species compositions at the site similar to slope
12
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areas of similar depths north and south of the site (Maciolek, 1987). The latter studies
recorded densities of 3567 to 5361 individuals per square meter at depths of 2000 to 2500 m.
2.1.5 Plankton and Pelagic Organisms
Although there is considerable information about the plankton and pelagic organisms
that inhabit the continental slope and shelf waters directly inshore from the site, little
information is available on the flora and fauna that inhabit the immediate vicinity of the 106-
Mile Site. Most of the information available indicates a patchy and highly variable
community of plankton and higher organisms. The annual cycle of phytoplankton biomass in
the area of the 106-Mile Site tends to be bimodal, with peaks occurring in March and
November/December (NOAA, 1983). The spring bloom is dominated by netplankton (size
greater than 20 ^m) at depths of 60 to 2000 m. The fall bloom tends to be dominated equally
by netplankton and nanoplankton (size less than 20 pm). During cooler months of the year,
standing stocks of zooplankton in the site region are as high as at inshore areas (NOAA,
1983). However, peaks are reached earlier in the year at offshore regions than at inshore
regions. Larval fishes collected at and surrounding the 106-Mile Site by MARMAP include
209 taxa representing 73 families (NOAA, 1983). Most of these are slope-water and oceanic
species, along with some shelf species that are transported offshore via the Gulf Stream from
the Mid-Atlantic Bight and south of Cape Hatteras.
Midwater finfishes found within the 106-Mile Site are mainly slope-water species and
species transported to the area by Gulf Stream eddies. Many of these fishes, such as lantern
and hatchet fishes (Families Myctophidae and Sternopychidae) migrate vertically in the area,
from depths of several hundred meters in the daytime to 0 to 200 m at night (NOAA, 1977).
Two species of squid, long-finned (Loligo pealei) and short-finned (Illex illecebrosus),
are found in the vicinity of the site. Thirty-one species of open-ocean predators have been
observed and identified as they moved through the site, including sharks, swordfish, and
tunas; however, these predators do not appear to be long-term residents of the site.
Cohen and Pawson (1977) observed 55 species of bottom fishes near the site. Most of
these were rarely encountered and included the eel Synaphobranchus kaupi, the morid
Antimora rostrata, the rattails Nematonurus armatus and Lionurus carapinus, the halosaur
Halosauropsis macrochir, and the lizard fish Bathysaurus ferox. Tilefish, Lopholatilus
13
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chamaeleonticeps, are fished commercially in continental shelf areas inshore of the site.
Tilefish and the red crab, Geryon quinquedens, have been identified as relatively nonmobile
and commercial species that may be suitable for bioaccumulation studies (Battelle, 1987b).
Although the two species are not resident within the 106-Mile Site or in deep water south of
the site, they are resident in shallow areas of the slope immediately north and west of the site
and are suitable for study.
2.1.6 Endangered Species
The potential effect of dumping operations on the distributions of endangered species
at the 106-Mile Site is of public concern. Endangered species that occur in the 106-Mile Site
or within a broadly defined area that could be influenced by dumping include the; right whale,
Eubalena gladalis, humpback whale, Megaptera novaenangliae, sei whale, Balaenopiera borealis,
fin whale, Balaenoptera phasalus, sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, loggerhead turtle,
Caretta caretta, leatherback turtle, Dermochetys coriacea, and Kemp's ridley turtle, Lepidochefys
kempii (NOAA, 1988). Sitings of endangered species during baseline monitoring are depicted
in Figure 2-1.
22 TffiRl;
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
The objectives of Tier 1 were to assess sludge characteristics and disposal operations
to determine whether the assumptions made in setting permit conditions continued to be true
throughout the period that the 106-Mile Site was used. Monitoring and surveillance of sludge
characteristics and disposal operations were necessary for assessing the characteristics of
individual sludge plumes and total loading of sludge to the site.
22,1 Waste Characteristics
Sewage sludge disposed at the 106-Mile Site has varying physical, chemical, and
microbial characteristics, because sewage treatment plants receive wastes from a variety of
sources. Sludges from each plant may also vary significantly over time. Permit conditions
14
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76'°00' 75 °00'
71 °00'
70 °00'
4TOO'
40°00'
• Signtmgs en EPA Nov«rno«r
1985 NAIS Survey
Sightings on OOI/MHS Nov»mo«r
198S Hid—Atlantic Surv«y
Sightings on EPA August/
S«ot«mo«r 198S Survey
35'QQ'
HGURE 2-1. SIGHTINGS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES DURING BASELINE
MONITORING
15
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depend on the sludge characteristics, and the design of the EPA monitoring program was
linked to the expected behavior and fate of the sludge after disposal in the ocean.
Monitoring of sludge compositions and characteristics must be related directly to
specifications in the permit that are based on an initial, thorough sludge characteiization. The
following null hypothesis was presented in EPA's Monitoring Plan:
: The physical and chemical characteristics of sludge are consistent with waste
characterization information supplied with the permit applications.
The activities for testing Tier 1 hypothesis HQ! in conducting the 106-Mile Site
monitoring included
• Defining the variability in characteristics of sludges to be disposed of si the 106-
Mile Site
• Conducting regular monitoring of sludge characteristics
Defining the variability in sludge characteristics was necessary before EPA could
establish regular, ongoing monitoring. EPA therefore reviewed available data from the
sewerage authorities to determine relevance, representativeness, accuracy, and precision. Data
reviewed included information from permit applications, data from quarterly reports
submitted under court order during use of the 12-Mile Site as well as the 106-Mile Site, and
the published literature (e.g., Santoro and Suszkowski, 1986; Santoro and Fikslin, 1987). This
evaluation determined that the analytical quality control and quality assurance procedures
were inadequate to determine the reliability of data from some of the sewerage authorities.
The available data were insufficient to establish statistically valid measures of variability
(SAIC and Battelle, 1989).
Because of uncertainty in the reliability of available data, EPA independently sampled
and characterized sludge from the nine sewerage authorities (Battelle, 1988f). Parameters
measured included toxicity to representative marine species (Menidia beryllina and Mysidopsis
bahia), organic priority pollutants, metals (copper, lead, cadmium, and mercury), and other
characteristics— settleable matter, total suspended solids, total solids, wet-to-dry-weight ratio,
density of solid matter, and specific gravity. Although data from this independent study did
not provide a statistical representation of the characteristics of sludges through time, they
were used to evaluate the representativeness and accuracy of data submitted by the sewerage
authorities.
The data generated by the EPA study were generally comparable to those provided by
the sewerage authorities (Battelle, 1988f). Organic compounds were found at notably low
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concentrations. Concentrations of metals were generally lower than those reported by the
sewerage authorities.
However, the available data were found insufficient to either accept or reject Hgl.
Therefore, further characterization was determined to be necessary and EPA developed new
requirements for routine monitoring of the sludge by the sewerage authorities. The
requirements that were developed are designed to provide better statistical evaluation of the
changes in sludge characteristics. These requirements are being implemented under the
permits issued for sewage sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site and will be part of the
EPA/NOAA/USCG joint Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Site described in Section 3.2.
Information collected by EPA was also used as a basis for calculating allowable rates for
sludge dumping under the permits issued for the 106-Mile Site (Section 43.2).
222. Disposal Operations
The permits for dumping at the 106-Mile Site specify the locations at which sludge
disposal may occur (i.e., sectors within the 106-Mile Site) and maximum allowable dumping
rates. The EPA Monitoring Plan included the following null hypothesis for monitoring
disposal operations:
H02: Disposal rates and operations are consistent with the requirements of the ocean
dumping permits.
Activities included in the EPA Monitoring Plan for testing hypothesis H^ included
• Defining the range of disposal operations to be used at the 106-Mile Site
• Prescribing and conducting regular surveillance of disposal operations
The disposal operations used at the 106-Mile Site were defined by evaluating the range of
disposal methods and conditions used by the permittees (Battelle, 1989c). Among the
parameters evaluated were (1) onboard combining of sludges from different sources, (2)
conditions during transport, and (3) methods of discharge from the barge.
Under the EPA Monitoring Plan, ongoing surveillance of dumping operations was the
responsibility of the USCG in cooperation with EPA. To conduct surveillance of disposal
operations, the USCG developed the Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS), which
electronically observes barge location and dumping rate. In addition, EPA instituted a sludge
manifest system to control in-port transfers of sludge. This program also utilizes ship riders
17
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to monitor the at-sea disposal operations. This continuing, regular surveillance program is
described in Section 3.2.
Based on results from 106-Mile Site nearfield surveys (Battelle, 1988e, 1989b) EPA
found that disposal rates were often too high to allow sludge concentrations to reach limiting
permissible concentrations 4 h after disposal. These results were sufficient to determine that
Ho2 was false. Therefore, new dumping rates (Battelle, 1989d) were established based on the
results of the nearfield studies and sludge characterization studies discussed under Section
22.1.
23 TIER 2:
NEARFIELD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
The overall objective of Tier 2 monitoring was to assess the short-term behavior,
transport, and impact of sludge within the 106-Mile Site and in the immediate area
surrounding the site. Short-term biological effects were defined as those effects occurring
within 1 day of sludge disposal.
23.1 Nearfield Fate
Measurements of nearfield fate of sludge disposed at the site have focused on issues
related to compliance with permit conditions and possible effects from sludge dis]x>sal.
EPA's Monitoring Plan presented the following hypotheses about nearfield fate.
Permit Compliance
: Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted
limiting permissible concentrations (LPC), including water quality criteria
(WQC), outside the site at all times.
H04: Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted LPC
and WQC within the site 4 h after disposal.
: Pathogen levels do not exceed ambient levels 4 h after disposal.
18
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Impact Assessment
: Sludge particles do not settle in significant quantities beneath the seasonal
pycnocline (50 m) or to the 50-m depth at any time, within the site boundaries
or in an area adjacent to the site.
: The concentration of sludge constituents within the site does not exceed the LPC
or WQC 4 h after disposal and is not detectable in the site 1 day after disposal.
Hg8: The concentrations of sludge constituents at the site boundary or in the area
adjacent to the site do not exceed the LPC or WQC at any time and is not
detectable 1 day after disposal.
H()9: The disposal of sludge does not cause a significant depletion in the dissolved
oxygen content of the water nor a significant change in the pH of the seawater
in the area.
Beginning in 1987, EPA tested these hypotheses by studying the short-term, nearfield
fate of sludges disposed at the site. These activities included direct studies of sludge
plumes under varied oceanographic and meteorological conditions. Specifically, Tier 2
activities included
• Measuring sludge constituents in the water column in and near the 106-Mile Site
to determine fate of sludge constituents with respect to permit conditions and
ambient conditions.
• Conducting sludge-plume observations to define dilution characteristics of the
sludge and any seasonal patterns of sludge dispersion at the 106-Mile Site.
• Studying rapid settling of sludge particles from plumes.
• Measuring surface currents and water-column structure to allow estimation of
sludge dispersion and transport.
Measuring various sludge constituents in the sludge plumes provided the only direct
measurement of regulatory parameters in Tier 2. Because the physical characteristics of the
106-Mile Site are different in the summer from those in the winter, these measurements
were made during both seasons. During the summer, a seasonal pycnocline is formed in
the surface waters. The shallow depth of the summer pycnocline was hypothesized to be a
barrier to sludge settling and was thought to limit dispersion of the sludge plumes. In the
winter, the surface mixed layer extends down to the more diffuse main pycnocline at about
300 m. Thus, the volume of water available for mixing and dilution of sludge plumes was
expected to be much greater in the winter than in the summer. Parameters measured in
Tier 2 included chemicals that (1) occurred in municipal sludges, (2) were readily
measurable in the receiving water, and (3) for which there are water quality criteria. Spores
of the microbe Clostridiwn perfringens, a tracer of pathogens, were also enumerated.
19
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Plume-tracking measurements provided direct measurements of the fate of sludge
plumes, thereby guiding sampling efforts and also providing some information on transport,
dispersion, and settling. Plume-tracking exercises included .deployment of surface drogues
directly into sludge plumes; marking of the surface expression of the plume with dyes; use
of in situ transmissometry, acoustics, and/or ultraviolet/fluorescence; measurement of
physical, chemical, and biological tracers; and monitoring the plume with visual
observations from the survey vessel and an aircraft. These methods are described in
Battelle (1987c, 1988e).
Because all sludge plumes cannot be directly monitored for all ocean dispasal
activities at the 106-Mile Site, the information gathered during the seasonal exercises has
been used in conjunction with continuous measurements of surface currents and
temperature at the site to estimate behavior and fate of sludge plumes. A mooring with
current meters located at 25 and 100 m was deployed at the site in January 1989. Data
from the surface current meter is transmitted via the ARGOS satellite data-collection
system to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (I"JESDIS).
Information from this mooring describes the speed and direction of surface currents within
the site (Figure 2-2). The mooring will be deployed for at least 2 years, and may be used
in Tier 3 as well as in Tier 2 studies (see Section 2.4).
Information on the structure of the water column has been obtained by deploying
expendable bathythermograph (XBT) probes to determine the depth of the thennocline.
The vertical structure of current shear at the site has also been evaluated using expendable
current profilers (XCP). Together, results from the mooring, the XBTs, and the XCPs have
provided information to estimate sludge plume movement throughout the year.
Results of Nearfield Fate Monitoring
Results from nearfield fate monitoring demonstrated that under the conditions
originally set for sludge disposal [i.e., the original court-ordered dumping rate of 15,500
gal/min (w58,660 L/min)] H03 and Hg4 were false. Concentrations of sludge constituents
frequently did not meet the regulatory requirements for concentrations of sludge
constituents within the site after 4 h and outside the site at all times. WQC for
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dumping at 15,500 gal/min also resulted in exceeding the toxicity-based LPC 4 h after
disposal.
Based on these results and the measurements of plume width as function of time
(Figure 2-3), plume depth, and chemical concentrations in the plume core as a function of
lime (Figure 2-4), the rate at which sludge plumes dilute after disposal was determined. A
conceptual diagram of the dilution of sludge parcels based on the monitoring results is
presented in Figure 2-5. Using this concept and the field data, a formulation for relating
dumping rates to barge speed was developed and implemented to regulate allowable
disposal rates.
Results also indicated that H05 was false: sludge dumping at 15,500 gal/min resulted
in pathogen indicators exceeding ambient levels 4 h after dumping.
Initial observations of sludge plumes provided no data to indicate that Hg6 was false.
Observations during the 1987 and 1988 surveys indicated that sludge particles did not settle
and did not appear to penetrate the seasonal pycnocline in significant quantities 'within the
first 8 to 12 h following dumping. Settling of sludge was similar in winter and summer.
However, the rate of settling was found to depend upon dumping rate. Settling appeared
to be controlled by flocculation of suspended particles. Because laboratory studies (Lavelle
et al,, 1988) suggested that as much as 10 to 20 percent of sludge may settle at relatively
high rates (>03 cm/s), EPA conducted special studies in 1989 to evaluate settling in the
field. Rapidly descending settling traps were deployed directly within sludge plumes
immediately behind emptying barges. The direct measurements of settling particles showed
that a small component of sludge can settle rapidly (on the order of meters per hour),
indicating that further studies of particle settling should be undertaken (Section 3.4).
Roughly 90 percent of the time, currents were strong enough to transport sludge out
of the site within 1 day. Monitoring indicated that concentrations of metals, organic
compounds, and pathogens within the plumes would probably reach background levels
within 1 day, i.e., that HO? and H^8 have not been proven false. However, other data
suggested that concentrations of selected contaminants in surface waters within and outside
the site may become elevated when surface currents at the site are sluggish, and that mixing
and transport away from the site are slow. Concentrations of plume constituents were
evaluated further in Tier 3 (Section 2.4).
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S 250-
d> 200-
Spring Creek
Tibbetts Brook
Morris Berman
Leo Frank
Lemon Creek
Princess B
Lemon Creek
DB1
DB2 V
DBS O
DB4 A
DB10D
DB21 T
DB23B
£ 150-
45
Time, minutes
75
90
105
FIGURE 2-3. WIDTH OF SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME AFTER DUMPING
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•5
en
DB21
s
I s * •
0 2 4 6 S 10
TIME AFTER DISPOSAL, h
15
to
5 •-
DB22
0 2 4 6 3 10
TIME AFTER DISPOSAL, h
'S
10 - •
DB23
•
8
4 6 3 10
TIME AFTER DISPOSAL, h
FIGURE 2-4. COPPER CONCENTRATIONS IN SLUDGE PLUMES VERSUS TIME
FOR PLUMES SAMPLED IN OCTOBER 1988
24
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10.000
K)
C/l
z
-J
Q
_J
O 5,000 -
or
<
Q_
UJ
O
Q
If)
/ MIXING AFTER
/ PLUME BREAK-UP
PLUME BREAK-UP
INITIAL WAKE MIXING
OCEANIC MIXING (Dn)
WEAK MIXING CONDITIONS
ACTIVE MIXING CONDITIONS
0
a
TIME (hours)
FIGURE 2-5. CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM OF DILUTION OF SLUDGE PARCELS UNDER TWO MIXING CONDITIONS
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No data indicated that 1^9 could be proven false. Dissolved oxygen depression was
not found to be biologically significant, nor did significant changes in pH occur from sludge
dumping.
232 Short-Term Effects
EPA's Monitoring Plan presented the following null hypotheses related to short-term
effects of sludge disposal.
HfllO: No significant biological effects in the water column are measurable within the
site within 1 day after disposal.
H011: No increase in primary productivity or any changes in planktonic biomass or
species composition occurs.
Hol2: Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the surface microlayer in the vicinity
of the site.
: No evidence of short-term bioaccumulation of sludge constituents by
commercially important species or important prey species found at or adjacent
to the site will be found within 1 day after disposal.
Prior to conducting studies to test these hypotheses, EPA reviewed available test
methods to determine what measurements were feasible for inclusion in the monitoring
program (Battelle, 1988g). Methods finally incorporated into the program were selected for
their utility in making management decisions, biological relevance, degree of difficulty for
performing at sea, sensitivity, and presence of an existing database for comparison. The
following tests were conducted during summer 1988.
• Onboard, rapid-chronic tests using sea-urchin sperm and eggs. Tests used hourly
samples of the plume, beginning with initial sampling immediately behind the
barge.
• Onboard, acute-toxicity tests using the mysid shrimp Mysidopsis bahia. Tests used
plume samples taken 4 h after dumping.
• Onboard, acute-toxicity tests using indigenous zooplankton (copepods). Tests
used plume samples taken 4 h after dumping.
• Examination of fish eggs for genetic mutations and other abnormalities. Samples
were taken in hourly tows from 0 to 4 h following dumping.
• Measurement of chlorophyll a in seawater. Measurements were made at hourly
intervals.
Tests were conducted in background conditions as well as in sludge plumes.
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Examination of the sea-surface microlayer within sludge plumes was also planned.
However, attempts to collect microlayer samples in sludge plumes severely hampered
abilities of EPA's survey vessel to maneuver within sludge plumes while collecting samples
to evaluate plume dilution rates. Measurements outside plumes were not anticipated to
yield detectable variation from background conditions. Because the logistics of performing
microlayer sampling are difficult and surface slicks dispersed quickly, further testing of
Hgl2 was discontinued.
Measurements of short-term bioaccumulation were also abandoned because of
logistical difficulties. Sampling for organisms within sludge plumes would risk
contamination from constituents within the water column. Random sampling in the vicinity
of the site was not expected to yield useful results.
Monitoring results indicated that HolO could not be proven false. The results showed
that sludge constituents may be toxic to sea urchin gametes from 0 to 3 h after dumping.
However, sludge plumes were not observed to be toxic to zooplankton collected from near
the 106-Mile Site or to mysid shrimp or sea urchin gametes 4 h after dumping.
Hypothesis H011 was only partially tested. This testing did not identify any
significant changes in phytoplankton biomass within sludge plumes up to 8 h after disposal.
Changes in productivity or species composition were not evaluated.
Sampling for zooplankton and fish eggs for these studies also yielded an unexpected
result: floatable debris collected in the samples included paper mulch, plastic pieces,
pellets, spherules, plastic filaments, and tar balls. Such debris is not permitted to be
dumped at sea and had not been expected in the samples. Upon evaluation of the
characteristics of the material and information on the water masses in the area, EPA could
not determine whether these materials originated from the sewage sludge. However, these
results provided feedback to Tier 1 monitoring, indicating that comprehensive monitoring
for floatable debris should be a part of the ongoing monitoring described in Section 3.2.
2.4 TIER 3:
FARHELD FATE
Before a comprehensive estimate of long-term effects of sludge dumping at the 106-
Mile Site can be made, it is necessary to estimate where the sludge goes, the area of the
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seafloor that may be influenced by sludge particles, and the cumulative concentrations that
may be expected in the water column and sediments after many years of dumping.
Therefore, Tier 3 of the monitoring program was designed to estimate the transport and
fate of the sludge dumped at the 106-Mile Site in the long term and the farfield.,
Farfield fate of sludge dumped at the 106-Mile Site depends upon dispersion of
sludge plumes in several space and time scales. The principal components of estimating
fate of sludges are (1) advection, (2) mixing, and (3) sinking and coagulation. A.dvection is
the transport of sludge particles by the movement of water, that is, in a current field. All
but the largest sludge particles are expected to spend weeks to months in the waiter column.
They are likely to encounter many current fields and travel long distances (100 - 1000 km)
before deposition on the bottom. Mixing is the dilution of sludge particles in a parcel of
water by small-scale turbulent processes that depend on the density and velocity of the
water. Turbulent energy due to wind waves, internal waves, vertical current shear, and
modified by stratification in the water column determines mixing. Sinking is dependent on
particle size and density. Coagulation, the sticking together of sludge particles, may alter
the distribution of particle sizes in a sludge plume and affect sinking.
Estimation of dispersion in the region of the 106-Mile Site involves evaluation of the
complex transport and mixing processes on the sludge. These processes vary and can be
influenced by stochastic events. Therefore, estimates can be made only in terms of
statistical probabilities, and interpretation of results must be aided by use of models.
Also, a wide range of time and space scales is involved in estimation of farfield fate
of the sludge, from just over 1 day after dumping to many weeks and months, and from the
immediate vicinity of the 106-Mile Site to many kilometers from it. Consequently, several
measurement techniques are required to evaluate the various processes involved in
dispersion of sludge.
Null hypotheses concerning farfield fate addressed issues that pertained to potential
movement toward and subsequent impact to shorelines, marine sanctuaries, and fisheries
areas, and toward the continental shelf and slope. The hypotheses related to this category
were concerned with the fate of sludges over the long term. Hypotheses were
H014: Sludge constituents do not settle beneath the pycnocline outside the disposal
site.
: Ocean currents do not transport sludge to any adjacent shoreline, beach,
marine sanctuary, fishery, or shellfishery.
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Hgl6: Sludge recirculation through the site is not significant.
HfllT: Sludge particles do not settle to the sea floor in the vicinity of the site or in
the region predicted as a plausible settling region.
These hypotheses required direct estimates of probabilities of specific fates of sludge
particles. Assessing the fate of the particles would require monitoring of currents,
temperature, salinity, and deposition rates for particles. Unfortunately, there is no direct
technique for following the fate of a typical sludge particle as it sinks through the water
column and is acted upon by currents and turbulence. Thus, several types of measurements
are required to estimate the possible results of all the physical processes acting on the
particles.
The farfield monitoring activities described in EPA's Monitoring Plan included
• Studying water-mass movement from the 106-Mile Site
• Studying surface currents and water structure in the areas expected to be
impacted by dumping
• Using remote-sensing information to evaluate large-scale water movements and
structure
• Measuring settling of sludge particles in the field
• Using appropriate models to estimate fate of sludge constituents and to identify
possible depositional areas
Only some of these activities were completed before the new monitoring, research,
and surveillance plan presented in Section 3 was prepared. Study of water-mass
movements was initiated through the release of satellite-tracked surface drifters during
October 1988 (4 drifters), October 1989 (4 drifters), December 1989 (2 drifters), January
1990 (2 drifters), and February 1990 (2 drifters). Trajectories of these releases, illustrated
in Figure 2-6, indicated that recirculation through the site could occur. None of the surface
drifters has crossed onto the continental shelf. These results along with other studies are
being used to evaluate water mass movement at the 106-Mile Site.
Also during 1988 and 1989, EPA monitored water-mass structure and particle
concentrations at distances up to 40 nmi from the site (Battelle 1989e, 1990). These
measurements were not associated with specific plumes, so they effectively bridged neariield
and farfield monitoring. Vertical profiles were made to determine the depth of the particle
maximum, and water samples were collected and analyzed for sludge tracers: trace metals,
selected organic compounds, Clostridium perfiingens spores, Salmonella spp., other
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released 1800 24-oci
i 1
released 0800 24-oci
-74 -72 -70 -68 -66
2
GO
(D
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
released 2200 27-oc1
-76 -74 -72 -70 -68 -66
Longitude (deg W)
released 1900 29-od
Longitude (deg W)
FIGURE 2-6. TRAJECTORIES OF DRIFTERS RELEASED AT THE SITE
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pathogens, chlorophyll a, and xylem tracheids. Preliminary results suggested that sludge
tracers could be identified at many stations downcurrent from the site and that further
farfield studies were warranted.
Results of these farfield fate studies suggest that
• The seasonal pycnocline, where particles concentrate naturally, is a region of the
water column where sludge particles also concentrate.
• Warm-core eddies are a viable but poorly understood mechanism for potential
northward transport of sludge constituents to the edge of the continental shelf.
• On average, sludge particles are likely to remain in the water column, become
entrained in the Gulf Stream, and be subject to great dispersion, which would not
result in identifiable impacts to the environment.
« Under some oceanographic conditions, diluted sludge components may be
recirculated through the site.
In a later survey, EPA deployed sediment traps designed to collect any particles that
settle rapidly following disposal (Battelle, 1989f). Preliminary results indicate that a
component of the sludge resembling grit (sand, other inorganic materials) may settle rapidly
after disposal. Thus, a small, as yet unquantified, fraction of the sludge may settle rapidly
beneath the plumes. Further studies of the sludge settling rates are being initiated to better
define this material and quantify associated settling rates.
Further study of water mass movements and currents, coupled with remote sensing
techniques to evaluate large-scale water movements and structure are currently being
implemented by EPA and NOAA These activities are presented in Section 3.4.
2JITER4:
LONG-TERM EFFHC1S
The objective of Tier 4 studies was to assess whether there are long-term impacts
from sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site. Tier 4 included plans for studies of impacts on
fish species, biological communities that are prey for fish species, and other marine
resources.
Long-term effects must be assessed within or outside the site. Long-term effects in
the site might occur if, for example, there is a progressive decline in water
quality—although such a decline is not predicted—or if significant quantities of sludge
particles settle to the seafloor within the site. Effects outside the site, such as
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bioaccumulation of sludge constituents, may occur if sludge particles are regularly
transported in the direction of marine resource areas.
Because the 106-Mile Site was specifically located in an area that would minimize the
likelihood of effects on the marine environment, long-term effects were not predicted when
EPA's Monitoring Plan was developed. Although results from earlier tiers have not
indicated that predictions were incorrect, concern for human health, resources, and the
marine environment dictated that studies of long-term effects be conducted.
EPA's Monitoring Plan listed the following null hypotheses for assessing long-term
effects of sludge disposal at the site.
Hol8: Sludge constituents have no significant long-term effect on the distribution of
endangered species in the vicinity of the site.
Hgl9: Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the tissues of commercially
important species resident in the shelf and slope areas adjacent to the site.
H^O: Benthic community structure does not change significantly due to sludge
disposal.
Ho21: Sludge disposal has no effect on sensitive eggs and larval stages of indigenous
animals.
Ho22: Sludge disposal has no measurable long-term impact on offshore plankton
communities.
H^23: Pathogen levels do not increase in the water column or biota as a result of
sludge disposal.
The plan stated that other and more specific hypotheses could be developed.
Testing the hypotheses listed in the plan would require a diverse set of measurement
activities:
Conducting endangered species studies
Conducting bioaccumulation studies
Conducting benthic studies
Conducting studies of sensitive life stages
Conducting plankton community studies
Few long-term effects studies had been initiated when the joint EPA/NOAA/USCG
plan superseded EPA's plan. Studies that have been conducted are discussed below.
Studies to be conducted are described in Section 3.5.
From the onset of monitoring, EPA included trained observers of marine mammals,
reptiles, and birds on all surveys related to the 106-Mile Site. The observers recorded the
presence, number, and behavior of all species of mammals, reptiles, and birds in 15-min
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intervals along the survey track (Payne et al., 1984). Each observation period represented a
transect, and several transects are performed each day during the survey. Data from each
survey conducted while dumping took place could be compared to data from predumping
surveys. Such observations are expected to continue throughout the use of the site. Results
to date have not indicated that endangered species have been affected. However, results
are not yet sufficient to test H018 completely.
NOAA and EPA have also conducted a preliminary evaluation of the use of
midwater fishes inside and outside the 106-Mile Site for bioaccumulation studies. Results
have indicated that body burdens of PCB and pesticides were detectable but low in fishes
from stations within the site, to the northeast of the site, to the southwest of the site, and in
the Sargasso Sea (Battelle, 1989g). Concentrations of metals suggested that one species of
myctophid collected within the 106-Mile Site accumulated several metals that are found in
sludge (Zdanowicz et al., 1990). This study showed that sampling and analysis of midwater
fishes is feasible and that further monitoring is warranted. Bioaccumulation studies to be
conducted as part of the EPA/NOAA/USCG monitoring, research, and surveillance plan
are described in Section 3.5.
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3.0 CONTINUING MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
OF THE 106-MILE SHE
This section presents the monitoring, research, and surveillance activities that will
result from EPA, NOAA, and USCG development of a joint strategy for meeting ODBA
requirements. This new plan builds on EPA's monitoring program, which was presented in
Section 2. It also uses the findings and recommendations of the workshop that the agencies
held in 1989 to evaluate past research, monitoring, and surveillance and recommend future
studies (EPA, NOAA, and USCG, 1989).
3.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND BASELINE STUDIES
The monitoring, research, and surveillance program will use the same set of baseline
data used and developed by EPA's monitoring program. No new baseline studies can be
conducted. However, EPA is currently preparing an updated summary of information that
is known about the site. This summary will draw upon research and monitoring conducted
since 1982 by NOAA, EPA, other Federal agencies, private firms, and academic institutions.
32 TIER 1;
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
3.2.1 Waste Characteristics
Ongoing monitoring of sludge characteristics was originally specified in 1984. New
requirements were established in 1989 after EPA evaluations indicated some shortcomings
of the original requirements. For this joint Monitoring Plan, the working hypothesis is
changed to
Hgl: The physical and chemical characteristics of sludge are consistent with waste
characterization information available at the time permits for the 106-Mile Site
were issued.
Permits issued in August 1989 for the 106-Mile Site have specified the physical,
chemical, biological, and toxicological parameters to be measured and requirements for
sampling and analysis of these parameters. To ensure that the data quality, sample
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collection and analysis are being conducted under quality assurance plans developed by the
permittees and approved by EPA.
For all characterization studies, representative sludge samples are taken during vessel
loading. Samples are collected from a point on the discharge side of the pump delivering
sludge from a digester or holding tank to the vessel being loaded. A flow-weighted
composite sample, collected during the entire loading procedure, is required.
Permittees using an individual vessel to dispose of sludge from more than one
treatment plant are required to characterize a composite sample from samples drawn from
each compartment of the barge. If the permittee chooses to request EPA approval to
calculate allowable disposal rates based on the weighted average of sludges entering the
vessel, analysis of individual compartments is required to demonstrate the homogeneity of
the sludge in the vessel.
Required parameters are listed in Table 3-1. Specific organic compounds for which
analyses are required are listed in Battelle (1989h). Samples are collected and analyzed at
the following frequencies.
• Monthly for parameters required to evaluate and; if necessary, revise dumping
rates. These include (1) conventional parameters; (2) copper, lead, cadmium, and
mercury in the suspended and liquid phases; and (3) 96-h acute toxicity tests
(these tests may be performed quarterly). Chemical analysis of settleable solids
and solid-phase toxicity tests may be required if settleable solids are present.
Toxicity tests are used to revise dumping rates quarterly.
• Quarterly for parameters required to evaluate loading at the 106-Mile Site. These
include (1) organic compounds for which there are marine water quality criteria;
(2) conventional and nonconventional pollutants; and (3) floatable materials
(which are not permitted to be in the sludge). Both the suspended-particulate
and liquid phases must be analyzed. Volume of sludge generated and transported
to the site must also be reported.
• Semiannually for organic priority pollutants and compounds excluded from
dumping by the London Dumping Convention. Measurements include
determination of radioactivity and a full organic priority-pollutant scan. These
tests need be conducted only on the suspended-particulate phase unless settleable
solids are present. Analysis of settleable solids may also be required if they are
present.
All toxicity testing, physical characterization, and chemical analysis must be
performed on the same sample. All tests must be completed within the limits of EPA-
approved holding times. Toxicity tests, which are conducted monthly, use the test
organisms Menidia menidia and Mysidopsis bahia and/or a substitute organism designated by
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TABLE 3-1. ANALYTICAL PARAMETERS INCLUDED IN ONGOING
TIER 1 MONITORING
Parameter
Frequency
Conventional Parameters
Biological oxygen demand
Chemical oxygen demand
Total residue
Total filterable residue
Total nonfilterable residue
Total organic carbon
Specific gravity
Settleable solids
pH
Total Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu
Acute 96-h Tenacity Testing
Conventional and Nonconventional
Total coliform bacteria
Fecal coliform bacteria
Ctostridium perfringens spores
Fecal streptococcus
Total phosphate
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen
Ammonia
Nitrate
Oil and grease
Total PAHs
Cyanide
Phenols
Monthly
Pollutants
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
Vanadium
Zinc
Monthly3
Quarterly
Full Organic Priority Pollutant Scan
Radioactivity
Gross alpha
Gross beta
Radium 226
Radium 228
Floatable Debris
Semiannually
Semiannually
Quarterly
aMay be conducted quarterly.
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EPA as more appropriate. Tests are conducted under the guidance and procedures
established by APHA (1985), EPA (1985,1987), and other documents specified by EPA.
LC50 and 95 percent confidence intervals are calculated by using the binomial, trimmed
Spearman-Karber, moving-average, or probit method, and justification of the method must
be provided. The LC$o is reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L) of sludge and as a
percentage of the whole sludge.
Analysis of conventional parameters and conventional pollutants is conducted
according to procedures recommended by Battelle (1989h) or by substitute methods
selected by the permittee and approved by EPA. Method detection limits are as specified
by APHA (1985) and EPA (1979,1986). Specific detection limits are summarized by
Battelle (1989h). Reporting units for all physical and chemical parameters are in milligrams
per liter (mg/L). Replicate analyses are required for the quarterly analyses and for at least
two of the 12 monthly analyses. All methods and data quality requirements are
documented in quality assurance plans for sludge characterization submitted by the
permittees for EPA approval. Approved quality assurance plans are required for all
analyses to be conducted.
The sludge characteristics data will be entered into a sludge characteristics data
management system in place at EPA Region II. Selected statistical analysis will be
performed by EPA, using the data management system. This analysis will be used to
identify significant deviations in sludge characteristics from the information supplied in the
permit applications, identify significant changes in the sludge characteristics for each
sewerage authority, and allow quarterly revisions to be made in the sludge dumping rates as
defined in the permits issued for the 106-Mile Site. In addition, the data can be used to
estimate the total loading of contaminants into the 106-Mile Site environs, an essential
component of the farfield fate evaluation conducted under Tier 3 of the joint Monitoring
Plan.
In the event that the permittee-generated sludge characterization data are found to
be insufficient for evaluating the transport and fate of sludge disposed at the 106-Mile Site,
EPA will consider conducting additional analyses. These analyses would be conducted for
the following reasons: (1) to lower detection limits, (2) to identify unique tracers of sludge
or (3) to expand the available database on contaminants identified from the farfield fates
studies being conducted by EPA.
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322 Disposal Operations
Ongoing surveillance of disposal operations has also been specified in permits to
dump sludge at the site. The permits provide allowable dumping rates and designated
tracklines along which dumping must take place. The working hypothesis for disposal
operations remains unchanged from the EPA program.
H()2: Disposal rates and operations are consistent with the requirements of the
ocean dumping permits.
Under the joint Monitoring Plan, EPA will continue the use of shipriders to monitor
sludge transfers and disposal operations as defined in Condition 27 of the permits for the
106-Mile Site. Under Condition 27, the permittees are required to have one or more
inspectors present before any sludge is loaded onto a transfer (feeder) vessel or ocean-
going barge. These shipriders observe and record all operations involving transfer of sludge
onto or between vessels designated to carry sludge. In addition, all feeder vessels
designated to carry sludge must have all discharge valves permanently sealed with EPA-
approved seals. Valves used for transfer operations are sealed by the shipriders
immediately upon completion of transfers (unloading or loading). Ocean-going vessels
must have all discharge valves sealed prior to departure for the 106-Mile Site. All transfers
are recorded on Waste Manifest Forms each time a transfer is completed. Forms must be
submitted to EPA and the USCG within three business days after completion of loading.
Shipriders are required on all vessels unless EPA waives that requirement. Shipriders
report to EPA on disposal operations within 72 h of return to shore.
In addition to the shiprider requirement, the waste transporter must provide to the
USCG, at the onset of a trip to the 106-Mile Site, information about the estimated time of
arrival at and departure from the site. For each voyage, waste transporters prepare and
submit Ocean Dumping Notification Forms (ODNF) that describe the location and rate of
dumping. Monthly reports from waste transporters are also submitted to EPA. These
reports include
• Name of each vessel that departed port for the site
• Date of departure for each vessel
• Reference number for each vessel mission
• Quantity of waste from each permittee dumped by each vessel
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• Type of waste dumped by each vessel
• Date upon which each vessel began dumping operations
• Date upon which each ODNF was mailed
Remote surveillance of dumping operations will continue to be conducted with the
Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS). The ODSS comprises three main
components: (1) the electronics package or "black box" that is installed on vessels
authorized to dump at the site; (2) the transducers, or pressure sensors, that measure
changes in the vessel's draft, allowing calculation of dumping rate; and (3) the base and
relay stations, located onshore. Each permittee must allow the USCG to install on each
vessel to be used for dumping a black box and the transducers required by the ODSS. The
ODSS provides independent measurements of vessel location during dumping and dumping
rate.
33 TIER 2:
NEARFffiLD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
Continued monitoring under Tier 2 is being conducted by EPA and the permittees.
Monitoring will provide additional measurements related to the hypotheses concerning
nearfield fate that were presented in the EPA Monitoring Plan. Some hypotheses have
been revised from those included in the EPA Monitoring Plan to provide a clearer
statement of the hypotheses. The joint Monitoring Plan includes the following hypotheses.
Hg3: Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted
LPC and WQC outside the site at all times.
Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the permitted
LPC and WQC within the site 4 h after disposal.
Pathogens or biological tracers of sewage sludge do not exceed ambient levels
4 h after disposal.
Sludge particles do not settle in significant quantities beneath the seasonal
pycnocline (50 m) or to the 50-m depth at any time, within the site boundaries
or in an area adjacent to the site.
HQ?: The concentration of sludge constituents within the site does not exceed the
LPC or WQC 4 h after disposal and is not detectable in the site 1 day after
disposal.
H08: The concentration of sludge constituents at the site boundary or in the area
adjacent to the site does not exceed the LPC or WQC at any time and is not
detectable 1 day after disposal.
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Although EPA monitoring has already provided information relevant to all of these
hypotheses, additional measurements will provide information to evaluate variability and
trends.
Testing of 1^9 through 11^13 of the EPA Monitoring Plan (Sections 23.1 and 232)
either did not show evidence of an adverse impact (1^9 - HQ!!) or are now believed to be
untestable (H013). Hypothesis Hgll was found to be logistically difficult to test due to the
transient nature of the surface slick observed in the wake of the barge and the difficulty in
sampling the slick properly. In addition, the management decision to reduce the sludge
disposal rates to ensure that water quality criteria are met at all times further reduces the
risk of any short-term or nearfield effects resulting from the disposal of sludge at the site.
Furthermore, the observed consistent, rapid transport of sludge from the disposal site and
public concern for potential effects on marine resources in the vicinity of the site caused
the monitoring program focus to shift to Tiers 3 and 4 activities. Therefore, no additional
testing of Ho9 through KglS listed in the previous EPA Monitoring Plan is planned. If
information developed under this joint Monitoring Plan indicates that additional testing
should be undertaken, the joint plan will be appropriately modified to conduct these
actions. Permittees may be required to perform additional Tier 2 studies if EPA decides
that the measurements are necessary.
One monitoring activity that is continued from Tier 2 of the EPA Monitoring Plan is
the acquisition of continuous measurements of surface currents using the EPA-sponsored
current meter mooring (Section 23). This mooring will continue to gather data on currents
in surface waters at the site. In addition, the permittees are required to conducl: the
following activities:
• Purchase and deploy satellite-tracked surface drifters
• Purchase and deploy expendable current profilers (XCP)
The data from these devices will be used by the agencies to
• Determine water column movement in the vicinity of 106-Mile Site
• Determine current shear and water temperature to a depth of «1,500 m at the
106-Mile Site
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3.4 TIER 3:
FARPTFIJ) FATE
Farfield fate studies will address following the hypotheses:
Hgl4: Significant amounts of sludge do not settle below the surface mixed layer
outside the disposal site.
HglSa: Ocean currents do not transport sludge to any adjacent shoreline, beach,
marine sanctuary, fishery, or shellfishery.
HglSb: Ocean currents do not transport sludge onto the continental shelf.
Hglda: Recirculation of slope water through the 106-Mile Site is not significant.
Hol6b: Concentrations of sludge constituents dumped at the 106-Mile Site that are
associated with any recirculating slope water do not exceed EPA chronic
Marine Water Quality Standards.
Hgl7a: Significant amounts of sludge particles do not settle to the sea floor in the
vicinity of the site or in the region predicted as a plausible settling region.
HglTb: Organic, inorganic, and bacterial contaminants that are present in sewage
sludge discharged at the 106-Mile Site do not measurably increase
concentrations of contaminants in the sediment within the expected
dispersion area or reference areas.
The wording of some of these hypotheses has changed from the EPA Monitoring
Plan and others have been added to ensure greater clarity and testability of the hypotheses.
Testing these hypotheses is being accomplished through the following activities (responsible
agencies are shown in parentheses):
• Studying water temperature of oceanographic sections through the 106-Mfle Site.
The temperature structure of the water masses in the vicinity of the site from the
continental shelf to the north wall of the Gulf Stream will be determined with
expendable bathythermographs (XBT). (NOAA and EPA)
• Studying water-mass movement from the 106-Mile Site. Study of movements of
surface water masses (i.e., Lagrangian measurements) involves deploying satellite-
tracked drifters at the site. (Permittees, EPA and NOAA)
• Studying currents and water structure throughout the water column in the areas
expected to be impacted by dumping. These Eulerian, moored measurements
include temperature and current measurements in surface, middepth, and near-
bottom waters. (EPA)
• Using remote sensing information to evaluate large-scale water movements and
structure. These measurements include use of advanced very high resolution
radiometer (AVHRR) on polar-orbiting satellites for mapping surface
temperature throughout the study area. These measurements will be used in
tandem with the drifter studies. (EPA and NOAA)
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• Studying settling of sludge particles in the field. These studies include
deployment of moored sediment traps at several locations and depths in
conjunction with current measurements. (EPA)
• Performing laboratory settling studies. These studies will be conducted under
conditions that simulate those in the field. They will measure the rapidly settling
component of sludges. (EPA)
• Evaluating appropriate .models to determine fate of sludge constituents, and to
identify possible depositional areas. This effort requires identifying models for
prediction of the three-dimensional movement of sludge particles released from
the site (NOAA) and application of simple transport models to assist in the
interpretation results from the sediment trap program (EPA).
» Determining the concentration and distribution of sludge constituents Jind
indicators of sewage sludge in sediment. These studies will include collection of
sediments from the outer continental shelf, submarine canyons in the vicinity of
the 106-Mile Site, and continental shelf areas in and near the 106-Mile Site.
(NOAA)
The studies that will be conducted are described in Sections 3.4.1, 3.4.2, arid 3.4.3.
The outcome of each study will be integrated through the exchange of data and results,
combining data sets as appropriate, and producing a syntheses report for the farfield fate
studies. The data exchange and expected reports from this monitoring tier are discussed in
Section 4.
3.4.1 Water-Mass Studies
In addition to the monitoring objectives presented in the EPA Monitoring Plan, the
water mass studies will provide information to assess
• Large-scale southwest drift over the Mid-Atlantic Bight continental shelf and
slope and the hypothesized recirculation of the slope-sea gyre
* Existence and role of convergence at the shelf break
• Entrainment of sludge constituents into the Gulf Stream at Cape Hatteras versus
possible transport to the South Atlantic Bight
Continued collection of information on specific water mass movements will also provide the
evidence of sludge movement towards shorelines.
EPA requires the permittees to deploy an average of one expendable, satellite-
tracked drifter per week at the site. Starting March 1990, the drifters will be deployed from
sludge barges, near the center of the site. The drifters will be tethered and ballasted so
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that the drogue centers remain at a depth of 10 m for the life of deployment. The drifters
will be tracked three to four times daily for 4 months by ARGOS satellite. Analysis of
drifter tracks will be supported by an AVHRR imaging program and the XBT program.
Service ARGOS, an agency specializing in satellite data collection, will be contracted to
provide all aspects of satellite telemetry and data acquisition over the duration of the
measurement program. From the drifters and via direct access of the computer data center
maintained by Service ARGOS, EPA will receive information on drifter positions and
surface-water temperature in near real-time.
EPA will be responsible for evaluating these data; The drifter studies will also aid in
estimating the effects of features such as wind events, warm-core eddies, and Gulf Stream
meanders. Launching one drifter per week for approximately 18 to 24 months should be
adequate to characterize water-mass movements. In addition to the permittee deployed
drifters, EPA Region n plans a near-synoptic deployment of several undrogued surface
drifters to evaluate the movement of any material that may remain at the air/sea interface
and whose transport will be affected more by wind than by surface currents in the area.
These drifter data will be coupled with an analysis of wind data from the National Weather
Service (NWS) buoy located near the 106-Mile Site to define the frequency and directions
of potential floatable debris transport at the 106-Mile Site.
Satellite imagery will be used to identify surface water masses, interpret drifter tracks,
and follow significant physical features. Satellite imagery may also be used as input to a
modeling effort. Data from an AVHRR satellite-imagery program can be used to depict
the surface-temperature structure of the entire region that could be impacted by the 106-
Mile Site. EPA will acquire daily AVHRR data from the NOAA TIROS polar-orbiting
satellites (NOAA-10 or NOAA-11). The data will be corrected for water vapor in the
atmosphere, remapped to a mercator projection, and displayed as color-enhanced images.
Meteorological data may be scanned for cloud cover over the region, so that only clear
passes will be used for sea-surface temperature (SST) mapping. At least one clear image
per week will be selected for overlay of the satellite-tracked drifter data.
An oceanographic section of temperature versus depth from the shelf break to the
north wall of the Gulf stream will be acquired by the NOAA/Atlantic Regional Group.
These data will be available as part of the ship-of-opportunity program routinely conducted
between New York City and Bermuda. The data will be routinely supplied to EPA for use
43
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in the interpretation of water mass and drifter movement. The data will also be used in
association with the moored current (Eulerian) studies discussed below.
NOAA will contribute to the water mass studies through seasonal deployments of
expendable, satellite-tracked drifters, an AVHRR satellite-imagery program, and conducting
hydrographic surveys. Approximately seven satellite-tracked near-surface drifters; (the same
type of drifter as deployed by the permittees for EPA) will be deployed twice (summer
1990 and winter 1991) across the site from the outer shelf to the outer slope. These
seasonal studies are meant to examine the behavior of drifters deployed
quasisimultaneously across the site in different water masses and to supplement the EPA
studies by providing statistics on dispersion of multiple drifters deployed simultaneously at
the same place and in the same water mass.
The summer 1990 drifter deployment will be done during the NOAA midwater
fish/hydrographic survey. Hydrography will consist of conductivity/temperature/depth
(CTD) measurements with a transmissometer sensor to examine particle concentrations in
the water column. CTD stations will be taken in support of bioaccumulation studies (see
Section 3.5.1) at each midwater fish station [see Figure 3-5 for the proposed midwater fish
(myctophid) survey map], and a more closely spaced grid of CTD stations will be taken
near the dumpsite. A nominal near-site sampling and drifter deployment plan is illustrated
in Figure 3-1. The actual location of CTD stations and deployment locations will depend
upon the relationship of surface-water masses across the site (determined from satellite-
derived sea-surface temperature data) and the three-dimensional distribution of particle
concentrations and water masses determined at the time of the cruise.
The winter 1991 drifter deployment is currently planned for February 1991. There
will be additional hydrographic surveys in support of bioaccumulation studies and midwater
fish surveys (Section 3.5).
NOAA will access daily advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data
from NOAA's TIROS polar-orbiting satellites (NOAA-10 and/or NOAA-11) using NESDIS
in-house software for image processing. Using NOAA's Ocean Products Center as a
conduit for data, sea-surface temperature (SST) fields for the western North Atlantic will
be produced, focusing attention on the Mid-Atlantic Bight, the dumpsite, and the region
occupied by the drifters. The SST field will be monitored by using the NOAA SST display
44
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74 "00'
40*30'
73 °00'
72 °00'
71 °30l
40°30
40°00' -
- 40°00'
•Drifter/ CTD
oCTD
- 39°00'
FIGURE 3-1. POSSIBLE STATION LOCATIONS FOR CTD AND DRIFTER
DEPLOYMENTS
45
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and analysis system. Each image will be examined for cloud cover, allowing selection of
clear passes that are useful for SST mapping.
The NOAA SST imagery will be used to
* Provide near realtime data to decide where to deploy drifters and to
locate CTD/transmissometer stations during the hydrographic/fisheries
surveys in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site. Daily SST images will be
analyzed for location of water-mass boundaries, and the results transferred
via facsimile to the F/V Delaware II during the hydrographic survey to
ensure the selection of appropriate surface water masses for drifter
deployments.
• Analyze drifter tracks. The data will be used to identify the surface waiter
mass that the drifter is in, as well as help to explain the relationship
between surface features (e.g., fronts, warm-core rings) and the tracks of the
drifters.
• Examine relationships between SST, drifter tracks, and surface wind-drift
information from the output of the NWS Limited-area Fine-mesh Model
(LFM).
Data generated by the drifter studies, the XBT program, and the sea surface
temperature (surface water mass) study will be used to test hypotheses HglSa, H015b, and
Hol6a. The NOAA hydrographic studies will also contribute to the examination of
hypotheses 1^6, HQ?, and UQ& of Tier 2 and ^14 of Tier 3 of this joint Monitoring Plan.
Although Lagrangian measurements, such as those obtained from drifters, provide
direct evidence of where sludge may move in the farfield, such programs provide
information only on spatial patterns of surface-water movement. Statistical estimates of
sludge movement from the 106-Mile Site as well as site interactions with oceanic features
(fronts, eddies, etc.) require that the Lagrangian measurements be supplemented by
Eulerian (fixed-point) measurements. Measurements from the surface-current mooring
deployed by EPA for Tier 2 studies provide this type of data. Ideally, data from the
mooring will continue to be obtained over the same time period that drogues are being
released at the site. EPA will supplement data from the fixed current meters v/ith data
from expendable current profilers (XCP) deployed under Tier 2. Additionally, current
meters will be placed on the moorings deployed for the sediment trap program described
in Section 3.42. These Eularian data will be used to support testing of hypothecs HfllSb,
and Hol7a.
46
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3.4.2 Settling Studies
3.4.2.1 Mooring Locations and Design
Hypotheses Hgl4 and H^lTa will be tested by an array of moored sediment traps.
Sludge settling will be determined through measurement of material captured in these
sediment traps for sludge indicators. Based on preliminary calculations of the flux of
rapidly settling (>03 cm/s) sludge (Fry and Butman, 1990), an array of 10 moorings with
sediment traps and current meters will be placed in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site.
Details on the sediment trap design have been described by Battelle and SAIC (1990).
The mooring array is designed to evaluate transport towards the shelf and along
continental slope isobaths by deploying moorings along two principal transects (Figure 3-
2). The transect comprising moorings A, B, C, and D is located about 25 km southwest of
the western edge of the dumpsite, (Le., at mooring H) and spans the region of predicted
sludge flux. Mooring A is also likely to be influenced by particle fluxes originating from
the shelf. The along-isobath transect (H, C, E, F, and G) monitors the likely center line of
sludge moving to the southwest from the site. Moorings E and F are 60 km apart;
moorings F and G are 80 km apart; E is about 25 km southwest of C. Moorings F and G
are not expected to capture many sludge particles at the bottom, but traps located in the
upper layer may collect smaller particles that are expected to remain in the upper layers for
several months and thus be an important farfield influence.
Mooring I, on the 2600-m isobath, is upstream of the affected area (about 50 km
northeast of mooring H) and therefore will used as a background station for the potentially
impacted area near the 106-Mile Site. Mooring J is in the lower Hudson canyon. This
mooring will monitor particle flux in the canyon region because fluxes in this area may be
substantially different from sites located away from canyons (e.g., mooring A).
The proposed array is designed to resolve the expected horizontal gradients in sludge
deposition near the ocean bottom. However, a gradient in particle sizes that results in
differential sinking rates between the smaller organic particles and larger, more dense
particles is anticipated. Thus, sediment traps will be positioned to confirm this gradient
and capture slower sinking particles in the water column before dispersion results in
concentrations too dilute to detect
47
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0 °00'
:ooo
:300
2600
:soo
2600
2600
2600
2600
2600
1500
HGURE 3-2. 106-MILE SITE SEDIMENT TRAP MOORING LOCATIONS
48
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Sediment traps will be placed at three depths on each mooring: the top of each
mooring (at about 100 m depth), at 1000 m depth, and at a position 250 m above the
bottom. Placing the bottom traps 250 m above the bottom should locate them well above
the influence of bottom-sediment resuspension events, minimizing the influence from
resuspended bottom sediment on any sludge signals. The 1000-m level is approximately
midway between the upper and lower traps and is in the region of transition from the
upper-layer Slope Sea Gyre and Gulf Stream eddy currents to the deeper current regions
that are usually considered to be part of the Deep Western Boundary Current System.
The recommended depths for the traps and current meters for each mooring are
given in Table 3-2. The placement of the current meters is based on the requirement that
the currents be measured throughout the water column so that interpretation of particle
fluxes at the sediment trap levels can be based upon well-resolved current information.
Current meter placement on the moorings is chosen to enable evaluation of variability over
the region of maximum particle flux and also to enable evaluation of effects from Gulf
Stream eddies passing over the 106-Mile Site. The placement of instrumentation on
mooring transect A through D is diagrammed in Figure 3-3. To resolve the current shear
on this transect adequately, the moorings have been more heavily instrumented. Mooring C
has the most instruments. This will help to resolve the vertical current shears along the
isobath extending from mooring H. In general, current meters have been placed roughly 5
m below the sediment traps so that the flow field near the trap is monitored. Because the
upper layers (100 to 500 m) are likely to have the largest current shear, particularly during
the passage of warm-core eddies, current meters have been concentrated in this region of
the water column.
Sediment-trap samples will represent a 3- to 9-month integration of particulate input
to the ocean in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site. The trap design does not facilitate the
collection of time-series data that may be useful for interpreting the influence of specific
events that may affect sludge transport (phytoplankton blooms, shelf intrusions, warm-core
rings, etc.). Sediment traps modified to collect discrete samples representing shorter
periods of time may be added to the mooring array if it is determined that they are
necessary to meet the program objectives.
The initial deployment of the moorings will be from early summer to the fall of 1990.
All moorings will be recovered and redeployed in the fall of 1990. The moorings will be
49
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TABLE 3-2. DEPTHS OF INSTRUMENTATION ON MOORED ARRAYS
Mooring
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Water Depth
(m)
2000
2300
2600
2800
2600
2600
2600
2600
2600
1500
Trap
Depths
(m)
100
1000, 1750
100,1000
2550
100
1000
2350
100,1000
2500
100,1000
2350
100,1000
2350
100,1000
100,1000
2350
100,1000
2350
100,1000
Current Misters
Depths
(m)
100, 200, 500
1000, 1750
100, 150, 200, 500
1000, 1750
2350
100, 1000
100,1000
100
25,a 100a
aThese current meters are installed on EPA's realtime mooring that is adjacent to the proposed
Mooring H.
50
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A B
j 1 5 km ^ >• 15 km
C D
-1 5 km >
100 m
I50m
200 m
500 m
1000 m
1750 m
2000 m
2050m
1
2300m
2350 m M
If
^2550 m
c=a.
2600 m
Current
Meter
Sediment
Trap
2800 m
FIGURE 3-3.
MOORING DESIGN: CURRENT METERS AND SEDIMENT-TRAP
LOCATIONS
51
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recovered again in July of 1991 after a deployment period of 7 to 9 months. Deployment
after July 1991 will be determined from the results of the summer 1990 deployment.
To prevent biological degradation of the trapped material and zooplankton from
consuming the material, each trap has been equipped with a poison dispenser. Mercuric
chloride or formalin have been selected as the poison of choice. Two types of poison were
selected because the ability to measure certain parameters is limited by the type of poison
used.
3A22. Recommended Analysis of Trapped Material
Detection and quantification of sewage sludge material in the sediment traps will be
accomplished through physical, chemical, and biological analysis of the trapped material.
These parameters will be measured to
• Determine if sewage sludge can be detected at various depths
• Identify the types and quantify the amount of natural particles settling through the
water column
• Determine the flux of sludge and its spatial distribution in the water column
• Evaluate the most likely areas for sludge deposition on the seafloor.
Because the total mass of material that will be captured by the traps is anticipated to be
small, parameters selected for detecting the presence of sludge and for any quantification of
its transport have been carefully chosen (Table 3-3). Sample analysis priority, based on the
likelihood of detecting sludge or anticipated mass of material recovered, is also indicated in
Table 3-3. The proposed physical parameters were selected to determine if there is a
change in the type of particles settling through the water column and if this material can be
consistently related to the sludge disposal. The total flux of material will provide
quantitative estimates of how much material settles through the water column. Changes in
flux will be used to indicate where sludge is moving in the vicinity of the site.
The material in the sediment traps will also be examined for the type of coarse-
grained material (e.g., sand and grit) detected in sediment traps deployed immediately
behind barges disposing sludge in October 1989 (BatteUe, 1989f). For these studies,
sediment traps were deployed at a depth of 40 m in a sludge plume immediately behind a
barge dumping sludge. The traps were recovered after 1 h and the material captured
examined for any evidence of settling sludge. The material observed in these traps
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TABLE 3-3. SUGGESTED PARAMETERS FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF THE
MATERIAL CAPTURED BY THE SEDIMENT TRAPS
Physical Parameters
Total mass and flux Primary
Xyleme tracheids Primary
Fecal pellet (general observation) Secondary
Particle characteristics (descriptive) Priority
Chemical Parameters
Trace metals (Ag, Fe, Al, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn) Primary
^C1 Primary
Selected organic compounds (depending on the amount Secondary
of material recovered)
Cyclic alkenes
Tricyclic diterpenoids (from CJQ to C^)
Triterpenoids (hopanes, C^ to CJQ)
Triterpenoids (hopanes, > C^)
Sterols
Cholesterol
^-Sitrsterol
Stigmasterol
Campesterol
0-Coprostanol
PAH-Priority pollutant PAH (40 CFR 122)
Linear Alkylbenzenes
Lignin phenols
Syringyl phenols
Vanillze phenols
Conmanicphenols
Other tracers* Secondary
Biological parameters
Clostridiwn perfringensb Primary
Biogenic silica Secondary
CaC03 Secondary
aWill be determined only if tracers unique to sludge are identified.
bWill be determined only if the HgCl2 preservative does not effect the spores.
53
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included sand particles, a coarse granular black material, and flocculent organic. The
maximum settling rate of this material is estimated to be 40 m/h (1.1 cm/s).
Capture of fecal pellets from marine zooplankton by the traps is expected. The
general abundance and size of the pellets will be noted. However, specific measurements
or enumeration of fecal pellets are not planned. Other parameters listed in Table 3-3 may
be determined if it becomes evident that the information is necessary for interpreting the
primary data. Additional rationale for selecting these parameters will be discussed in a
Quality Assurance Project Plan developed specifically for the analysis of the sediment-trap
samples.
3.43 Sediment Studies
Several studies are planned to determine if sludge is reaching the sediments of the outer
continental shelf, submarine canyons, or the continental slope near the 106-Mile Site.
These studies will be conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the
National Undersea Research Program (NURP). NURP is planning to conduct two studies.
One program will be conducted in the continental slope and rise environment in the
vicinity of the 106-Mile Site; the other program will focus on the outer continental shelf and
submarine canyons near the site. Each program has components that relate to the Tier 3
monitoring, but the primary focus of the studies will be on long-term effects (Tier 4). The
planned activities are summarized in the following sections and Section 3.5.
3.43.1 Studies by the NOAA National Undersea Research Program
The continental slope and rise study will be conducted by Rutgers University through
the NOAA NURP office. The outer shelf/canyon study will be conducted by the University
,of Connecticut NURP office. These activities are not being supported by the ODBA funds,
but the data from both programs will be made available to the joint Monitoring Program.
The continental slope and rise study will conduct research to measure contaminants
from sludge that may reach the sediments in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site and to
determine possible areas on the seafloor where sludge may accumulate. This study will also
determine the fate of material settling to the seafloor (HglTa), especially the pattern of
accumulation of particles and particle mixing with respect to sediment resuspension,
54
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microtopography, and the activities of deepsea animal populations. Features that will be
studied include depressions and burrows that act as natural sediment traps.
Under the continental slope and rise study, the following tasks will be conducted (the
relevant Tier 3 hypothesis for each task is indicated in parentheses):
• Recover current meters and sediment-trap moorings deployed just west of the
106-Mile Site in September 1989 and deploy two similar moorings designed to
complement the EPA sediment-trap program (Hgl7a)
• Analyze and interpret current-meter and sediment-trap data from the September
1989 deployment
Conduct chemical analyses in short sediment cores collected with a spade box
corer for tracers of sewage sludge and the precise ARGO-JASON navigation
system (H017b) (planned for FY91)
Survey the seafloor, using the ARGO-JASON system and a deep-towed, side-
scan sonar unit (planned for FY91)
Analyze sediments from inside and outside the 106-Mile Site and sediment-trap
samples for selected human pathogens
The continental slope and rise study will also examine potential effects of sludge disposal
on benthic populations and ichthyoplankton. Those studies are discussed in Section 3.5.
The shelf/canyon study is designed as a long-term research program (3 to 5 years) to
be conducted on the outer continental shelf adjacent to the 106-Mile Site and to a depth of
«700 m in the major submarine canyons in this area. The major objective of this program
is
• To determine if gradients in sludge associated contaminants exist in sediments
\ and edible tissue and organs of commercial benthic species on the outer
continental shelf and upper slope outside the potential area of impact defined by
Bisagni (1983).
Because this study is a long-term research effort, several other objectives relating to station
selection, variability in the concentrations of contaminants within stations, and visual
documentation (video and still camera) procedures for evaluating species abundance and
megabenthic community status are also being addressed by the program.
Under the shelf/canyon study specific regions where there are commercial fisheries
will be studied. The planned activities are relevant to both the farfield fate (Tier 3) and
long-term effects (Tier 4) studies to be conducted under this joint Monitoring Plan. The
study will focus primarily on commercial species such as tilefish (Lopholatilus
chamaeleonticeps), red crab (Chaceon quinquedens), ocean quahog (Arctica islandica), and
55
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four-spot flounder (Paralichthys oblongus), and the sediments within the habitat of each of
these species. The following tasks will be conducted:
• Red crab study: Red crabs from w650 m depth at 11 stations located in and
adjacent to submarine canyons are being assessed for shell disease, bacterial and
faunal species associated with the shell disease, and trace-metal and organic
compound concentrations in edible tissue and hepatopancreas.
* Ocean quahog study: Samples of ocean quahogs and sediments are being
collected from 27 middle and outer continental shelf locations in association with
the NMFS shellfish surveys. Tissues and sediments will be analyzed for trace-
metal and organic compounds plus heart tumors and other pathological
conditions.
* Four-spot flounder study: Samples collected during NMFS groundfish surveys
will be analyzed for (1) trace-metal and organic compounds, (2) disease status,
and (3) bacterial flora from fins and the intestinal tract of the organisms.
* Manned submersible studies: Submersible dives will be conducted at stations
located in w200 and «650 m of water within the eight major submarine canyons
located between Veatch and Baltimore Canyons. These dives will (1) use laser
scaled video to examine the megabenthic communities and (2) collect sediment
samples from topographic highs and lows at each site and from within red crab
and tilefish borrows for analysis of chemical contaminants and bacterial indicators
of sewage sludge.
The sediment samples collected during these studies will contribute to the
information necessary to test HglTb. The other studies will contribute to the testing of
several Tier 4 hypotheses that are discussed in Section 3.5.
3.43.2 NMFS Sediment Studies
NMFS will also collect and analyze sediments from the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site
for chemical and bacterial indicators of sludge. Parameters included in the NOAA
National Status and Trends Program will be measured (Table 3-4). These samples will be
collected as part of the long-term effects studies discussed in Section 3.5. Metals,
pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, coprostanol, and bacterial indicators (Clostridium perfringens
spores) will be analyzed in sediments from Sites 1 through 31 (see Section 3.5.1 for station
locations). These sediment samples will be collected with a box core. Replicated box cores
56
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TABLE 3-4. PARAMETERS THAT WILL BE DETERMINED BY NOAA IN
SEDIMENT ORGANISMS COLLECTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE.
These parameters are the same as those determined in the NOAA National
Status and Trends Program.
Pofynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Naphthalene
2-Methylnaphthalene
1-Methylnaphthalene
Biphenyl
2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene
Acenaphthylene
Acenaphthene
2,3,5-Trimethylnaphthalene
Fluorene
Phenanthrene
Anthracene
1-Methylphenanthrene
Fluoranthene
Pyrene
Benz(a)anthracene
Chyrsene
Benzo(6)fluoranthene
Benzo(&)Fluoranthene
Benzo(e)pyrene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Perylene
Indeno(l,2,3-c,rf)pyrene
Dibenz(a,/z)anthracene
Benzo^/z^perylene
Pesticides
Hexachlorobenzene
Lindane
Heptachlor
Aldrin
Heptachlorepoxide
alpha-Chlordane
/ra/w-Nonachlor
Dieldrin
Mirex
o,p'-DDD
p,p'-DDD
o,p'-DDE
o,p'-DDE
o,p'-DDT
p,p'-DDT
Butyltins
Tributyltin
Dibutyltin
Monobutyltin
Tetrabutyltin
Pofyctdorinated Biphenyls
2,4,-C12(8)
2,2'5-C13(18)
2,4,4'-CI3(28)
2,2'3,5'-C14(44)
2,2',5,5'-CI4(52)
2,3',4,4'-C14(66)
2,2'4,5,5'-C15(101)
2,3,3'4,4'-C15(105)
2,3'4,4',5-C15(118)
2,2'3,3',4,4'-C16(128)
2,2'3,4,4',5'-C16(138)
2,2',4,4'5,5'-C16(153)
2,2',3,3',4,4',5-C17(170)
2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-C17(180)
2,2',3,4,5,5',6-C17(187)
2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6-C18(195)
2,2',3,3'4,4',5,5',6-C19(206)
Decachlorobiphenyl-C110(209)
Trace Metals
Aluminum (Al)
Silver (Ag)
Arsenic (As)
Cadmium (Cd)
Chromium (Cr)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)
Mercury (Hg)
Nickel (Ni)
Lead (Pb)
Selenium (Se)
Tin (Sn)
Zinc (Zn)
Auxiliary Parameters
Total organic carbon/total carbonate
(TOC/TIC) (sediment)
Clostridium perfringens (sediment)
Sediment grain size (sediment
57
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will be collected at only 12 stations. These stations will be selected to coincide with the
Stations sampled previously during baseline surveys or previous studies in the area. Single
box cores will be collected at the remaining 19 stations. Multiple undisturbed subsamples
will be taken from each sample. Cores for contaminant analysis will be frozen; those for
bacterial analysis will be refrigerated at 2° to 4°C. Cores will be subsectioned in horizontal
strata at shore-based laboratories for analysis.
The results of the analyses v/ill be used in interpreting any observed effects in
organisms collect at the same time under these programs. In addition, the results will used
to identify possible linkages with sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site.
3.4.4 Modeling
NOAA will continue to evaluate possible models that can be used to determine the
fate of sludge and to identify possible deposition areas. An appropriate sludge transport
model should include three components: a water-circulation component, an advection-
diffusion component, and a particle-deposition component. Potential circulation models
include a Dynalysis, Inc., model of the Middle Atlantic Bight (Mellor and Ezer, 1990) and
Harvard Gulf Stream model (Robinson and Walstad, 1987).
During FY90, NOAA will assess the suitability of historical data sets that could be
used to initialize a circulation model or to compare with results from a model of the
farfield fate of sludge constituents. Viable historical data include measurements of
temperature and salinity (CTD and XBT data) and data from moored current meters taken
during the Shelf Edge Exchange Processes (SEEP I and E) programs and the Middle
Atlantic Slope and Rise (MASAR) experiment.
During FY91, NOAA will evaluate the utility of using output from available
circulation models as input to the circulation component of a transport model for the
environs of the 106-Mile Dumpsite. NOAA will also assess existing advection-diffusion and
particle transport models for suitability of application. Potential advection-diffusion models
include those of O'Connor et al. (1983) and Walker et al. (1987). Potential deposition
models include those of Partch (1985) and Nocito-Gobel et al. (1989).
EPA modeling studies will be used primarily to help to interpret the sediment-trap
data. Models will form the primary link between the Lagrangian and Eulerian field
58
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observations and data results from the sediment traps. Specific model requirements will be
refined during the planning phase for the data syntheses designed to evaluate the farfield
fate of the sludge (Section 4.2.1).
3.5 TIER 4:
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
The continuing monitoring, research, and surveillance plan will test some of the same
hypotheses that were included in Tier 4 of EPA's Monitoring Plan. Other hypotheses listed
in the EPA Monitoring Plan have been modified; still other hypotheses are added to this
tier of the joint Monitoring Plan. Hypotheses that are carried over from the EPA
Monitoring Plan include
Hgl8: Sludge constituents have no significant long-term effect on the distribution of
endangered species in the vicinity of the site.
HglP Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the tissues of commercially
important species resident in the shelf and slope areas adjacent to the site.
Hg21: Sludge disposal has no effect on eggs and larval stages of indigenous animals.
Hg23: Pathogens or biological tracers of sewage sludge do not increase in the water
column or biota as a result of sludge disposal.
Hypothesis Hgl8 is intended to ensure that endangered species are considered in the plan.
The emphasis for testing Hgl8 will be shipboard observations to identify and enumerate
marine mammals (to include endangered species) occurrence and distribution near the 106-
Mile Site. Testing of contaminant levels in endangered species is not planned. H£2 of the
EPA Monitoring Plan is not included because lack of baseline data makes a definitive test
difficult. This new plan modifies H^O of the EPA Monitoring Plan to test effects on
benthic organisms and populations as well as communities. The revised hypothesis is
Hg20: Benthic metabolism, populations, and/or communities do not change
significantly because of sludge disposal.
The new plan also includes the following new hypotheses.
Ho24: There are no detectable differences in the body burdens of sludge
contaminants in midwater fishes in the immediate vicinity of the 106-Mile Site
compared to a broad area surrounding the dumpsite.
Ho25: The prevalence of shell disease exhibited by commercially important
crustaceans is not significantly different in collections of commercially valuable
American lobsters and red crabs, off New Jersey, adjacent to and downstream
from the 106-Mile Site, from those in collections off Georges Bank and
southern New England.
59
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77 900
4taeo
76 'CO' 75 300' 74 °00' 73 °00' 72 300' 7]i°00' 70 °00'
40°00' -
39900' -
38900'
'00
76 °00' 75 °00' 74 °00' 73 °00' 72 °00
HGURE 3-4. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA SEDIMENT AND TRA.\^L STATIONS.
62
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Bioaccumulation by macrobenthic organisms (K^lPand H^ZS). A wide variety of
benthic fish and shellfish occurs on the continental shelf and on the slope to depths of
500 m (NOAA, 1983; Maciolek et aL, 1987). Lobsters, red crabs, and tilefish are the most
abundant resource species, although their ranges do not extend much deeper than 500 m.
They are not found within the 106-Mile Site. Below 1000 m, brittle stars, sea urchins, and
rattails are the predominant species. Densities of organisms are very low at those depths,
generally less than 0.1 to 1 animal per square meter.
An Isaacs-Kidd trawl will be used to collect benthic fishes and crustaceans at depths
between 200 and 3500 m. Because tilefish, American lobsters, and red crabs cannot always
be collected with this gear or at the stations specified for the benthic samplings, separate
collections will be made through the commercial fishery. These collections will be
undertaken at several continental slope areas which may include Lydonia, Atlantis, Hudson-
Toms, Baltimore, and Norfolk Canyons, depending on the fishery. Traps will be set for
lobsters; long lines or hand lines will be used for tilefish.
Whenever the otter trawl catch permits, as many as 30, but no fewer than 12,
individuals of as many as five benthic species will be collected, identified, and sorted for
chemical analysis. For the lobsters, at least 20 adult individuals, half with and half without
evidence of substantial shell disease, will be collected at each station. At least 10 tile fish
will be sampled at each site. One to as many as five species from each site will be analyzed
for metals, pesticides, PAHs, and PCBs. Resource species will be preferred.
The shelf/canyon study will also measure bioaccumulation of metals and organic
compounds in several commercial species (see Section 3.43.1 for details). The results of
these studies can be applied to hypotheses 1^19, Ho23, H£6, and H^ZS.
Measurement of chemical contamination in American lobsters and red crab (1^19,
Ho27, and Ho28). Given the uncertainty that sludge-derived contaminants might reach the
continental slope of New Jersey and the Delmarva peninsula, specimens of American
lobsters and red crabs will be obtained to determine the prevalence of shell disease
(Section 3.43.1 and 3.5.2). The chemical contaminants in organisms recovered during the
shellfish disease study will be determined. Approximately 20 adult American lobsters, half
with and half without substantial evidence of shell disease, will be collected the five
previously indicted continental slope area stations for chemical analysis. Both the muscle
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and the hepatopancreas will be analyzed for the same metal and organic compounds
measured in benthic organisms and midwater fish collected under this Monitoring Plan.
Contaminants will also be measured in the red crabs sampled under the shelf/canyon
study (Section 3.43.1). These results will help in the evaluation of hypotheses H^55 and
Bioaccumulation by midwater fishes (Ho24). The lantern fishes (Myctophidae) and
hatchet fishes (Sternopychidae) are relatively abundant throughout the slope water of the
Middle Atlantic. Trawls in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site indicate that they are the most
abundant of the midwater fishes, comprising 95 percent of the nighttime catch in the upper
200 m and 90 percent of the daytime catch in the upper 800 m. Lantern and hatchet fishes
migrate vertically, moving to the surface to feed (on zooplankton and micronekton) at night
and returning to depths of 200-700 m before daylight. They are weak swimmers, and except
for their vertical migrations are essentially planktonic.
These midwater fishes have been selected as the primary organisms for detecting and
studying the presence of sludge associated contaminants surface waters in the vicinity of the
106-Mile Site. Samples will be collected from the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site and in a
pattern over a broad area around the site (Figure 3-5). A stepwise double-oblique towing
profile focused on the expected capture depth for the time of day of sampling and water
mass present will be used to recover the organisms. An Isaacs-Kidd or other midwater
trawl will be used for sampling.
Captured fishes will be sorted, identified, measured, counted, and frozen for
transport to the analytical laboratories. Twenty individual specimens of each of the seven
most abundant species will be collected from each trawl. Samples of zooplankton and
micronekton will also be recovered for contaminant analysis. The strategy will be to
oversample, so that similarity of species among sites can be maximized. At the end of each
sampling survey, the three species at each station that give the best area coverage will be
selected for analysis. Organisms will be analyzed for the same metals and organic;
compounds determined in the benthic organisms. Where possible, 10 samples (individuals
or composites of two organisms) of each species selected will be analyzed.
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/6 °00'
41*00'
75 °00' 74- °00' 73 °00'
72 °00' 71 °00'
r
70 °00' 69 °00'
40°00' -
39°00' -
38° 00' -
FIGURE 3-5. PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR NOAA NfYCTOPHID SURVEYS
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3.5.2 Chitinoclastic Disease in Macrobenthic Crustaceans
Chitinoclastic shell disease of lobsters and red crabs has received media attention
because fishermen have reported prevalence of the disease and concurrent declines in
catches. Although there is no evidence of increased disease or of an association with
sludge disposal (NOAA and EPA, 1989), data from offshore populations are scarce.
Therefore, the occurrence of Chitinoclastic shell disease will be examined. Hypotheses
H()25 will be tested under this activity. Samples will be taken from inshore and offshore
populations of American lobster. Samples will also be taken from polluted and unpolluted
sites. The sampling will consider seasonal, behavioral, and physiological changes in each
species. Samples will be obtained from four sources.
• Megabenthic trawls. American lobsters and red crabs collected during the
megabenthic trawls at the inshore stations of the cross-slope transects (Figure 3-4)
will be examined for prevalence of the disease.
* The commercial fishery. Beginning in July 1990, samples of the American
lobsters and red crabs will be obtained from commercial catches of offshore shelf
populations covering fisheries from Veatch to Norfolk Canyons. Inspections will
be opportunistic, either onboard the commercial vessel or at the point of landing.
Observers will be placed aboard commercial vessels to verify the locations where
animals were caught.
• 12-Mile Site. Inshore lobster populations in and around the vicinity of the 12-
Mile Site will be sampled monthly using otter trawl. The data from the 1986-
1989 12-Mile Site surveys on shell disease prevalence will provide reference
information.
* NEC - Manomet Fishery Observer Program. Catch logs and disease prevalence
of the American lobster and red crab will be acquired through the NEC -
Manomet Fishery Observer Program. These surveys will cover the Block Island,
Nantucket Shoals, Montauk, and Point Pleasant areas. Routine coverage of the
spring and fall NEC resources cruises will be arranged. Trained observers will
detect and record the severity of the shell disease during these surveys.
Each animal will be examined for prevalence and intensity of shell disease. The sex,
size, molting stage, and any gill abnormalities will be noted.
The shelf/canyon study also plans to examine red crabs for shell disease as described
in Section 3.43.1. These results may also be applied to evaluating hypothesis
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3.5.3 Benthic Studies
The continental slope and rise study will, in conjunction with studies of transport and
fate, study possible effects on benthic organisms, populations, and communities. Activities
to be conducted will include
• Determining the possible effects of carbon additions on benthic metabolism,
macrofaunal activity, and redox zonation (H^O). These studies will determine
whether (1) sludge disposal affects benthic metabolism; (2) sludge deposition
influences macrofaunal activity (by changes in rates, population densities, or
community composition) as evidenced by depth and rate of particle mixing as
well as bioirrigation; (3) sludge deposition influences the depth zonation of
natural redox boundaries; and (4) breakdown of organic matter occurs primarily
on the sediment surface or within the sediment, and sludge deposition affects this
process.
• Determining whether sludge enters the benthic food web. These studies will be
conducted separately from the bioaccumulation studies described in Section 3.5.1.
• Evaluating the effects of natural and anthropogenic inputs on population density
and community structure (Hg20).
• Determining whether benthic communities in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site
differ from those described from baseline surveys (Hg20).
• Conducting in situ experiments to determine whether sludge inhibits feeding by
benthic animals.
• Analyzing the biochemistry and pathology of benthic-feeding fishes as indicators
of exposure to and effects of sludge.
Precise locations for these activities have not been specified.
The shelf/canyon study will also conduct benthic studies along the outer shelf and in
selected submarine canyons. The general studies that will be conducted are described in
Section 3.4.3.1. The submersible studies of megabenthic communities in the submarine
canyons will also relate to hypothesis Hg20.
3 .5.4 Fish Distribution and Abundance
Studies to test the null hypothesis H^P will be supported under NMFS funded
programs rather than fees collected under ODBA. These studies will assess the possible
influence of dumping on the temporal and spatial differences in fish distribution and
abundance as determined through analysis of catch per unit effort (CPUE) data.
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3.5.5 Sensitive life Stage Studies
Under the continental shelf and rise program, ichthyoplankton samples will be
collected using surface-deployed nets. The results from these samples will be compared
with previous studies in the region (hypothesis Hg21). Methods used in the studies will
follow those used in the NOAA MARMAP program. Double-oblique tows using a frame
fitted with a 0.05-mm-mesh net will be performed. The net will be lowered to a maximum
depth of 200 m at 50 m/min and retrieved at 20 m/min. Ship speed will be maintained at 1
to 2 kn. Information on distribution of fish eggs and larvae will be compared with similar
information from reference stations. These activities are not expected to provide definitive
evidence of effects on sensitive life stages of fishes. However, they will provide ongoing
measurements that can be assessed in conjunction with additional studies, should Tier 3
results indicate that degradation of water quality in the vicinity of the site may occur.
3.5.6 Pathogen and Biological Tracers of Sewage Sludge
Enumeration of Clostridium perfiingens spores will be made on samples from the EPA
sediment-trap study and on samples collected in conjunction with the various sediment
studies planned by NOAA. The results will be used to test hypothesis H^lTb in Tier 3.
The NURP studies will also look for selected human pathogens and biological tracers
of sewage sludge in sediment samples from the vicinity of the site, various submarine
canyons, and outer continental shelf areas. The pathogen Acanthamoeba will be
determined in sediment collected as part of the shelf/canyon study. As part of the
continental shelf and rise program, sediment samples will be tested for total microbial
nucleic acids to detect enteropathogenic bacteria using pathogen-specific hybridization
probes and microbial community structure using DNA-DNA reassociation kinetics. One
organism that the sediments will be tested for is Salmonella. Other tests may be used as
they are developed. The DNA-DNA reassociation studies will be used to examine the
complexity of the microbial population in sediments in and near the 106-Mile Site and will
compare the results against control stations.
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3.5.7 Endangered Species Studies
EPA and NOAA will continue to include trained observers of marine mammals,
reptiles, and birds on all surveys related to the 106-Mile Site with available space. The data
will be used to evaluate Hgl8. The observers will record the presence, number, and
behavior of all species of mammals, reptiles, and birds in 15-min intervals along the survey
track (Payne et ah, 1984). Each observation period represents a transect, and several
transects are to be performed each day during the survey. Data from each survey
conducted while dumping is taking place will be compared to data from predumping
surveys. Such observations are expected to continue throughout the use of the site.
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4.0 SCHEDULE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA USE FOR THE
106-MDLE SITE MONITORING PLAN
This section integrates the findings of EPA's past monitoring efforts with the plans
for continued monitoring, research, and surveillance by EPA, NOAA, and the USCG. It
presents an overall schedule for the program; describes the plans for communications
among the agencies, with members of the scientific community, and with the public; and
shows how results of the program have been and will continue to be used.
4.1 MASTER SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM
Responsibilities for activities conducted as part of the monitoring, research, and
surveillance plan are summarized in Table 4-1. Responsibilities are divided among EPA,
NOAA, and the USCG. The schedule of activities already completed by the EPA.
monitoring program and for implementing those new activities planned by EPA, NOAA,
and the USCG is presented in Figure 4-1.
Monitoring at the 106-Mile Site began in 1984 with surveys for collection of baseline
information in support of the site designation process. Additional baseline data were
collected during 1985 and 1986. Dumping at the site had already begun when 1986 data
were collected. However, stations were selected to avoid contamination from sludge
plumes.
Initial evaluations of variability for Tier 1 monitoring of sludge characteristics and
disposal operations were completed during 1988. Permits for continued use of the site,
which were issued in 1989, have specified continued monitoring and surveillance. Tier 2
monitoring was initiated with preliminary observations of sludge plumes in the summer of
1986 and with collection of water samples in the plume in conjunction with plume-tracking
exercises in the summer of 1987. Winter and summer measurements were made in 1988,
and winter measurements were repeated in 1989. Also, during 1989 a surface-current
mooring was deployed. Short-term biological assessments were made during the summer
1988 survey.
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TABLE 4-1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992.
(T: Tables. E: Electronic Format. R: Reports. G: Graphics.)
Activity
Data Collection Data Archive*
Data Availability and
Frequency of Distribution
Data Format
Sludge Characteristics
Ongoing Monitoring Permittees EPA
Disposal Operations
Ongoing
Surveillance
Permittees
USCG/EPA
Monthly
E,T
Monthly
E,T
Nearfield Fate
Current Meter EPA
EPA
Monthly; 2 months for internally
recording units
E,G,R
XCP Deployment
Permittees
EPA
Monthly
E,G,R
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TABLE 4-1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992.
(T: Tables. E: Electronic Format. R: Reports. G: Graphics.) (CONTINUED)
Activity
Farfield Fate
Drifters
Seasonal Drifter Study
SST Imagery
XBT Deployment
MWDASb Station
Sediment Traps
Current Meters
Hydrographic Studies
Sediment Studies
Data Collection
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
EPA
NOAA (NURP)C
EPA
NOAA (NURP)C
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA (NUR?)
Data Archive*
EPA
NOAA
EPA/NOAA NOS
EPA/NOAA NOS
EPA
EPA
NOAA
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
Data Availability and
Frequency of Distmbution
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
Wilhin 4 months of recovery
Within 6 months of recovery
Within 4 months of recovery
Within 6 months of recovery
Wilhin 6 months of survey
Within 6 to 12 months of survey
Within 6 to 12 months of survey-
Data Format
E,G,R
E,R
E.G.R
E,G,R
E.G.R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
E,R
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TABLE 4-1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE DURING 1990-1992.
(T: Tables. E: Electronic Format. R: Reports. G: Graphics.) (CONTINUED)
Activity
Long-Term Effects
Endangered Species
Observations
Bioaccumulation Studies
Chitinoclasia Studies
Benthic Studies
Sensitive Life-Stage
Studies
Selected Pathogen Studies
Data Collection
EPA and
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA (NURP)C
NOAA (NURP)C
NOAA/
NOAA (NURP)C
Data Archive*
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
Data Availability and
Frequency of Distribution
Within 4 months of survey
Wilhin 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 10 to 12 months of survey
Within 6 to 12 months of survey
Data Format
E,R
E.G.R
E,R
E.R
E,R
E,R
"Indexing system.
bMeteorological/Wave Data Acquisition System.
CNURP is participating in this program under separate source of research funds.
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Public Awareness
Blue Ribbon Panel
Sludgo Characteristics
Ongoing Monitoring
Disposal Operations
Ongoing Surveillance
Nearfield Fate
Water Column Measurements
Plume Studies
Current Meter Deployment
XCP Deployment
MWDAS Station
Short-Term Effects
Short-Term Effects Studies
Farfield Fate
Drifter Studies
SST Imagery
XBT Deployment
Sediment Trap Deployment
Modeling
Hydrographlc Studies
Seasonal Drifter Deployment
Sediment Studies
Long-Term Effects
Endangered Species Studies
Bloaccumulation Studies
Chitinoclasia Studies
Benthlc Studies
Ichthyoplankton Studies
_LL
i ' I ' ' I i i
' ' I i i I I I
i I i i I i i I i i
OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL OCT JAN APR JUL
1986 19871987198719871988198819881988198919891989198919901990 1990199019911991 19911991 1992 19921992
Activity conducted
Activity planned
FIGURE 4-1.
MASTER SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED AS OF OCTOBER 1990 FOR THE MONITORING,
RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
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Many Tier 2 studies were completed in 1989; others will extend through 1991. In
March 1990, weekly XCP deployments from sludge barges began and will extend through
1991. Data from these will be used to determine the vertical shear in horizontal currents
and water temperature.
Tier 3 monitoring was initiated in 1988. Use of drifters and remote sensing to
estimate farfield fate of sludge disposed at the site was initiated in 1988. Weekly drifter
deployments will begin in March 1990. Also, the surface-current mooring deployed for Tier
2 is being used for Tier 3 studies. Further Tier 3 studies, including sediment studies, will
be conducted during 1990 and 1991.
Long-term effects, Tier 4, studies were initiated in 1989 and will continue for the
duration of the program. Effects on endangered species have been assessed since dumping
began and will continue throughout the life of the program. During 1989, NOAA and EPA
conducted preliminary studies of contaminants in lantern and hatchet fishes. Other
bioaccumulation studies, studies of chitinoclasia, benthic studies, assessment of
ichthyoplankton, and measurements of pathogens in sediments will proceed during 1990
and 1991.
Monitoring and research activities to be conducted in 1992 will be determined based
on results from the 1990 and 1991 monitoring. These may include continuing the program
discussed previously or modifying certain aspects based on the results of the monitoring
and research program and ongoing sludge disposal activities.
42 COMMUNICATIONS AND DATA EXCHANGE
Communications and data exchange are integral parts of the monitoring, research,
and surveillance program. This section describes (1) data quality and data exchange; (2)
expert reviews of plans and results; and (3) public awareness.
4.2.1 Quality Assurance Requirements
All activities under the joint Monitoring Plan will be conducted under well defined
Quality Assurance programs. Specific quality assurance activities conducted under the joint
Monitoring Plan will be the responsibility of each agency conducting the activity. All
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activities will be conducted under project-specific plans (e.g., survey, laboratory, or other
work plan) that specify at a minimum the project goals, the relationship of the specific
project to the overall joint Monitoring Plan, the hypotheses from the joint Monitoring Plan
that are being tested, schedules of activities, data quality requirements, sample or data
collection procedures, analytical methods and quality control measures, and data
documentation and validation procedures. Analytical laboratories performing chemical
analysis must participate in the quality assurance program used in the National Status and
Trends (NS&T) program. This will ensure accuracy, precision, and comparability of
sediment and tissues results being generated by the various laboratories. The NOAA
NS&T quality assurance program includes the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST)/NOAA NS&T program for organic contaminants and the National
Research Council (NRC) of Canada/NOAA NS&T program for metals.
Data interpretation and synthesis will be the responsibility of all three agencies
issuing the joint Monitoring Plan. Because of the complex interactions required to evaluate
the sludge fate, an organization chart showing the interrelationships of research activities in
Tiers 2 and 3 are shown in Figure 4-2. Synthesis of data will take place as reports are
being written. EPA has established a specific project to synthesize the data obtained under
the EPA Tier 3 Farfield Fate studies. The overall synthesis of the physical oceanographic
data will include application of simple transport models designed to bridge the sediment-
trap observations and the physical oceanographic data. The model will form a framework
for evaluating sludge transport and fate information derived from the sediment-trap
program. The interrelationship of the long-term effects studies has been similarly organized
(Figure 4-3).
423. Reports and Information Exchange
Several reports have been and will continue to be prepared by EPA and NOAA to
document the plans and results of the program. Descriptions of those reports that will be
developed under the program are presented in Table 4-2.
Records of work to be performed, including details about sampling locations and
methods for sampling and analysis are currently documented in work plans or work/quality
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Hearfield Studies
Farfield Studies
FIGURE 4-2.
TIER 2 AND TIER 3 MONITORING AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
DATA SOURCES, DATA PROCESSING REPORTS, AND SYNTHESIS
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LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Sediment
Chemistry
MMFS
Core Samples
Bioaccumulation
Midwater Fish
NMFS
Trawl Survey
Data Repository
NMFS/NODC
NOS Hydrographic
Survey Results
Data Repository
NMFS/NODC
-4
OO
Bioaccumulation
Macrobenthos
Offshore
Fishery
NMFS
Trawl Survey -
Data Repository
NMFS/NODC
Chitinoclasia
NMFS
Trawl Survey
Offshore
Fishery
NMFS Data
and Chemical
Analyses
Data Repository
NMFS/NODC
FIGURE 4-3.
NOAA NMFS ODBA-FUNDED RESEARCH AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES, DATA SOURCES, REPORTS, AND
DATA SYNTHESIS. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE NURP PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE
TEXT OF THE JOINT MONITORING PLAN
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TABLE 4-2. SUMMARY OF REPORTS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED UNDER THE
106-MILE SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
PLAN
Report Type
Content of Report
Survey Plans
Survey Reports
Data Reports
Project Reports
Joint Reports
Peer-Reviewed Papers
Public Information
Detailed description of survey objectives, survey activities,
station locations, measurements techniques, schedules,
measurements that will be made onboard. Quality-
assurance goals and quality-control techniques, data formats,
and products to be developed for each survey or research
activity.
Summary descriptions of activities accomplished during a
survey, including a brief summary of data generated
onboard the survey vessel and the success in meeting the
survey objectives.
Data reports may be the only reports required for some
projects. Data will, however, be used in other reports to
synthesis data that cross project lines.
Reports discussing the objectives, methods, results, data
discussions, conclusions and recommendations for
continuing work, prepared for each project. Data tables,
graphics, and other information necessary to support
discussions, conclusions, and recommendations. May be
included in ongoing agency report series or as standalone
documents.
Data gathered such that interagency preparation of a report
is necessary.
Papers prepared for delivery at scientific meetings,
symposiums, or for publication in professional journals.
Publications prepared for release to the public. These may
in the form of press releases or briefing reports for rapid
release of information to the public.
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TABLE 4-2. SUMMARY OF REPORTS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED UNDER
THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND
SURVEILLANCE PLAN (CONTINUED).
Report Type
Content of Report
Reports to the Congress
ODBA-required reports on the progress towards ending
ocean dumping and on monitoring results.
Ocean-Dumping Symposium
Final Compendium
During FY91 or FY92, a conference to review the status of
the 106-Mile Site Monitoring activities is planned. The
symposium will include international activities related to
sewage sludge disposal and synthesize existing data on ihe
106-Mile Site, proceedings volume will be published.
At the conclusions of all research, monitoring, and
surveillance activities involving sewage sludge disposal at the
106-Mile Site a final compendium of results will be
prepared. The compendium will summarize the findings of
the research plus consider regulatory issues, management
actions, scientific results. This will provide a volume upon
which scientists and policy makers can draw for information
on the use of the ocean for waste disposal should such
options be considered in the future.
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assurance project plans and survey plans. These types of documents are required for all
projects and surveys. Results are documented in survey, data, and final project reports.
Other reports may also be issued as necessary.
So that information will be shared between NOAA and EPA, regular meetings will
be held to plan activities and discuss results. As required by the ODBA, an annual report
to the Congress, prepared by EPA with NOAA and USCG review, will summarize results of
the monitoring, research, and surveillance program.
423 Data Management and Archival
So that other participating scientists may use the information gathered during the
joint monitoring program, a data management plan will be developed and implemented.
The data management plan will allow ready access to the information generated during the
various monitoring and research efforts. However, a single centralized data management
system containing all data generated under the joint Monitoring Plan will not be developed.
Initially, each agency or investigator participating in the joint program will be responsible
for maintaining data in readily accessible formats and locations. These data will be made
available to the data management system when it is implemented. When possible, data will
be maintained within data management systems presently available within each agency.
For long-term data archival, Federal data systems currently available for storage of
environmental or oceanographic data may be used. Such systems as the NOAA National
• Ocean Data Center (NODC) or the EPA STORET or Ocean Data Evaluation System
(ODES) will be employed when possible. Final disposition of all data will be determined
before the joint monitoring program is closed. All projects conducted under the joint
monitoring program will be encouraged to provide data to the database management
systems in a timely manner and will be required to submit data sets to the final data
archival systems.
To facilitate information exchange, development of a centralized data management
index system will be assessed and implemented as necessary to ensure accessibility of the
data for other data users. This indexing system will direct current and future data users to
the relevant information sources or data archival locations. The system will include
information such as the type of data, the data storage format, storage location, the
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appropriate agencies or offices to contact to access the data, and directions for retrieving
the information. Placement of the data index on a readily available computer system and
publication of a brochure containing the relevant information will be evaluated.
Data submission requirements will be defined as the program progresses, but will
include at a minimum
Final quality-assured and approved data
Supporting quality control information
A brief assessment of the data quality
Supporting information such as sample depth, location, replicate number, etc.
A brief narrative describing the sample-collection methods and analytical
procedures
• Citations of reports or other publications containing the data
Processed satellite-tracked drifter and sea surface imagery data will also be archived with
appropriate indications of the national archival locations for the raw data.
Information and data will be exchanged among the various studies as necessary to
complete data interpretation and to prepare reports. Every effort will be made to complete
data generation and data exchange in a timely manner. However, only approved
independently quality-assured final data will be exchanged. Data interchange will be in
formats that expedite the data transfer.
Cooperating agencies and individuals will also work together to ensure appropriate
recognition of data sources. Investigators will work together to provide interpretive reports
in a timely manner. Investigators may also be requested to provide preliminary information
to the Blue Ribbon Panel of Federal Experts (Section 42.4) or to annual reports as
required by the program managers.
4.2.4 Expert Review of Plans and Results
The information generated through implementation of the research, monitoring, and
surveillance plan shall also be reviewed formally. A Blue Ribbon Panel of Federal Experts
will aid the agencies in making decisions about site management issues and future research,
monitoring, and surveillance needs. EPA, NOAA, and USCG are convening this panel. It
will include a core group of representatives of Federal agencies. Representatives from
outside the Federal Government will provide specific expertise as needed.
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Expert review of the results of the program will also take place at a symposium to be
conducted in 1991 or 1992. EPA, NOAA, and the USCG will convene the symposium.
Representatives from Federal, State, and local governments, scientific institutions,
fishermen's groups, and environmental groups will be invited to review results of
monitoring, research, and surveillance activities.
4.2J5 Public Awareness
Participants at the joint EPA/NOAA/USCG workshop held in 1989 recommended
that Federal efforts in public awareness of monitoring activities and findings should be
improved.
EPA has the lead responsibility for informing the public of 106-Mile Site research,
monitoring, and surveillance activities and their findings. NOAA, USCG, and EPA will
collaborate to summarize up-to-date, technical information on sludge dumping and its
implications. This information will address particularly the stated concerns of public-
interest groups. Information will be distributed in short, newspaper-style format to (1)
newspapers and news magazines, (2) radio and television stations, and (3) groups that have
expressed interest in site management issues. EPA Region n will continue to publish the
ODBA Advocate, a semiannual newsletter updating relevant ODBA activities. Aggressive
efforts will be sustained to inform all groups expressing interest.
43 USES OF MONITORING. RESEARCH. AND STTRVFTTT ANCE DATA
Results of monitoring at the 106-Mile Site have been and will continue to be used as
a basis for initiating enforcement actions when court orders or permit conditions have been
violated; setting or revising permit requirements; modifying or revising the monitoring
program itself; and ultimately determining whether the site should continue to be used
according to the restrictions of the site designation process and the ODBA.
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5.0 REFERENCES
APHA. 1985. Standard Methods for the Examination of Waste and Wastewater. 16th
edition. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.
Battelle. 1986. Studies Conducted in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
Contract No. 68-01-6986. Work Assignment 55.
Battelle. 1987a. Analysis of Baseline Seawater and Sediment Samples from the 106-Mile
Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 21.
Battelle. 1987b. Evaluation of and Recommendations for Bioaccumulation Studies for the
106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site Monitoring Program. A report submitted to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work
Assignment 47.
Battelle. 1987c. Plume-Tracking Survey of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site.
A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
68-03-3319. Work Assignment 63.
Battelle. 1988a. Monitoring Plan for the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. A
report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-
03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.
Battelle. 1988b. Implementation Plan for the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site
Monitoring Program. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.
Battelle. 1988c. Results of Studies Conducted in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Deepwater
Municipal Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.
Battelle. 1988d. Analytical Results of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site
Survey—Summer 1986. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protecition
Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-31.
Battelle. 1988e. Nearfield Monitoring of Sludge Plumes at the 106-Mile Site: Results of a
Survey Conducted August 31 through September 5,1987. A report submitted to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work
Assignment 1-63.
Battelle. 1988f. Characteristics of Sewage Sludge from the Northern New Jersey-New York
City Area. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.
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Battelle. 1988g. Review and Evaluation of Available Methods for Assessing Short-Term
Biological Effects at the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. A report
submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-22.
Battelle. 1989a. Report to Congress on Monitoring Programs in the Middle Atlantic Bight
in Response to Section 104B(j)(4)(A) of the Ocean Dumping Ban Act. A report
submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-33.
Battelle. 1989b. Nearfield Fate Monitoring at the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge
Site: Winter 1988 Oceanographic Survey. A report submitted to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment
1-105.
Battelle. 1989c. Review of Disposal Operations at the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
Sludge Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.
Battelle. 1989d. Determination of Sludge Dumping Rates for the 106-Mile Site. A report
submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No.
68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.
Battelle. 1989e. Draft Site Condition Report for Farfield Survey of the 106-Mile
Site—October 1989. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-43.
Battelle. 1989f. Draft Initial Survey Report for the Farfield Survey of the 106-Mile Site-
October 1989. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-43.
Battelle. 1989g. Contaminant Body Burdens in Mesopelagic Fish (Myctophidae) Collected
Near the 106-Mile Site. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 38.
Battelle. 1989h. Permittee Monitoring Requirements: 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
Sludge Site Monitoring Program. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 7.
Battelle. 1990. Draft Final Report for Summer 1988 106-Mile Site Survey. A report to be
submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-
0105. Work Assignment 1-4.
Battelle and SAIC 1990. Field Plan for the Sediment Trap Program of the 106-Mile Site
Monitoring Program. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. Work Assignment 1-110.
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Bolhner, M.H., E.Y. Campbell, G.P. DiLisio, CM. Parmenter, R.R. Rendigs, J.R. Gillison,
W. Dangelo, and J. A. Commeau. 1987a. Analysis of Trace Metals in Bottom
Sediments in Support of Deepwater Biological Processes Studies on the U.S.
Mid-Atlantic Continental Slope and Rise. Final Report to the U.S. Department of the
Interior Minerals Management Service. OCS Study MMS 86-0102.
Bothner, M.H., E.Y. Campbell, CM. Parmenter, W. Dangelo, G.P. DiLisio, R.R. Rendigs,
and J.R. Gillison. 1987b. Analysis of Trace Metals in Bottom Sediments in Support of
Deepwater Biological Processes Studies on the U.S. North Atlantic Continental Slope
and Rise. Final Report to the U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management
Service. OCS Study MMS 87-0079.
Cohen, D.M. and D. L. Pawson. 1977. Observations from SDKVAlvin on Populations of
Benthie Fishes and Selected Larger Invertebrates in and near Deepwater Dumpsite
106. In NOAA, Baseline Report of Environmental Conditions in Deepwater Dumpsite
106. Volume II: Biological Characteristics. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.
EPA. 1979. Handbook for Analytical Quality Control in Water and Wastewater
Laboratories. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA-600/4-79-019.
EPA. 1980. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 106-Mile Ocean Waste Disposal
Site Designation. Final. Oil and Special Materials Control Division, Marine Protection
Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
EPA. 1985. Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents to Freshwater and
Marine Organisms. 3rd ed. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA/600/4-85-013.
EPA. 1986. Test Methods for Solid Waste. 3rd ed. SW-846.
EPA. 1987. Bioassay Procedures for the Ocean Disposal Permit Program. EPA-600/9-78-
010.
EPA. 1989. Proceedings of the Ocean Dumping Workshop-106-Mile Site. EPA-503/9-
89/009.
EPA, NOAA, and USCG. 1989. Strategy for Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance of the
106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site. In: Report to Congress on Ocean
Disposal Monitoring Programs in Response to the Ocean Dumping Ban Act. (To be
published.)
Fry, V., and B. Butman. 1990. Personal communication. March 1990.
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Greig, R., and D. Wenzloff. 1977. Final Report on Heavy Metals in Small Pelagic Finfish,
Euphausid Crustaceans, and Apex Predators, Including Sharks, As Well As on Heavy
Metals and Hydrocarbons (C15 + ) in Sediments Collected at Stations in and near
Deepwater Dumpsite 106. In: Baseline Report of Environmental Conditions in
Deepwater Dumpsite 106. Vol 3: Contaminant Inputs and Chemical Characteristics.
NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.
Hauslcnecht, KA. 1977. Results of Studies on the Distribution of Some Transition and
Heavy Metals at Deepwater Dumpsite 106. In: Baseline Report of Environmental
Conditions in Deepwater Dumpsite 106. Vol. 3: Contaminant Inputs and Chemical
Characteristics. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.
Lavelle, J.W., E. Ozturgut, E.T. Baker, D.A. Tennant, and S.L. Walker. 1988. Settling
Speeds of Sewage Sludge in Seawater. Environ. Sci. Technol. 22: 1201-1207.
Maciolek, N., J.F. Grassle, B. Hecker, P.D. Boehm, B. Brown, B. Dade, W. Steinhauer, E.
Baptiste, R.E. Ruff, and R. Petrecca. 1987. Study of the Biological Processes on the
U.S. Mid-Atlantic Slope and Rise. Final Report to the Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service. Vols. 1,2.
Mellor, G.L., and T. Ezer, 1990. Data Assimilation with a Realistic North Atlantic
Regional Model. EOS 71(2):187.
Nocito-Gobel, J.A., H.A. Walker, J.F. Paul, and CA. Menzie. 1989. Application of a risk
assessment framework for marine disposal of sewage sludge at midshelf and offshelf
sites. In: G.W. Suter H and M.A. Lewis (Eds.). Aquatic Toxicology and Environmental
Fate. Vol. 11. ASTM STP 1007, American Society for Testing and Materials,
Philadelphia, PA. Pp. 101-201.
NOAA. 1977. Baseline Report on Environmental Conditions in Deepwater Dumpsite 106.
Vols. 1-3. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 77-1.
NOAA. 1983. 106-Mile Site Characterization Update. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-26.
NOAA. 1988. Characterization of the Middle Atlantic Water Management Unit of the
Northeast Regional Action Plan. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-56.
NOAA and EPA. 1989. Shell Disease of Crustaceans in the New York Bight. A Report
Prepared by a Working Group on Shell Disease for the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in April 1989.
O'Connor, J.M., and PJL Park. 1982. Consequences of Industrial Waste Disposal at the
106-Mile Ocean Waste Disposal Site. In: G. Mayer (Ed.), Ecological Stress and the
New York Bight: Science and Management. Estuarine Research Federation,
Columbia, SC.
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O'Connor, TJ»., A. Okubo, MA. Champ, and P.K. Park. 1983. Projected Consequences of
Dumping Sewage at a Deep Ocean Site near New York Bight. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.
40 (suppl. 2): 229-241.
Partch, E.N., 1985. Estimation of the Dispersal of Sinking Particles from Deep Water
Dumpsite 106 Using Site D Current Meter Records. (Unpublished.)
Payne, M.Pn LA. Selzer, and A.R. Knowton. 1984. Distribution and Density of Cetaceans,
Marine Turtles, and Seabirds in Shelf Waters of the Northeastern United States, June
1980-December 1983, Based on Shipboard Observations. NOAA/NMFS Contract No.
NA-81-FA-C-00023.
Pearce, JJB., J. Thomas, and R. Grieg. 1975. Preliminary Investigation of Benthic Resources
at Deepwater Dumpsite 106. In: May 1974 Baseline Investigation of Deepwater
Dumpsite 106. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation Report 75-1.
Robinson, A.R., and LJ. Walstad, 1987. The Harvard Open Ocean Model: Calibration
and Application to Dynamical Processes, Forecasting and Data Assimilation Studies.
Appl. Num. Math. 3:89-131.
SAIC and Battelle. 1989. Data Management and Reporting for Ocean Dumping of
Municipal Sludge. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
under Contract No. 68-03-3319. Work Assignment 1-111.
Santoro, E.D., and JJ. Fikslin. 1987. Chemical and Toxicological Characteristics of Sewage
Sludge Ocean Dumped in New York Bight. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 18:394-399.
Santoro, E.D., and D J. Suszkowski. 1986. Current Status: Phase-Out of Ocean Dumping of
Sewage Sludge in the New York Bight Apex. 6th International Ocean Disposal
Symposium, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA, April 21-25, 1986.
Walker, HA^ JJ7. Paul, and VJ. Bierman, Jr. 1987. Methods for waste load allocation of
municipal sewage sludge at the 106-Mile Site Ocean Disposal Site. Environ. Toricol.
Chem. 6:475-489.
Warsh, CJE. 1975. Physical Oceanographic Observations at Deepwater Dumpsite 106-May
1974. In: May 1974 Baseline Investigation of Deepwater Dumpsite 106. NOAA
Dumpsite Evaluation Report 75-1.
Zdanowicz, V.S., M. Ingham, and S. Leftwich, 1990. Monitoring Effects of Sewage Sludge
Disposal at the 106-Mile Dumpsite Using Mid-Water Fish as Sentinels of Contaminant
Metal Uptake. Northeast Fisheries Center Reference Document 90-02.
Zeller, R.W., and TA. Wastler. 1986. Tiered Ocean Disposal Monitoring Will Minimize
Data Requirements. Pp. 1004-1009 in Oceans 86, Vol. 3: Monitoring Strategies
Symposium. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, NY.
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Appendix A
STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
OF THE 106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE
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APPENDIX 3
Strategy for Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance of
the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site
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STRATEGY FOR
MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND
SURVEILLANCE OF THE
106-MILE DEEPWATER
MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection
Washington, DC
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Washington, DC
U.S. COAST GUARD
Washington, DC
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 13
1.0 INTRODUCTION • • • u
1.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES CONDUCTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE 14
1.1.1 Research and Monitoring 14
1.1J2 Surveillance 15
1.2 DEVELOPMENT OFTHIS STRATEGY AND PLANS 15
2.0 STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE 16
2.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 16
£2 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 1: WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL FATE
OF SEWAGE SLUDGE DUMPED ATTHE 106-MILE SITE? 17
2J2.1 Water Mass Movement Studies 17
2J2J2 Fixed Point Measurements 18
22.3 Remote Sensing • 18
2JL4 Model Evaluation and Use • 18
2J2.5 Settling Measurements • 19
25.6 Data Interpretation 19
2.3 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT
THE 106-MILE SITE ON LIVING MARINE RESOURCES? 19
Studies of Nonmigratory Commercial Species Inhabiting Areas Inshore from
jj0 20
•SLJ3J2 Studies of Midwater Species Inhabiting the Middle Atlantic Bight 21
233 Studies of Resident, Noncommercial Species 21
2J3A Analyses and Data Interpretation 21
2.4 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT
THE 106-MILE SITE ON HUMAN HEALTH? 22
2.5 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 4: ARE THERE CHANGES IN SITE DESIGNATION,
PERMITS, AND SURVEILLANCE THAT CAN PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION OF
THE ENVIRONMENT, LIVING MARINE RESOURCES, OR HUMAN HEALTH? 22
2.5.1 Permit Conditions • 22
2.5.2 Surveillance 23
2.5.3 Site Designation and Management 23
3.0 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE . 23
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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 106-MILE
SITE MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN A-24
LIST OF RGURES
RGURE1. SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 106-MILE SITE
MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN A-25
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This document is based on the major recommendations from participants of a workshop on
research, monitoring, and surveillance of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site (106-
Mile Site), held in March 1989. The document uses the recommendations of the workshop
to formulate a cohesive plan that can be implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S.
Coast Guard (USCG) to continue research, monitoring, and surveillance of sludge disposal at
the site.
The workshop brought together scientists, fishermen, policy experts, and environmentalists to
discuss available information on the fate and effects of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site
and to develop a strategy for future research, monitoring, and surveillance. Discussions at
the workshop focused on four questions:
1. What is the physical and chemical fate of the sewage sludge dumped at the 106-
Mile Site?
2. What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on living marine
resources?
3. What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on human health?
4. Are there changes in site designation, permits, or surveillance that can provide
better protection of the environment, living marine resources, or human health?
NOAA, EPA, and USCG have used the recommendations and findings from the workshop to
develop this strategy. The agencies have considered priorities and available resources as
well as recommendations from the workshop in developing the strategy. The strategy does
not include every activity that may take place. It provides a framework for developing a
complete NOAA/EPA/USCG research, monitoring, and surveillance plan. A complete plan,
based on this strategy document, will assign responsibilities to each agency, the activities to
be conducted, and present a schedule for implementation.
Implementation of the strategy will be accomplished through close cooperation among
NOAA, EPA, and USCG. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being developed to
define the roles of each agency. Interagency coordination will include conduct of joint .
EPA/NOAA surveys as well as sharing of planning and data interpretation.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
In 1988, Congress passed the Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA), legislation aimed at ending
ocean dumping of municipal sludges and industrial wastes by December 31, 1991. In
response to ODBA's requirement for monitoring and to consumer concerns about the safety
of seafood caught in the Middle Atlantic Bight, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) held a workshop to solicit recommendations for increased monitoring,
research, and surveillance of the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site (106-Mile Site).
The 106-Mile Site is the only dumpsite designated by EPA to receive municipal sewage
sludges.
1.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES CONDUCTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE
1.1.1 Research and Monitoring
Since EPA designated the 106-Mile Site for disposal of municipal sewage sludges in 1984,
various monitoring, research, and surveillance activities have been conducted there and in
the region that could be affected by sludge disposal. The studies have been conducted by a
variety of Federal agencies, contractor groups, and others. Most of the studies have been
conducted by EPA and NOAA.
EPA has developed and begun implementation of a monitoring plan (most recently updated
in March 1988) to determine (1) whether permit conditions are met and (2) whether sludge
dumping at the site affects the environment or human health. Although permit conditions are
set to protect the environment, EPA and NOAA are refining monitoring efforts not only to
ensure that these permit conditions are met, but also to ensure that the conditions protect
the marine environment and public health now and into the future. Results of the monitoring
program are being used to modify dumping procedures and to direct the continuing
monitoring activities.
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EPA Region II, in consultation with NOAA, has taken primary responsibility for an interagency
workgroup which reviewed published and unpublished data on shell disease (chitinoclasia) in
the New York Bight. The review focused on lobsters and crabs. Fishermen had reported
increased incidence of disease in catches in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Rshermen postulated
that the disease resulted from dumping at the 106-Mile Site.
NOAA conducts a variety of research near the 106-Mile Site. NOAA also surveys groundfish
on the continental shelf, directly inshore from the site. If sludge is transported to the
continental shelf, these areas may be affected. Groundfish surveys are not conducted within
the site, because those waters are beyond the edge of the continental shelf and are not
fished commercially.
1.1.2 Surveillance
USCG has developed and implemented the Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS),
which uses "black boxes" to track location and dumping rates of barges using the 106-Mile
Site. This system allows evaluation of compliance with ocean dumping permit conditions.
Currently, the systems are accurate but the reliability is less than required in the original
system specifications. The ODSS system is discussed in a Report to Congress developed
by EPA Region II and the USCG.
1.2 DEVELOPMENT OF THIS STRATEGY AND PLANS
In March 1989, NOAA, EPA, and USCG sponsored a 3-day workshop, which brought
together scientists, fishermen, policy experts, and environmentalists to discuss available
information on the fate and effects of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site and to develop a
strategy for future research, monitoring, and surveillance. Discussions at the workshop
focused on four questions:
1. What is the physical and chemical fate of the sewage sludge dumped at the 106-Mile
Site?
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2. What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on living marine resources?
3. What is the effect of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site on human health?
4. Are there changes in site designation, permits, or surveillance that can provide better
protection of the environment, living marine resources, or human health?
NOAA, EPA, and USCG have used the recommendations and findings from the workshop to
develop this strategy. The agencies have considered priorities and available resources as
well as recommendations from the workshop in developing the strategy. The strategy does
not include every activity that may take place, but provides a framework for developing a
comprehensive NOAA/EPA/USCG research, monitoring, and surveillance plan. Results of
monitoring will be described in annual reports to Congress.
Implementation of the strategy will be accomplished through close cooperation among
NOAA, EPA, and USCG. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being developed to
define the roles of each agency, and an interagency agreement will be set up to administer
the MOU. Interagency coordination is expected to include joint ocean surveys. The
agencies will also coordinate planning and data interpretation.
2.0 STRATEGY FOR MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE
2.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Information presented at the workshop showed that research, monitoring, and surveillance of
ocean dumping at the 106-Mile Site has already proved useful for understanding issues
needed to answer the four management questions. Participants felt, however, that Federal
efforts should be continued and increased so the management questions can be answered
more definitively. The workshop endorsed the existing plans for work related to the site and
recommended additional studies.
Workshop participants also recommended that Federal efforts to keep the public informed
should be improved. EPA will coordinate implementation of this recommendation. EPA,
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NOAA, and USCG will be responsible for specific actions. Periodic reports and press
releases will form the primary source of such information. Other sources may include widely
distributed fact sheets and public service announcements. In addition, representatives from
the public and the news media may be invited to participate in research and monitoring
efforts at the site. So that scientists and others may use the information gathered through
monitoring, all data will be archived under one data management system. EPA will manage
the system.
Finally, workshop participants recommended that the information generated through
implementation of the research, monitoring, and surveillance plan be reviewed. A "blue
ribbon" panel of experts will aid the agencies, decisions regarding site management and
future research, monitoring, and surveillance needs. EPA will convene the panel which will
include representatives of Federal agencies. Representatives from outside the government
will provide specific expertise as needed.
MANAGEMENT QUESTION 1:
WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL FATE
OF SEWAGE SLUDGE DUMPED AT THE 10&MIUE SITE?
To date, studies of the fate of sludge dumped at the site have focused on nearfieicl transport
and dispersion. The workshop recommended implementation of plans to study farfield fate,
including conducting studies of water mass movements and currents and using remote
sensing techniques to evaluate large-scale water movements and structure. The workshop
also endorsed conduct of field studies to determine the settling behavior of sludge particles.
Participants recommended evaluation and use of models to assist in data interpretation.
These studies, in conjunction with the model predictions, will be used to determine the
likelihood of sludge constituents reaching ecologically or environmentally important areas.
22.1 Water Mass Movement Studies -
Information on movements of specific water masses will provide the most direct information
on, for example, the possible movement of sludge constituents into fisheries areas or toward
shorelines. These studies will employ drifters deployed from sludge barges and may also
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use other methods, such as drift cards or bottles. The depth at which drifters are deployed
will be based on findings from the nearfieid studies already conducted at the site. Because
sludge particles eventually sink, drifters that travel in deeper waters, at or below the
thermocline, may be used for some measurements. EPA, in cooperation with the municipal
authorities that dump sludge at the site, will be responsible for deployment of drifters. NOAA
will be responsible for other measurements of water mass movements.
222. Fixed Point Measurements
Although studies of water masses provide the most direct evidence of where sludge particles
may move, such studies collect only discrete points of information. Continuous data are
necessary to estimate the percent of time that sludge may move in a particular direction.
Fixed point measurements of currents can provide these continuous data. These
measurements will be made from a surface current meter already deployed at the site by
EPA. They will be supplemented by data from expendable current profilers (XCPs). The
XCPs will be deployed at intervals to assess current shear through the water column in the
site and in areas through which sludge may be transported.
2.2.3 Remote Sensing
Satellite imagery will be used to depict the temperature structure of the entire region that
could be affected by sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site. Although such analysis of sea
surface temperature images is not enough to determine where sludge particles go, it will
provide regional coverage to aid in interpretation of the data from direct measurements.
NOAA will develop and implement the remote sensing studies with support from EPA.
2.2.4 Model Evaluation and Use
Farfield fate studies will provide information for a statistical evaluation of where sludge
constituents go when they leave the 106-Mile Site. Models will be necessary to conduct the
statistical evaluation. Available models will be evaluated to determine their usefulness in
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determining the fate of sludge dumped at the site, including the ability to predict dispersion
and to define possible areas of deposition. Ability of the available models to assess transport
from the continental slope to the shelf will also be evaluated. NOAA and EPA will coordinate
evaluation of models.
When an appropriate model is identified, NOAA and EPA will use it to determine the type and
location of studies of effects of sludge disposal on living marine resources. They will also
determine appropriate locations for studies of settling of sludge particles.
JL2.5 Setting Measurements
The likelihood of sludge particles settling in significant amounts in any one region is not
known. Settling studies will include field sampling, conducted by EPA, for sludge particles in
the pycnocline. Sampling within the pycriocline will be guided by information from the real-
time current meter already deployed at the site and from the drifter studies. Sediment trap
studies will be conducted to detect settling of particles through the pycnocline and to the
bottom, if such movements occur. NOAA and EPA will coordinate deployment of sediment
traps along the continental shelf and in other locations identified by the modeling efforts.
22.6 Data interpretation
The results of studies of fate of sludge dumped at the 106-Mile Site will be used to determine
(1) the potential for sludge constituents to move into commercially important areas or onto
shorelines, and (2) the geographic areas, if any, where effects on marine resources or public
health may occur.
2.3 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 2:
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT THE 106-MILE SITE
QN LIVING MARiNE RESOURCES?
The workshop addressed possible effects of sludge dumping on any marine organism,
population, or community. Monitoring for effects on the marine environment, including
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endangered species, is expected to continue. However, most discussion centered on
possible bioaccumulation of sludge constituents and other effects on commercial and
recreational fisheries species.
Ideally, a study of bioaccumulation of sludge constituents from the 106-Mile Site would
measure sludge-related contaminants in nonmigratory, commercially important species
resident within the site. No such commercial or recreational species are known to inhabit the
site permanently. Therefore, a suite of studies will be conducted.
2.3.1 Studies of Nonmigratory Commercial Species
Inhabiting Areas Inshore from the Site
Tilefish, which inhabit the seafloor directly inshore from the site, do not migrate and live for
many years. Other species living inshore from the site are also relatively nonmigratory.
Information from studies of these organisms can be used to infer effects from the 106-Mile
Site. A program to study these organisms will be coordinated by EPA and NOAA. (Although
lobsters migrate between inshore and offshore waters, they will be included in the studies.
Data on lobsters will be more difficult to interpret than those on other species. However,
concerns voiced by fishermen suggest that their inclusion in the program is warranted.)
The studies will include measurements of contaminants in animals throughout the area north,
west, and southwest of the site. The studies will determine whether there is a gradient with
increasing concentrations nearest to areas most likely influenced by the sludge disposal at
site. Any evidence of contamination will be examined to determine whether the 106-Mile Site
or another source is implicated. Such findings would indicate that further studies and actions
should be implemented immediately.
The program of studies will also include an assessment of chitinoclasia, a shell disease
affecting shellfish such as lobster and red crab. Animals will be collected form the mid-
Atlantic shelf in an effort to determine the prevalence and severity of this disease in the area
of the 106-Mile Site.
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2.32 Studies of Midwater Species
Inhabiting the Middle Atlantic Bight
Some fisheries species, such as squids, migrate through the area of the 106-Mile Site and
remain within the Middle Atlantic Bight throughout their life cycles. Studies of contaminants
in these species will not provide information on the effects of sludges on the species.
However, if the results of such studies indicate that the organisms are not contaminated, then
the 106-Mile Site probably is not affecting the organisms. Such studies will have ssecond
priority and will be conducted by NOAA if resources allow.
2.3.3 Studies of Resident. Noncommercial Species
A third priority for study will be resident species, such as lantern fish and hatchet fish, which
move through the pycnocline. These small fishes have no commercial value. However,
presence of sludge-related contaminants in these species can be compared to control
populations from the other side of the Gulf Stream. Contaminants in fishes from the site
could suggest sludge as a source. Further study would be necessary to show that
contamination resulted from municipal sewage sludge. Initial studies of these small fishes
will be the responsibility of NOAA. Further study will be coordinated between NOAA and
EPA.
2.3.4 Analyses and Data interpretation
Each of these studies will include analysis of tissues and samples from the water column or
sediments inhabited by the organisms. The samples will be analyzed for the same suite of
chemical and microbial contaminants and tracers found in sludge samples and in field
studies of sludge plumes. Other indicators of effects of contaminants, e.g., presence of
disease, chitinoclasia, and liver condition, will also be examined.
Results of these studies may indicate that (1) the fisheries organisms of the Middle Atlantic
Bight are not contaminated, and sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site does not affect fisheries
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species; (2) the fisheries organisms of the Middle Atlantic Bight are contaminated, but sludge
disposal at the site does not appear to be a cause of the problem; or (3) the fisheries
organisms of the Middle Atlantic Bight are contaminated, and sludge disposal at the site may
contribute to the problem. These results would guide the type and extent of future studies,
as well as govern any actions to be taken. Results that either strongly implicated sludge
disposal at the site or dissociated the effects from sludge disposal would be used to make
decisions about continued use of the site and could prompt changes in permit conditions.
2.4 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 3:
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT THE 106-MILE SITE
ON HUMAN HEALTH?
Workshop discussions centered on possible direct and indirect effects of sludge disposal at
the 106-Mile Site. Direct effects included the possibility that sludge constituents could reach
the beaches of New York and New Jersey. Possible indirect effects included ingestion of
fisheries organisms that come from the continental shelf region and may have
bioaccumulated contaminants from the sludges. These potential effects will be addressed by
the studies to be conducted in response to Management Questions 1 and 2.
2.5 MANAGEMENT QUESTION 4:
ARE THERE CHANGES IN SITE DESIGNATION, PERMITS. AND SURVEILLANCE
THAT CAN PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
LIVING MARINE RESOURCES. OR HUMAN HEALTH?
Workshop participants recommended (1) reduction in dumping rates used at the site; (2)
improvements to the USCG surveillance system, ODSS; and (3) use of research and
monitoring results to reevaluate the location and configuration of the site.
*
2.5.1 Permit Conditions
Permits to dump sludges at the 106-Mile Site are being issued with significantly lower
dumping rates than had been required. Additionally, the permits will specify a monitoring
program to be carried out by the permittees.
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2.5.2 Surveillance
Several plans for upgrading the ODSS to provide near real-time coverage of all or most of
the operational area are currently being evaluated by EPA and the Coast Guard. E:PA is
encouraging the Coast Guard to implement and test one of these plans, as well as to
increase efforts to improve the overall reliability of the system. In the interin, EPA-approved
shipriders, supplied by the permittee, will be required on all vessels transporting sludge to the
dump site. Use of a manifest system and seals on the valves of feeder barges, barges which
transport sludges to the ocean-going vessels, is also being implemented to ensure that no
sludge is dumped in inland waters.
2.5.3 Site Designation and Management
All research, monitoring, and surveillance results will be reviewed by NOAA, EPA, and USCG,
as well as by the independent blue ribbon panel. Results will be used to determine whether
(1) monitoring should be continued or modified; (2) surveillance should be increased; (3)
permits should be changed; and/or (4) the site should be redesignated, dedesignated,
moved, or reconfigured. (The time required to modify the site and redesignate it preclude
that option at this time.)
3.0 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
Responsibilities for activities described in this document are summarized in Table 1, and the
schedule for implementation is included in Rgure 1. Activities will be coordinated by EPA,
NOAA, and USCG.
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TABLE 1. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 106-MILE SITE
MONITORING, RESEARCH, AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN
Activity
Public awareness
Blue ribbon panel
Water mass movements
(drifters)
Current measurements
Remote sensing
Model evaluation
Settling measurements
Near-/farfield fate/effects
Nonmigratory species from
continental shelf
Midwater species
Resident, nonmigratory species
Permits
Surveillance
Site designation and
Primary
EPA
EPA
EPA
EPA
NOAA
EPA
EPA
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
USCG
EPA
Secondary
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
NOAA
NOAA
NOAA
EPA
EPA
EPA
—
EPA
NOAA
Tertiary
USCG
USCG
--
-
•-
~
-
--
—
-•
-
-
-
USCG
management
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t-1
Public Awareness
Blue Ribbon Panel
Water Mass Movement
(Drifter Studies)
Current Measurements
Remote Sensing
(Satellites)
Model Evaluation Workshop
Particle Settling Studies
(Sediment Traps)
Nearfield/Farfield Fate
and Effects
Nonmigralory Species from
Continental Shelf
Midwater Species
Resident Nonmigratory
Species
Permits
Surveillance
Site Designation and
Management
Rgure 1. Schedule lor Implementation ol Iho 106-MWe Silo
Monitoring, RosBarch, and Survelllanco Plan
to
01
i Activity conducted
• Aeiiviiy planned » • • • Review and revision as necessary
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Appendix B
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
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October 11, 1989
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
AND
THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
AND
THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
ON
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OCEAN DUMPING BAN ACT
I. PURPOSE:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
agree to join efforts to implement vigorously the
provisions of the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988 (ODBA)
in a timely, complementary and environmentally sound
manner. The three agencies further agree that a
coordinated Federal response to ODBA will enhance the
protection of human health and the marine environment
and ensure consistent compliance with ODBA.
II. BACKGROUND AND SCOPE:
Nine New York and New Jersey municipalities dispose of
sewage sludge at the Deepwater Municipal Sludge Dump
Site (106 Mile Site), located 120 nautical miles
southeast of Ambrose Light, New York and 115 nautical
miles from the nearest coastline. ODBA mandates that
to continue dumping after August 14, 1989, these nine
municipalities must have both permits and enforceable
agreements with EPA and the respective States. After
December 31, 1991, it is unlawful to dump sewage sludge
in the ocean.
For every dry ton of sewage sludge disposed in the ocean
(currently 400,000 dry tons per year), dumpers will be
assessed fees (starting August 15, 1989) that increase over
time. Until the end of 1991, these fees range from $100-
$200 per dry ton; should dumping continue after 1991,
dumpers will be subject to penalties of $600 per dry ton;
the penalties increase each year. Of these fees and
penalties, $15 per dry ton is directed to EPA to be
allocated evenly among EPA, USCG, and NOAA to implement the
activities specified in ODBA and addressed in this MOU.
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This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertains to federal
activities related to management and oversight of ODBA.
Included in ODBA are requirements for permit compliance,
monitoring and surveillance of the 106-Mile Site and
environmental monitoring of the New York Bight.
Also covered under this MOU are the attached Joint
Monitoring, Research, and Surveillance Strategy and its
implementation. This strategy outlines further research,
monitoring, and surveillance needed to answer remaining
technical questions associated with management of the 106
Mile Site,, and indicates responsibilities of the respective
agencies. In general, the strategy calls for enhanced
coordination in planning, conducting field surveys, sharing
data, and analyzing and interpreting results.
III. AUTHORITIES;
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
(MPRSA, PL 92-532) is the primary legislative authority
regulating the disposal of wastes in the ocean. It is the
implementing legislation for the International Convention on
the Prevention of Marine Pollution by the Dumping of Wastes
and Other Matter, commonly called the London Dumping
Convention (LDC). The MPRSA prohibits dumping into ocean
waters any material that would unreasonably degrade or
endanger human health or the marine environment..
Under the MPRSA, EPA is responsible for issuing permits for
sewage sludge disposal and for designating, managing and
monitoring ocean disposal sites. Surveillance and
enforcement of permit conditions is a joint responsibility
of EPA and USCG. Title I of the MPRSA requires the USCG to
conduct surveillance of ocean dumping activities. Title II
of the MPRSA assigns to NOAA the responsibilities of
monitoring the effects of dumping wastes in the ocean and
conducting continuing programs of research on long-range
effects of pollution to the marine environment.
ODBA amends the MPRSA and directs EPA, USCG, and NOAA to
conduct specific activities that are to be covered by the
ocean dumping fees and penalties.
IV. EPA'S RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Establishing and managing a permit program for
transportation and dumping of sewage sludge under ODBA
2. Overseeing enforcement agreements
3. Overseeing fee collections and managing fees and
penalties
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V •
4. Approving and overseeing trust accounts
5. Implementing EPA portion of the Joint Monitoring,
Research, and Surveillance Strategy, which includes:
o Monitoring disposal operations and short-term
effects of sludges within and in the vicinity of
the 106 Mile Site
o Monitoring farfield fate and long-term effects of
dumped waste
6. Overseeing ODBA Clean Ocean Fund management and
procedures for accounting and reporting
7. Providing technical assistance on alternatives to ocean
dumping under ODBA
8. Preparing reports, including:
o Reports to Congress on monitoring of the 106 Mile
Site
o Annual Report to Congress on progress towards
stopping dumping
" USCG'S RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Implementing USCG portion of the Joint Monitoring,
Research, and Surveillance Strategy, which includes
conducting surveillance of transportation of wastes
under the MPRSA Permit Program and reporting violations
to EPA
2. Spot-checking of feeder vessels and ocean-going
vessels, within New York Harbor, while they are being
used for transporting sludge
VI. NOAA'S RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Implementing NOAA portion of the Joint Monitoring,
Research, and Surveillance Strategy, which includes
monitoring the farfield fate and long-term effects of
dumped wastes on living marine resources and the marine
environment
2. Continuing programs of research on long-term effects of
pollution and human-induced changes to the marine
environment
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VII. QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
1. Together, EPA, NOAA, and USCG, will ensure effective
implementation of ODBA by the headquarters and regional
offices. The three Agencies will establish a standing
committee to develop plans for implementing provisions
of this MOU, report progress, identify and resolve
problems, and share information.
2. Period of Agreement:
This agreement shall continue in effect until modified
or amended by the assent of all parties.
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AUTHENTICATION
This agreement will become effective upon signature by all
three parties.
m^i
Administrator,
Environmental Frotect/on Agency
'Date
P. A. YOST
3/±3/rt
Commandant,
Un^te/i States Coast Guard
/
'Administrator,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Date
B-5
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