United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(WH-556F)
EPA 842-S-92-010
June 1992
Final Draft Implementation
Plan for the 106-Mile
Deepwater Municipal
Sludge Site Monitoring
Program
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed on paper thai contains
at least 50% recycled fiber
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FINAL DRAFT
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
FOR THE
106-MILE DEEPWATER MUNICIPAL SLUDGE SITE
MONITORING PROGRAM
March 11, 1988
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
New York, New York
and
Office of Marine and Estuarine Protection
Washington, DC
Prepared Under Contract No. 68-03-3319
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION. .,.».,,,,.,, 1-1
2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONITORING PROGRAM. ....... 2-1
2.1 BASELINE INFORMATION 2-1
2.2 TIER 1— WASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND
DISPOSAL OPERATIONS , 2-8
2.2.1 Background and Objectives 2-8
2.2,2 Null Hypotheses and Activities 2-10
2.2,3 Approach and Design....... 2-14
2.2.4 Data Uses and Relationships
to Other Tiers. ... 2-22
2.3 TIER 2—NEARFIELO FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS. 2-22
2.3.1 Background and Objectives. 2-21
2.3.2 Null Hypotheses and Activities. 2-22
2.3.3 Approach and Design 2-25
2.3.4 Endpoints and Data Uses.... 2-29
2.4 TIER 3—FARFIELD FATE............. 2-29
2.4.1 Background and Objectives 2-29
2.4.2 Null Hypotheses and Activities 2-30
2.4.3 Approach and Design.......... 2-32
2.4.4 Endpoints and Data Uses 2-33
2.5 TIER 4—LONG-TERM EFFECTS. 2-34
"2.5.1 Background and Objectives............... 2-34
2.5.2 Null Hypotheses and Activities 2-35
2.5.3 Approach and Design......... 2-36
2.5.4 Endpoints and Data Uses 2-40
3. MASTER PLAN FOR THE 106-MILE SITE
MONITORING PROGRAM .. 3-1
4. USE OF MONITORING RESULTS FOR SITE MANAGEMENT. 4-1
5. REFERENCES 5-1
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2-1 Ranges in Sludge Characteristics » 2-11
Table 2-2 Sludge Characterization Analytes and
Methods for the Initial Permit Application 2-15
Table 2-3 Sludge Characterization Analytes and
Methods for Compliance Monitoring Samples.......... 2-19
Table 2-4 Parameters Analyzed in Baseline Samples
for the 106-Mile Site Monitoring Program.,.. 2-26
Table 3-1 106-Mile Site Monitoring Program FY 88
Work Assignments.., 3-3
Table 3-2 106-Mile Site Monitoring Program FY 89
Work Assignments « 3-4
Table 3-3 106-Mile Site Monitoring Program FY 90
Work Assignments , 3-5
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1 The 106-Mile Site is Situated Off the
Coast of New Jersey, Beyond the
Continental Shelf —
Figure 1-2 Predictions for Potential Impacts of
Sludge Dumping at the 106-Hile Site,....
Figure 2-1 Studies have Sampled the Water
Column in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Site..
Figure 2-2 Studies Conducted at the 106-Mile Site
Have Sampled Sediment for Baseline Chemistry
Information ,
Figure 2-3 Studies have Analyzed Benthic
Infauna in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Site.
Figure 2-4 Observations of Endangered Species have
been made in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile
Site... ,
Figure 3-1 Implementation Schedule for the 106-Mile
Site Monitoring Program
Figure 4-1 Monitoring Results Can be Used to Make
Monitoring Program, Permitting, and
Site Designation Decisions
1-2
1-4
2-2
2-4
2-6
2-9
3-2
4-2
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1. INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Marine
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA, PL 92-532), is
responsible for regulating disposal of wastes, including sewage sludges, in
ocean waters. Under this authority, EPA has published ocean dumping
regulations (40 CFR Parts 220-229) which specify procedures for monitoring
ocean dumpsttes. EPA1s responsibility for developing and maintaining
monitoring programs for designated ocean disposal sites is described in these
regulations.
In carrying out the responsibility for developing monitoring programs,
EPA has prepared a monitoring plan for the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal
Sludge Site (106-Mile Site), located off the coast from New York and New
Jersey (Figure 1-1) ( EPA , 1992 ). Data generated by the program will be
used by site managers to make decisions about site redesignation or
dedesignation; continuation, termination, or modification of permits; and
continuation, termination, or modification of the monitoring program itself.
CONTENTS OF THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING PLAN
The 106-Mile Site monitoring plan ( EPA , 1992 ) describes the
regulatory basis for the monitoring program and the objective of monitoring
that is founded in the regulations. The objective is to ensure that the
regulations are met through assessing both compliance with permit conditions
and potential impacts of disposal of municipal sludges on resources or other
aspects of the marine environment.
The monitoring plan describes the current understanding of the
characteristics of the site and of the sludges to be disposed there. The
site occupies approximately 100 mi2 in water depths of 2250 to 2750 m. When
designating the site, the significant dispersive forces, deep permanent
stratification, and great distance from shore were considered to ensure that
potential impacts of sludge disposal would be minimal (49 FR 19005).
Sewage sludges to be disposed at the site have not been fully
characterized. However, they are known to be somewhat buoyant, including
less than 2 to 4 percent solid material. The chemical composition of the
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106—Mile Deepwater
Municipal Sludge Site ^.
- a\3^
73'
72°
FIGURE 1-1. THE 106-MILE SITE IS SITUATED OFF THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY,
BEYOND THE CONTINENTAL SHELF.
1-2
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sludges includes organic compounds, such as aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane,
heptachlor epoxide, DDT and its degradation products, and polychlorinated
biphenyls. Metals, including cadmium, copper, chromium, and mercury, are
also present.
The monitoring plan further describes the regulatory basis for the
program and how the site and waste characteristics have been used 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 have been 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.
t Progressive changes in water quality related to sludge disposal.
• Progressive changes in sediment composition related to sludge
disposal.
t Impacts on pollution-sensitive species or life-cycle stages as a result
of sludge disposal.
0 Impacts on endangered species as a result of sludge disposal.
t 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 serve as the conceptual foundation for
formulating testable null hypotheses. The hypotheses address assessment of
permit compliance as well as assessment of potential impacts.
The monitoring plan also presents an overview of the implementation of the
monitoring program, including a description of how questions about the
impacts of monitoring have been organized into an implementation framework of
tiers and a brief discussion of the activities that may be included in the
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Impingement of sludge onto shorelines.
P-l: Savage sludges duiped it the 186-Mile Site
•ill probably not impact any shoreline in
detectable quantities.
Movement of sludge into marine sanctuaries or
sheilfishery or fi*h«r» tr*is.
P-2: Marine sanctuaries and shel(fishery areas
will probably not bo impacted by shoreward
movements of sludge.
P-3: Sewage sludge ny be transported to the
continental slope and shelf where fisheries
activities exist.
Effects of sludge on commercial fisheries.
P-4: The itpact 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-5: Bioaccuiulation of low levels of contaminants
associated with sewage sludge froa the 188-Uile
site vill occur, froa tiae to time, at the site or
directly adjacent to the site, by migrating fishes
or invertebrates, but lay be difficult to
distinguish froa other potential sources.
P-6; Bieaeeumuiation of loir levels of contaiinants
by resident continental shelf/slope fishes or
invertebrates aiy occur, depending on direction
and extent of transport of sludge to these areas,
but say be difficult to distinguish froi
bioaccuiuI at ion fro» other potential sources.
Progressive changes in water quality.
P-7: Sewage sludge toveaent and transport beyond
the site boundaries lay result in significant
iapact on the water quality beyond the site.
P-6: Sludge constituents may be found in
significant quantities within the site at all
tines and lay persist beyond four hours after
disposal. Chronic effects on marine biota are
possible.
P-9: Though certain sludge constituents lay be
detectable welt outside the site, these levels
are not expected to have significant effect on
parine biota.
Progressive changes in smdiment composition,
f-lt. 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 sediment
composition, th« destruction of habitat, and/or
the accumulation of sludge constituents in
surficial sediments will probably be nil to
minima I.
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 sediments of the 106-Uite
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-Mile Site.
Progressive changes in biological communities.
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-term or
large-scale impact on the plankton community as a
result of sludge disposal at the 186-Mile 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 FOR POTENTIAL IMPACTS
OF SLUDGE DUMPING AT THE 106-MILE SITE
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program. The tiered approach organizes the null hypotheses into a hierarchy,
whereby data collected in each tier are required as the foundation for the
design and extent of monitoring activities in the next tier. Such an
approach ensures that only information needed for making decisions will be
collected (Zeller and Wastler, 1986). The four tiers included in the 106-
Mile Site monitoring program are 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
CONTENTS OF THE IMPLEHENTATIOH PLAN
This implementation plan elaborates on the information included in the
monitoring plan. Chapter 2 of the implementation plan describes the baseline
information available or being generated for the monitoring program. It also
presents the background and objectives, null hypotheses and activities,
sampling and analytical design, and endpoints and data uses for each tier of
the monitoring program. Chapter 3 presents the integrated schedule and
sampling plan for the program. Chapter 4 describes how the information
generated through implementation of the monitoring program may be used to
make decisions about site management.
1-5
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2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONITORING PROGRAM
2.1 BASELINE INFORMATION
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 the 106-Mile Site monitoring plan ( EPA , 1992 ). It will
also be used as the baseline information against which monitoring results
will be compared.
Information available on the physiography, physical oceanography, and
baseline chemical and biological characteristics of the 106-Mile Site and
surrounding regions has been summarized in the monitoring plan ( EPA ,
1992 ). The baseline chemical and biological conditions are briefly reviewed
in this section. Much of this information is the result of studies funded by
EPA in support of the site designation process for the 106-Mile Site or in
support of the monitoring program. EPA has also conducted baseline sampling
for a proposed ocean incineration site located to the south of the site.
Additional studies have been conducted by other federal agencies, either
because of interest in potential impacts from the disposal of municipal
sludges or other materials in the vicinity of the site or because of other
interest in the region. A complete description of many of these programs can
be found in EPA (1986) and EPA (1992 ).
Baseline information includes water column and sediment chemistry data
on pelagic, demersal, and benthic biology as well as specific information on
endangered species in the area. These data have been used to refine and
verify predictions of potential impact and will also be used to determine
changes over time that are associated with sludge disposal operations.
Baseline information on water column-chemistry and water quality at the
106-Mile Site will be used to determine if any changes attributable to
dumping operations occur in these variables over time. Water column stations
that have been sampled in the vicinity of the 106-Mile Site are presented in
Figure 2-1. Surveys that have occupied these stations include a series of
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1-44°
76"
74s
F2
70s
MAINE
-42°
•40°
MO! i;
;?ii Jr?'" ^ °
|if|:^
^^
*ggm^«g[f*
?%«k or
EPA tC6-Miie Site Baseline Surveys
1 984 - 1 986 38*
O NOAA Northeast Monitoring Program
1S,7,9. - Ongoing
• DOI/MMS Physical Oceanography
Study 1983 - 1i86
• EPA North Atlantic Incineration Site
Surveys 1983-1985
0 50 100 i» 200
KIlOMfTEBS
72°
ro*
6SS
FIGURE 2-1. STUDIES HAVE SAMPLED THE MATER COIUMN IN THE VICINITY OF THE
106-MILE SITE.
2-2
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EPA baseline surveys at the site from 1984 to 1986, EPA surveys at the North
Atlantic Incineration Site from 1983 to 1985, hydrographic stations occupied
during the Mid-Atlantic Slope and Rise (MASAR) study funded by the Minerals
Management Service of the Department of the Interior, and water quality
stations sampled during the Northeast Monitoring Program funded by National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Average monthly dissolved oxygen levels at the surface within the 106-
Mile Site range from 4.9 ml/I in August to 7.5 ml/I in April (Warsh, 1975).
The oxygen minimum zone is located between 200 and 300 m, with oxygen values
ranging from 3.0 ml/1 in February to 3.5 ml/1 in September. An oxygen
maximum zone develops during several months, ranging from 7.0 ml/1 at 30 m
during August to 8.2 ml/1 at 10 m during February. The winter results were
confirmed during a February 1986 survey to the site { EPA , 1987b).
Results of a study on heavy metals in the water column at the 106-Mile Site
indicated that levels of mercury and zinc were comparable to those found in
the open ocean and on the continental shelf. Background concentrations of
cadmium, copper, and lead in the water column at the site were considered
comparable to other oceanic regions (Hausknecht, 1977; EPA, 1980; EPA ,
1987b).
Information on sediment chemistry at the 106-Mile Site will be needed
for much the same reason as the water column data: to document potential
changes in sediment composition resulting from dumping operations. Figure
2-2 shows the locations of sediment chemistry stations that have been sampled
during several programs. These stations include those sampled during two EPA
baseline surveys at the site, stations occupied during Studies of Biological
Processes of the North and Mid-Atlantic Slope and Rise considered useful to
the 106-Mile Site program (EPA, 1980; Maciolek, 1987).
Concentrations of trace metals in the sediments in the vicinity of the
site vary considerably depending on local topography, depth, and sediment
grain size. Sediment samples collected by NOAA in the vicinity of the site
contained higher levels of heavy metals~ than sediments on the adjacent
continental shelf (Pearce et al., 1975). These concentrations may be higher
than values found in other studies due to the proximity of sampling stations
to the Hudson Canyon. NOAA (1977) analyzed 5 trace elements at the site, EPA
analyzed 8 trace elements at the site ( EPA , 1987b), and Bothner et al.
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76-
74*
72s
itf
UAIMC
, ' *••• .;•'-$
?A *4
<«¥"*'"
O EPA 106— Mile Site Baseline Surveys
1984 - 1986
* DOE Shelf Edge Exchange Processes— 1
1i82 - 1985
OOI/MMS Mid— Atlantic Slope and Rise 33?
1984 - 1986
NO AA Northeast Monitoring Program
1 979 - Ongoing
O DOi/MMS North Atlantic Slope and Rise
(partial! 1984 - 1967
NOAA Baseline Report on Oumpsite 106
1974 - 1976
FIGURE 2-2. STUDIES CONDUCTED AT THE 106-MILE SITE HAVE SAMPLED SEDIMENT FOR
BASELINE CHEMISTRY INFORMATION.
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(1987) analyzed 12 trace elements southwest of the site. The levels of trace
metals in surface sediments from these studies were the same as or lower than
average levels found in other locations around the world. Concentrations of
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and pesticide/polychlorinated biphenyls in
sediments collected in the vicinity of the site appear comparable to those
found in sediments from uncontaminated continental shelf areas. In addition,
hydrocarbon levels in sediments at the site are lower than those found at
other dumpsites in shallower waters (Grerg and Wenzloff, 1977).
If the monitoring program determines that significant quantities of
sludge are settling out of the water column to the seafloor, it may become
necessary to determine if changes are occurring in benthic community
structure because of dumping operations. Historical stations sampled for
benthic infauna on the continental shelf and slope in the vicinity of the
site are plotted in Figure 2-3. These stations include those sampled for EPA
during a MMS survey at the Mid-Atlantic Slope and Rise, those sampled as part
of the MMS Studies of Biological Processes of the North and Mid-Atlantic
Slope and Rise, stations that were part of the Northeast Monitoring Program,
and stations sampled during NOAA baseline surveys at the site from 1974 to
1976. 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
areas of similar depths north and south of the site (Maciolek, 1987). The
latter studies recorded densities of 3567 to 5361 individuals/m2 at depths of
2000 to 2500 m.
Changes in the community structure of plankton and pelagic species are
difficult to assess. Although there is considerable information about the
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.
2-5
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4~u
••
:.m?m
• S^MQ-; «
NQAA Baseline Report on Oumpsite 106
1974 - 1976
DOt/MMS Mid— Atlantic Slope and Rise
1 984 - 1 986 38*
A D0l/MMS"North Atlantic Slope and Rise
(partial) 1984 - 1987
NOAA Northeast Monitoring Program
1 974 - 1 976
D EPA 106 Mile Baseline Study
1984 - 1986
FIGURE 2-3. STUDIES HAVE ANALYZED BENTHIC INFAUNA IN THE VICINITY OF THE
106-MILE SITE.
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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
(NQAA, 1983). The spring bloom is dominated by netplankton (size greater
than 20 fan) at depths of 60 to 2000 m. The fall bloom tends to be dominated
equally by netplankton and nanoplankton (size less than 20 im). 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 the Marine Resources
Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction Program (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 myctophids (lanternfish), 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 identified moving
through the site, including sharks, swordfish, and tuna; however, these
predators do not appear to be long-term residents in 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 chamaeleonticeps) are fished
commercially in continental shelf areas inshore of the site.
The potential for bioaccumulation of low levels of sludge constituents
by resident fishes or invertebrates of the continental shelf or slope is
addressed in the implementation of the monitoring program. The tilefish,
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, and the sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus,
have been identified as relatively non-mobile and commercial species that
may be suitable for bioaccumulation studies ( EPA , 1987c). Although the
two species are not resident within the 106-Mile Site or in deep water south
2-7
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of the site, they will be suitable for study if sludge is found to move
inshore regularly. Baseline contaminant information is not available for
these species, but the acquisition of this information is planned for 1988 as
part of the monitoring program. Because of the distance from the site,
collection of baseline information will be valid, even though dumping has
already been initiated.
The potential effect of dumping operations on the distributions of
endangered species at the 106-Mile Site is of public concern. Figure 2-4
presents sightings of endangered species that were made during EPA baseline
surveys to the 106-Mile Site and the North Atlantic Incineration Site, and
during an MMS survey conducted during the Study of Biological Processes of
the Mid-Atlantic Slope and Rise.
2.2 TIER 1—HASTE CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
2.2.1 Background and Objectives
Ongoing monitoring of sludge characteristics and disposal operations is
important, because the nature and composition of sludges transported to and
disposed of at the 106-Mile Site will vary with tiroe among the several source
treatment plants. The assumptions made both in writing the permits for
sludge disposal and in predicting potential impacts must be validated with
adequate characterization data and updated with ongoing monitoring in order
to provide the environmental protection intended by the permits.
The objectives of Tier 1, therefore, are to.assessand monitor sludge
characteristics and disposal operations in order to verify that conditions
specified by the permits are met and continue to be adequate during the
period of site designation and active disposal. Data generated by this
tier's activities may be used in determining whether to revoke or change a
permit or whether to redesignate or dedesignate the site. These data may
also be used in deciding whether to curtail or change activities in other
tiers of the monitoring program.
All applicants for dumping permits must include with their applications a
detailed characterization of the waste to be discharged at the 106-Mile Site.
EPA guidance for the initial sludge characterization is listed in Section
2-8
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NEW ::,
HAMPSHIRE;
--T-XS
RHOOe-' .;••
SLAW3,% j
' "
-m, • • ,J2
Sightings on EPA November
1985 NAIS Survey
A Sightings on OOi/MMS November
1985 Mid — Atlantic Survey
• Sightings on EPA Surveys
between 1985 and 1937
FIGURE 2-4. OBSERVATIOMS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE
VICINITY OF THE 106-MILE SITE.
2-9
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2,2.2. At present, sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site is occurring under
court order, and each treatment plant is sending EPA quarterly data based on
parameters and methods used historically for sludge dumping at the 12-Mile
Site. The completed permit applications must contain the full set of sludge
characterization data before EPA can grant actual operating permits to the
New York and New Jersey applicants.
The initial waste characterization information used to permit the
disposal of specific sludges and stipulate disposal conditions will rely
critically on the relevance, reliability, and representativeness of specific
data and the methods used to generate those data. Similarly, once permits
are issued, compliance monitoring must be appropriate both to detect changes
in sludge characteristics and to ensure that permit conditions are being met;
the success of compliance monitoring relies on the adequacy of the initial
waste characterization efforts.
2.2.2 Null Hypotheses and Activities
2.2.2.1 Sludge Characteristics
Sewage sludges disposed at the 106-Mile Site will have varying physical,
chemical, and microbial characteristics, because sewage treatment plants
receive wastes from a variety of sources. Table 2-1 summarizes a partial
data set^of sludge characteristics representative of that currently being
provided to EPA by treatment plants participating in 106-Mile Site disposal,
indicating the wide ranges that can be expected in sludge composition.
Sludges from each plant may also vary significantly over time. Permit
conditions depend on determination of the sludge characteristics, and the
design of the monitoring program itself is 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 characterization
supplied by the permittee. The following null hypothesis is central to
successful implementation of waste characteristic monitoring.
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Table 2-1. Ranges in Sludge Characteristics (Taken From
Quarterly Sludge Data Submitted by Five New Jersey
Plants and One New York Plant*)
PARAMETER UNIT RANGE
Oil and grease ppm 2110-134,000
Petroleum hydrocarbons ppm 77-1280
Mercury ppm <0.002-2.37
Arsenic ppm 0.067-8.7
Chromium ppm 14.5-185
Copper ppm 26.5-182
Lead ppm 2.40-373
Nickel ppm 6.0-54.5
Cadmium ppm 0.99-13.0
Vanadium ppm <0.25-13.0
Zinc ppm 22.6-165
Specific gravityb g/ml 0.955-1.08
Chemical oxygen demand ppm 22,500-82,300
Suspended solidsb ppm 15,600-55,300
Total solidsb ppm 27,400-50,000
Fecal coliformsb MPN/lOOml 2300-2,400,000
Total coliformsb MPN/lOOml 160,000-5,600,000
96-h toxicity tests
Menidia menidia w/o 02 ppm 1300-20,500
Menidia menidia w 02 ppm 1070-21,500
Skeletonema costatum ppm 1800-172,000
Mysidopsis bahia ppm 100-28,000
aPassaic Valley Sewage Commissioner on 12/5/86 and 9/2/86,
Middlesex County Utilities Authority on 4/8/86, Bergen County Utilities
Authority on 3/5/87, Linden Roselle Sewage Authority on 7/8/86, and Joint
Meeting Essex and Union Counties on 12/9/86, New York City Department of
Environmental Protection for 7/87.
bjhree reporting sources only.
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Hoi: The physical and chemical characteristics of sludge are
consistent with waste characterization information supplied with
the permit applications.
Permits for sludge disposal must supply the relevant characterization
data and methods to allow EPA to set adequate dumping limits that protect the
marine environment during the period of site designation.
The activities for testing Tier 1 hypothesesH01 in proceeding with
106-Mile Site monitoring include the following:
• Define the variability in characteristics of sludges to be
disposed of at the 106-Mile Site. This activity involves the
following sequence of events:
Review the waste characterization data and information
established during the permit application process. This
information is available from quarterly monitoring data being
submitted by the participating New York and New Jersey treatment
plants.
Determine the adequacy (i.e., relevance, representativeness,
accuracy, precision) of the available data and the methods used
to generate them.
If necessary, revise or add to methods and revise or complete
the initial characterization database. Establish as part of the
initial waste characterization a measure of the range and
variability for key characteristics of each sludge (source).
Develop a monitoring plan for each permittee, prescribing
parameters, methods, and sampling frequencies that will be both
practical and reliable for ongoing compliance monitoring,
considering the ranges of source sludge characteristics.
• Conduct regular monitoring of sludge characteristics. Because
this program is likely to be implemented by the permittees,
EPA's role will be to evaluate the data as they are generated.
An evaluation will involve developing and implementing a data
monitoring system that can efficiently evaluate compliance
monitoring data as they are generated. Such a system must
include range limits of acceptability and tests of data
accuracy and precision.
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2.2.2.2 Disposal Operations
Final permits will specify the locations at which sludge disposal may
occur (i.e., sectors within the 106-Mile Site) and also maximum discharge
rates. These rates will be determined in conjunction with the limiting
permissible concentrations (LPCs) for sludge, a knowledge of the sludge
characteristics, and the expected rates of sludge dilution so that the LPCs
are not exceeded after mixing. The applicable hypothesis is as follows:
H02: Disposal rates and operations are consistent with the
requirements of the ocean dumping permits.
This hypothesis assumes that the ocean dumping permit requirements
adequately consider the waste characteristics in conjunction with the
receiving environment and the discharge conditions.
As described, the LPC and physical characteristics data in conjunction
with "models" of dilution and dispersion are the most relevant input factors
for setting disposal conditions.
Activities for testing Tier 1 hypothesis H02 include the following:
• Define range of disposal operations to be used at the 106-Mile Site,
This will include evaluation of the range of disposal methods and
conditions among the permittees: (1) onboard combining of
different source sludges; (2) conditions during transport; (3)
methods of discharge.
o Prescribe and conduct regular monitoring of disposal operations.
This activity will include two steps:
Prescribe onboard discharge monitors that can record, compliance
with permit conditions (rates, quantities).
Because the permitees will be primarily responsible for monitoring
disposal operations, EPA's role in continued monitoring will be to
develop and implement a system for compiling, reducing, and
displaying information on discharge condition in a real-time
sequence with loading, barging, and dumping.
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2.2.3 Approach and Design
2.2.3.1 Sludge Characteristics
Initial Sludge Characterization; EPA Region I! has specified to all
permit applicants that comprehensive information about waste characteristics
must be provided prior to the issuance of sludge dumping permits at the
106-Mile Site. EPA Region II did not provide specific methods in its
initial request and guidance to permit applicants. Instead, applicants were
requested to either document their recommended methods or otherwise obtain
EPA's approval for acceptable methods. Table 2-2 summarizes the
compositional and toxicity parameters and the appropriate methods for sludge
characterization that should be used in judging the adequacy of applicant
submitted data. Once the completed permit applications are available and a
comprehensive set of waste characterization data has been compiled for each
sludge source, the following activities will be conducted:
« Each permittee's sludge composition must be acceptable to allow
ocean dumping of the material under applicable or relevant and
appropriate requirements (ARARs). In other words, it must be
determined from a review of the submitted data that there are no
components present above acceptable limits for ocean disposal.
e A suite of compositional parameters, presumably a subset of the
comprehensive characterization data, must be selected for each
permit as a specification for regular, ongoing compliance
monitoring. This specification may be slightly different for
each permittee, depending on the initial comprehensive
characterization, but for all permits it is expected that the
basic physical, chemical, and lexicological data now being
provided quarterly will be included (see Table 2-1).
Ongoing jludf^Composition Monitoring: Once dumping under permits has
begun, permittees will be required to submit regular reports to update
information provided during the application process, and to document that no
compositional changes are occurring as sludge is generated over time.
Previously, at the 12-Mile Site, such reports were submitted quarterly, and
there is currently no evidence that this schedule is inappropriate. These
data should be compiled into a statistical control limit set for each
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Table 2-2. Sludge Characterization Analytes and Methods
for the Initial Permit Application
Parameter
Method
Organic priority pollutants
Inorganic priority pollutants
Floatable materials
Specific gravity
PH
Total, dissolved, and
suspended solids
Oil and grease
Petroleum hydrocarbons
Organohalogens
Carcinogens
Mutagens
Teratogens
Pathogenic organisms
Biological oxygen demand
Chemical oxygen demand
Total organic carbon
Nitrogen species
Phosphorus species
Toxicity tests
Enteric viruses
Total and fecal coliforms
EPA SW 846 Volume 1 Section B
EPA SW 846 Methods 3050,6010, or 7000
Standard Methods 206
Standard Methods 213E
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83 Method
150,1
Standard Methods 209
EPA SW 846 Methods 9071
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
418.1
EPA SW 846 Volume I Section B
EPA SW 846 Volume I Section A and B
EPA SW 846 Volume I Section A and B
EPA SW 846 Volume I Section A and B
Standard Methods 912
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
405.1
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
410.1-410.4
EPA SW 846 Method 9060
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Methods
350,1-354.1
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
365.4
EPA-600/9-78-010
Standard Methods 913
Standard Methods 909
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permittee and reviewed after six months to determine the variability and
occurence of unacceptable compositional changes. Based on this review, the
requirements for compliance monitoring could be increased or decreased.
Regular monitoring efforts should generate data reports that include the
following information, at a minimum:
• Total volume of sludge discharged during each dump and overtime.
• Waste characterization involving the selected subset of
compositional parameters provided and reviewed during the
application process.
• Toxicity test results to verify dumping rates determined during
the application process. Tests should be conducted using the
same wastes that have been characterized.
In addition to these regular data on compliance monitoring, EPA should
also require each permittee to submit annually a data package on sludge
composition identical to that required in the initial permit application.
These data will annually confirm that sludge compositions are staying within
bounds for all regulated chemical components.
If a substantial change in the composition of a specific sludge is
discerned in the regular monitoring reports, the related permit should be
reviewed and modified if necessary (for example, by adjusting the discharge
rates to reduce environmental impacts if sufficient "worsening" of sludge
quality is detected). Waste characterization, therefore, will be a
continuing process once the permits are issued and dumping begins.
Sludge samples for waste characterization should be taken from the
facility at the point of discharge into the barge and in composite
triplicate. This approach will provide the most representative sample for
each dumper, because it will account for any compositional changes resulting
from holding times at the facilities. Composite triplicates will provide an
indication of the sludge load heterogeneity, as well as the quality of the
reported data. Because of the expected frequency of barge trips and the
difficulties in obtaining completely representative samples, it is not
necessary to collect samples directly from barges just prior to discharge at
the 106-Mile Site.
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The information required to ensure permit compliance and to guide the
monitoring efforts in Tiers 2, 3, and 4 will be derived from each permittee's
discharge volume and the composition of discharged sludge. And, although
variability in sludge compositions are expected to vary (from various
treatment facilities), mixing different sludges on board should not result in
any significant changes in overall toxicity. Ranges in available sludge
characteristics data from various generators (treatment plants) can be found
in Section 3.2.3 of the 106-Mile Site monitoring plan (source: Ecological
Analysts, Inc. and SEAMOcean, 1983) and in Table 2-1 (source: representative
quarterly sludge characteristics data from five New York/New Jersey treatment
plants). These data, if representative, indicate that no chemical
alterations of environmental consequence should occur from combining
different sources of sludge (although higher "strength" sludges will be
diluted by sludges with lower contaminant concentrations based on mixing
volume proportions and actual compositions). This projection should be
checked by a thorough review of the comprehensive data sets provided in each
permit application, once complete.
The types of analyses to be conducted on replicate sludge samples are
expected to include the following:
c Whole sample determinations of pH, specific gravity, total
solids, dissolved solids, suspended solids, biological oxygen
demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic
carbon (TQC).
• Trace contaminants (from 40 CFR Section 227.6), which include
oil and grease, petroleum hydrocarbons, and organohalogens.
9 Pesticides and PCBs.
• The following heavy metals: mercury, arsenic, chromium, copper,
lead, nickel, cadmium, and zinc.
» Total and fecal coliforms.
As stated previously, upon receiving completed permit applications from
the New York and New Jersey treatment plants, EPA will review the
comprehensive sludge composition data sets and determine the specific
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analytes and methods to be used to regularly monitor and report waste
characteristics by the permittees.
In addition to compositional parameters, toxicity tests using established
EPA procedures (currently, 96-h toxicity tests using Skeletonema costatum,
Menidia menidia, and Mysidopsis bahla) should be conducted quarterly in
order to establish or modify LPCs.
Table 2-3 includes the parameters and methods expected to be appropriate
for the compliance monitoring of,waste character!sties, pending review of the
permit application data submitted by each treatment plant. The anticipated
list of characterization parameters is a relatively large subset of the
initial permit application requirements. In addition, an annual
comprehensive waste characterization identical to that required in the
initial permit application (Table 2-2) should be required for each sludge
source. Eventually, the agreed-upon parameters for ongoing compliance
monitoring will be guided by EPA's need to maximize the database for waste
contributions from each dumper, as well the Agency's need to monitor, as
completely as possible, the amounts of contaminants introduced into the ocean
at the 106-Mile Site.
In determining the specifications for compliance characterization
monitoring, the use of surrogate measurements will be considered. Although
the use of surrogate, or indicator, waste parameters can significantly reduce
monitoring cost, to the extent that larger databases may become affordable,
hindsight in other monitoring programs has often shown irretrievable lack of
important data. The confident use of tracer compounds can sometimes require
extensive experimentation in order to obtain causal correlations. However,
such an approach may be effective for the 106-Mile Site monitoring
objectives, and should be reviewed.
2.2.3.2 Disposal Operations
Initial Information: Appendix B lists the information that EPA Region II
requested all sludge dumping applicants to supply about their disposal
operations. Once these data have been submitted and compiled, EPA will
review them in conjunction with the comprehensive sludge quality data and
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Table 2-3. Sludge Characterization Analytes and Methods for
Compliance Monitoring Samples
Parameter
Method
Pesticides and PCBs
Specific gravity
Total, dissolved, and
suspended solids
Biological oxygen demand
Chemical oxygen demand
Total organic carbon
Oil and grease
Petroleum hydrocarbons
Organohalogens
Mercury
Arsenic
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Nickel
Cadmi urn
Zinc
Total and fecal col i forms
Bioassays
EPA WE 846 Volume I Section B
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
150.1
Standard Methods 213E
Standard Methods 209
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
405,1
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Methods
410.1-410.4
EPA SW 846 Method 9060
EPA SW 846 Method 9071
EPA 600/4-79-020 (revised 3/83) Method
418.1
EPA SW 846 Volume I Section B
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7471
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7060,7061
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7190,7191
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7210
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7420,7421
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7520
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7130,7131
EPA SW 846 Method 3050 and 7950
Standard Methods 909
EPA 600/9-78-010
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make final determinations of LPCs and dumping rates for each sludge type and
disposal condition.
Ongoing Compliance Monitoring: The Coast Guard's Office of Marine
Environment and Systems is responsible under the MPRSA for the surveillance
and enforcement of regulations concerning the ocean disposal of wastes. The
Coast Guard has developed an Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS) that
will remotely monitor~the identification, location, and dumping status of all
vessels and barges disposing sludge at the 106-Mile Site. The ODSS has been
designed to make continuous data regarding dumping operations immediately
available to personnel stationed onshore.
The ODSS hardware consists of a base station that monitors remote units
located on the disposal vessels. The on-board units consist of a transducer
mounted in the hold of each barge and a recording device with a transmitter
to send exact information on location and dumping status (e.g., in transit,
dumping) based on changes in the vessel's draft. The system relies on VHF-FM
signal transmission. The base stations will be located and operated by the
Coast Guard and all remote units will communicate with the bases according to
a standard format. The remote units will collect data every two minutes and
be automatically polled at specific intervals by the base-according to the
vessel's status. The FULL/DUMPING/EMPTY status of each vessel is determined
by transducer (pressure) sensors that are integrated with the ODSS to provide
continuous information on the draft of the vessel.
Currently there are prototype ODSS units installed on three barges
operating from New York and New Jersey. As of November 1987, the Coast Guard
considers the device to be fully tested and ready for use, and has agreed, on
behalf of EPA, to manufacture and install sufficient units to have 12 of the
potential 21 barges identified as operating at the 106-Mile Site outfitted by
May 15, 1988. EPA Region II has stipulated that ODSS installation will be
completed by that time for the following barges:
New York City Spring Creek
Tibbets Brook
Udall's Cove
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106-Mile Transport Eileen
Association Weeks 702
(Contractor to Morris T. Berman
Westchester County Princess B
and New Jersey) Kimberly Ann
Lisa
Man a
Weeks 701
National Sea Trade Sea Trader I
(Contractor to
Nassau County)
The remaining 9 barges will be outfitted as soon as sufficient units are
available.
2.2.4 Data Uses and Relationships to Other Tiers
Tier 1 data will be used in determining whether permit conditions for
ocean dumping at the 106-Mile Site are being met and whether permits should
be continued, modified, or revoked.
Also, virtually all of the Tier 2 (Nearfield Fate and Short-Term Effects)
and Tier 4 (Long-Term Effects) monitoring hypotheses rely on a combination of
Tier 1 data and appropriate "models" to determine compliance with permits or
to assess the potential environmental impacts of dumping. For example, Tier
1 data from permit applications plus disposal operations data and dispersion
models are necessary to set LPCs and to predict nearfield environmental
compliance. Tier 1 waste characteristics data are necessary to specify
approaches and verify conclusions of nearfield fate (Tier 2), short-term
(Tier 2), and long-term impacts (Tier 4),
Tier 1 waste characterization data are necessary to verify that permit
specifications are being adhered to and that no unacceptable changes in
sludge composition are occurring.
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2.3 TIER 2—NEARFIELD FATE AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
2*3.1 Background and Objectives
Nearfield fate and short-term effects monitoring addresses both permit
compliance and impact assessment. It addresses permit compliance because the
permits for disposal of sludges at the 106-Mile Site will stipulate that
water quality criteria (WQC), where they exist, may not be exceeded within
the site 4 hours after dumping or outside the site at any time. When WQC do
not exist, the permits will require that the waste concentration not exceed a
factor of 0.01 of a concentration known to be acutely toxic after initial
mixing, i.e., the limiting permissible concentration (LPC). The combined
conformance to LPCs and WQC is thought to protect the marine environment.
Nearfield fate and short-term effects monitoring also addresses the
potential for impacts within the immediate vicinity of the site and in the
short-term, defined for convenience as 24 hours. Nearfield fate
determinations address the horizontal and vertical behavior and movement of
sludge within and immediately adjacent to the site. Monitoring the behavior
and movement of sludge immediately after disposal is necessary to confirm
assumptions made about dispersion and dilution when issuing permits. Short-
term effects studies address the validity of the assumption that permit
compliance sufficiently protect the marine environment.
2.3.2 Null Hypotheses and Activities
Not only do sludges have varying physical, chemical, and microbial
characteristics that will affect the nature and extent of impacts of sludge
disposal at the site, but the characteristics of the site will also affect
the behavior of sludges and the possible impacts. The lOS-Mile Site
monitoring plan ( EPA , 1992 ) presents the following hypotheses about
nearfield fate and short-term effects.
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Permit Compliance; Nearfield Fate
H03: Concentrations of sludge and sludge constituents are below the
permitted LPC and 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 hours after disposal.
H05: Pathogen levels do not exceed ambient levels 4 hours after
disposal,
Impact Assessment; Hearfield Fate
H06: 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.
HO?; The concentration of sludge constituents within the site does
not exceed the LPC or WQC 4 hours 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.
H09: 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.
Impact Assessment; Short-Term Effects
H010: 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 will occur,
H012: Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the surface micro!ayer
in the vicinity of the site.
H013: 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.
Tier 2 activities will test these hypotheses by studying the short-term,
nearfield fate of sludges disposed at the site and the associated biological
effects. These activities will include direct studies of sludge plumes and
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measurement of biological effects under varied oceanographic and
meteorological conditions. Specifically, Tier 2 activities will include the
following;
• Measure sludge constituents in the water column to determine
fate of sludge constituents, with respect to permit conditions
and ambient conditions. Water quality, chemical, and
microbiological parameters will be measured to determine
whether concentrations of sludge constituents meet permit
conditions and are at background levels within 1 day after
disposal. These measurements will address null hypotheses 3
through 5 and 7 through 9.
t Conduct sludge plume observations to define the seasonal
patterns of sludge dispersion at the 106-Mile Site. Nearfield
fate studies will use a variety of methods to track sludge
plumes under summer and winter conditions. These studies will
be used to determine when and where samples should be taken for
measurement of permit compliance parameters, i.e., when and
where the sludge plume crosses the site boundary, and where to
sample to determine whether sludge constituents are detectable
1 day after disposal. They also will provide information on
whether sludge particles settle beneath the pycnocline. The
studies will provide information to guide sampling for sludge
constituents in the water column and will also address Ho6.
Specific activities will include the following:
Deploying drifters directly into sludge plumes.
Marking the surface expression of the plume with dyes.
Using in-situ or shipboard transmissometry, acoustics, and/or
UV/fluorescence,
Measuring physical, chemical, and biological tracers.
Monitoring the plume with visual observations from the survey
vessel and an aircraft,
e Measure surface currents and water column structure to estimate
daily sludge dispersion* Surface currents and water structure
will be measured to estimate daily nearfield fate of sludge
dumped at the site. These measurements will provide
information on the daily conditions at the site. The
information will be used in evaluating null hypotheses 1
through 6.
e Conduct studies of short-terra biological effects of sludge
disposal. These studies will include measurements in the water
column (null hypotheses 10 and 11), the microlayer (Hol2), and
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in biota (H012). Specific activities may include measurement of
concentrations of chlorophyll a and phaeophytin as determinants
of primary productivity, measurement of sludge constituents in
zooplankton, measurement of physiological parameters, or other
studies of short-term impact of sludge disposal.
2,3.3 Approach and Design
2.3.3.1 Hater Column Measurements
Measuring the various sludge constituents in the water column will
provide the only direct measurement of regulatory parameters in Tier 2 and
the only direct evidence of whether constituents of sludges are detectable 1
day after dumping. Because the physical characteristics of the 106-Mile Site
are different in the summer and in the winter, these measurements will be
made at both times. During the summer, a seasonal pycnocline is formed in
the surface waters in which the 106-Mile Site is located. This pycnocline
may provide a barrier to sludge settling and may 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. At that time, the mixing layer
for sludge plumes is expected to be much greater than in the summer.
Parameters to be measured in the water column will depend to some degree
on the sludge constituents detected under Tier 1 of the monitoring program.
Currently, measurements include parameters that are expected to occur in
municipal sludges and for which there are water quality criteria (Table 2-4)
and enumeration of the microbe Clostridium perfringens. Samples will be
taken in conjunction with the plume-tracking measurements discussed in the
section that follows, prior to dumping, at 4 hours, and at 24 hours after
dumping.
Making direct measurements during each of two consecutive years will
provide the minimum acceptable information about variability of conditions at
the site. Each exercise will be conducted over a 1-week period. The number
of sludge plumes that can be tracked will depend on weather, oceanographic
conditions, and cooperation of the permittees. Minimally, three plumes will
be tracked for up to 24 hours during each exercise.
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Table 2-4. Parameters Analyzed in Baseline Samples for the
106-Mile Site Monitoring Program
Mater Samples
1. Trace metals: Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu( Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn
2. Priority pollutant PAH: aeenaphthene, acenaphthylene, anthracene,
benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo-
(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene,Ghrysene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,
fluoranthene, fluorene, ideno(l(2,3-cd}pyrene, naphthalene, phen-
anthrene, pyrene
3, Priority pollutant organochlorine compounds: aldrin, «-BHC, /J-BHC,
£-BHC, 7-BHC, chlordane, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-ODD, dieldrin,
endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, endrin
aldehyde, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, toxphene, PCB (total)
4, Other organics: phthalate, coprostanol
5. C1ostridiurn perfringens
6, Water quality parameters: Total suspended solids, adenosine
triphospate, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and temperature
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2.3.3.2 Sludge Plume Observations
Plume-tracking measurements will provide direct measurements of the fate
of sludge plumes, thereby guiding sampling efforts described in the preceding
section and also demonstrating whether sludge constituents settle beneath the
pycnocline in the short term.
Plume-tracking exercises will include deployment of drifters directly
into sludge plumes; marking of the surface expression of the plume with dyes;
use of in-situ or shipboard transmissometry, acoustics, and/or
UV/fluorescence; measurement of physical, chemical, and biological tracers;
and monitoring of the plume with visual observations from the survey vessel
and an aircraft. These methods are described in Battelle (1987d).
2.3.3*3 Current and Mater Hass Measurements
Because sludge plumes cannot be directly monitored for all ocean disposal
activities at the 106-Mile Site, the information gathered during the
seasonal exercises will be used in conjunction with continuous measurements
of surface currents and the water mass at the site to estimate behavior and
fate of sludge plumes. A surface current mooring capable of acquiring and
transmitting data by the GOES satellite data collection system, via the
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) will
be deployed at the site. Information from this meter will describe the speed
and direction of currents within the site. Information on the structure of
the water column will be obtained by deploying expendable probes (XBTs) from
sludge barges to determine the depth of the thermocline and pycnocline.
Together, these measurements will provide sufficient information to estimate
sludge plume behavior throughout the year. This mooring will be deployed for
2 years, and may be used in Tier 3 as well as Tier 2 studies (see Section
2.4).
2.3.3.4 Short-Term Effects Measurements
Hater Column Effects; Final selection of appropriate tests of short-term
effects on the water column has not yet been made. Specific measurements
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-------
will include use of physiological indicators, such as copepod respiration
rates, or conduct of acute or other short-term toxicity tests using surface
water or niicrolayer samples taken during plume-tracking exercises. Tests
will be conducted at sea during one summer and one winter plume-tracking
exercise, using samples collected before dumping and 24 hours after dumping
during the winter and summer surveys. EPA's final decision on appropriate
tests will be made prior to the Summer 1988 survey.
Effects onPrimary Productivity: Samples will be collected during all
plume-tracking exercises before dumping and at 4 and 24 hours for analysis of
chlorophyll a and phaeophytin. These measurements will bi used as an
indication of production in the water column during times of dumping.
Bioaccumulation in the Hicrolayer; During one summer survey, samples of
the sea-surface microlayer will be taken before dumping, 24 hours after
dumping, and at an intermediate time for a minimum of three plume-tracking
events. These samples will be analyzed for the same parameters measured in
the water column. If no indication of elevated levels of contaminants is
detected in the samples, studies of the microlayer will not be continued.
If, however, elevated levels of contaminants are detected, sampling will be
repeated during another summer survey, Oceanographic conditions are expected
to prevent microlayer sampling during the winter.
Bioaccumulation InMarine Organisms; Bioaccumulation by zooplankton may
be studied in conjunction with the other studies being conducted as part of
the plume-tracking exercises, or it may be studied at a random set of
stations within the site. Both approaches have limitations { EPA ,
1987c). Samples collected within the plume would be subject to severe
contamination of the biota by the sludge. Samples collected at random
stations would not be subject to such contamination. However, because water
mass movements are expected to transport sludge constituents from the site,
and because zooplankton populations are patchy and transient, results from
studies of random stations would be difficult to interpret.
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Consequently, bioaccumulation studies will not be included in Tier 2 of
the monitoring program, unless no appropriate histological, physiological, or
toxicological test is selected,
2.3«4 Endpoints and Data Uses
Information developed In Tier 2 studies will be directly used in
determining whether permit requirements are being met and if so, whether
they are sufficient to ensure that water quality is maintained and that
effects of sludge disposal are minimal. This information will be used in
determining whether permit requirements for dumping rates and frequency and
location of dumping should be maintained or altered. Studies of surface
currents will provide real-time information that may be used not only in
determining whether permits should be modified or maintained, but also to
direct daily sludge dumping activities at the site. Further, information
developed in Tier 2 studies will provide a basis for designing studies of
the farfield fate of sludge constituents under Tier 3 and of possible long-
term effects under Tier 4,
2.4 TIER 3—FARFIEID FATE
2.4,1Background and Objectives
Before the long-term effects of sludge dumping at the 106-Mile Site can
be estimated, it is necessary to estimate where the sludge goes, the area of
the 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 is
designed to determine the statistical frequency of transport 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. Advection is the transport process of sludge
particles by the movement of water, that is, in a current field. Because
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sludge particles are expected to spend weeks to months in the water column,
they are likely to encounter many current fields and travel long distances,
up to 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 and surface waves, internal waves, vertical current shear, and
density profiles of the water mass affect mixing. Sinking is dependent on
article size and density. Coagulation, the sticking together of sludge
particles, may alter the distribution of particle sizes in a sludge plume and
affect sinking. However, coagulation processes are complex and not well
understood. They have not been directly considered in this plan.
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 are variable, or stochastic. Therefore, estimates can only
be made in terms of statistical likelihoods or probabilities, and
interpretation of results must be aided by use of models. Currently
available models are simple but are likely to become increasingly
sophisticated throughout the duration of the monitoring program.
Also, a wide range of time and space scales are involved in estimation of
farfield fate of the sludge, from just over a day after dumping to many weeks
and months, and from the immediate vicinity of the 106-Mile Site to many
miles from it. Consequently, several measurement techniques are required to
evaluate the various processes involved in dispersion of sludge.
2.4.2 Null Hypotheses and Activities
Null hypotheses concerning farfield fate address impact issues that
pertain to potential movement toward and subsequent impact to shorelines (P-
1), to marine sanctuaries and fisheries (P-2), and to the continental
shelf/slope (P-3). They will also provide information necessary to decide
whether studies should be conducted under Tier 4 to determine whether there
is a potential for long-term impacts of sludge dumping, and if so, where
those studies should be carried out. The hypotheses related to this
category are concerned with where the sludge goes over the long term, as
follows;
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H013: Sludge constituents do not settle beneath the pycnocline outside
the disposal site.
H014: Ocean currents do not transport sludge to any adjacent shoreline,
beach, marine sanctuary, fishery, or shell-fishery.
H015: Sludge recirculation through the site is not significant.
H016; Sludge particles do not settle to the sea floor in the vicinity of
the site or in-the region predicted as a possible settling region
based on laboratory settling measurements and current trajectory
analysis.
These hypotheses require direct estimates of probabilities of specific
fates of sludge particles. Assessing the fate of the particles will 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:
t Study water mass movement from the 106-Mile Site. Study of
movements of water masses (i.e., Lagrangian measurements) will
involve deploying drifters from barges that use the site.
e . Study surface currents and water structure in the areas
expected to be impacted by dumping. These Eulerian
measurements will include temperature and current measurements
in surface and mid waters.
* Use remote sensing information to evaluate large-scale water
movements and structure. These measurements will include use
of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on polar-
orbiting satellites.
t Study settling of sludge particles in the field. These studies
will include deployment of sediment traps in-conjunction with
current measurements.
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2.4.3 Approach and Design
2.4.3.1 Hater Mass (Lagrangian) Studies
Information on specific water mass movements will provide the only hard
evidence of, for example, whether sludge moves toward shorelines. Even if
only 1 drifter in 100 or more reached the shore, it would be evidence that
shoreward movement was possible and that calculation of dilution of sludge at
that point would be warranted.
Based on findings from Tier 2 on the depth to which sludge sinks in the
short term, drifters will be designed with the drogue element at 10 to 20 m.
Launching one drifter per week for a period of approximately 18 to 24 months
should be adequate to characterize water mass movements. The drifters will
be tracked three to four times daily for 6 months by ARGOS satellite.
Analysis of drifters tracks will be supported by an AVHRR imaging program.
Launching approximately 12 more drifters of particular interest will
provide additional information. Because sludge particles sink, it may be
appropriate to use drifters that travel in deeper water, at or below the
thermocline, for some measurements. Such subsurface drifters are not
commercially available. However, subsurface drifters are being used in the
North Atlantic RAFOS float programs. Other subsurface floats that, unlike
the RAFOS floats, do not record their position several times a day but
surface at a defined time and report their position to the ARGOS satellite,
are also available. Either type of drifter will provide information on
sludge movements that would not otherwise be available.
2.4.3.2 Fixed Point (Eulerian) Studies
Although Lagrangian measurements, such as those obtained from drifters,
will provide hard evidence of where sludge may move in the farfield, such
programs can feasibly only collect a limited amount of information. For a
statistical estimation of movement of sludge over the long term, that is, the
estimation of the percent of time that sludge may move in a particular
direction, Lagrangian measurements must be supplemented by Eulerian
measurements. Measurements from the surface current mooring deployed for
2-32
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Tier 2 studies will provide these data. Ideally, data from the mooring will
be obtained over the same time period that drogues are being released at the
site, although a deployment for a short time period may also yield useful
information.
2.4.3.3 Remote Sensing
Data from an AVHRR satellite imagery program can be used to depict the
temperature structure of the entire region that could be impacted by the 106-
Mile Site, Although these images are not suitable in themselves to
characterize the region, they can provide broad regional coverage to aid in
interpretation of data from direct measurements.
2,4*3,4 Settling Studies
Settling may be studied through direct measurement, i.e., by settling
traps deployed in the field, if studies conducted in Tiers 1 and 2 indicate
that sludge is likely to settle in concentrations that may harm the
environment. Settling traps may be deployed in conjunction with the fixed
current and temperature mooring discussed in Section 2.4.3.2 if it is
determined that the locations of that mooring, i.e., in the immediate
vicinity of the site, are appropriate for measurements of settling.
Otherwise, traps would probably be deployed southwest of the site, along the
2500-m isobath. A decision to deploy traps at all, but particularly at a
location other than where the surface current meter mooring is currently
planned, will be made only if there is compelling evidence that settling of
sludge particles is likely to be detected by the sediment trap studies.
Traps designed by the U.S. Geological Survey for use in deep water would
be used. Traps would be set at 50, 100, 250, and 1000 m. The exact design
of these deployment will be determined after evaluation of Tier 2 data.
2.4,4 Endpoints and Data Uses
Information developed in Tier 3 studies will be directly useful in
approximating whether sludge constituents move towards shorelines, or whether
2-33
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they move into fisheries regions or areas of special concern for the marine
environment. If any of these events are found to be likely, the information
will be directly useful in determining whether the designation or use of the
106-Mile Site should be modified.
Conduct of Tier 4 studies, studies of potential long-term impacts of
sludge disposal, will greatly depend on the results of studies conducted in
Tiers 1, 2, and 3. If, for example, sludge is found to regularly move toward
shore, studies of bioaccumulation by resource species on the continental
shelf and slope may be important. If, however, it is found that sludge
constituents remain in the water column and do not disperse as rapidly as has
been predicted, studies of long-term effects in the water column or the
benthos (depending on the results of settling studies) would be more
appropriate than studies far from the site.
2.5 TIER 4-LONG-TERM EFFECTS
2.5.1Background and Objectives
The objective of Tier 4 studies is to assess whether there are long-term
impacts of sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site. Depending on the results of
higher tiers, Tier 4 may include studies of impacts on fisheries species,
biological communities that are prey for fisheries species, or other marine
resources.
Long-term effects may occur within or outside of the site. Long-term
effects in the site can occur if, for example, there is a progressive decline
in water quality, although such an effect is not predicted. Effects outside
the site, such as bioaccumulation of sludge constituents, may occur if sludge
is regularly transported in the direction of marine resource areas.
Because the 106-Mile Site was specifically located in an area that
would minimize likelihood of impacts to the marine environment, many long-
term impacts are not predicted. For example, because sludges settle slowly
and the site is dispersive, long-term impacts on the benthos are not
predicted. Sludge may, however, be deposited in minute quantities at great
distances from the site. Long-term effects on endangered species or other
marine animals that migrate through the region are also not predicted.
2-34
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2.5.2 Mull Hypotheses and Activities • -•
The 106-Mile Site monitoring plan lists the following null hypotheses for
assessing long-term effects of sludge disposal at the site:
H018J Sludge constituents have no significant long-term effect on the
distribution of endangered species in the vicinity of the site.
Hol9: Sludge constituents do not accumulate in the tissues of
commercially important species resident in the shelf and slope
areas adjacent to the site.
Ho20: Benthic community structure does not change significantly due to
sludge disposal.
Ho2l! Sludge disposal has no effect on the sensitive eggs and larval
stages of indigenous animals.
Ho22i Sludge disposal has no measurable long-term impact on offshore
plankton communities.
Ho23; Pathogen levels will not increase in the water column or biota.
Testing these hypotheses adequately will require a diverse set of
measurement activities:
« Conduct endangered species studies* Determination of effects
on endangered species comprises observations of presence,
number, and behavior of all species of marine mammals,
reptiles, and birds by a trained observer. This activity
addresses H018.
• Conduct bioaccuniulation studies. Bioaccumulation studies
involve sampling and tissue analysis of selected biota from
areas thought to be within and outside the influence of sludge
disposal. This activity addresses Hol9.
t Conduct benthic community studies. Benthic community studies
involve enumeration of organisms by species and calculation of
a variety of community parameters and statistics. This activity
addresses H020.
» Conduct studies of sensitive life stages. Studies of sensitive
life stages may include evaluation of specific organisms,
populations, or communities. Evaluation of (1) histopathology
of organisms, (2) relative abundances of successive life stages
of a species, and (3) community parameters each may be used to
assess potential impact on marine resources. This activity
addresses H021.
2-35
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» Conduct plankton community studies. Plankton studies will involve
calculation of community parameters and statistics. This activity
addresses H022.
» Conduct studies of pathogens. Studies of long-term persistence of
pathogens may involve water column, sediment, or bioaccumulation
studies. This activity addresses H023.
2.5.3 Approach and Design
2.5.3.1 Endangered Species Studies
EPA includes trained observers of marine mammals, reptiles, and birds on
all surveys at the 106-Mile Site, effectively removing this activity from the
tiered structure of the monitoring program. The observer records the
presence, number, and behavior of all species of mammals, reptiles, and birds
in 15-minute intervals along the survey track (Payne et al.f 1984). Each
observation period represents a transect, and several transects are performed
each day during the survey. Data from each survey conducted while dumping
is taking place can be compared to data from predumping surveys.
An indication that sludge dumping impacts endangered species in the
vicinity of the site would be used in deciding to dedesignate the site. If
no indication is found, endangered species observations could be
discontinued. However, because of the public concern for endangered mammals
and reptiles, such observations are expected to continue throughout the use
of the site.
2.5.3.2 Bioaccumulation Studies
If it is determined through Tier 3 studies that sludge disposed of at the
106-Mile Site regularly moves inshore, bioaccumulation studies of tilefish,
Lophoi atis chaemaeleonti ceps, and sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus,
will be conducted. These species have been identified as the organisms most
likely to provide useful information on long-term impact of sludge dumping
{ EPA , 1987c). Tilefish and sea scallops are the least migratory, large
species that could be used in bioaccumulation studies. However, neither
2-36
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species is found within the boundaries of the 106-Mile Site. Both are found
inshore from the site, tilefish primarily on the continental slope and sea
scallops primarily on the continental shelf.
If sludge is found in Tier 3 studies to move inshore and bioaccutnulation
studies are deemed to be appropriate, fish and scallops will be taken in
areas thought to be impacted by sludge disposal and in areas considered
outside the region of ..potential impact, as defined in Tier 3. Contaminants
to be measured will be based on results of Tier 1 measurements of sludge
constituents, Tier 2 measurements of sludge constituents in the water, and
results of baseline measurements (which have not yet been made; see Section
2.1). Results from organisms thought to be impacted by sludge will be
compared to results from reference and baseline stations.
Initially, bioaccumulation studies, if they are conducted at all, will be
planned as a one-time survey. If results indicate that sludge constituents
have bioaccumulated, another survey may be conducted to confirm those
results, or a decision could be made, based on the data, to dedesignate the
site. If results indicate that no bioaccumulation is occurring, a decision
could either be made to discontinue monitoring, or to conduct another study
after some period of time.
As described in EPA (1987c) the organisms will be taken by
commercial fishing vessel with a scientist on board to ensure proper sample
handling. Tilefish will be taken by long line, and scallops by dredge.
Exact number of organisms collected will reflect feasibility of sampling and
analysis. Tentatively, 30 organisms would be collected at each site and
pooled into three replicate samples. Compositing samples will allow a better
estimate of average concentrations than would analysis of individuals.
For tilefish, liver and muscle tissue will be analyzed separately.
Concentrations of contaminants in muscle are of greatest value to an
assessment of potential impacts on a fishery and will be most responsive to
public concern. However, chances of detecting evidence of bioaccumulation of
sludge constituents will be greater through analysis of liver tissues, which
accumulate greater concentrations of contaminants. Data on size, age, and
sex will be recorded for both species, and data will be normalized to lipid
content. Sludge tracers in the sediments would also be measured.
2-37
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It is not likely that bioaceumulation studies will be undertaken within
the time frame necessary for information to be used in determining whether
redesignation of the 106-Mile Site should occur.
2.5.3.3 Benthic Community Studies
Although effects on the benthos are not expected, studies conducted as
parts of Tiers 2 and 3 may indicate that sludge constituents can reach the
bottom in significant quantities. In that event, benthic studies will afford
an appropriate measurement of impact to the marine environment. Studies will
be conducted using the same methods that the U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service has used for studies of the mid-Atlantic slope
and rise (Maciolek et a!., 1987). Station locations will be based on
information developed in Tier 3 studies. Three replicate samples per station
will be collected, using methods that will ensure comparability with methods
used to collect baseline data. Analysis of benthic community parameters
will include calculation of parameters such as diversity, density, and
species richness; display of abundances of dominant species; statistical
analysis of total organism density, densities of individual groups, species
number, and community parameters; and numerical classification and ordination
of species abundance data. Sludge tracers in the sediments will also be
measured. Data will be compared to baseline and/or reference stations.
2.5.3.4 Sensitive Life Stage Studies
If it is determined in Tier 2 and 3 studies that sludge constituents
persist in the water column in the vicinity of the site, fish eggs and larvae
will be studied. Station locations would be based on information generated
during earlier tiers. Methods used in such a study would follow those used
in NOAA's MARMAP program. Such a sampling program could be used to evaluate
impacts on organisms, such as impaired development or disease; impacts on
populations, such as effects on growth or mortality (including recruitment to
the fishery); or impacts on the community, such as species abundance and
diversity.
2-38
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Such a study, if it takes place, will initially be planned for only one
sampling event, to occur during the summer, when abundances of early life
stages is expected to be highest for the year. Sludge tracers in the water
will be measured in conjunction with the study< Results will be used to
determine whether further monitoring is necessary or appropriate.
Briefly, the methods included in studies of eggs and larvae are as
follows. Double-oblique tows using a frame fitted with a 0,0505-mm mesh net
will be performed at each station. 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 to similar information from reference stations.
2,5*3,5 Plankton Studies
If it is determined in Tier 2 studies that concentrations of sludge
constituents remain elevated in the water column for longer than 1 day, and
Tier 3 studies further indicate that the 106-Mile Site is less dispersive
than had been thought when the site was designated, then longer term studies
of plankton may be conducted. For these studies, samples will be collected
in the area defined by Tier 3 studies to be impacted. Information on
community parameters, such as species composition, and production, e.g.,
biomass, from these samples will be compared to similar information from
baseline and reference stations. Sludge tracers in the water column will
also be measured.
2.5*3.6 Pathogen Studies
If studies conducted under Tiers 1, 2, and 3 indicate that the sludges
dumped at the 106-Mile Site contain substantial concentrations of pathogenic
or potentially pathogenic microorganisms, and that these organisms are
present in the water column for as long as 1 day after dumping, longer term
studies of pathogens will be implemented. Depending on results from Tier 3,
these studies may include more extensive water column monitoring, monitoring
of sediments, or inclusion of measurements of pathogens in the
bioaccumulation studies described in Section 2.5.3.2.
2-39
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2.5.4 Endpoints and Data Uses
Indication that no long-term impacts are occurring would be strong
argument for redesignating the 106-Mile Site. Conversely, evidence of any
long-term impacts from sludge disposal at the 106-Mile Site will be used in
determining whether the site should be redesignated or whether in
redesignation, additional constraints should be put on its use.
In making decisions about continued designation or dedesignation of the
106-Mile Site, results from monitoring for long-term impacts will be
important. It should be stressed, however, that decisions resulting from the
process and the management options that are ultimately exercised must be
determined in the face of all available information, and therefore may vary,
depending on the nature or extent of impacts that are detected.
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3. MASTER PLAN FOR THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING PRQSRAN
The overall schedule for the 106-Mile Site monitoring program is
presented in Figure 3-1, and lists of recommended EPA contractor work
assignments for the years prior to site redesignation or dedesignation are
included as Tables 3-1 through 3-3. 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. Data collected during 1986 represent a time when dumping at
the site had already begun. However, stations were carefully selected to
avoid contamination from sludge plumes.
Further baseline studies will be conducted in 1988 to measure presence
of sludge constituents in tilefish and shellfish found on the continental
shelf and slope. These organisms are too far from the site to be impacted by
sludge disposal during the dumping period.
To date, monitoring of sludge characteristics and disposal operations
has consisted solely of consideration of background information. Because
dumping is occurring under a court order rather than under permits, the
initial evaluation of variability and continued monitoring scheduled under
Tier 1 has not taken place. With the issue of permits, the initial
evaluation of conditions will occur in 1988. Following completion of that
evaluation, regular monitoring, presumably including quarterly analysis of
sludge samples and regular surveillance of disposal operations will occur.
Tier 2 monitoring was initiated with preliminary observations of sludge
plumes in the summer of 1986 ( EPA , 1988) and with collection of water
samples in the plume in conjunction with plume-tracking exercises in the
summer of 1987. Winter and summer measurements will be made in 1988, and
winter measurements will be repeated in 1989. Also during 1988 and 1989, a
surface current mooring will be deployed and XBTs will be deployed from
sludge barges. Biological assessments will be made during the summer 1988
survey, and if warranted, they will be repeated in 1989. Tier 2 studies are
expected to be complete in mid-1989.
The surface current mooring deployed for Tier 2 may also be used for
Tier 3 studies. If warranted, this deployment will include use of sediment
traps. Use of drifters and remote sensing to estimate farfield fate of
3-1
-------
1984-85
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Winter Su»»er Winter Sammmw Winter Summer Winter Summer Winter
Baseline
S»»pling
Water quality
Chemistry
Benthic biology
Water
quality
Bio—
accumulation
studies
Tier 1
Sludge Characteristics
And Disposal Operations
Background information
Evaluation
of variability
Continuing analyses
CxJ
I
IXJ
•rior 2
Nearfield Pate
And Short-Ter* Effects
Reconnaissance
S«asonal measurements within plumes
Biological
measurements
Mooring deployment
and XBT program
Tier 3
Farfield Fate
Reconnaissance
Measurements
(Lagrangian, Eulenan,
and remote sensing)
Tier 4
Long-T«r» Effects
Measurements
FIGURE 3-1. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR THE 106-MILE SITE MONITORING
PROGRAM.
-------
TABLE 3-1. 106-MILE SITE MONITORING PROGRAM
FY 88 WORK ASSIGNMENTS
MA NO. WA TITLE APPRO*. LOE
New WA 106-Mile Site Monitoring Program $100,000
Symposium
New WA Bioaccumulation Studies for the 106-
Mile Site Monitoring Program
(Baseline Studies)
Task 1: Field Studies 20,000
Task 2: Analyses 30,000
New WA Determination of Waste 50,000
Characteristics (Tier 1)
WA 1-63 Al Plume-Tracking at the 106-Mile Site: 325,000
Winter Survey and Analyses (Tier 2)
WA 1-63 A2 Plume-Tracking at the 106-Mile Site: 200,000
Summer Survey (Tier 2}
New WA Surface Current Mooring capable of 150,000
Real-Time Data Telemetry from the
106-Mile Site
New WA * 106-Mile Site Operating Program
Task 1: Determination of Discharge 50,000
Rates
Task 2: Development of System for 50,000
Monitoring Barge Records
3-3
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TABLE 3-2. 106-MILE SITE MONITORING PROGRAM
FY 89 WORK ASSIGNMENTS
TIER WORK ASSIGNMENT TITLE APPROX, LOE
Tier 2 Plume-Tracking at the 106-Mile Site; $150,000
Analysis of Samples from the Summer
1988 Survey
Tier 2 Winter 1989 Survey to the 106-Mile 300,000
Site: Nearfield Fate and Short-Term
Effects
Tier 2 Abbreviated Short-Term Monitoring— 50,000
XBT Program
Tier 3 Farfield Fate Monitoring at the 106-
Mile Site
Task 1: Drifter Program 250,000
Task 2: Surface Current Program 200,000
Task 3: Satellite Program 200,000
Operating 106-Mile Site Operating Program: 150,000
Program Data Management, Use of Models for
Interpretation of Existing Near- and
Farfield Fate Data
3-4
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TABLE 3-3. 106-MILE SITE MONITORING PROGRAM
FY 90 WORK ASSIGNMENTS
TIER
WORK ASSIGNMENT TITLE
APPRQX. LOE
Tier 3 Continuation of Drifter, Satellite
and Sediment Trap Program
Tier 4 Long-Term Effects Survey--
Bioaccumulation (Or Other, As
Applicable)
Operating Public Support to the 106-Mile Site
Program Program--Documents, Other Media,
Meetings, as Applicable
Operating 106-Mile Site Operating Program:
Program Redesignation of the 106-Mile Site
Task 1: Data Analysis and
Interpretation, Documentation
Task 2; Public Symposium
$350,000
300,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
3-5
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sludge disposed at the site will be initiated in late 1988 and continue into
1989 or longer if further studies are justified.
Long-term effects studies are not expected to take place until 1990.
The exact nature of the studies will depend on results obtained in the upper
tiers.
3-6
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4. USE OF MONITORING RESULTS FOR SITE MANAGEMENT
Results of monitoring at the 106-Mile Site will be used to make decisions
about the monitoring program itself (following the tiered structure of the
plan, to make decisions about permit requirements, and ultimately to
determine whether the site should be redesignated in 1991. Figure 1-4
presents an idealized picture of the decisions that can be made from
monitoring program results.
Decisions about the monitoring program will follow the tier structure
outlined in Section 2, A decision to continue or reduce the program may be
made if all information gathered indicates that impacts do not occur.
Conversely, if results indicate that impacts are occurring, activities
within the tier or within lower tiers may be expanded.
Determination in Tier 1 that permit conditions are not being met could
lead to enforcement actions, such as revocation of the permit. Results from
Tier 1 studies will also be used to determine what measurements will be made
in lower tiers.
The regulatory questions to be answered in Tier 2, e.g., whether LPCs are
met within 4 hours and at the site boundary, could.lead-to a decision to
maintain, modify, or revoke permits. Information on short-term effects of
sludge disposal could lead to decisions about permit conditions, or could
ultimately be used as evidence of whether the site should be redesignated in
1991. Information on nearfield fate of sludge constituents will also be
used to guide the design of studies conducted in lower tiers.
Tier 3 studies, which estimate the direction of sludge transport over the
long term, will be used to guide the design of studies of long-term effects
of sludge disposal. Information gathered in this tier will also be used to
support decisions about site redesignation or dedesignation.
Tier 4 studies will also be used to support site redesignation studies.
Because the 106-Mile Site has only been designated for a 5-year period,
studies of long-term impact of sludge dumping will not be definitive at the
time of site redesignation. However, an indication of long-term impact at
that time would be significant, precisely because it is not expected.
4-1
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FIGURE 4-1. HONITORING RESULTS CAN BE USED TO MAKE MONITORING PROGRAM,
PERMITTING, AND SITE DESIGNATION DECISIONS.
4-2
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The decision-making process is a complicated one, in which the site
manager must evaluate all available information, not just that available from
the monitoring program. The implications of allowing multiple dumpers at the
site, of possible use of the 106-Mile Deepwater Industrial Waste Site to the
east of the 106-Mile Site, and of possible use of the North Atlantic
Incineration Site to the south of the site must be weighed and interpreted in
the context of monitoring results.
EPA is currently developing an operating program that will facilitate use
of monitoring data in the decision-making process. This program will provide
the data management capabilities and procedures for analyzing data in support
of the program and for presenting records of permit compliance and impact
assessment so that they can be used by site managers. Appropriate data
management and analysis schemes will be developed and will include use of
models to interpret data. {Note that the 106-Mile Site program will not
develop new data management systems or models.)
4-3
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5. REFERENCES
Bothner, M.H., E.Y. Campbell, G.P, DeLisio, C.M. Parmenter, R.R,
Rendigs, N.W. Doughten, R.6. Johnson, O.R. Gillison, and N. Rait.
1986. Analysis of Trace Metals in Bottom Sediments in Support of
Deepwater Biological Processes Studies on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic
Continental Slope and Rise. Second Interim Report to the U.S.
Minerals Management Service. 55pp.
Cohen, D.M. and D.L. Pawson. 1977. Observations from DSRV ALVIN on
populations of benthic 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, pp. 423-450. NOAA Dumpsite Evaluation
Report 77-1. Rockville, MD 485 p.
Ecological Analysts, Inc. and SEAPIOcean, Inc. 1983. A Special Permit
Application for the Disposal of Sewage Sludge from Twelve New York
City Water Pollution Control Plants at the 12-Mile Site. Volumes
I-II. Prepared for City of New York, Department of Environmental
Protection.
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. 1986. Studies Conducted in the Vicinity of the 106-Mile Deepwater
Municipal Sewage Site. Environmental Protection Agency Oceans and
Coastal Protection Division (formerly OMEP), Washington, DC.
EPA. 1987a. Strategy for Plume Tracking Methods at the 106-Mile Site.
Environmental Protection Agency Oceans and Coastal Protection
Division (formerly OMEP), Washington, DC.
EPA. 1987b. Final Report on Analysis of Baseline Seawater and Sediment
Samples from the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Site.
Environmental Protection Agency Oceans and Coastal Protection
Division (formerly OMEP}, Washington, DC.
EPA. 1987c. Evaluation of the Recommendations for Bioaccumulation
Studies for the 106-Mile Deepwater Municipal Sludge Monitoring
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