EPA 903/9-001-A
September 1973
ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY OF AN
INTERIM OCEAN DUMPSITE
Middle Atlantic Bight
Cruise Report 1-5 May 1973
Compiled and Edited by
Harold D. Palmer
Westinghouse Ocean Research Laboratory
Annapolis, Maryland
and
Donald Wซ Lear
Annapolis Field Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Region HI
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Contract No. 68010481
Project Officer
Albert Montague, P. E.
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Prepared for
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
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ABSTRACT
An oceanographic survey cruise was made to a proposed interim sludge
dumping site on the continental shelf in the Middle Atlantic Bight in spring 1973.
Observations were made of circulation patterns, sediment composition,
bathymetry, water quality, heavy metals in sediments and biota, bacteriology,
phytoplankton communities, zooplankton communities, vertebrates, and benthic
invertebrates.
The site was found to be a normal mid-temperature shelf environment,
with no significant stresses. There was some evidence that material from a
neighboring acid waste dumpsite may affect the site. Evidence of heavy metals
enhancement of iron and copper in bottom fauna at some stations warrants
further investigations.
11
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CONTENTS
Abstract ii
List of Figures v
List of Tables vii
Acknowledgements ix
Conclusions . xi
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. BACKGROUND 3
A. Location 3
B. Previous Work 3
C. Survey Cruise 5
HI. BATHYMETRY 8
A. Previous Work 8
B. Survey Cruise 8
C. Microrelief. 14
IV. SEDIMENTS 18
A. Previous Work 18
B. This Survey 19
C. Interpretation 19
V. CURRENTS 24
A. Previous Work 24
B. Survey Cruise 25
1. Shipboard Current Measurements 25
2. Shipboard Current Observations .28
3. Bottom Drift Studies 30
4. Surface Drifter Studies 31
C. Interpretation 32
VI. CHEMISTRY 34
A. Hydrography 34
1. Previous Work 34
2. Survey Cruise 34
3. Interpretation .38
B. Water Quality Parameters 38
1. Previous Work . 38
2. Survey Cruise .38
iii
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C. Heavy Metals in Sediments . 40
1. Previous Work 40
2, Survey Cruise 40
D. Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Analysis of Sediment Samples 42
1. Previous Work 42
2. Survey Cruise 44
3. Interpretation 46
VH. BIOLOGY, .o 47
A. Phytoplankton 47
1. Previous Work 47
2. Survey Cruise 47
3. Interpretation 47
B. Zooplankton 54
1. Previous Work 54
2. Survey Cruise 56
3. Interpretation 60
C. Vertebrates 64
1. Previous Work 64
2. Survey Cruise 64
3. Interpretation 66
D. Benthic Organisms 68
1. Previous Work 68
2. Survey Cruise 70
3. Interpretation 98
E. Heavy Metals in Organisms 100
1. Previous Work 100
2. Present Cruise 100
3. Interpretation 103
F. Bacteriology 105
VEI. REFERENCES 108
Appendix A Participants in Cruise aboard R/V Annandale 114
Appendix B Ship's Log. 115
Appendix C Scientific Log 122
Appendix D Supplemental Cruise Log 131
Appendix E Bottom Drifter Response Sheet. 132
IV
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LIST OF FIGUBES
1. Index Map for the Upper Chesapeake Bight Area 4
2. E/VANNANDALE 6
3. Dumpsite Location Map 7
4. Bathymetric Chart, Prepared by Sterns (1967) for ESSA 9
5. Echo Sounder Records from the Dumpsite Area 11
6. Bathymetric Chart Prepared from 150 km of Soundings 12
7. Statistical Review of Bathymetric Data 13
8. TV Monitor Photograph of Sea Floor at Station 2 15
9. Rippled Bottom at Station 9 15
10. Gently Undulating Bottom at Station 5 16
11. Cumulative Frequency Curves for the Sand Fractions of Sediment Samples 21
12. Photomicrograph of Sand Fraction from Station 2 22
13. Photomicrograph of Sand from Station 11 22
14. Hydrographic Profile at Station 1 35
15. Hydrographic Profile at Station 2 35
16. Salinity-Temperature Profile of Water Column at Station 3 36
17. Salinity-Temperature Profile of Water Column at Station 17 36
18. Distribution of Dissolved Oxygen at Station 1 37
19. Ceratium longipes, One of the Dominant DinoflageHates at All Stations 55
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20. Ceratium fusus and Three Cells of Ceratium lineatum 55
21. Ceratium lineatum and a Species of Dinophysis 55
22. Two Species of Dinoflagellates, Dinophysis and Prorocentrum 55
23. Paired Plankton Nets with 202 ju and 1,000 n Mesh Used for Oblique Tows 57
24. 202 \JL Net Plankton Relative Percent Composition 62
25. Size Frequency Distribution of Echinarachnius parma (Sand Dollar) 96
26. Size Frequency Distribution of Echinarachnius parma 96
27. Diagram of Echinarachnius parma Showing Length and Width
Measurements of an Individual 98
VI
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LIST OF TABLES
1. Sediment Sample Data 20
2. Current Speed and Direction at Station 14 27
3. Current Speed and Direction at Station 9 27
4. Currents by Vector Averaging 28
5. Seabed Drifter Releases 31
6. Surface Drifter Releases 32
7. Water Quality Parameters 41
8. Heavy Metals in Surface Waters 42
9. Chemical Parameters of Bottom Sediments 43
10. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Sediment Samples 45
11. Occurrence of Phytoplankton at Station 1 48
12. Occurrence of Phytoplankton at Station 2 49
13. Occurrence of Phytoplankton at Station 5 50
14. Occurrence of Phytoplankton at Station 9 51
15. Occurrence of Phytoplankton at Station 14 52
16. Occurrence of Phytoplankton at Station 17 53
17. 202 (j. Net Zooplankton Relative Percent Composition 59
18. 202 jj. Net Zooplankton Biomass 60
19. Plankton Taxonomy from 1,000 jn Net Tows 61
vii
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20. Biomass Ratios of Zooplankton According to Various
Investigations 63
21. Vertebrates Collected 67
22. Species List of Benthic Invertebrates 71
23. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 1 77
24. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 2 79
25. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 5 81
26. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 8 83
27. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 9 85
28. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 11 87
29. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 13 89
30. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 14 91
31. Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates at Station 17 93
32. Size Distribution of Epibenthic Fauna 95
33. Macroinvertebrates from Anchor Dredge Samples 97
34. Metals in Marine Biota 101
35. Heavy Metals Analysis of Sand Dollars,
Echinarachnius parma 102
36. Data Summary of Heavy Metal Analysis of Sand Dollars 104
37. Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms in Water Column and Sediments 107
38. Water Quality Parameters - Supplemental Cruise 132
Vlll
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Region III of the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency wish to acknowledge and thank the personnel of EPA
Headquarters, Washington, D. C.; EPA National Environmental Research
Centers at Corvallis, Oregon and Narragansett, Rhode Island; the EPA
Annapolis Field Office, Annapolis, Maryland; the City of Philadelphia Water
Department; the Marine Science Consortium, Millersville, Pennsylvania; and
the University of Delaware Bayside Laboratory, Lewes, Delaware for their
able participation in the many phases of this cruise.
Special thanks are due S. K. Smith, and M. L. O' Malley for editorial
assistance and to Margaret Munro for manuscript typing.
The responsible authors of respective sections of this report were:
INTRODUCTION - Albert Montague, EPA Region III
BACKGROUND - H. D. Palmer, Westinghouse Ocean Research
Laboratory, Annapolis
BATHYMETRY - H. D. Palmer
SEDIMENTS - H. D. Palmer
CURRENTS
Shipboard Current Measurements - A. Teeter, EPA, Corvallis
Shipboard Current Observations - A. Teeter
Bottom Drifter Studies - H. D. Palmer
Surface Drifter Studies - Allen Teeter
CHEMISTRY
Hydrography - D. W. Lear, EPA Annapolis
Water Quality Parameters - D. W. Lear
Heavy Metals in Sediments - D. W. Lear
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Sediments - T. O. Munson, Westinghouse
IX
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BIOLOGY
Phytoplankton - S. K. Smith, EPA Annapolis
Zooplankton - J. M. Forns, Westinghouse
Nekton - B. L. Oostdam and S. J. Ha - The Marine Science
Consortium
Benthic Organisms
Phylogenetic List of Species - D. Maurer, P. Kinner,
W. Leatham, L. Watling, University of Delaware
Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates - Infauna - D. Maurer
Size Frequency - D. Maurer
Heavy Metals in Sand Dollars - Peter Rogerson
EPA Narragansett
Heavy Metals in Marine Biota - D. W. Lear
Bacteriology - M. L. O' Malley and S. K. Smith,
EPA Annapolis
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CONCLUSIONS
Bottom configurations in the interim dumpsite were found to be in accor-
dance with published charts. No unexpected holes, trenches, or rises were
found with detailed bathymetry.
Bottom substrate was primarily quartz sand, with a gradation from
coarse to fine as a function of depth and effective wave energy. The sorting
values of sediment were evaluated to determine sites on the bottom where waste
deposition may accumulate. Subsequent interpretation indicated that these
regions occupy topographic "lows" within the dumpsite.
Shipboard current measurements indicated a flow of the water column
at approximately 0. 25 knot in a direction between 192ฐ and 248ฐ true, under the
regime of observation. Seabed drifters released during the cruise indicate a
net southwestward movement of near-bottom waters to the coastline.
Hydrographic conditions indicated the partial establishment of the thermo-
cline and halocline. These conditions would be important in the settling and
distribution of dumped materials.
Measured water quality parameters indicated no abnormal concentrations
of the compounds generally encountered in the marine environment. Ammonia
determinations were not amenable to preservation for later analysis.
Phytoplankton and zooplankton populations were typical of a normal
temperate shelf environment.
Vertebrates were observed by underwater television and by capture with
an otter trawl. The demersal community examined appeared to be in sound
physiological condition.
The benthic fauna was characteristic of a firm sand-shell-gravel com-
munity, dominated by sea stars, sand dollars and polychaetes. Suspension
XI
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feeders and carnivores were extremely well represented. The sand bottom
community was surprisingly diverse and abundant. Any significant changes
or more specifically reductions in populations of sand dollars, principal
polychaetes and some of the more fleshy ectoprocts would be indicative of
degradation in bottom water quality. However, based on the benthic fauna, the
site was unpolluted.
Coliform and fecal coliform concentrations in waters and sediments were
negligible. The data indicated an environment relatively free of terrestrial
influence.
Heavy metals were not appreciable in water or sediments, but certain
chemical species were evident in some biological components of the ecosystem.
Copper and iron appeared to be accumulating in sand dollars in and southwest of
this interim disposal site. However, as a result of these findings, we feel further
investigation is warranted.
Chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations in sediments were found to be
negligible.
"Dark flaky" material observed by underwater television may be ferric
hydroxide originating at an acid waste dumpsite approximately 10 miles northwest,
suggesting interaction between the two sites.
In addition to the characterization of the physical, chemical, and biological
aspects of the dumpsite, the objectives of this survey included (a) development of
a practical scheme for monitoring ocean dumping practices and (b) gaining
additional insight into the continental shelf environment. Both the sampling
scheme and analytical techniques employed during this study have future appli-
cability to other sites on the continental shelf. In conjunction with published
data of regional scope, this brief yet intensive study has provided a detailed
picture of the spring conditions at a mid-shelf site. The most troublesome
aspects of any shelf study continue to be the difficulty of determining accurate
position at sea (for re-occupation of stations) and the lack of current speed and
direction data throughout the water column.
Xll
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I. INTBODUCTION
World population is, and will continue to be, highly concentrated in the
coastal zones of the continents. Within the United States, approximately fifty-
five million people live within a fifty mile belt along our coastline. This zone,
comprising some 8% of the total land area, supports about 30% of our population.
At present, population and industrial activity within the coastal zone is increasing
at a rate of about 2. 5% per year, and the trend is expected to continue. Such
growth places a heavy burden on municipal services, especially waste disposal.
Many coastal cities have found the discharging of municipal sludge into the ocean
and its environs as the most practical alternative to land disposal.
Ocean disposal appears to be a more attractive means of disposal for
several reasons. Wastes "disappear" from view, they are generally diluted
quickly by the sea, and the only cost is that of transporting waste to the site.
To further minimize transportation cost, dumping is frequently done close to
shore. This practice has generated extensive concern and subsequent protests
from coastal communities.
Public Law 92-532, the "Marine Protection, Besearch, and Sanctuaries
Act of 1972," was enacted in part to regulate ocean dumping practices by estab-
lishing a permit system which inventories quantity and quality of materials
transported to sea for disposal as well as by a monitoring program to continuously
assess the effects of these practices at specified sites.
Under this law, the designation of dumpsites and the quantities deposited
thereon must be based on a scientific knowledge of the specific environments.
While generic information was available for continental shelf environments, the
background was sufficient only to design the preliminary steps in a monitoring
program.
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An oceanographic survey of a proposed interim dumpsite approximately
50 miles off the mouth of Delaware Bay, dubbed "Operation QUICKSILVER," was
conceived and executed in spring 1973 with the objectives: (1) attempt to
establish ambient environmental parameter levels prior to active dumping at
the site, (2) assist in developing a practical monitoring scheme for monitoring
of ocean dumping practices, and (3) develop further insight into the continental
shelf environment, which seems to be the next province to be assailed by man1 s
wastes, but which, with foresight and current information can be managed
intelligently.
The conclusions contained herein are based on four days of data collec-
tion within the area of concern. Obviously, it would be irrational to adopt these
data as representing the range of conditions which prevail at this site. Rather,
they can be considered characteristic of the oceanographic regime for the spring
season. Final evaluation of the suitability of this site for waste disposal must
await further study which will reveal seasonal changes in the biota and water-
mass. The introduction of an unnatural perturbation (solids and fluid wastes)
will require reassessment of its effect on the marine ecosystem. The concepts
of accumulation and assimilation can then be considered.
Unfortunately, man' s activities can and have altered natural processes,
often with adverse results to himself (the user and ultimate beneficiary of the
results) and more immediately to the other occupants of the environment which
he alters. An appropriate monitoring program at ocean disposal sites would
provide suggestions on how we might establish an acceptable balance between
our human needs and the finite capacity of the ocean to satisfy them.
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H. BACKGROUND
A. LOCATION
The site selected as an interim dumpsite for the disposal of municipal
sewage sludge lies midway across the broad continental shelf off Maryland. It
is thus centrally located in the region termed the Chesapeake Bight (Norcross
and Harrison, 1967) which occupies the southern half of the Middle Atlantic
Bight between Nantucket and Cape Hatteras. The western edge of the dump-
site is set by a line passing through 74ฐ20' W longitude, a meridian which lies
67 km (36 nautical miles) east of Ocean City, Maryland. The northern and
southern boundaries lie on latitudes of 38ฐ25' N and 38ฐ20' N, respectively, and
the eastern edge of the area falls on the meridian along 74ฐ10T W longitude.
Thus, the entire 172 km2 within the designated boundaries of the dumpsite lie
within International Waters. The location of this interim dumpsite is shown in
Figure 1.
B. PREVIOUS WORK
The paucity of information for relatively small specific sites on the
continental shelf has prompted studies such as this survey cruise when localized
data are required. However, background information for the Chesapeake Bight
reveals regional trends in sedimentation, currents, biota and other environmental
factors which are valid generalizations for most sites. The interested reader
is referred to the excellent summary volume on oceanographic and biological
parameters of the entire Middle Atlantic Bight recently published by the
University of Rhode Island (see references for Bumpus, Lynde and Shaw, 1972).
The most recent treatment of regional sedimentation within the area of interest
~ 3
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74'
38'
37'
37'
76'
Figure 1 Index map for the upper Chesapeake Bight area showing the location
of the sludge dumpsite as a rectangle east of the Delmarva peninsula.
_ 4 -
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is the thorough review of historical data and reporting of extensive new analyses
provided by Milliman (1972).
C. SURVEY CRUISE
The baseline study of the designated dumpsite was initiated in accordance
with EPA guidelines which required a survey of the area prior to the initial
release of digested sludge scheduled for 8 May 1973. Accordingly, the R/V
ANNANDALE (Figure 2) was chartered for a five-day period to commence
1 May 1973. The ship departed Lewes, Delaware at 1121 hours 1 May, and
returned to Lewes on 5 May at 1600 hours. Eleven stations were occupied, but
activities at one (Station 3) were cancelled in order to evacuate a member of the
party who had become ill. Biological samples were obtained from Station 6, but
no bottom materials were recovered at this site. The scientific log of events
during the cruise is included as an appendix to this report. Ship1 s track and
station locations are shown in Figure 3.
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Figure 2 R/V ANNANDALE.
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Figure 3 Dumpsite location map, showing both the acid waste dumpsite area
(northern rectangle) and the sludge dumpsite investigated during
this study. Stations are marked by solid circles; the solid line
shows the vessel track for the cruise.
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III. BATHYMETRY
A. PREVIOUS WORK
A number of editions of bathymetric charts have been prepared for the
Middle Atlantic Bight area, but most have contour intervals which yield little
or no information regarding the degree of relief within the dumpsite area. The
most detailed chart for this area is that prepared by Franklin Sterns for the
ESSA group of the Department of Commerce (see Sterns, 1967). Chart 0807N-
56, the Baltimore and Wilmington Canyons sheet of the series, displays the
relief of the sea floor with a contour interval of one fathom (6 feet or 1.83 m).
The portion of that chart occupied by the designated dumpsite is reproduced in
Figure 4. Soundings employed by Sterns for this portion of the chart were
taken from the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey's Hydrographic Survey No.
H-5350 conducted in 1933. Although forty years have elapsed since this survey
was completed, the accuracy is considered quite good even by today's standards.
Statistics for the survey yielding the chart appearing in Figure 4 are:
Mean distance between track lines (nautical miles) 0. 5 to 1.5
Standard deviation of isobath position error 0. 2 to 0. 3
(nautical miles)
Standard deviation of isobath depth error Good (<1 fm)
(here termed "Crossing Error") to
(fathoms) Fair (1 to 8 fm)
B. SURVEY CRUISE
Echo sounding traverses of the dump site area were performed during
evening hours of the cruise. The echo sounding equipment aboard the R/V
- 8 -
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25'
^20*
ง; f -""
20'
Figure 4 Bathymetric chart, prepared by Sterns (1967) for ESSA chart series
in the northern Atlantic continental shelf. Contours are in fathoms
at a 1-fathom interval. Based upon precise survey of 1933.
- 9 -
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ANNANDALE consisted of a Kelvin-Hughes variable scale recording unit with
adjustable timing (paper speed) for scale. Examples of the recordings for
selected lines appear in Figure 5. Examination of these records was corre-
lated with positioning logs which recorded the depth at one-minute intervals
and the Loran A position at five-minute intervals. Corrections were made for
keel depth (depth of the echo sounder transducer below the water line) and for
tide (based upon time of day and predicted tide for coastal Maryland).
The results of a compilation of 150 km of sounding lines is presented in
Figure 6. If we compare our statistics with those parameters cited by Sterns,
we note:
Distance between track lines (nautical miles) 0.5 to 1.8
Standard deviation of isobath position error Not determined
Standard deviation of isobath depth error 1.5 meter (0.8 fm)
("Crossing Error") (Good)
These data indicate that in spite of the difficulties encountered in employing
Loran A for positioning, the chart shown in Figure 6 can be considered "good"
on the basis of criteria set by the Department of Commerce.
Our analysis of the bathymetric data included a statistical examination
of crossing errors compared with time of day and number of intersections
(Figure 7). This analysis was performed to evaluate statements made by the
scientific party regarding the deterioration of Loran quality during early
morning hours, and to assess the degree of crossing errors (see caption,
Figure 7). Examination of this figure reveals that crossing errors increase
to a maximum between about 0100 and 0400 hours, a factor attributed here to
the deterioration of the Loran signal and/or reception during this period. The
mean crossing error is at about 5 feet, or 1.5 meters, and almost two-thirds
of the crossings are less than 1 fathom (1.8 meters).
It should be noted that the bathymetric chart drawn from data collected
on this cruise (Figure 6) was prepared without reference to the existing detailed
- 10 -
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38ฐ25'
38ฐ20'
74ฐ 10'
Bathymetric chart prepared from 150 km of soundings such
as those appearing in Figure 5. Contours in meters, cor-
rected for predicted tide and depth of transducer. Closed
depressions are hatchured.
-12-
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25
20-
15-
10-
Figure 7
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3
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7
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00
Time of day
0246
No. crossings
Statistical review of bathymetric data used in preparing Figure 6.
Ordinate values (Aft.) are discrepancy (in feet) of crossing points
of tracks which, after removing tide correction, should be zero.
Comparison with time of day (abscissa) was made to evaluate
Loran deterioration during early hours (see text). Crosses are
averages for each hour intervals, numerals at base of histogram
bars are number of crossings. Frequency distribution of crossing
errors appears at right.
-13-
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chart (Sterns, 1967). Comparison of the two figures shows that quite a close
correlation in depth and general "fabric" or "bathymetric grain" exists between
the two surveys even though 40 years separates the collection of sounding data.
The major features of relief, elongate depressions and ridges which are
characteristics of the central portions of the continental shelf of the Middle
Atlantic Bight (Uchupi, 1968), are apparent in both charts. The origin of these
features remains controversial (see, for example, Swift, et al., 1971 for a
review) but the interesting fact resulting from this survey is that very little
apparent change has occurred over a period of four decades. This suggests
some long-term stability to the larger forms of relief which in turn bears upon
the fate of materials deposited in the region.
C. MICROEELIEF
As used herein, the term "microrelief' will be employed to describe
features which can be resolved via television imagery. It includes ripple marks,
biological excavations, etc., and is thus at the lower end of the microtopographic
spectrum as defined by Laughton (1963) who includes features from 50 m to 1 mm.
The echo sounder records, although capable of displaying features having relief
of 0. 3 m, in general appear to be relatively smooth once the wave effect is
removed (see Figure 5). One small feature (ridge) appears as a conical surface
at Station 6, but it would have probably been overlooked had the ship not been
drifting (slower speed tends to improve resolution of small features). The sharp
ridges appearing in traces reproduced in Figure 5 are due, in part, to the dis-
tortion of the curved scribe on the instrument, but also reflect the presence of
low linear ridges throughout the area.
On a finer scale, the television pictures reveal the presence of ripple
marks and biological excavations at a number of stations (Figures 8, 9, and 10).
The general shape of the ripples is subdued, and it is not possible to determine
if they are symmetrical (oscillation ripples) or asymmetric (current-induced
- 14
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Figure 8 TV monitor photograph of sea floor at Station 2,
center of dumpsite. Dark bands are fine sedi-
ments in troughs of ripples; dark dots are sand
dollars. Note white clam shells, concave-up in
ripple troughs. Largest clam shell is 8 cm long.
Scale factors for television stills was provided
by D, Maurer from statistical analyses of sand
dollar diameters.
Figure 9 Rippled bottom at Station 9.
left is about 7 cm long.
Clam shell at lower
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Figure 10 Gently undulating bottom at Station 5. Ripples
are subdued, and little relief is present. White
clam shell at lower left is 10 cm wide, and con-
tains fine sediment. Note concave-up attitude
of clam valves in this view, a feature which was
commonly noted at all stations where whole shell
debris was present.
- 16 -
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ripples). In either event, their presence implies the existence of bottom currents
of a magnitude sufficient to initiate motion (see Section V on Currents). Biologic
activity has generated small craters, tracks and mounds which, at many stations,
are the dominant form of microrelief.
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IV. SEDIMENTS
A. PREVIOUS WORK
Regional studies of sediments of the Atlantic Continental Shelf have been
completed by various workers beginning with the work of Pourtales in 1870 (see
Milliman, 1972). Sampling grids for such studies are invariably large, and in
light of our present knowledge of sediment distribution on the shelves, they can
only provide gross characteristics of a region. One such study (Milliman, 1972)
is reported from the extensive survey of the Atlantic Continental Shelf conducted
by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the U.S. Geological Survey. A
station from this survey lies within the dumpsite, and the various parameters
relating to sediment character can be cited as representative of the area.
Regional sediments are considered coarse to medium fine sand in the
modal size class (the most populus size fraction), that is, the sand fractions
have a general size of from 1 to V4 mm in diameter. Gravel (particles with
diameters greater than 2 mm) can account for up to 25% in the western third
of the area, but much of this may be due to shell fragments and not mineral or
lithic (rock) fragments. More than 90% of the sample consisted of quartz or
feldspar, with more than half of the grains exhibiting iron staining which imparts
a characteristic orange-brown coloration to the coarser sands. Glauconite
makes up from 1 to 5% of the sample, and calcium carbonate accounts for a like
amount. Of the carbonate portion, most of the material consists of echinoid and
mollusk fragments of shells, spines, etc. with benthonic foraminifera accounting
for less than 5%.
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B. THIS SUEVEY
Examination of the 9 sediment samples from the survey stations revealed
properties generally similar to those described by Milliman (op. cit.). Textural
parameters are presented in Table 1, and cumulative curves for the sand frac-
tions, as determined by settling tube analyses (Cook, 1969; Felix, 1969; Gibbs,
1972), appear in Figure 11.
Two examples of sediment samples are presented in Figures 12 and 13.
It is obvious from these photomicrographs that the coarser-grained components
are more angular, while the well-sorted finer materials contain more rounded
grains. Coloration is also a function of size, the coarser grains stained a deep
orange to brown while the finer sediments display high percentages of clear
unstained minerals. Although diagnostic staining techniques were not employed
during the inspection of sand fractions, visual estimates of mineralogy indicate
at least 90% of all samples consist of quartz. Accessory minerals include a
glossy black variety of glauconite and pale white to pinkish feldspars.
C. INTERPRETATION
Examination of Table 1 will reveal a correlation between depth, mean
diameter and sorting. The deeper stations (2, 13, and 14) yielded sediments
having a generally finer and better sorted nature than the samples from shallower
depths. There can be several explanations for such a situation.
Inasmuch as wave energy which reaches the bottom is attenuated with
increasing depth, the reduced velocity of wave-induced surge could be reflected
in the nature of sediments as depth increases. Finer sediments should be
expected where wave energy is reduced, since larger particles would remain
in place as the wave-induced current speed diminished with increasing depth.
Similarly, it should be noted that for some time sedimentologists have shown
that finer sands are commonly better sorted than coarser fractions (Inman,
1949). This situation reflects the differences in threshold velocity (the current
required to initiate movement of a sand particle) for given sand sizes.
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Table 1. SEDIMENT SAMPLE DATA
Station
01
02
05
08
09
11
13
14
17
Depth
(ft) (m)
156 47.5
177 53.9
150 45.7
130 39.6
110 33.5
170 51.8
170 51.8
173 52.7
125 38.1
M6!
(0 to 46)
1.28
2.40
1.03
1.25
1.30
1.38
2.18
2.25
1.50
ffrf;2
(0 to 46)
0.68
0.30
0.58
0.50
0.60
0.58
0.28
0.20
0.45
Deviation3
(0 to 4 6)
Moderately well sorted
Very well sorted
Moderately well sorted
Moderately well sorted
Moderately well sorted
Moderately well sorted
Very well sorted
Very well sorted
Well sorted
% Coarser
than 36
(0. 125 mm)
99.8
95.7
99.7
98.9
98.3
99.1
99.7
99.4
99.4
% Coarser
than 0 6
(1 mm)
11.63
5.03
38.89
18.64
34.78
26.88
10.9
1.11
4.25
1. M6, or mean diameter, of a sediment sample is one-half the sum of the 16th percentile
and 84th percentile. It approximates the central tendency, or ''average'' size of a sample
(after Inman, 1952). Phi (6) units are used to indicate size according to the relation-
ship (6) = -Iog2 (diameter in millimeters). This convention avoids awkward fractional
notation and permits simplified plotting of size data on arithmetic scales (see Figure 11).
2. 76, or "sorting'', measures the degree of scatter, or "spread", of a cumulative fre-
quency curve with regard to its central tendency (mean). It reflects the standard deviation
based upon half the difference between the 84th and 16th percentiles (Inman, 1952).
Sorting provides a measure of the range of conditions present at a site such as the range
in velocity, degree of turbulence, etc. The greater the af> value, the broader the range
of conditions which affect the overall sediment character at a site. Low values indicate
fairly uniform conditions.
3. Verbal modifiers of sorting have been established (Friedman, 1962) to facilitate discussion
of sediment statistics. The following ranges apply to the sand fractions from this study,
all of which display a relatively high degree of sorting for the marine environment:
-------
100
-80
-60 ฃ
- 40
U
-20
4.0
DIAMETER 0
Figure 11 Cumulative frequency curves for the sand fractions of sediment
samples. Numbers indicate station. Phi values are based on log diameter,
in mm, of grain sizes (see text). The more vertical the curve, the fewer
grain sizes are present (the better the sorting). Fine grained components
(0.062 mm diameter, or 4 0) were not present (see Table 1). Fraction greater
than 1 mm (0$) diameter not included.
- 21 -
-------
METRIC
Figure 12 Photomicrograph of sand fraction from Station 2.
Note well sorted nature of the sands, and general
roundness of many grains. Most of the particles
visible here are clear quartz (compare with
Figure 13).
METRIC
Figure 13 Photomicrograph of sand from Station 11. Note
angularity of larger grains and variety of sizes
present (poorer sorting than sample from Station
2, Figure 12). Compare cumulative frequency
curves for these two samples in Figure 11.
-22 -
-------
Fine sand (0.25 to 0.125 mm, or 2 to 3 0) is the sediment size class most easily
moved by water, and thus this size class is generally the first to move under
accelerating currents and the last to come to rest under waning currents. In
this manner, other size fractions are preferentially removed, that is, simply
"left behind." The result is a reduction in the standard deviation, or sorting,
of the total size range within the finer deposit.
In summary, we might attach environmental relevance to the fact that
in some areas, regardless of depth, sorting values are quite low (well sorted).
This may be significant to dumping practices, since these regions probably
reflect sites where net turbulent energy at the sea floor is at a minimum. If
we assume that the bottom is periodically affected by wave-induced surge, there
would be occasional intervals of stirring and resuspension of bottom materials
(see Section V on Currents). Locations where finer, well-sorted materials are
found would be the sites least affected by such disturbances, and would thus be
the regions where matter settling from the sludge plume to the sea floor would
be least likely to be resuspended. In this context, these regions could be con-
sidered the "sinks" of the dump site area. Further discussion of bottom currents
inferred from the properties of microrelief and sediment texture can best be
examined in the context of the next section which describes the currents of the
area.
The discussion of sediments herein has been restricted to bottom materials.
Inasmuch as no samples were taken for analyses of suspended sediments, we
have not included a description of work in this field. In an attempt to determine
the distribution and nature of suspended sediments within the dumpsite area,
seven sediment traps, consisting of a cylindrical container suspended at various
depths on a buoyed line, were left at Stations 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, and 14. The
surface marker consisted of a red sphere approximately 0.8m diameter. Tugboat
operators towing sludge barges to the site have been asked to look for these
markers since dumping began in early May. The markers have yet to be sighted,
and they may have broken free or have been vandalized by fishing vessels which
frequent this area.
- 23-
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V. CUBBENTS
A. PBEVIOUS WOBK
Studies of currents on the continental shelf within the area defined by
Figure 1 are scarce, probably because nearshore problems have generally
taken priorities and because it becomes increasingly expensive, from the stand-
point of ship-time, positioning and high probability of loss, to install recording
current meters at sites tens of kilometers from shore. For these reasons,
most workers have resorted to "expendable" devices such as surface and sea
bed drifters to resolve regional current patterns.
An excellent summary of surface and bottom currents is provided by
Harrison and his co-workers (see Norcross and Stanley, 1967) and by Bumpus,
Lynde and Shaw (1972). The most recent regional review is that of Bumpus
(1973), while McClennen' s work (1973) cites observations from fixed current
meter installations positioned 1.5 to 2 meters above the sea floor. Both the
Lagrangian technique (drifters) and the Eulerian method (fixed meters) yield
essentially the same conclusion: residual currents at the sea floor move toward
the southwest at a rate of from 1 to 2 km per day. In the case of drifters, the
interpretation is necessarily subjective [ see an excellent discussion by Biley and
Banister (1972)], but McClennen's observations at a sea floor site some 75 km
north of the interim sludge dump site show that over a 213-hour period of summer
observation currents trended toward the south-southwest with a mean speed of
12 cm/sec. His data represent, to our knowledge, the only documented long-
term Eulerian measurements of mid-shelf sea floor currents.
-24-
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B. SURVEY CRUISE
Current measurements were taken from the vessel during the course of
the cruise.
1. Shipboard Current Measurements
a. Procedure
Current measurements were collected during the survey cruise by
freely suspending an instrument from the anchored research vessel. The
instrument used was a Magsine current meter manufactured for the University
of Washington, consisting of a Savonius rotor, case attached vane, and deck
read-out module. Generally, the characteristics of the rotor include a threshold
velocity of 2. 5 cm/sec, a response time of about 5 seconds (acceleration
being faster than deceleration), and equal response from flow in any direction.
The vane has a length of 30 cm.
The true current values were confused by vessel motions which, because
of wind and sea conditions during much of the cruise, were large compared to
the currents to be measured. Unequal response of acceleration and deceleration
produced unnaturally high readings. Adding to the problems of vessel motion
were limitations in the vessel' s mooring gear. Only one anchor could be used
and only three shots (82 m, 270 ft) of chain were available. The resulting
insufficient scope caused the periods of "horsing" about the anchor to be shorter
than desirable and often let the vessel drag its anchor. The latter condition
would result in unnaturally high current readings as the vessel drifted with the
wind and sea rather than with the current.
The intervals at which measurements were taken during a cast were
2 meters for the surface, 10 meters, then 5 or 10 meters at greater depths.
The measuring depths were held approximately 60 seconds. Visual averaging
was considered necessary during these periods as short term fluctuations were
at times ฑ30% of the speed reading and 60ฐ or more in direction.
-25-
-------
b. Results
Of four deployments of the current meter attempted, two were aborted
because of excessive wire angle. The data obtained from the two successful
stations (14 and 9), corrected for local magnetic variations, appear in Tables
2 and 3; see Figure 1 for station locations.
During the period over which these measurements were made the wind
was generally from the south to southwest at from 16 to 28 knots, about opposite
to reported currents for this area.
A visual observation was made of the sediment trap buoy at Station 9
indicating a southwesterly surface drift, in spite of a breeze blowing in the
opposite direction. This observation is in conflict with the current meter
reading taken at 3 meters, which has the current almost north.
Duplicate readings were taken at two points on the upcast to verify the
reading at that depth. Poor repeatability was indicated. While current speed
for these comparisons was within ฑ0.03 knots, direction varied by 75ฐ and 38ฐ
for the two tests.
c. Discussion
Neither profile shows any uniform velocity or directional shear presumably
because of the disturbance introduced by vessel motion. One of the most notable
features of these profiles is the fact that current speeds do not diminish rapidly
with depth, but rather vary within the same limits to the depth to which readings
were taken.
The two profiles were made 10ฐ out of phase on the tidal cycle, if the
35 nautical mile spatial difference between the stations is not considered. An
attempt was made to arrive at a mean motion value from these profiles.
Assuming that there is a uniform mean motion unchanging with depth, the errors
introduced by vessel motion would tend to be equal in all directions provided
enough measurements were made. In performing a vector averaging operation
on these readings, error components should tend to nullify each other.
- 26 -
-------
Table 2. CURRENT SPEED AND DIRECTION - STATION 14
2017 HOURS - 2 MAY 1973
Depth, m Speed, cm/sec. Direction ฐ True
3
5
7.
10
15
20
30
40
50
Table 3.
Depth
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
20
25
30
18.0
19.5
5 23.2
24.2
15.4
13.9
7.2
9.3
19.0
CURRENT SPEED AND DIRECTION
1013 HOURS - 4 MAY 1973
200
170
180
222
200
140
101
282
215
- STATION 9 -
, m Speed, cm/sec. Direction ฐ True
14.9
27.3
21.6
25.7
19.5
19.5
26.8
20.6
28.3
26.8
355
347
342
339
235
210
198
179
228
230
- 27 -
-------
The results of vector averaging the reading from the two profiles as
well as simple arithmetic means for these values appear in Table 4.
Table 4. CURRENTS BY VECTOR AVERAGING*
Station
14
9
V Averaging
Speed cm/sec. Direction ฐ True
13.4 192
10.8 248
M Averaging
Speed cm/sec. Direction ฐ True
16.6 190
23.1 261
Components of semidiurnal rotary tidal currents were not determined.
d. Summary
Best estimates of currents during the time period covering the survey
cruise are:
1. Speed about 13 cm/sec (0.25 knots, 11 km/day) fairly uniform over
the bulk of the water column.
2. Direction between 192ฐ and 248ฐ true.
2. Shipboard Current Observations
In addition to the actual measurement of currents during the cruise, two
other modes of qualitative current information were deduced from additional
sources: (a) videotapes of the television bottom traverse from each station and
(b) sediment texture (grain size statistics).
a. Videotapes
In all, several hours of videotape were recorded at the stations occupied
during this cruise. Scrutiny of these tapes and the logs and the commentary of
scientists observing theon-deck monitor were used in the interpretation of visual
data which might relate to local currents at the sea floor. The following observa-
tions bear upon the current regime:
- 28 -
-------
1. Most of the shallow stations (depths less than about 50 m) displayed
ripples and other features which indicate disturbance (displacement) of the local
sediment. Most stations also exhibited evidence of bioturbation (tracks, mounds,
craters, etc.) suggesting that once the currents which form ripples abate,
biological activity should smooth and ultimately erase the ripples. From the
videotapes it was impossible to tell if the ripples were symmetric (oscillatory
or wave-induced current ripples) or asymmetric (current or unidirectional
flow ripples).
2. During the latter portion of the cruise, the weather deteriorated and
seas became uncomfortably high. No records were taken of wave period,
height, and length but continued television monitoring of the sea floor revealed
no turbidity or other current effects which could be attributed to the surface
roughness. We assume that the wave length must have been too short to have
induced suspension of bottom materials.
3. At many stations, single valves of pelecypods were observed lying
on the bottom with a preferred concave-up attitude (Figures 8 and 10). In
addition, many were noted to contain sediment which had obviously settled into
them after they assumed this orientation. Inasmuch as the shape of these shells
is hydrodynamically sensitive, some inference of current activity can be drawn
from the attitude of single valves. Emery (1968) has pointed out that the concave-
up attitude is characteristic of low energy environments (low current speeds) on
the continental shelf. Strong currents tend to orient single valves in a "stream-
lined" attitude with the concave side down.
b. Sediment Texture
From the above observations, it would appear that currents which are
capable of disturbing the sea floor at this site are infrequent. Unfortunately,
other equally plausible data suggest the opposite.
1. McClennen' s (op. cit.) study included examination of box core samples
which consist of a volume of sediment removed from the sea floor with little or
no disturbance. Pelecypod shells within the upper meter are all concave down,
- 29 -
-------
and bedding features within the cores show conclusive proof of the dominance
of physical processes over bioturbation. Although this site is at a depth of
30 meters, the sediment is quite similar to that at the stations on this cruise.
2. Currents measured 1.5m above the bottom by McClennen reveal
that the critical erosion velocity (approximately equal to the threshold velocity)
for sands at this station nearest the dumpsite was exceeded about 4% of the time.
Because there were no storms during the period of measurement, these water
motions were semidiurnal rotary tidal currents which display a maximum
velocity toward the southwest. We may anticipate that under storm conditions
(see Item 3, below) wave-induced surge will dominate the bottom current regime.
3. On the basis of simple wave equations, for a given average depth of
50 m, we can assume that waves having a period of 11. 3 sec or longer and a
height greater than 2.2 m will generate currents at the sea floor which exceed
the threshold velocity of most sands at the stations on this cruise. Wave
statistics from Atlantic City, New Jersey (the closest point of record to the
dumpsite) indicate that waves having a period of 11 sec or longer occur 2.6% of
the time, while significant wave heights (the average height of the highest % of
the waves) exceeding 2.2 m occur 3.3% of the time (Harris, 1972). These data
cannot be directly applied to this region, but they are indicative of the general
wave climate of the Middle Atlantic Bight.
3. Bottom Drift Studies
During the course of the cruise, 680 seabed drifters of the Woodhead
design (Woodhead and Lee, 1960) were released within the interim dumpsite
area. Table 5 shows the release scheme.
The few recoveries to date are disappointing, especially since the
beach population should be at a maximum during this period. However, low
recovery ratios appear typical in June, July, and August for previous releases
at this distance from shore (see Norcross and Stanley, 1967). For 17 releases,
- 30 -
-------
Table 5. SEABED DRIFTER RELEASES
Time and Date
1258 2 May
1446 3 May
2043 3 May
0645 4 May
Station
1 nm* NW
of 2
8
6
1 am E
of 2
Numbers
001-160
100
161-320
321-480
100
Color
Red
Yellow
Red
Red
Yellow
Total
Quantity
160
100
160
160
100
Recovery (as
of 27 July)
1
0
2
3
0
*nm = nautical mile (1 nm = 1. 85 km)
the average recovery is 16. 5%, with a maximum of 34% (March) and a minimum
of 4. 2% (June). Similarly, at the interpolated drift rate of from 0.3 to 0. 9
nautical miles per day, it may be premature to anticipate a low recovery for the
May dumpsite release. Of the six recoveries reported, five are from the
Wallops Island area in Virginia. One returned from Martha' s Vineyard,
Massachusetts,is believed to have been picked up, and later discarded, by a
fishing vessel. In general, drifter recoveries support the concept of a net
southwest bottom drift.
One additional factor bearing upon the return ratio is the monetary reward
for the return of information requested on the drifter card. According to Riley
and Ramster (1972) the reward is the determining factor in reporting the dis-
covery of drifters.
4. Surface Drifter Studies
During the course of the cruise, 269 surface drifters were released at
three stations within the dumpsite. Table 6 provides data on the location and
dates of these releases.
- 31 -
-------
Table 6. SURFACE DRIFTER RELEASES
Date
2 May
3 May
4 May
Time
1220
1446
0845
Station
2
8
3
Drifter Numbers
9802-9900
0377-0447
9900-10,000
Quantity
98
70
101
At this writing (September, 1973) no returns have been reported. Cards
were to be forwarded to EPA, at Corvallis, Oregon.
C. INTERPRETATION
Conflicting evidence regarding the current regime at the interim dump-
site does not permit definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding the activity
present at the sea floor. Factors suggesting both long-term quiescence and
periodic disturbances have been presented. If the nature of the sediments is
interpreted in light of hydrodynamic factors, we can suggest that areas of finer,
well-sorted sediments indicate regions where currents and turbulence are
minimal. This tacitly assumes that the present distribution of sediments is a
reflection of the contemporary hydraulic regime, that is, currents are effective
in shaping the sea floor and transporting sediments. On the other hand, at this
distance from shore it might be considered that the sediments present at the
dumpsite do not necessarily reflect an equilibrium condition with respect to the
present hydraulic regime. Under this concept, the sediments are considered
"relict" in that they have been derived from a set of circumstances no longer
present at this site. Therefore, the lack of fine materials (silts and clays) and
the distribution of coarse sands may not connote a vigorous bottom current, but
rather a lack of a source close enough to have provided different materials
during the period when sediments of the area were undergoing transport.
- 32 -
-------
This report is not the place to review the continuing controversy between
"active" and "relict" sedimentary concepts. The interested reader is referred
to an excellent summary of this subject by Swift and others (1971). Their con-
clusion is that present sediments atop the shelf experience brief periods (days)
of intensive movement during storms followed by long periods (months or perhaps
years) of quiescence. In view of the visual and analytical data presented in this
section, most conflicting factors vanish if this concept of intermittent sediment
transport is adopted. Obviously, confirmation of this interpretation must await
current measurements taken at the sea floor in the dumpsite area.
- 33 -
-------
VI. CHEMISTRY
A. HYDROGRAPHY
1. Previous Work
Extensive hydrographic observations have been made in the continental
shelf waters of the Mid-Atlantic Bight, and have recently been reviewed and
summarized by Bumpus (1973) and Fisher (1973). In addition, detailed studies
have recently been conducted on a nearby acid waste dumpsite, and some results
have been reported (du Pont et al., 1972).
Some data from the du Pont studies indicate waste materials may be
prevented from sinking to the bottom when the thermocline is established in
this area (du Pont et al., 1972). Bowden (1964) cites work by Folsom, Goldberg
and Kline and by Folsom and Vine, that similarly indicates introduced materials
may diffuse in horizontal planes to a great degree. This propensity for horizontal
transport, and lack of vertical forces, indicates that hydrographic conditions,
especially density discontinuities, may be of prime importance in evaluation of
environmental conditions on ocean dumpsites.
2. Survey Cruise
Profiles of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH taken by
Hydro Products Water Quality Monitor or a Beckman RS-5 induction salinometer
are shown in Figures 14 through 18.
Temperature distributions indicate that the vernal establishment of the
thermocline was developing, and the discontinuity was generally between 30 and
50 ft (9 to 15 m). A rather severe southwest gale on 3 May apparently did
not affect the thermal structure.
-34-
-------
MIT MfTUS
0-T-O
JO-
40-
33 34 35 SALINITY ซ
6 7 S 8 10 11 TEMP. *c
80 H
100 -
140 -
160 -1-
30
10
7
12
8
Figure 14 Hydrographic profile at Station 1, showing salinity,
temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH.
HIT MITliS
O-i-O
so-
40-
6 7 S 9 10 11 TEMO. "c
80 -
10
7
12
9
Figure 15 Hydrographic profile at Station 2 showing distribution
of D. O., pH, and temperature
- 35 -
-------
HIT MET I IS
o-ro j 1
20-
10
ฃ
G, to -
O
100 -
30
32 33 34 35 SALINITX
87 8 9 10 II TEMP.'C
Figure 16 Salinity-temperature profile of water column at
Station 3.
FIIT MITERI
0-rO < 1
JO-
".
a
80 -1
100
UO-I
32 33 34 35 SALINITY /QQ
i . T T T ? 'iฐ '.* r1""-'0
STATION 17
5/3/73
071}
Figure 17 Salinity-temperature profile of water column at
Station 17.
- 36 -
-------
HIT MITfti OXYGEN (pp.)
9 10 II
JO-
40-
8* 9ฐ 1
Q
too
120
140 -
STATION 01
S/l/73
1800
1 1 ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' I ' ' ' ' I
100 105 110 IIS
PERCENT SATURATION
Figure 18 Distribution of dissolved oxygen (O)
and calculated saturation (S) in the
water column at Station 1.
Salinity distributions reflect the coastal character of the water and tend
to indicate a halocline coincident with the thermocline, with minor perturbations
in surface waters. The region generally is affected by runoff from terrestrial
sources in the surface layers, and incursion of slope waters at depths (Bumpus,
1973).
Dissolved oxygen was measured with an International Biophysics Company
Model 501-001 probe and 490-051 field readout. Percent saturation values were
also calculated and are shown for reference in Figure 18. Generally, oxygen
values showed no evidence of deficits, and the supersaturation in surface waters
is indicative of phytoplankton activity.
- 37 -
-------
The pH values indicated no deviations from values expected in coastal
seawater, and were measured primarily because of the proximity of a nearby
dumpsite with a history of additions of very low pH industrial wastes.
3. Interpretation
Hydrographic conditions generally reflect the normal patterns expected
for these waters under spring conditions.
B. WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS
1. Previous Work
Previous work in the area has recently been summarized by Kester and
Courant (1973).
2. Survey Cruise
The data gathered on this cruise were primarily intended to determine
background conditions before dumping activities commenced, and as such are
not amenable to estimate distributional patterns such as discussed by Kester
and Courant.
Water samples were retrieved from 6-liter PVC Van Dorn bottles,
placed in 16 oz. polyethylene "Whirl-Paks" and quick frozen in dry ice.
Samples were subsequently stored frozen until analysis at the EPA laboratory
in Annapolis.
Ammonia determinations gave erratic and apparently unreliable values;
consequently they were not included in this report. Recent studies on the preser-
vation of marine water samples for ammonia determinations have shown poor
keeping qualities for this parameter (Degobbis, 1973), and ammonia should
probably be determined immediately upon sampling.
-38-
-------
Nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen was determined by using the Technicon
"Autoanalyzer." This procedure utilizes cadmium reduction of nitrate to
nitrite and subsequent diazotization with sulfanilamide and N-(l-naphthyl)-
ethylenediamine dihydrochloride with the optical density measured at 540 m/u .
The results were reported as nitrogen (Strickland and Parsons, 1968).
There are too few data points to draw distributional patterns, but con-
centrations are generally those expected in this environment (Kester and Courant,
op. cit.). Nitrate values vary seasonally with values between 0.07 ppm and
0.007 ppm reported. Nitrite values range from 0.7 to 4.2 ppb.
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen includes ammonia and organic nitrogen and was
determined by the standard micro-Kjeldahl procedure. The sample was digested
in the presence of strong acid to convert the organic nitrogen to ammonia. The
ammonia was then distilled, collected in boric acid solution, nesslerized, and
determined colorimetrically. This procedure was automated on a Technicon
"Autoanalyzer." The values found agree generally with those reported in other
coastal waters (Duursma, 1965).
Total phosphorus was determined after persulfate oxidation of the sample
in an autoclave at 15 psi for 30 minutes. The resultant orthophosphate was then
determined colorimetrically as the molybdenum-blue complex with optical
density measured at 882 m/t. Orthophosphate was determined on a Technicon
"Autoanalyzer" (Menzel and Corwin, 1965; Murphy and Riley, 1962). Phosphate
concentrations vary from 0.015 ppm to 0.03 ppm.
The concentrations found are in agreement with other observations
reported by Kester and Courant.
Silicate was determined on a Technicon "Autoanalyzer" with an automated
procedure outlined in Standard Methods (Amer. Pub. Health Assoc., 1971).
Again no distribution patterns are discernible, but agree with other
observations in the area (Kester and Courant, op. cit.).
Heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry
at the EPA National Field Investigations Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. No appreciable
- 39 -
-------
levels of heavy metals were detected in surface waters at Station 2. Results are
shown in Tables 7 and 8.
A supplemental cruise to the dumpsite was made on 14 July 1973 to
secure additional water samples for metals analyses. This supplemental
cruise was made after dumping activities had started on the dumpsite. (See
cruise log in Appendix B.) Water quality parameters are shown in the appendix.
Heavy metal analyses were done by the EPA Water Sciences Branch, National
Field Investigation Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. No appreciable levels of metals
were detected in bottom waters.
C. HEAVY METALS IN SEDIMENTS
1. Previous Work
Metal contents of sediments were determined recently on a site approxi-
mately 35 miles from the survey site, and near the mouth of the Delaware Bay
(Davey, 1972). The extraction techniques differed markedly from those in the
present study, and lower concentrations generally were reported than in the
results of this cruise.
Studies by the National Marine Fisheries Service in the New York Bight
area, but with stations as far south as Delaware Bay (Nat. Marine Fish. Serv. ,
1972), show metals contents of uncontaminated sediments comparable to those
reported for this cruise.
2. Survey Cruise
Metals were determined from bottom sediments by leaching samples for
6 hrs at 48 to 50ฐC in concentrated nitric acid, then analysis on a Perkin-Elmer
303 atomic absorber. Mercury was similarly prepared, but analyzed in a
Coleman MAS-50 flameless atomic absorber.
The relative concentrations of the various elements are in general agree-
ment with published information, but the concentrations of chromium, zinc, and
- 40 -
-------
Table 7. WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS
Sample No.
qK7357-0101-l
0102-1
0103-1
0204-1
0205-1
0206-1
0513-1
0514-1
0515-1
0916-1
0917-1
0518-1
1407-1
1408-1
1409-1
1710-1
1711-1
1712-1
Station
1
1
1
2
2
2
5
5
5
9
9
9
14
14
14
17
17
17
Date/Time
5/1/73
1800
5/2/73
0710
5/3/73
1112
5/4/73
0905
5/2/73
1925
5/3/73
0715
Sample
Depth
ft
20
75
145
25
85
145
25
75
145
25
50
100
25
100
175
25
75
120
mg/1
0.011
0.024
0.026
0.028
0.026
0.021
0.026
0.030
0.009
0.021
0.024
0.032
0.021
0.039
0.021
0.026
0.024
'1C A
'.by
TKJJ
mq/1
Nsq*
0.107
0.011
0.338
0.349
0.558
0.163
0.192
:;sq
1.414
0.344
0.135
0.1C3
0.146
0.073
0.310
0.270
1SQ
TP
mg/1
P04
NSQ
0.048
0 . 024
0.040
0.040
-0.01
<0.01
0.024
;sq
<0.01
<0.01
0.024
0.024
O.J64
"iSC
0.048
0.048
-,sr
Silica
ppm
0.091
0.091
0.101
0.121
0.091
0.030
0.030
0.101
0.040
0.061
0.081
0.111
0.091
0.161
0.101
0.050
0.050
isq
TOC
mg/1
3.92
4.53
4.21
3.59
3.96
4.18
3.03
3.33
0.21
2.73
5.65
2.53
3.32
3.92
2.95
4.48
3.55
9.05
*',SO - 'iot sufficient quantity
- 41 -
-------
Table 8. HEAVY METALS IN SURFACE WATEE
(mg/1)
Cd
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
Cr
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
Cu
<0.02
<0.02
<0.02
Pb Ni
<0.1 <0.5
<0.1 <0.5
<0.1 <0.5
V Be
<0.1 <0.2
<0.1 <0.2
<0.1 <0.2
Hg
<0.i
<0.1
<0.1
manganese are greater. This probably reflects the more rigorous acid extrac-
tion procedures employed by the EPA laboratory at Annapolis. Ambient
chromium levels seem to be greater than expected, and further pursuit of this
phenomenon is indicated. Results are shown in Table 9.
D. CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON ANALYSIS OF SEDIMENT SAMPLES
1. Previous Work
Based upon current available information, there has been no detailed
assessment made of the levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the marine
environment of the Atlantic continental shelf. The only data pertaining to the
interim ocean dumping area (other than that presented in this report) come
from a paper on PCB residues in the Atlantic zooplankton (Risebrough et al. ,
1972). Zooplankton taken from an area fairly close to the dumps ite contained
57 ppm PCB (Aroclor 1254) on a lipid weight basis (about 0.22 ppm on a wet
weight basis). The highest concentrations occurred near Hudson Canyon and
northward to the latitude of New York City where the zooplankton were found
to contain about 250 ppm PCB on a lipid weight basis.
While these data indicate fairly high levels of PCB' s in waters of the
northwest Atlantic shelf, the numbers must be examined with some caution
because of the high likelihood of sample contamination from the nets being used
(Harvey and Teal, 1973). Previous work examining the addition of chlorinated
- 42 -
-------
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-43-
-------
hydrocarbons to the nearshore waters of California through ocean disposal of
sewage and sewage sludge indicates that urban sewage and sewage sludge con-
tain relatively high levels of PCB' s and, in some cases, DDT (Schmidt, et al.,
1971).
2. Survey Cruise
Immediately upon recovery, samples of sediments from dumpsite
stations were placed in airtight jars previously rinsed with hexane. Upon
return to the laboratory, eight sediment samples were analyzed for chlorinated
hydrocarbons by the following method:
1. Air dry, grind in mortar and pass through a 1 mm seive.
2. Extract 100 g Soxhlet 7 hr with 2:1 hexane-acetone.
3. Concentrate the extract (Kuderna-Danish evaporator) and
clean with a fuming sulfuric acid-celite column.
4. Concentrate eluant to less than 1 ml (K-D followed by stream
of dry nitrogen).
5. Screen with electron-capture gas chromatography.
6. Further clean by passage through an activated aluminum
column followed by concentration to less than 1 ml as above.
7. Determine quality and quantity by electron-capture gas
chromatography.
The samples gave poor traces when only processed with the acid cleaning,
but the aluminum cleaning removed the problems and produced satisfactory
chroinatographic traces.
Although the PCBr s 1242 and 1254 were detected in all eight samples,
only in the two highest samples (0101 and 1701) could the numbers be considered
above the detection limit. In the case of the other six samples, the values were
only one-half to three times greater than values obtained from a reagent "blank"
put through the analytical procedures. In all samples, the 1254 peaks closely
matched those of standard Aroclor 1254 in number and peak-height ratio. The
- 44 -
-------
values for 1242, however, should be considered as estimates (ฑ100%) because
of the poor match with the peak-height ratios of the standard material and the
presence of interfering peaks of unknown composition.
The samples were unusually free of the DDT group (DDE, DDD, and
DDT), DDE being observed in only one sample and then only at twice the detec-
tion limit. Results are tabulated in Table 10.
Table 10. CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS IN OCEAN DUMPSITE
SAMPLES (parts per billion)
Sample No.
QK7334-0101
QK7334-0201
-0501
-0801
-1101
-1301
-1401
-1701
PCB
1242
26
3
3
3
3
3
2
23
Group
1254
12
1
0.9
0.8
0.6
1
0.6
14
DDE
ND*
ND
ND
ND
0.4
ND
ND
ND
DDT Group
DDD
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
DDT
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Other
t
t
*ND = Not detectable (probably less than 0.2 ppb)
jThese two samples each had a larger unique electron-capture peak not found
in the other samples. The peaks did not match any of the commonly found
chlorinated hydrocarbons.
- 45 -
-------
3. Interpretation
These samples reflect a very clean area, one most likely completely
free of local inputs of chlorinated hydrocarbons. The low values for chlorinated
hydrocarbons in these sediments suggest fairly limited biological activity
because atmospheric fallout of DDT and PCB would be concentrated by biological
activity to yield numbers higher than a few PPB. Chlorinated hydrocarbon
analysis of sediments after dumping begins should provide useful information
because sanitary and industrial sludges are usually quite high in chlorinated
hydrocarbons.
- 46 -
-------
VII. BIOLOGY
A. PHYTOPLANKTON
1. Previous Work
Phytoplankton analyses of the water column in the vicinity of the survey
cruise were reported by the University of Delaware, College of Marine Studies
(1972). This study indicates that the spring-summer regime (May-October) is
dominated by dinoflageHates. This is in general agreement with work done by
Mulford in the coastal waters of Virginia (Mulford and Norcross, 1971).
2. Survey Cruise
Phytoplankton samples were taken at surface, mid-depth and bottom for
each of six stations near the interim dumpsite. (See Figure 3 for station loca-
tions.) Three stations were in the immediate dump area, two inshore of the
area, and one 15-miles offshore of the area.
Phytoplankton samples of approximately 250 cc were taken from Van
Dorn bottles, preserved in Lugol' s solution and stored in the dark.
In the laboratory, 100 cc of sample were placed in an Utermohl
cylindrical chamber and were allowed to settle until quantitative sedimentation
had taken place (Utermohl, 1936). Microscopic examination of the entire cell
was then completed on a Unitron inverted microscope. (See Tables 11 through 16.)
3. Interpretation
Phytoplankton samples were composed almost entirely of dinoflagellates
and diatoms. There appears to be a very healthy diversity of genera and this
area seems to be typical for this time of year.
- 47 -
-------
Table 11. OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON AT STATION 1
Phytoplankton
Dinoflagellates
Amphidinium sp.
Ceratium fusjs
Ceratium Tinea turn
Ceratium longipes
Dinophysis sp.
Gymnodinium sp.
Peridinium sp.
Prorocentrum sp.
Diatoms
Biddulphia sp.
Chaetoceros sp.
Coscinodiscus sp.
Diploneis sp.
Melosira sp.
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia longissima
Nitzschia sp.
Pleurosigma sp.
Thalassionema sp.
Total Dinoflagellates
Total Diatoms
Total count /100 ml
Surface
14
26
2786
834
146
14
50
98
4
14
3968
18
3986
Mid- depth
268
12
6
12
14
6
8
28
20
298
20
318
374
692
Bottom
41
11
12
1
7
5
39
16
32
61
22
3
10
66
196
262
- 48 -
-------
Table 12. OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON
AT STATION 2
Phytoplankton Surface
Dinoflagellates
Amphidinium sp. 27
Ceratium fusus
Ceratium lineatum 993
Ceratium longipes 482
Ceratium sp. 5
Dinophysis sp. 70
Gymnodinium sp.
Peridinium sp. 21
Prorocentrum sp. 29
Diatoms
Biddulphia sp. 6
Chaetoceros sp.
Coscinodiscus sp. 5
Cyclotella sp.
Diploneis sp.
Epithema sp.
Fragilaria sp.
Melosira sp.
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia longissima
Nitzschia sp.
Pleurosigma sp.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Skeletonema sp.
Thalassionema sp.
Total Dinoflagellates 727
Total Diatoms 11
Total count /100 ml 738
Mid-depth
17
9
2
8
4
2
4
2
36
6
6
28
124
11
2
3
3
31
46
416
462
Bottom
15
1
20
1
25
64
3
1
13
29
14
166
10
3
50
37
384
421
- 49 -
-------
Table 13. OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON AT STATION 5
Phytoplankton
Dinoflagellates
Amphidinium sp.
Ceratium fusus
Ceratium lineatum
Ceratium longipes
Dinophysis sp.
Gymnodinium sp.
Peri dim' urn sp.
Prorocentrum sp.
Diatoms
Biddulphia sp.
Chaetoceros sp.
Coscinodiscjs sp.
Diploneis sp.
Ditylum sp.
Melosira sp.
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia longissima
Nitzschia sp.
Pleurosigma sp.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Thalassionema sp.
Total Dinoflagellates
Total Diatoms
Total count/100 ml
Surface
72
25
1947
1007
98
12
72
52
1
19
1
5
3285
26
:Y.} 1 1
Mid-depth
929
16
8
7
18
30
42
1
6
35
8
9
10
73
3
2
3
6
1054
156
1210
Bottom
4
5
6
5
6
27
18
4
38
3
5
1
53
71
104
175
- 50 -
-------
Table 14. OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON AT STATION 9
Phytoplankton
Dinoflagellates
Amphidinium sp.
Ceratium fusus
Ceratium Tinea turn
Ceratium longipes
Dinophysis sp.
Gymnodinium sp.
Peridinium sp.
Prorocentrum sp.
Diatoms
Biddulphia sp.
Chaetoceros sp.
Coscinodiscus sp.
Melosira sp.
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia longissima
Mitzschia sp.
Pleurosigma sp.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Skeletonema sp.
Thalassionema sp.
Total Dinoflagellates
Total Diatoms
Total count/100 ml
Surface
109
38
2124
698
168
40
52
67
4
24
14
2
2
43
3
1
3296
93
3389
Mid-depth
1
84
2338
330
134
6
42
40
1
60
30
4
2
10
56
2975
163
3138
Bottom
26
8
4
2
6
28
12
30
14
6
50
338
316
354
- 51 -
-------
Table 15. OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON AT STATION 14
Phytoplankton
Dinoflagellates
Amphidinium sp.
Ceratium fusus
Ceratium lineatum
Ceratium longipes
Dinophysis sp.
Gymnodinium sp.
Peridinium sp.
Prorocentrum sp.
Diatoms
Biddulphia sp.
Chaetoceros sp.
Coscinodiscus sp.
Melosira sp.
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia longissima
Nitzschia sp.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Thalassionema sp.
Total Dinoflagellates
Total Diatoms
Total count/100 ml
Surface
47
2
5
294
9
2
5
4
1
27
88
6
4
2
366
128
494
Mid- depth
40
1
23
112
2
7
7
2
27
86
45
2
194
162
356
Bottom
14
6
12
4
12
502
16
14
26
34
182
32
608
640
- 52 -
-------
Table 16. OCCURRENCE OF PHYTOPLANKTON AT STATION 17
Phytoplankton
Dinoflagellates
Amphidinium sp.
Ceratium fusus
Cera ti urn Tinea turn
Ceratium longipes
Dinophysis sp.
Gymnodinium sp.
Peridinium sp.
Prorocentrum sp.
Diatoms
Chaetoceros sp.
Coscinodiscus sp.
Melosira sp.
Navicula sp.
Nitzschia longissima
Mitzschia sp.
Pleurosigma sp.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Thalassioneina sp.
Total Dinoflagellates
Total Diatoms
Total count/100 ml
Surface
50
2854
1792
206
10
108
70
4
4
5090
8
5098
Mid- depth
136
54
3798
2632
244
66
666
42
12
2
2
14
7638
30
7668
Bottom
38
2
1
13
1
8
2
26
19
104
521
57
6
38
63
773
836
- 53 -
-------
Surface sample at all stations were completely dominated by dinoflagellates.
Ceratium comprised the larger percent of the sample, with Ceratium lineatum
and Ceratium longipes being the dominant species (Figures 19 and 20). Several
species of Dinophysis, Prorocentrum and Peridinium were also found at each
station with great regularity but were of secondary importance to Ceratium
(Figures 21 and 22).
There was a marked difference between the surface samples, a dinoflagel-
late community, and the bottom samples which are made up, to a large extent,
by diatoms. Nitzschia longissima, Coscindiscus sp., Thalassionema sp., and
Navicula sp. were generally the most commonly found diatoms.
Several small differences were noted between stations, most of which
can be explained by the location. Counts at Station 9 and Station 17, the two
most inshore stations, were higher than at most other stations. This can be
understood because, as a rule, inshore areas are more heavily populated.
Counts on Station 14 and Station 2 were considerably lower than any other stations.
Station 14 is the most offshore station and offshore areas are typified by
decreasing numbers of dinoflagellates and a sparser standing crop. Station 2,
however, was in the middle region in the center of the dumpsite area and would
not fall into the same offshore category as Station 14. The reasons for the
lower count at Station 2 are unknown. Some differences in phytoplankton
populations can be attributed to natural patchiness found in transition areas.
In summary, the phytoplankton in this area, at this time of year, seemed
to be as expected from previous published works. It was a healthy dinoflagellate-
dominated community.
B. ZOOPLANKTON
1. Previous Work
Plankton investigations were conducted by Deevey (1960) for waters in
the Delaware Bay and outlying coastal provinces. In general, maximal numbers
-54-
-------
Figure 19 Ceratium longipes, one of
the dominant dinoflagellates
at all stations.
Figure 20 Ceratium fusus (elongated
cell at right) and three
cells of Ceratium lineatum.
Figure 21 Ceratium lineatum (below)
and a species of Dinophysis
(above). Both are
dinoflagellate species.
Figure 22 Two species of dinoflagellates,
Dinophysis (left) and
Prorocentrum (right).
-55 -
-------
and volumes were recorded in summer and late fall and minimal numbers in
late winter and spring. However, despite differences in seasonal cycles, the
relative quantity of zooplankton varies similarly from year to year within the
Bay and in outlying waters. Copepods are by far the most dominant group within
the plankton community while Acartia tons a dominates in the more offshore
waters and Paracalanus parvus and Pseudocalanus minutus are the next most
abundant species. Due to the wide annual temperature range (0 to 25ฐC) in
these waters, few organisms occur throughout the year and only four copepods
(Acartia tonsa, Pseudododiaptomus coronatus, Centropages typicus and
Paracalanus parvus) are considered year-round species.
The University of Delaware (1972) in a zooplankton study for the
Environmental Protection Agency showed copepods to dominate numerically
and volumetrically. Copepod dominance occurred in the late fall and 32 species
were recorded for the coastal waters slightly northwest of the present dumpsite.
Also during the late fall, the greatest diversity of zooplankton was found which
was coincident with the destruction of the thermocline. However, unlike Deevey,
the Delaware report shows highest plankton volumes in spring and early summer.
2. Survey Cruise
A preliminary baseline plankton investigation was conducted at four of
the stations (1, 2, 9 and 14; see Figure 3) within and near the site designated
for the ocean dumping of sludge wastes. Four paired net hauls were taken:
two within the proposed dumpsite, one nearer to shore, and one on the outside
of the dumpsite offshore. The resultant information gathered during the investi-
gation is presented as taxonomic relative percent composition and biomass
measurements.
Zooplankton samples were collected from the four stations in an oblique
fashion from the surface to near-bottom to surface for approximately 15 minutes
duration. The paired samples consisted of two nets (Figure 23) of different mesh
- 56 -
-------
Figure 23 Paired plankton nets with 202 ^ and 1,000 jn mesh
used for oblique tows.
-57 -
-------
sizes, each measuring % meter by % meter and about 4 meters in length.
Into the mouth opening of each net was placed a precalibrated T.S. K. type
mechanical flowmeter to record the volume of water passing through each net.
The mesh aperture for one of the nets was 1,000 JK, while the second net was
202 n. The collections from each of the nets during the four tows showed a
definite catch selectivity regarding size and composition. One-third of the
202 /LI samples and each of the 1,000 n samples were preserved with 7% buffered
formalin.
In the laboratory, the 202 /j, net samples were fractioned in a Folsom
splitter to an aliquot not less than ^32 ฐf the whole. The taxonomic analysis
consisted of counting uniform percentages of these samples to the group level
and identifying the major taxa present. These data are presented in Table 17.
Four parameters of biomass from the 202 n net samples were measured:
wet weight, displacement volume, dry weight, and total organic weight. Wet
weights were determined by washing the sample matter into a precalibrated
fritted glass Gooch crucible, applying slight air pressure to expel most of the
interstitial water, and weighing the residue on an analytical balance. The Gooch
crucible mercury immersion method described by Yentsch and Hebard (1957)
was used for measurement of displacement volumes. Dry weights were deter-
mined according to procedures by Lovegrove (1966) by heating samples at 60ฐC
for 2 hr in a vacuum oven. Organic weights were derived by igniting the dried
samples in furnace at 450ฐC for 2 hr, cooling to room temperature, and weighing.
The ashed value was then subtracted from the dried weight to reflect the combusti-
ble organic fraction. The resultant data for the 202 n net biomass analysis are
given in Table 18. The material collected from the 1,000 ^ net was of sufficiently
small quantity that total counts and average sizes could be measured (Table 19).
No biomass analysis was performed on these samples.
- 58 -
-------
Table 17. RELATIVE PERCENT COMPOSITION OF
202 \i NET ZOOPLANKTON
Zooplankton
Copepoda
Dinoflagellata
Cladocera
Pteropoda
Larvae ea
Chaetognatha
Medusae
Fish Eggs
Polychaeta
Bivalva
Fish Larvae
Trochophore
Euphausidacea
Brachyura
Foraminifera
Decapod Larvae
Sipunculids
Ostracoda
Echinoid Larvae
Unknowns
Nearshore
Day
35.5
40.8
17.3
0.3
3.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.2
0.2
*
Sampling Stations
Dumpsite
Night Day
38.8
30.6
23.8
3.2
0.7
0.5
1.0
0.2
0.7
0.3
0.1
0.1
*
0.2
*
0.1
*
60.5
13.8
19.6
1.1
1.2
1.4
1.6
0.3
0.6
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
Offshore
Night
72.7
7.9
2.3
11.1
1.2
2.3
1.1
0.7
0.7
0.2
0.2
*
*Present
- 59 -
-------
Table 18. ZOOPLANKTON BIOMASS OF 202 NET
Biomass
Displacement vol. (^1/m3)
Wet weight (mg/m3)
Dry weight (mg/m3)
Organic weight (mg/m3)
Sampling Stations
Nearf7iore Dumps ite Offshore
201.44
177.14
19.76
16.94
240.30
199.74
13.78
12.63
224. 18
108.84
27.08
24.37
3. Interpretation
Eesultant plankton data from the 202 /u net tows do not show any clear
differences between taxa or biomass concentrations at any of the four stations
sampled. Comparative community correlation coefficients of taxa present show
Stations 1 and 2 (within the proposed dumps ite) to have the greatest degree of
community correlation: 0.764 on a scale where 0.500 is average and 1.000 the
highest correlation possible. These two stations were also within the closest
proximity with regard to all four stations. All stations recorded higher than
0. 500 except Station 14 (0. 450), indicating the basic plankton community struc-
ture at all stations to be generally the same. However, subtle differences can
be seen as one moves from the nearshore station (9) toward the offshore stations
(14). Figure 24 shows a plot of the relative percent compositions of the four
most dominant planktonic groups present at all four stations with respect to
position. Typically, the dinoflagellates and cladocera decrease and copepods
increase toward dominance in the more neritic waters. Additionally, the numbers
of copepod species increase as one moves from nearshore to offshore indicating
a greater diversity of copepod species in the more neritic waters of the continental
shelf.
Biomass measurements do not indicate any obvious differences among the
four stations sampled. The highest plankton volume was recorded in the dumpsite
- 60 -
-------
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^- Zl!-
1
1
LO ^1
T-t iH
CO O5
C~ CO
05 CO
Fish Eggs - undeveloped
- developed
Decapoda-Caridea - large
Caridea - small
Caridea - larval
?T .-^ ,-^ ,-^
J\] tH CO LO
t- O5 O
o ...
T-) ^ *xf CM
CD CO CO 00
LO i-< LO t>-
ซ-l iH iH O
cT
o
.
2,
c-
m
KSJ
^-~
co f^ o^ c~~
. O CM -^t1
LO .
iH CJi -rH CD
> ^ ^ ' > ^ s^
CD OS CD LO
CO 0 CO "^
* *
*-* o^ to o
1
1
CO
3
-H ^ -S
Penaeidea - large
Penaeidea - smal
Brachyura - larvae - larva
Amphipoda
Copepoda - Centropages typ
^ 6cT ^.
?d LO LO
^ . ^
CO .
^t1 in CM
& CO O5
T-( 1-1 CO
T-I iH o
in"
O5
TH
1-1
t-
oo
oo'
T-H
o" t^
m -*1
. .
T^ co
^^ -
IH m
C5 ^*
0 0
CO
"re
- Eucalanus elong
Other Crustacea
Chaetognatha - Sagitta
Anthomedusae
Ctenophora
Fish Larvae
ฃH
CD
re
re
CD
CO
CO
g
s a
CO g
^Number of organisms time
f Avg. size of organisms in
- 61 -
-------
80.00 -
7O.OO -
t 60.00 -
50.00 -
40.00 -
30.00 -
20.00 -
1O.OO -
0.00
PTEROPODA
*
(Station 9)
NEARSHORE
COPEPODA
(Station 1) (Station 2)
_
y
OUMPSITE
(Station 14)
OFFSHORE
Figure 24 202 /n net plankton relative percent composition plotted from
nearshore station through the proposed dumpsite to the most
offshore station.
- 62 -
-------
(Station 2) while the highest wet weight was found at Station 14, farthest offshore.
Yet the dumpsite recorded the lowest total dry and organic weights of the stations
sampled. However, the differences between any of the four stations measured
were quite negligible compared to the different biomass values expected from
nonrandom distributions, patchiness, and seasonal fluctuations in standing stock.
None of the values recorded for any of the four parameters measured were more
or less than 33% of the mean value for the stations sampled. Table 20 shows
the biomass ratios obtained by other investigators as well as the ratios from
the present investigation.
Table 20. BIOMASS RATIOS OF ZOOPLANKTON ACCORDING TO
VARIOUS INVESTIGATIONS
Displacement Vol.
Ml/m3
12.4
15.9
10
26.5
18.0
Wet Wt. ,
mg/m3
9.0
13.0
10
Dry Wt. ,
mg/m3
1.0
1.1
1.0
1.25
1.0
1.4
Total Organic Wt. ,
mg/m3
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Investigator
Present investigation
Be', et al., 1971
Hopkins, in press
Beers, 1966
Bsharsh, 1957
Menzel and Ryther,
1961
The information gathered from the 1,000 ju net tows indicates definite
catch selectivity of the samples. No large decapods were taken from the 202 p,
nets while the 1,000 n net easily collected these shrimp-like forms. The results
shown in Table 19 indicate a reasonable correlation between the day and night
hauls. It seems apparent that the decapods and other large Crustacea are absent
from the water column during the daytime and migrate to the surface waters at
night. This would indicate that these forms are associated with the bottom waters
and may play an important role in epibenthonic trophic dynamics.
- 63 -
-------
The basic conclusions from such a limited effort seem to indicate that
the plankton populations within the proposed dumpsite are typical of temperate
coastal waters. Differences in species composition from the nearshore station
to the most offshore station suggests that the proposed dumpsite lies within the
transitional waters of the coastal neritic province influenced by both nearshore
waters and oceanic waters.
C. VERTEBRATES
1. Previous Work
Vertebrate studies in the immediate area of the survey cruise were
reported by the University of Delaware, College of Marine Studies (1972).
This study and a paper by Clark et al. (1969) are in general agreement.
2. Survey Cruise
There are two major parts to this section the first deals with the
analysis of the vertebrates collected at Station 2 in a 16 ft otter trawl and the
second with the videotape observations of the bottom at the proposed dumpsite.
a. Collected Vertebrates
The otter trawl was deployed once, at 11 am on 2 May 1973. The
location fished was 38ฐ22. 3T N, 74ฐ14. 2' W, which had been designated Station
Number 2, at the middle of the projected dump area. A number of other types
of samples were collected and video recordings were made at this station.
The trawl was fished for about 20 minutes at a depth of 44. 6 meters. Evidence
that the trawl was in fact a bottom trawl was provided by a number of sand
dollars found in the net with the fishes.
The entire catch (unsorted) was preserved in 10% formalin for later
analysis. Upon arrival at Millersville, fishes were identified to species,
-64-
-------
measured (standard length), and dissected to determine sex, reproductive state,
and stomach contents. In addition, fishes were examined for external parasites
and gut parasites. Small sample size precludes statistical analysis; however,
qualitative information can be provided.
b. Video Recorded Observations
The bottom was of three types.
The first type was irregularly grooved with pronounced "hills and valleys,"
resembling a slope subject to erosion. In the deeper portions of the valleys
there could be seen dark, flaky material which was stirred up when the camera
bumped the bottom (the sand forming the irregular substrate was not stirred up
by this bumping), A few sand dollars (probably Echinarachnius) could be seen
as well as shells of the pelecypod molluscs Spisula solidissima and Tagelus
plebeius (surf clam and stout razor clam), a hermit crab and a goosefish,
probably Lophius americanus (Cuvier). Also seen was a skate, probably genus
Raja but too indistinct to be more precise. The television camera was moving
rapidly because of wave action during this sequence but it looked as though there
might be worm burrows or molusc siphon holes in the sandy areas of the bottom.
This bottom type appeared most normal of the three types and seemed to support
the greatest species diversity.
The second type of bottom was more heavily overlain by dark, flaky
material so that only occasional patches of clear sand could be seen. Here
were seen more empty bivalve shells and two sea robins, probably Prionotus
carolinus (Linnaeus) and one skate (Raja). Sand dollars and starfish (probably
Asterlas) were more abundant and in one area numbers of sea urchins were
seen.
The third type of bottom was completely covered by the dark material.
Empty and broken bivalve shells were scattered about and the greatest density
of sand dollars was seen on the surface. Starfish were also more abundant.
- 65 -
-------
The dark material was again seen to be flaky when stirred by the bumping of
the camera rig on the bottom. With the exception of one unidentifiable fish
which passed close to the camera, well off the bottom, no fishes were seen
over this type of bottom.
The videotapes were most interesting and definitely should be a part
of any future visits to the site. The samples (including cores) provide
instantaneous single location information about the bottom. These should be
combined with horizontal visual sampling of the bottom (U.T. V.) which helps
place the bottom samples into perspective vis-a-vis the area of bottom such
a sample represents.
3. Interpretation
The catch included 14 common sea robins, Prionotus carolinus (Linnaeus)
which ranged in size from 160 to 230 mm, standard length. Also collected were
three mud hake, Urophycis tenuis (Mitchill) (270 to 300 mm standard length),
one rusty dab, Limanda ferruginea (Storer) of 280 mm standard length, and two
ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus (Bloch and Schneider) of 330 mm and
145 mm standard length (Table 21).
It is reported by Bigelow and Schroeder (1953) that Prionatus carolinus
reaches a length of 380 mm, so it seems likely that though most (8) appeared
to be sexually mature they probably had not yet achieved full adult size. There
is no sexual dimorphism in this species. The same authors report a maximum
size of 120 cm for the Urophycis tenuis; however, they cite the most common
size caught in trawls as 70 cm. Thus it appears the three mud hake are less
than half the average adult size. The average size of male Limanda ferruginea
was reported as 394 mm, so the individual here reported is approaching adult
size.
Stomachs of all sea robins contained recognizable remains of shrimps
(eyes and antennae, appendages) in various stages of digestion but none of them
- 66
-------
Table 21. VERTEBRATES COLLECTED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Species
Prionotus carol inus (Linnaeus)
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
same
Limanda ferruginea (Storer)
Urophycis tenuis (Mitdrill)
same
same
Macrozoarces americanus
same
Std. length,
mm
195
160
165
195
164
172
160
197
178
176
180
138
230
188
280
270
300
285
330
145
Gonad
mature male
mature female
mature female
mature female
immature male
immature female
immature female
mature female
mature female
mature female
mature female
immature male
f ema 1 e
mature male
mature male
mature male
mature male
female
juvenile
- 67 -
-------
recent enough to indicate feeding while in the trawl net. Stomachs of mud
hake contained, in addition to shrimp remains, numerous fragments of crab
carapace. The rusty dab contained shrimp and crab remains and fragments
of mollusc shell, apparently that of a pelecypod. The stomach of the large
ocean pout contained remains of shrimp, large sections of crab carapace and
appendages, and several small sand dollars.
Parasites were not seen on or in any of the sea robins or the dab, but
were seen in the gut of two of the mud hake, fishes number 14 and 15. All
fishes appeared healthy and were relatively undamaged by the trawl net.
Bigelow and Schroeder provide considerable information on the biology,
systematics, and life history of the three species collected. All are bottom
feeders which typically are found in the 20 to 40 fathom depths although the
sea robin is also found to 90 fathoms.
All three species collected on this cruise were mentioned by Clark et al.
(1969), which provided full sampling information and also data on salinity (sur-
face and depths to 40 meters) and temperature (surface and bottom isotherm and
horizontal profile to 100 meters).
Although migration of sea robins is described by Bigelow and Schroeder,
the movements are onshore and offshore in response to the cooling of inshore
water, rather than alongshore. All three species live near the bottom and are
carnivores feeding on invertebrates which live on or in the sediments. These
fish species might be utilized as indicator species in cases where benthic pollu-
tion or accumulation of heavy metals or radionuclides is of interest.
D. BENTHIC ORGANISMS
1. Previous Work
Previous research in benthic ecology encompassing the area from
southern New Jersey to the northern part of the Delmarva Peninsula was sum-
marized in a report on the probable effects of a deepwater oil terminal
- 68 -
-------
(Maurer and Wang, 1973). This report included research conducted three miles
east of Great Bay, New Jersey (Raney et al., 1972), Cape Henlopen near the
mouth of Delaware Bay (Maurer et al., 1973), approximately 14 miles southeast
of the mouth of Delaware Bay (Maurer, unpublished data), and an acid dumpsite
approximately 38 nautical miles southeast of Cape Henlopen (du Pont et al., 1972),
Research at the New Jersey site is still in progress but a preliminary
checklist of invertebrates was presented by Raney et al. (1972). In general, the
fauna consisted mainly of suspension feeders (surf clam, bay scallop) and epi-
faunal (rock barnacles hydroids), and vagile (lady crab, blue crab) species
commonly associated with a clean sand bottom and/or a hard substrate.
Near the mouth of Delaware Bay, 115 species were collected (Maurer
et al., 1973). The bivalves, Nucula proxima and Tellina agilis were the
dominant species throughout the area and represented mud (<0.063 mm) and
sand (>0.063 to 0. 50 mm) bottom communities respectively. These communities
contained a greater number of deposit feeders than the New Jersey situation,
but this varied with the amount of fine sediment present.
At the former sludge disposal site, approximately 14 miles southeast
of Delaware Bay, a preliminary survey revealed a diverse and interesting mix-
ture of epifaunal and infaunal species (Maurer, unpublished data). Depending
on sediment type, and to some extent water depth, the fauna was dominated by
infaunal deposit feeders, Nucula proxima, Yoldia limatula, Tellina agilis;
infaunal suspension feeders, Ensis directus, Arctica islandica; and a variety
of epifaunal species, Obelia longissima, Sertularia argentea, Electra hastingsae,
etc. Huge numbers (12,000 to 15,000/0. 1 m2) of Nucula proxima were found in
organic muds. Even though N_. proxima is normally a deposit feeder associated
with fine sand and organic muds, the large numbers of bivalves are suggestive
of an enriched environment.
At the acid waste site, research is still in progress, but a preliminary
description of benthos is contained in du Pont et al. (1972). The general
character of the stations was considered similar. Stations were dominated by
- 69 -
-------
the sand dollar, Echinarachnius parma, the sand shrimp, Crangon
septemspinosa, and by a small ascidean, Bostrichobranchus pilularis. Other
common invertebrates were the sea stars, Asterias forbesi and A_. vulgaris,
bivalves, Cardita borealis and Arctica islandica, rock crab, Cancer irroratus,
and the hermit crab, Pagurus annulipes.
2. Survey Cruise
For the purpose of this survey, samples collected aboard the R/V
ANNANDALE and maintained in a cold room, were transferred to 10% buffered
formalin. Specimens from 49 samples distributed among nine stations were
carefully picked and sorted into jars labeled mollusca, arthropoda, annelida, and
miscellaneous. These specimens were then identified under microscope using a
variety of literature sources summarized in Maurer and Watling (1973a,) Maurer
and Wang (I973b), and Watling and Maurer (1973) and local reference collections
which have been confirmed by specialists for some taxonomic groups (amphipods,
isopods, hydroids). Specimens were identified to species wherever possible
and counts were made. In addition to the quantitative samples, invertebrates
collected with an otter trawl were also examined and identified. Size measure-
ments of starfish (central disc to tip of arm) and sand dollars (greatest and least
diameter) were taken to provide supplementary information. A species list
was prepared (Table 22) and the species and counts were tabulated in prepara-
tion for future analysis (Tables 23 through 31). Size distributions of echinoderm
measurements were also made (Table 32). Size frequency distributions of
Echinarachnius parma are shown in Figures 25, 26, and 27.
Benthic macroinvertebrates were also sampled with an anchor dredge
and separated from the sediments with a 2 mm mesh screen. Subsequently,
the sand dollar Echinarachnius parma, being the most numerous and present
in each sample, was subjected to heavy metal and pesticide analyses (see
Section E). Other macroinvertebrates collected by this means are shown in
Table 33.
- 70 -
-------
Table 22. SPECIES LIST OF BENTHIC INVERTEBBATES
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Hydroida
Suborder Athecata
Family Eudendridae
Eudendrium dispar(Agassiz, 1862)
Suborder Thecata
Family Campanularidae
Campanularia neglecta (Alder, 1857)
Family Sertulariidae
Sertularia argentea(Linne, 1758!)
Phylum Rhynchocoela
Nemertean sp. 1
Nemertean sp. 2
Phylum Annelida
Class Polychaeta
Family Cirratulidae
Tharyx marioni (Saint-Joseph, 1894)
Chaetozone sp.
Cirratulidae sp.
Family Dorvilleidae
Stauronereis rudolphi (Delle Chiaje, 1828)
S. caecus(Webster and Benedict, 1884)
Family Eunicidae
Marphysa bellii (Audouin and Milne-Edwards, 1833)
Eunice pennata (O.F. Muller, 1776)
Family Glyceridae
Glycera dibranchiata (Ehlers, 1868)
Family Goniadidae
Progoniada regularis(Hartman, 1965)
Family Lumbrinereidae
Lumbrinereis acuta (Verrill, 1875)
L_._ brevipes (Mclntosh, 1903)
L. paradoxa(Saint-Joseph, 1888)
Family Maldanidae
Clyraenella torquata (Leidy, 1855)
Axiotiiella mucosa ("Andrews, 1891)
Family Nephtyidae
Aglaophamus circinata (Verrill, 1874)
Neph t y_s p ic t a (E h 1 er s . 1868)
Nephtyidae sp. 1
- 71 -
-------
Table 22. (Continued)
Family Nereidae
Ceratocephale loveni(Malmgren, 1867)
Family Paraonidae
Aricidea Jeffreysi (Mclntosh, 1879)
A. suecica(Eliason, 1920)
A. wassi (Pettibone, 1965)
Paraonidae sp.
Family Phyllodocidae
Eteone lactea(Claparede, 1868)
E. trilineata(Webster and Benedict, 1887)
E. longa (Fabricius, 1780)
E. flava (Fabricius, 1780)
Phyllodoce (Anaitides) maculatus (Linne, 1767)
Family Sabellidae
Sabella microphthalma (Verrill, 1873
Euchone sp.
Family Sigalionidae
Sigalion arenicola(Verrill, 1879)
Sthenelais limicola (Ehlers, 1864)
Family Spionidae
Spiophanes bombyx (Claparede, 1870)
Scolecolepides viridis (Verrill, 1873)
Family Syllidae
Syllis gracilis (Grube, 1840)
S. cornuta (Rathke, 1843)
Exogone verugera (Claparede, 1868)
Brania wellfleetensis(Pettibone, 1956)
Autolytus cornutus(Agassiz, 1863)
Family Terebellidae
Terebellidae sp.
Incertae sedis
Unknown sp. 1
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Subclass Prosobranchia
Order Archaeogastropoda
Family Trochidae
Margarites groenlandicus Gmelin
Order Mesogas tropoda
Family Caecidae
Caecum cooperi S. Smith
- 72 -
-------
Table 22. (Continued)
Family Calyptraeidae
Crepidula plana (Say, 1822)
C^ fornicata (Linne, 1758)
Family Naticidae
Polinices duplicatus (Say, 1822)
P^_ immaculatus Tot ten
Natica canrena Linne
Natica sp.
Order Neogastropoda
Family Buccinidae
Ciolus pygmaea (Gould, 1841)
Family Melongenidae
Busycon canaliculatum (Linne, 1758)
Family Nassariidae
Nassarius trivittatus (Say, 1822)
Family Turridae
Mangelia cerina (Kurtz and Stimpson, 1851)
Subclass Opisthobranchia
Order Tectibranchia
Family Acteonidae
Acteon sp.
Family Pyramidellidae
Turbonilla interrupta (fatten, 1835)
Class Pelecypoda
Order Protobranchia
Family Nuculidae
Nucula proxima (Say, 1820)
Order Filibranchia
Family Arcidae
Anadara transversa (Say, 1822)
Family Mytilidae
Crenella glandula Totten
Mytilus edulis(Linne^, 1758)
Family Pectinidae
Placopecten magellanicus Gmelin
Family Anomiidae
Anomia simplex (Orbigny, 1895)
- 73 -
-------
Table 22. (Continued)
Family Ostreidae
Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1792)
Order Eulamellibranchia
Family Astartidae
Astarte undata (Gould/ 1841)
A. castanea Say
AT subequilatera Sowerby
Family Carditidae
Venericardia borealis (Conrad, 1831)
Family Arcticidae
Arctica islandica Linne
Family Lucinidae
Phacoides filosus Stimpson
s
Family Cardiidae
Cerastoderma pinnulatum Conrad
Tr achycardium muricatum Linne
Family Veneridae
Pitar morrhuana (Linsley, 1845)
Transenella stimpsoni Dall
Dosinia discus Reeve
Family Tellinidae
Tellina agilis(Stimpson, 1858)
Family Semelidae
Abra lioica Dall
Family Solenidae
Ensis directus(Conrad, 1843)
Family Mactridae
Spisula solidissima (Dillwyn, 1877)
Family Corbulidae
Corbula contracta(Say, 1822)
Family Pandoridae
Pandora gouldiana(Dall, 1866)
P. trilineata Say
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Crustacea
Subclass Malacostraca
- 74 -
-------
Table 22. (Continued)
Order Curaacea
Family Leuconidae
Eudorella sp. 1
Family Diastylidae
Diastylis sp. 1
Family Unknown
Unidentified sp. 1
Order Tanaidacea
Family Paratanaidae
Leptochelia sp. 1
Order Isopoda
Suborder Flabellifera
Family Cirolanidae
GiroIana concharum (Stimpson, 1853)
C. impressa (Harger, 1883)
C. polita CStimpson, 1853)
Suborder Valvifera
Family Idoteidae
Chiridotea arenicola(Wigley, 1960)
C. stenops(Menzies and Frankenberg, 1966)
Edotea triloba (Say, 1818)
Order Amphipoda
Suborder Gammaridea
Family Ampeliscidae
Ampelisca vadorum(Mills, 1963)
Ai declivitatus(Mills, 1967)
Byblis serrata(Smith, 1874)
Family Calliopiidae
Apherusa gracilis(Holmes, 1905)
Family Corophiidae
Siphonoecetes smithianus(Rathbun, 1905)
Unciqla dissimilis(Shoemaker, 1945)
IL_ inermis( Shoemaker, 1945)
U. irrorata(Say, 1818)
Family Haustoriidae
Protohaustorius deichmannae(Bousfield, 1965)
P. wigleyi(Bousfield, 1965)
Family Lyssianassidae
Hippomedon serratus (Holmes, 1905)
Family Phoxocephalidae
Trichophoxus epistomus (Shoemaker, 1938)
Paraphoxus spinpsus(Holmes, 1903)
Phoxocep'halus holbolli (Kroyer, 1842)
Family Stenothoidae
Proboj-oides holiuesi (Bousf ield, 1973)
Suborder Caprelliciea
Family Cap-cellidae
Aegininu longicornis (Kroyer, 1842)
- 75 -
-------
Table 22. (Continued)
Phylum Ectoprocta
Class Gymnolaemata
Order Ctenostomata
Family Alcyonidiidae
Alcyonidium polyoum (Hassall, 1841)
Family Flustrellidae
Flustrellidra hispida (Fabricius, 1780)
Order Cheilostomata
Suborder Anasca
Family Alderinidae
Callopora sp.
Family Scrupariidae
Scruparia chelata (Linne, 1758)
Suborder Ascophora
Family Microporellidae
Microporella ciliata (Pallas, 1766)
Family Smittinidae
Parasmittina sp.
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoidea
Family Arbaciidae
Arbacia punctulata (Lamarck, 1816)
Family Echinarachnidae
Echinarachnius parma (Lamarck, 1816)
Class Ophiuroidea
Ophiuroid sp. 1
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Urochordata
Class Ascidiacea
Ascidian sp. 1
- 76 -
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Table 23. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT
STATION 1
Species
Polychaeta
Lumbri nereis paradoxa
Progoniada regularis
Tharyx sp.
Ceratocephale loveni
Axiothella nucosa
Paraonidae sp.
Chaetozone sp.
Aricidea suecica
Cirratul idae sp.
Ampharetidae sp.
Aalaophamus circinata
f.ephtyidae sp.
Mollusca
Spisula sol idissima
Venericardia boreal is
Placopecten nagellanicus
Cerastoderia pinnulatum
Astarte undata
Crepidula plana
Margaritas groelandicus
Acteon sp.
Ensis directus
Nucula proxima
Anofnia simplex
Crepidula fornicata
Transenella stimpsoni
Astarte castanea
01 02
1 5
17
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
V V
V V
V V
V V
V V
D D
1
D
V
V
V
V
-
-
03
3
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
V
-
-
V
-
D
V
V
-
V
-
Sample
04 05
2 6
16 25
-
-
1 6
1
2 2
1
-
-
-
-
V
V V
V V
D D
-
D
-
-
V
V
V
D
V
D V
06 07
3 1
22
-
-
1
-
-
3
1
-
-
-
V
V V
V V
V V
-
D
V
-
V
V
V
-
V
D V
08
13
12
-
-
1
-
-
-
1
2
1
-
-
V
V
D
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
-
-
V
09
3
3
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
V
V
-
-
-
D
-
-
V
-
-
-
V
V
* D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 77 -
-------
Table 23. (Continued)
Species
Sample
01 02 03 04 05 06
07
08 09
Mollusca (cont.)
Tellina sp.
Nassarius trivittatus
Busycon canaliculatum
Anadara transversa
Crassostrea virginica
Mytilus edulis
Trachycardium muricatum
Polinices duplicatus
D
D
V
V
V
Crustacea
Photohaustorius deichmannae
Trichophoxus epistomus
Cirolana concharum
Sybil's serrata
Siphonoecetes smith-;anus
Chiridotea stenops
Cirolana polita
Hippomedon serratus
Unciola inermis
Phoxocephalus holholli
Ampelisca declivitatus
Unciola irrorata
Others
Echinarachnius parma
Obelia sp.
Microporella ciliata
Eudendrium dispar
Sertularia argentae
Ophiuroid sp.
6
5
2
1
1
-
3
1
-
_
2
9
-
1
_
3
1 4
-
-
_ _
1
1
-
-
_
3
8
-
3
_
3
P
P
P
1
- 78 -
-------
Table 24. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 2
Species 11
Polychaeta
Aglaophamus circinata 2
Axiothella mucosa
Progoniada regularis
Nephtyidae sp.
Lumbri nereis paradoxa
Unknown sp. #1
Unknown sp. #2
Mollusca*
Cerastoderma pinnulatum V
Mytilus eduli s
Venericardia boreal is
Phacoides filosus
Transenella stimpsoni
Astarte undata
Col us pygmaea
Arctica islandica
Polinices immaculatus
Margarites groenlandicus
Ensis directu s
Nucula proxima
Mangel ia cerina
Astarte subequilatera
Natica canrena
Crustacea
Cirolana concharum 4
Trichophoxus epistomus
Paraphoxus spinosus
Ampeliscidea sp.
Sample
12 13
-
2 2
1
-
-
-
-
V
V
V V
V
V
V V
1
V
1
V
-
-
-
-
-
-
2 2
1
1
14
-
-
1
1
2
1
-
-
-
V
-
-
V
2
-
-
-
1
1
V
-
-
-
1
-
1
15
-
1
-
1
-
-
1
-
-
V
-
u
V
-
V
-
-
-
-
-
V
1
-
2
-
-
*D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 79 -
-------
Table 24. (Continued)
Species
Sample
11 12 13 14
15
Crustacea (cont.)
Cumacea sp. 1
Cirolana impressa 1
Protohaustorius deichmannae 2
Cirolana polita ]
Others
Echinarachnius parma - 4 6 3
Callopora sp. P
Aiscidian sp. P
Nemertean sp. -
- 80 -
-------
Table 25. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 5
Species 38
Polychaeta
Progoniada regularis 1
Paraonidae sp. 1
Lumbrinereis acuta
Aricidea suecica
Chaetozone sp.
Axiothella mucosa
Mollusca *
Ensis directus V
Spisula solidissima V
Venericardia boreal is V
Placopecten magellanicus V
Cerastoderma pinnalutum 0
Arctica islandica 2
Tellina agilis
Crepidula plana
Anomia simplex
Astarte undata
Astarte castanea
Crenella glandula
Trachycardium muricatum
Col us pygmaea
Crustacea
Cirolana polita
Edotea triloba
Unciola inermis
Umn'ola irrorata
Sample
39 40
2 10
-
1 2
-
-
-
-
V V
V
V V
_
-
V
D
V
V
1
-
-
-
3
1
1
3
41
9
-
6
-
1
7
-
V
V
V
V
-
-
-
V
-
1
-
D
D
-
-
1
-
42
5
-
-
2
-
-
-
V
V
V
D
-
-
-
-
-
V
V
-
-
-
-
-
-
Phoxocephalus hoi bolli
*D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 81 -
-------
Table 25. (Continued)
Sample
Species 39 39 40 41
Crustacea (cont.)
Leptochelia sp. 1
Others
Echinarachnius parma 1
Microporella ciliata P
Nemertean sp. ?1 - - - 11 4
- 82 -
-------
Table 26. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 8
Species 43
Polychaeta
Progoniada regularis 3
Axiothella mucosa 1
Lumbri nereis acuta 1
Aglaophamus circinata
Unknown sp.
Stauronereis rudolphi
Brania wellfleetensis
Glycera dibranchiata
Aricidea suecica
Tharyx marioni
Stauronereis caeca
Nephtys pi eta
Mollusca *
Anomia simplex
Spisula solidissima
Venericardia boreal is V
Astarte castanea
Placopecten magellanicus V
Cerastoderma pinnulatum 1
44
7
2
8
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
V
V
Sample
45
7
3
3
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
1
2
V
V
V
D
V
D
46 47
4 22
11
3 4
-
-
1 2
1
1
4
1
-
-
V
V
V
V
V V
D D
Nassarius trivittatus
Crenella glandula
Crepidula plane
Tellina agilis
Arctica islandica
Natica sp.
Transenella stimpsoni
Dosinia discus
Ensis directus
D
V
D
V
D
V
V
1
V
V
*D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 83 -
-------
Table 26. (Continued)
Sample
Species 43 44 45 46 47
Moll usea (cont.)
Nucula proxima V
Margarites greonlandicus D
Crustacea
Unciola inermis - - 1 1 -
Phoxocephalus holbolli 2
Leptochelia sp. 1
Diastylis sp. 1
Unciola dissimilis 3
Cirolana polita 1 2
Unciola irrorata -212-
Trichophoxus epistomus 1 - 1 1
Ampelisca vadorum 1
Others
Nemertean sp. al - 4 - 7
Echinarachnius parma 3
Sertularia argentea P
Flustrellidra hispida P
Oligochaete sp. -1 - 1
Unidentified segmented object - - - 1 -
- 84 -
-------
Table 27. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 9
Species
Polychaeta
Sigalion arenicola
Progoniada regularis
Lumbri nereis acuta
Axiothella mucosa
Aricidea suecica
Nephtys picta
Sthenelais limicola
Autolytus cornutus
Mollusca*
Ensis directus
Anomia simplex
Pandora trilineata
Venericardia boreal is
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Transenella stimpsoni
Astarte castanea
Tellina agilis
Turbonilla interuppta
Phacoides filosus
Pitar morrhuana
Crenella glandula
Placopecten magellanicus
Margarites groenlandicus
Polnices immaculatus
Spisula solidissima
Crepidula plana
Nassarius trivittatus
48
1
4
1
1
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
49
1
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
V
-
-
V
V
-
V
-
-
V
V
V
V
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sample
50 51
-
-
8
2
-
1
1
-
-
V
-
V
D
-
V
-
-
-
-
-
-
D
1
V V
J
V
1
52
-
-
2
1
-
-
-
7
-
-
-
V
D
-
V
V
-
-
-
-
V
-
-
-
-
-
D
* D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 85 -
-------
Table 27. (Continued)
Sample
Species 48 49 50 51 52
Crustacea
Chiridotea stenops 1 - - 1
Protohaustorius wigleyi 1 3
Trichophoxus epistomus 322-2
Cirolana concharum 2
Cirolana polita - - - 1
Cancer irroratus 2
Chiridotea arenicola 1
Aeginina longicornis 1
Ampelisca declivitatus 1
Ampherusa gracilis 1
Proboloides holmesi 1
Others
Echinarachnius parma 2
Sertularia argentea P
Scruparia chelata P
Campanularia neglecta P
Eudendrium dispar P
- 86 -
-------
Table 28. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 11
Species
Polychaeta
Progoniada regularis
Lumbrinereis paradoxa
Syllis gracilis
Terebellidae sp.
Cirratulidae sp.
Glyceradibranchiata
Axiothella mucosa
Aricidea suecica
Syllis cornuta
Mollusca*
Astarte castanea
Venericardia boreal is
Ens is directus
Placopecten magellanicus
Crenella glandula
Col us pygmaea
Spisula solidissima
Polinices immaculatus
Tellina agilis
Nucula proxima
Corbula contracta
Transenella stimpsoni
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Nassarius trivittatus
Crustacea
Unciola inermis
Unciola irrorata
Siphonoecetes smithianus
Leptochelia sp.
16
17
7
2
1
-
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
V
V
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
2
-
-
Sample
17 18 19
33 103 14
8 37 11
-
-
1
1 1
6 2
4
2
V V V
V V
-
V V
-
1 1
V
D
V V
V
V
V
1
V
2
4 1
1
1
20
23
8
-
-
-
1
-
-
2
V
-
-
V
V
-
V
-
V
-
-
-
D
-
-
2
-
-
*D - Dead gastropoed or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 87 -
-------
Table 28. (Continued)
Sample
Species 16 17 18 19 20
Crustacea (cont.)
Cirolana concharum 1
Cirolana polita - - 1 - 1
Ampelisca nadorum 1
Others
Nemertean sp. #1 - 19
Eudendrium dispar
- 88 -
-------
Table 29. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 13
Species
Polychaeta
Axiothella mucosa
Lumbri nereis brevipes
Exogone verugera
Marphysa belli
Progoniada regularis
Sabella microphthalma
Glycera dibrachiata
Aricidea suecica
Lumbrinereis paradoxa
Aricidea wassi
Phyllodoce maculatus
Eunice pennata
Unknown sp. #1
Mollusca*
Astarte castanea
Venericardia boreal is
Ensis directus
Crenella glandula
Placopecten magellanicus
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Natica sp.
Busycon canal iculatum
22
1
1
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
V
V
\*
1
1
D
Sample
23 24
3
-
-
-
1 6
-
1
1 2
6
-
-
-
-
V
V V
V
-
V
D
_
-
25
-
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
3
1
1
1
-
V
V
-
-
V
V
-
-
26
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
7
-
V
-
-
-
V
-
-
Col us pygmaea
Arctica islandica
Margarites groenlandicus
Trachycardium muricatum
*D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
D
D
- 89 -
-------
Table 29. (Continued)
Species 22
Crustacea
Unicola irrorata 3
Ampelisca sp. 2
Byblis serrata
Unciola inermis
Eudorella sp.
Ampelisca declivitatus
Tricophoxus epistomus
Sample
23 24 25
1 1
_
4 - 1
1
1
4
-
26
1
-
3
1
-
3
4
Others
Ophiuroidea sp. 1 - 1 -
Echinarachnius parma 2 - - -
Microporella ciliata p - P -
Sertularia argentea P P - -
Eudendrium dispar P P - -
Callopora sp. - P P -
Asterias vulgaris - - - 1
Arbacia punctulata - - - 1
Alcyonidium polyoum - - - P
Parasmittinia sp. - - - P
- 90 -
-------
Table 30. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 14
Species
28
29
Sample
20
21
32
Polchaeta
Axiothella mucosa
Goniadidar sp.
Progoniada regularis
Eteone trilineata
Sabellidae sp.
Eteone Tonga
Aricidea suecica
Aricidea Jeffreys!
Eteone lactea
Euchone sp.
Nephtyidae sp.
Clymenella torquata
Eteone flava
Ampharetidae sp.
Mollusca*
2
4
1
1
Ensis directus V D
Cerastoderma pinnulatum 1 V
Astarte castanea V
Placopecten magellanicus - V
Astarte undata
Venericardia borealis
Arctica islandica
Trachycardium muricatum
Polinices immaculatus
Spisula solidissima
*D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
V
V
V
V
1
1
2
- 91 -
-------
Table 30. (Continued)
Sample
Species 28 29 30 31 32_
Crustacea
Tricophoxus epistomus 65261
Siphonoecetes smithianus 1
Ampelisca declivitatus 1
Unciola irrorata 1
Byblis serrata 1
Phoxocephalus hoholli 1
Protohaustorius wigleyi 1
Others_
Callopora sp. P
Echinarachnius parma -5-12
Ophiuroidea sp. 1
- 92 -
-------
Table 31. OCCURRENCE OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AT STATION 17
Species
Polychaeta
Axiothella mucosa
Lumbri nereis acuta
Chaetozone sp.
Aricidea suecica
Cirratulidae sp.
Nephtys picta
Aricidea wassi
Nephtys bucera
Sigalion arenicola
Spiophanes bombyx
Scolecolepides viridis
Mollusca *
Spisula solidissima
Tellina agilis
Venericardis boreal is
Crenella glandula
Astarte castanea
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Busycon canal iculatum
Crepidula plana
Nassarius trivittatus
Anomia simplex
Pandora trilineata
Astarte undata
Caecum cooperi
Anadara transversa
Abra lioica
Corbula contracta
33
4
4
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
V
V
V
V
V
D
D
D
D
V
V
-
-
-
-
-
Sample
34 35
2 1
-
-
1 1
1
1
2
1
-
-
-
V V
V V
-
V V
V
V
-
D D
D
V
1
V
D
V
V
-
36
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
1
V
V
D
V
V
-
-
-
V
-
-
-
-
-
V
37
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
V
V
-
V
-
V
-
D
-
V
-
-
-
-
-
-
*D - Dead gastropod or dead valves joined together
V - Separate valve
P - Present
- 93 -
-------
Table 31. (Continued)
Species
33
34
Sample
35
36
37
Mollusca (cont.)
Ensis directus
Natica pusilla
Pandora gouldiana
Marginellidae sp.
Placopecten magellanicus
Margarites groenlandicus
Crustacea
Trichophoxus epistomus
Cirolana polita
Protohaustorius wigleyi
Cirolana impressa
Ampelisca declivitatus
Byblis serrata
Others
Echinarachnius parma
Nemeltean sp.rrZ
D
D
V
V
V
V
1
1
2
1
1
- 94 -
-------
Table 32. SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF EPIBENTHIC FAUNA
(Sample QK7354-0201)
Henricia sanguinolaria
5.0 cm
2.4 cm
3.6 cm
3.2 cm
x = 3.6 cm
S = 1.1 cm
Asterias vulgaris
3.6 cm
2.9 cm
3.0 cm
2.3 cm
3.0 cm
1.8 cm
2.2 cm
x = 2.7 cm
S = 0.6 cm
Leg missing
Asterias tanneri
3.6 cm Leg missing
3.8 cm
3.0 cm x = 3.7 cm
3.6 cm
3.5 cm S = 0.6 cm
4. 7 cm
Leptasterias tenera
x = 2.8 cm
S = 0.5 cm
Leg missing
Leg missing
3.2 cm
2.9 cm
2.4 cm
2.2 cm
2.5 cm
2.7 cm
2.5 cm
3.1 cm
2.9 cm
2.1 cm
2.6 cm
2.6 cm
4.0 cm Leg missing
3.0 cm
- 95 -
-------
70 n
60 A
UJ
m
5
2 30
20 H
10
12 15 ป 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45
ODD LENGTH (CM) ODD
Figure 25 Size frequency distribution of Echinarachnius
parma (sand dollar) collected in a 16 -ft otter trawl at Station 2.
Numbers of organisms are in relation to their length in
centimeters (see Figure 27).
70
60
SO
in 40
tr
UJ
m
13"
20
10
II M 17 20 23 26 39 32 35 31 41 44 47
ODD WIDTH (CM) ODD
Figure 26 Size frequency distribution of Echinarachnius
parma. Size is width of organism in centimeters. Organisms
were captured at Station 2 (see Figure 27).
- 96 -
-------
Table 33. MACROINVERTEBRATES FROM ANCHOR
DREDGE SAMPLES
Station
Species 1 2 5 6 8 9 11 13 14 17
Echinodermata
Echinarachnius parma 17 19 6 15 11 30 4 11 3
Asterias sp. 4 1 1
Crustacea
Paguras sp. 1 1
Mollusca
Arctica sp. 2 1 1 2 2 2
Placopecten sp. 1 1
Nassaruis sp. 1 1 2 4
Polychaeta
Nephtys sp. 1 2? 1
Aphrodita sp. 1
Unidentified sp. 1 2
- 97 -
-------
Length (4. 5 cm)
Width (4.3 cm)
Figure 27 Diagram of Echinarachnius parma showing length and width
measurements of an individual. Length is the longest line
of the sand dollar while width is the distance across the
organism at 90ฐ angle from length line.
3. Interpretation
A cursory examination of the fauna reveals approximately 120 species
representing eight phyla. The annelids (polychaetes) comprise approximately
33%, the molluscs (pelecypods and gastropods) 33%, and the arthropods
(crustaceans) 26%. The remaining five phyla comprise 8% of the fauna. Among
the principal taxonomic groups the polychaetes were the most abundant, followed
by the crustaceans and then the molluscs. Many of the molluscs were not alive
when they were collected.
- 98 -
-------
Among the polychaetes, Progoniada regularis, Lumbrineris paradoxa,
and Axiothella mucosa were the most abundant species. Another lumbrinerid,
Lumbrineris acuta and species of Paronidae (Aricidea spp.) were occasionally
dominant in abundance. Based on mouth parts and general habits of the families,
P^ regularis and Lu paradoxa are probably primarily carnivores, reverting
secondarily to detritus feeders in the absence of suitable prey.
Among the crustaceans, amphipods (Trichophoxus epistomus,
Protohaustorius wig ley i, Unciola spp.) and isopods (Cirolana spp.) were the
most abundant. Trichophoxus epistomus was also found to be a characteristic
sand bottom dweller near the mouth of the bay (Maurer et al., 1973).
As noted earlier, few live molluscs were collected. Valves of
Venericardia borealis, Spisula solidissima, Colus pygmaea, Cerastoderma
pinnulatum, and Tellina agilis were most common.
Among the remaining phyla, there were six species of ectoprocts and
three species of echinoderms. Although quantitative data were unavailable for
the echinoderms, the sea stars and sand dollars must be considered among the
most conspicuous and characteristic species collected.
In summary, the benthic organisms are characteristic of a firm sand-
shell-gravel community. The community is dominated by sea stars, sand dollars,
and polychaetes. In terms of feeding types, it appears that suspension feeders
and carnivores are extremely well represented. Deposit feeders and detritus
feeders are poorly represented. Based on a preliminary examination, this
sand bottom community is surprisingly diverse and abundant. Moreover, it is
anticipated that greater attention to qualitative dredge hauls would have produced
additional epifaunal species. For purposes of future monitoring, significant
changes in populations of sand dollars, principal polychaetes, and some of the
more fleshy ectoprocts would be indicative of changes in water quality. Based
on the benthos, this site appears unpolluted.
- 99 -
-------
E. HEAVY METALS IN ORGANISMS
1. Previous Work
The propensity for marine organisms to selectively accumulate certain
chemical species has long been recognized (Merlini, 1971) and this natural
activity must be carefully observed with current ocean dumping practices.
Relatively few data exist on detrimental levels of metals in the various organisms
in the marine food chains, and accelerated introduction of these materials may
affect the relatively stable but sensitive metabolism of this biota.
Buelow (1968) examined metals contents from clam meats (Spisula
solidissima) at an ocean dumpsite near the mouth of Delaware Bay, and found
them to contain higher than expected concentrations of chromium and nickel.
This organism was not collected on this cruise, although shells were present.
Davey (1972) analyzed sea clams from the same site and found similar
levels as Buelow.
2. Present Cruise
Results of metals analyses for various organisms on the present cruise
are shown in Table 34. Levels of all metals in the biota seem to be generally
comparable with levels found in clam meats nearby except one zooplankton tow
(cf. Section A, Zooplankton) that had a materially greater level than either the
replicate tow at Station 9 or a tow at Station 14. This probably represents the
inherent variation to be expected from the biological systems. The nudibranch
from Station 2 was high in zinc and nickel. The gonad material from the sea
robin, Prionotus carolinus (Linnaeus), was high in zinc also.
Copper, zinc, iron, lead, nickel, and cadmium analyses were done on
24 samples of sand dollars, Echinarachnius par ma, collected from nine stations
located within the existing dumpsite, an immediately adjacent area, and areas
distant from the site (Table 35). Sample results were grouped on that basis.
- 100 -
-------
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- 101 -
-------
Table 35. HEAVY METAL ANALYSES OF SAND DOLLARS,
Enchinarachnius parrna
Station
1
1
1
2
2
2
5
6
6
8
8
8
9
9
9
13
13
14
14
14
17
17
17
2
Latitude
38" 23.8'N
n
it
38* 22.3'N
ft
II
38ฐ 18.7'N
38ฐ 21.3'N
ft
38ฐ 20.7'N
II
ff
38* 11.9'N
it
ปt
38* 23.4'N
n
38* 27.8'N
If
If
38ฐ 12.1'N
n
it
38* 22.3'N
Longitude
74" 15.3'W
II
ft
74" 14. 2 'W
II
If
74* 19.4'W
74* 16.5'W
M
74' 19.0'W
fl
tf
74ฐ 32.9'W
ii
it
74ฐ 09.6'W
If
73" 57.0'W
ป
ii
74ฐ 28.3'W
it
n
74* 14.2'W
Code
QK73420101
QK73420102
QK73420103
QK73420201
QK73420202
QK73420203
QK73420502
QK73420602
QK73420603
OK73420801
QK73420802
QK73420803
QK73420901
QK73420902
QK73420903
QK73421301
QK73421303
QK73421401
QK73421402
QK73421403
QK73421701
QK73421702
QK73421703
QK73540202
Hg/g
Dry Wt
.9786
1.3153
1.8224
.4855
.7730
1.4818
3.2121
.4537
.5960
.6098
.5215
.9327
2.1527
1.8443
1.6039
1.3762
1.0895
2.2220
2.5713
2.0170
3.4574
2.1545
2.3845
1.6500
Cd
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.3
.4
0
.3
.3
.2
1.8
Cu
2.3
0.4
0.4
2.1
1.6
1.2
1.0
2.8
2.1
2.0
4.8
1.9
11.4
1.0
1.0
1.1
3.0
1.2
.8
1.0
.7
1.4
.9
8.3
Zn
6
8.0
5.8
10.8
11.3
30
4.7
9,9
10
7.0
6.2
5.6
13.6
7.0
5.4
7.3
14.0
7.4
7.7
8.4
5.9
9.3
7.0
254
Pb
10
10
8
21
10
12
5
22
17
8.2
19
8
3.5
6.8
4.7
1.8
6.9
3.4
5.8
6.2
4.3
5.8
7.3
12
Ni
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fe
130
44
60
420
580
260
134
560
360
250
280
310
184
330
330
240
380
90
80
70
120
120
220
100
- 102 -
-------
Group I Dumpsite
(Stations 1, 6, 8, 2) 12 samples from 4 stations
Group II Adjacent Areas
(Stations 5 and 13) 3 samples from 2 stations
Group III Distant Areas
(Stations 9, 14, and 17) 9 samples from 3 stations
A data summary is given in Table 36. The levels of Cu in Groups I and
II appear to be higher than those levels found in Group III. This suggests a
trend for the concentration of Cu by those sand dollars found in the dumpsite
proper and the adjacent area. The significance of this trend can only be verified
through an expansion of the data base realized through more field collections and
metal analyses. We feel that there is enough evidence of Cu enhancement in
sand dollars under the influence of the dumpsite to warrant further investigation.
Levels of Zn do not reflect any trend or differences between those
animals analyzed between the various groups.
Levels of Fe appear to reflect a slight trend for enhancement in those
sand dollars collected under the influence of the dumpsite. Our recommendation
is the same as that made for Cu more data to verify the apparent trend.
3. Interpretation
These data indicate selective uptake discussed above, as well as inherent
variation.
The effect of the nearby acid dumpsite may also have bearing on the
occasionally high levels of materials, but the data to date are too scarce to
draw sound conclusions.
The variability of the data would indicate that sustained, statistically
designed sampling efforts are required, especially in the more mobile nektonic
organisms and because of the nearby acid waste dumpsite.
- 103 -
-------
Table 36. DATA SUMMARY OF HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS
Group I Range: 0. 4 to 4. 8
Mean: 2
Group II Range: 1.1 to 3. 0
Mean: 1.7
Group III Range: 0. 8 to 1.4
(An extraordinarily high Mean: 1
Cu value has been elim-
inated: 11.4, Station 9,
replicate 1)
Zn (ppm)
Group I Range: 5. 6 to 30
Mean: 10
Group II Range: 4.7 to 14
Mean: 8.7
Group III Range: 5. 9 to 13. 6
Mean: 8
Fe (ppm)
Group I Range: 44 to 580
Mean: 296
Group II Range: 134 to 240
Mean: 251
Group III Range: 70 to 330
Mean: 171
Cd, Pb, Ni
For the few instances in which some Cd, Pb, and Ni was detected in some
samples, the values obtained were so close to the limit of detection that no firm
conclusions could be drawn from them. In all cases, these metals were functionally
below the reliable level of detection.
- 104 -
-------
F. BACTERIOLOGY
1. Previous Work
Bacteriological analysis of the water column in the vicinity of this cruise
was reported by the U.S. Public Health Service (Buelow, 1968). Thirty-two
stations were occupied in and out of the Delaware Bay offshore sewage sludge
disposal site 12 miles east of the mouth of Delaware Bay. Only two of 85 water
samples at a 2-mile distance from the center of dumpsite showed any positive
coliform MPN1 s. No sediments were collected for bacteriological analysis,
2. Survey Cruise
Ten stations were occupied in the area of the proposed interim dumpsite.
Stations 14 and 17 were control areas outside the site while the remainder of
stations were located in the immediate dumpsite. Water and sediment samples
were collected at each station, with the exception of Station 6 where there was
no sediment sample.
Water samples were taken 5 ft above the bottom using a sterile Zobeli
J-Z bulb sampler (Rodina, 1972). The sample was immediately transferred
into a sterile French square to facilitate handling for analysis.
Sediments were subsampled from an undisturbed Shipek bottom grab
using a flame-sterilized 2. 7 ml cylindrical spoon. Samples were placed in a
sterile French square and brought up to a 100 ml volume with sterile distilled
water. This was treated as a normal bacteriological sample.
Both water and sediment samples were subjected to the standard total
coliform and fecal coliform MPN (most probable number/100 ml sample) analysis
as outlined in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,"
13th edition, APHA, 1971.
A 3-tube, 4-dilution scheme was followed using sample portions of
10, 1.0, 0.1, and 0.01 ml.
-105-
-------
Water sampled from a sterile dilution blank was used as a laboratory
control.
Results as MPNf s of coliforms and fecal coliforms are shown in Table
37. A negative result indicates an MPN index of <3 coliforms/100 ml sample
at the 95% confidence limit. Positive coliform counts were recorded only for
water samples from Stations 6 and 9. Fecal coliforms were not detected for
any station sampled. The controls were negative for both coliforms and fecal
coliforms.
3. Interpretation
The data indicate an aqueous marine environment relatively free of
terrestrial bacteriological influence. The incidence of coliforms in the marine
environment is generally negligible due to the reported bactericidal activity
of seawater (Orlob, 1956). The two positive samples encountered on this cruise
may have been due to contamination in the laboratory aboard ship. Alternatively,
wastes from ocean-going commercial vessels could account for sporadic off-
shore contamination.
No positive coliform or fecal coliform counts were recorded for sediments
sampled. This indicates a clean bottom substrate free from terrestrial con-
tamination.
- 106 -
-------
Table 37. COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM IN WATER COLUMN
AND SEDIMENTS (MPN/100 ml)
Sample
QK7310-0102
QK7310-0101
QK7310-0201
QK7310-0601
No sample
QK7310-0801
QK7310-0901
QK7310-1101
QK7310-1301
QK7310-1401
QK7310-1701
QK7310-0501
Station
1
1
2
6
6
8
9
11
13
14
17
5
Date
5-1-73
5-1-73
5-2-73
5-3-73
5-3-73
5-4-73
5-2-73
5-2-73
5-2-73
5-3-73
5-3-73
Time
1644
1644
0735
1725
1415
0910
1330
1630
1940
1725
1125
Depth,
ft
156
156
177
173
138
120
170
175
176
125
151
Sample Coliform
control
water
sediment
water
sediment
water 7
sediment
water
sediment
water 4
sediment
water
sediment
water
sediment
water
sediment
water
sediment
water
sediment
Fecal
Coliform
- 107 -
-------
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- 113-
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Appendix A
PARTICIPANTS IN CRUISE ABOARD B/V ANNANDALE
Westinghouse Ocean Research Laboratory
Bill Clarke
Dick Onstenk
Joe Forns
Jim Francis
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, Philadelphia
Al Montague
Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters, Washington, D. C.
Bill Muir
City of Philadelphia
Bob Romaine
Environmental Protection Agency, Annapolis Field Office
Don Lear
Sue Smith
Maria O' Malley
Bill Thomas
Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett
Bruce Reynolds
Ross Johnson
Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis
Allan Teter
Marine Science Consortium, Lewes, Delaware
John Miller, Captain
Bob Swift, Scientific Coordinator
Alex Kronsteiner, Engineer
Bill Flohr, Mate
Gordon Edwards, Cook
- 114-
-------
Appendix B
SHIP'S LOG
DATE: 5/1/73
Time
POSITION
Depth 3 H4 3 H5
COMMENTS Sheet 1
13:30
14:15
15:00
15:24
15:55
16:20
16:30
16:38
16:44
16:50
18:15
19:11
19:25
19:35
19:48
20:07
20:15
20:30
20:49
120
128
156
155
155
155
156
156
156
155
155
3322
3304
3324
3358
3383
3384
3375
3370
3365
3370
3367
3372
3371
3365
3366
3368
3365
3367
3107
3080
3067
3046
3030
3024
3021
3016
3014
3019
3012
3011
3013
3014
3016
3016
3014
3015
Check of DB Whistle Buoy
>l/4 mile error - right on
Loran check off DA Whistle Buoy
3/3 mile off
Delaware Buoy Loran check
>l/4 mile right on
C=100ฐ S=10.5
C=100ฐ S=10.5
Correction to 145
C=145 S=10.5
C=165 S=10.5
C=165 S=10.5
Bacti's
Bottom grab Shipek
Back down for Sta. 1
Sled dredge
Sled dredge
Bottom grab Shipek
1 mi. off Sta. 1 heading 270 back
Bottom grab Shipek (2)
Bottom grab Shipek (1 }
Back to Sta. 1
Set sed. trap
Sta. 1 Shipek (2)
Shipek
- 115 -
-------
DATE: 5/1/73
Time
POSITION
Depth 3 H4 3 H5
Sheet 2
COMMENTS
20:55
21:00
21:20
21:40
21:50
22:08
22:28
22:40
23:00
23:30
156
154
3367
3318
3371
3370
3372
3371
3365
3365
3372
3371
3014
3018
3016
3016
3015
3011
3008
3008
3004
3014
TV
TV camera over
TV camera reaches bottom
TV up
Trawl set C=180 S=2k
Trawl up - no specimen
Plankton tow C=120 S=2k
Plankton tow up C=325 S=10.5
Check C=330 S=10.5
- 116 -
-------
DATE: 5/2/73
Time
POSITION
Depth 3 H4 3 H5
Sheet 13
COMMENTS
07:10
07:45
08:00
08:10
08:25
08:54
09:07
09:30
10:00
10:22
11:20
11:22
72:02
12:50
13:05
13:13
13:40
14:10
14:30
15:15
177
178
180
178
178
177
170
176
174
170
3356
3360
3357
i 3357
3357
3360
3357
3360
3350
3350
3357
3357
3363
3370
3370
3370
3374
3377
3009
3010
3008
3008
3008
3008
3008
3008
3017
3017
3008
3003
3003
3002
3002
3001
3001
3001
Bacti 5 Shipek grabs Sta. 2
C=l
Anchored Sta. 2
Anchor set Anchor dredge
Sed. trap put in
Anchor up, anchor dredge (2)
3 Van Dorn bottles
Anchor dredge
Anchor dredge
Back to Sta. 2 C=8 D=218
Anchor dredge set - drift
Trawl set
Anchor dredge in
Trawl in
Plankton cast
Arr. Sta. 2
Anchor for TV lifted
TV up head for 11 C=045 S=8
Bacti, Shipek
Station 11 anchor
Check on drift
Drift check
Sediment trap cast, anchor up
Anchor dredge up, head for Sta. 13
- 117 -
-------
DATE: 5/2/73
Time
POSITION
Depth 3 H4 3 H5
Sheet 14
COMMENTS
15:30
16:00
16:10
1620
19:10
19:25
19:35
20:15
20:36
21:00
21:40
22:00
22:35
22:50
23:55
178
170
175
173
176
173
173
173
173
173
175
172
3391
3395
3390
3471
3500
3505
3512
3512
3514
3518
3520
3523
3440
2995
2995
2995
2974
2968
2967
2967
2967
2967
2967
2961
2958
2980
Arrive Sta. 13 anchor dredge
Anchor dredge
Shipek, uacti
Anchor Sta. 13
O065 S=10.5k
Lv Sta. 13 for Sta. 17
Arrive Sta. 14 Set anchor
Shipek, Bacti, Van Dorn Anchor took hold
TV down
TV on bottom
Anchor dredge started
Anchor up Sed. trap dropped
End sed. anchor dredge
Anchor dredge start
Plankton tow out
Anchor dredge in
Plankton tow in C=250 S=8
Head for dump ground
C=265 S=8
- 118-
-------
DATE: 5/3/73
Sheet 19
Time
POSITION
Depth 3 H4 3 H5
COMMENTS
07:15
08:10
09:15
09:35
09:50
10:45
10:56
11:12
12:10
12:40
13:02
13:20
13:55
14:14
15:30
15:55
16:15
16:30
16:40
16:50
125
125
125
125
130
151
135
138
140
151
3181
3181
3181
3200
3180
3254
3276
3290
3294
3295
3305
3298
3318
3319
3321
3334
3313
3317
3313
3314
3030
3030
3032
3030
3030
3023
3023
3023
3022
3022
3020
3018
3020
3018
3018
3019
3019
3019
3019
3018
Shipek, Van Dorn (anchored)
Sta. 17 Bac-T TV
TV Anchor dredge L=210
2nd Anchor dredge C=080
3rd anchor dredge
Enroute Station 5
Shipek - Bacti - TV - Van Dorn bottles
Drift check
Anchor dredge
Dropped sediment trap
Station #8
Anchored -Shipek -gacti . TV
Anchor dredge start Anchor up
Anchor dredge up C=215 Back to Sta. 8
Sed. trap in Anchor dredge
Anchor dredge up
Anchor dredge set
Anchor dredge up
- 119-
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DATE: 5/3/73
Sheet 20
Time Depth
17:15
17:45
18:45
19:35
21:15
173
173
181
POSITION
3 H4 3 H5 COMMENTS
3013
3013
3014
3013
3008
3038
3042
3343
3333
3338
Bacti
Drifting check
Lift anchor
Arrive back at Sta. 6
135ฐ
- 120 -
-------
DATE: 5/4/73
Time
POSITION
Depth 3 H4 3 H5
Sheet 32
COMMENTS
07:45
09:05
14:40
120
3373
3217
3043
3051
Helicopter rendezvous
Bacti -Shipek -Van Dorns - TV
Sta. 9
Loran check with Del. light buoy
Right on
- 121-
-------
Appendix C
SCIENTIFIC LOG
May 1, 1973
0930 - Prepare to get underway - stow all gear
0945 - Scientific party meet with ship captain
Ship Captain - Miller
Expedition Leader - Montague
Expedition Log - Muir
Berth assignments & party assignments
Lear changed station locations - 9, 4, 14 will be changed
from 5 mi. to 20 mi.
1057 - Take in Brow
1121 - Away all lines - ship underway - shift colors
1320 Loran fix-1. dead on
2. 1/4 mi. east
1500 - Loran fix - Del. light buoy - 1/4 mi. northeast
Heading 108ฐ from Del. light buoy
1640 - On Station I - 156 ft. Loran 3370 3016 - 38ฐ23.8 74ฐ15.3
1644 - Bacti 100101 Shipek o
-------
May 1, 1973
1925 - Shipek repaired continued sampling 350101-10 33-01-01
2030 - Over sediment trap #1
2049 - Finish Shipek 10 rep.
2100 - Prepare TV for drop
2105 - TV over
2120 - TV on bottom
2150 - TV up results good 17 min. video tape
2000 - Van Dorn 530101 - 20 ft. 340101
530102 - 75 ft. 340102
580103 -145 ft.
2208 - Otter trawl - No specimens
2240 - Plankton tow
2300 - Tow up 560101
1910
5870
Net #202
1000
STD 800102
Depth ft.
2
5
10
15
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
no
120
130
140
145
FM #2806
2804
Temp.
10.3
10.3
10.3
10.2
10.1
9.8
9.1
8.5
6.8
6.6
6.5
6.6
6.6
6.5
6.5
6-5
6.5
6.5
Cal.fact. 0.15 Re
0.15
02
11.8
11.3
11.6
11.7
11.6
11.4
11.1
11.4
11.0
11.0
10.8
10.8
11.0
10.9
11.0
10.9
10.9
10.9
Sal ฐ/oo
33.8
33.8
33.8
33.8
33.8
34.4
33.8
33.9
34.0
34.1
34.2
34.0
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.0
34.1
34.0
2400 - Bathymetry sheet 3-12 of ship log
- 123 -
-------
May 2, 1973
0710 - On station #2
Depth 177 ft. Loran 3356 3009 38ฐ23.8 74ฐ15.3
0735 - Bacti 100201
Shipek 7 rep. 350211-15 330201-02
340201 210201
320201
0750 - Anchor dredge 3 rep. - problem with catching
410101-03
420201-03
430201-03
0800 - STD Oa correction 8.54
Depth ft.Temp.0^pHCond.
Surface
25
50
75
100
125
10.0
10.0
8.2
7.0
7.0
7.0
11.4
11.5
11.8
11.4
11.5
11.8
8.1
8.2
8.1
8.2
8.1
7.9
50
54
54
49
49
51
0815 - 40 gal. of HaO collected for AFO
0854 - Sediment trap II put in water
0900 - Van Dorn cast
580204 25 ft. 340201
580205 85 ft. 340201-02
580205 145 ft.
1100 - Otter trawl 510201-06 sea robin, flounder, slugs
sand dollars, hermit crabs
1130 - Plankton net 550202 560201
570204-06
- 124 -
-------
May 2, 1973
1130 - Plankton net tow 300 ft. out 18 min.
200 y net Cal. Fact. 0.15 Rev. 4250
4000 0.15 3110
1200 - TV drop
1215 - TV died video intermittent
1220 - Surface drifters out 9802-9900
1258 - Bottom drifters out 1 mi. NW of station
18 knot wind NNE
1305 - TV repaired and re-dropped 18 min. video tape
1313 - On station #11 Anchored 38ฐ22.6 74ฐ12.2
170 ft. Loran 3370 3002
1318 - Shipek 6 rep. 311101, 321101-02, 341101, 351116-20
1330 - Bacti 101101
1345 - TV drop - problem with intermittent short
1430 - Anchor dredge 3 drop
411101-03
421101-03
431101-03
1425 - Sediment trap #111
1530 - Arrive & anchor - Station #13
1533 - Anchor dredge 411301-03
421301-03
431101-03
1600 - Sighted Sargassum weed
1630 - Bacti 101301
1645 - Shipek 8 rep. 311301, 321301-02, 331301-02, 341301, 351322-26
- 125 -
-------
May 2, 1973
1705 - TV drop
1735 - TV finish 25 min.
1925 - Arrive & set anchor Station #14 - 176 ft.
New coordinates 38ฐ27.7' N 73ฐ57.3' W
1940 - Van Dorn - Bacti - Shipek 351428-32
2017 - Current meter
3 M
5
7.5
10
15
20
30
40
50
.35
.38
.45
.47
.30
.27
.14
.18
.37
210ฐ
180ฐ
190ฐ
232ฐ
210ฐ
150ฐ
110ฐ
292ฐ
225ฐ
2025 - TV down
2036 - TV on bottom
2045 - TV up 11 min.
2100 - Anchor dredge 3 rep. sediment trap #IV
2235 - Plankton tow out
2250 - Plankton tow in
2400 - Bathymetry
- 126 -
-------
May 3, 1973
0715 - On station & anchored @ 17 74ฐ28.3 38ฐ12.1
125 ft. Loran 3181, 3030
0725 - Bacti 101701 Van Dorn
0730 - 40 gal. fcO AFO
0730 - Shipek - 6 rep.
311701 321701 331701-02 341701 351733-37 371733-37
0810 - Anchor dredge - 3 rep.
0745 - TV down
0810 - TV up
1112 - On station & anchored @ 5 74ฐ19.4 38ฐ18.7 - 151 ft.
1125 - Bacti 100501
1130 - Shipek - 6 rep. 310501, 320501, 330501-02, 350538-42
1130 - Van Dorn 580501-20 340501
580502-75 350538-42
580503-140
1150 - TV down
1120 - TV up
1240 - Anchor dredge
1320 - Dropped sediment trap V
1205 - STD
Depth
1 M
2
3
5
10
20
30
37
Sal ฐ/oo
32.55
32.76
31.92
32.52
32.46
33.34
33.08
33.02
Temp Cond .
10.2
10.15
10.12
10.05
9.96
7.12
6.75
6.83 140 ft.
- 127 -
-------
May 3, 1973
1355 - On station and anchored 8 38ฐ20.7' 74ฐ19.0'
138 ft. Loran 3318 3020
1415 - Bacti 100801
1430 - Shipek 3 rep. 310801, 320801, 330801-02, 350843-47
1446 - Drifters (surface) 0377-0447
1445 - TV down
1510 - TV up
1530 - Anchor dredge 3 rep.
1615 - Sediment trap VI
1715 - On station & anchored 6 38ฐ21.3' 74ฐ16.5'
173 ft. Loran 3013 3038
1720 - Shipek - 7 tries - very little - fine sand
1725 - Bacti
1835 - Deitz 1 Laford sampler clean
1845 - TV down
1900 - TV up
1930 - Anchor dredge 3 rep.
2043 - Drifters out (bottom 161-320)
2115 - Bathymetry
- 128 -
-------
May 4, 1973
0600 - On station 3 38ฐ20.2' 74ฐ13.4'
0630 - Captain called CG about sick member of scientific party
(Ross Johnson)
0745 - Helicopter rendezvous, CG picked up Ross Johnson
0845 - Bottom & surface drifters out 38ฐ22.5' 74ฐ14.0'
321-480 bottom
9900-10,000 surface
0905 - On station 9 -120 ft. 74ฐ32.9' 38ฐ11.9' Loran 3217 3051
0906 - Dropped sediment trap VII
0910 - Bacti 100901
0910 - Shipek 7 rep. 350948-52
0915 - Van Dorn
0940 - TV over
1005 - TV up
1013 - STD 110 ft. or 33.5 m
Temp.
10.82
10.90
10.79
10.74
10.48
8.02
7.78
7.24
7.0
6.85
6.86
10.47
9.68
Sal.
31.88
32.12
32.13
32.00
32.38
32.59
32.65
32.52
32.62
32.82
32.95
32.12
32.49
CSP
.29
.53
.42
.50
.38
.38
.52
.40
.95
.52
.46
.40
.35
Direction
005ฐ
357
352
349
245
222
208
189
238
240
220
320
260
Depth
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
20
25
30
32
11
13
- 129 -
-------
May 4, 1973
1030 - Anchor dredge - 3 rep.
1200 - Plankton tow
1215 - Clam dredge down
1300 - Clam dredge up - shells only - no live clams
1440 - Loran check with Del. light buoy - right on
- 130 -
-------
Appendix D
SUPPLEMENTAL CRUISE LOG, TUG "MARY ANN"
Water sampling "Piggyback" cruise to the interim sludge dumpsite,
13-14 July 1973.
Rigged portable boom and winch aboard 110 ft tug "Mary Ann."
Departed Spruce St. Terminal, Camden, New Jersey, 1600 July 13.
Picked up barge "Forest" at NE plant, departed 1730.
Weather got heavy approaching dumpsite, SW 25-30 knot winds, rough.
Made station (3H4, 3356; 3H5, 3023) Lat. 38ฐ24. 5 N, 74ฐ16. 5 W at 2210 on
14 July. Lear and Thomas, with assistance from crew, made profile through
thermocline with induction salinometer. Multiple hydro casts with two 6-liter
PVC bottles at surface, halfway to thermocline (10 meters), halfway between
thermocline and bottom (35 meters) and bottom (46 meters). (See Table 38.)
Extremely rough, seas over fantail, worked with life jackets. Took
seas over bridge. Radar, depth finder and automatic pilot out.
Secured sampling 0030.
Crew reports never having seen red sediment trap buoys in dumpsite.
Normal dumping pattern is from NW corner to center and return.
- 131-
-------
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8
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W = (?
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3 P si
K H
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pH
EH
l*4
CM
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5 "Si
d- cn
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- 132 -
-------
Appendix E
BOTTOM DRIFTER RESPONSE SHEET
m sincere appretiatinn
far amutation in
Dtearaigraplfit
rmartlf.
liretytor, Westinghouse Ocean Research
Laboratory
Annapolis, Maryland
Example of card forwarded to persons returning drifters. Reward of one
silver dollar accompanied this card, with a letter of thanks and explana-
tion of the purpose of the program.
- 133 -
-------
75ฐ00'W
74ฐ 30 W
74ฐ 00 W
RESEARCH AREA
- 1
RESEARCH AREA
8 *
5
38ฐ 30 N
38ฐ00 N
THANK YOU!
We sincerely appreciate your returning the card from our plastic "sea-bed drifter." As
you may have noticed if you found it in the water, the small weight on the stem is designed to
keep the drifter barely negatively buoyant - that is, just barely floating above the bottom, but
not rising to the surface. When submerged, the drifters are practically weightless, and therefore
are easily moved about even by weak currents, which may be present at the sea floor.
The drifter which you found was released at.
hours on.
at the location shown above in red. We cannot tell its exact path, but the information you
provided is important in understanding the overall "drift" of bottom currents in this area. From
this study, we are attempting to interpret the movements of coastal waters along our valuable
shorelines. Your assistance in our oceanographic research will help all of us in our efforts to
understand the complex marine environments.
Harold D. Palmer
Manager, Aquatic Physical Sciences
Westinghouse Ocean Research Lab.
- 134 -
------- |