-------
Site 2 had less. Divers did observe a finger of hard bottom extending from the
eastern boundary of Site 2 to slightly west of the center of the site.
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 3 was characterized by divers to be featureless,
flat terrain, with a thin layer of silt over a sand and shell hash veneer.
However, the May 1982, EPA study of Shallow-Water Alternative Site 3 revealed
that the previous conclusions by divers in the October 1981, study were
incorrect; Shallow-Water Alternative Site 3 was shown to be rich in both species
diversity and quantification of organisms. Videotape taken across the entire
width of Shallow-Water Alternative Site 3 revealed considerable patches of
coralline growth interspersed between areas of flat, featureless sandy bottom.
These patches of hard and soft bottom habitat were irregularly spaced between the
areas of sandy bottom.
-During the EPA May 1982 survey, a videotape camera was towed across the entire
width of Site 4 at a speed of approximately two knots, generally from the
eastnortheast to the westsouthwest boundary of the site. During the greater
portion of the run (a distance of 2.4 nautical miles), the bottom of the site
consisted of a flat, featureless, sandy bottom. Occasionally, sand waves two to
three, feet.apart (from crest to crest) were seen; in several instances, light to
occasionally heavy amounts of .shell cobble were seen in the troughs of the sand
waves. Very rarely were soft coral communities noted during the videotape
transect of Site 4; when they were seen, the communities were extremely sparse
and of low height. No hard coral communities were noted during the videotape
transect. Water clarity was good throughout the camera tow; water depths at Site
4 ranged from 68 to 73 feet.
During the February, March, and April 1983 EPA survey, a color television
camera with constant videotape recording was towed extensively over Site 4 at a
tow speed of approximately 0.8 knots. The camera was towed at approximate
one-quarter mile intervals in a northwest-southeast direction (following Loran C
coordinate lines), and then in a northeast-southwest direction (also following
Loran lines), also at approximate one-quarter mile intervals. A total of 22
3-21
-------
transects across the site were made in this manner, providing extraordinary
details concerning the bottom topography of Site 4. In addition, a complete
transect around Site 4 was done with the camera at a distance of approximately
one-quarter mile beyond the periphery of the site. In total, over 35 nautical
miles of transects within and immediately surrounding Site 4 were recorded on
videotape, providing an extremely complete and statistically significant record
of the bottom.
The February, March, and April 1983 EPA survey fully corroborated and provided
additional details on the May, 1982 EPA survey. Vast areas of flat uninterrupted
sandy bottoms were seen,, broken only by occasional areas of small sand waves
ranging in height from one to six inches. The larger (4" to 6") sand waves were
occasionally interspersed with moderate amounts of fine to coarse shell hash.
Generally, the larger sand waves appeared to be coarser in texture, and were more
likely to have interspersed shell hash; the smaller sand waves appeared to be
composed of finer sand, and were far less likely to be associated with shell
hash.
A small area of scattered hard and soft coralline communities was noted in the
northwest quadrant of Site 4; the area generally ran in a northwest-southeast
direction, and was seen in less than half of the total area of the quadrant.
With the exception of a very small area of coralline communities seen at the
extreme northeast corner of the site, no other areas of Site 4 were seen to have
any but extremely minimal coralline communities. Over 83% of the area of Site 4
is virtually totally devoid of coralline growths; of the remainder, less than 17%
is occupied by scattered coralline communities, and only 0.8% of the area of Site
4 can be characterized as being, populated by dense coralline growths. In
addition, the density of the scattered coralline communities seen in the
northwest quadrant of Site 4 was far more sparse than in any of the other
Shallow-Water Alternative Sites that have been examined.
The clarity of the water during the time (late March - early April) that the
videotape recordings at Site 4 were made was quite good; no problems were
encountered during either daytime or evening recording. The towed camera sled
3-22
-------
was equipped with 1350 watts of high-intensity tungsten underwater lights, so
recording was possible {and was done) 24 hours a day at various times. The water
depths at Site 4 ranged from 70 to 83 feet.
In addition, a Control Site approximately five nautical miles southeast of
Site 4 was examined in an identical manner as Site 4 with the videotape camera.
This Control Site was selected to serve as a comparator during the monitoring
program scheduled to begin once disposal of dredged material has been initiated;
the site is at the-same depth'contour as Site 4, and revealed quite similar
bottom topography. If anything, the Control Site exhibited slightly more' dense
coralline communities, which should serve as excellent' comparators for' the
disposal operations at Site 4; Over eight nautical miles of transects were run
at the Control site, which is one nautical mile square.
During the end of the February, March, and April 1983 EPA survey, three sites
suggested by the State of Florida were also examined with the videotape camera.
These sites are approximately 27, 28, and 30 nautical miles from Egmont Key. (In
actuality, the State of Florida suggested only Loran coordinates for three points
at distance's of 27, 28, and 30 nautical miles from Egmont Key; the EPA survey
established circular sites" one nautical mile in diameter, with the suggested
points at the centers of the sites). Examination of State Sites X, Y, and Z (27",
28, and 30 nmi. respectively from Egmont Key) with the color videotape camera
revealed particularly interesting bottom topography. State Site Z (30 nmi from
Epont Key)'showed denser hard and soft coralline communities than'has been seen
at any site examined previously, including the richly diverse and dense patches
of coralline growth at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 3. The growths at. State
Site Z were also as tall or possibly taller than the growths seen at Site 3, even
though State Site Z" is approximately six nautical miles further west than Site 3.
Consequently, State Site Z was eliminated from further detailed consideration.
State Sites X and Y showed similar bottom topography; both sites had flat,
sandy bottoms with minimal relief and sand waves. Site Y was characterized by
the presence of immense quantities of the invertebrate Melitta quinquiesper-
forata, commonly known as sand dollars'. At no time during the transects of State
3-23
-------
TABLE 3-2
BOTTOM DESCRIPTIONS OF WATERS ADJACENT TO TAMPA BAY
Location
and
Source*
Al
a1
c{
ol
s1
r2
Gj
92
I2
J9
K3
u4
M5
Site A
Site &
H4
o4
F4
Q4
8*
Latitude
(8)
28*0 1'
27*52.5'
27*50'
27*50'
27*45.5'
27*39'
27*39'
27*35'
27*35'
27*35'
27*37'
27*40'
27*38'
27*37'
27*37'
27*24' to
27*35'
27*27'
27*21'
27*28'
27*42' to
27*53'
Longitude
83*35 '
83*34'
83*31'
83*25 '
83*25 '30"
• 82*52'
82*56*30"
82*56'
83*07'
82*50 '
83*07'
82*59'
82*51'
(appro*.)
83*00'
82*55'
83*15' to
83*23'
83*05'
82*56 '
83*07'
83*16' to
83*28'
Depth
(m)
36
36
33
30
32
9 to 11
12
12
26
7
20
13
U
16
14
27 to 38
22 to 28
21 to 23
16 to 30
Topographic Description
Soft silt
Moderate layer of soft silt over fairly
hard-compacted bottom with shell rubble
and rocky crevices
Similar to C and D, but with less shell
rubble and rocky crevices
Hard, flat sediments with occasional low,
rocky reef areas and patches of shell
Flat bottom evenly covered with coarse
sediments mixed with finer silt; many high
(1m) patches of limestone reef, very
irregular with cliffs, caves, and terraces
Quartz sand and crushed shell with fine silt
layer; limited hard substrate; strongly
influenced by estuarine nature of bay systems
Abundant limestone outcropping*, up to 1m
above bottom, composed of sheila and quartz
sand; outcrops support living stony corals
aocky bottom, -relief of several feet, rocks
scattered over sand and shell bottom with
heavy vegetation
Almost entirely sand /shell bottom; unstable
and shifting bottom
1 to 2a rocky areas ehac project through
sand/ shell substrate
Rolling sand/shell bottom with few reef Site
ledges; leas rocky outcrops than above
Sand and shell bottom; patches of exposed
rock reef with sponge and coral growth
Area of about 5 mi ; rock and coral patches
scattered on a sand and shell bottom; relief
of 4 to 5 ft on the rocky areas
Rocky area on sand and shell bottom; maximum
relief of 6 ft; rugged rock formations; heavy
invertebrate growth
Flat bottom; patches of flat rock with drop
of 3 feet; heavy growth on the edges of the
rocks
Southern portion has a rolling sand and
shell bottom with scattered rock and
sponges; northern portion has flat sand and
shell bottom with rocky areas of moderate,
relief; numerous ledges and crevices
3-24
-------
TABLE 3-2 (Continued)
Location
and
Source*
s4
I*
0*
7*.
W4 ' '
Latitude
(H)
27*47'
27*34*
.
27*17' eo
27*22'
27*41'
27*36'
Longitude
(W>
82*58' Co
83*04'
82*50'
82*53.'
82*55'
82*56'
Depth
' (a)
15 to 16
. 6 to 3
15
11
.
2 to 27
Topographic Description
Small artificial reef built on surrounding
cock and mud bottom; dropped in. 1959; oild
relief
Bard bottom of sand and shell; flat with
sparse grass growth
Bottom of sand and shell surrounding , a
patch of flat rock 6 mi long aad 1 mi wide;
many deep crevices and caves
Sand and flat rock oC low relief; additional
rock in the vicinity; wreck of an old barge
supplemented with auto bodies and other junk;
most dropa ware made about 1955
Large and varied area; channel depth averages
25 ft; one rocky .depression 90 ft in depth at
north end of Egmoat Key; bottom mostly sand •
and mud; offshore end of Channel most
productive
* i'
Sources: .Doyle et «1.
Smith, 1980
, 21974; Hoe and Martin, 1965; 3Joyce and William*, 1969; Sloe, 1963;
(personal communication)
3-25
-------
Site Y were the sand dollars not seen, and often the videotape revealed dozens of
the organism at a single time. Site Y had an average density of over four
animals per linear meter. This site is apparently a rare and unique biological
area, for this dense phenomenon has not been seen at any of the five
Shallow-Water Alternatives Sites examined. (1, 2, 2A, 3, or 4), or at either of
Sites A or B. Consequently, State Site Y was eliminated from further detailed
consideration.
State Site X was also characterized by the presence of quantities of sand
dollars, although they were not as dense at Site X as at Site Y. Site X had flat
uninterrupted sandy bottoms over the entire area examined, and minimal algal
patches were seen throughout the videocamera transects. Although State Site X
may be environmentally acceptable -for the'disposal of dredged material, more
site-specific information would have to be obtained on the site to propose a
designation for this purpose.
The water clarity during the video camera examination of the three State Sites
was excellent at all times; water depths ranged from 96 to 105 feet.
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER AND TURBIDITY
In the nearshore zone, concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in
the water column are greater during winter than summer (Manheim ejt al_., 1972).
In the winter, fine bottom sediments, disturbed by wind and wave turbulence, are
suspended uniformly throughout the water column. At the more northerly
Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida sites, SPM values around 0.5 mg/liter have been
measured (Figure 3-12). The particulate matter is a fine, mobile fraction of
local bottom sediments. Winter transmissivities (T) do not exceed 55%. During
summer, the effects of water stratification and reduced turbulence is apparent
with clear water (T = 85%) overlying near-bottom nepheloid layers, resulting from
interaction of currents with the bottom (Figure 3-13). The suspended
particulates are limited to this narrow nepheloid band, where SPM values occur in
the range of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/liter {Manheim et al., 1976).
3-26
-------
TABLE 3-3
ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND HARD-BOTTOM AREA DESCRIPTIONS
Location
• 1
• 2
* 3
* 4
e 5
e" 6
* 7 '
• 8
• 9
e 10
e 11 .
* 12
» 13
e 14
• IS
e 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
» 20
e 21
* '22
e 23
e 24
e 25
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
SI 1
• 2
• 3
SI 4
.• 5
Latitude
27*29*30"
27*23*51"
27*32*15-
27*29*57-
27*26*33"
27*26*33-
" 27*29*20'
27*41 'OS''.
27*42*03"
27*43 '01*
27*43*07-.
28*00*57-
27*47*06-
27*47*00"
Z7'51'54-
27*46*32"
27*40*56"
27*55*36"
"8*OS*03".
28*03*02-
27*46*18"
27*40*36"
27*44*30-
I7*47'U*
27*18*06"
' 27*18*06-
27*17*06-
27*36*00-
27*39*17"
27'52'30-
27*29*30*
27*27*00-
27*34*00'
27*34-00-
27*29*00*
longitude
82*44*05"
82*35*49*
32*52 '42*
82*47*00-
82*49*12"
82'44'48-
82*43*47-
82*45*08-
82*45*06*
82*45*09-
82*46'02*
82*53*42"
82*50*02- i
82*49*08"
83*01*48-
82*3'5*48"
82*38*01"
83*01'24"
82*55*51-
82*54*33"
82*54 '54-
82*52*51"
82*52*51"
82*35*37"
82*35*36"
82*35*36-
82"36'00"
82*46*00"
82*35 '28-
83*11*24-
83*19*00"
83*05*00-
82*50*00*
82*47*30*
83*21*00-
(•)
6.5
. 3.7 .
12.0
9.0
12.0
9.0
10.0
6.0
'6.0
6.0,
. 6.0
9,0
6.5
6.5
14.0'
5.0
3.0
15.0
8.0
8.0 .
• 10. o
ll.O
9
11
8 '
8
8
27
a
26
37
25
8
9
18
Distance
(at)
1.0
1.0
7.8
3.5
7.9
3.1
' 1.2
1.0
: i-o
0.3
1.6
3.8
' 0.8
1.3
10.6
1.3
t.3
10.4
5.3
4.5
6.3
7.6
6.1
1.0
Z.I
1.3
1.2
. 0.4
20.3
34.3
22.0
4.5
5.3
36.4
disposition
Barge, metal junk, concrete pipe, tires
Tires, broken concrete, sever tile
Tires, concrete pipe
Tires, concrete pipe
Tires, concrete pipe
Tires, concrete pipe
Autos ' ' - ' -
Junk, tires ' •' *
' -' Junk, tires .
, Junk, 'tires
Junk, tires
Concrete pilings, steel barges, clres culverts
Tire, metal Junk, concrete rubble
Tire, metal junk, concrete rubble
23 5- ft LSH,' concrete pillbox
Tire's, concrete rubble, clay pipes
Tires concrete rubble, clay pipes
LlO-ft barge
Tires, concrete culverts
Concrete culverts, tires, concrete pilings
Tires
Concrete culvert, clres, concrete pilings and
•labs
Tires, concrete culvert
Concrete rubble, 32-ft steel hull ship
Tires, fiberglass, concrete rubble
Tires, fiberglass,- concrete rubble
Tires, fiberglass, concrete rubble
Unbroken concrete pipe
Autos
* *
Sand and shell bottoa; rock, sponge,* and coral
growth
Sand and shell bottoa ulth rock and coral
patches ' ' ,
Sand and shell bottoa; sparse grass grovth
Send and shell bat ton tilth grassy areas
Rocky bottoa, sand and shell around rocks
3-27
-------
TABUS 3-3 (Continued)
Location
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• U
• 12
" 13
• 14
• 15
* 16
• 17
« 18
• 19 •
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
latitude
. (H)
28*11 "00"
27*46'00"
27*55*00"
27*59*30-
27*58*00-
26 '56 '00-
27*47*10-
27 -47 -00-
27*40 •00•
27•48'00"
27*57*00-
27*41 '00-
27*36-00-
28*05*00*
28*08*00"
28*03*00-
28*03 '00-
27*31 'DO"
27*28*00"
27*19*00-
27*19'30"
Longitude
(V)
83*02 '00"
84*09*00-
84*30*00-
83*02*00-
83*22*00-
82*57*00-
83*12'00"
83*01*00'
82*59*00'
83*40*00-
83*08*00"
82*55*00-
82*56'00-
83*27*00-
83*13*00"
83*04*00"
82*5 5 '00-
82*56*00"
83*07 '00"
82*49*00-
82*53*00"
'Depth
(B)
10
60
80
U
27
8
20
16
12
40
13
11
22
25
20
13
9
22
30.
16
15
Distant*
<»0
10.3
79.8
100.4
12.3
31.3
6.5
31.8
12.3
14.6
49.9
17.6
10.5
10.4
37.1
22.3
13.76
4.8
4.9
23.7
11.1
14.3
Composition
Flat and rough rack ledget and crevices'
Productive limestone ridg« with areas of sand
and shell
Sand and shell bottom with limestone relief
Sand and shell bottoo with scattered rock
Sand and shell bottom with rock, sponge, and
coral growth
Flat bottoa; scattered low rock ulth coral
growths
Sand and shell bottom with sponges, rocks,
ledges
Small artificial reef on rock and oud bottoa
Sand and shell bottoa with rocks and vegetation
Hud and sand bottom with rock patches
Sand bottom with exposed rock
Sand and flat rock; barge, autos, and junk •
Sand and oud bottoa ulth .rock* la depressions
Sand and shall bottoa with rock, sponge, coral
Sand and shell bottom with rocky area*
Rocky 'oo t too, shall, coral, and vegetation
Sand and shell with rocky areas; autos and junk
Sand and shell bottom; tugged rock with
invertebrate growth •
. Patches of flat rock with heavy growth on edges
Rock ledges with sand and shell bottom
Sand and shell bottom surrounding a patch of
rock
Source: Florida Sea Grant 1979, Map A (Recreation Dae Reefs in Florida Artificial and Natural)
Water clarity generally increases with increasing distance from shore.
•Offshore suspensates typically have a high combustible organic component,, which
indicates that-they are chiefly of biogenic origin. Nearshore suspensates have a
high carbonate fraction, reflecting their mineralo-gic origin. Regional
differences in the mineralogy of bottom sediments is reflected in the nature of
the suspended material. This supports the theory that most of the suspended
sediments are derived from local bottom sediments (Manheim e£.al_., 1972).
Surveys of Sites A and B and Shallow-Water Alternative 4 show predictable
trends of decreasing turbidity with distance from shore,, and greater
concentrations of SPM during winter. However, SPM values at Sites A and B were
generally higher than those measured at Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida sites
during other summer and winter periods (Manheim e£ al. > 1976; Betzer et a].,
1979). The generally higher values at Sites A and B may be a result of shallower
water depths.
3-28
-------
STATION 1103
LOCATION(a4'50')
0
1103-1102
1102-1101
100
84*34'
srw
83*30'
83WW
; Figure 3-12. Percent Light Transmission Profile
at 27°55' for January and February 1975
• ' Source: Manheim, Steward, and Carder, 1976
Examination of the areas at and in the vicinity of Shallow-Water Alternative
Site 4 during the earlier portions of the February, March, and April- 1983 EPA
survey fully corroborated the work' cited above by Manheim elt a 1 . from the
Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida sites and other surveys. During late February
and early March, the lower half of the water column at and in the vicinity of
Site 4 was particularly heavy in suspended paniculate matter, so that visibility
below 40 feet was no more than 1 to 2 feet with the videotape camera, even with
the full array of underwater lighting. . - •
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS-
WATER COLUMN
Trace Metals
Sources of trace metals in the marine environment incl.ude the weathering of
rocks, urban and industrial runoff, outfalls, and atmospheric fallout. Since
3-29
-------
STATION 1103
LOCATION (84'50')
1103-1102
1101
100
84*00*
83-30-
W00-W
Figure 3-13. Percent Light Transmission' Profile
at 27"55' for September 1975
Source: Manheim, Steward, and Carder, 1976
rivers, bays, and outfalls are major contributors of trace metals, levels tend to
be higher in the coastal zone than in the open ocean. Site A, however, is 13 nmi
offshore, and waters there are typical of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which have
been found to contain levels of trace metals similar to those found in the
western Caribbean (El-Sayed et ^1^, 197Z).
Levels of selected trace metals measured at Sites A and B and Shallow-Water
Site 4 are presented in the Appendices. With the exception of lead, the levels
of trace metals are similar to open ocean levels (Forstner and Whittman, 1979),
indicating a relatively clean marine environment. Lead concentrations probably
reflect the proximity to the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, and
associated particulate lead fallout and freshwater runoff.
3-30
-------
Nutrients
Extrapolation from limited data indicates that nutrient levels (nitrate,
phosphate, and silicate) at Sites A and B and Shallow-Water Site 4 are uniformly
low, with little seasonal variation. Work of Graham et al. (1954) on the
seasonal distribution of phosphate in the region indicates that phosphate levels
are on the low end of overall ranges for the Gulf (Table. 3-4). This .is in
agreement with the fact that eastern Gulf water originates in the western
Caribbean, which is generally low in nutrients (Atwood et al., 1976).
As a result of nearby phosphate mining and processing activities, Tampa Bay
contains high levels of .inorganic and organic phosphates (Hobbie, 1974).
However, there is no conclusive evidence indicating that Tampa Bay has any effect
on phosphate levels of nearshore Gulf waters. In any case, surface water located
13 nmi offshore (i.e., at Site A) is oceanic and contains low concentrations of
inorganic phosphate (0.08 ug-at/liter). Vertical distribution of phosphate 13
nmi offshore was relatively uniform, year-round (Graham et al., 1954).
Organic Carbon, Petroleum,and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) have not
been measured in waters near the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites, but are assumed
to fall within the range of organic carbon occurring elsewhere in Gulf Shelf
waters (i.e., DOC: 0.58 to 2.35 mg C/liter [mean 1.08]; POC: 0.022 to 1.911 mg
C/liter.[mean 0.214]) (El-Sayed et al.. 1972).
The organic carbon in Shelf waters is composed mainly of biogenic material
(e.g., fulvic and humic acids, carbohydrates, and natural lipids); however,
anthropogenic contaminants, such as petroleum or chlorinated hydrocarbons, may
occur in trace amounts. Nonvolatile chlorinated hydrocarbons at Sites A and B,
such as PCB, DDT, and DDT metabolites, were all below detection limits.
3-31
-------
TABLE 3-4
AVERAGE VALUES OF NUTRIENTS
FOUND IN GULF OF MEXICO WATERS
(jig-at/liter)
Nutrient
Nitrate
Phosphate
Silicate
Range
0.01 to 2.20
0-01 to 2.26
0.01 to 35.5
Mean
0.23
0.22
3.86
Standard
Deviation
0.61
0.29
4.25
Source: El Sayed et al., 1972
D1ssolved Oxygen
Oxygen levels measured at Sites A and B in September 1979, and January 1980,
ranged from 3.60 to 6.12 ml/liter (83 to 137% saturation). Oxygen levels
measured at Alternative Site 4 panged from 7.4 to 7.9 ml/liter. All surface and
most bottom water samples were above saturation. Comparable historical data
values reported in the region of Sites A and B (Collins and Finucane, 1974)
ranged from 1.54 to 5.80 ml/liter. Oxygen levels at Sites A and B in May, 1982
panged from 7.0 to 8.3 ml/liter, and at Alternative Site 4 in the same time
period ranged from 7.2 to 7.9 ml/liter. All these values were above saturation
levels.
SEDIMENTS
Trace Metals
Analysis of sediments at Sites A and B and Alternative Site 4 revealed
uniformly low levels of mercury, cadmium, and lead within and outside site
boundaries. The low levels of anthropogenic pollutants are consistent with
expectations, considering the 13 nmi distance from shore. Mississippi, Alabama,
and Florida studies also revealed relatively low levels of metals in sediments
(Table 3-5) (PPesley et^a].., 1974).
Results of surveys at Sites A and B and the Shallow-Water Sites compared to a
study by Presley et_a_I_. (1974), vapy due to differences in analytical procedures.
Howevep, all surveys indicate no extraordinary inputs of metals to the West
Florida Shelf sediments.
3-32
-------
TABLE 3-5
SEDIMENT HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS
IN MID-SHELF AREAS WEST OF PINELLAS COUNTY
Latitude
(SO
27*56.5*
28*00.5'
27*57.5'
28 "01 '
27*5:2.5»
27*50'
27*56'
27 '50'
27*45.5
Longitude
(W)
83*53'
83*45'
83*42.5'
83*35.5'
83*34'
83*31'
83*27.5'
83*25'
83*25.5'
Fe
0.19
0.18
0.18
0.12
0.14
0.24
0.12
0.15
0.15
Cd
(ppm)
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
Cu
(ppm)
5
4
4 .
4
4
3
5
4
4
Cr
(ppm)
14
23 '
10
21-
21
20
23
19
9
Mi .
(ppra)
2
3
1
2
4
3
1
2
3
Pb
(ppm)
4
6
6
7
3
r
6
6
6
V
(ppm)
8
4
5
5
5
4
4
-
4
Ba
(ppta)
56
52
36
76
36
36
41
69
40
Source: Presley, 8», C. Llnadau, and J. Trefrey, 1974
Organic Carbon-, Petroleum, and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Total organic carbon (TOC) levels in sediments of Sites A and B and -the
Shallow-Water Sites are patchy, with most levels below the average TOC value (2.5
mg/g) for the Florida Shelf (Emery and Uchupi, 1972). Oil and grease levels
(determined by weight) are also patchy and generally low. Petroleum hydrocarbons
were not measured at Sites A and 8. However, chlorinated hydrocarbon levels at
all sites are either below detection limits or extremely low, and petroleum
hydrocarbon levels are expected to be similar. There are no known oil seeps in
the region.
BIOLOGY
Biota in the water column and benthic environments - of the ODMDS are described
in this 'section. Water column biota include phytoplankton, zooplankton, and
nekton; benthic biota are composed of infaunal and epifaunal organisms, including
demersal fish. The infauna are generally sedentary and cannot readily emigrate
from an area of disturbance. Infauna, therefore, can be important indicators of
environmental 'conditions. Dredged material disposal will, have only short-term
effects on planktonic communities because of their natural patchiness and. the
3-33
-------
transient nature of the water masses they inhab'it. Nekton generally are not
adversely affected by dredged material disposal because of their high mobility.
PLANKTON
A survey of plankton populations in the vicinity of Sites. A and B and the
Shallow-Water Alternative Sites showed that the populations were similar to those
found in other parts of the Gulf, indicating the Loop Current exerts a dominant
influence on the planktonic populations. Marine plankton can be divided into two
main groups: phytoplankton (plant plankton) and zooplankton (animal plankton).
Phytoplankton
Diatoms and dinoflagellates are the dominant phytoplankton groups that occur
in the vicinity of Sites A and B and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites.
Abundances in the Gulf of Mexico are greatest inshore, and decrease with
increasing distance from shore (Hulbert and Corwin, 1972; Steidinger and
Williams, 1970; Saunders and Glenn, 1969). Saunders and Glenn (1969) reported
diatom abundance of inshore waters to be 16 times greater than transitional
waters and 128 times greater than offshore waters. A list of the dominant
species of diatoms and dinoflagellates collected in the vicinity of Tampa Bay is
given in Table 3-6.
Generally, diatom abundance exceeds that of dinoflagellates (Steidinger, Davis
and Williams, 1967). Seasonal peaks in abundance of diatoms occur in mid-winter
and summer for offshore and inshore populations, respectively (Saunders and
Glenn, 1969). Dinoflagellate abundance usually peaks in summer and autumn
(Steidinger and Williams, 1970).
In contrast to abundance, diatom diversity is lowest inshore and increases to
a maximum offshore (Saunders and Glenn, 1969). Dinoflagellate diversity follows
a trend similar to diatoms; however, the greatest diversity occurs in
transitional waters (Steidinger and Williams, 1970).
3-34
-------
TABLE 3-6 ^
DOMINANT SHELF SPECIES REPORTED PROM VICINITY OF TAMPA BAY
Diatoms
Rhizosolenia alata
BL. setigera
£. atolterfothii .
Skeletonema coataturn
Leptocylindrus spp.
Rhizosolenia fragilissima
Hemidiscus hardmanianus
Guinardia flaccida
Bellerochea maIleus
Cerataulina pelagica
Dinoflagellates
Gonyaulax monilata
Gymnodinium breve
Gonyaulax polygramma
Katodinium glaucum
Oxyrrhis marina
Gyrodinium fissum
Torodiniure robustum
Katodinium rotundaturn
Gyrodinium sp.
Amphidinium erassum
* Species are presented in order of decreasing dominance ..
Sources: Saunders and Glenn, 1969; Steidinger and
Williams, 1970
Uncontrolled blooms of dinoflagellates such as Ptychodiscus brevis occur
periodically and result in a condition known as "red tide." Red tides occur
primarily in late summer or autumn, when the following three conditions exist:
(1) an increase in population size (triggered by some environmental change),
(2) supportive salinity, temperature, nutrient, and growth factors, and (3)
maintenance by hydrological and meteorological forces (Steidinger, 1975a 'and
1975b).
The impact of red tides on marine communities can 'be severe. ' Heavy
mortalities of marine life have been documented and attributed. to poisoning by
dinoflage!late toxins; secondary effects include oxygen depletion, hydrogen
sulfide poisoning, and bacterial and fungal infections (Smith, 1975; Smith,
1976a; Gunter et £l_., 1948; Torpey and Ingle, 1966; Quick and Henderson, 1975a
and 1975b). However, red tide outbreaks have long been recorded off the west
coast of Florida; none have ever been associated specifically with dredged
material disposal.
3-35
-------
Zopplankton
Information on the zooplankton community of the western Florida Shelf is
limited. However, data from Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida studies {Mature et
al., 1974) can be used to characterize dominant taxa that would be expected to
occur in the vicinity of Sites A and B and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites
(Table 3-7). Results of these studies indicated that chaetognaths, calanoid and
cyclopoid copepods, shrimp and crab larvae, pteropods, larvaceans, tunicates,
ostracods, other crustaceans, and fish eggs were typical members of the
community. These organisms were considered to be a fairly typical Gulf of Mexico
offshore assemblage (Maturo e_t ^1_., 1974). Houde and Chitty (1976) reported that
zooplankton volumes and abundance of fish eggs and larvae were greatest in the
spring and summer.
NEKTON
The nekton community off Tampa Bay (including several important species of
shrimp) is influenced primarily by sediment characteristics. Smith (1976b) found
that, in general, fauna associated with soft substrates are predominantly of
temperate origin, whereas hard bottom fauna are derived from Caribbean and West
Indian populations.
In the vicinity of Sites A and B and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites, 60
species of nekton have been collected (Table 3-8). The 10 most abundant species
were leopard searobin (Prionotus scitulus), sand perch (Dipletrum formosum),
tomtate (Hemulon aurolineatum), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), blackcheek
tonguefish (Symphurus plaguisa), jackknife fish (Equetus lanceolatus), pigfish
(Orthopristis chrysoptera), fringed flounder (Etropus crossotus), spotted wiff
(Citharichthys macrops), and pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum). These species are
characteristic of sandy and rocky habitats, and are- found from the intertidal
zone to water depths of 200 meters.
The dominant fish taxa occur throughout most of the year in the vicinity of
Sites A and B and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites, although offshore
3-36
-------
TABLE 3-7
ZOOPLAUKTON COLLECTED BUSING MAFIA STUDIES
Globigerina sp.
Other protozoans
Siphonophores
Medusae
Polychaete larvae.
Gastropod veligers
Pteropods
Bivalve larvae
Cladocerans •
Ostracods . .
CeoCropagea furcatus
Eucalanus sp.
Updinula vulgeris
Other calanoids
Harpacticoids:
Corycaeus sp.
Oithona sp. :
Oncaea sp.
Other cyclopoids
Copepod copepodites
Copepod nauplii
Lucifer faxoni
Other shrimp-like.forms
Crab larvae
Other crustaceans
Echinoderm larvae-
Chaetognaths •
Oikopleuridae
Fritillaridae
Other tunicates
Fish eggs
Fish larvae
Other zooplankton
Source: Mature e£ a^., 1974
migrations'linked with spawning cycles have been reported for- pinfish, pigfish,
and 'fringed flounder (Moe and Martin, 1965). Most of these dominant species are
thought to spawn in the spring and summer, with the exception of Lagodon
rhomboides, which spawns in winter and spring, and Prionotus scitulus. which
spawns in late summer and fall (Moe and Martin, 1965; Smith, 1976b). • •
In the vicinity of Sites A and 8 and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites,
penaeid shrimp are an important component of the nekton community. The dominant
species in the area are Sicyonia brevirostris {rock shrimp), Solenocera
atlantidis, Metapenaeopis goodei, and Penaeus duorarum (pink shrimp). Each of
these species feed and move toward the surface at night, then are largely
inactive during the day, remaining on the bottom (Saloman, 1968; Huff and Cobb,
1979}. Studies of gut contents of these shrimp indicate that they are
generalized benthic carnivores with crustaceans and molluscs dominating their
diets (Huff and Cobb, 1979).
3-37
-------
TABLE 3-8
NEKTON TAXA COLLECTED IN DEPTH RANGES
OCCUPIED BY SUES A and & AND SHALLOW-WATER ALTERNATIVE
SITES
Selaacitic Max
Gyvaora «icrura
Cranotnora* ocallatiia
Ophlchthaa loaatt
Hateaanla paaaacolaa
AacHoa hapaatua
Syaodua toeteaa
^yaedua iataraediua
Traealaocaphalu* Byoge '
Aflaa talla
Opjamia pardua
torlellthTa BOfOaUataiu
Aaraaaariua ocallatua
Vroahycle Elaridaaua
OphtdlOB ba.nl
OphldlOO |»{t
Ophtdton holbrookl
Oohldlaa welahl
Ceatroprlatia oc^nirua
eaatropctaela itrtaca
Dipleetrua blvlttatuB
Dtplactrua tonaaua
tut^anua ayaagria
Cwetwrttoane tula
Raeaaloe aunllaeana
archoerlacU chrraoocera
Ca lattua todoaua
Lagodaa rnaaboldaa
3«lrdlalla enrvaure
Cynoagloa agaoa^tva
Kquetua laaeeolacua
Cetiettia uabrosua
leioacoaua unthurua
Hantlclrrhtia aaarlcaitua
Htctoiiogan ujidolacm
Chaocodlpearua fabar
Searua eaanloptania
Aacroaeooua r~iraacuB
S.o«.rlotha HalnnviTi
Seorpaaaa braallianala
PrloBocua carollmia
Prlqitocua talBOaieolor
Prionotua crlbulua
Sothua luaatus
Bothua ocallatua
Cltharlchthra Baerop*
Cltharichtbra ipUootarua
C crania croaaocxa
Parallchthya albltucta
Syaclua papllloaiai
SyBphurua plileluaa
Alucarua tehoapH
MoaacanEhua elllatua
Monaeaathm Mapidua
Moaatiantnua *aclfer
Laetophrya ouadrleornia
Sphocroldaa naphalua
Sphogrptdaa apeatlert
Chiloaretarua . jchoapf t
Panaaua duoraruB-
CaBOoa -iBBB
Smooth vutcarfly ray
Ocallacad BOT.J
Shrlaa aal
Scalao aaidlw
ScrtpBd aochavy
Inshor* llaarddah
Sand dtvar
Soak* Clan
5aa cattlah
Uopard toadtlak
Atlaatle Bldahloaaa
Ocallacad (rogfl.h
Soutaara haka
Loatoaaa cuak^-aal
Ilotchad cu*k-a«l
lank ctiak-aal
Craacad cvak-aal
lank aaa baaa
Hack taa baaa
Grant aaad patch
Sand parch
tana aoaftpar
Sll»«r jaany
ToBCac*
Knobbail potty
OtnfUh
311*«r parch
Saad taa crout
Jackknifa (tah
Spot
Soucnara klftfflah
Atlantic craakar
Atlaatle inadaflah
'rtaeaaa parroctlah
Southarn itargaxar
Splaychaak scorplonflah
larbdah
Itorthara aaarabia
llackwliaj saarobla
leopard aaarobla
llttead aaarotln
Paaeock Flouadar
Eyad flouadar
Spoctad uhtff
Bay «hl«f
fclojad flouadar
Suit tloundar
Otiaky Cloundar
llackchaak cengiia (iih
Oran»a fllaftah
frlngad fllaflih
naaahaad tllafiah
Pygoy fllaliih
Scranlad cowtlah
Souchara puffar
Bandtall puttar
Stripod hirrtlah
Pink ihttap
10 N>at
Akuadaoc
Snaclaa
2
J
a
4
7
1
10
9
6
:
CoBaarclal
laioortaaca
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Moo and
Matt la,
1965
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EPA/lEC,
X
X
X
X
X
.X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
I
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Raurka
Shora co aora chaa SS«
Mlddla Shalt iff.
Shallow bay and ahon
.Shallow uacara
Shallow co aodaraca 4aptha
tnahora to *5a
40» ca lOOa
«OB co MB
lay out to 30*
Ottaoor** Bora thaa Mm
Shallow to aodarate daptha
Ottahora
Shara to Bare Chan 30a
Oftakora
20a ca SOB
lOa Co MB
BeaiUr 20*
ZOa co Bora chaa 90B
T
ZOB CO 70B
Nodiraca deacha
Shore to *OC»
Only In Gulf, higto-ialtnlcy uacar
ifadarata daptha
Shallow facer
tOa co 80a
laahora and oa/« Co 40a
Bava aad ahailow waters
Shallow natara
Oaap water
0
-------
Although there Is some variation, shrimp species are most abundant in late
summer and autumn. Pink shrimp are unique among these species in using estuarine
areas in Tampa Bay as nurseries. Inshore migrations of small postlarvae occur
primarily from March through June and offshore migrations of large shrimp (85 to
140 mm) occur from April through July (Huff and Cobb,. 1979; Eldred et al., 1963).
Associated with pink shrimp distributions are the following teleosts, most of
which are prevalent on the Continental Shelf: silver jenny (Euclnostomus gula).
sand perch (Diplectrum formosum), leopard searobin (Prionotus scitulus), fringed
flounder (Etropus crossotus), pigfish (Orthopristis chrysopterus), dusky flounder
(Syaclum papillosum), tomtate (Haemulon aurolineatum), and Atlantic bumper
(Chloroscombrus chrysurus) (Chittenden and McEachran, 1976).
Eighteen of the species listed (Table 3-8) have commercial value; the most
important is pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum), and seven species of flounder.
These species account for $5.4 million of the total commercial fisheries catch of
Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties (NMFS, 1978).
Several commercially and recreationally important species reportedly utilize
Tampa Bay as a nursery area during juvenile life stages (Sykes and Finucane,
1966). In this regard the Bay can be an important habitat in the development of
a number of offshore species. More than 90% of the species harvested require an
estuarine environment in their life histories (Sykes 1964, 1968; Gunther, 1967).
The black mullet (Mugil cephalus) has been extensively studied-due to its
commercial importance, ranking first in terms of total weight landed, and second
in economic value for all commercial species taken during 1978 in the tri-county
area (NMFS, 1979). However, this species is most often fished in estuarine and
nearshore coastal waters, and does not frequent the areas occupied by Sites A and
B and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites. Black mullet spawn in open waters
between October and January. Newly hatched larvae maintain an oceanic planktonic
existence for several weeks before moving into estuarine waters as juveniles
during the autumn. For the next two to three years they remain in the estuary
while developing into sexually mature adults. As adults, they migrate into
oceanic waters only during the annual spawning period.
3-39
-------
MARINE MAMMALS
The Gulf of Mexico supports both a seasonal and permanent marine mammal
population of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and sirenians
(manatees) (8LM, 1978). Pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) are present only in
small numbers; their presence is the result of introduction by man (D. Odell,
personal communication*).
The Gulf serves as summer mating!and calving grounds, and winter feeding
grounds for 16 species of whales and 8 species of dolphins and porpoises (Table
3-9). , -Common dolphins and whales include the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus), spotted dolphin (Stenella plagiodon), short finned pilot whale
(Globicephala macrorhyncus), and the sperm whale (Physeter catodon). Most whales
occur well offshore, beyond the Continental Shelf, whereas dolphins and porpoises
occur both in shallow and deep waters (BLM, 1978).
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is the only species of manatee
found in the Gulf. In the Tampa Bay region, manatees generally inhabit inland
waterways, usually less than 3m deep, seldom venturing offshore. Their principal
source of nutrition is aquatic vegetation growing in shallow coastal and bay
waters.
BENTHOS
The benthic community offshore of Tampa Bay was classified into three major
types by Col lard and D'Asaro (1973): Shallow Shelf (Figure 3-14), Deep Shelf
(Figure 3-15), and Slope (Figure 3-16). This classification is based on the
limited literature available on the offshore communities. The types are
identified by changes in species composition, which reflect affinities to either
the Carolinian or Caribbean fauna! provinces.
* D. Odell, Professor, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 1980
3-40
-------
TABLE 3-9
SPECIES OF MARINE MAMMALS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
Cetaceans
Behavior
Minke whale
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
«
Bryde's whale
(Balaenoptera edeni)
Sel whale
(Balaenoptera borealis)
Fin whale
(Balaenoptera physalus)
Blue whale
(Balaenoptera musculus)
*
Humpback whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae)
*
Black right.whale
(Eubalaena glacialis)
Rough-toothed dolphin
(Steno bredanensis)
Bottlenose dolphin
(Turslops truncatus)
Spinner dolphin
.(Stenella longirostris)
Spotted dolphin
(Stenella frontalis)
Atlantic spotted dolphin
(Stenella plagiodon)
Striped dolphin
(Stenella coejruleoalba)
Common dolphin
(Delphinus delphis)
Risso's dolphin
(Grampus griseus)
Possible winter resident; feed on- .
euphausiids and small fish
Possibly year-round; feed on small schooling
fishes, some .euphausiids, and other .
crustaceans
Possible winter resident; winter calving
and mating; feed on copepods, euphausiids,
and various small fishes
, , Y
Possible winter resident; mating and
calving in winter; feed mostly on ;
euphausiids
Uncommon; feed on euphausiids
Possible winter resident; feed on
euphausiids
Possible winter resident; winter mating and.
calving; feed on copepods
Rare; feed on fish and squid
Common; year-round; feed mostly on fish;
breed year-round
May be year-round; probably feed on fish
and squid
Uncommon; feed on fish and squid
Common; year-round; feed primarily on squid
Uncommon; feed on fish, squid and
crustaceans
May be year-round near Shelf edge; feed on
fish and copepods
Uncommon; feed on cephalopods
3-41
-------
TABLE 3-9 (Continued)
Cetaceans
Behavior
Pygmy killer whale
(Feresa attenuata)
False killer whale
(PseudoTca crassidens)
Short-firmed pilot whale
(Globicephala macrornyncha)
Killer whale
(Orcinus orca)
*
Sperm whale
(Physeter catodon)
Pygmy sperm whale
(Kogia breviceps)
Dwarf sperm whale
(Kogia simus)
Goose-beaked whale
(Zipfaius cavirostr.is)
Gervais beaked whale
(Mesoplodon europaeus)
Rare; little known
Uncommon; feed on fish
Year-round in deep water; probably feed on
squid and fish
Uncommon; feed on fish, cephalopoda, and
other cetaceans
Winter resident or possibly year-round;
calving in summer; feed on cephalopoda and
some fish
Year-round; feed on squid and pelagic
crustaceans, such as shrimp
Uncommon, possibly year-round; feed on squid
and pelagic crustaceans, such as shrimp
Rare; feed on squid and deepwater fishes
Rare; little known
Sirenean
West Indian manatee
(Trichechus manatus)
Presently not found west of Aucilla and Port
St. Joe Rivers, Florida; feed on aquatic
vegetation
* Endangered species, Federal Register, 1979
Source: BUM, 1978
However, Lyons and Collard (1974) further divided the Shelf Into five regions
corresponding to floral and fauna! changes as a function of depth: Shoreward,
Shallow Shelf, Middle Shelf I, Middle Shelf II, and Deep Shelf (Figure 3-17).
The Shoreward region (depths less than 10m) is comprised of temperate and
subtropical estuarine species with low biological diversity. The Shallow Shelf,
extending from 10m of water to 30m and containing Sites A and 8 and the
3-42
-------
Ocu/i'na diffusa,
Pilumnuf sayi
Leptogorgia virgutata
L setacea
Scirpearia grandis
Muricea penduta
Astrangia sotilaria
Ptiyttangia americana
Ceodia gibberosa
Petmtutries galanthinus
SHALLOW-SHELF COMMUNITIES (10- TO 50-METER DEPTHS)
SAND
ROCK
Sphenciospongia vesparia
Axinella polycapella
Stenorhynchus seticomis'
Irdnia campana
I. fascKulata
Tabularia crocea
Conodactyius townsendi
Spondylus americanus
Echinochama cornuta
Siderastrea siderea
Argopecten gibbui
Scaphella kieneri
Cerianthiopsis americanus
F'KUS communti
Tonna galea
Cassis madegascariensis
Renilta multeri
• .-' Cardiomya gemma'- ' '."/
. _ - 'Clypeaster subdepressui. • . •
".' • ' Plagiobrissus gradis '
. , Amphipolis gracillima
Figure 3-14. Shallow-Shelf Benthic Communities Offshore of Tampa Bay
Source: Collard and D.'Asaro, 1973
DEEP-SHELF COMMUNITIES (30- TO 200-METER DEPTHS)
ROCK
Pettochronchus irregularis
Phicpagurus corailinus
tridopagurus d'tspar
Hypoconcha sabulosa
Muricea laxa
Thesea grandfflora
Caligorgia verticillata
Trichogorgia viola
Villogorgia nigrescent.
Thesea plana
Mitlepota alcicomis f
diona caribboea
Sc/erac/j guadalupensii -
Batanui dedivis
Hippiospongia lachne
Eucidaris tnbuloides
Scirpearia funiculina
Ircinia laciculata
I. campana
Dysidea fragilis
Spheciospongia vesparia
Neopetroiu longieyi
Caltyspongia vaginalis
Murex bcaui
dsa superba
SAND
Ponunus spinicarpus
Kanilia muricata
Pitar cotdata
Fusinus covei
Wystira albida
Scaphella junonia
• Qypeaiter subdepeessus
Plagiobrissus grandis
Amphipolis gracillima •
Figure 3-15.
Deep-Shelf Benthic Communities Offshore of Tampa Bay
Source: Collard and D'Asaro, 1973
3-43
-------
SLOP! COMMUNITIES (CONTINENTAL SLOPE)
HARD SUBSTRATES
MUD
Cladocarpus ilexilis
Actinauge longicornis
Bebryce grand/s
Acanella ebumea
Chiysogorgia etega/is
Munida forceps
Poicellana sigsbeiana
Cryptopora gnomon
Oallina floridana
Stytocidaris aftinis
Calocidaris nticans
Madrepora ocufcta
Demophytlum crisiagalli'
Detlocyathus italicus
Coniaster tessellatut
PHnthaster dentatus
Nymphaster arenatus
Soknocera vioxai
Hymenopenaeus tropicalis
H. robustus
Bemhesicymus cenus
B. bartletti
Acavithocatpu* alexandri
Raninoidet constricta
Bathyptax typhla
Caltapa angusta
Figure 3-16. Slope Benthic Communities Offshore of Tampa Bay
Source: Collard and D'Aaaro, 1973 •
Shallow-Water Alternative Sites, consists of inshore temperate and subtropical
species with the addition of tropical Gulf species. Biological diversity within
the Shallow Shelf region is high. The Middle Shelf I and II regions, with depth
ranges of 30m to 60m, and 60m to 140m, respectively, contain predominantly
tropical species with occasional inshore species. The Mid-Shelf Alternative Site
is in the Middle Shelf II region. Biological diversity is greater at Middle
Shelf I depths than at Middle Shelf II depths. The Deep Shelf region ranges from
104m to 200m of water' where biological diversity is low and dominated by
deepwater tropical species. The Oeepwater Alternative Site is at the lower limit
of the Deep Shelf region.
Shoreward Region
The Shoreward region, 0 to 10m, has rolling topography, a quartz-sand bottom
overlain by a fine layer of silt, and is inhabited primarily by echinoderms and
other, coarse sand dwellers. Occasional small (less than one meter in height)
3-44
-------
3-45
-------
limestone rock outcrops, paralleling the shoreline, rise through the sediment
layer. The outcrops support a variety of epifaunal organisms, such as solitary
corals, algae, pholadids, and polychaetous annelids.
Species abundance and diversity at depths less than 10m is low, a function of
the shifting substrata and the inability of many organisms to survive the stress
of wave action and temperature fluctuations. Lyons and Collard (1974) reported
the region was dominated by temperate molluscs and echinoderms; vegetation was
scarce. Joyce and Williams (1969) observed extremely high numbers of sand
dollars (Hellitta quinquiesperforata) and sea urchins (Lytechinus variegatus);
molluscs (Atrina sp. and Busycon sp.), hydroids, and a few sponges were also
present. The occasional rock outcrops support coirsnunities of- hard corals,
bryozoans, tubeworms, and calcareous algae (Gould and Steward, 1956). Phillips
and Springer (1960) also reported varying numbers of molluscs (Area sp. and
Spondylus "sp.) on the'rock outcrops.
Shallow Shelf
Beginning at a depth of 10m, and extending to 30m, the nearshore quartz sand--
shell topography is gradually replaced by. carbonate sediments. Limestone
outcrops occur in greater numbers and may rise one or two meters from the bottom,
supporting a diverse assemblage of flora and fauna. Joyce and Williams (1969)
characterized this region as a typical Gulf patch reef community.
At Shallow-Shelf depths, temperate and tropical species are present due to
intrusion of Loop Current water. Associated with rock outcrops are crustaceans,
molluscs, scleractinians (hard corals), alcyonarians (soft corals), and other
invertebrate species (Lyons and Collard, 1974). Phillips and Springer (1960)
reported a wide variety of benthic flora, identifying 186 taxa of plants attached
to rock outcrops or epiphytic on other plants.* The shallow-water rock outcrops
were described by Smith (1976b) as covered with an overlay of scleractinians
(Cladocora arbuscula and Solenastrea hyades) -and loggerhead sponge
(Spheciospongia vesparia), along with the green alga (Caulerpa sp.), and
coralline algae (Halimeda sp. and Udotea sp.). Echinoids, tunicates, and
sabellid polychaetes also were observed. Numbers of grouper, flatfish, snapper,
grunt, and other reef fishes were present, as well as Florida spiny and Spanish
3-46
-------
lobsters (G. Smith, personal communication*). Reefs and rocky outcrops of this
region have been characterized as . biologically sensitive areas (G. Smith,
personal communication*; BLM, 1978).
Results of the EPA May 1982, survey demonstrated the similarity of Alternative
Sites -3 and'4 located in this shallow shelf environment (Cf. Appendix C). The
two sites were generally very similar in sediment^and polycHaete composition. As
previously mentioned, however, Alternative Site. 3 contains numerous hard bottom
areas with attached coralline communities. The polychaetes characteristic of
Sites 3 and 4 were primarily species typical of sandy, soft-bottomed habitats.
Many of these species, such as Aglaophamus verrilli, Parapri onospi o p'rimata, and
Qwenia fusiformis were widespread across the study area, but reached their
.highest abundances, in the finer-textured samples. The analysis of results
revealed a relatively high degree of distinct species-habitat groupings in the
shallow-water environment; however, these results must be interpreted within the
context of the overall natural .variability of the shallow-water benthic
community. The communities may vary considerably due to periodic environmental
influences such as storms, hurricanes, periods of high freshwater runoff, and
temperature changes, -which may drastically modify the benthic habitat. The high
physical energy associated with high wind and wave activity may drastically alter
the nearshore sediment composition. Typically, some areas will be scoured,
whereas others will be subject to a high level of deposition of sedimentary
materials. These periodic episodes of high bottom currents may drastically
change the distribution of sedimentary components in an area, ultimately causing
a concomitant change in the associated faunal composition. These periods of high
energy also disperse dredged material, restoring .the habitat to natural
conditions, and allowing the recovery of the previously established communities
following the cessation of dumping activities. Thus, analyses of this.benthic
environment should be regarded -as part of a continually ongoing process of
ecological change and adaptation.
G.Smith, Professor, Indian River College, Fort Pierce, Florida, 1980'
3-47
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Middle Shelves I and II
The area between 30 and 60m (Middle Shelf I) has the highest diversity found
off Tampa Bay (Lyons and Col lard, 1974). Beyond 60m, to a depth of 140m (Middle
Shelf II), diversity and productivity decline. At depths greater than 60m, rock
outcrops diminish in size and number, and the bottom is composed primarily of
irregularly distributed carbonate sediments ranging from hard, compact sand and
silt, to shell rubble with silt (Doyle et _al_._, 1974).
Flora and fauna characteristic of the Middle Shelf I include loggerhead
sponges, calcareous algae (Lithothamnion sp.), foraminiferans, alcyonarians,
tropical, algae, decapod crustaceans (Stenopus hispidus and Penaeus duorarum), and
bryozoans (Stegaporella magnilabris and Hippopotraniela marglnata) (Joyce and
Williams, 1969; Lyons and Col lard, 1974; Hopkins, 1974; Smith, I976b).
In the Middle Shelf II region, biological diversity and abundance drop
substantially and fewer rock outcrops are present. Sediments are primarily
carbonates, composed of skeletons of coralline algae, bryozoans, and shell
rubble. Sponges, corals, and living bryozoans occur, but are scarce, and limited
to the few rock outcrops present. Molluscs (Chamys sp.)» crustaceans (Munida
sp.), echinoderms (Astropecten sp. and Echinaster sp.), and the alga Caulerpa
predominate the region (Lyons and Col lad, 1974; Hopkins, 1974).
Deep Shelf
In the Deep Shelf area (140 to 200m), biological diversity further decreases.
Poor light penetration and a flat carbonate substatum provide minimal habitat for
organisms. A number of species of the Middle Shelf II zone occur; however,
species composition changes occur at about 140m (Lyons and Collard, 1974).
3-48
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RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Six .endangered species of whales reportedly occur in the Gulf of Mexico: sei
(Balaenoptera borealis), fin .(Balaenoptera physalus), blue (Balaenoptera
rcu,s_cuj_us), humpback (MegajJtera novaeangliae). right (Eubalaena glacial is), and
sperm (Physeter catodon) (January 17, 1979, 44 Federal Register 3636). The Gulf
serves as a winter feeding, mating, and calving ground for-all species. Most
whales remain offshore, beyond the Continental Shelf in deep waters; however, the
i
right whale is primarily coastal, and occasional inshore sitings of other species
i
occur (D. Odell, personal communication*}.
I
; -A critical habitat has been designated for the West Indian manatee :(Tricnechus
manatus)-.in and around Tampa Bay. ' Its range is normally restricted to inland
waterways near coastal inlets in depths of 1 to 3m of water, but manatees have
*
also been observed in shallow-coastal waters, traveling along shallow-water rock
outcrops (BLM, 1978). . •
F.ive endangered and threatened species of turtles migrate from the. Caribbean,
to nest along the Gulf coast of Florida: hawksbill (Eretmochelys 1mbrlcata),
loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Atlantic ridley
(Lepidochelys kempti), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). The turtles range
from Cedar Keys south to the Dry Tortugas as well as in open Gulf waters;
however, they are usually found in shallow waters,.less than 15m. They commonly-
occur near shallow reefs and in lagoons and nest on sandy beaches.
Twelve endangered species of birds occur in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and
Florida; however, only one, the brown pelican. (P_e1_ecan_tis_ occjjentalis), can be
found offshore. 'Brown pelicans nest .along several coastal sites in west central
Florida, and feed primarily on fish captured in nearshore waters.
*D. Odell, Professor, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 1980
3-49
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PRESENT AND POTENTIAL
ACTIVITIES IN THE VICINITY OF THE SITE
FISHERIES (Recreational and Commercial}
> Sites A' and B and the Shallow-Water Alternative Sites are offshore of
Pinellas, Manatee, and Hillsborough Counties. Pinellas County has the second-,
•third-, and sixth-largest commercial, party, and charter boat fleets,
\respectively, in the State of Florida. Hillsborough and Manatee Counties have
moderate fishing activity in comparison to Pinellas County (Moe, 1963). In 1978,
the recreational and commercial landings in these counties totaled over $9.4
million, or 16% of the total Florida west coast landings. Shrimp, red and black
grouper, arid red snapper are the major species of economic importance (NMFS,
1978).
Commercial finfishing in the immediate vicinity of Sites A and B and Shallow-
Water Alternative Sites is limited, with most occurring further offshore.
However, Sites A and B are in the vicinity of areas utilized for recreational
fishing by charter, party, and private boat operators (Figure 3-18). A number of
rock outcrops, artificial reefs, and designated fish havens are located
approximately three nmi north of Site B. Species commonly taken in this area by
recreational fishermen (Table 3-10) include grouper, mackerel, redfish, red
snapper, grunt, bluefish, and spotted seatrout (Moe, 1963).
Commercial fishing in the offshore waters of west central Florida is limited,
totaling less than 3,500 tons in 1978 (NMFS, 1979). This catch is limited to a
few species, the most important of which are grouper, scamp, black mullet, and
red snapper. The offshore commercial shellfish industry harvests pink and rock
shrimp, stone crab, lobster, and calico scallop.
The level of commercial finfishing is relatively constant year-round, except
for Manatee County, which has seasonal peaks of activity during April-May and
October-November. Party and charter boat fisheries have some degree of activity
3-50
-------
- 28'QO'
C"~1 SHELLFISH AREA (APPROVED)
^3 SHELLFISH AREA (PROHIBITED)
P773 SHELLFISH AREA (UNCLASSIFIED I
E?x3 COMMERCIAL FINFISH AREA
ESS PARTY BOAT AREA
•1 CHARTER BOAT AREA
f~~7 FISH HAVEN
© SITES A and B
® SHAULOW-WATER ALTERNATIVE SITE 1
D SHALLOW-WATER ALTERNATIVE SITE 2
A SHALLOW-WATER ALTERNATIVE SITE 3
20
Nautical Miles s
PINELLAS;
COUNTY'
STATE*
AQUATIC
PRE5ERV
• 27'00'N
84*00'
83*30*
83*00*
82'30-W
Figure 3-18.
Source:
Fishery Areas in Tampa Bay and Adjacent Waters
MOE, 1963, FDNR Shellfish Harvesting Atlas
year-round. However, the peak seasons for party boats are January-March- and
June-July; for charter boats, the peak occurs during March-May and October-
November.
Shellfish, comprised 59% of all commercial species taken off Hillsborough,
Manatee, and Pinellas Counties, representing 66% of the catch value. Pink and
rock shrimp comprised 97% of the total shellfish tonnage (Z,066 tons),
and represented 96% of the commercial value. However, some of the landings in
the Tampa-St. Petersburg area were reported taken from waters outside the
immediate area.* Calico scallops (Argopecten gibbus) and stone crabs (Menippe
mercenaria) were the second and third most important shellfish species taken
offshore of the tri-county area. Large commercial catches of "pink shrimp have
infrequently been recorded offshore of Egmont'Key. -These catches -occur during
April-July, when larger shrimp migrate offshore from Tarapa Bay.
* Florida Department of Natural Resources, Personal communication, 1982.
3-51
-------
TABLE 3-10
IMPORTANT FISHES OF THE OFFSHORE FISHERY OF COASTAL COUNTIES
County
Manatee
Hill sboro ugh
,
PInellas
Status of Fish
v
Host abundant
fishes in the
i
catch
\
Most preferred
fishes
Most abundant
fishes in the
catch
Most preferred
fishes
Most abundant
fishes in the
catch
Most preferred
fishes
.
Type of Vessel
Commercial
Red grouper
Red snapper
Black grouper
Red snapper
Yelloweye
snapper
Black grouper
Red grouper
Red snapper
Black grouper
Red snapper
Black grouper
Red grouper
Red grouper
Black grouper
Red snapper
Red snapper
Black grouper
Red grouper
Party
Black grouper
Red grouper
Red snapper
Black grouper
Red grouper
Red snapper
Red grouper
Black grouper
Grunts
Black grouper
Red grouper
Grunts
Charter
King mackerel
Red grouper
Bluef ish
King mackerel
Black grouper
Red grouper
-
Spanish mackerel
King mackerel
Black grouper
King mackerel
Spanish mackerel
Black grouper
3-52
-------
Small squid and sponge fisheries exist in the area; however, neither are as
economically important as the shrimp fisheries.
A sardine fishery is presently in a developmental stage. In the past, this
species has not been commercially fished due to poor demand. However, increased
commercial value of sardines is promoting a widening interest among fishermen of
this region.
MARINE RECREATION . .
The Florida marine environment .provides recreational opportunities for
residents and visitors, producing revenue for local business and the State.
Sportfishing, 'swiramingi sailing, pleasure boating, beachcombing, and diving are
important recreational activities (Table 3-11). In 1975, approximately $115
million was spent in the State on activities associated with marine recreation
(j_..e»., tackle, boating fees, fuel, and services)-, more than any other state. on
the Gulf or East Coasts (NMFS, 1977).
*'
However, as noted earlier in Chapter 2 of this FEIS, a recent Corps study
examined the minimal use of Shallow-Water. Alternative Site 4 by recreational
fishermen and divers. On only one occasion over twelve successive weeks between
mid-March and June 1983, was a vessel seen in Site 4. -On June 1, 1983, a single
dive boat was noted within the site. On no weekend days during the surveillance
period were any vessels seen within Site 4.
TABLE 3-11
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FLORIDA MARINE ENVIRONMENT
(thousands)
Activity
S winning
Beachcombing
Finfishing
Pleasure boating
Shell fishing
Sailing
Diving
Households
1,388
981
954
711
419
295
263
Participants
4,026
2,760
2,101
1,847
989
598
462
Source: NMFS, 1977
3-53
-------
In 1975,- 98 minion pounds of finflsh were caught by recreational fishermen on
the west coast of Florida (NMFS, 1975); the most abundant was the spotted
seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), which totalled 6.4 million pounds. Approximately
27 million pounds of shellfish were collected during 1975 by recreational
fishermen (NMFS, 1975}.
Numerous public and private beaches occupy the coast of western Florida. Fort
De Soto County Park, located on Mullet Key, is the recreational beach nearest
Sites A and B. The park provides year-round recreation for an estimated 1.5
i
million people (W. Grabowski, personal communication*).
The State of Florida also has established an aquatic preserve, encompassing
the length of Pinellas County, extending from the shoreline to the 3-mile limit.
Site B is southwest of the preserve, Site A is westsouthwest of the preserve, and
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 is approximately 15 nmi southwest of the
preserve. Egmont and Passage Keys, located at least 18 nmi east of Site 4, are
designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as wildlife refuges.
SHIPPING
The Port of Tampa Bay is vital to the economy of both Florida and the United
States. Based on tonnage, the Port of Tampa ranks fourth in the nation in export
goods, and in overall tonnage is the eighth-largest port in the United States
(Corps, 1974).
In 1979, the Port of Tampa had an import tonnage of over 49 million tons,
valued at $490 million, and an export tonnage of 19 million tons, valued at over
$1.2 billion. Major commodities include the export of phosphate rock
(representing in excess of 97% of all export goods), citrus fruits and seafood,
and the import of sulphur, petroleum products, and foreign trucks.
*W. Grabowski, Park Director, Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, Florida, 1980
3-54
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OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
The nearest active oil and gas leases., part of the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale No. 65, are
approximately 55 nmi to the southwest of Sites A and B, and 50 nmi southwest of
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 (Figure 3-1). The nearest proposed leases (BLM,
1980), OCS Nos. A66 and 66, are approximately 40 nmi south of Shallow-Water
Alternative Site 1, and 46 nmi south of Sites A and B (Figure 3-19). The
distance of these sites to the oil and gas lease sites eliminate any problem of
interference of dredged material disposal operations with drilling or production
operations. J
3-55
-------
3-56
-------
Chapter 4
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Possible adverse effects on hard bottom communities resulting
from burial may occur when dredged material disposal Is
performed. This Impact would be mitigated by disposal at
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4. Recent surveys of this
Site have confirmed that fewer hard bottom areas occur within
and in the vicinity of Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 than
In any of the other Shallow-Water Alternative Sites examined.
Water quality impacts are expected to be absolutely minimal
at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4.
DREDGED MATERIAL TRANSPORT
• Unavoidable"mi nor and temporary disruptions .of harbor and channel traffic will
occur as a result of dredging, transportation, and disposal of dredged material.
Most inconveniences will be caused by dredging; minor inconveniences may be
caused by transportation of the dredged material through Tampa Bay.
Transportation costs of hauling dredged materials from the bay to a disposal'
site is directly affected by location. Transport of dredged material to Sites A
and B has cost approximately $5/yd-* {$10,000/vessel load, assuming the use of a
2,000 yd3 hopper dredge). (A recent letter from the Corps indicates that 2,800
to 3,200 yd3 barges may be used in the remaining phases of the Tampa Harbor
Project. Cf. Letter from Major General John F. Wall, Director of Civil Works,
U.S. Army, on August 19, 1983, to Jonathan E. Amson, Office of Water Regulations
and Standards, EPA). Additional expenses for fuel, labor, and equipment rental
are directly related to the distance between the dredging and disposal sites, and
time involved in dredged material disposal. The Corps estimates the costs for
additional transport distances beyond Sites A and B will average $0.15/yd3/nmi.
Cost estimates for hopper dredge transport of dredged material to several sites
are presented in Table 4-1. Based on this cost comparison, the added expense per.
vessel load of dredged material precludes the use of a mid-Shelf or deepwater
disposal site alternative; the additional transport distance required to use
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 has the smallest economic impact on disposal
operations. (Cf. Letters from Col. Alfred B. Devereaux, Jr., District Engineer
for the Corps' Jacksonville District, on April 29, 1983, to Ms. Patricia M.
Glass, Vice Chairman of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, and on
May 13, 1983, to Edward W. Chance, Chairman of the same Board),
4-1
-------
TABLE 4-1
COMPARATIVE TRANSPORTATION COSTS*'
Site 8
Site A
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4
Mid-Shelf Site
Deepwater Site
Distance
From
Tampa Bay
(nmi)
9
13
18
70 "
104
Additional
Transport
Distance
(nmi}
5
57
91
Costs Per
Round Trip
Vessel Loa,d+
(dollars)
0 \
0 \
1,470 '
17,100
27,300
*Based on Corps co-st figures
^Estimated costs are those required in addition to the present $10,000/vessel
-load to Sites A and B; costs based on a 2,000 yd-* barge. A recent letter from
the Corps indicates that 2,800 to 3,200 yd^ barges may be used in the
remaining phases of the Tampa Harbor Project. Cf. p. 4-1.
EFFECTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Ensuring that public health and safety are not adversely affected by ocean
disposal of dredged materials is EPA's primary concern. Health hazards may arise
if the material has the potential for toxic bioaccumulation in organisms, and
there is a possibility that these organisms could be consumed by the public.
Navigational safety hazards may arise from potential shoaling of the material,
and from the movement of disposal vessels to and from the ODMDS.
Potential impacts on human health can be inferred from bioassay and
bioaccumulation tests performed on marine animals. The results of .these tests
performed on Tampa Bay dredged materials (considered later in this Chapter) do
not indicate any potential human health hazards.
4-2
-------
Navigational safety is not expected to be adversely affected by disposal
operations. Although there is a risk of collision when any vessel is underway,
the degree of probability is negligible, due to the relatively few transits by
disposal vessels.
Navigational hazards as a result of shoaling of dredged material is considered
minimal. At shallow water, high-energy sites, dredged material accumulates only
temporarily in mounds (Bastian, 1975). Any potential navigational hazards at
Site 4 are expected to be substantially less than at Site A due to the increased
area and depth of Site 4.
EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEM
The effects of ocean disposal of dredged material on the ecosystem may cause
public concern. Some effects, such as burial of benthic organisms and habitats,
are immediately apparent; others, such as bioaccumulation of sediment-bound
contaminants, may be subtle and difficult to assess. . Short-term effects on
biological communities can be difficult to differentiate from natural fluxes in
diversity and community composition. Long-term adverse effects can be the most
difficult to assess, because the effects may be indirect or cumulative.
The degree of effect on the ecosystem- depends on. a number of factors:
sediment characteristics of the dredged material, the degree of similarity
between dredged material and sediments at the disposal site, the amount of
material to be disposed, the frequency of disposal, chemical characteristics of
the dredged material, nutrients associated with dredged material, and turbidity
associated with disposal.
The following discussion of effects on the ecosystem is divided .into two
sections: (1) effects on water and sediment quality, and (2) effects on the
biota. This division facilitates comparison between effects on the physical
environment, which in turn, directly and indirectly affects the biota.
4-3
-------
MATER AND' SEDIMENT QUALITY
Oceanic dredged material disposal may affect a number of environmental
parameters. This type of disposal has been observed and studied at a variety of
locations and depths. Studies at other disposal sites allows comparisons to be
drawn, and predictions made, concerning the expected behavior of dredged material
when disposed at the site designated in this EIS.
The following discussion addresses potential effects of disposal on turbidity,
nutrients, dissolved oxygen, trace metals, and organic compounds, based on
analyses of sediments from the Tampa Harbor Main Channel and from Sites A and B
(Table 4-2), and analyses of elutriate tests on sediment samples from the Tampa
Harbor Main Channel and St. Petersburg Harbor (Table 4-3).
A
TURBIDITY
The method of dredging and the amount of water contained in dredged sediments
will influence the behavior of materials after release. Tampa Harbor sediments
are primarily fine sand with silt and clay fractions, whereas channel sediments
are medium to coarse sand overlain with fine sand and silt (Corps, 1974).
Because of the similar depths at Sites A and B and Shallow-Water Alternative
Sites (10 to 27m), it is anticipated there will be little difference in the
behavior of dredged material during disposal.
The disposal characteristics of dredged material after release into the water
has been described by Bokuniewicz et al. (1978) as occurring in three phases:
(1) Descent as a well-defined jet of high-density fluid that may contain
solid blocks .of material, with ambient water entrained;
(2) Impact with the bottom; and
(3) Formation of surge: a horizontally-spreading bottom movement that
radiates from the center of impact until driving forces are sufficiently
reduced to allow deposition to occur.
4-4
-------
TABLE 4-2
RESULTS OF SEDIMENT ANALYSIS
(ppm)
Main Channel
Sediments
Site A,B
Sediments
Average
Value
TOG
Ammonia-N
Nitrate-N
Hitrite-N
Organic Nitrogen
Oil and Grease
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Copper
Chromium
Iron
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
Silver
Zinc
Vanad ium
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
100 to 620
0 to 1
190 to 330
340 to 3,700
" 2 to 5
1 to 2
3 to 4
4 to 7
870 to 3,900
25 to 52
'0.06 to 0.25
7 to 14
0 to 18
6 to 10
530 to 4,420
120 to 2,940
0.002 to 0.09
<0.003 to 0.50
<0.00009 to 0.01
147.8.
788.0
0.'03
0.13
0.00
- Not analyzed
* Corps/. 1974•(average values, not reported}
t EPA/IEC, 1979 and 1980 (determined by weak acid leach discussed in
Appendix A)
4-5
-------
TABLE 4-3
RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LIQUID-PHASE
ELUTRIATE TESTS OF SEDIMENTS FROM OLD TAMPA BAY AND ST. PETERSBURG HARBOR
(mg/liter [ppra])
Anmonia-N
Nitrite-N
Nitrate-N
Organic Nitrogen
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphorus
Cadmium
Lead
Mercury
Total Organic
(Carbon)
Petroleum
Hydrocarbons
Oil and
Grease
TB
7.7
<0.10
0.01
2.2
9.6
10.8
<0.001
<0.01
0.0003
9.0
None
detected
<0.2
Control
0.04
<0.01
0.01
0.10
0.03
0.15
<0.001
<0.01
<0.0001
5.0
None
detected
<0.2
SP
5.53
0.07
. 0.06
1.47
4.03
4.27
0.06
0.31
0.0011
8.33
19.6
Not
Reported
Control
0.20
0.04
0.24
<0.20
0.46 *
0.80
0.066
0.34
0.0006
4.0
21.0
''
<0.2
TB = Tampa Bay
SP - St. Petersburg Harbor (values equal average of three samples)
Source: Jones, Edmunds and Associates (1979, 1980)
The rate of descent and amount of residual turbidity is determined by particle
size, concentration, moisture content, and cohesiveness of the dredged material.
The clods will fall at varying rates, depending on their size (Table 4-4), and
will form the leading edge of a downward-flowing jet which contains the loose
silt and clay. The jet will entrain considerable amounts of water and become
less dense. Fine sand, which represents most of the material to be dredged,
(Cf. Appendix C of DEIS), descends slowly at a rate of 1.8 cm/s (Graf, 1971).
Silts and clays in suspension may remain in the water column for up to several
days (depending on the degree of flocculation), and during this period the
fine-grained sediments will be spread out thinly over the surrounding seafloor.
4-6
-------
TABLE 4-4
SETTLING VELOCITIES FOR SAND AND ROCK PARTICLES
Fine gravel
Coarse sand
Medina sand
fine sand
Particle
Diameter
(mm)
11.2
8.0
5.66
4.00
2.83
2.00
1.41
1.00
0.71
0.51
0.31
0.25
0.18
Settling
Velocity
(cm/s)
45.0
40.0
35.0
31.0-
25,0
• 20.0
16.0'
13.0'
10.0
7.0-
3.0
3.0
1.8
Sites
A. and B
33
38
43
43
60
75 '
94
115
ISO
214
500
500
333
Shallow-Water
Alternative
Site 1
29
13
37'
42 • -
52
65
82
100
130
186
433
433
722
Shallow-Water
Alternative
Site 2
44
50
57
55
30
100
125
154
200
286
666
666
1,111
Shallow-Water
Alternative
Site 3
60
63
77
87
103
135
169
208
270
386
900
900
1,500
Note: Velocity - time to settle to bottoia (seconds)
Sources: Adapted from Chave and Miller, 1977; Tetra'Tech, 1977
As discussed above, most of the dredged material sinks' as a jet, but some of
it will remain suspended and cause temporary turbidity. Calculations of the
initial mixing zone at Sites A and B and the Shallow Water Alternative Sites
during a 10m thermocline condition indicate a dilution factor of 1:3,668 for
suspended particulate matter (SPM). Dilution and dispersion will reduce
suspended particulate levels to nearby ambient levels relatively quickly, over
several hours. Natural SPM levels measured in local bottom waters range from 0.5
to ,2.9 mg/liter (Table A-3).
A bottom turbidity plume caused by dredged material and indigenous sediment
results from impact of the.disposed material on the seafloor. The seafloor at
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 is in large-part sand; thus, indigenous material
should redeposit rapidly in the local area (Table 4-4); The finer-grained
dredged materials, however, will remain in suspension longer, and will be
dispersed over a somewhat wider area of seafloor.
4-7
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Short-term turbidity may affect biotal respiratory surfaces by clogging gills,
interfering with feeding activity of coral polyps and zooplankton, reducing
photosynthetic activity by decreasing light penetration, promoting flocculation
of phytoplankton, and increasing sorption of essential nutrients or toxic
contaminants (Table 4-5) (Stern and Stickel, 1978; Pequegnat et_ al_._, 1978). The
environmental consequences of increased turbidity are related to concentration
and the type of organisms present in the affected environment. Because of the
potential sensitivity, of hard bottom communities to siltation and sedimentation,
these areas should be exposed to lesser amounts of disposal activity, where
possible.
NUTRIENT RELEASE
Greater concentrations of nutrients are usually present in sediment than in
the overlying water. Mechanical disturbance, such as disposal of dredged
material, releases some of these nutrients (Table 4-3). The primary dissolved
nutrients in sediment interstitial water are NC^'1, NOs"1,
NH3+^, and P(>4~3; the concentrations Of these radicals are related to
the decomposition of organic matter (Pequegnat et a1,» 1978).
The release of nutrients, especially ammonia, from disposed dredged material
can stimulate growth of marine plants, and in heavy concentrations, can be toxic
(ibid.). In most sediments, ammonia is stable under anoxic conditions below 2
cm, and can accumulate in interstitial water to high levels. Phosphorus
(generally found as PO^3 and organic phosphates) is commonly associated
with domestic wastewater, but may be found when organically rich sediments
decompose. In Tampa Bay, the elevated phosphorus levels may be caused by
discharges from the phosphate industry. Since red tides occur periodically in
the vicinity of Tampa Bay, the increased nutrient availability to phytoplankton
may be of concern. The occurrence of undesirable effects, however, are dependent
on the concentrations of constituents released, oxygen levels, mixing character-
istics, and diluting capacities of receiving waters (ibid.).
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TABLE 4-5
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF DREDGED
MATERIAL DISPOSAL AT NEARSHORE ALTERNATIVE SITES
.Effect (Turbidity)
1, Reduce light
penetration
2. Flocculate
phytoplankton
3. Decrease avail-
ability of food
4. Drive mobile
• organisms out of
the environment
5. Affect respira-
tory surfaces
6. . Sorption of .
toxic materials
Sites A and B and
Shallow-Water Alternative Sites
Can be important to phytoplankton
and phytobenthos
Can have effects on hard-bottom
areas
Can be important in estuaries and
above thermocline in neritic waters
May be important; dilution of food
particles with useless material
Temporary effect
Can be important
Can be important to filter feeders
Source: Adapted from Pequegnat ejt ai. (1978)
Released nutrients are affected by a number of physical and chemical processes
(the most important of which is dilution), reducing levels of released nutrients
immediately. Soluble phosphorus is reduced by re-adsorption on oxidized iron and
manganese present in seawater. Ammonia is unstable in oxygenated waters and is
rapidly oxidized to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria. In addition, high ammonia
levels will be lowered to ambient levels rapidly by dilution, and will cause no
adverse effects. Therefore, any nutrients released are not anticipated to
enhance the potential for causing red tides.
4-9
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OXYGEN DEMAND
Chemical And Biological Oxygen Demand Levels
Participate matter with potentially high oxygen demand is generally present in
dredged material, and is released into the water on disposal. Reduced inorganic
matter, including sulfur compounds, iron, and manganese, which is readily
oxidized by free oxygen in the water, .imposes a chemical oxygen demand (COD) on
the aquatic ecosystem. Those organic substances which are oxidized by bacteria
in the presence of oxygen also impose biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) on -the
ecosystem.
Schubel et^ aK (1978) showed that the effect that oxygen-demanding material
has on the water column is a function of the length of time the material resides
in the water, and the amount of water available for dilution. Only a small
fraction.of the oxidizable components in dredged material are reactive before the
majority of the discharged particulate matter settles to the bottom. Reduced
elements present in interstitial water appear to be the most reactive, and are
the only components which place a rapid oxygen demand on the water column. The
oxidizable particulates simply settle on the seafloor before imposing any oxygen
demand (ibid.). The study concluded that the apparent oxygen demand of
fine-grained estuarine sediments removed by pipeline dredge, with water contents
of 80% (such as the material dredged from Tampa Harbor) is approximately 0.4 mg
of sediment dredged.
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POTENTIALLY TOXIC TRACE ELEMENTS
Oxidation Reduction Controj Mechanisms
The term "trace elements" refers to a group of elements which includes
arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, copper, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, mercury,
nickel, selenium, and zinc, among others. Natural processes in aquatic
ecosystems tend to concentrate trace' elements in bottom sediments, and a number
of these are toxic to marine organisms at elevated levels (Stoker and Seager,
1976). A ge'neral concern about dredged material disposal is that trace elements
.contained in disposed sediments may subsequently deteriorate water quality, and
adversely affect marine organisms. . ...
Estuarine sediments such as harbor-dredged materials tend to be depleted of
oxygen (anoxic) below 2 cm in depth, resulting in.an oxygen-reduced environment.
Microbial action in reduced environments encourages formation of sulfides,
ammonia, and reduced forms of iron and manganese. Sulfides of trace elements are
stable in such reduced environments (Burkes and Engler, 1978);-however," when
noncohesive sediments are disposed of into oxygenated water, these sulfides
oxidize. Oxidized metals, with the exception of iron and manganese, are more
soluble than their reduced forms, creating possible sources of contamination.
However, such releases are offset by co-precipitation .with oxides of iron and
•manganese and re-absorption onto sediment particles.
DMRP Results -
DMRP studies indicate that there may be limited releases of trace elements
during ocean disposal. Investigation of sediments show that manganese is the
only trace metal consistently released during ocean disposal (Brannon, 1978};
other trace elements occasionally released in small quantities include mercury,
lead, cadmium, nickel, iron, and manganese. However, iron and manganese both
oxidize rapidly, and scavenge other metallic ions from solution (Jenne, 1978;
Burks and Engler, 1978).
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Elutriate Test Results
Liquid-phase elutriate test results from recent Tampa Bay dredging projects
indicate that disposed sediments will release only small quantitites of certain
metals (Jones, Edmunds, and Associates, 1979 and 1980). Sediments tested from
St. Petersburg Harbor showed only arsenic, mercury, and vanadium liquid-phase
samples elevated above control levels. In all of the elevated samples, the
greatest increase occurred in one test for arsenic, in which the element was
elevated by a factor of seven; two other arsenic values were elevated only by
factors of two and three. All other sample values were at or below control
values. Elutriate samples from Tampa Harbor upper-main channel showed only
mercury above control levels, and this only by a factor of three. Again all
other metals tested (12) were measured at or below control values. Based on
these findings, and considering the large dilution factor involved (1:3,668},
sediments disposed at any designated ODMDS should have no significant effect on
receiving water quality.
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Organic matter passing through the water column during disposal operations
will settle on the bottom, where it will be subject to bacterial decomposition.
Changes in the redox potential of the sediment will occur as oxygen is depleted
by metabolization of organics by bacteria (Pequegnat et_ a]., 1978). Anoxic
conditions could result; however, Pequegnat et^ aV. (1978) stated this should not
be a problem unless there is very frequent disposal and/or high organic loads in
the disposed sediments.
/
Of more concern are the synthetic organic compounds produced by man. Organic
substances such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons are
frequent contaminants in marine environments. Potential effects of these
compounds after ocean disposal are unknown. However, it is known that these
compounds are relatively insoluble in water, and will tend to be absorbed by
particulate matter, or absorbed by aquatic organisms (Burks and Engler, 1978;
Stoker and Seager, 1976). Due to their low solubility in water, these compounds
tend to concentrate in sediments, especially in estuaries and harbors where
4-12
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sedimentation rates are generally high. The contaminant sources derive from
municipal and industrial wastes, urban and agricultural runoffs, and accidental
and chronic spillages. Once deposited in sediments, these compounds are
relatively stable.
Results of elutriate tests indicate that petroleum hudrocarbons are present in
Tampa Bay, and are released and bioaccumulated in low concentrations (Tables 4-3
and 4-6). Bioaccumulation tests using these sediments showed that petroleum
hydrocarbons were not detected in tissues of the clam Mercenaria mercenaria taken
from the St. Petersburg boat slip area, but were detected at low levels (<1.0
ug/g) in sediments from the channel area (Table 4-6). Bioaccumulation tests to
determine PCB uptake showed that uptake levels were lowest from sediments midway
up Tampa Bay Channel (<0.0l ug/g), and highest at the mouth of the bay and upper
channel (<0.01 to 0.04 ug/g (Table 4-6)). PCB uptake tests were not performed.
for St. Petersburg Harbor sediments.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Direct effects of disposal operations on the biota include damage from
sediment clumps impacting the bottom, as well as burial. The response of an
organism may range from no visible effect, to a stress response, to death,
depending on the extent of the disposal operation and the characteristics of the
dredged material. A stress reaction or death may have as great an environmental
consequence on the associated benthie community as on the organism in question,
because organisms are closely associated through an often complex web of feeding
relationships. A simplified food web with potential adverse impacts from dredged
material disposal is presented in Figure 4-1. Assessment of adverse impacts is
often difficult to interpret because effects may not be evident until higher
trophic levels are affected.
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TABLE 4-6 ,
CHEMICAL ANALYSES FROM BIG-ACCUMULATION TESTS
(ppm [pg/g])
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Replicate
1
2
3
4
5
Control
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
SP1
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
SP2
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
SP3
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Replicate
1
2
3
4
5
Control
TB1
TB2
TB3
Polychlorinated Biphenals
t
Replicate
1
2
3
4
5
x =
CS.S -
8 -
Control
0.04
<0.01
<0.01
0.03
<0.01
0.02
0.0008
0.0002
TB1
0.04
0.02
0.03
0.03
<0.01
0.026
0.00052
0.00013
TB2
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.01
-
-
TB3
0.10
0.03
<0.01
<0.01
0.04
0.038
0.00548
0.00137
t Variances were heterogeneous; therefore, the
approximate test of equality of means given by
Sokal and Rohlf was used.
F - 0.571 (Not significant)
F.05(2,7) - 4.74
* Test species Mercenaria mercenaria (clam)
ND = None detected
SP = St. Petersburg Harbor
TB = Tampa Bay Main Channel
Source: Jones, Edmunds, and Associates (1979 and 1980)
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TURBIDITY: REDUCE PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND
BUOYANCY CONTROL; IMPAIR
FEEDING AND RESPIRATION
RELEASE
NUTRIENT: OVERENRICHMENT/RED TIDES
O2 DEPLETION: EARLY LIFE STAGES
SUSCEPTIBLE
FLOCCULATION: MECHANICALLY TRAPPED
TURBIDITY: DISPLACEMENT, GILL CLOGGING
BURIAL: SPAWNING AREAS, DEMERSAL EGGS
• TRANSFER TO ENERGY - MAJOR FOOD PATHWAY
' TRANSFER OF ENERGY - MINOR FOOD PATHWAY
TURBIDITY: REDUCE FEEDING, RESPIRATION,
METABOLIC STRESS
O, DEPLETION: MAY CAUSE ANOXIC TOXIC
CONDITIONS
ORGANICS: HIGH LOADS DECOMPOSING MAY
CAUSE TOXIC CONDITIONS
PARTICLE SIZE: HABITAT AVAILABILITY
REDUCED
BURIAL: SMALL OR LESS MOTILE ORGANISMS
SMOTHERED
Figure 4-1. Major Food Pathways of Marine Organisms
(with potential impacts from dredged material disposal,
not including degradation and nutrient input process)
4-15
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PLANKTON
Direct adverse effects on plankton populations from disposal operations arise
primarily from turbidity effects. The turbidity caused by disposal of dredged
material at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 will have minor short-term adverse
environmental effects on plankton communities, including: (1) mortality due to
mechanical or abrasive properties (impairing feeding and respiration), (2)
possible reduction of photosynthetic activity by interference with light
penetration, and (3) entrainment in falling dredged material, and transport to
the bottom.
The effects of dredged material disposal have been synthesized in several DMRP
reports (Hirsch et_ al., 1978; Stern and Stickle, 1978; Wright, 1978). These
studies have concluded that effects on open ocean planktonic populations will be
highly localized and transitory, and adverse impacts may be mitigated by
stimulated growth from nutrient inputs. Other studies indicate that long-term
impacts on primary productivity from disposal of dredged material are highly
unlikely (Taylor and Saloman, 1968; Wright, 1978; Hirsch j* aj_._, 1978). Factors
contributing to the low potential impact at open ocean sites include dilution,
mixing, low levels of contaminants in dredged material, and the patchy and motile
nature of planktonic populations (Sullivan and Hancock, 1977).
Impact on plankton communities at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 is expected
to be very limited and of quite short duration. The volume of ocean in which
plankton might be adversely affected can be estimated by considering the volume
of initial mixing. During summer, with a thermocline at 10 meters, Shallow-Water
Alternative Site 4 would have an initial mixing zone volume of 2.3 x 106 m3.
During nonstratified periods, the initial mixing zone volume would be 4.7 x 106
m3 for Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4. Thus, the initial mixing zone volume
would be over twice as large as the middle summer months for the majority of the
-year.
4-16
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Bloassays on grass shrimp larvae revealed no significant mortality from
suspended participates (at 100% elutriate sample concentration) from Tampa Bay
channel locations, and two of three boat slip sites in St. Petersburg Harbor (see
Elutriate Test Results, previous section). Dredged material from any future
channel improvement or maintenance projects is predicted to be similar to channel
sediments previously tested by bioassay. Based on findings from other studies
and bioassay results, effects on plankton are expected to be very localized,
transitory, and insignificant.
NEKTON
Results from the DMRP indicate that the nekton community is the least
sentitive to dredged material disposal because of their mobility (Wright, 1978;
Peguegnat et al., 1978). Dredged material disposal in the vicinity of a nekton
community may result in three responses: (1) avoidance of the area by sensitive
species due to residual turbidity; (2) changes in the benthic community due to
burial; and (3) damage to spawning grounds which may reduce population size, or
cause shifts in local species dominance. At Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4,
these factors are anticipated to have little effect on the nekton community.
Although commercial, fisheries are economically important and are known to exist
in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, no regularly active fishing sites have been
identified at or in the vicinity of Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4. In
contrast, rock outcrops near Sites A and B serve as habitats supporting sport and
commercial fishing activities.
BENTHOS
t
Direct effects on benthic populations from dredged material disposal arise
primarily from burial and resultant smothering. Other effects may be turbidity,
high organic sediment loads, oxygen depletion, changes in sediment particle
size, and habitat alteration. Effects are generally greatest on benthic fauna,
because of their limited mobility and the time required to restore the area to
predisposal conditions (Pequegnat et _al_1, 1978; Wright 1978).
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Turbidity may adversely affect benthic organisms through changes in feeding
habits, photosynthesis, and respiration. Sublethal responses may include
increased mucus production, pseudofecal production, reduced feeding response, and
increased respiration rates, all of which cause increased metabolic stress
(Pequegnat et al., 1978). The degree of impact will depend on concentration of
~^~ ^—~ , (
suspended particulates, their duration in the water column, and the type of
organisms present (e.g., sessile filter feeders are more affected than burrowing
deposit feeders).
Adverse turbidity effects could be relatively high at Sites A and B because of
the scattered presence of hard bottom flora and fauna in the areas surrounding
the site. Impacts should be substantially less severe at Shallow-Water
Alternative Site 4 because very few hard bottom areas occur either within or
surrounding the site.
If a nepheloid layer is present at Sites -A and B or the Shallow-Water
Alternative Sites (which is the case at the more northerly Mississippi, Alabama,
Florida Outer Continental Shelf study area used by the Department of Interior;
SUSIO, 1974), the fine particulates from the dredged material may contribute to
this layer. Although it is not known what type of effect -this may have at
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4, it is anticipated that suspended sediments
introduced by dredged material disposal will be indistinguishable from naturally
occurring suspended material.
Changes in benthic species abundance and composition have been documented for
ocean dredged material disposal areas. Changes in community structure increase
with increased disparity between site sediments and dredged material (Pequegnat
il«LL_» 1978). The dynamics of the receiving environment are also an important
consideration; the more naturally variable the environment, the less effect
dredged material disposal will have (Hirsch et al., 1978). This occurs because
organisms living in high energy environments are normally extremely adaptable to
natural fluctuations.
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Recolonization of dredged material disposal sites depends on a number of
factors, including the characteristics of the receiving environment, composition
of the dredged material, the disparity between site and dredged sediments, and
the indigenous fauna (Hirsch et al., 1978).
In a four-year study, Oliver et al. (1977) monitored recovery of benthic fauna
following dredged material disposal. The general pattern of recovery consisted
of an initial recolonization by larvae of opportunistic polychaetes (e.jg.,
Capitella capitata), and immigration of mobile crustaceans (cumaceans and certain
amphipods). This was followed by a gradual recolonization by the predisturbance
fauna. The fauna of shallow high energy environments recovered quickly, within 7
to 12 months.
Based on the data presented above, the impact of dredged material disposal is
expected to be much less at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 than at Sites A and
B because of the very limited extent of hard bottoms. Adverse effects should
also be substantially lower at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 than Sites A and
B because of reduced commercial and recreational uses of the area.
FISHERIES
Short-term avoidance of locally higher turbidity is predicted to be the only
significant environmental effect on fisheries.
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
All Federal agencies are required to carry out programs for conservation of
threatened or endangered species, and to ensure that actions "...authorized,
funded, or carried out by them do not jeopardize the continued existence of such
endangered...and threatened species, or result in the destruction or modification
of habitat of such species..." (16 USC §1536[a]).
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TABLE 4-7
SUMMARY OF SHORT-TERM EFFECTS ON
DISPOSAL SITES OF DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL
Effect
Result
1. Smother benthic organisms
2. Reduce spawning areas
3. Reduce phytobenthos cover
4. Change in grain size distribution
Can be important because of the
high proportion of epibenthic
species
May be important
Locally important
May reduce diversity
Source: Pequegnat et al., 1978
Endangered species reported from the Gulf of Mexico (discussed in Chapter 3)
include whales, turtles, the manatee, and the brown pelican.
Although whales use the Gulf as feeding, mating, and calving grounds, most are
located well offshore, beyond the Continental Shelf. Site use is not expected to
interfere in any way with whales, considering their substantial range and the
limited size of the disposal site.
Sea turtle populations occur on the west coast of Florida, frequenting shallow
patch reefs, rock ledges, and estuarine lagoons; the turtles also nest on
beaches. Alternative Shallow-Water Site 4 is in waters with very limited patch
reefs. No significant impacts on turtles are anticipated from the use of
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 for dredged material disposal.
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The feeding range of the brown pelican extends over all of the West Florida
Shelf in the Tampa area. However, any site used should not in any way
significantly affect the feeding activities of the pelican, because of the
infrequent nature of dumping activities, and because Alternative Site 4 is
extremely small in relation to the total feeding area available.
EFFECTS ON
RECREATION, ECONOMICS, AND AESTHETICS
RECREATION
The nearshore areas of Tampa Bay are used for sport diving and fishing. Rock
outcrops and several artificial reefs occur offshore, and most recreational
diving and fishing activities take place in these nearshore areas.
Several designated fish havens and rock outcrops are located near Sites A and
B. Moe (1963) reported a charter boat fishing area close to Sites A and B
(Figure 3-11). Potential adverse effects on recreational activities in the area
of Sites A and B are expected to be greater than at Alternative Site 4, because
of the relative density of rock outcrops in the vicinity of Sites A and B.
Recreational fishing and diving activities are not known to occur at Shallow-
Water Alternative Site 4 other than on a very occasional basis. This site is
characterized by very low relief sandy bottoms. A recent study by the Corps
corroborates the minimal use of Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 by recreational
fishermen and divers. On twelve successive weekends as well as occasionaly
during the week between mid-March and early-June 1983, the area of Site 4 was
overflown by aircraft, which noted any vessels that were seen within the area.
On only one occasion was a vessel seen in Site 4; on June 1, 1983, a single dive
boat was seen anchored within the area of the site. On no weekend days during
the surveillance period were any vessels seen within the boundaries of Site 4.
Determination of the boundaries of Site 4 was aided by the presence of an
anchored float at the center of Site 4, which was emplaced there at the beginning
4-21
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of the surveillance period. Although party boat or commercial fishing or
recreational diving may occur in the general vicinity of Shallow-Water
Alternative Site 4, no interference with these activities is anticipated in any
way.
ECONOMICS
Commercial finfishing activities exist seaward of Sites A and B and the
Shallow-Water Alternative Sites; therefore, there would be no direct interference
by disposal operations. Approved shell fishing areas occur close to shore (Figure
3-18), thereby mitigating interference to these areas during disposal operations.
Small charter and party boat operations may frequent areas around the
Alternative Site 4, although usually not within the actual site. Disposal of
dredged materials in the ocean will create a localized turbid plume during, and
immediately after, disposal operations, which may cause displacement of nekton.
However, the turbid plume is short-lived, and direct interference with these
fishing operations will be minimal and transitory.
AESTHETICS
Disposal of dredged material will result in a localized turbid plume that will
reduce water clarity at the site. Because Alternative Site 4 is located
approximately 18 nmi offshore, adverse impacts on visual aesthetics from shore
will be non-existent.
POTENTIAL UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND MITIGATING MEASURES
Potential unavoidable adverse effects from dredged material disposal that may
occur at Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 include:
0 Localized turbid plumes, which will temporarily lower water quality.
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0 Probable displacement of fish during, or immediately following, disposal
operations.
0 Smothering of non-motile or less motile benthic biota by burial under
dredged material.
0 Change in sediment composition, which may alter abundance, diversity, or
community structure.
The effects described above would occur at any ODMDS. Most of these effects,
however, are of short duration and have a limited effect, due to the rapid
dilution of the material after release. Other impacts pose little environmental
consequence because of the limited size of the site. Changes in community
structure are lessened by the great degree of environmental variability in the
high energy, shallow-water area. Based on all data and information available,
Shallow-Water Alternative Site 4 possesses the attributes necessary to minimize
adverse effects associated with ocean dredged material disposal in the Tampa Bay
region.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
SHORT-TERM USE AND LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY
Tampa Bay is an important harbor for commercial shipping and fishing
activities. The 'continued use of the harbor is essential for the economic
viability of the region. Maintenance dredging of the harbor is necessary to keep
the harbor open.
The offshore areas of Tampa Bay are diverse, ranging from flat .sand to patch
reef habitats. Hard bottom habitat can be sensitive to burial and siltation
associated with dredged material disposal. Therefore, the relationship between
short-term use and long-term productivity can be considerably improved by
locating a designated ODMDS in an area with the fewest hard bottom areas. This
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has been done with the designation of Alternative Shallow-Water Site 4, which has
been demonstrated to have a minimum of significant hard bottom areas, and by far
the least amount of hard bottom of any area studied in the vicinity of Tampa Bay.
IRREVERSIBLE OR
IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES
Resources committed upon implementation of the proposed action include:
0 Loss of the dredged material for use as landfill or beach nourishment
material.
i>
0 Loss of energy in the form of fuel required to transport barges to and
from the disposal site. Transport to more distant sites requires more
fuel than to nearshore sites.
0 Loss of economic resources due to the high costs of ocean disposal at
sites far from land. Ocean disposal costs, however, may be lower than
alternative land-based disposal costs, resulting in a net economic gain.
v
t
0 Loss of constituents, such as trace metals in the dredged material,
because existing technology is not adequate for efficient recovery.
0 Loss of biota smothered by dredged material during disposal operations.
0 Loss of habitat.
4-24
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Chapter 5
COORDINATION
Preparers of the Final EIS
This Final EIS was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency's Ocean
Dumping EIS Task Force. The document was based on the Draft EIS issued in
November 1982 by the EIS Task Force. Revisions using data supplied by EPA's
October 1981, May 1982, and February, March, and April 1983, surveys were
prepared by Jonathan E. Amson and Joseph N. Hall. Mr. Amson received his B.S.
in Biochemistry from St. Lawrence University, and his M.S. from New York
University's Osborn Laboratories of Marine Science, specializing in marine
physiology of chondrichthyean and telepst vertebrates. Mr. Hall received his
B.S. in Biology from Southwestern Missouri State University, and his M.S. from
Southeastern Massachusetts University, specializing in marine microbiology and
water quality.
Reviews of the Draft EIS-were also provided by:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Water Resources Support Center
Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
Ecological Review Section
345 Court!and Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30365
EPA Headquarters
Office of Research and Development
Office of General Counsel
Office of Federal Activities
5-1
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Chapter 6
GLOSSARY, ABBREVIATIONS, AND REFERENCES
GLOSSARY
ABDNDAHCE
ADSORB
ALKALXZtXT?
AMBIENT
AMPHIPODA
ANTHROPOGENIC
'APPROPRIATE
SENSITIVE
BENTEIC
MARINE ORGANISMS
APPROPRIATE
SENSITIVE MARINE
ORGANISMS
ASSEMBLAGE
The number of individuals of a species inhabiting a given
area. Normally, a community of several component species
will inhabit an area. Measuring the abundance of each
species is one way of estimating the comparative importance
of each component species.
To adhere in an extremely thin layer of molecules to the
surface of a solid or liquid.
The number of milliequivalents of hydrogen ions neutralized
by one liter of seawater at 20°C. Alkalinity of water is
often taken as an indicator of its carbonate, bicarbonate,
and hydroxide content.
Pertaining to the undisturbed or unaffected conditions cf
an environment.
An order of crustaceans (primarily marine) with laterally
compressed bodies, which generally appear similar to
shrimp. The order consists primarily of three groups:
hyperiideans, which inhabit open ocean areas; ganmarideans,
which are primarily bottom dwellers; and caprellideans,
common fouling organisms*
Relating to the effects or. impacts of man oo~ nature.
Construction wastes, garbage, and sewage sludge are
examples of anthropogenic materials.
Pertaining to bioassay samples required for ocean dumping
permits,' "at least one species each representing filter-
feeding, deposit-feed ing, and burrowing species chosen from
among the most sensitive species accepted by EPA as being
reliable test organisms to determine the anticipated .impact
on the site" (40 CFR 5227.27).
' *
Pertaining to bioassay samples required for ocean
dumping permits, "at least one species each representative
of phytoplankton or zooplankton, crustacean or mollusk,
and • fish species chosen from among the most sensitive
species documented in the scientific literature or accepted
by EPA as being reliable test organisms to determine the
anticipated impact of the wastes on the ecosystem at the
disposal site" (40 CFR 5227.27).
\
A group of organisms sharing a common habitat.
6-1
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BACKGROUND
LEVEL
BASELINE
CONDITIONS
BASELIHE SURVEYS
BASELIHE
DATA.
BENTHOS
BIOACCTHDIATIOS
BIOASSAY
BXOMASS
BI06EHIC
BIOTA
BIOTIC GROUPS
BLOOM
BOD
The naturally occurring concentration of a substance
within an environment which has not been affected by
unnatural additions of that substance.
The characteristics of an environment before the onset of
an action which can alter that environment; any data
serving as a basis for measurement of other data.
Surveys and data collected prior to the initiation of AKD
actions which may alter an existing environment.
All marine organisms (plant or animal) living on or in the
bottom of the sea.
The uptake and assimilation of materials (e.g., heavy.
metals) leading to elevated concentrations of the
substances within organic tissue, blood, or body fluid.
i
A method for determining the toxicity of a substance by the
effect of varying concentrations on'growth or survival of
suitable plants, animals or micro-organisms; the concen-
tration which is lethal to SOZ of the test organisms or
causes a defined effect in 50* of the test organisms, often
expressed in terms of lethal concentration (LC.Q) or
effective concentration (EC,.), respectively.
The quantity (wet weight) of living organisms inhabiting a
given area or volume at any tiae; often used as a means of
measuring the productivity of an ecosystem.
Produced by living organisms.
Animals and plants inhabiting a given region.
Assemblages of organisms which are
structurally, or taxonomically similar.
ecologically,
BOREAL
A relatively high concentration of phytoplankton in a body
of water resulting from rapid proliferation -during a time
of favorable growing conditions generated by nutrient and
sunlight availability.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand or Biological Oxygen Demand; the
amount of dissolved oxygen required by aerobic micro-
organisms to degrade organic matter in a sample of water
usually held in the dark at 20°C for 5 days; used to assess
the potential rate of, substrate degradation and oxygen
utilization in aquatic ecosystems.
Pertaining to the northern geographic regions.
6-2
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CEPHALOPODS
CETACEANS
CHAETOCHATHA
X N I T Y
CHLOROPHYLL
CHLOROPHYLLS
COELENTEHATA
COLXF08MS
COHTIHEKTAL R*SE
Exclusively marine animals constituting the most highly
evolved class of the phylum Molluscs (e.g., squid, octopus,
and Hautilus).
Large marine mammals represented as whales and porpoises.
A phylum of small planktonic, transparent, wormlike
invertebrates known as arrow-worms; they are often used as
water-mass tracers.
The quantity of chlorine equivalent to the quantity of
halogens contained in 1 kg of sea water; may be used to
determine seavater salinity and density.
A specific chlorophyll pigment characteristic of higher
plants and algae; frequently used as a measure of
phytoplaakton biomass.
A group of oil-soluble, green plant pigments which function
as photoreceptors of light energy for photosynthesis and
primary productivity.
A large diverse phylum of primarily marine animals, members
possessing two cell layers and an incomplete digestive
system, the opening of which is usually surrounded by
tentacles. This group includes hydroids, jellyfish, corals
and anemones.
Bacteria residing in the colons of mammals; generally used
as indicators of fecal pollution.
A gentle slope with a generally smooth surface between the
Continental Slope and the deep ocean floor.
CONTINENTAL SEEL? That part of the Continental Margin adjacent to a continent
extending from the low water line to a depth, generally
200m, where the Continental Shelf and the Continental 'Slope
join.
CONTINENTAL SLOPE That part of the Continental Margin consisting, of the
declivity from the edge of the Continental Shelf down to
the Continental Rise.
CONTOUR LINE
CONTROLLING
DEPTH
COPEPODS
A line on a chart connecting points of equal elevation
above or below a reference plane, usually mean sea level.
The least depth in the approach or channel to an area, such
as a port, governing the maximal draft of vessels which can
enter. •
A large diverse group of small. planktonic crustaceans
representing an important link in oceanic food chains.
6-3
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CRDSTACEA
CURRENT DROGUE
CURRENT METES
DECAPOD*
DEMERSAL
DBHSITY
DETRITI70RES
DIATCMS
DIPFUSIOH
DIFOFLAGELLATES
DISCHARGE
DISPERSION
DISSOLVES OXIGEN
A class of arthropods consisting of animals with jointed
appendages and segmented exoskeletons composed of chitin.
This class includes barnacles, crabs, shrimps and lobsters.
A surficial current measuring assembly consisting of a
weighted current cross, underwater sail or parachute and an
attached surface buoy; it moves with the current so that
average current velocity and direction can be obtained.
An instrument for measuring the speed of a current, and
often the direction of flow.
The largest order of crustaceans; members have five sets of
locomotor appendages, each joined to a segment of the
thorax; includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
Living at or near the bottom of the sea.
The- mass per unit volume of a substance, usually expressed
in grams per cubic centimeter (Ig water in reference to a
volume of 1 cc 6 4°C).
* •
Animals which feed on detritus; also called deposit-
feeders .
Product of decomposition or disintegration; dead organisms
and fecal material.
Microscopic phytoplankton characterized by a cell vail of
overlapping silica plates.' Sediment and water column
populations vary widely in response to changes in
environmental conditions.
Transfer of material (e.g., salt) or a property (e.g.,
temperature) under the influence of a concentration
gradient; the net movement is from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration.
A large diverse group of flagellated phytoplankton with or
without a rigid outer shell, some of which feed on
particulate matter. Some members of .this group are
responsible for toxic red-tides.
The region of water affected by a discharge of waste which
can be distinguished from the surrounding water.
The dissemination of discharged matter over large areas by
natural processes (e.g., currents).
The quantity of oxygen (expressed in mg/liter, ml/liter or
parts per million) dissolved in a unit volume of water.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a key parameter in the assessment
of water quality.
6-4
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DIVERSITY
(species)
IXMTHAKT SPECIES
EBB CORRENT,
EBB TIDE
ECH1HODBFMS
ECONOMIC
RESOURCE ZONE
ECOSYSTEM
EDDY
ENDEMIC
ENTRAIN
EPIFADNA
EPIPE1AGIC
ESTuARY
FAUNA
A statistical measurement which generally combines the
measure of the total number of species in a given
environnent and the number of individuals of each species.
Species diversity is high when it is difficult to predict
the species or the importance of a randomly chosen
individual organism, and low when an accurate prediction
can be made.
A species or group of species which, because of their
abundance, size, or control of the energy flow, strongly
affect a community.
Tidal current moving away'from land or down a tidal stream.
Exclusively marine animals which are distinguished by
radial symnetry, internal skeletons of calcareous plates,
and water-vascular systems which serve the needs of
locomotion, respiration, nutrition, or perception; includes
starfishes, .sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars.
The oceanic area within 200 nmi from shore in which the
adjacent coastal state possesses exclusive rights to the
living and non-living marine resources.
The organisms in a community together with their physical
and chemical environments.
A circular mass of water within a larger water mass which
is usually formed where currents pass obstructions, either
between two adjacent currents flowing counter to each
other, or along the edge of a permanent 'current. An eddy
has a certain integrity and life history, circulating and
drawing energy from a flow of larger scale.
Restricted or peculiar to a locality or region.
' *
To draw in and transport by the flow of a fluid.
Animals which live on or near the bottom of the sea.
Of, or pertaining, to', that portion of the oceanic zone into
which enough light penetrates to allow photosynthesis;
generally extends from the surface to about 200m.
A semienclosed coastal body of water which has a free
connection to the sea, commonly the lower end of a river,
and within which the mixing of saline and fresh water
occurs. '
v^
The animal life of any location, region, or period..
6-5
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FESFISH
•FLOCCBLATION
FLOOD TIDE,
FLOOD CU2REHT
FLOBA
GASTROPODS
GYRE
VOB£S
HOPPER DEJQXZ
HYD40GKAPHY
ICHXEYOPLAHKTOH
INDICATOR SPECIE'S
*
INDIGENOUS
IKFAUNA
INITIAL MIXING
IB SITU
ISTEKIX DISPOSAL.
SITZS
Ifi *KK1Rff FAT^ft
Term used to distinguish "normal" fish (e.g., with fins and
capable of swimming) from shellfish, usually in reference
to the commercially important species.
The process of aggregating a number of small, suspended
particles into larger masses.
Tidal current moving toward land, or up a tidal stream.
The plant life of any location, region, or period.
Molluscs which possess a distinct head (generally with eyes
and tentacles), a broad, flat foot, and usually a spiral
shell (e.g., snails).
A closed circulation system, usually larger than an eddy.
Animals which feed chiefly on plants.
t
*
A self-propelled vessel with capabilities to dredge, store,
transport, and dispose of dredged materials.
That science vhich deals with the measurement of the
physical features of waters and their marginal land areas,
with special reference to the factors which affect safe
navigation, and the publication of such information in a
form suitable for use by navigators.
That portion of the planktonic mass composed of fish eggs
and weakly motile fish larvae.
An organism so strictly associated with particular
environmental conditions that its presence is indicative of
the existence of such conditions.
Having originated in, being produced, growing, or living
naturally in a particular region or environment; native.
Aquatic-animals which live in the bottom sediment. •
Dispersion or diffusion of liquid, suspended particulate,
and solid phases of a waste material- which occurs within 4
hours after duaping*
(Latin] In the original or natural setting (in the
environment).
Ocean disposal sites tentatively approved for use by the
EPA.
Animals lacking a backbone or internal skeleton.
6-6
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ISOBATH
ISOTHERMAL
KASST
LARVA
LITTORAL .
LONGSHORE CURRENT
LOBAH-C
A line on a chart connecting points of equal depth belov
mean sea level.
Approximate .equality of temperature throughout a
geographical area.
A type of topography formed over limestone, 'dolomite, or
gypsum, caused by dissolution, and characterized by closed
depressions or sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage.
•A young and iamature form of an organism which must usually
undergo one or more form and size changes before assuming
characteristic features of the adult.
Of or. pertaining to the seashore, especially the regions
between tide lines.
A current which flows in a direction parallel to a coast-
line.
Long Range Aid to Navigation, type C; low-frequency radio
navigation system having a range of approximately 1,500 mi
radius.
SHIP CHANNEL The designated shipping corridor leading into a harbor.
MAIHTEHAHCE
DREDGING
MESOPELAGIC
MICRONDTRIENTS
MIXED LAYER
MOLLUSCA
MONITORING
NEKTON
REMATOM
Periodic dredging of a waterway, necessary for continued
use of the waterway.
Pertaining to depths of 200m to 1,000m below the ocean
surface.
Microelements, trace elements, or substances required in
minute amounts; essential for normal growth and development
of an organism.
*
The upper layer of the ocean which is well mixed by wind
and wave activity.
A phylum of unsegmented animals most of which possess a
calcareous shell; includes snails, mussels, clams, and
oysters. . . •
As used herein, observation of. environmental effects of
disposal' operations through biological and chemical data
collection and analyses.
Free swinning aquatic animals which move independently of
water currents.
A phylum of free-living and parasitic unsegmented worms;
found in a wide variety of habitats.
6-7
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HE&ITIC
NEUSTON
HBISABCE SPECIES
OMBTVOROuS
O&GANOBALOGEH
PESTICIDES
OXIDE
PARAMETER
PATBDGEH
PCB(a)
PELAGIC
PERTURBATION
pH-
PHOTIC ZONE
PHYTOPLANKTON
Pertaining to the region of shallow water adjoining the
seacoast, and .extending from the low-tide mark to a depth
of about 200m.
Organisms which are associated with the upper 5 to 20 cm of
water; mainly composed of copepods and ichthyoplankton.
Organisms of no commercial value, which, because of
predation or competition, may be harmful to commercially
important organisms.
Pertaining to animals which feed on animal and plant
matter.
Pesticides whose chemical constitution includes the
elements carbon and hydrogen, plus a common element of the
halogen family: bromine, chlorine, fluorine, or iodine.
One of 'the salts of orthophosphoric acid; an essential
nutrient for plant growth.
A binary chemical compound in which oxygen is combined with
another element, metal, nonnetal, gas, or radical.
Values or physical properties which describe the
characteristics or behavior of a set of variables.
An entity producing or capable of producing disease.
Polychlorinated biphenyl(s); any of several chlorinated
compounds having various industrial applications. PCB's.
are highly toxic pollutants which tend to accumulate in the
environment.
Pertaining to water of the open ocean beyond the
. Continental Shelf and above the abyssal zone.
A disturbance of a natural or regular system; any
•departures from an assumed steady state of a system.
The acidity or alkalinity "of a solution, determined by the
negative logarithm to the base 10 of 'the hydrogen ion
concentration (in gran-atoms per liter), ranging from 0 to
14 (lower than 7 is acid, higher than 7 is alkaline).
The layer of a body of water that receives sufficient
sunlight for photosynthesis.
Minute passively floating plant life in a body of water;
the base of the food chain in the sea.
6-8
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PLAHKXOB
PLDME
P0L1CHAETA
PRECIPITATE
PRIMARY
PRODUCTIVITY
PROTCZOAHS
QUALITATIVE
QUAKTI1ATIVE
RECRUITMENT
RELEASE ZORE*
RDHOFF
SALIHITY
SHELF WAXES.
SHELLFISH
The passively floating or weakly swinging, usually minute
animal and plant life in a body of water.
A patch of turbid water, caused by the suspension of fine
particles following -a disposal operation..
The largest class of the phylum Annelida (segmented worms);
benthic marine worms distinguished by paired, lateral,
fleshy appendages provided with bristles (setae) on most
segments. ...
"A solid which separates from a solution or suspension bj
chemical or physical change.
The amount of organic matter synthesized by produces
organisms (primarily plants) from inorganic substances pez
unit tine and volume of water.- Plant respiration may oz
may not be subtracted (net or gross productivity,
respectively).
Mostly microscopic, single-celled animals which constitute
one of the largest populations in the ocean. Protozoans
play a major role in the recycling of nutrients.
Pertaining to the non-numerical assessment of a parameter.
Pertaining to the numerical measurement of a parameter.
Addition to a population of organisms by reproduction oz
immigration of new individuals.
An area defined by the locus of points 100m from a vessel
engaged in dumping activities; will never exceed the total
surface area of the duapsite.
That portion of precipitation upon land which ultimately
reaches streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.
The amount of salts dissolved in water; expressed 'in parts
per thousand (°/oo, or ppt).
i
Water which originates in, or can be traced to the
Continental Shelf, .differentiated by characteristic
temperature and salinity.
Any invertebrate, usually of connercial importance, having
a rigid outer covering, such as a shell or exoskeleton;
includes some molluscs and arthropods; term is the
counterpart of finfish.
A shipboard observer, assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard tc
ensure that a waste-laden vessel is dumping in accordance
with permit specifications. '
6-9
-------
SljOPE WATER
SPECIES
STANDARD
ELUTRIATE
ANALYSIS
STANDING STOCK
SUBSTRATE
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
TBERMOCLZHE
TRACE METAL OR
ELEMENT •
TRAHSMITTAHCE
TREHD ASSESSMENT
SURVEYS
TROPHIC LEVELS
TURBIDITY
VECTOR
Water which orginates from, occurs at, or can be traced to
the Continental Slope, differentiated by characteristic
temperature and salinity.
A group of morphologically similar organisms capable of
interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
A test used to determine the types and amounts of
constituents which can be extracted from a known volume of
sediment by mixing with a known, volume of water.
The biomass or abundance of living material per unit volume
of water, or area of sear-bottom.
The solid material upon which an organism lives, or to
which it is attached (e.g., rocks, sand).
Systematic "observation of an area by visual, electronic,
photographic, or other means for. the purpose of ensuring
compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits, and
safety.
Finely divided particles of a solid temporarily suspended
in a liquid (e.g., soil particles in water).
A vertical temperature gradient in some layer of a body of
water, which is appreciably greater than the gradients
above or below it; a layer in which such a gradient occurs.
An element found in the environaent in extremely small
quantities; usually includes metals constituting O.iZ
(1,000 ppm) or less, by weight, in the earth's crust.
In defining water clarity, an instrument which can transmit
a known quantity of light through a standard distance of
water to a collector. The percentage of the beam's energy
which reaches the collector is expressed as transmittance.
Surveys conducted over long periods to detect shifts in
envirotnental conditions within a region.
Discrete steps along a food chain in which energy is
transferred from the primary producers (plants) to
herbivores and finally to carnivores and decomposers. -
Cloudy or hazy appearance in a naturally clear liquid
caused by a suspension of colloidal liquid droplets, fine
solids, or small organisms.
A straight or curved line representing both direction and
magnitude.
6-10
-------
VAXES. MASS A body of water, identified by its temperature-salinity
values, or chemical composition, consisting of a mixture of
two or more water types.
ZOOPLAHKTON Weakly swimming aniaals whose distribution in the ocean is
ultimately determined by current movements.
6-11
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ABBREVIATIONS
BLM Bureau of Land Management
C Carbon
*C Degrees Centigrade
CE . U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
CFR ' Code of Federal Regulations .
DA District Administrator (CE)
DMRP Dredged Material Research Program
DO ' Dissolved Oxygen
DOC U.S. Department of Comerce
DOC dissolved organic carbon
DOI U.S. Department of the Interior
EIS environmental impact statement
EPA 17. S. Environmental Protection Agency .
FDHR Florida Departaent of Natural Resources
FtfPCA Federal Water Pollution Control Act
FWPCAA Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments
g gram(a)
hr • hour(a)
IEC * Interstate Electronics Corporation
QfCO Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization
k kilogram(s) .
kHz kilohertz
km kilameter(s)
lot knot(s)
MAFIA • Mississippi, Alabama, Florida
m meterCs)
m square meter
mg milligram(s)
mm millimeter(s)
MP&SA . Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
M north
ng nanogram
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
6-12
-------
nautical mile( s )
Rational Marine Fisheries Service
NQAA National Oceanic' and Atmospheric Administration
800 Naval Oceanographic Office
NTU Nephelometric turbidity units
HUSC Naval Underwater Systems Center
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
OIMBS Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site
PL Public Lav
POC particulate organic carbon
ppb parts per billion
ppa parts per million
ppt parts per thousand (°/oo)
/oo parts per thousand (ppt)
Z percent. .
RA Begional Administrator (EPA)
s second(s)
SPM suspended particulate matter
T transmissivity
TOG total organic carbon
TSS total suspended solids
•
p . micron
ng microgram(s)
pg-at microgram atom(s)
umole micronole
USCC U.S. Coast Guard
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
V west
wt weight
yd yard(s)
yd cubic yard(s)
yr year(s)
6-13
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At wood, D.K., P. Duncan, M.C. Stalcup, and M.J* Barcelona. 1976. Ocean
thermal energy conversion: resource assessment and environmental impact
for proposed Puerto Rico Site. University of P.R., Mayaguez.
Bastian, D.F. 1975* Effects of open-water disposal of dredged material on
•bottom topography along Texas Golf coast. HTXS AD-A002 659.
Betzer, P.R., M.A.B. Peacock, R.P. Jolly* ' 1979. Trace metals in suspended
matter and zooplankton of the north east Golf of Mexico. p 991-1068.
In: The Mississippi, Alabama* Florida, Outer continental Shelf Baseline
Environmental Survey, MAFIA, 1977-1978. Vol. II-B: Compendium of Work
element reports*
BLM. See U.S. Bureau of Land Management* , !
Boknnievicz, H.J., J. Gebert, R.B. Gordon, J.L* Biggins, P* Kaminsky, C.C.
Pilbeam, M. Head, and C. Tuttle. 1978. Field study of* the mechanics of
the placement of dredged material at open-water disposal sites. Tech.
Rep. D-78-7. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg,
. MS.
Brannon, J.M. 1978. Evaluation of dredged material pollution potential.
Tech. .Rep. DS-78-6. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,.
Vicksburg, US. 39 pp.
Burks, S.L. and R.H. Engler. 1978. Water quality impacts of aquatic dredged
material.disposal (Laboratory Investigations). Tech. Rep. DS-78-4. U.S.
Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, US.
Cairns, S*D. 1977. Memoirs of the Hourglass Cruises: . Stony Corals. I
Caryohylliina and Dendrophylliina (Anthoroa Scleractina). Fla. Dept.
Sat* Res., Uar* Res. Lab. 3(4):l-27.
Chave, K.E. and J.N. Miller. 1977. Baseline studies and evaluation of the
physical, cheaical, and biological characteristics of nearshore dredge
spoil disposal, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Part 3: Immediate effects of
dumping: monitoring studies. Final report. Prepared for Pacific.
Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Honolulu. HI. Environ-:
mental Center, Univ. of Hawaii*
Chew, P., J.J. Bein, and J.H.G. Stimson. 1959. A data report of Florida Gulf*
coast cruises. Tech. Rep. to OKR by Univ. of Miami, Uar. Lab.:
p. 59-109. . ,
6-14
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Chittenden, M.E. and J.D. McEachran. 1976. Composition, ecology, and
dynamics of demersal fish communities on the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Continental Shelf* with a similar synopsis for the entire Gulf. Texas
A&H Univ., Sea Grant Coll. TAMU SG-76-208.
Cobb, S.P., C.R.. Futch, and O.K. Comp. 1973. Memoirs of the Hourglass
Cruises. The rock shrimp, Sicyonia breulrostris Stiapson 1971 (Decapoda,
Pennaeidae). Fla. Dept. Hat. Res.. Mar. Res. Lab. 3(l):l-37.
Collard, S.B. and C.H. D'Asaro. 1973. Benthic Invertebrates of the Eastern
Golf of Mexico. In: A suanary of knowledge of the Eastern Gulf of
Mexico. State Univ. System of Florida lust. Oceanogr. (SUSIO).
Collins, L.A. and J.B. Finucane. 1974* Hydrographic observations in Tampa
Bay -and adjacent waters, May 1971 through Apr 1973. U.S. Dept. Comm.
Data Rep. 87i 146 pp*
Daves, C.T. and J.F. von Breedveld. 1969. Memoirs of the Hourglass Cruises:
Benthic marine algae. Mar. Res. Lab., Fla. Dept. Hat. Res. Vol. I, Part
XX. 45 pp.
Daves, C.L., S.A. Earle, and'F.C. Croley. 1967. The offshore benthic flora
of the southwest coast of Florida. Bull. Mar. Sci. 17(1):212.
DOC. See U.S. Department of Commerce.
Doyle, L.J., W. Huang, T. Ma you, G. Eayward, D. Hamm, and 7. Hall. 1974.
Standard sediment parameters. In: Final report on the baseline
environmental survey of the MAFLA lease areas, CT 1974. State Univ.
System of Fla. last. Oceanogr. (SUSIO).
Doyle, L.J. and T.N. Sparks. 1980. Sediments of the Mississippi, Alabama,
and Florida (MAFLA) Continental Shelf. J. Sed. Petr. 50(3):905-916.
Dragovich, A., J.A. Kelly, and J.H. Finucane. 1966. Hydrographic observa-
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adjacent waters in Gulf of Mexico, Feb 1964-Feb 1965. U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Data Rep. 13. pp 8-66.
Eldred, B., R.M. Ingle, K.D. Voodburn, R..F. Button, and H. Jones. 1963.
Biological obsrevations on the commercial shrimp, Penaeus duorarua,
Burkenroad, in Florida waters. Fla. Sta. Bd. Conserv., Mar. Lab. Ser.
Ho. 60. 139 pp.
El-Sayed, S., V. Sackett, L. Jeffrey, A. Fredricks, fc. Saunders, P. Conger, G..
Fry*ell, K. Steidinger, and S. Earle. 1972. Serial Atlas of the Marine
Environment Folio 22. Chemistry, Primary Productivity, and Benthic Algae
of the Gulf of Mexico, Amer. Geogr. Soc. 29 pp.
EPA. See U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EHA. See Espey, Huston and Associates.
6-15
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Emery, K.O. and E. Ccbupi. 1972. Western North Atlantic ocean topography,
rocks, structure, water, life and sediments. Amer. Petr. Geol. Mem. 17.
Tulsa, OK. '532 pp.
Espey, Huston and Assoc., Inc. 1979. Environmental assessment report,
proposed multipurpose deepwater port and crude oil distribution systems,
Galveston, TX. Board of Trustees, Galveston Wharves, Horthville
Industries Corp. 417 pp.
Estes, E.L. and X.J. Scrodato. 1977. Aquatic disposal field investigations,
Galveston, Texas, offshore disposal site. Appendix A: investigation of
the hydraulic regime and physical nature of sedimentation. Texas A&M
University, Oept. Mar. Sci. 134 pp.
Fernandez-Partogos, J. 1975. Meteorological disturbances. In: Compilation
and summation of historical and existing physical oceanographic data from
the eastern Gulf of Mexico, in.support of the creation of a MAFIA sampling
program. BIM 08550-CT4-16. State Univ. 'Syst. of Fla. Inst. Oceanogr.
(SUSIO). * •. j
Finucane, J.H. and A. Dragovich. 1966. Bydrographic observations of Tampa
Bay, Florida and adjacent Gulf of Mecico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Data
Rep. 14.
Fisher, N.S., L.B. Graham, E.J. Carpenter, and C*F. Vurster. 1973.
Geographic differences in phytoplankton sensitivity to PCB's. Nature. .
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