SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Cincinnati OH 45268
EPA-6 00/7-78-133
July 1978
Research and Development
Cleanup Efficiency
and Biological Effects
of a Fuel Oil Spill
in Cold Weather :
The 1977 Bouchard
No. 65 Oil Spill
in Buzzards Bay, MA
nteragency
Energy/Environment
R&D Program
Report
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7 Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the INTERAGENCY ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT series. Reports in this series result from the
effort funded under the 17-agency Federal Energy/Environment Research and
Development Program. These studies relate to EPA's mission to protect the public
health and welfare from adverse effects of pollutants associated with energy sys-
tems. The goal of the Program is to assure the rapid development of domestic
energy supplies in an environmentally-compatible manner by providing the nec-
essary environmental data and control technology. Investigations include analy-
ses of the transport of energy-related pollutants and their health and ecological
effects; assessments of, and development of, control technologies for energy
systems; and integrated assessments of a wide range of energy-related environ-
mental issues.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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EPA-600/7-78-133
July 1978
CLEANUP EFFICIENCY AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
OF A FUEL OIL SPILL IN COLD WEATHER
The 1977 Bouchard No. 65
Oil Spill in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
by
Eric Schrier
URS Company
San Mateo, California 94402
EPA Contract No. 68-03-2160
Project Officer
Leo T. McCarthy, Jr.
Oil and Hazardous Materials Spills Branch
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Edison, New Jersey 08817
INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory-Cincinnati, U. S. Environmental Protection agency, and approved
for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily
reflect the views and policies of the 0. S. Environmental Protection Agency,
nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement
or recommendation for use.
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FOREWORD
When energy and material resources are extracted, processed, con-
verted, and used, the related pollutional impacts on our environment and
even on our health often require that new and increasingly efficient
pollution control methods be used. The Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory - Cincinnati (lERL-Ci) assists in developing and demonstrating
new and improved methodologies that will meet these needs both efficiently
and economically.
This study consists of a review and evaluation of cleanup operations
following a No. 2 fuel oil spill in the ice-infested waters of Buzzards
Bay, Massachusetts, and an assessment of the biological damage caused by
this spill. The information gained as a result of this experience will
be valuable to oil spill onscene coordinators when planning and responding
to future spills under similar environmental conditions. Personnel
responsible for future damage assessment surveys should also find the
report useful. For further information, please contact the- Oil and
Hazardous Materials Branch of the Resources Extraction and Handling
Division.
David G. Stephan
Director
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati
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ABSTRACT
This study was initiated following the 1977 Bouchard No. 65 fuel
oil spill in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. Its major objectives were to
evaluate the techniques used to clean up and/or mitigate damage from
this spill and make recommendations of feasible alternative methods that
may be used in future spills in similar environmental conditions; to
inventory and evaluate the benthic and sediment sampling effort; and to
assess the environmental damage caused by the spill.
Because of the unusual ice and weather conditions at Buzzards Bay
during and after the spill, much of the cleanup effort relied on methods
and equipment rarely used before. Modifications of existing techniques
are necessary if future spills in similar conditions are to be treated
more successfully. Unlike previous No. 2 spills in the bay, acute
biological effects were not observed. Long-term acute and sublethal
effects may have occurred but could not be detected with presently
available data. Severe biological damage was probably prevented by the
entrapment of oil in both shore-fast and free-flowing ice.
This report was submitted in fulfillment of EPA Contract No. 68-03-2160
and describes work completed from June 1977 to March 1978.
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CONTENTS
Foreword 11''
Abstract 1v
Figures vi
Tables 1x
Acknowledgments xl
1. Introduction 1
2. Conclusions 2
3. Recommendations 3
4. Background • 5
History of Oil Spills in Buzzards Bay 5
The Bouchard No. 65 Spill, January 1977 9
5. Environmental Setting 12
Physiography 12
Climate 13
Tides and Tidal Currents 15
Biological Resources 17
Socioeconomic Resources 24
6. Cleanup 27
Problems Posed by the Spill 27
Description and Effectiveness of the Cleanup Techniques ... 35
Recommendations for Alternative Methods 63
Personnel Safety 64
7. Sampling and Field Work 66
Description 66
Evaluation 75
Recommendations 77
8. Damage Assessment 80
Biological Resources 80
Socioeconomic Resources 110
9. Further Studies and Monitoring 115
Adequacy of Data Collected 115
Recommendations 115
References 117
Bibliography 119
Appendices
A. Taxonomic Data for EPA Benthic Sampling 130
B. Hydrocarbon Extraction and Analysis 170
C. Criteria for Classification of Sediments and Shellfish 172
D. ERCO Sediment Data and Interpretation 173
E. EPA Sediment Data and Interpretation 178
F. ERCO Organism Data and Interpretation 180
G. Density and Diversity 182
H. Annual Average Shellfish Take and Percentage of Annual
Take Affected by Bed Closures, Buzzards Bay Study Area. ... 186
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FIGURES
Number Page
1 Buzzards Bay and vicinity 6
2 Barge movement 11
3 Commercial and recreational shellfish beds 18
4 Socioeconomic study area 25
5 Sites of major cleanup activities 28
6 Fast ice 31
7 Pressure ridge 31
8 Ice leads 32
9 Ice crack 32
10 Hummock 33
11 Ice floe 33
12 Rafted Ice 34
13 Wings Neck Point after the snowfall on February 5-6 .... 34
14 Vacuum truck working at Wings Neck Point 36
15 Skid-mounted vacuum unit being loaded on truck by a
front-end loader 36
16 Deployment of vacuum hoses off Wings Neck Point 37
17 Vacuum hose being used to remove oil from a tidal crack . . 37
18 Oil trapped in a lead and rafted ice 39
19 Ice edge 39
20 Layout of the Lockheed clean-sweep oil recovery system. . . 43
21 Layout of the Marco oil recovery system 44
22 Marco Class V collecting oil off Wings Neck Point .... 45
23 Oil contaminated ice removal off Wings Neck 45
vi
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FIGURES (cont.)
Number
24 Construction of oil/water separation site 48
25 Layout of the endless rope skimmer 49
26 Drilling holes through the ice off Wings Neck 50
27 Oil concentration system 55
28 Ice and containment boom deployment to recover oil 59
29 Possible deployment of rope skimmer in ice-infested waters. 61
30 Ice slot for oil collection 62
31 Location of EPA sampling stations 68
32 Location of EPA sampling stations 69
33 Classification of April sediment samples based on
their oil content 83
34 Classification of May sediment samples based on
their oil content 84
35 Classification of June sediment samples based on
their oil content 85
36 Comparison of oil content in the July shellfish
samples with oil content in the June sediment samples . . 87
37 Location of diving surveys 89
38 Similarity relationships of benthic communities:
February, 1977 99
39 Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil contamination
of sample stations: February, 1977 100
40 Similarity relationships of benthic communities:
March, 1977 101
41 Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil contamination
of sample stations: March, 1977 102
42 Similarity relationships of benthic communities:
April, 1977 103
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FIGURES (cont.)
Number Page
43 Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil contamination
of sample stations: April, 1977 104
44 Similarity relationships of benthic communities:
May, 1977 105
45 Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil contamination
of sample stations: May. 1977 106
46 Similarity relationships of benthic communities:
June, 1977 107
47 Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil contamination
of sample stations: June, 1977 108
vlii
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TABLES
Number
1 Physical characteristics of channels in Buzzards Bay .... 7
2 Chronology of the movements of the Bouchard Barge No. 65 . . 10
3 Comparative meteorological data ............... 14
4 Temperature and wind speed from January 25 to
February 28, 1977 ..................... 16
5 Legal-size shellfish harvestable in the study area
in 1969, 1972, and 1974 .................. 20
6 Annual shellfish harvest - Bourne .............. 21
7 Annual shellfish harvest - Wareham ............. 22
8 Annual shellfish harvest - Falmouth ............. 23
9 Selected socioeconomic characteristics of the towns of
Wareham, Bourne, and Falmouth, 1970-1976 .......... 26
10 Chronology of cleanup activities .............. 29
11 Summary of cleanup operations at Buzzards Bay ........ 52
12 Benthic sampling program .................. 70
13 Characteristics of samplers used .............. ,71
14 Number of benthic samples at each station .......... 72
15 Sediment sampling schedule ................. 73
16 Total number of species ................... 92
17 Total number of individuals ................. 93
18 Percentage of total number of individuals composed
of opportunistic species ................. 96
19 Estimates of total value of shellfish take foregone
by bed closures, Buzzards Bay study area, February -
December 1977
20 Major costs attributed to the Buzzards Bay oil spill,
February - December 1977 ................. 114
ix
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TABLES (cont.)
Number
B-l
6-1
G-2
H-l
Percent recovery of the Fl internal standard
Density
Margalef diversity index
Annual average shellfish take and percentage of annual
Page
171
183
184
take affected by bed closures 186
H-2 Estimates of total shellfish cash crop foregone due to
bed closures, February - December 1977 187
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study would not have been possible without extensive coopera-
tion between the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), and State of Massachusetts personnel. Special
appreciation is extended to Leo T. McCarthy, the Project Officer, Indus-
trial Environmental Research Laboratories, Edison, New Jersey, and Carl
Eidam, the Project Manager, EPA Region I.
The work was conducted under the direction of William Van Horn,
Program Manager of the Oil and Hazardous Materials Spills Program of URS
Company, and Eric Schrier, the project manager. The cleanup evaluation
was conducted by Michael Miller and Leon Grain; the sampling survey
evaluation by Barbara Westree; and the biological damage assessment by
David Maiero and Phillip Dibner. Susan Samse prepared the graphics;
Michael Slack edited the manuscript; and Margaret Chatham and Donna
Murzi typed and produced the final report.
The assistance of Energy Resources Company (ERCO) and Marine Research
Inc. (MRI) is gratefully acknowledged. ERCO provided the chemical
analyses and interpretation; MRI provided taxonomic analysis of the
benthic samples and assisted in the statistical analysis of the data.
Finally, URS thanks the following individuals for their cooperation
and assistance:
William Andrade, EPA/Region I
Arthur Johnson, EPA/Region I
Dr. Paul Lefcourt, EPA/ERL Narragansett
Peter Nolan, EPA/Region I
Steve Novick, EPA/Region I
Lt. Commander R.E. Cowly, USCG
Captain Lynn Hein, USCG
Dr. J. Patrick Welsh, USCG
Arnold Carr, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
XI
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Dr. Cameron Gifford, Woods Hole Marine Biological
Laboratories
John Hobbie, Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratories
L. Maybelline Phil bin, Woods Hole Marine Biological
Laboratories
Barbara Morson, Science Applications, Inc.
Paul Boehm, ERCO
Warren Steele, ERCO
William Steinhauer, ERCO
Alexander Beichek, MRI
Paul Souza, MRI
Kristin Swanson, MRI
James O'Brien, Coastal Services, Inc.
James Hickman, Jet Line Service, Inc.
Paul Tully, Tulco, Inc.
Scott Cannon, Cannon Engineering
Burke Limeburner, Bourne, Massachusetts
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
On 28 January 1977, the Bouchard No. 65 ran aground at Cleveland
Ledge in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, eventually spilling an estimated
318,000 liters of No. 2 fuel oil. Cleanup efforts, directed by the
United States Coast Guard, were initiated the following day and con-
tinued until February 22 when ice breakup and dispersion of the oil to
thin sheens precluded further land- or water-based recovery. Because of
the unusual weather conditions during the winter of 1977, either shore-
fast or free-flowing ice contained most of the oil initially released by
the spill. The dynamic nature of the ice and the nature of the oil
dispersion within the ice presented cleanup personnel with recovery
problems rarely encountered outside of Alaska.
An interagency program of water column, sediment, benthic, and
shellfish sampling surveys was initiated immediately after the spill by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration (NOAA), Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Quality Engineering (DEQE), and the Massachusetts Division of Marine
Fisheries. NOAA's sampling efforts were designed to trace the movement
of oil in the water column, to determine the interaction of the spilled
oil with surface ice present in Buzzards Bay, and, on a limited scale,
to determine the long-term environmental impact of the spill. The EPA,
DEQE, and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries sampling) efforts
were designed to determine the extent of benthic sediment contamination
by the spilled oil, to investigate contamination of commercial shellfish
areas, and to assess the acute, short-term environmental impact of the
spill. NOAA contracted with a number of firms, including the Marine
Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Environmental Services Corporation,
Science Applications, Inc., and Arctec, Inc., to assist in the overall
sampling effort.
This study of the 1977 Buzzards Bay oil spill encompasses three
major goals: (1) evaluate the cleanup techniques used at Buzzards Bay
and recommend modifications and/or other techniques that could improve
the future efficacy of cleanup under similar environmental conditions;
(2) review the sampling effort and recommend how the usefulness and
execution of future surveys can be improved; and (3) assess the acute
short-term biological damage caused by the spill.
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SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS
When the difficulties imposed by the ice and snow conditions at
Buzzards Bay and the lack of previous experience with spills in ice-
infested waters are considered, the cleanup effort was commendable;
roughly 89,000 liters (28%) of oil were recovered. Of the cleanup
techniques used, shore-based vacuum skimming was most successful.
Contaminated ice removal was least successful. Burning of oil pools was
not used extensively but showed some promise. Modifications of some of
the techniques used at Buzzards Bay and deployment of selected vacuum
and burning equipment not used there could improve oil recovery in
future spills under similar conditions. State-of-the-art regarding oil
spill cleanup in cold climates is not well advanced.
The sediment and benthic sampling program was successful in pro-
viding indications of sediment contamination and acute biological
effects. The absence of a single assigned individual with authority to
coordinate and supervise the sampling and analytical programs of all
involved agencies precluded adequate pre-planning, field quality con-
trol, standardized field procedures and interagency data exchange
necessary to provide an assessment of the more subtle effects of the
spill.
Acute biological effects that have been associated with previous
No. 2 oil spills in Buzzards Bay were not observed during the 6 months
following the 1977 Bouchard spill. The results of joint EPA/Massachusetts
Marine Fisheries diving surveys and three separate analyses of available
benthic data support this finding. The long-term, more subtle effects
of the spill are presently being investigated by the Marine Biological
Laboratory at Woods Hole under contract to NOAA.
The absence of acute adverse effects observed following this spill
can probably be attributed to the presence of shore-fast and floating
ice in the bay. The ice kept oil away from intertidal areas and released
oil to the environment slowly and on a larger geographic scale than
would be expected at other times of the year. In addition, the low
metabolic rate of the marine biota during the winter months may have
reduced organism uptake of hydrocarbons from the environment and
mitigated the effects normally associated with a No. 2 spill.
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SECTION 3
RECOMMENDATIONS
Modifications of the vacuum skimming technique to prevent the
vacuum lines from freezing are recommended. In addition, expanded use
of burning and the endless rope skimming techniques are recommended for
future spills in similar environmental conditions. Only pooled oil
should be collected; oil incorporated in ice should be allowed to go to
sea. Removal of shorefast ice is not recommended. The Marco and the
Lockheed skimmer's should not be used under similar circumstances unless
modified or used in a stationary position. Improved oil pool marking
techniques and methods to enhance personnel safety are suggested as
well. Adopting the above recommendations could improve cleanup efficiency
at future spills; however, further research in modifying existing equip-
ment and development of new equipment for all types of cold climates
will be necessary if significant progress is to be made.
Future spill response sampling efforts can be improved by pre-
planning to define the criteria needed for identification of the
biological effects and specifying the proposed method of data analysis.
The field program should then be designed to provide data that will
qualitatively and quantitatively support the analysis. Field equipment
and procedures should be standardized, and procedures for quality control
in the sampling program should be established. In order to implement
this, a single individual should be assigned and adequate resources
commited to coordinate and supervise the sampling programs of all
involved agencies.
Ultraviolet fluorescense analyses can be valuable in delineating
areas of oil concentration in sediments. Thus, it is recommended that
in future spills when confirmation of the observed movement of oil is
important to the design of the sampling effort, ultraviolet fluorescent
analyses should be used for initial screening.
To eliminate the chance of discrepancies in interpretation of gas
chromatogram and mass spectrometry results, only one chemical laboratory,
either the EPA laboratory or one approved by the EPA, should be respon-
sible for sample analyses. In the present case, two laboratories -- EPA
and ERCO -- were involved.
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Because of the problem of differentiating Bouchard oil from other
petroleum sources, no further studies and/or monitoring to determine the
long-term environmental effect of the spill are recommended. A benthic
habitat characterization of Buzzards Bay is recommended to aid in planning
sampling efforts in response to future oil spills in Buzzards Bay.
4
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SECTION 4
BACKGROUND
An understanding of the circumstances and impact of previous spills
in Buzzards Bay is useful to a damage assessment of the 1977 Bouchard
No.;65 spill at Cleveland Ledge. This section describes the most sig-
nificant oil spills that have occurred in the bay since World War II,
including the 1977 Bouchard spill, and the biological damage that re-
sulted from each.
HISTORY OF OIL SPILLS IN BUZZARDS BAY
Buzzards Bay has been an important shipping lane for small tankers,
freighters, and barge traffic since the completion of the Cape Cod Canal
in 1914. New England coastal shipping regularly uses Buzzards Bay as a
shortcut to move cargoes to ports north and south of Cape Cod. Ship
traffic through Buzzards Bay and into Cape Cod Bay proceeds by passing
through Cleveland Ledge Channel, Hog Island Channel, and Cape Cod Canal
(Figure 1).
Rocky ledges and shoals on either side of Cleveland Ledge and Hog
Island channels and their narrow passageways (Table 1) have resulted in
numerous groundings. Compounding the physiographic hazards of Buzzards
Bay are the severe weather conditions that occur frequently during the
winter months and the strong tidal currents (more than 4 knots in the
Cape Cod Canal).
Buzzards Bay has had a long history of shipping accidents, many of
which have resulted in oil spills. The history, volume of oil spilled,
and environmental damage have not been well documented except for large
oil spills in recent years. The most notable of these spills was the
grounding of the Florida in 1969. Minor spills from fishing boats,
pleasure craft, and other ships have not been accurately recorded until
recent years.
Late 1940's
In the late 1940's, a barge loaded with No. 2 fuel oil grounded off
West Horse Neck Beach during the winter. West Horse Neck Beach is
located at the western entrance to Buzzards Bay. The volume of fuel oil
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kilometers
0123456
Canapltslt
Channel.
Marthas Vineyard
Figure 1. Buzzards Bay and vicinity.
6
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spilled was not recorded. The effect of this spill on the shellfish
beds of West Horse Neck Beach was significant. Dr. Cameron Gifford
(personal communication, 1977) reported that the surf clam (Spisula s£.)
received heavy mortality from the spill.
TABLE 1. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
CHANNELS IN BUZZARDS BAY
Depth at Mean
Width Length Low Water
Name (meters) (kilometers) (meters)
Cape Cod Canal 146 12.4 10
Hog Island Channel 153 7.4 10
Cleveland Ledge
Channel 214 6.1 10
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. United States - East Coast, Buzzards Bay,
Chart 13230, 28th Edition, January 1977.
Winter 1963
During the winter of 1963, a barge grounded near Cleveland Ledge,
spilling an unknown quantity of No. 2 fuel oil. A moderate westerly
wind and tides washed the oil ashore at Nyes Neck. Though the environ-
mental damage was not recorded, fishermen observed sea birds feeding on
dead fish. The fish mortality may or may not have been attributable to
the oil spill.
September 15, 1969
On September 15, 1969, the barge Florida left Tiverton, Rhode
Island, carrying approximately 2,519,000 liters of No. 2 fuel, oil headed
for the Northeast Petroleum Terminal at Sandwich, Massachusetts. The
barge was under tow by the Narragansett Marine Salvage Company tug, New
York Central No. 34.
During the evening, the radar failed while the tug and barge were
proceeding up Buzzards Bay towards the Cape Cod Canal. Later, in foggy
weather, the tow line and rudder broke. At approximately midnight, both
the tug and barge ran hard aground on submerged rocks 180 meters to the
left of Little Island, located near the mouth of West Falmouth Harbor.
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Approximately 698,000 liters of No. 2 fuel oil escaped through the
barge's ruptured hull. The southwest winds and tides pushed the oil
towards Nyes Neck, about 3.2 kilometers to the north of the grounding.
Incoming and outgoing tidal cycles resulted in the qontamination of
shorelines from West Falmouth to Nyes Neck.
Massive mortalities of fish, shellfish, and smaller invertebrates
were observed during the week following the spill (Blumer, 1971).
Within a month, the area hardest hit by the spill was described as a
"biological desert." In May 1970, 8 months after the spill, oil having
the same characteristic as fresh No. 2 oil from the Florida barge could
still be found in the sediments. By fall, 1970, the more common speqies
(primarily worms, snails, and clams) were repopulating the site, but in
low numbers (Blumer, 1971).
The fishing grounds between Chapoquoit Point and Nyes Neck, in-
cluding all of the Herring River, Wild Harbor, and West Falmouth Harbor,
were closed immediately after the Florida spill. Heavy wind and wave
action mixed the oil into the water column resulting in widespread
mortality of the lobsters, clams, and scallops in this area. These
grounds were reopened on October 25, 1969, after scallop meats were
tested by spectrophotometer and found to be free of oil; they were
closed again when scallop processors complained of an oily taste in
meats taken from the Falmouth region. The next harvestable scallop crop
(1970) after the spill was found to be stunted and contained as much oil
in its tissues as did the adult scallops of the previous year. On June
18, 1970, Megansett Harbor was closed to shellfishing for an indefinite
period bringing the total area of prohibited fishing ground to 5,000 acres
offshore and 500 acres of marsh. Officials estimated that damage to the
local shellfish resources one year after the accident amounted to $118,000
(Blumer, et al., 1971). In June 1972, some of the fishing beds that had
been closed for approximately 2 years were once again reopened for
fishing. Some areas such as Silver Beach Harbor are sill closed at the
time of this writing -- 8 years later. Long-term studies of the Florida
spill are now documenting the persistence of the oil in the marine
environment and its continued adverse effect on commercial and noncom-
mercial organisms (Stegeman and Sabo, 1976; Krebs and Burns, 1977)
October 9. 1974
On October 9, 1974, the barge Bouchard No. 65. loaded with No. 2
fuel oil, struck rocks near Anchorage "C".Anchorage "C" is located to
the west of Cleveland Ledge Channel midway up the channel. Three tanks
were ruptured, causing an estimated loss of 17,400 liters of No. 2 fuel
oil. A moderate northeast wind and tide transported and deposited the
floating oil between Scraggy Neck and Wings Neck, During that week, oil
was reported at Hospital Cove, Windsor Cove, and Redbrook Harbor.
8
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The biota of southern Bassetts Island and northern portions of
Scraggy Neck were the most seriously impacted by the spill. This area
is known for its recreational clamming activities. A survey conducted
on October 11, 1974, revealed mortality to polychaetes, small crus-
taceans, razor clams, and surf clams. Subsequent surveys indicated that
the mortality to razor clams may have exceeded 1,000 bushels (Grice,
1974). The quahog and scallop resources in the area did receive some
mortality but did not appear to affect standing crop seriously.
THE BOUCHARD NO. 65 SPILL, JANUARY 1977
Late in the afternoon on January 28, 1977 the barge Bouchard
No. 65, transporting 11,900 liters of No. 2 fuel oil, ran aground ap-
proximately 0.6 kilometers due west of Cleveland East Ledge after the
tug Frederick E. Bouchard left the barge to break through the dense ice
floes ahead. It was discovered that the Bouchard holed four of its five
port side tanks. Because it was feared that the barge would sink in
deep waters, it was moved 5.6 kilometers from Cleveland East Ledge Light
and grounded on sand and in shallow waters 0.3 kilometers south of Wings
Neck.
At 7:30 a.m. on January 29, the barge Bouchard No. 85, under tow by
the tug Crusader, was moored along side the stricken barge for fuel
transfer operations. Because both barges were under ice pressure during
the fuel transfer operations, the USCG cutters Tow!ine and Bittersweet
broke up the ice pack. After oil was removed from the Bouchard No. 65,
the two barges were moved to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy at
Taylor Point and much of the cargo offloaded.
At noon, January 30, the barges departed the Massachusetts Maritime
Academy for the White Fuel Terminal at Castle Island in South Boston.
They arrived there at approximately midnight, January 31. On February 2,
fuel transfer from the barges was completed. The transfer tank gauging
revealed that about 314,500 liters (81,000 gallons) of No. 2 fuel oil
was missing and believed spilled. . The spill was then reclassified from
a major to a medium oil spill since it was less than 387,500 liters
(100,000 gallons). The chronology of the barge movement is given in
Table 2 and shown in Figure 2.
The biological effects resulting from this spill are discussed in
Section 8.
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TABLE 2. CHRONOLOGY OF THE MOVEMENTS OF
THE BOUCHARD BARGE NO. 65
Date
Time
Event
January 28
January 29
, January 30
January 31
February 2
6:18 p.m. Coast Guard Station at Woods Hole re-
ceived call from the Bouchard No. 65
that it had run aground.
10:25 p.m. Tug Crusader with Bouchard No. 85 was
enroute to Buzzards Bay to offload cargo.
3:40 a.m. Both barges were alongside each other at
Wings Neck.
7:30 a.m. The two barges are securely moored
alongside each other.
9:25. a.m. Cargo transfer from Bouchard No. 65 to
No. 85 commenced.
6:50 p.m. The two barges are moored at the Massa-
chusetts Maritime Academy and offload of
remaining cargo commenced.
noon Barges departed Massachusetts Maritime
Academy for White Fuel Terminal, Castle
Island, South Boston, Massachusetts.
10:46 p.m. Both barges moored at the White Fuel
Terminal.
6:51 p.m. Offloading of both barges at White Fuel
Terminal completed with a total product
loss of 314,000 liters.
10
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to White Fuel^Termlnai
Castle Island, So. Boston,
noon, Jan. 30
1 offloading
6:50 p.m., Jan. 29 (Massachusetts
Maritime Academy)
Inltfal offloading ft
9:30 a.m., Jan/<; **
.'..'5 Groundtn
ClevelanoLedge
6:00 p.m., Jan. 28
kilometers
01-2345
ii Barge route
Figure 2. Barge movement.
11
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SECTION 5
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
This section describes Buzzards Bay and its surroundings and the
weather conditions (normal and 1977), tidal currents, and biological and
socioeconomic resources of the area. This information applies to the
evaluation of cleanup operations i/i Section 6 and provides the baseline
data for the damage assessment of Section 8.
PHYSIOGRAPHY
Buzzards Bay is an elongated nonestuarine bay in southeastern
Massachusetts. The terrain surrounding Buzzards Bay is predominately
gently rolling hills, generally less than 30 meters above sea level.
The terrain, covered by scrub wood, reforested fields, and brush land,
comprises a drainage basin of approximately 980 square kilometers. Its
low topography and subsequent poor drainage have created numerous swamps
and bogs.
The most widely known physical features adjacent to Buzzards Bay
are Cape Cod to the east, Narragansett Bay to the west, and Vineyard
Sound to the south as shown in Figure 1. Buzzards Bay is separated from
Vineyard Sound at the bay's south border by the Elizabeth Islands.
These islands are intersected by four navigable passageways: Quicks
Hole, Woods Hole, Robinsons Hole, and Canapitsit Channel. Quicks Hole
and Woods Hole are the most navigable and therefore most often used.
Robinsons Hole and Canapitsit Channel are narrow passages used primarily
by small boats. The main shipping passage into Buzzards Bay, however,
is southwest, between the Elizabeth Islands and Gooseberry Neck.
Buzzards Bay is approximately 32 kilometers long by 19 kilometers
wide, covering about 620 square kilometers. At mean low water, the
bay's depth ranges from about 18 meters at the mouth near Gooseberry
Neck, to approximately a meter at its headlands near Cape Cod Canal.
Average depth is 11 meters. Cape Cod Canal, connecting Buzzards Bay
with Cape Cod Bay, is about 13 kilometers long and 10 meters deep (MLW).
Two channels to the canal -- Cleveland Ledge and Hog Island — have been
dredged to a depth of 10 meters (MLW).
Buzzards Bay and the surrounding area were formed by the glacial
till left by the advance and retreat of the Wisconsin icesheet more than
12
-------
10,000 years ago. The glacier created most of the gravel bluffs at the
bay's headlands as well as many of the bay's numerous shoals and sub-
merged rocky formations.
The combination of glacial action and outwash deposits has created
a coastline with numerous bays and coves. Many of these provide excel-
lent sheltered anchorages for both pleasure boats and commercial ships.
Cape Cod and Elizabeth Islands act as a protective barrier against
long-period ocean waves, created by storms in the Atlantic Ocean, that
endanger unprotected boat anchorages. Despite this barrier, storm waves
do occur in the Buzzards Bay area.
CLIMATE
Seasonal Norm
The nearby Atlantic Ocean is a major factor in determining the
climate of Buzzards Bay. The Atlantic moderates temperatures: in
winter precipitation usually falls as rain rather than snow; in summer,
sea breezes cool otherwise hot days. In early fall, severe tropical
coastal storms sometimes deliver destructive winds to the area.
The average yearly temperature in the Buzzards Bay area is 10°C
(50°F), ranging from 8.3°C (47°F) in 1917 to 12.2°C (54°F) in 1949.
February is usually the coldest month with a mean temperature near
-1.7°C (29°F), while July is the hottest month, with a mean temperature
of 21.6°C (71°F). Subzero (°C) temperatures in Buzzards Bay occur
approximately 120 days per year, mostly from late November to late
March. Extremely cold weather (less than -18°C) seldom occurs, aver-
aging less than 1 day per month from December through February. The
lowest temperature ever recorded in the region was -27.2°C (-17°F).
During severe winters, the near-shore waters in the upper bay headlands
freeze, requiring ice-breaking activity by the U.S. Coast Guard to keep
the shipping lanes and channels open. The normal range of seawater
temperature in Buzzards Bay is from 19.4°C (67°F) in the summer to 0.6°C
(33°F) in the winter.
Snow fall in the Buzzards Bay area normally occurs from the end of
November until mid-March. The average snow fall for a winter season is
91 centimeters, ranging from an average of 30 centimeters iii 1937 to
178 centimeters in 1948. The months of greatest snow fall are February
(averaging 25 centimeters) and January (averaging 23 centimeters). The
record snow fall for any month (January 1948) is 76 centimeters.
The Winter of 1976-1977
From December 1976 to early February 1977, an arctic coldfront
covered most of the eastern seaboard, causing record and near record low
13
-------
temperatures in most of these regions, including Buzzards Bay. A com-
parison between the average climate conditions and those existing before,
during, and after the oil spill at Buzzards Bay are summarized in Table 3.
TABLE 3. COMPARATIVE METEOROLOGICAL DATA
Historical 1977
Item January February January February
Temperature °C
Daily
average - 1.1 - 1.7 - 6.1 -1.1
Average daily
minimum - 5.0 - 4.4 -10.6 - 4.4
Average daily
maximum
Highest
Lowest
Precipitation, cm
Snowfall
Water equivalent
Wind Speed, kph and
Mean speed
direction
Fastest speed
direction
Number of days with
heavy fog
1.7
22.2
-25.0
23.7
8.94
Direction
18.8
NW
74
S
2
4.4
20
-27.2
25.4
8.76
19.3
NNW
74
SSW
2
- 1.7
8.3
-18.9
35.6
9.91
23.2
W
58
WSW
4
2.8
10.6
-11.1
29.0
7.29
18.8
SW
52
SW
4
The daily temperature for January 1977 was below average. The
minimum and maximum daily temperatures were 5.6°C (10°F) and 3.3°C (6°F)
below normal, respectively. February 1977 temperatures were about
average. -Snowfall for January and February 1977 was 12.2 and 3.6 centi-
meters higher than average, respectively.
14
-------
Wind speeds during January 1977 were 6 kilometers per hour_higher
than average, but returned to normal during February. The combination
of very cold temperatures and higher than normal wind speeds created a
significant wind chill factor for January 1977.
The unusually cold temperatures of the winter of 1976-1977 created
an ice cover over almost all of the nearshore regions in Buzzards Bay.
The ice sheet even extended away from the nearshore region and covered
most of Cleveland Ledge and Hog Island Channels. Not until February did
this ice sheet start to melt and break up, creating ice floes that were
carried by the predominant currents through Cape Cod Canal.
The day-by-day summary of the temperature and wind conditions for
the Wings Neck area from 5 days preceding the spill and 6 days following
termination of cleanup operations is shown in Table 4. The winds and
temperatures during the initial cleanup operations (January 29 to
Feburary 9-) were considerably stronger and colder than normal. Tempera-
tures averaged about -6.1°C (21°F), or 5°C (9°F) colder than normal; and
wind velocities averaged 26 kilometers per hour, or 6 kilometers per
hour faster than normal. The combination of these two factors imposed
severe wind chill factors on the cleanup and sampling personnel and
impaired operation of the mechanical equipment.
TIDES AND TIDAL CURRENTS
Ocean tides have access to Buzzards Bay through its mouth between
the Elizabeth Islands and Gooseberry Neck, through the several passage-
ways of the Elizabeth Islands, and through Cape Cod Canal.
The average tidal range in Buzzards Bay is approximately 1.2 meters.
Though occurring about the same time in Vineyard Sound, the tidal range
is about 0.6 meters less than in Buzzards Bay. This differential in
water level creates a current in excess of 2 knots flowing through the
narrow passageways of the Elizabeth.Islands.
Tidal currents entering Buzzards Bay directly average from 1 to
1.3 knots; they are weaker than those passing through the Elizabeth
Islands passageways because of the width of the bay mouth. A current
approximately 1.6 kilometers wide parallels the northern shore of these
islands, terminating near Woods Hole.
The tidal currents in the central portion of Buzzards Bay seldom
exceed 0.6 knots. These currents seem not to establish a north-south
directional flow pattern as one might expect, but are variable in
orientation. Their flow is probably slowed by locally submerged and
protruding land features and water depth.
15
-------
TABLE 4. TEMPERATURE AND WIND SPEED FROM
JANUARY 25 TO FEBRUARY 28, 1977*
Temperature °C Wind speed (knots) and direction
Average
January:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
February:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2.8
- 2.2
- 1.7
- 2.8
- 7.8
-10
-11.7
- 6.7
- 7.8
- 5.0
0
0
- 5.0
- 7.8
- 6.1
- 4.4
1.7
0
2.2
3.9
2.2
1.1
- 3.9
- 8.3
- 5.6
- 1.1
1.1
0
- 2.8
2.8
1.7
5.6
5.0
5.6
6.1
Maximum Minimum Average
5.6
0
2.8
2.8
- 1.1
- 6.1
- 7.2
- 1.1
- 3.9
- 1.1
2.2
1.1
- 2.8
2.8
1.1
0
7.2
5.0
8.9
7.2
5.0
2.2
- 1.1
0
- 1.1
2.2
2.2
2.8
0
4.4
3.3
8.9
8.3
9.4
8.9
.6
- 5.0
- 3.9
- 7.8
-12.8
-12.8
-12.8
-10.0
-12.2
- 7.8
- 2.2
- 2.2
-10.0
-11.1
-11.1
-12.2
2.2
3.9
- 1.1
2.2
- 1.1
1.1
- 7.8
-11.1
-10.0
- 5.0
0
- 2.8
- 8.9
0
0
3.3
1.7
1.7
0
7
15
19
13
23
14
17
18
14
11
11
8
18
14
10
12
8
9
6
10
11
8
9
15
8
7
9
19
14
8
10
22
11
14
14
Maximum
12 NW
21 W
36 WSW
28 SSE
35 NW
18 WNW
26 WSW
22 WSW
22 W
16 SW
19 W
11 NNW
23 WNW
16 NW
14 NW
18 SW
14 SW
18 SSW
10 SSW
16 SW
17 SW
16 NE
12 NW
18 NW
12 SSW
10 SSE
18 NNE
22 NW
18 NW
12 NE
18 E
32 SW
17 WNW
28 SSE
22 SW
Minimum
4 N
11 SW
11 WSW
2 SW
17 SWS
12 SW
13 WSW
14 SW
8 NW
3 WSW
6 NW
4 NE
13 NNW
12 SW
8 NW
5 SW
3 WSW
0
1 NW
5 SW
5 W
0
4 NW
9 NW
2 S
3 SSW
2 NE
16 NE
12 SW
3 NNW
3 ENE
10 WNW
6 SW
2 NE
7 NSW
*Army Corp of Engineers Weather Station, Cape Cod Canal.
16
-------
Tidal currents at the headlands of Buzzards Bay are caused by dif-
ferences in time and range of tides in Buzzards and Cape Cod bays. The
tide in Cape Cod Bay has a mean range of approximately 2.7 meters and
occurs about 3 hours later than the 1.2 meter tide in Buzzards Bay.
This difference results in a strong current through the Cape Cod Canal
from Buzzards Bay. Though currents up to 5.3 knots have been recorded
at midchannel of Cape Cod Canal, 4 knots is the average. Tidal currents
reach their maximum strength about I hour after low and high water in
Cape Cod Bay because of the time difference between low and high water
in the bays.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
According to Sanders (1958), the benthic communities of Buzzards
Bay are directly associated with sediment type. Because Buzzards Bay is
protected from heavy wave action, sand and sand/silt substrates are the
predominant subtidal sediments. In the vicinity of Cape Cod Canal and
Elizabeth Island, strong currents have removed the finer sediments
leaving open stretches of coarse sand and gravel deposits.
Sanders (1958) identified two habitat categories in the bay: (1) a
group in sediments having a high silt content and dominated by the
lamellibranchs and polychaetes, and (2) a group restricted to sandy
sediments and characterized by amphipods. Sanders found that filter
feeders made up most of the benthos in sandy sediments while deposit-
feeders dominated the finer sediments. Sanders (1960) demonstrated that
eight or nine species are consistently found in large numbers in the
benthos of Buzzards Bay and that the bay is characterized by the domi-
nance of a few of these species.
Finfish data for upper Buzzards Bay are scarce. Commercial and net
fishing are prohibited in the bay but a significant amount of sport
fishing does occur. The most common migrating fish taken by recrea-
tional fishermen are mackerel, striped bass, bluefish, scup, and sea
bass. Buzzards Bay has two finfish migration periods: the spring
migration out extending from mid-March to mid-July, and the fall migra-
tion which can continue into early November. Buzzards Bay also supports
an active bottom fishery of which tautog, flounder, and sculpin are the
most commonly taken species.
Buzzards Bay is a highly productive shellfish habitat well known
for its commercial and recreational shellfish harvest. The quahog,
soft-shelled clam, oyster, and scallop are the most sought after species.
Lobsters are also found in Buzzards Bay. Recreational fishing of
lobsters accounts for the majority of the lobster landings. Figure 3
presents the prime commercial and recreational shellfish beds in the
study area. Shellfish harvested from these beds are delivered to shell-
fish dealers in Bourne, Wareham, or Falmouth.
17
-------
Quahog
S Oysters
[w~] Bay Scallops
m Soft-shelled Clams
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
Figure 3. Commercial and recreational shellfish beds.
18
-------
The quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) is a hard-shell clam that feeds
by filtering minute plant life (primarily diatoms) from the water column
through its digestive system. The quahog is essentially a warm water
mollusk. Massachusetts marks the northern end of its range. The quahog
quite naturally adapts to Buzzards Bay because its numerous inlets and
bays have a medium tidal flux, warm waters, and abundant food. Of the
8,000 acres of quahog territory in Buzzards Bay, the Bourne fishing area
accounts for approximately 2,500 acres and Wareham, 1,300 acres. The
Falmouth area contains only small patches of good quahog territory
(Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries).
The scallop (Argopectin irradians) feeds like the quahog but does
not bury itself in the sediments. The scallop can move by swimming
through the water column (via opening and closing its shell). Scallops
have been known to migrate over short distances. Massachusetts marks
the northern end of the commercial bay scallop fishery. The scallop
prefers quiet waters protected from heavy winds and storms. Scallops
may suffer significant mortality during severe winters (Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries). Buzzards Bay contains approximately
11,000 acres of scalloping territory of which the Wareham area includes
2,500 acres and the Bourne area 3,000 acres. The Falmouth fishing area
in Buzzards Bay contains only small patches of scallop territory.
The soft-shelled clam (Mya arenaria) is found from the Carolinas to
the Arctic Ocean. The clam is found on exposed tidal flats as well as
below the low water mark and prefers protected areas. Because Buzzards
Bay does not offer large areas of soft-shelled clam habitat, the clam
industry has never reached the status of the quahog, scallop, or oyster
fishery. The study area lacks the tidal flats and silt-sand habitat
that the clam prefers.
The oyster (Crassostrea yirginica) and the lobster (Homarus
americanus) have been overfished in Buzzards Bay waters.These
shellfish species, however, are in high demand in an area capable of
high shellfish production. (Arnie Carr, personal communication, March
1978).
There are two methods to determine the productivity of a shellfish
fishery. The first -- harvestable crop -- is an estimate of the legal-
size shellfish existing in a fishing area. Table 5 presents the harvest-
able crop for West Falmouth Harbor, Wild River Harbor, Megansett-Squeteaque
Harbor, and Red Brook Harbor for the harvest years 1969, 1972, and 1974.
These estimates are made from diving and grab surveys by the Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries. The second method -- annual shellfish
harvest -- is an accounting of bushels of shellfish delivered to a
landing area. Tables 6, 7, and 8 present harvest data from 1968 to the
present at Bourne, Wareham, and Falmouth. The annual shellfish harvest
method incorporates a number of variables other than shellfish availabil-
ity, including the size of fishing fleet, market parameters and closure
19
-------
ro
o
TABLE 5. LEGAL-SIZE SHELLFISH HARVESTABLE IN THE STUDY AREA
IN 1969, 1972, and 1974 (in bushels)
Area
West Falmouth Harbor
Wild Harbor River
Megansett-Su.ueteague
Harbors
Red Brook Harbor
Total
Quahog
1969 1972
39
8 0
664
3,886
~8 47589"
Soft-shell Clam
1974
3.1971
2.5
756
3,219
7,174.5
1969 1972
O3
829 95
O3
>56
829 >151
1974
0
651 2
O3
>46
^697
Bay Scallop
1969 1972
7,186 830
0
<300
9,760
7,186 <10,890
1974
0
0
< 1
18
~T9
pOver 2,135 bushels of quahogs transplanted into harbor.
3Survey completed in May 1975.
Clams scattered: in West Falmouth Harbor and Megansett-Squeteague Harbors, <6 bushels in 1972 and
1 bushel in 1974.
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Survey, 1977 (unpublished).
-------
TABLE 6. ANNUAL SHELLFISH HARVEST
BOURNE (in bushels)
Year
1977
Total
1976
Total
1975
Total
1974
Total
1973
Total
1972
Total
1971
Total
1970
Total
1969
Total
1968
Total
Catch
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Quahog
1,379
2,016
3,395
1,364
4,800
6,164
1,500
7,488
8,988
824
3,280
4,104
1,840
2,528
2,368
Soft clam
Unknown
50
50
0
500
500
Unknown
1,242
1,242
Unknown
Unknown
3,667
3,667
Unknown
Oyster
400
400
400
400
300
300
413
413
466
466
Scallop
300
2,044
2,344
952
1,396
2,348
355
3,000
3,355
12,000
28,000
40,000
7,411
1,947
97358
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Survey, 1977.
(unpublished).
21
-------
TABLE 7. ANNUAL SHELLFISH HARVEST
WAREHAM (in bushels)
Year
1977
Total
1976
Total
1975
Total
1974
Total
1973
Total
1972
Total
1971
Total
1970
Total
1969
Total
1968
Total
Catch
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Quahog
Soft
clam
Razor
Oyster Scallop clam
Mussel
Unknown
Unknown
10,000
1,300
11,300
10,000
1,000
11,000
10,000
800
10,800
6,000
6,000
5,000
5,000
3,000
3,000
200 50
200 50
100 50
100 50
100 800 50
100 800 50
100
100
100
100
50
50
Unknown
10,000
325
10,325
3,000
3,000
100 10,000
18,600
100 28,600
Unknown
15,000
400
15,400
15,000
1,000
16,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
50 2,000
10,600
50 12,600
50 25
300
50 325
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Survey, 1977
(unpublished).
22
-------
TABLE 8. ANNUAL SHELLFISH HARVEST
FALMOUTH (in bushels)
Year
1977
Total
1976
Total
1975
Total
1974
Total
1973
Total
1972
Total
1971
Total
1970
Total
1969
Total
1968
Total
Catch
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Recreational
Commercial
Quahog
4,523
7,000
11,523
3,820
4,500
8,320
2,604
3,720
6,324
2,000
4,455
6,455
Soft clam Oyster
Unknown to date
600
300
900
Unreported
1,233
320
1,553
1,639
600
2,239
Unreported
1,000
375
1,375
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Scallop
1,171
900
2,071
1,000
900
1,900
507
615
1,122
1,000
1,188
2,188
Source: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Survey, 1977
(unpublished).
23
-------
of shellfish beds due to pollution. Shellfish harvests have been on the
decline since 1968. Overfishing has been one of the major reasons for
the decline.
SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES
For the purposes of a socioeconomic inventory, the study area is
defined as the coastal waters and communities within Townships of Wareham,
Bourne, and Falmouth (Figure 4). This area at the northeast end of
Buzzards Bay, was the center of all the oil spill and cleanup activities.
All of the shellfish bed closures that resulted from the spill fall
within the jurisdictions of these three towns.
Historically, the study area's economic base has been heavily
dependent on fishing; however, it is currently based primarily on the
recreation and tourist trades. This region of Buzzards Bay, especially
around Wings Neck, is still a marginally productive area for marketable
fish and shellfish; however, its potential as a commercial fishery has
been overshadowed by its newer recreation and tourist trades. There is
also some small industry and one military base (Otis Air Force Base,
Bourne) within the study area.
Excluding decreases in onbase military personnel during the 1960-1970
decade, the study area has experienced a small net in-migration. Although
bordering the rapidly developing tourist and recreation areas in and
around Cape Cod, the area will remain one of slow growth for the next 10
to 20 years according to the New England River Basins Planning Commission
(1975, a, b, c). The area presently shows significant variation in
seasonal population, employment, and income from tourist and recreational
industries; it is anticipated that these industries will play an increas-
ingly important role in the area's economy. The shellfish beds of the
area have significant additional potential for intensive aquaculture
uses although no extensive operations currently exist.
Selected socioeconomic characteristics of the study area are
presented in Table 9.
24
-------
Cape Cod
Bay
— • Town boundaries
Shellfish beds \
potentially affected
by spill *.
kilometers
General area>k
of spill
West
almouth
Buzzards Bay
Canapitsit
Channel
Marthas Vineyard
Figure 4. Sodoeconomlc study area.
25
-------
TABLE 9. SELECTED SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TOWNS OF
WAKEHAM, BOURNE, AND FALMOUTH, 1970-1976
Study Area
Wareham
Bourne
Fa 1 mouth
Sources: 1
p
Population
(1970)
34,034
11,492
6.6007
15,942
U.S. Bureau of
Work Force
(1974)
9,843
2,198
1,973
5,672
Census, Census
Annual
Payroll _
(1,000 $r
(1974)
$66,709
14,936
11;416
40,357
of Population
Median
Family,
Income
(1970)
—
$8,998
7,264
8,324
(1970).
Annual Shellfish3
Harvest (bushels)
Recre-
ational
(1976)
24,773
16.3506
2,129
6,294
Commer-
cial
(1976)
13,560
1 ,3006
4,060
8,200
Recreational
Fleer
(1972)
—
—
1,150
2,185
Retail Trade Industry
Number
of Employees
(1972)
3,104
684
775
1,645
Sales
(1,000 $)
(1972)
$126,994
27,946
31,065
67,983
3Divsion of Employment Security, New Bedford* and Hyannis Regional Branches (1974).
.Annual Shellfish Harvest Inventory for Wareham, Bourne, and Falmouth (1968-1977).
5Air photo count of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, 1972, as reported in New England River Basins Commission (1975).
gU.S. Bureau of Census, Census of Business (1972).
?1976 Estimates of Shellfish harvest are unavailable, these figures show 1975 harvest.
Approximation starts with census count of 12,636 and excludes approximately 6,000 to account for onbase personnel at
Otis Air Force Base.
-------
SECTION 6
CLEANUP
This section describes the cleanup techniques used at Buzzards Bay
and evaluates their effectiveness. Recommended modification of each
technique, suggestions for alternative cleanup methods, and measures to
improve personnel safety are also presented. The primary aim of this
evaluation is to give future cleanup personnel faced with similar con-
ditions the benefit of the Buzzards Bay experience. It is hoped that
with this information, future cleanup efforts will be more efficient and
effective.
On the morning of January 29, Cannon Engineering Corporation of
West Yarmouth was hired by the U.S. Coast Guard as the lead cleanup
contractor when the Bouchard Transportation Company would not accept the
cleanup responsibility. Later that day Coastal Services, Incorporated
of Braintree, Massachusetts and Jet Line Services, Incorporated of
Stoughton, Massachusetts were hired as subcontractors to assist in the
cleanup operation.
A contingent of the USCG Atlantic Strike Team, consisting of an
officer and five enlisted men, arrived on the scene at noon on January 29
Early the next morning, the Pacific Coast Strike Team arrived with a
Lockheed coldwater skimmer. This team consisted of an officer and three
enlisted men.
On January 30, a meeting was held with the cleanup contractors, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the strike teams, U.S. Coast Guard
officials, the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control, and
the Bourne Shellfish Warden to establish cleanup priorities and responsi-
bilities.
On the same day, the cleanup was initiated at Wings Neck Point.
Figure 5 shows where and when the major cleanup operations occurred.
Table 10 lists the cleanup techniques discussed in this section and the
dates that these techniques were employed.
PROBLEMS POSED BY THE SPILL
The oil spill at Buzzards Bay posed unique cleanup problems. The
combination of unusual weather conditions and limited experience in
27
-------
Cape Cod Bay
Massachusetts
Boom deployment
(Feb. 15)
Lockheed & Marco
skimmers (Feb.
Wareham
Army Corp of Engineers
gravel pit
Boom deployment (Feb. 4}
nument Beach
Water-based
(Feb. 7-2
Shore-based cleanup
(Jan.3 - Feb.22)
rn by tug (Feb.17)
)'/ OH— 011-bu/nlng operation (Jan.31)
Cleveland'Ledge
est Falmouth
kilometers
Buzzards Bay
4 5
Figure 5. Sites of major cleanup activities.
28
-------
TABLE 10. CHRONOLOGY OF CLEANUP ACTIVITIES
ro
Jan. 30
31
Feb. 1
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Techniques
Lockheed Marco Endless
Vacuum Skimming^ Clean-Sweep Recovery Ice Rope Weather
Shore Water Burning Skimmer System Removal Booms Skimmer Notes
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dealing with oil spills in ice-infested waters resulted in a cleanup
effort that required the implementation of techniques more commonly used
in spills in temperate climates.
Due to the extremely cold winter on the eastern seaboard, Buzzards
Bay was almost completely frozen. The shorelines were ice-fast (Figure 6)
and the bay was characterized by numerous pressure ridges, leads, tidal
cracks, and hummocks (Figures 7-10). Larger pieces of ice debris and
floes (Figure 11) had rafted over each other, creating additional ir-
regularities on the ice surface (Figure 12). As the oil floated to the
water surface, it became lodged in these ice fissures. Penetration of
oil through the ice itself, however, was negligible primarily because
the residence time of the oil under the ice was short and the ice was a
relatively impermeable hybrid of fresh and salt water. A report (in
preparation) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
discusses the technical aspects of ice formation and oil in ice inter-
actions.
Most of the visible oil was contained in the leads and pools adjacent
to the rafted ice. The largest volumes of oil were identified by dark
yellow stains near Cleveland Ledge and about 270 meters offshore at
Wings Neck Point. There was also a trail of oil from Cleveland Ledge to
Wings Neck.
Virtually no movement of the oil trapped in the leads and rafted
pools occurred after the second day following the spill. Strong winds
had a tendency to blow some oil from the larger pools over the top of
the ice making some areas of contamination appear larger than they
actually were. The yellow-stained ice was easily detected from the air
and aided the cleanup crews in identifying the sites of major contami-
nation. Snowfall on February 5 and 6 covered most of the oil, however,
forcing cleanup crews to suspend work until the oil could be relocated
(Figure 13).
Because the heavy concentrations of oil were far from shore and the
ice surface was so irregular, much of the oil was difficult to reach.
In addition, the severely cold weather during the first week of the
cleanup caused the equipment to freeze. When the weather did improve
and temperatures moderated, the ice began to move and the oil dissipated
into thin sheens that were difficult to collect. Large floating ice
floes made equipment maneuverability difficult and rendered booming
measures useless.
The lack of significant cleanup experience in cold climates also
hindered the cleanup operations. Within the past decade, the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have
conducted studies to determine the behavior of oil in ice-infested
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Definition: Fast ice is sea ice of any orgin that remains fixed
(attached with little horizontal motion) along a coast
or to some other fixed object.
Figure 6. Fast ice .
Pressure
<-ridge
Top view
Pressure
ridge
Ice
Definition: The term pressure ridge is a general expression for any
elongated, ridge-like accumulation of broken ice caused
by ice deformation.
Figure 7. Pressure ridge.
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Definition: A lead is any fracture or passage through sea ice that
is generally less than 1.5 meters.
Figure 8. Ice leads.
Top view
Trapped oil
Definition: An ice crack is any fracture in the ice that has not
yet parted.
Figure 9 . Ice crack.
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Definition: A hummock is broken ice that has been forced upward by
pressure. It may be composed of fresh or weathered ice.
The submerged volume of ice under the hummock, forced
downward by pressure, is called a bummock.
Figure 10. Hummock.
Definition: An ice floe Is any relatively flat piece of ice 20 meters
or more across.
Figure 11. Ice floe.
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Definition: Rafting is the Process whereby one piece of ice overrides
another; most obvious in new and young ice.
Figure 12. Rafted ice.
Source: NOAA.
Figure 13. Wings Neck Point after the snowfall on February 5-6.
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waters, but only recently have efforts dealt with methods or systems
needed to remove oil. Numerous cold-climate/ice spills have occurred in
the United States and other parts of the world, but few of them have
involved No. 2 fuel oil or the type of ice conditions encountered at
Buzzards Bay. The Coast Guard has sponsored some research in Alaska on
the use of oil spill recovery devices and has expanded that with studies
on selected pieces of equipment such as the Marco and Lockheed skimmers.
Most reports issued by the EPA and the USCG involving oil cleanup methods
in cold climates, however, have dealt with experimentation and mock
exercises only.
DESCRIPTION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CLEANUP TECHNIQUES
Vacuum Skimming
Vacuum skimming at Buzzards Bay was conducted with large vacuum
trucks (Figure 14) and smaller skid-mounted units (Figure 15). The
technique successfully removed floating oil and small pieces of ice
debris, although at times significant quantities of water were also
collected. The major components of the vacuum system were a diesel-
driven pump, holding tank, and suction hose. The capacity of the vacuum
truck tanks was 22,700 liters and the average pumping rate was 190 to
280 liters per minute. The skid-mounted vacuum units had 1,900- and
3,800-liter capacities and also pumped at an average rate of 190 to
280 liters per minute.
The vacuum recovery operations at Buzzards Bay were conducted
throughout most of the cleanup and were undertaken in two phases that
depended upon the ice conditions and location of the oil. The first
phase, which occurred in the early part of the cleanup, was the deploy-
ment of the vacuum units from the shore, primarily at Wings Neck Point
and Braille Residence Beach. This phase was undertaken when the ice was
not moving, primarily during the first week to 10 days after the spill.
The second phase was the deployment of skid-mounted vacuum units from
tugs and barges.
The shore-based operations consisted of backing the vacuum truck or
skid-mounted units as close to the shoreline as possible, hooking up 5-
or 8-centimeter-diameter hose to the vacuum unit, and connecting succes-
sive 8 meter hose sections to reach the trapped oil pockets (Figure 16).
In some cases these pockets were more than 200 meters from the shore. A
duck-bill flange was coupled to the open end of the suction hose and
maneuvered by hand or rope (Figure 17). In some cases the work crews
would vacuum up all the oil in a pocket only to find it full again after
a tidal cycle because of migration of the oil under the ice.
The water-based vacuum-skimming operation was similar to the shore-
based one. Skid-mounted units were used almost exclusively on the tugs
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Source: NOAA.
Figure 14. Vacuum truck working at Wings Neck Point
Source: EPA.
Figure 15. Skid-mounted vacuum unit being loaded
on truck by a front-end loader.
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MMMBMB*
Source: EPA.
Figure 16. Deployment of vacuum hoses off Wings Neck Point
Source: NOAA.
Figure 17. Vacuum hose being used to remove oil from a tidal crack
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because of their compact size. Some vacuum skimming was also conducted
aboard the Lockheed skimmer with the skid-mounted units. Once the
skid-mounts were full, the tugs returned to the dock to deposit their
cargo -- a time-consuming and expensive operation.
Vacuum skimming proved to be the most efficient, and probably most
cost-effective, technique of oil recovery during the initial cleanup
operation at Buzzards Bay, recovering an estimated 66,170 liters of the
total 86,160 liters collected. This success was largely attributable to
the mobility of the suction hose which could be maneuvered between the
openings of the ice. The leads and rafted ice pools proved to be the
best recovery locations (Figure 18). In some cases, a thousand or more
gallons of oil was collected from individual pools when the ice was
fairly static.
During initial operations, up to 60 percent of the liquid recovered
was oil. This figure dropped off to less than 20 percent after about
the fifth day because the oil that was accessible was in thinner layers
and less amenable to vacuuming. Recovered oil was transported to a
recovery center at Bridgewater. Trucks and other containers were not
left overnight in the subzero weather because the contents would have
frozen.
There were several advantages to using vacuum recovery units at
Buzzards Bay. The ease of deployment and maneuverability of the hoses
in the leads and rafted pools were reasons for the success of this
technique. Similarly, the operations did not require using a large
number of people and the equipment used was readily available to the
cleanup contractors. The equipment could also be stationed onshore
while the actual oil collection occurred offshore, thereby eliminating
the transport of equipment on and off the ice.
The main problems encountered with vacuum skimming were freezing of
the ice/oil/water mixture in the hoses and difficulty in deploying the
equipment in dynamic ice. Freezing was caused by low temperatures and
facilitated by the intake of ice, water, and air with the oil. In
addition, the pressure ridge and riprap near shore required that more
than a 3-meter pressure head be overcome. The loss of pressure head,
which lowered the flow rate, aggravated the problem with, freezing. Once
the hoses froze, they had to be disconnected and the contents allowed to
melt before the operation could be continued. This proved to be a
time-consuming process. According to the cleanup contractors, the hose
would freeze after 10 to 20 minutes of operation.
Another problem was encountered under dynamic ice conditions. As
the ice moved, many of the larger oil pockets present during the early
part of the spill were dissipated over a larger area and released at the
ice edge (Figure 19), reducing the oil thickness and encounter rate at
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Source: NOAA.
Figure 18. 011 trapped In a lead and rafted ice.
Definition: An 1ce edge 1s the demarcation at any given time between
the open sea and sea ice of any kind, whether fast or drifting.
Figure 19. Ice edge.
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the skimmer head. At this time, use of shipborne vacuum units was
intensified. Ship maneuverability, however, was hampered by large ice
floes up to 10 meters in diameter. Thus, recovery of oil by ship worked
well but was not as effective as by land.
Burning
Burning of oil is commonly attempted in oil spill cleanup opera-
tions but seldom works because the fire is difficult to ignite and
sustain. In addition, most spills deposit oil near shorelines and a
fire could be dangerous to property. Even where burning can be done
safely, the oil must be concentrated in pools at least one-half-
centimenter deep to initiate and sustain combustion. Some experimental
studies have been conducted by the Coast Guard on the potential for
burning crude oil spills in the Arctic, but little* literature is
available on the practical applications of burning oil (especially
No. 2) in cold climates.
In order to burn effectively, the oil must be ignited and kept at
or above its flash point temperature. For heavier oils (such as Bunker C
and weathered crudes, this temperature may be very high and impractical
in a cold-climate spill. Wieking agents have been experimented with and
used with mixed success in cold-climate spills to sustain burning. The
agents allow the oil to rise above the heat sink of the water and ice
via capillary action.
Two attempts to burn isolated pools of the spilled oil were made
during the active cleanup period. The first, on January 31, was con-
ducted by the U.S. Coast Guard using a Tulco, Inc. wicking agent. The
burn was attempted on a series of pools containing an estimated 19,000
to 23,000 liters of oil located just north of Cleveland Ledge where the
barge had grounded.
The wicking agent used -- TULLANOX 500 -- is a very fine, super
hydrophobic, fumed silica powder that behaves like smoke when it is
released into the air. The agent floats on the oil and draws up small
quantities of oil through surface diffusion and capillary action. The
agent isolates this top layer from the cold oil and water (or ice)
below. It provides thermal insulation and contact with air to keep the
oil at its flash point for continuous burning until most of the oil is
gone. The agent itself does not burn.
The deployment methodology consisted of dropping 10 boxes, each
containing 5 kilograms of wicking agent, from a hovering helicopter into
the pools below. Incendiary devices, jet fuel, and lube oil were placed
in each box in order to initiate combustion. The incendiary devices
were thermite grenades with 3-minute time fuses installed by the U.S.
Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team from Fort Devens..,
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The boxes were dropped on the upwind edge of the oil pools. All of
the boxes ignited and the resultant fires burned with varying degrees of
success. The 20- to 25-knot winds drove the flames from pool to pool,
which were theoretically covered with the wicking agent. The fire
burned with intense heat for about 90 minutes and created large, black
clouds of smoke. The smoke hung near the ice/water surface for 0.4 to
0.8 kilometers before-rising. In areas where the wind-driven flames en-
countered surface pools of oil, fires were sustained. However, in other
areas the fires subsided after 10 to 20 minutes due to an apparent lack
of fuel. Heat loss may also have contributed to combustion being less
than complete. Black streaks of residue, which were a composite of the
grenade and oil in the boxes and the Bouchard oil, remained. If the
burn had been complete, the ash content remaining should have been less
than 1 percent. This is based on standard burning tests as reported by
the American Society for Testing Materials. Estimates of ash residues
after the burns at Buzzards Bay were not made.
Unfortunately, the quantity of oil present before and after burning
was not estimated, so the quantification of the exercise is unreliable.
Based on the apparent size of some of the oil pools that were burned and
the intensity and heat of fire, it was estima-ted by EPA observers and
the Coast Guard that approximately 7,600 liters of oil may have been
consumed.
Another series of burns was conducted on February 17 on pools of
oil east of Cleveland Ledge Channel between Cleveland Ledge and Scraggy
Neck. Crew members of the tug Waukegan used oiled rags to ignite the
surface pools. The rags were knotted into balls 15 to 20 centimeters in
diameter, soaked with diesel oil and ignited. The ignited rags were
then thrown into the oil which initiated combustion. In some of the
larger pools, the flames extended 9 to 12 meters into the air and the
oil burned for 40 to 50 minutes. Observers on the tug noted a black
residue after the burn, similar to that resulting from the previous
exercise. The residue was ash-like and no attempt was made to remove
it. Only a slight oil sheen was observed on the water after completion.
The quantity of oil burned in this operation was estimated at 7,600 liters
by the tug crew and Coast Guard observers.
Other oil pools were considered for burning but were not burned
because the black smoke would have been a nuisance to nearby residents
and the possibility of the fire jumping ashore to beachfront property
was too great. Thus, the total quantity of oil burned at Buzzards Bay
was estimated at 15,000 liters.
The advantage of burning is that it works quickly in removing
floating oil and can be used in areas where the oil is difficult to
collect by other means. Within a few hours, a large quantity of oil can
be burned. Burning is also inexpensive in comparison to other cleanup
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techniques, especially if oiled rags can be used to initiate combustion.
Wicking agents, which are more expensive to use than rags, can aid
burning if the oil is confined to a pool.
In general, the drawbacks to burning include the potential hazards
to structures and people on land if the exercise is conducted too close
to shore. Burning also generates large clouds of black smoke with
attendant air pollution problems. Finally, in many cases it may be
difficult or impossible to attain and maintain a burn because the ice
and cold water acts as a heat sink.
At Buzzards Bay, there was a specific problem with the wieking
agent used. Because TULLANOX 500 is so light, it does not settle well
on the oil and therefore the means of deployment becomes critical. The
incendiary devices employed at Buzzards Bay and the strong wind may have
caused much of the agent to become airborne. Thus, the wicking agent
may have been so diffusely applied on the oil that burning may have been
sustained primarily by the oil itself. Based upon the later burn, which
was initiated with oiled rags, it appears likely that the fire could
have been sustained with little or no wicking agent present.
Lockheed Clean-Sweep Skimmer
The Lockheed Clean-Sweep operates on the principle that oil will
adhere to a wet aluminum surface (Figure 20). A series of closely
spaced aluminum discs are mounted on a rotating drum. The discs are
separated by vanes to create an artificial current which draws the oil
toward the unit. As the drum is rotated in oil, the oil will form a
layer on the surface of the disc and remain there through the downward
path of the drum. During the upward motion of the drum, water will
drain off the disc, leaving the oil. The oil is then wiped off the disc
and allowed to flow by gravity into a trough where a screw conveyor
transports the oil to a sump.
The Coast Guard made four attempts to use the Lockheed Clean-Sweep
during the spill, beginning February 12. Due to the draft of the tug
towing the unit, the skimmer was confined to working within Hog Island
Channel. When the unit was equipped with outboard motors for propulsion,
it was more maneuverable, but large ice floes prevented it from reaching
majar sources of oil.
The Lockheed Clean-Sweep was mounted between two pontoon-like
floats with one float serving as a compartment for the hydraulic motor
and fluid that drive the device, and the other serving as a 1,900-liter
storage tank for the recovered oil and water. The unit was towed by tug
and was not properly rigged. This arrangement caused the nose of the
unit to dip and the aft section to rise. The towing configuration also
considerably reduced the maneuverability of the device. Most of the ice
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encountered was in large pieces -- over 3 meters in diameter. These ice
pieces would wedge in the 2-meter opening and divert the oil away_from
the recovery drum, preventing effective oil encounter with the skimmer.
The ice also bent the vanes and discs on the drum, further reducing the
oil/skimmer encounter rate. The device was not operated according to
the proper correlation between drum speed and tow speed because the tug
could not tow it at a constant speed. Once the device was equipped with
outboard motors, it became more maneuverable and, therefore, more effec-
tive. The Coast Guard estimated that 2,300 to 2,600 liters of oil may
have been collected by the Lockheed.
Vanes
Wipers (on both surfaces of disc)
Trough
crew conveyor
Pump
Figure 20. Layout of the Lockheed clean-sweep oil recovery system.
The Lockheed's principle of operation offers some promise. If
modified, the device could be an efficient oil collector where small
pieces of ice debris are present. In its present configuration, how-
ever, it does not work effectively in ice-infested waters. Another
disadvantage of the unit is that it does not efficiently collect. No. 2
oil less than one-third to one-half of a centimeter thick. Where the
Lockheed was operated in Buzzards Bay, the oil rarely exceeded this
thickness.
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Marco Recovery System
The Marco Recovery System operates on the principle of submerging
an endless oleophilic belt in oily water and selectively recovering oil
(Figure 21). The belt is a porous, synthetic foam material that allows
water to flow through it while trapping the oil within it. The oil-
contaminated foam material is then lifted from the surface of the water
by a continuously operating conveyor system. The conveyor system trans-
ports the contaminated foam material to a pneumatically-tensioned squeeze
roller system where the oil is squeezed out of the foam and into a sump.
An impeller located below the surface of the water counteracts the belt
headwave and improves encounter rate with the oil by effectively allowing
more oil to contact the belt.
Skimming direction
Filter-belt
Powered drive &
squeeze rollers Debris
conveyor
Induction pump
Figure 21. Layout of the Marco oil recovery system.
The Marco Recovery System used at Buzzards Bay was a self-propelled
boat-mounted unit (Class V) (Figure 22). This device, as used, was
ineffective in recovering oil during this spill, collecting approxi-
mately 380 to 760 liters of oil. The main factors that prevented
effective oil recovery were the lack of heavy oil concentrations
encountered in open water, large pieces of ice clogging the front of the
belt, and limited maneuverability of the device in the ice floes.
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Source: NOAA.
Figure 22. Marco Class V collecting oil off Wings Neck Point.
Source: NOAA.
Figure 23. 011 contaminated ice removal off Wings Neck.
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Contaminated Ice Removal
Bulk removal of oil-contaminated ice was conducted only at Wings
Neck Beach, just northeast of the main staging area. Based upon ice
samples taken, the most heavily contaminated ice along the edges of
pools contained 3 to 5 percent oil by volume (Deslauriers, et al. , 1977;
Ruby, et al., 1977). The oil in this ice had penetrated 25 to 60 milli-
meters. Lightly yellowed ice contained only 0.05 percent oil by volume.
The removal methodology consisted of a crane swinging a steel
I-beam out onto the ice and raking large, loose pieces on shore
(Figure 23). At each tidal cycle, more oiled ice was removed. Front-
end loaders were used to pile the ice up on the beach and load the
pieces into dump trucks. The dump trucks took the ice "to a temporary
separation facility approved by the Army Corps of Engineers in the Town
of Bourne.
Operations were initiated on January 30 and terminated on February 2
because the operation was inefficient. An estimated 236,000 kilograms
of ice were removed; approximately 2,000 liters of oil were recovered.
On February 10, the ice removal procedure was initiated again at
Wings Neck Beach, apparently in response to public pressure. This time,
approximately 340,000 kilograms of ice were removed with about 3,400 liters
of oil recovered. Therefore, the total amount of oil recovered by this
operation was approximately 5,400 liters from 576,000 kilograms
(575,000 liters) of ice -- a recovery efficiency of approximately
1 percent.
Based on these figures and the time and money expended, the effort
proved to be extremely inefficient. In addition, the transport and han-
dling of the ice was poorly conducted. The ice that was piled on the
beach for removal to the separation facility began to melt and the oil,
most of which was on the surface of the ice, dripped onto the beach.
The trucks that transported the ice to the separation facility were not
lined. A sorbent boom placed at the tailgate did not prevent oil from
leaking onto the ground while in transit to the separation facility.
Additionally, the removal of shorefast ice, which was protecting
the shoreline, lead to increased contamination. Oil incorporated in the
ice was left on the beach as the ice melted and mixed with the beach
sediment by the tracks of the front-end loader.
Heavy traffic during the ice-removal procedure caused minor damage
to private property on Wings Neck which required new topsoil and resodding.
The access road to the staging area also had to be repaved.
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A separation and temporary ice-disposal site was located in a
gravel pit adjacent to Sandwich Road in the Town of Bourne. The Army
Corps of Engineers sent a letter on February 9, 1977 to the U.S. Coast
Guard authorizing use of the disposal site. The letter specified a
number of conditions that were followed by the cleanup contractors:
1. The storage area for the contaminated ice will be covered
with a vinyl-sealed lining and protected from rupture with
a 0.3 meter thickness of sand.
2. Ice and, once the ice melts, the oil and water shall be
contained by a dike around the storage area, with offsite
disposal of this oil and water on a daily basis.
3. Maintenance of the road shall be provided during project
work and left in satisfactory condition upon completion of
the work.
4. All environmental precautions are to be taken to prevent
any spillage of contaminated ice in haul operations and of
oil and water during processing and removal from the site.
In the event of any spillage, the cause and cleanup of the
contaminated materials should be immediately ascertained
and corrected.
5. Upon completion of the work, all processing equipment and
materials including the sand in the dike and diked area
shall be removed from the site, leaving the site in its
original condition.
The contaminated ice was placed in a diked area with a vinyl lining
which was protected from rupture with a 0.3-meter layer of packed sand
(Figure 24). Once the ice melted, the oil and water were separated,
with the oil being taken to the central collection area in Bridgewater.
The separation process consisted of simply dumping the contaminated
ice into the disposal site and allowing it to melt. Vacuum trucks then
pumped out the oil, which was floating on top of the water, on a daily
basis.
The separation site was dismantled following final separation of
all the oil and water. All oiled debris, including sand, gravel and
vinyl materials, was taken to the final landfill site in Cranston, Rhode
Island.
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Source: EPA.
Figure 24. Construction of oil/water separation site.
Booms
Booming of large areas to protect them from contamination was not
extensively undertaken during the Buzzards Bay spill. Skirt booms (46
and 91 centimeters in depth) were deployed only at Pocasset and Back
Rivers. These two areas were boomed on February 4 to protect shellfish
beds. The deployment procedure involved tugs breaking the ice and
towing the booms to the site. The booms froze into place and established
a protective barrier. When ice movement occurred, however, the booms
were destroyed by the strong forces placed on them by the moving ice.
Fortunately, no significant quantity of oil reached this portion of
Buzzards Bay.
On February 15, a sorbent boom was placed at the mouth of Scorton
Creek in Cape Cod Bay when oil threatened the shellfish beds. The boom
quickly failed, however, when ice floes were encountered. No signifi-
cant quantity of oil was reported in the Scorton Creek area.
The main factors influencing the decision to limit booming were the
excellent barrier properties of the ice itself and the general feeling
that such attempts would be largely unsuccessful, as in fact they proved
to be.
Endless Rope Skimmer
An endless rope skimmer operates on the principle that a rope con-
taining an oleophilic material will collect oil when pulled across an
oily surface. Oil is recovered by wringing the rope out and collecting
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the oil in a sump. Approximately 95 percent of the oil adhering to the
rope is removed during the wringing process (Figure 25).
Squeegee rollers
Reclaimed
oil
\
^ _^ Tail pulley
Hater surface x _^_^_^_i^^
\ J—L
Rope contacts the o1l-^
Figure 25. Layout of the endless rope skimmer.
The rope skimmer used at Buzzards Bay was small (Mark I), weighing
about 90 kilograms. It was deployed on the ice by mounting it in a
small jon boat. The boat offered a secure platform which would not sink
if ice movement occurred. The rope was then placed in the narrow irregular
pools of oil that collected in the rafted ice and tidal cracks. The
tail pulley was maneuvered to maintain the configuration desired by the
cleanup crews.
The rope skimmer was not extensively used during the Buzzards Bay
spill because the vacuum techniques were working well and were easier to
undertake. According to the cleanup contractors and the Coast Guard,
however, the device was effective in removing the oil from the ice and
water. Its major advantage is that it works well with irregular ice
configurations. The cleanup contractors estimated that 400 to 800 liters
of oil were recovered by the skimmer.
Ho major problems were encountered in the short period of time the
skimmer was used. Potential problems of operating this device in ice
conditions include the rope snagging and breaking, and insufficient
power in the motor to drag the rope through ice.
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Sorbents
Sorbent pads were used sparingly in the Buzzards Bay spill. Small
oil pockets were cleaned in this manner, but the vacuum process proved
more efficient. No estimates were made of the amount of oil collected
by sorbents, but it was insignificant compared to the total quantity
recovered.
Drilling Holes
In the early phase of the spill, oil appeared to be moving in large
pools beneath the ice surface. Attempts to collect this oil included
drilling holes in the ice (Figure 26) and inserting vacuum hoses. For
the most part, this operation was conducted off Wings Neck Point and
near those locations where the open pools were being vacuumed. In many
instances, the cleanup crews were deceived by oil patches on top of the
ice or frozen into the ice and found little or no oil upon drilling.
Source: EPA
Figure 26. Drilling holes through the 1ce off Wings Neck.
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The most advantageous place to drill was near open pools in the
rafted ice (Figure 12). In some cases the oil, being buoyant, spurted
out of the hole. Problems were encountered with the holes freezing and
having to be redrilled the following day. The tidal currents moved the
oil back and forth, and a hole that was seemingly pumped dry would have
oil in it again after a tidal cycle. Two to three days after the spill,
most of the oil became trapped in leads, in rafted pools, or tidal
cracks and shifted only slightly with the tides.
Overall, oil recovery through drilled holes was not efficient,
primarily because the oil was difficult to locate, and in many instances,
because there was just a small quantity of oil to be collected. The
major problem with vacuuming through the holes was freezing of the
vacuum lines. The operator could not always tell how much oil was
beneath the ice so the hose frequently was sucking water.
Summary
Table 11 summarizes all the cleanup techniques used at Buzzards
Bay. Vacuum skimming proved to be the most effective method. Burning
also appeared to work well although quantification of the exercise was
unreliable. The use of skimmers (i.e., the Lockheed and Marco) was
severely limited by the ice conditions as were skirt booms.
MODIFICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLEANUP TECHNIQUES
Vacuum Skimming
The major problem encountered in employing the vacuum technique was
freezing of the intake hoses which occurred on the average of every 10
to 20 minutes. Preventing the lines from freezing probably could not
have been eliminated considering the low temperatures during the spill.
However, the frequency of the freezeup could have been reduced by imple-
menting some of the following techniques.
1. Take as much care as possible to collect only No. 2 fuel oil. Use
of small weir skimmers in the deeper pools where no ice was present
might have improved recovery efficiency.
2. Maintain the lowest possible elevation difference between the head
and the pump. This will allow maximum use of the vacuum to draw
liquid rather than to overcome a pressure head. Use of larger
booster pumps would also aid in overcoming pressure head.
3. Place a debris screen over the mouth of the skimmer head to prevent
ice from entering the hose.
51
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TABLE 11. SUMMARY OF CLEANUP OPERATIONS AT BUZZARDS BAY
Method
Oil recovered
(liters)1
Ice and weather conditions Location of cleanup
Effectiveness
Vacuum skimming
Shore-based
52,300
Water-based
en
ro
Burning
12,800
15,500*
Lockheed clean sweep 2,300-2,700
Marco recovery system 400-800
Varied from cold, clear,
windy days with little
ice movement to- warmer
weather and moving ice
floes. Snow and blowing
snow for 3-4 days.
Moving ice floes; temp-
erature above freezing.
Snow and blowing snow
for 3-4 days.
First burn occurred on a
cold-, windy day and
little ice movement;
second burn occurred on
an above-freezing day
with moderate winds and
moving ice.
Moving ice; temperatures
above freezing. Moder-
ate winds.
Moving ice; temperatures
above freezing. Moder-
ate winds.
Wings Neck Point and
Brailles Beach.
West of Wings Neck
and east of Hog
Island Channel.
First burn: near
grounding at Cleve-
land Ledge; second
burns between Cleve-
land Ledge and Scraggy
Neck.
Hog Island Channel
area near Long Neck.
Hog Island Channel
area near Long Meek.
Most successful during early stages
of cleanup. Efforts were hindered
by snowfall obscuring oil pockets
and hoses freezing. Most of the
oil recovered was collected by this
method.
Marginally successful. The oil pools
that were reachable by boat were
small and others were inaccesible.
Moderately successful. Actual quan-
tities of oil burned are difficult to
ascertain. The commercial wicking
agent used'was poorly deployed and
proved of little value. Use of oil-
soaked rags appeared to work well in
setting some oil pools afire.
Unsuccessful. Ice floes blocked oil
from contacting drum, manueverability
was poor,' and oil thickness was in-
sufficient for efficient operation.
Unsuccessful. Ice floes blocked oil
from contacting belt, maneuverability
was poor, and oil thickness was in-
sufficient for efficient operation.
-------
TABLE 11. SUMMARY OF CLEANUP OPERATIONS AT BUZZARDS BAY (cont.)
Method
Oil recovered
(liters)
Ice and weather conditions Location of cleanup
Effectiveness
Ice removal
5,500
Booming
N.A.'
en
GO
Endless rope skimmer 400-800
Drilling holes
Sorbents
Included in
vacuum-skimming
figures.
Negligible
Shorefast ice at ice re-
moval site. Weather
varied from cold and very
windy to above freezing
temperatures and light
winds.
Skirt booms were deployed
by boats breaking the ice
and towing the booms to
the site. Sorbent boom
placed in ice-infested
waters.
Mop used in leads and
tidal cracks.
Varied from very windy
and cold to above freez-
ing temperature and light
winds.
Used on small pools of
ice.
North of main staging
area near Brailles
Beach.
Skirt booms placed at
mouths of Pocasset and
Back Rivers. Sorbent
boom placed at mouth
of Scorton Creek.
West of Wings Neck
near staging area and
vacuum operations.
West of Wings Neck
near vacuum opera-
tions.
West of Wings Neck
near staging area and
vacuum operations.
Unsuccessful. Approximately 1 per-
cent by volume of oil to water was
recovered. Oil was deposited on the
beach as the ice melted. Trucks
transporting the ice to the separa-
tion site were not lined.
Unsuccessful. The sorbent boom was
torn by ice and, therefore, did not
impede the flow of oil. The skirt
booms never encountered oil and con-
sequently their effectiveness cannot
be measured.
Marginally successful. Worked
rather well in the small leads and
tidal cracks. Not extensively used.
Marginally successful. Most holes
that were drilled revealed little,
if any, oil beneath them. Prob-
lems were encountered with the
hoses freezing if too much water
was vacuumed. Also, the holes re-
froze overnight.
Sorbents were used sparingly as
vacuum operations proved much more
efficient.
-Approximate total based upon Coast Guard estimates.
^This figure is approximate due to the inability to make accurate estimates.
Not applicable.
-------
4. Place an insulating mat (e.g., a sorbent roll) under the vacuum
hoses. NOTE: this would be beneficial only when the air temper-
ature is above freezing.
A substitute hose could be laid parallel to the one in use. If one
line is clogged, the parallel line could be hooked up to the vacuum pump
saving downtime; meanwhile the frozen section could be thawed out.
Another modification that would help concentrate the oil and allevi-
ate freezing problems is shown in Figure 27. Oil is pumped into a
200-liter drum or similar container that serves as a gravity separator.
As the drums are filled, their contents -- essentially oil -- can be
pumped ashore or the drums can be removed by helicopter.
Burning
Two different burning techniques were used at Buzzards Bay but the
success of each is inconclusive. Only rough estimates were made con-
cerning the initial volume of oil prior to burning. No followup was
done for either technique to measure the degree to which the oil burned.
Based upon studies conducted in the Arctic, burning may be an
efficient cleanup technique for some oils. Burning generally must be
attempted immediately after a spill before the oil has weathered, and
when the oil is concentrated in pools of sufficient thickness. Con-
trolled burning tests have shown that 80 to 90 percent of some crude
oils can be consumed, leaving a tar-like residue (McMinn, 1972; Glaeser
and Vance, 1971). In these tests, no combustion-aiding agent other than
oil-soaked rags were necessary to initiate and sustain combustion.
However, if the oil mixes with snow and becomes a slush, combustion
inplace will be impossible. Wicking agents appeared to have no advantage
over the use of oil-soaked rags in the Arctic studies or at Buzzards Bay
for burning confined pools of oil in cold climate conditions.
A recent study (ARCTEC Canada, Ltd., 1977) concluded that atmos-
pheric flares dropped from aircraft may be the best method of igniting
an oil pool on water. Napalm, although dangerous to use, works best
when oil is on top of the ice. Consequently, a crucial aspect to
burning is finding an effective ignition device and deploying it safely.
An adverse effect of burning is the air pollution created. Large
quantities of black smoke were generated by each burn at Buzzards Bay,
but lasted a relatively short time. The situation dictated that burning
be done far from shore to prevent the smoke from affecting nearby resi-
dents and to prevent any potential for the fire jumping to land.
In the event of another spill of No. 2 fuel oil in the New England
area under similar environmental conditions, burning may be a viable
54
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Series of 213 liter drums or larger containers
jtlet hose
CJT
cn
Return line'(water
Intake hose
(oil/water)
Ice
Figure 27. 011 concentration system.
-------
option. The burning should be initiated early, before the oil has had a
chance to evaporate significantly and dissipate. After burning, the
pools should be surveyed for traces of residue and unburned oil. Use of
commercial wieking agents is not recommended.
Lockheed Clean-Sweep
The Lockheed Clean-Sweep was designed to operate in open water and
in thick layers of oil. Several modifications to improve its perform-
ance have been suggested in studies conducted for the Coast Guard
(Deslauriers, 1976). In particular, the drum should be redesigned to
withstand battering by ice, and maneuverability should be enhanced. An
ice deflector (actually a unit to break up, deflect, or remove ice in
the skimmer or from the skimmer's path) could be added to the Lockheed
to improve oil contact with the drum. In addition, the operator must be
cognizant of the proper correlation between drum speed and speed of
forward advance for maximum oil recovery efficiency. With such changes
and additional testing, the Lockheed Clean-Sweep may have limited use in
ice-infested waters.
The Lockheed did not encounter sufficient thicknesses of floating
oil to make it efficient in recovering oil in the spill under study.
The amount of oil in the water must be of sufficient thickness (1/3 to
2/3 centimeter) and quantity to make implementation of the unit practical
under similar environmental conditions.
The Lockheed could be deployed in a stationary position along a
lead or an ice slot and oil herded toward the collection mechanism. The
floating oil, however, must be relatively free of ice debris for the
unit to perform effectively.
Marco Recovery System
The Marco Recovery System was not designed for use in ice-infested
water. However, attempt to improve the Marco's cold-climate and
ice-handling performance are being made. A study conducted for the USCG
(Deslauriers, 1976) showed that if the Marco were equipped with an ice
deflector, its performance in collecting oil from ice-infested waters
would improve considerably. In addition, the operator of the device
must be well-versed in the correlation between belt speed and proper
speed of advance for optimum recovery.
In its present configuration, the Marco Recovery System will not
work well in ice-infested waters. However, even if it were modified, it
would still have been ineffective at Buzzards Bay because oil of suf-
ficient thickness for efficient removal did not occur in those areas
where the unit was operated.
56
-------
Similar to that described for the Lockheed, a small Marco unit
could be deployed in a stationary position for oil collection along the
edge of a lead or ice slot.
Contaminated Ice Removal
Removal of contaminated ice is a time-consuming and labor-intensive
task. Minor modifications of the efforts conducted at Buzzards Bay
could have made this method more efficient, but it still would have been
of minimal value. Better protective measures on the beach, such as a
shallow pit lined with a plastic sheet to temporarily hold the contamin-
ated ice, would have helped prevent some of the beach contamination.
Lining the dump trucks transporting the ice to the disposal site would
also have facilitated recovery and decreased spillage of oil in trans-
port.
Contaminated ice removal is not recommended for spills under similar
conditions. In unusual circumstances, where the ice (or snow slus'h) is
heavily contaminated and adjacent to sensitive biological areas, removal
of the ice and snow may be necessary to prevent damage when the ice
melts. In that event, the ice should be removed so that minimal physical
and biological damage will occur at the removal site.
It must be recognized that leaving contaminated ice in situ will
result in oil going to sea and dispersing when the ice melts. Such oil
is difficult, if not impossible, to recover. The possibility exists
that the released oil could accumulate in bays or other combined areas
and affect the biological communities. In the present case, the biolo-
gical evidence to date suggests that no adverse effects occurred. Thus,
the most cost effective approach to cleaning up oil incorporated in the
ice (versus pooled and floating oil) is leaving it there.
Once the cleanup is finished, any contaminated beach areas must be
restored. This would include removal of the contaminated material and
relandscaping. Because this was not done on Wings Neck, walking surveys,
conducted as late as October 1977, indicated that oil was still present
in the coarse sediments where the ice had been piled and allowed to
melt.
Booms
At the present time, most commercially available booms have insuf-
ficient tensile strength to withstand broken and moving ice. A boom can
be destroyed by ice riding over or under it, or it can break or shred
under the great forces of the ice. Many materials used in manufacturing
booms become brittle or inflexible in cold temperatures. If the boom
57
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becomes too inflexible or rigid, it may break or crack, thereby releasing
the oil it was supposed to contain or divert. Booms may also experience
a reduction in buoyancy due to icing of the top portion containing the
floatation mechanism.
Some commercially available heavy-duty skirt booms do offer promise
for successful application in cold-climate spills in which light, broken
ice is present. However, no presently available commercial oil contain-
ment boom is suitable for general application in cold weather spills
where moderate to large broken ice floes are present and moving with the
currents.
Where ice conditions are static, heavy-duty booms could be deployed
by cutting a section out of the ice and allowing the boom to freeze in
place. This configuration will contain or divert oil but, like booms
deployed in open water, will fail if the currents exceed specified
design limits. The boom is less likely to incur physical damage in
static ice, but still should be considered expendable. A cheaper and
equally effective procedure for diverting oil moving under static ice is
to freeze plywood (or other equally strong and expendable material of a
biodegradable nature) into the ice. If the ice moves before the plywood
can be recovered, the material is expendable. In any case, a boom in
static ice can be used to divert oil either to a location where the oil
can be collected through holes or to open areas where it can be collected.
A possible modification of booming with skirt booms alone would be
the use of a porous ice containment boom in conjunction with a conven-
tional skirt boom. The backup ice boom would allow most of the oil and
small pieces of ice to pass through its openings (or under the boom)
while diverting large pieces of ice away from the collection or contain-
ment area. Such a scheme is shown in Figure 28. Available literature
does not indicate that such a system has ever been used. It does appear,
however, that there is potential for such a system where booming is
necessary to protect sensitive biological areas.
Under conditions similar to those in the Buzzards Bay spill, con-
ventional booms should not be used to contain oil. Heavy-duty booms can
be used as deflection booms to divert the oil to a collection device if
the ice conditions are light. During most of the Buzzards Bay spill,
the shore-fast ice acted as an effective containment mechanism to prevent
oil from moving towards the shore.
Endless Rope Skimmer
Although the endless rope skimmer was not extensively used during
the Buzzards Bay spill, it has potential as an oil-recovery technique in
cold-climate oil spills. The flexibility of the rope to adapt to sur-
face irregularities and its ability to operate in ice-infested waters
58
-------
Containment boom
Water
Ice boom Recovery un1
HH
O
(Wind and currents
Figure 28. Ice and containment boom deployment to recover oil.
59
-------
are advantages of the unit over other oil-recovery techniques. The
endless rope skimmer can be deployed in small, narrow areas such as
leads or tidal cracks (Figure 29A) or in open water (Figure 29B). The
technique could be deployed beneath the ice by cutting holes in the ice
and inserting the rope through the holes (Figure 29C); it can also be
operated in broken ice fields without damage to the rope (Figure 29D).
The device can be dragged across an ice sheet to recover the oil on top
of the ice if the volume warrants recovery and the oil is fluid rather
than frozen (Figure 29E). Therefore, the endless rope skimmer is capable
of operating successfully in both static and dynamic ice conditions.
Endless rope skimmers come in several sizes. Many of the smaller
models can be transported to a spill site by helicopter or small boat.
If deployed on ice, the unit should be mounted in a small boat or on
pontoons to prevent its sinking if the ice collapses or moves. Larger
units can be deployed from ship or shore depending upon the location of
the oil and available means of transporting the unit to the site.
Sorbents
Sorbents were not used extensively at Buzzards Bay and, based on
studies in arctic climates, appear to have only limited use in spills on
ice. This is especially true under the dynamic ice conditions such as
those at Buzzards Bay. The sorbent material, whether it is natural
(such as straw) or synthetic (such as polyurethane, polymeric fiber or
polypropylene) must be physically removed from the oil pools; this
process of application and removal can be costly in terms of time and
materials. Though sorbents should not be depended upon as a major
cleanup tool in conditions similar to those encountered at Buzzards Bay,
either sorbent pads or rolls should be available for collection of
easily accessible pools and for placement under hoses, vacuum pumps, and
other items subject to leaking.
Drilling Holes
Drilling small holes to collect oil with vacuum techniques is not
recommended. However, during the early phase of the spill when the oil
is still moving under the ice, 1- to 2-meter slots can be cut in the ice
with chainsaws or by blasting. These slots should be located such that
they would intercept the flow of oil. Vacuum techniques or a stationary
skimmer (e.g., endless rope skimmer) would be used to collect the oil.
A board could be used to herd the oil toward the skimmer to improve
encounter rate.
The slot must be wide enough to prevent refreezing. The suggested
1 to 2 meters width should be sufficient for most applications. Length
60
-------
Tail pulley
Rope
Rope skimmer
Ice
Tall
pulley
Rope skimmer
Shore
Tail pulle
Tall pulley
leg
Water
C.
D.
Rope Skimmer
Ice
Rope
E.
Oil
Tall
Ice
Figure 29. Possible deployment of rope skimmer in ice-infested
waters.
61
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would be dependent on the amount of oil believed to be moving under the
ice. A schematic of the ice slot and skimmer arrangement is shown in
Figure 30.
Skimmer
Ice
to recovery
Ice
L—1 to 2_J
I meters I
Water
Current flow
Figure 30. Ice slot for oil collection.
Miscellaneous Recommendations
Recovery of oil within the first week of the spill would have been
improved if the locations of the larger oil deposits initially identified
had been marked. A snowfall on February 5 obscured the oil locations
and.delayed the cleanup operation during a critical phase. The cleanup
had to be temporarily postponed until the snow melted sufficiently and
the oil was located. Possible methods of marking the larger oil pool
locations include staking with colored metal posts, or throwing small
buoys or floats in the pools with attached flags and counterweights.
The master map prepared and updated daily by the Coast Guard and cleanup
contractors is helpful in generally locating the oil, but is not specific
enough to locate oil on the ice because of ice movement.
The use of helicopter for transportation of materials and equipment
to different staging areas and cleanup activities has been an effective
procedure at other oil spills. In addition to a helicopter standing by
for safety precautions and limited surveillance, another helicopter can
be used for transporting mobile cleanup equipment to cleanup sites,
removing oiled debris, and shuttling any other equipment and gear to the
work crews as needed.
62
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE METHODS
A wide variety of devices and chemicals are used in oil spill
cleanup operations today; few of these, however, have been tested or
used in cold climates. Chemical agents such as dispersants, gels,
surfactants, and sinking agents are not commonly used even in temperate
spills in the United States. Their use in cold weather spills and in
ice cannot be evaluated because little or no information is available
concerning their behavior in such conditions (McMinn, 1972). If such
agents were used in shallow water in ice conditions, there may be greater
biological impacts than caused by the oil alone. Therefore, mechanical
cleanup devices appear most viable for cold-climate cleanup.
Unfortunately, little research on mechanical cleanup equipment
under cold-climate conditions has been undertaken. With oil production
and transport increasing in cold climates (such as Alaska) and the new
potential for oil spills in such regions, research efforts have recently
increased.
Most mechanical devices used to recover oil are generally classified
as skimmers and are grouped according to their method of oil recovery.
The major problem with most skimmers in ice-infested waters is that ice
impairs the encounter rate between the collection mechanism and the oil.
As described previously, an ice deflector could be added to some skimmers.
Little research, however, has been conducted on such devices; they would
not be practical on many systems.
Another vacuum technique effectively used in other cold-climate
spills (e.g., Hudson River spill, 1977) is the Myers-Sherman Vactor.
This device has a flow rate of 11,800 cubic meters of air per minute and
can pick up pieces of ice weighing up to 2 kilograms. The device uses a
hose 20 to 30 centimeters in diameter and 61 meters long. The large
flow rate and large hose diameter help prevent small pieces of ice
debris, usually collected with the oil, from clogging the hose. It can
be operated either from shore or placed on a work barge. Its disadvant-
ages are the poor maneuverability of the large hose and the inability of
the unit to reach oil pools in shorefast ice if barge-mounted.
An alternative to centralized collection and disposal for the oil
is an onsite, high-volume, open-flame flaring device. This would elimi-
nate most problems, such as hose freezing, associated with pumping
oil/ice/water mixtures over long distances to shore. This device would
have to be air-deployable and capable of burning diluted volumes of oil.
The U.S. Coast Guard has recently published a Request for Proposal for a
project that would determine the oil disposal capability of such a
device. A drawback to this type of disposal, however, is that the oil
is not reclaimed for reuse and air pollutants are generated. The pol-
lution generated, however, would be far less than that from open burning
on the water surface.
63
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In summary, the state-of-the-art regarding cold climate oil spill
cleanup equipment is in its infancy. Further research and development
to modify existing equipment and to develop new equipment is necessary
to improve upon recovery efficiency and response to oil spills of all
types in cold climates.
PERSONNEL SAFETY
Cleanup and sampling operations during and after the spill posed
extreme hazards to the people involved, such as cold-weather exposure
and falls into the frigid waters. For the most part, everyone was
adequately safeguarded. However, some additional recommendations can be
made to insure that, in the event of another spill under similar condi-
tions, the potential hazards can be further minimized.
Initially, there was not enough cold-weather survival gear avail-
able for the crews. This caused some minor delays in deploying personnel
during the search for the necessary clothing.
A number of different safety precautions were taken by the field
crews. Some had safety lines tied in series, so that if one person
fell, someone would be nearby to pull him out almost immediately. Jon
boats were stationed onshore and on the ice in the event they were
needed. Some personnel also dragged jon boats along with them as they
worked. During most of the cleanup, but especially when the ice began
to break up, men were stationed at various distances from shore to
monitor ice movement and watch for anyone in trouble. An Army helicopter
was stationed nearby in the event that personnel rescue was required.
However, this helicopter was used primarily to shuttle people who were
observing the spill and would not have been immediately available most
of the time.
A helicopter for emergency response should be standing by when
cleanup and sampling crews are on the ice. Such a helicopter could be
used for some local surveillance work, but only when absolutely neces-
sary. At all times radio communications between shore-based personnel
and personnel on the ice is necessary for quick response to any emer-
gency.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the course of cleanup.
Some workers did fall into the water, but were able to escape. In order
to be more fully prepared for another spill under similar conditions,
arctic survival gear should be readily available. This equipment should
be either purchased and stockpiled in advance, or a list which delineates
how the gear can be obtained within a matter of hours of a spill should
be supplied to the contractors, cleanup parties, and other personnel
involved with the spills.
64
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It is paramount that all people on the ice have safety lines
attached to them and life vests on. Working in pairs with jon boats
nearby and deploying surveillance personnel at various distances from
shore are also recommended. If crews work shortly after a snowfall,
open water areas may be obscured; therefore, utmost care must be
exercised if work is continued during these times. In addition to
safety lines and life vests and boats, probes should be used so the
crews can "feel" their way along the ice.
Wind chill was also an important factor in the Buzzards Bay spill
A warming house or other type of readily accessible shelter should be
equipped with catalytic heaters and hand warmers for periodic use by
crews. Exposure times to the cold should be limited, the time being
dictated by the degree of wind chill. Under the worst-case conditions
at Buzzards Bay, this exposure period should have been no more than
one-half hour. A paramedic or doctor should be on hand to assist
injured crew members.
65
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SECTION 7
SAMPLING AND FIELD WORK
An interagency program of water column, sediment, benthic, and
shellfish sampling surveys was initiated immediately after the spill by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration (NOAA), Massachusetts Department of Environ-
mental Quality Engineering (DEQE), and the Massachusetts Division of
Marine Fisheries. NOAA's sampling efforts were designed to trace the
movement of oil in the water columns, determine the interaction of the
spilled oil with surface ice present in Buzzards Bay, and, on a limited
scale, determine the long-term environmental impact of the spill. The
EPA, DEQE, and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries sampling
efforts were designed to determine the extent of benthic sediment con-
tamination by the spilled oil, investigate contamination of commercial
shellfish areas, and assess the acute, short-term environmental impact
of the spill. NOAA contracted with a number of firms, including the
Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) at Woods Hole, Environmental Services
Corporation, Science Applications, Inc., and Arctec, Inc., to assist in
the overall sampling effort.
This section presents a review of the procedures and techniques
employed by EPA staff for sampling benthic organisms, sediments, and
shellfish. The information given under DESCRIPTION, is drawn entirely
from EPA Region I records and interviews with Region I staff members.
The EVALUATION and RECOMMENDATION discussions are the professional
opinion of the authors.
DESCRIPTION
The EPA field studies were initiated after the Bouchard spill on
28 January 1977. These EPA studies had three purposes:
1. to interface with studies being conducted by other agencies
and parties,
2. to provide indications of the presence of No. 2 oil in sedi-
ments as determined by visible oil, sheen, or odor of oil, and
hydrocarbon analysis,
3. to assess short-term biological damage as determined by the
presence of dead organisms.
66
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An additional but lower priority goal was to assess gross changes in the
composition of benthic biological communities due to mortality.
Several meetings were held between the EPA and other interested
agencies and parties during the month following the spill. Reports of
oil concentrations and movement were considered and a multi-agency
sampling program was established. Each agency's program was integrated
with the others and all programs were to be nonredundant and comple-
mentary.
Benthos
The EPA and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries staff col-
lected benthic samples at 20 stations chosen to represent both various
biological resources and suspected sites of oil contamination. The
sampling locations are shown on Figures 31 and 32. Sites 1, 2, and 4
were chosen because of their high-resource value (shellfish) and their
position in the anticipated path of slick movement. Stations 13 and 180
were the sites of the intentional grounding of the barge and the initial
grounding, respectively. The remaining stations were chosen based on
aerial and surface observations of the movement of oil/ice within the
bay.
During consultation with other agencies to coordinate the various
sampling efforts, the Northwest Gutter at Ucatena Island was selected as
a control site for all agencies' sampling program. Northwest Gutter was
selected because it was probably uncontaminated by the Bouchard spill,
was minimally influenced by any municipal or industrial wastes or past
spills, and offered the opportunity for transect sampling of the entire
range of sediment types encountered in the study. Further, MBL had
earlier collected biological and chemical data from the area that could
be used, with MBL's consent, as a baseline for the site.
The scheduled sampling was infrequent throughout February and March
(Table 12) because of continual movement of the oil and the difficulties
encountered in trying to collect samples from beneath ice. By late
April, the sampling schedule became relatively constant at all stations
since the ice had greatly diminished and the route of oil movement had
been delineated. It was then possible to identify stations that best
exemplified various habitats and resources that were contaminated.
Several new stations were established that were sampled monthly for the
remainder of the study. Station 47, selected as the control site in the
first few days after the spill, was not sampled by the EPA until June
because of weather conditions and boat availability. This was not
considered critical, however, since at that time it was assumed that
data collected by MBL at this station would be available.
67
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Figure 31. Location of EPA sampling stations.
68
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Massachusetts
Caoe Cod Bay
.Si!
$v_B?£§*; to. Figure. 31. J
Clevelana Ledge
Buzzards Bay
Cape Cod
Sampling stations
v_y Sediment only
\^) Sediment & benthic
' — '
kilometers
01234
Figure 32. Location of EPA sampling stations.
69
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TABLE 12. BENTHIC SAMPLING PROGRAM
Sampling date
Station
number
1
2
4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
Jan. 28 March 8 April 20
- Feb. 4-10 - 21
2/77 3/77 4/77
a c
a
a
i C
a1 a
a a c
a a c
a?
a2
a
a
a
b a
a
b a
a c
c
c
May 23
- 24
5/77
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
a
June 20
- 21
6/77
d
a
a
d
d
d
d
a
d
a
a
a
a
d
d
d
d
d
Type of sampler:
a: Petersen
b: Van Veen
c: Petite Ponar
d: Ponar
2
No notation given for this station date. Use of Peterson grab is
inferred.
Samples were collected at all stations using grab samplers. Sta-
tions 2, 4, 35, 105, 108, and 112 were reached by walking out from shore
to the station location; other stations were sampled from a small boat.
Station locations were determined by unaided visual sighting using
onshore landmarks. A Field Data Card was prepared at each station
showing data on conditions at each station.
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Four different types of samplers were used. The characteristics of
each sampler are shown in Table 13. The sampler used at each location
in each sampling period is shown in Table 12. Samplers were chosen
based on availability.
TABLE 13. CHARACTERISTICS OF SAMPLERS USED
Type of sampler
Dimensions
Area sampled
a. Petersen
b. Van Veen
c. Petite Ponar
d. Ponar
10.25 x 10.5 in.
26 x 26.7 cm
NA
6 x 6.5 in.
15.2 x 16.5 cm.
8.5 x 9.5 in.
21.6 x 24.1 cm.
107.6 in.2
693.4 cm2
400 cm2
39 in.2
250.8 cm.2
80.8 in.2
520.6 cm.2
NA = Not available.
The number of samples taken at each station throughout the sampling
period is shown in Table 14. Initially, three replicate samples were
taken during the February survey. Thereafter, single samples were
obtained due to resource constraints. The boat was not anchored during
sampling so there probably was some drift between replicate samples.
When drift was observed the boat was repositioned at the original sample
site. Whenever possible, samples were rejected unless a full grab was
obtained. In certain areas, hard bottom characteristics resulted in
less than a full sample. The grab sampler was thoroughly rinsed in sea
water between sample stations.
Grab samples were immediately sieved through a No. 30 mesh screen
and placed in plastic bags or mason jars. When replicates were taken,
each was handled separately. A minimum of 5-percent formalin was added
to each sample to preserve the sample.
The chain of custody procedure included the following steps. A
sample tag was affixed to each sample taken in the field. These tags
contained information on the source of the sample, sampling crew, date,
time, station number, and type of analysis to be performed on each.
During the February and March sampling periods, organisms were rough-
sorted in the EPA lab prior to delivery to the taxonomy lab. A labora-
tory number and card were assigned to each site. Replicate samples from
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a site were usually assigned the same laboratory number. Letters of
transmittal were signed by both EPA and the receiving party when the
samples were delivered to the laboratory. Marine Research, Inc., did
taxonomic classification to genus and, when possible, to species.
TABLE 14. NUMBER OF BENTHIC SAMPLES
AT EACH STATION
Station
number
1
2
4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
Sampling date
2/77 3/77
1
3
3 1
3 1
3
1
2
1
1
1
4/77
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5/77
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
6/77
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Sediment
Samples for hydrocarbon analysis of sediments were collected at a
number of sites, selected on the basis of the existing or forecast
movement of the oil. Immediately after the spill, a number of sites
were sampled that were later abandoned. The number of sampling stations
was necessarily reduced when the budget for sampling program was estab-
lished. The stations selected for further sampling were those thought
to have the highest probability of contamination or resource value. The
schedule of sediment sampling is given in Table 15.
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TABLE 15. SEDIMENT SAMPLING SCHEDULE
Station
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
2/77
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sampl
3/77
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X?
X2
X
X
X
X
X
ing date
Mil
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
5/77
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6/77
X1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
2Two samples taken.
Sample taken by Marine Biological Laboratory, March 22.
Sediment sampling stations that were not coincident with benthic
sampling locations were located by unaided sightings on prominent on-
shore landmarks, minimizing the chance of displacement of subsequent
sampling grabs.
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Sediment samples were taken with the grab samplers previously
described for the benthos. The sampler was thoroughly rinsed in sea
water between stations. Most samples were collected by taking a sub-
sample from the portion of the sample not in contact with the walls of
the sampler. On some occasions, the entire sample was collected if less
than a full grab was taken.
The samples were collected in glass quart jars that had been cleaned
in the EPA laboratory. The jars were washed in 10 percent solutionQof
"Chem-Solv" for 10 minutes, rinsed in tap water, then heated to 500 C
for 4 to 6 hours. The jar lids were lined with either teflon or aluminum
foil. The closed jars were immediately placed in an ice chest containing
wet ice.
When the samples were returned to the laboratory they were placed
in a locked freezer at about -14°C. The samples were transferred to the
Energy Resources Company (ERCO) laboratory in an ice chest with wet ice.
They remained in a freezer at ERCO until analyzed.
The chain of custody procedure for sediment samples was identical
to that described earlier for benthos. Only samples for April, May, and
June were delivered to ERCO for analysis. The EPA chemistry lab in
Lexington, Massachusetts, analyzed all sediments samples taken prior to
April. Hydrocarbon analyses included preparation, gas chromatography,
and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Shellfish
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Department of En-
vironmental Quality Engineering were delegated responsibility, under the
multiagency sampling program, for collecting shellfish and determining
hydrocarbon contamination. In June it was learned that the state's
shellfish data would not be available to other investigators. At this
time, EPA staff initiated shellfish sampling to complement the benthic
and sediment samples.
Molluscs were sampled in July at stations 1, 13, 15, 16, 35, 47,
112, and 151. Each of these stations is in shallow water and the sites
were reached by wading. Sites were located by unaided visual sighting
on onshore landmarks. The samples were obtained by digging until 15 or
more approximately equal-size animals were obtained. Only one species
was collected at each site; species collected were Mercenaria mercenaria,
Mya arenaria, and Mytilus edulis. Lobsters (Homarus americanus) were
collected in July at Station 13 for analysis of hydrocarbon concentra-
tion in hepatopancreas and muscle tissue.
Organisms were kept on wet ice until delivered to the laboratory;
there they were frozen until analysis. Chain of custody procedure for
shellfish samples was the same as that described earlier for benthos.
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EVALUATION
Obviously, an oil spill is a difficult event around which to plan a
study. No one can foresee an oil spill occurrence, the area to be
contaminated, or what type of oil will be spilled. Thus, it is diffi-
cult to assure that appropriate sampling equipment and the necessary
manpower and analytical capability will be available, and that access to
remote locations is possible under inclement weather conditions. Al-
though there was a minimum of planning at the outset of the EPA sampling
program, this could not be avoided under the circumstances. However,
after the initial emergency response, rapid turnaround of oil trajectory
information and hydrocarbon analysis would have been extremely useful in
planning subsequent studies and necessary sampling. Unfortunately, this
rapid turnaround was not available to EPA staff after the Buzzards Bay
spill.
The EPA sampling program successfully dealt with problems posed by
severely adverse weather conditions and the difficulty of tracing oil
dispersion. The three major purposes of the study -- coordination with
studies by other agencies, indications of the presence of spilled-oil,
and assessment of acute, short-term effects -- were accomplished. The
subordinate goal -- assessment of gross biological changes in the benthos
was inconclusive owing to a lack of systematic planning and failure to
assure quality control through specification and adherence to the same
standard procedures throughout the sampling effort.
Benthos
An important constraint on the design of the sampling effort was
that rarely did the oil ground on the shoreline. If oil had grounded in
visible concentrations, it would have been relatively easy to identify
sites of known contamination and assign sampling locations. Instead,
sites of suspected contamination had to be inferred from the presence of
oil on or in ice and from sheens.
In the initial sampling period following the spill, the investi-
gators located sampling stations where the oil was believed to be con-
centrated. This was based on aerial observations of oil on the ice.
Under the weather and ice conditions during this period, January 28 to
mid-February, no other basis of site selection was feasible. The cover-
age of the areas believed to be contaminated was good.
As the movement of the oil continued, the ice breakup revealed new
concentrations and sheens and new stations were established at locations
where new evidence of oil was observed. Again, based on the available
information, the coverage of potentially contaminated sites was good.
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Except for sampling at the control site, the frequency of sampling
was good. The number of replicates, however, was inadequate to provide
reliable data for an assessment of changes in the composition of the
benthos. For example, the taxonomic data for Station 13 show that
72 species were collected when 3 replicates were provided; but an average
of 27 species was collected when only one sample was provided. This
strongly suggests that one sample was inadequate to represent the
patchiness and spatial dispersion of the benthic community of that
location.
The methods employed in sample collection for the primary purposes
of the study were generally appropriate. However, incomplete notation
of observations at each sample site on the Field Data Cards was a short-
coming.
The methods employed in sample collection and handling for longer-
term biological damage assessment were inadequate in the following
respects:
1. Use of four different grab samplers.
2. Failure to assure standardization of methods in each sampling
period.
3. Incomplete notation on Field Data Cards of number of repli-
cates, sample volume, substrate type, type of sampler use.
Five percent formalin is presently an accepted strength for preser-
vation of fresh biological material; given the long shelf life of the
samples, however, 5 percent may have been insufficient in this case.
The taxonomy laboratory reported that: "Some of the samples preserved
poorly. Some mollusc shells were dissolved; some polychaetes were often
so bad as to be unidentifiable to family."
Replicates for the February sampling of stations 16, 17, and 19
were improperly numbered on sample lists transmitted to the laboratory.
As a result, all replicates for each station were combined by the lab-
oratory and analyzed as single samples.
Sediment
The location of sediment sampling stations and frequency of
sampling was good. The number of samples taken was inadequate for
determining the variability of the samples. Some samples may have
included material that was in contact with the sides of the grab and
could have been contaminated. All other aspects of the sampling (i.e.,
preservation, labeling and handling) were good.
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Shellfish
Given the previously discussed difficulty of determining the actual
sites of oil contamination, the location of shellfish sample sites was
good. The frequency of sampling was inadequate, but EPA did not origin-
ally intend to sample shellfish and initiated this part of the program
only when it was learned that shellfish data would not be available
because of the Massachusetts Attorney General's gag order. All aspects
of handling the shellfish samples were good.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Benthos
Future spill response sampling efforts can be improved by careful
planning. Although the search for "indications" of environmental effect
of the spill was successful, the criteria for indications should have
been stated, and observations that both met and failed to meet these
criteria should have been reported.
The major weakness of the longer-term study was poor definition of
the criteria for identifying impact. Without such definition, the data
could not provide answers to the questions that were ultimately asked.
The planning described below obviously requires time and.field
effort. The sponsoring agency must commit the resources (i.e., time,
facilities, and financial support) necessary to carry out such planning.
Unless this procedure is implemented, the investigator has no assurance
that the sampling program will provide data that support rational inter-
pretation. During the Bouchard spill sampling program, an opportunity
for this program design was available between the March and April samp-
lings.
Optimally, any study of the effects of a pollutant should be con-
ducted as a standard scientific investigation. The following steps
should be followed in designing and conducting such an investigation.
A. The problem being investigated should be clearly stated as a
null hypothesis, specifying what is to be measured, the sample
size, and desired level of significance of the analysis.
B. Observations, sample types, and method of analysis should then
be chosen which will confirm or deny the null hypothesis.
Only after completing these steps should collection of samples
(i.e., data) begin. Data gathering should provide only the
correct type and quality of data needed to perform the
selected method of analysis. If this procedure is followed,
the data analysis will confirm or deny the null hypothesis.
Again, commitment of agency resources is required.
77
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Buzzards Bay is not a homogeneous environment; therefore, prior to
initiating data collection, the investigators should consider the prob-
lems of sampling in a variety of habitats. Readily available informa-
tion such as navigation charts, location of water quality influences
such as storm water and waste outfalls, and technical literature should
be obtained. Where data are already available, they should be reviewed
for their adequacy and applicability to the proposed study. Major
habitat categories should be defined. With such a baseline, both con-
trol and study sites can then be selected in the habitats of interest.
Communities of benthic organisms typically exhibit nonuniform
distribution, i.e., clumping and patchiness which has an important
effect on sample size. To overcome this problem, the minimum sample
size needed to provide statistically reliable data should always be
determined empirically by first determining the number of species in
several replicate samples. The cumulative mean number of species is
then plotted against the area sampled and the optimum sample size is
obtained from the point where the curve flattens (i.e., where variation
dwindles). It is also essential to use the same sampler for all data
collection, since the performance characteristics of samplers are
variable.
In this sampling program only one replicate was taken in most cases
at each station. At minor additional cost, investigators could have
taken the optimum number of replicates at each station. Later, the
number of analyses permitted by the budget could be determined so that
unpromising sites could be eliminated. At this later date, when oil
dispersion is plotted, and suspected sites of contamination are identi-
fied, selection of stations to be analyzed can be based on whatever is
of interest to the agency (e.g., commercial resources) and suspected
degree of contamination. This recommendation provides information on
fewer sites, but provides much more reliable data for each site.
A major deficiency of the overall sampling program was lack of
standardization of field procedures. This deficiency could have been
corrected by assigning a single individual to direct all field sampling
and laboratory procedures. In addition, all procedures should have been
written up after each sampling effort and any deviations from standard
procedures noted.
Specific procedural recommendations are:
1. Use electronic range finder or sextant to locate offshore
sampling stations.
2. Use only one type of sampler.
3. Use checklist to assure that all required obervations are
made.
78
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4. Use checklist to assure that all necessary samples and repli-
cates are collected and properly labeled at each sampling
location.
5. Although 5 percent strength buffered formalin is an acceptable
EPA standard for preservation, use of 10 percent buffered
formalin for field preservation and transfer of samples from
formalin to 70 percent alcohol in the laboratory is being used
increasingly for marine samples.
6. Use checklist to assure that all samples and replicates are
delivered to laboratory and that all are properly labeled.
Sediment
The program for sediment sampling should be planned in the same
manner as described for benthos. Recognizing that oil contamination of
sediments can also be patchy, the optimum number of samples needed to
characterize the site should be empirically determined. After deter-
mining the optimum number of samples, the replicates may be composited
to reduce the number of analyses.
Ultraviolet fluorescence analyses can be valuable in delineating
areas of oil concentration in the sediments. It provides a quick and
inexpensive screening mechanism and is an exceptionally good technique
for matching fresh oils from the same source. Evidence obtained through
fluorescent analysis, however, must be confirmed with gas chromatography
and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. Thus, it is recom-
mended that in future spills where confirmation of the observed movement
of oil is important to the design of the sampling effort, ultraviolet
fluorescent analyses should be used initially if applicable.
To eliminate the chance of discrepancies in interpretation of gas
chromatogram and mass spectrometry results, only one chemical labora-
tory, either the EPA laboratory or one approved by the EPA, should be
responsible for sample analyses. In the present case two laboratories -•
EPA and ERCO -- were involved.
Shellfish
The goal of the shellfish study was to detect "indications" of oil
contamination. The criteria for "indications" should be reported (e.g.,
smell, taste, mortality); without criteria, indications can not be
definitively confirmed.
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SECTION 8
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The Bouchard No. 65 spill did not result in the type of visible and
acute biological effects that were observed after the 1969 Florida spill
and the 1974 Bouchard spill. Consequently, this impact assessment
attempts to detect and describe the more subtle effects associated with
the spill (e.g., changes in benthic community structure). The success
of determining such effects depends on the availability of information
about (1) the ultimate fate of the oil in the aquatic environment, (2)
the "natural" composition of the aquatic community before the spill, (3)
the composition of the community after the spill, and (4) potential
influences other than the oil that might account for any changes.
Rarely are all four of the information needs described above satisfied
simultaneously; as a result, biological damage assessments are rarely
successful in implicating recently spilled oil. The present study is no
exception.
The biological damage resulting from the Bouchard spill is deter-
mined using the information above as follows:
A. Determine whether the data reveals differences between 2) and
3).
B. Show a positive correlation between 1) and 3), given that a
difference between 2) and 3) has been established.
C. Eliminate 4) as the major reason for the correlation between
1) and 3).
Availability of Information
The Buzzards Bay impact assessment is primarily based on EPA benthic
data, EPA sediment data, and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
visual observations. Hydrocarbon analysis of the Marine Biological
Laboratory (MBL) sediment samples was used to supplement EPA sediment
data with the aim of determining suspected Bouchard No. 65 oil movement
into the benthic environment. Information regarding suspected accumu-
lation and incorporation of the oil into shellfish tissues was obtained
80
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from chemical analyses of shellfish samples taken by the EPA, MBL, and
State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering
(DEQE). Oil concentrations in the water column (DEQE, Environmental
Devices Corporation), and in the ice (NOAA) measured shortly after the
spill were not applicable to the damage assessment because corresponding
biological samples did not exist.
Hydrocarbon analyses for both the EPA (April-June) and all MBL
sediment samples were performed by Energy Resources Company (ERCO) of
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sediment extraction for petroleum hydrocar-
bons, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry confirmations were
performed in accordance with EPA specifications (Appendix A). EPA
sediment samples taken prior to April were analyzed by the EPA
laboratory, Lexington, Massachusetts.
Biological baseline data from the Buzzards Bay region prior to the
1977 spill is limited; it is virtually nonexistent for the area north of
Wings Neck where the Bouchard oil contamination was suspected. Limita-
tions with the EPA benthic survey in this area after the spill have been
described previously (Section 7).
While general information on the currents, sediment transport, and
water temperatures of Buzzards Bay exist, localized data that would
reliably characterize the physical processes at the sampling stations
are lacking. Similarly, how these physical factors interact to affect
benthic communities is not known. Undeniably, these natural processes
can mask subtle changes in the benthos that might occur as a result of
an oil spill.
Chemical Analysis: Results
Sediment
Unexpected changes observed in the biological resources of an area
are meaningless to a damage assessment unless they can be tied to the
presence of the contaminating oil. As described in Section 7, sediment
samples were taken in an attempt to determine the movement of the oil
and measure its incorporation into the benthic sediment. The results of
the hydrocarbon analyses performed by the EPA and ERCO suggest that
(1) Buzzards Bay is subjected to a high level of chronic oil contami-
nation, '(2) the sediment stations that do show contamination by No. 2
fuel oil are generally to the north of Wings Neck, and (3) the No. 2
fuel oil found in the sediment cannot be identified as oil from the 1977
Bouchard No. 65 spill.
If Buzzards Bay were uncontaminated, the sediments would contain
only biogenic hydrocarbons (hydrocarbons naturally produced by plants
and animals). The sediment samples analyzed by ERCO, however, generally
81
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contained an unresolved complex mixture of hydrocarbons that cannot be
generated by biogenic sources. Since there are no known natural seeps
in the Northeast that could contribute petroleum hydrocarbons to the
sediment, low level chronic discharges and past spill events are impli-
cated as the primary hydrocarbon sources. Total hydrocarbon concentra-
tions in the sediment ranged from a low of 1.7 micrograms per gram-dry
weight to a high of 213.2 micrograms per gram-dry weight. These values
are within the range previously found by ERGO and others for Buzzards
Bay.
Because the source of hydrocarbon contamination and not the total
amounts of hydrocarbons are of primary importance in assessing the
damage caused by the 1977 Bouchard spill, ERCO developed five classes to
qualitatively describe the oil found in the sediments (Appendix C).
These classes are:
Class A -- Clean Sediment
Class B -- Moderate Amount of Chronic Pollution
Class C -- Chronic Pollution
Class D -- Chronic Pollution and No. 2 Fuel Oil
Class E -- Recent No. 2 Fuel Oil Predominating
The April, May, and June sediment results are presented in Appendix D
and displayed in. Figures 33 through 35. Results indicate that more
sediment stations were chronically contaminated than were contaminated
with No. 2 fuel oil. Not surprisingly, numerous sources of chronic
pollution exist in the Buzzards Bay area including accidental discharge
from tankers and barges, dischargers, and oil associated with sewage
effluents, storm sewer and road runoff, industrial effluents, and urban
air fallout.
In general, those stations with some fresh and/or weathered
(Class "D" and "E") No. 2 fuel oil are to the north of Wings Neck. The
movement of Bouchard No. 2 oil to the north generally corresponds to the
observed movement of the tidal currents in the bay. A similar No. 2 oil
pattern was found by ERCO in their analysis of the NOAA sediment samples
(February-June). Because of the heavy shipping traffic through Cape Cod
Canal, other No. 2 oil spills in the area, and the alteration of the
Bouchard oil by weathering and mixing, ERCO could not identify the No. 2
oil in the sediments as Bouchard No. 65 oil. For the purposes of the
impact assessment, however, the assumption was made that stations with
"D" and "E" classifications could contain Bouchard No. 65 oil.
In an effort to make the February and March chemical data provided
by the EPA lab comparable to the April-June samples analyzed by ERCO,
the EPA laboratory reviewed the hydrocarbon data and developed sediment
classifications (Appendix E) based on criteria similar to that used by
ERCO. Because of potential discrepancies in interpretation, the EPA-
interpreted data were used in the benthic analysis only to establish the
potential presence of No. 2 oil ("D" or "E") at the February and March
sampling stations.
82
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irmifc
River
/fj\ Moderate Amount of
^ Chronic Pollution
(D Chronic Pollution
/R\ Chronic Pollution and
^ No.2 Fuel Oil
(f\ Recent No.2 Fuel Oil
^^ Predominating
Figure 33. Classification of April sediment samples based on their
oil content.
83
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Buzzards Bay (K
*&
^V P,
BUZZARDS BAY
Clean Sediment
Moderate Amount of
Chronic Pollution
Chronic Pollution
Megansett Harbor
Chronic Pollution and
No.2 Fuel Oil
Recent No.2 Fuel Oil
Predominating
Figure 34. Classification of May sediment samples based on their
oil content.
84
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irmilk
Clean Sediment
Moderate Amount of
Chronic Pollution
Chronic Pollution
Chronic Pollution and
No.2 Fuel Oil
Recent No.2 Fuel Oil
Predominating
Figure 35. Classification of June sediment samples based on their
oil content.
85
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Shellfish
Bivalve and lobster samples were taken by the EPA and Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries on July 14-15 in an effort to find evidence
of fuel oil contamination in the tissues of these organisms (Appendix F).
The chemical analysis of the bivalves indicates that these organisms
generally suffered from both No. 2 fuel oil and chronic pollution. The
hydrocarbon distribution found in the bivalves, however, cannot be tied
to a single spill event.
Figure 36 contrasts the classification of the oil found in eight
July bivalve samples with the corresponding June sediment classes. Six
of the eight bivalves analyzed that showed traces of fuel oil contamina-
tion (Class D) were found in sediments with undetectable levels of fuel
oil (Class C or less). The absence of any correlation between oil found
in the sediments and oil found in the shellfish is in keeping with the
bivalves' ability to concentrate a chronic input of pollutants from the
water column. Because selective uptake, depuration, and degradation
alters the chemical fingerprints of the oil in the environment, oil
found in the bivalves cannot be matched to the source of contamination.
The presence of "D" and "E" classifications in the MBL samples taken
outside the area of postulated Bouchard oil concentration (i.e., Sandwich
Creek, West Falmouth Harbor, and Northwest Gutter) supports the conclusion
that no single spill can be implicated as the source of contamination in
the bivalves samples. In addition, bivalve oil analyses conducted by
the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering for
the 5 months following the spill, show a large range in the types
(primarily No. 2 and 6), amounts, and weathering of hydrocarbons found
in the shellfish.
No No. 2 fuel oil was found in the lobster samples taken off Wings
Neck. The mobility of the lobsters and the lack of information on the
metabolism of oil in the hepatopancreas and muscle tissues, however,
prevent any conclusions from being drawn about the effect of the
Bouchard spill or any other oil inputs on the lobster population in the
area.
Benthic Community Analysis
This biological impact assessment attempts to identify any observed
anomalies in the benthic community and match these anomalies with the
presence and absence of No. 2 fuel oil. Attempts to identify unexpected
changes in the benthic community were made using results from the EPA/
State of Massachusetts diving survey and three separate analyses of the
available benthic data. The three separate analyses of data were:
(1) species characterization of the benthic communities, (2) relative
abundance of opportunistic species, and (3) quantitative classification
of the sampling stations based on species composition. In general,
86
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O June 23-25 Sediment
O July 14-15 Bivalves
14-15 Lobsters
A - Clean Sediment
g- Moderate Amount of
Chronic Pollution
C~ Chronic Pollution
D- Chronic Pollution
and No. 2 Fuel Oil
£- Recent No. 2 Fuel Oil
Predominating
Figure 36. Comparison of oil content 1n the July shellfish samples with
oil content 1n the June sediment samples.
87
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these analyses contrasted observed and expected phenomena and qualita-
tively assessed whether any observed differences were a result of the
Bouchard spill. Density and diversity indices were calculated but were
not considered applicable to the damage assessment because of limita-
tions in the benthic data. The results and discussion of the density
and diversity calculations are presented in Appendix G.
Diving Survey - Approach
A diving survey is a qualitative tool for assessing damage to
marine biota from an oil spill. Diving surveys are especially valuable
when the biological effects are not acute. Divers can detect sublethal
physiological effects by observing such phenomena as locomotor impair-
ment, abnormal burrow construction, incomplete molting, and slow escape
response to danger stimuli (no response to a quick hand movement or
shadow). Other indicators that may be missed by a shipboard sampling
survey but picked up by divers include the reduced presence of highly
motile species (crabs and shrimp), accumulation of dead and decomposing
organisms, and decreased seed stock.
Four diving surveys of the spill area were staged on April 1,
April 13, April 21, and June 21, 1977. The first dive involved a
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries diving team and a team of
divers from the Marine Biological Laboratory of Woods Hole. The other
three dives involved Massachusetts Marine Fishery and EPA personnel.
The approach taken in using information from these diving surveys
was:
1. Graphically present the diving surveys on a base map.
2. Describe the 'state of health of the observed organisms.
3. Look for discrete zones of biological damage.
Diving Survey - Results
The approximate locations of the 15 diving observation areas are
presented in Figure 37. The first diving survey included the entrance
to Buzzards Bay (1A), Widows Cove (IB), Phinneys Harbor (1C and ID), and
Little Bay (IE and IF). Most of the locally common benthic inhabitants
were found to be numerous and active. These included hermit crabs,
limpets, and mud snails. Adult and seed bay scallops were found at all
locations except Widows Cove and appeared to be normal and healthy. A
commercial oyster bed located in Little Bay displayed no unusual mortal-
ity. Large numbers of moribund green crabs (Carcinus sp.) and horseshoe
crabs, were found in Phinneys Harbor and Little Bay in April. It is
-------
1 A-F
2 A-B
3 A-C
4 A-D
Area dive
Transect "dive
Figure 37. Locations of diving surveys.
89
-------
unlikely that the mortality of these species was associated with the
introduction of oil during or immediately following the spill. Evidence
of acute impact from initial contamination (i.e., moribund crabs) in
February would have been washed away, decomposed, or consumed by
scavengers. Subsequent low-level releases of the oil as the ice melted
could have resulted in acute, localized, and species-specific effects.
However, a natural phenomenon (e.g., disease) or other pollution sources
could also have caused the horseshoe and green crab mortalities.
The second diving survey consisted of-two 100-yard-long transects
(2A and 2B) commencing from the tip of Wings Neck. The divers
encountered rocky and sandy areas and observed channel whelks, starfish,
hermit crabs, tube worms, and a sulfur sponge. All animals were alive
and behaving normally. The marine flora -- Codium and Irish moss --
appeared healthy.
The third survey consisted of shore-parallel transects at Wings
Cove (3A) and Bassetts Island (3B) and a transect from Scraggy Neck to
Bassetts Island (3C). No oil was observed in the water column or sedi-
ments during the dives. Similarly, no signs of mortality or behavioral
abnormalities were observed in benthic populations of mud snails, hermit
crabs, starfish, quahogs, scallops, and several species of worms.
The fourth survey included Widows Cove (4A), Phinneys Harbor (4B
and 4C), and Wings Neck (4D). All organisms encountered were alive and
behaving normally. Commercial species were represented by seed scallops
in Widows Cove and lobsters in Phinneys Harbor and off the tip of Wings
Neck. Other organisms observed were young and adult flounders, starfish,
tube worms, limpets, and horseshoe crabs.
Overall, the diving survey suggests that the benthic organisms of
Buzzards Bay were viable and behaving normally during the 5 months after
the spill. The mortalities observed for the common green and horseshoe
crabs may have been associated with oil from the Bouchard No. 65 barge
but cannot be attributed to this spill. None of the dive teams observed
any oil remaining in the substrate or water column.
Benthic Characterization - Approach
A grab sampling survey is a standard technique used to characterize
a benthic environment. Such surveys are frequently initiated to detect
changes in the benthos and to correlate these changes with the presence
or absence of specific pollutants. Although some benthic organisms are
mobile, the assumption is made that benthic sampling will characterize
an entire benthic community. Consequently, the effects of known or
suspected pollutants entering a benthic system can, with the proper
sampling techniques, be detected either spatially (geographical com-
parison of benthos) or temporally (comparison of the benthos over a
90
-------
period of time). Benthic sampling surveys can document both the acute
(immediate, severe impacts) and chronic (long-term, sublethal impacts)
effects of pollution.
The approach proposed for analyzing this data was:
1. Enumerate and identify the contents of the sample to the
lowest taxon possible.
2. Determine dominant species and benthic community composition
for each station.
3. Observe changes in community composition over time that are
different from normal, expected seasonal community changes.
These changes may be caused by the effect of an extrinsic
factor (e.g., pollution) upon the community.
4. If possible, identify the extrinsic factor (i.e., oil from the
Bouchard No. 65 spill).
Benthic Characterization - Results
The EPA benthic data generally supports Sanders' observation
(Section 5) that few of the species account for most of the individuals
present. In the spring months, however, a more even distribution of
species occurred, i.e., reduction in dominance by a few species. This
seasonal trend is normal for the Buzzards Bay region (personal communi-
cation, MBL). Total numbers of species present per station is presented
in Table 16 and total number of individuals per station presented in
Table 17.
In general, the February and March samples showed a strong domi-
nance in the benthos by ostracods, copepods, and the snails Nassarius
triuittatus and Ilianassa obsoleta. A few species of polychaetes known
to be •normally prevalent in the area were also present but in low numbers.
The April samples displayed a decrease in dominance by a few species.
This trend persisted to the June sample. The winter fauna! assemblage
yielded to a spring assemblage composed more evenly of polychaetes,
oligochaetes, bivalves and amphipods. Those species found with the
greatest frequency were the polychaetes, Mediomastus ambiseta, Exogone
dispar and Polydori ligni and the clam, Gemma gemma.
The Buzzards Bay benthos is composed primarily of filter and deposit
feeders. There is a high probability, therefore, that oil being absorbed
onto particulate matter in the water column or onto bottom sediments
will, at one time or another, pass through the digestive system of the
bottom feeders. Thus, the assumption can be made that oil from the
91
-------
Bouchard No. 65 oil spill was, in undeterminable quantities, made
available to the benthos.
TABLE 16. TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES1
Sampling dates
Station number 2/43/94/215/246720
1
2
4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
25 23
12
10
37
26 19
13, 11 14
NAp 32 38
NA
37?
NA
2
1
9 5
11
14 16
22 13
13
32
13
25
23
24
39
12
36
20
2
17
24
19
20
10
32
22
22
19
20
24
11
31
NA
24
4
25
18
12
33
20
22
11
NA
Nematodes from the February and Marsh sampling periods were removed by
the EPA Laboratory prior to receipt of the samples by MRI. For
consistency, only those species and individuals counted by MRI are
^included herein.
Not Available. Replicate grabs combined as a single sample.
92
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TABLE 17. TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALSJ
Station number
Sampling dates
2/4
3/9
4721
5/24
6/20
1
2
4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
Total # individuals
Average # individuals
per station
144
332
1,334
146
77
68
2,101
350
501
134
443
122
131
231
1,562
260
383
257
246
276
182
68
785
128
30
10
53
1,385
27
187
560
4,578
305
59
780
325
118
370
106
314
232
3
139
284
566
56
65
421
3,836
256
590
399
592
97
278
78
266
26
762
52
434
353
573
580
1,135
87
120
125
6,558
364
Nematodes from the February and March sampling period were removed by
the EPA Laboratory prior to receipt of the samples by MRI. For
consistency, only those species and individuals counted by MRI are
included herein.
In summary, no dramatic shifts from the expected species composi-
tion of the Buzzards Bay benthos are evident from the sampling survey
data. Such shifts would be expected if the Bouchard No. 65 oil had
adversely impacted the marine organisms in the bay. It should be noted,
however, that the limitations in the benthic data (Section 7) prevents
such an analysis from detecting all but the most dramatic biological
responses to the spill.
93
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Opportunistic Species - Approach
An opportunistic species is one that has the ability to exploit an
environment through short-term selection. Natural or human caused
environmental stress can cause a dieoff in existing populations leaving
certain niches open. In the case of chronic impacts, the pollutant can
serve to suppress the normal activities and processes of the various
populations within a community (i.e., sexual maturation or viability of
eggs or larvae). Opportunistic species are able to respond to stressed
conditions more rapidly and effectively than are other, less tolerant
benthic species. They have this capability because they become estab-
lished quickly; reproduce rapidly; consume the resources before other,
competing species can exploit them; have a relatively high rate of
reproduction and a high recruitment rate; and disperse easily. Oppor-
tunistic species are always present in the environment but do not domi-
nate the benthos of an area once recovery to a normal ecosystem has
begun. This is due to the poor competitive ability of opportunistic
species primarily attributable to their use of large amounts of energy
for reproduction. Thus, the appearance of large numbers of opportunistic
species in an area previously characterized by low numbers of these
species is an indication of one or more stress factors.
Two of the stress factors that could have led to an increase in
opportunistic species in Buzzards Bay are the Bouchard No. 65 spill and
the unusually severe winter. By looking at the relative percent of
opportunism over time, unexpected increases in opportunism can be detected
and matched with natural and unnatural phenomena that may influence the
presence of opportunistic species. To insure that any trends observed
for opportunistic species truly reflect fluctuations in the entire
benthic community, diversity indices have been incorporated into the
analysis.
The specific approach to the opportunistic species analysis follows:
1. Identify and select the benthic species which are oppor-
tunistic.
2. Determine the increase or decrease of both number of indi-
viduals of each opportunistic species and total number of
opportunistic species as a percentage of the total number of
individuals and total number of species for each station
during each sampling period.
3. Compare these plots with variations in Margalef's diversity
index to determine the relationship of the overall community
response to fluctuations in the opportunistic species popula-
tions.
94
-------
4. Speculate if the noticeable changes in species composition and
relative occurrence of opportunistic species are due to the
presence of fresh No. 2 oil, chronic pollution, or natural
causes.
Opportunistic Species - Results
Five polychaete species considered to be opportunistic were selected
from the EPA benthic taxonomy list and confirmed by a recent study by
Grassle and Grassle, 1974. These species are Capitella capitata, Polydora
ligni, Syllides verrilli, Streblospio benedicti, and Mediomastus ambiseta.
Because of a lack of physical and chemical data for the study area
during the sampling period, treatment of these species as stress indi-
cators is not possible; therefore, these species were grouped as a
single unit that could then be compared with the fluctuations in the
overall benthic community on a month-to-month basis. This comparison is
expressed in Table 18 as the relative percentage of opportunistic
species per sample.
The percentage of opportunism in these samples tends either to
increase or remain stable from February to the June sample period. A
comparison of these trends with diversity index values (Table G-2,
Appendix G) indicates that increases in the percentage of opportunistic
species over time does not depress diversity. Depression of diversity
values followed by or simultaneous with an increase in the relative
percentage of opportunistic species would be expected in the cases of
severe stress from pollutants; therefore, the increase in opportunistic
species at some stations (this phenomena appears to be random) indicates
that a selection process is occurring which favors an increase in the
numbers of opportunistic species but not to the exclusion of those
species normally expected to occur in the sampled area. Because of the
relative stability of diversity indices during the study period, any
rise in opportunistic species is, in all probability, caused by chronic
sources of pollution (population has stabilized) or seasonal variation.
Thus, it appears from the existing data that Bouchard No. 65 oil is not
the cause of a rise in opportunism.
Classification of Communities - Approach
Benthic characterization and opportunistic species analysis extract
meaning from the raw data by isolating certain numerical features and
ignoring others. For example, diversity indices incorporate both the
number of species and abundance of organisms, but ignore the relative
abundance of a given species in different samples. Opportunistic
species analysis is obviously restricted to the relevant organisms.
In addition to these approaches, it is desirable to reduce the data
in some way which will permit a simplified comparison of the sample
95
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TABLE 18. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS
COMPOSED OF OPPORTUNISTIC SPECIES
Sampling dates
Station
number 2/77 3/77
1 -0-
2
4
13
14 0M69 M
15 76M* 61^a
16 0.19 24Ma
17 0.46
18 -6-
19 -«-
35
47
100
105 4.9
108
112 21
151 -6-
160
161
170
180
Ma = Mediomastus ambiseta.
PI = Polydora ligni.
Sb = Streblospio benedicti.
Cc = Cap i tell a capitata.
+ = increase.
0 = no change.
- = decrease.
•9- = no opportunistic species
4/77
0.26
-8-
-e-
lMa
10Ma
-9-
-0-
-0-
3Tpi/sb
15
-0j-j
26Ma
present.
5/77
^_
14P1
11
42Ma
77Ma
/ / 1 j
25Ma
4
-e-
19
UP1
42HI
12
-0-
12
6/77
Pr
OT^C
12P1
ol
74
38^a
91CC/P1
-0-
33r.
nCc
-0-
24
— 0-
49P1
-8-
-6-
Opportunistic
trend
0
+
-8-
0
0
0
0
-0-
+
^
0
— 0—
0
0
0
96
-------
stations, but will use all of the information contained within the data.
Several such techniques exist; the one used here is classification of
communities, which has been discussed in some detail by Pielou (1977).
The goal of this approach is to divide the sampling stations into more
or less homogenous groups. This assignment into groups is made solely
on the basis of the species composition of the samples; it assumes
nothing about ecological processes. The groups are formed as follows:
1. An index of similarity is calculated for all possible pairs of
sample stations. The index used here was Kendall's rank
correlation coefficient, "tau" (Ghent, 1963). This measure
compares two samples based on the proportions of individual
species in each sample.
2. The two sample stations that are shown to be most similar are
combined into one group.
3. The index of similarity between this new, combined group and
each of the remaining sample stations is calculated.
4. The next most similar groups or individual stations are then
combined.
5. The process is repeated. Sample stations are combined into
groups, which are combined into clusters of groups, and so on
until all the sample stations have been combined into a single
group. Note that the similarity index decreases as less and
less similar groups are combined. The resulting heirarchy can
be examined at any level of similarity, yielding a great or a
small number of groups, as the data analysis requires.
The groups of benthic sample stations are then compared with sub-
strate and degree of oiling. If the groups of biota are characterized
by different substrate types or degrees, of oiling, this provides evidence
that these factors have contributed to the differences between the
benthic communities in those groups. For example, if all of the stations
contaminated by No. 2 fuel oil are found within a single biotic group
that differs markedly from the other biotic groups, it is reasonable to
conclude that the oil has affected the benthos of those sampling stations
A quantitative statistical test of this relationship is theoretically
possible. However, in the present case the number of sample sites is
too small to perform such a test validly, even if the results were
optimally distributed. Nonetheless, this qualitative analysis permits
convenient visualization of the data, examination of the month to month
relationships between sample sites, and the formulation of tentative
conclusions about the effects of substrate and oiling upon the benthic
invertebrates.
97
-------
Classification of Communities - Results
The results of the classification analysis are presented in the
form of dendrograms and corresponding maps in Figures 38 through 47. In
the dendrograms, the ends of the branches correspond to individual
sample sites. The vertical scale on the left of each dendrogram dis-
plays the values of the correlation coefficient, "tau". Horizontal
lines connect the individual and grouped sample stations at the point on
the tau scale that corresponds to the calculated similarity index. The
higher (more positive) the value of tau, the greater the similarity
between connected sample stations. For purposes of further analyses,
groups formed at tau values greater than -0.25 are considered internally
homogeneous.
This similarity level, i.e., tau = -0.25, has been arbitrarily
selected. It reflects the desire to keep the number of groups large
enough (>2) to permit comparisons with substrate and oiling, but small
enough (<4) to keep comparisons of biological groupings simple. In an
attempt to form meaningful groups, the stations were divided into groups
at other levels of similarity. The results of these exercises are not
shown; they did not provide any more insights than those reported here.
The presence or absence of sediment contamination by No. 2 oil was
determined using the ERCO data. The assumption was made that stations
receiving ai "D" or "E" classification were contaminated by the Bouchard
No. 65 oil spill. Three broad classes of benthic habitat were defined
on the basis of particle size. In the figures and in text, these are
referred to simply as "fine", "medium", or "coarse".
Inspection of the dendrograms reveals that the biologically-based
groupings of the sample stations are highly variable from month to
month. There are a number of possible explanations for this variability.
One plausible explanation is that the benthos in each location were
inadequately sampled so that what appears to be a change in the biota is
actually a result of sampling error. Note that the substrate classifica-
tion at several sample stations, which in part defines benthic habitat,
varies with time. This, too, might result from sampling error. Sampling
error, however, would not exclude the possibility that the composition
of the benthic communities really did change over time. Change in the
composition of the benthos might be expected to result from seasonability
or from the impacts of oil contamination. Similarly, patchiness of the
Buzzards Bay benthos could account for much of the variability in the
sampling results.
Although the groupings of the sample stations for any one month may
suggest some relationship to the presence of No. 2 fuel oil, there are
no such relationships consistently evident from month to month. Some
affinities that do appear to persist for several months, like that
98
-------
10
Oiled
1 O \
Substrate
Sampling
station
15
Inform
14
ation r
18
ot
ava
19
liable
17
•
16
0.645
0.538
0.430
0.323
0.216
0.109
0.001
-0.106
-0.213
-0.250
-0.321
-0.428
Figure 38. Similarity relationships of benthlc communities:
February, 1977.
99
-------
BUZZARDS BAY
Contaminated with
No.2 Fuel Oil
No information
Available
SIMILARITY RELATIONSHIPS
Megansett Harbor
Stations with similar
shapes have been as-
ki lometers
I—I signed to the same
internally Homoge-
neous group".
See Text.
Figure 39. Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil
contamination of sample stations: February, 1977.
100
-------
Oiled
(no. 2}
Substrate
Sampling
station
•
151
•
Inform
112
•
ttion r
105
•
ot ava
16
liable
15
1
•
1
0.375
0.233
0.191
0.098
0.006
'«r«
.* -0.086
«r-
-0.178
-0.250
-0.270
-0.363
-0.455
-0.547
Figure 40. Similarity relationships of benthlc communities:
March, 1977.
101
-------
MonurnefU
Beach
BUZZARDS BAY
Contaminated with
No.2 Fuel Oil
No Information
Available
SIMILARITY RELATIONSHIPS
Megansett Harbor
(~\ Stations with similar
shapes have been as-
D signed to the same
"internally Homoge-
neous group".
See Text.
Figure 41. Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil
contamination of sample stations: March, 1977.
102
-------
1.231
1.005
0.779
0.553
0.328
£ 0.102
MS
T|
10 -0.124
-0.250
-0.349
-0.575
-0.801
-1.027
Piled
Substrate *
Sampling
station
M
160
M
151
N
M
112105100
M
35
16
M
161
15
108
14
M
13
M
* F - fine, M - medium, C - coarse
Figure 42. Similarity relationships of benthlc communities:
April, T977.
103
-------
• Contaminated with
No.2 Fuel 011
£] Fine
0 Medium
Coarse
SIMILARITY RELATIONSHIPS
iji
fl
I I .—kilometers
Stations.with similar
shapes have been as-
[~~| signed to the same
1—' "internally homoge-
Aneous group".
^QQ Tn\*4-
Megansett Harbor
Figure 43. Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil
contamination of sample stations: April, 1977.
104
-------
0.522
0.411
0.300
0.189
0.078
-0.033
-0.143
-0.250
-0.254
-0.365
-0.476
-0.587
Oiled
fno.2^
Substrate*
Sampling
station
f
1]
1
.2
F
1C
5
(
1(
*
30
(
11
«*
50
r
3
1
5
1
IE
;i
•
N
10
8
"I
1
F
5
h
ie
i
51
1
1
1
6
f
1
•
4
1
i
r*
\
(
t
*
?
(
1
%
3
4
1
»
1
i
* F - fine, M - medium, C - coarse
Figure 44. Similarity relationships of benthlc communities:
May, 1977.
105
-------
Contaminated with
No.2 Fuel Oil
Fine
0 Medium
Coarse
SIMILARITY RELATIONSHIPS
Megansett Harbor
Stations with similar
shapes have been as-
/ / kilometers
D signed to the same
11^*4.^ 11.. I
internally .homoge-
A neous group".
See Text.
Figure 45. Similarity relationships, substrate, and oil
contamination of sample stations: May, 1977.
106
-------
0.405
0.298
0.190
0.083
-0.024
t.
5-0.132
E
-0.239
-0.250
-0.346
-0.453
-0.561
-0.668
ui led
(no.2)
Substrate *
Sampling
itjition
N/A
13
M
112
M
170100
180
160
M
35
M
161
15
16
47
14
108
M
151
105
* N/A - Not available, F - fine, M - medium, C - coarse
M
M
Figure 46. Similarity relationships of benthlc communities:
June, 1977.
107
-------
BUZZARDS BAY
* Contaminated with
Ho.2 Fuel Oil
Fine
Medium
Coarse
SIMILARITY RELATIONSHIPS
(_) Stations with similar
I—| shapes have been as-
| | signed to the same
A "internally homoge-
neous group".
/"A See Text.
Megansett Harbor
kilometers
E
Figure 47. Stmtlarity relationships, substrate, and oil
contamination of sample stations: June, 1977.
108
-------
between stations 105 and 112, or stations 15 and 16, are not related in
any clear way to the presence or absence of No. 2 fuel oil. For example,
stations 15 and 16 are included in the same group as station 108 in
April and May. In April, both 15 and 16 showed evidence of oiling that
108 did not; in May, station 108 appeared to have been contaminated with
diesel fuel, but neither 15 nor 16 did.
There is one exception. Station 1 is dissimilar to most of the
other sample sites in every month that it was sampled. Moreover, the
sediment chemistry consistently reveals that station 1 was contaminated
by fresh No. 2 oil. However, this relationship is probably not causal.
Although differences in species composition between station 1 and the
other stations surfaced as early as March, total numbers of organisms at
station 1 were not markedly lower. Furthermore, station 1 was not
characterized by a large population of opportunistic species. If the
oil had affected the benthos at station 1, a decrease in the number of
organisms followed by an increase in the number of opportunistic species
would have been expected. The fact that neither of these events occurred
suggest that the differences in the composition of the benthic community
at station 1 were already present at the time of the 1977 Bouchard oil
spill.
The limited scope and inconsistencies of the sampling procedure,
discussed in Section 7, have contributed to the difficulty of inter-
preting these data. The classification of data sets may proceed flaw-
lessly, but this means nothing unless the data sets accurately represent
the sampled benthic communities. Furthermore, it has been assumed here
that sediments containing light oil fractions were contaminated by the
Bouchard No. 65 spill, although the oil might actually have come from
other sources. A more comprehensive and uniform sampling program would
have reduced or eliminated the first of these problems. The identifi-
cation of the source of spilled oil, on the other hand, is a problem
that would have hampered the interpretation of even the most carefully
collected data.
Summary
The results from the diving survey and three types of analyses of
the EPA benthic data confirm field observations following the spill that
a severe, acute response to the Bouchard oil did not occur. The absence
of the dramatic and adverse effects associated with previous No. 2 oil
spills in Buzzards Bay suggests that the shore-fast ice, which kept oil
away from intertidal areas, and the slow release of the oil trapped in
the ice probably prevented severe impact. In addition, the low metabolic
rate of the marine biota during the winter months may have reduced
organism uptake of hydrocarbons from the environment and mitigated the
effects normally associated with a No. 2 spill.
109
-------
Although more subtle, long-term effects were similarly not picked
up by the analyses, such effects may be occurring. None of the four
information requirements, delineated initially in this section and
needed to identify such effects, were fully met. Limitations of the
benthic data and the inability to identify No. 2 oil as Bouchard oil
were the most critical shortcomings. The lack of this information
reduced the resolution of long-term acute and sublethal effects in the
marine environment. A more comprehensive and longer-term program cur-
rently being undertaken by MBL under contract to NOAA may serve to more
adequately address this problem.
SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES
Public and private costs from an oil spill can be categorized
according to the four main sources: the spill event, cleanup activ-
ities, the response of public agencies to the spill, and the physical
effects of the spilled oil.
Costs of the Spill Event
During the event, economic losses were sustained from the loss of
oil, barge damage, and use of additional personnel and services required
to transfer the cargo and bring in the barge. The Bouchard Barge Company,
whose barge ran aground, or its insurer will bear the last two of these
costs; and depending on point of sale, may bear the cost of the lost oil
as well. Representatives of the barge company were unavailable for com-
ment as of the writing of this report so that estimates of these losses
had to be obtained from indirect sources.
Oil recovered from a spill can seldom be used for its originally
intended use; its salvage value is as an ingredient in the manufacture
of asphalt and related products. Based on 1976 average wholesale prices
of fuel oil and similar products (National Petroleum News Fact Book,
1977) the net loss sustained from unrecovered oil was $0.30/gal. and the
net loss from recovered oil was $0.20/gal. Accordingly, the loss from
spilled oil is estimated at $22,500 ($0.30/gal. x 62,234 gal. + $0.20/gal.
x 18,913 gal.).
Without confirmation by the barge company, other costs are harder
to quantify. The U.S. Coast Guard tentatively estimates damages to the
barge could run as high as $2,5 million. Not included are the costs of
transferring cargo and bringing in the damaged barge.
Costs Resulting from Cleanup Activities
The most significant costs in this category were expenditures of
the U.S. Coast Guard on cleanup operations. By the end of February,
1977, most of the cleanup activity had been completed. At that time,
110
-------
the Coast Guard had accrued costs amounting to $284,175. Most of these
costs (95%) were paid to private contractors who carried out the cleanup
operations; the remainder was accrued by the Coast Guard, the Navy, and
the PAC Strike Team. Since the salaries of inservice personnel are not
counted, and since there will be some additional costs after February,
the total represents an underestimate of costs due to cleanup activ-
ities.
Besides being spent for cleanup activities, some of the above sum
was expended in the restoration of both public and private properties in
and around Wings Neck. Most damaging to beachside properties were the
truck operations involved in transporting contaminated ice from spill
areas to the COE dump site. After these and other operations, a few
private residences and the grounds of the Wings Neck Lighthouse required
minor contour restoration and reseeding. An upper limit to these costs
is estimated at $5,000. The oil leaking from trucks during ice transfer
operations also caused some ecological damage; however, this was not
quantified nor were costs incurred.
Expenditures for the services of regional contractors, while repre-
senting direct costs to the Coast Guard, indirectly benefitted the
regional economy by supporting increased trade for a few regional con-
tractors. These contractors were located near to but outside the study
area, and thus, their increased income will not be felt within the local
economy.
Costs Resulting from Public Agency Actions
Immediately after the spill, the Massachusetts Department of Environ-
mental Quality Engineering and Division of Marine Fisheries began monitoring
shellfish beds along the coast at Bourne, Falmouth, and Wareham. Increased
operating costs of these agencies due to this activity are difficult to
assess since they fall within their normal operating responsibilities.
However, increased work loads of .present personnel marginally decreased
the level of secondary, although important, public services these
agencies provided while working on the spill.
The most significant public agency action has been -the February 2,
1977 closure of shellfishing beds by the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Quality Engineering. These closures represent direct
losses for the local commercial and recreational fishing industry.
Table 19 shows estimates of these losses to date. The explicit
assumptions used in these calculations are shown in Appendix H,
Tables H-l and H-2. Generally, however, these assumptions are:
A. The most important recreational and commercial crops are
soft-shelled clams, quahogs, scallops, and oysters.
Ill
-------
B. Except for scallops, all of these beds have remained closed
from February through December 1977. Scallop beds were closed
February through September.
C. The amount of take affected is proportional to the percentage
of total acres closed for each town.
D. Historic takes for 1975 or 1976 are representative of what
might have been taken without bed closures.
TABLE 19. ESTIMATES OF TOTAL VALUE OF SHELLFISH TAKE
FOREGONE BY BED CLOSURES, BUZZARDS BAY
STUDY AREA, FEBRUARY - DECEMBER 1977
(in dollars)
Recreational
Commercial
Total
Bourne
Fal mouth
Wareham
Total
$25,000
14,810
35,320
$75,130
$60,520
15,340
3,300
$79,160
$ 85,520
30,150
38,620
$154,290
Source: Appendix H, Table H-l.
The dollar estimates shown represent only the direct loss to com-
mercial and recreation fishermen due to bed closure. In an area more
heavily dependent upon shellfishing for its economic livelihood, the
indirect or delayed effect of such bed closures could have a significant
and lasting effect on the industry as fishermen went out of business and
the market adjusted to other sources of supply. In this case, however,
shellfishing represents a marginal industry for the area and is often
merely a source of second income for persons with other fulltime jobs.
Also, the commercial and recreational fleets which utilize these beds
are rather small; and except for those skiffs registered only in the
town of Bourne, they have available to them many alternate sites within
the reaches of Buzzards Bay. Finally, the reduced take represents a
relatively small decrease in the total commercial shellfish supply
available to the regional market; therefore, the loss will not signi-
ficantly affect prices.
As a consequence, the bed closures had a minor effect on shellfish
commerce in the region and will have no lasting effect on the commercial
112
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or recreational fishing industry in the study area. Given that there is
no biological damage to the seed crop, the closures may be seen as
having the beneficial effect of letting the beds recover from the effects
of overfishing in previous years. This is especially true for the
quahog crop.
Costs Resulting from the Physical Effect of Spilled Oil
A previous study of the effects of spilled oil on marine fisheries
in the Falmouth area (Grice, 1970) has estimated the average dollar cost
of ecologic damage to be $122 per acre (1969 dollars). Other studies
(Gosselink, et al., 1974) have given a much higher dollar value to the
total life support functions of estuarine areas which could be lost
through oil pollution. As described in the previous section, however,
the areas in question have sustained no significant biologic effects
from this event; thus, the above value estimates are not applicable in
this case.
Because no significant aesthetic, biologic, or private property
damages have been identified, any reduction in the study area's seasonal
tourist and recreational trade resulting from the oil spill must be
attributed to a perceived rather than real reduction in local amenity.
Such a perceived response to "yet another oil spill in Buzzards Bay" by
regional residents is too difficult to quantify. Nevertheless, depending
on the area's efforts to correct any misconceptions, such a response by
the regional population could have a great effect on the important
seasonal recreational and tourist trade in the area.
Summary
Table 20 summarizes the monetary and nonmonetary costs that can be
attributed to the spill to date. The socioeconomic effects shown here
are relatively minor compared to other previous spills in and around the
area. Nevertheless, the event will further any undesirable aesthetic
perception which the regional population has already begun to associate
with the area due to previous oil spills.
113
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TABLE 20. MAJOR COSTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE BUZZARDS BAY OIL SPILL,
FEBRUARY - DECEMBER, 1977
Cost category
Within the study area
Monetary Nonmonetary
Outside the study area
Monetary
Nonmonetary
Spill event:
Lost oil
Barge
Cleanup
USCG operation
Private property
Agency action
Dept. of Environmental Quality
Engineering
Division of Marine Fisheries
Foregone shellfish harvest
Physical effects tourist
recreation trade
$ 5,000
154,300
Industrial use of
private property
Lost recreational
opportunity
Loss of perceived
attractiveness
$ 22,500
2,500,000
284,200
Stimulation of
regional economy
Additional pub-
lic service
load
Perceived loss
of tourist or
recreational
opportunity
Total dollar value
$159,300
$2,806,700
-------
SECTION 9
FURTHER STUDIES AND MONITORING
ADEQUACY OF DATA COLLECTED
Review of data collected by EPA, other state and federal agencies,
and other interested parties, to determine the effect of the Bouchard
No. 65 spill, indicates that data were adequate to describe:
1. spread of oil;
2. acute mortality in shellfish, benthos, finfish and birds;
3. hydrocarbon contamination of sediment;
4. hydrocarbon contamination of shellfish.
Data were unresolved or inadequate for determining:
1. sublethal effects on benthos (MBL data have not been made
available);
2. sublethal effects in shellfish, finfish, or birds (no studies
were initiated);
3. source of hydrocarbon contamination (other potential sources
of fuel oil and weathering of the Bouchard oil prevented
identification).
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. It is recommended that no further studies of environmental effects
of the Bouchard spill be initiated.
Several studies have been suggested for examining possible continuing,
long-term effects of the spill. However, the high background levels of
petroleum hydrocarbons in upper Buzzards Bay and the problem of distin-
guishing Bouchard oil from other petroleum sources negate the value of
any future studies for describing the long-term environmental effect of
this spill. While these studies would be of general interest, they
115
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would not contribute to definition of the effects of the Bouchard spill;
rather, they would describe the effects of chronic contamination of
Buzzards Bay. For this reason, URS does not propose that any new studies
be initiated.
2. It is recommended that a program of benthic habitat characteri-
zation be initiated.
It is likely that spill incidents will occur in Buzzards Bay in the
future. The problem of chronic contamination, albeit at a low level,
will also continue. Nevertheless, studies to detect the effects of
major spills will be desirable. The authors recommend that a program of
benthic habitat characterization be initiated that will provide an
inventory of habitats and a catalogue of water quality influences. This
will greatly aid the planning of future studies in response to spills.
Data to be collected as part of a benthic habitat characterization
program are:
A. bathymetry
B. bottom characteristics
C. surface and water column currents
D. exposure to waves and swells
E. physiography
In addition, the location of all wastewater outfalls should be estab-
lished. If any of these outfalls are monitored, the nature of the
monitoring program and the agency which holds the data should be
recorded.
The benthic communities of the various habitats may be expected to
differ from each other, and each may be expected to vary with time. It
would not be cost-effective to continuously monitor the composition of
each community, but it would be extremely valuable in the event of a
spill to have quantitative data regarding the composition of these
communities. One possible means of collecting reliable quantitative
benthic community data is the establishment of a program of seasonal
benthic sampling. An optimum-size sample would be collected from each
habitat type, screened, and preserved. Taxonomic analysis would be
performed only as needed at the outset of the characterization program
to determine the optimum sample size (see Section 7). Such a program
would provide preserved material which could be worked up following a
spill to provide a baseline of benthic community composition.
116
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Pielou, E. C. 1977. Mathematical Ecology. New York: Wiley-Interscience.
385 pp.
Purves, W.F. 1977. Techniques for Ingniting and Burning Oil on Artie Ice.
Arctec Canada, Ltd., Montreal. 53 pp.
Ramseier, Rene 0. 1971. Oil pollution in Ice Infested Waters. International
Symposium on Identification and Measurement of Environmental Pollution,
Ottawa, Canada. June 1971. pp 271-276.
Ramseier, Rene 0., G. S. Gantcheff, and 1. Colby. 1973. Oil Spill at
Deception Bay, Hudson Strait. Scientific Series 29. Inland Waters
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Ramseier, Rene 0. and Robert J. Weaver. 1975. Floating Ice Thickness and
Structure Determination Heated Wire Technique. Technical Bulletin 88,
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Rhoads, Donald C. 1963. Rates of Sediment Reworking by Yolida Limatual
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-------
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129
-------
TAXONOMIC DATA-FOR EPA BENTHIC SAMPLING
M
CO
O
§
1
SPECIES
Phylum llemer tinea
Phylum Aschelminthes
Cl. Nematoda*
Phylum Annelida
Cl. Oligochaeta
Cl. Polychaeta
Aglaophamus verrilli
Ampharetidae
Aricidea sp.
Aricidea neoguecica
Aricidea suecica
Brania clavata
Capitella capitata
Cirratulidae
Clymenella torquata
Dorvilleidae
Ephesiella minuta
Eteone sp.
Exogone dispar
Fabricla sabella
16-4412!
5
34920
1
1
10
1
1
1
187
1
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February 4,. 1977 g
SPECIES £
Cl. Polychaeta (continued)
Glycera dibranchiata
Glyceridae
Glycinde solitaria
Goniadella gracilis
Goniadidae
Harmothoe imbricata
Hesionidae
Heteromastus filiformis
Hydroides dianthus
Lumbrinereis sp.
Lumbrinereis tenuis
Maldanldae
Haldane sarsi
Mediomastus ambiseta
Melinna cristata
Minuspio sp.
Minuspio cirrobranchiata
Neanthes virena
Ncphtya ap.
Nephtys buoora
Nephtys incisa
Nephtys longosetosa
Nephtys picta
Nereidae
Nereis sp.
Nereis arenaceodonta
Nereis gray!
Nereis succinea
Notomastus latericeus
Ophelia sp.
Ophellidae
Orbiniidae
Paranaitis speciosa
Paraonis fulgens
Paraonis gracilis
Paraonis lyra
^araplonosyllis lonRlcirrat
jfeotinaria goLUdli
PhcGoe minuta
Phyllodocidae
Phyllodoce arenae
co cvj m
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7 2 526 251 428
1
11 18 5
5
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31 1 3 3 10
1
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February 1*. 1977
SPECIES
§
£
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February It. 1977 §
SPECIES ft
Cl. Gastropoda (continued)
Anachls avara
Anachls lafresnayl
Anachls transllrata
Caecum cooperl
Caecum pulchellum
Cerlthlopsls emersonl
Crepldula fomicata
Crepldula plans
Hamlroax solitarla
Ilyanassa obsoleta
Llttorlna llttorea
Llttorlna saxatilis
Lunatla heros
Mltrolla lunata
Hassarius trlvlttatus
Natlca pusllla
Odostomla sp.
Osostomla blsuturalis
Pyramldella producta
Heluca canallculata
Turbonllla elegantula
Turbonllla Interrupta
Miscellaneous
Cl. Blvalvla
Anadara ovalls
Anomla simplex
Cerastoderma plnnulatum
Crasslnella lunulata
Gemma p;emma
Idasola argenteus
Lyonsla hyallna
Macoma balthlca
Macoma tenta
Mercenaria mcrcenarla
Kodlolus modlolus
Mullnla lateralls
Kya arenarla
Hytllus edulls
Nucula sp.
£J 2 S 'S
tTTT*000 <
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8 12 20 25
259
68 11 2 1
108if 5 i 13 5 2
76113531
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33 5 1
1 1 1
1 1
26 1 752
33 1 1
1
2
5
1
2 1
79 9 1
to m
* 3
1
1 2
7
2
1 2
-------
February U, 1977 2
SPECIES &
Cl. Blvalvla (continued)
Pandora gouldlana
Fetricola pholadiformis
Soleaya velum
Solen vlridls
Spisula solldisslma
Telllna agills
Thracia septentrlonalis
Yoldla limatula
Miscellaneous
Cl. Scaphopoda
Dentallum occidentale
Phylum Arthropoda
Cl. Arachnida
Acarina
»-4 r-t f-t i-H
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1 1 10 5 8
1 2
7 i I
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Cl, Crustacea
Copepoda Jk7 158
Ostracoda 1339 20
Tanalclacoa
Leptochella sp,
Le-ptochella rapax
Leptochella savlgnyl 3
Leptognatha caeca
Isopoda
Cyathura sp.
Cyathura pollta 3
Kdotea triloba 1
Krlchsonella flllformls 8
Sphaeroma quadridentatum
Cumacea
Dlastylls sp.
Dlastylls pollta
Dlastylls quadrispinosa
Lamprops quadripllcata 1
Oxyurgstylls smith! 5 1
Petalosarsla deellvls
Amphlpoda
Acanthohaustorlus mill si
6
22
2
72
33
16
1
10
30
-------
CO
en
February 4, 197? 2
SPECIES &
Amphipoda (continued)
Anpellsca sp.
Ampelisca abdlta
Bathyporela parkeri
Caprellidae
Caprella penantls
Corophium sp,
Cymadusa compta
Dexamlne thea
Elasmopus levls
Cammarus sp.
Haustorlidae
Jassa falcata
Lerobos websteri
Leptochelrus pin^uis
Ustrlella barnardi
Lysianopsls alba
Melita dentata
Mlcrodeutopus anomalus
Mlcrodeutopus gryllotalpa
Knnoculo'lnr, oclwardnll
Orchomenella mlnuta
Paraphoxus splnosus
Fhoxoccphalus holbolll
Protohaustorius deichmannae
Trichophoxus eplstomus
Unclola sp.
Unclola irrorata
Decapoda
Crangon septemsplnosa
Hlppolyte zosterlcola
Fleterythrops robustus
Fagurus sp,
Fa^unis arcuatus
Pa^urus longlcarpus
Pajurus pollicarls
Plnnixa chaetopterana
Rhlthropanopeus harrlsll
Xanthidae
CO CM en ^a-
CM «* •» 5
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1
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3
31 6 5225
it
- 3
8
1
2
1
-------
February *», 1977
SPECIES
Phylum Echlnodermata
Cl. Ophiuroldea
Amphiura otteri
Cl. Echinoldea
Echinarachnius parma
Phylum Slpuncullda
CO
-------
March 9, 1977
SPECIES
STATION
(M ,-H
O^ O\ O\
»A f\J c\l
CM 1 | vr,
1 "^ \o O
ON
OJ
1
Phylum Cnidaria
01. Anthozoa
CO
Phylum Nemertinea
Phylum Aschelminthes
Cl. Nematoda
Phylum Annelida
01. Archiannelida
Protodrilus sp.
01. Oligochaeta
01. Polychaeta
Aftlaophamus verrllli
Ammotrypane sp.
Amphicteis sp.
Ampharetidae
Arabella irlcolor
Arlcidea sp.
Aricidea noor.uocica
Arictdoa JoffroynU
Autolytus cornutus
Brania clavata
Brania wellfleotensis
Capitella capitata
Cirratul Idae
Clrratulu s grand!s
Clymenella sp.
Glymenella torquata
Diopatra cuprea
Dorvllleldae
Drllonereis lonf;a
Ephosiella minuta
Eteone sp.
Eteone flava
Eteone heteropoda
Bteone lactea
Eteone longa
t.umida sanguinea
Kxo^one dicpar
Exngone hebea
Fabricii sabella
1500
28
7 101
12
17
32
10
15
11
-------
OJ
00
March 9,
SPECIES
1977
§
1
CM
1
Ov
CM
O\
CM
1 V*
\O O
CM
CM — 1
Cl. Folychaeta (continued)
Glycera dlbranchiata
Clycoridae
Clyclnde solitaria
Coniadella gracilis
Goniadldae
Harmothoe imbricata
Hesionidae
Heteromastus fillformis
Hydro ides dianthus
Lumbrinereis sp.
Lumbrinereis tenuis
Maldanidae
Haldane sarsi
Hediomastus ambiseta
Helinna cristata
Hinuspio sp.
Hinusplo cirrobranchiata
Neanthes virens
Nephtys sp,
Mophtyn bucora
tlephtys incisa
Nephtys longosetosa
Nephtys picta
Nereidae
Nereis sp.
Nereis arenac eodonta
Nereis prayi
Nereis succinea
Notomastus latericeus
Ophelia sp.
Ophellidae
Orbiniidae
Paranaitis speciosa
Paraonis f aliens
Paraonls
21
16
96
Paraonis lyra
Faraplonosyilis Ipnglcirrata
rectlnarxa fiouTdii
Pholoe minuta
Phyllodocidae
Fhyllodoce arenae
11
1
10
1
-------
March 9, 1977 g
M
SPECIES &
CM
1
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CM
ON
CM
1 V
SO C
CM
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Cl. Polychaeta (continued)
Phyllodoce maculata
Phyllodoce mucosa
Pista crlstata
Folycirrus eximus
Polydora sp. 1
Polydora aggrcgata
Polydora ligni
Polydora quadricuspis
Polydora socialls
Potamllla neglecta
Praxillella sp.
Prionospio heterobranchla
Protodorvillea keferstelnl
Protodorvillea mlnuta
Pypiospio elep;ans
Sabella mlcrophthalma
|_l Sabnllarla vulgar la
co Scoloploa sp.
^° Scoloploij aciit\in
Scoloploa robustua
Serpulldae
Slgalionldae
Sphaerosyllis erlnaceus
Sphaerosyllls hystrlx
Splo fllicornls 1
Spionldae 1113
Splophanes bombyx
Splrorbls sp.
Streblosplo benedlcti 25
Streptosyllis arenae
Streptosyllls varlans 91 3
Syllldae 2
Syllldes setosa
Terebellldae 1
Tharyx sp.
Travlsla carnea
Phylum Mollusca
Cl. Gastropoda
Aclla strlata
-------
March 9, 1977 o ro
M vp
< CM
SPECIES H J,
Cl. Gastropoda (continued)
Anachis avara
Anachis lafresnayi
Anachis transllrata
Caecum cooperi
Caecum pulchellum
Cerithiopsis emersoni
Crepidula fornicata 15 -
Cylichna gouldii
Haminaa solitaria
Ilyanassa obsoleta
Littorina littorea
lAttorina saxatilis
Lunatia heros
Mitralla lunata
Nassarius trivlttatus
Natica pusilla
Odostomia sp.
Osostomia bisuturalis
Fyramidella producta 7
lie tuna canaliculata
Turbpnilla elegantula
Turbonilla interrupta
Miscellaneous
Cl . Bivalvia
Anadara ovalis
Anomia simplex
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Crassinella lunulata
Gemma gemma 192
Idasola argenteus
Lyonsia hyalina
Macoma balthica
Kacoma tenta
Mercenaria mercenaria
Modi ol us modi ol us
Mulinia lateralis
Kya arenaria
Mytilus edulis
Nucula sp.
CM g
O^ ON \o
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v\ ir> fo
CM CM I
>A ' o1 ^ "^
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7
23
9
lift p
1 ^
10
2
1
3
3
36 ?n
-------
March 9,
SPECIES
1977
55
O
<
M
CJ
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,
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CM
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Cl. Blvalvla (continued)
Pandora gouldiana
Petricola pholadiformls
Solemya velum
Solen vlridis
Spisula solidissima
Telllna agllis
Thracla septentrionalia
Yoldia llmatula
Miscellaneous
Cl, Scaphopoda
Dentaliurn occldentale
Phylum Arthropoda
Cl. Arachnida
Acarina
Cl. Crustacea
Copepoda
Ootracoda
Tanaidacea
Leptochella sp.
Leptochelia rapax
Leptochelia savignyi
Leptognatha caeca
Isopoda
Cyathura sp.
Cyathura polita
Edotea triloba
Erichsonella fillformis
Sphaerpma q uadridentatum
Cumacea
Diastylis sp.
Diastylls polita
Diastylis quadrispinosa
L-improps quadriplicata
Ox^/urostylis smith!
Petalosarsla declivls
Amphipoda
Acanthohaustorius millsi
9
175
92
40
110
32
-------
March 9,
SPECIES
1977
§
tn
CM
i
o\
CM
ON
CM
••-I
e\i
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Araphlpoda (continued)
Ampelisca sp.
Ampclisca aMlta
Bathyporcia parkeri
Caprellidae
Caprella penantis
Corophium sp.
Cymadusa compta
Dexamine thea
Elasmopus levis
Gammarus sp.
Haustorlldae
Jassa falcata
Lembos websteri
Leptochelrus plnguis
Listriella barnardi
Lysianopsis alba
Kellta dentata
Mlcrodeutopus anomalus
Hlcrodoutopus f^ryl
ftonoculoden edwardall
Orchomenella minuta
Inosus
Paraphoxus sj
Phoxocephalus hoiboHl
Protohaustorlus delchmannae
Trichophoxus epistomus
Unclola sp.
Unciola Irrorata
Decapoda
Crangon septemsplnosa
Hippolyte zostericola
Heterythrops robustus
Fagurus sp.
Pagurus arcuatus
Fagurus lonf;lcarpU5
Fagurus polllcarls
Plnnlxa chaetopterana
Rhlthropanopeus harrisil
Xanthidae
19
1?
23
-------
March 9, 1977
SPECIES
g
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3
Phylum Echinodermata
Cl. Ophluroldea
Amphiura otteri
Cl. Echinoidea
Echinarachnius parma
Phylum Sipunculida
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April 21, 1977 §o8o8SSs!R!sS»»Yavft>a
SPECIES OT
Phylum Cnldarla
Cl. Anthozoa 1
Phylum Nemertinea 6 538 45 4 7
Phylum Aschelminthes
Cl.. Nematoda 1483 295 312 119 2.5 15 6? 101 20 230 402 145 25 941 92
Phylum Annelida
Cl. Archlannelida
Protodrilus sp. 2 8
Cl. Oligochaeta 200 1 1 2 11 16 18 368 1 109 34
Cl. Polychaeta
Aglaophamus verrllll
Ammotrypane sp,
Amphicteis sp.
Ampharetidae i
Arabella Iricolor 1
Aricldea sp.
Aricidea neosuecica 2
Aricidca Jeffreys!! 1
Autolytus cornutus 4
Brania clavata 12 2 8
Brania wellfleetensls 11 31
Capltella capltata 1 12
Cirratulidae 16
Clrratulu s grandls 1
Clymenella sp.
Clymenella torquata ™
Dlopatra cuprea
Dorvilleidae
Drllonereis longa
Epheslella mlnuta
Eteone sp. .
Eteone flava ^
Eteone heteropoda ^
Eteone lactea
Eteone longa
Eurclda sangulnea
Exogone hebes 17 '
Fabrida sabella 4 (*\
-------
April 21, 1977 3
'g
SPECIES 5
Cl. Folychaeta (continued)
Glycera dibranchiata
Glyceridae
Clycinde solitaria
Coniadella gracilis
Gonladidae
Harmothoe imbricata
Hcsionidae
Heteromastua filiformis
Hydroides dianthus
lurabrinereia sp.
Lumbrinereis tenuis
o
o\ \o co o
O CO CO NO
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t ** 5 A
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4 18
1
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6
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CM CM
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8
20
35-43590
100-43589
105-43585
108-43587
112-43584
3
S S
\o so o
uS «S vo
CM CM >?S
1 1 CM
-i O 1
\rv vo -j
2
33
1
10
Maldanidae 9 4
Maldane sarsi 7
Hedlomastus amblseta 31 81 2 145
Helinna criatata 1
Hinuspio sp.
,_. Hinuspio cirrobranchiata 19
-P* Ncanthes virena
01 Nephtys sp.
Nophtyn bucora
Nephtys inclsa
Nephtys longosetosa 3
Nephtys picta 1
Nereidae 1
Nereis sp. 1
Nerais arenaceodonta 1
Nereis grayi 3
Nereis succinea 5 4
Nereis virena 2 l
Notomastua latericeus 17
Ophelildae 1
Orbiniidae 1
Faranaitia speciosa
Faraonia fulgens
Faraonia pracilis
Paraonis lyra 2
raraplonosyTTis Ipngiclrrata ?o 6 2
yeetlnana KouTdii 1
FhcJce minuta
Phyllodocidae 1 3
Phyllodoce arenae
-------
April 21, 1977
SPECIES
M
g
to
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Cl. Polyehaeta (continued)
Pbyllpdoce maculata
fhyllodoce mucosa
Plata eristata
Polycirrua eximus
Polydora sp.
Polydora aggregata
Polydora ligni
Polydora quadricuspis
Polydora socialis 19
Potamilla neglecta
Praxillella sp.
Frionospio heterobranchia 1
Protodorvillea kefersteini
Protodorvillea minuta
Pygospio elegans 2
Sabella micrbphthalina
Sabellaria vulgaris
Scoloplos sp.
Scoloplos acutus
Scoloploa robustuo
Serpulidae
Sigalionldae
Sphaerosyllis erinaceus
Sphaerosyllis hystrlx 6
Spio filicornis 31
Spiochaetopterus oculatus
Spiophanes bombyx
Spirorbls sp.
Streblosplo benedlcti
Streptosyllis arenae 67
Streptosyllis varians
Syllidae
Syllides setosa
Terebellidae 10
Tharyx sp. 2
Travisia carnea
Phylum Mollusca
Cl. Gastropoda
Aclis striata
10
1
12
6
1
15
1 i
17
299
18
2
-------
nprij. ft., ly/y g
SPECIES 01
CI. Gastropoda (continued)
Anachis avara
Anachis lafresnayl
Anachis transllrata
Caecum coo perl
Caecum pulchellum
Cerlthlopsls emersonl
Crepldula fornlcata
Cyllchna gouldil
Hamlnxa solltarla
Ilyanassa obsoleta
Littorina llttorea
littorlna saxatllis
Lunatia heros
Mitrella lunata
Nassarlus trlvlttatus
Natlca pusllla
Odostomla sp, .
Osostomla bisuturalis
Pyramldella producta
Hotuca canallculata
Turbonllla eleftanfrula
Turbonllla Interrupta
Miscellaneous
Cl. Blvalvla
Anadara oval Is
Anomla simplex
Cerastoderma plnnulatum
Crasslnella lunulata
Gemma gemma
Idasola argenteus
Lyonsla hyallna
Macoma balthlca
Macoma tenta
Hercenaria mercenarla
Hodlolus modiolus
Mullnia lateralis
Kya arenaria
Mytllus edulls
Nucula sp.
*Y "^ "^ Jl _l JL * i o "S 00 csj *-t o ,-<
pj_tf^'*U'v£>u^OOO^H U\ \Q ^
1 7 1 32 7 5
14
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16 6 140 l
3
226
200
1
1
1
164
2
1
25 4
3 211
5 64 1 !
103 30 4 5
1* 25 19 31 3 i
-------
April 21, 1977
SPECIES
STATION
1 ?
•rt CM
4-43588
13-25600
-O
CM
1
15-25604
16-25599
35-43590
100-43589
105-43585
OO OO
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Cl. Bivalvia (continued)
Pandora gouldiana
Petricola pholadlformis
Solemya velum 1 31
Solen vlridis 1
Spisula solidissima
Telllna agilis 1
Thracia septentrionalia 2
Yoldia' limatula
Miscellaneous 7 18
Cl. Scaphopoda
Dentalium occidentale
Phylum Arthropoda
Cl. Arachnida
Acarina 1
^ d. Crustacea
00 Copepoda 99 28 1 10 3 1 20 4
Ostracoda 1 634 183 13 11
Tanaidacea
leptochelia sp. 1 2
Leptochelia rapax
Leptochelia savignyi
Leptognatha caeca 17 c
Isopoda
Cyathura sp.
Cyathura pollta 1 .
lidotea trilota 1 2 T
Jirichsonella filiformls 2
Sphaeroma quadridentatuin
Cunacea 1 „
Dlastylls sp. y
Dlastylls polita
Diastylis qyadrlspinosa
Limprops quadriplicata
Oxyurostylis smith!
Potalosarsia declivis
Amphlpoda
Acanthohaustorius millsi
-------
10
April 21, 1977
SPECIES
63
P-l
o
a a
CM -*
I I
~rf CM
1
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1
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5
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CM
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Amphipoda (continued)
Ampelisca sp.
Ampollsca abdita 2
Bathyporela parkerl
Caprellldae
Caprella penantls
Corophlum sp. 15
Cymadusa compta
Dexamlne thea
Elasmopus levis
Cammarus sp.
Haustoriidae
Jassa falcata
Lembos websterl
Leptochella sp.
Llstrlella barnardl
Lysianopsis alba
Helita dentata
Mlcrodeutopus anomalus 13
Microdoutopus prryllotalpa
Konoculoder. edwardsil.
Orchomonella minuta
Paraphoxus splnoaJs
Phoxoccphalus hoibolll
Protohaustorlus delchmannae
Trlchophoxus eplstomus
Unciola sp.
Unciola serrata
Decapoda
Crangon septemsplnosa
Hlppolyte zosterlcola
Keterythrops robustus
Pa^urus sp.
Fagurus arcuatus
Paflurus lonfflcarpus
PaRurus pollicarls
Plnnlxa chaetopterana
Rhlthropanopeus harrlsil
Xanthldae
1
1
10
10
2
13
5
37
-------
May 24, 1977
SPECIES
Phylum Cnldarla
Cl, Anthozoa
SCO O *-» ON C^- Q\
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C*-O\O\CMNCMCMCM 1 1JI 1 ' J. '
CM W C*J | 1 1 1 1 O *•! CD CNJ «•* CJ v~<
^.CMj--J^l.H-»C7l^^i^^-< ^^t
Ul
O
Phylum Nemertlnea
Phylum Aschelmlnthes
Cl. Nenatoda
Phylum Annelida
Cl. Archlannellda
Protodrllus sp.
Cl. Oligochaeta
Cl. Folychaeta
Aclaophamus verrilli
Ammotrypane sp.
Amphlcteis sp.-
Ampharetidae
Arabella irlcolor
Arlcidea sp.
Aric!dea neonuecica
Arlcldca Jeffreys!!
Autolytus cornutus
Brania clavata
Brania wellfleetensis
Capltella capitata
Cirratul idae
Cirratulu s grand!s
Clymenella sp.
Clymenella torquata
Dlopatra cuprea
Dorvllleidae
Drilonereis longa
Ephasiella minuta
Eteone sp.
Eteone flava
Eteone heteropoda
Eteone lactea
Kteone longa
fcumida sangulnea
Exogone dlspar
Exogone hebes
Fabrics sabella
8 6 23 5
468 65 16 164
97 5
47 25 2 31 403 13
2 l 75
23 64 91 5 13 10 43 2
37 71 40
156
16
25
3
32
51
30
2
15
2
23
14
6
14
23
19
5
3
5
28
11
50 10
4 117
-------
May 24, 1977 o^SS^^^l
M CN- CN- O- ON ON ON CN-
H CN- ON ON CM CM CMCM
-------
tn
PO
May 24, 1977
SPECIES
s
£
CO
ON
CM
CO T-l
&
ON
1
CM
£
ON
CM
^
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CM C
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Cl. Polychaeta (continued)
Phyllodoce roaculata
Phyllodoce mucosa
Pista cristata
Folycirrus eximua
Folydora sp. 2 1
Folydora aggregata 2
Folydora ligni 70 9
Polydora quadricuspis
Polydora socialis 89
Potamilla neglecta
Praxillella sp.
Prionospio heterobranchia
Protodorvillea keferstelni
Protodorvillea minuta
Pygospio elegans 155 53
Sabella mierophthalma
Sabellaria vulgaris
Scoloploa sp, 1
Scoloplos acutus
Scoloplos robustus
Serpulidae
Sigalionidae
Sphaerosyllis erinaceus
Sphaerosyllis hystrix
Spio filicornis 17 24
Spionidae 1
Spiophanes bombyx
Spirorbis sp, 1
Streblospio benedlcti 11 20
Streptosyllis arenae
Streptosyllis varians 6
Syllldae
Syllides setosa 7
Terebellidae 3 4
Tharyx sp, 1
Travisia carnea
Phylum Mollusca
Cl. Gastropoda
Aclis striata
4
2
3
2
56
23
3
13
1
2
3 16 219
6
24
11
4
1
12
14
1
21
1
35
2
2
4
4
-------
OOO
Hay 24, 197?
SPECIES
ONCV-ON
ONOXfO
C«. K. ^
t^cv- o\
OJ
Cl. Gastropoda (continued)
Anachis avara
Anachis lafresnayi
Anachis translirata
Caecum coonerl
Caecum pulchelluro
Cerithiopsis emersoni
Crepidula fornicata
Cyllchna Rouldii
Hanlrogx solltaria
Ilyanassa obsoleta
.Uttorina llttorea
Llttorina saxatilis
Lunatla heros
Kitrella lunata
N'assarlus trlvittatua
Natica pusllla
Cdostomla sp.
Osostomia bisuturalis
fyramidella producta
lletusa canaliculata
Turbonilla elep;antula
Turbonilla interrupts
Miscellaneous
Nudibranchia
Cl. Bivalvia
Anadara ovalis
Anomia simplex
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Crassinella lunulata
Gemma pjemma
Idasola argenteus
Lyonsia hyalina
Macoroa balthica
Kacoma tenta
Mercenaria mercenaria
Hodiolus modiolus
Hulinia lateralis
Kya arenarla
Mvtilus edulis
Hucula sp.
11
35
17
55
9
1
2
67
72 5
1 3
26 2
1
2 31
18 2 6
-------
May 2^. 1977
SPECIES
§
g
00
^*
•r-J
ss
ft
CM
63
r*«
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if
*
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CM
A
£
ON
3
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8
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CM
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cn
Cl. Bivalvia (continued)
Pandora. RQuldiana
Fetricola pholadiformis
Solemya yelurn
Solen virldis
Spiaula solldlsslma
Telllna agilis
Thracia septentrlonalis
Yoldia limatula
Miscellaneous
Cl. Scaphopoda
Dentalium oecidentale
Phylum Arthropods
Cl. Arachnida
Acarina
Cl. Crustacea
Copepoda
Ostracoda
Tanaidacoa
Leptochelia sp.
Loptochelia rapax
Leptochelia savignyi
Leptognatha caeca
Isopoda
Cyathura sp.
Cyathura polita
Kdotea triloba
Krlchsonella filiformis
Sphaeroma quadridentatum
Cumacea
Dlastylis sp.
Diastylls polita
Diastylis quadrispinpsa
Lamprops quadriplicata
Oxyurostylis smithi
Fetalosarsla declivis
Amphipoda
Acanthohaustorius millsi
12
3
2
3
3
16
-------
en
in
Hay 2*t, 1977
SPECIES
oo
CM
CM
P-
If
\o
£
o\
CM
vA
8 S
CM
O
\O
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CM
I
Amphlpoda (continued)
Ampellsca sp.
Ampclisca abdita
Bathyporeia parkeri
Caprellidae
Caprella penantis
Corophium sp.
Cymadusa compta
Dexamine thea
Elasmopus levis
Cammarus sp,
Haustorlidae
Jassa falcata
Lercbos websteri
Leptocheirus pinguis
Listriella barnardi
Lyslanopsis alba
Helita dentata
Hicrodeutopus anomalus
Hlcrodeutopus prryllotalpa
/onoculodcn odwardali
Orchomenclla minuta
Paraphoxus spinosus
Phoxocephalus hoibolli
Protohaustorius delchmannae
Trlchophoxus epistomus
Unciola sp.
Unciola Irrorata
Decapoda
Crangon septemsplnosa
Hlppolyte zostericola
Meterythrops robustus
Pagurus sp.
Pagurus arxiuatus
Pagurus lonsicarpus
Pagurus pollicaris
Pinnixa chaetopterana
Rhlthropanopeus harrisil
Xanthldae
3
2
10
-------
Hay 21*. 197?
o
SPECIES
Phylum Echlnodermata
Cl. Ophluroidea
Amphiura otteri
Cl, Echinoidea
Echinarachnlus parma
Phylum Sipuncullda
01.
-------
June 20, 197?
SPECIES
Phylum Cnidarla
Cl. Anthozoa
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Phylum Nemertinea
Phylum Aschelminthea
Cl. Neraatoda
Phylum Annelida
Cl. Archiannelida
Protodrilus sp.
Cl. Oligochaeta
Cl. Polychaeta
A.^laophamus verrilll
Amntotrypane sp.
Amphlcteis sp.-
Ampharetidae
Arabella iricolor
Arlcidea sp.
Aricldea neoauecica
Aricidea jcffroyr.il
Autolytus cornutus
Branla clavata
Branla wellfleetensis
Capltella capitata
Cirratulldae
Cirratulus grandis
Clymenella sp.
Clymenella torquata
Diopatra cuprea
Dorvilleidae
Drilonerels lonp;a
Epheslella minuta
Eteone sp.
Eteone flava
Eteone heteropoda
iiteone lactca
longa
sanr;uinea
£xof;one dlspar
lixopone hebes
Fabrlda sabella
3
116
171
77
85
31
152
7
36
26
26
17
1
11
25
14-95
28
20
28
-------
ON CD ,-1
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June 20, 1977 8
SPECIES £
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Phylum Cnidarla
Cl. Anthozoa
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Phylum Nemertinea
Phylum Asohelminthes
Cl. Nematoda
Phylum Annelida
Cl. Archiannelida
Protodrllus sp.
Cl. Oligochaeta
Cl. Polychaeta
Aglaophamua verrllli
Ammotrypane sp.
Amphlctels sp.
Ampharetidae
Arabella irieolor
Aricidea sp,
Aricidea. neonueclca
AricldcM. J.un'rcyaii
Autolytus cornutus
Brania clavata
Bran i a wellfleetensls
Capitella capitata
Cirratulidae
Cirratulus grandls
Clymenella sp.
Clymonella torq uata
Diopatra cuprea
Dorvilleidae
Drilonerels longa
Epheslella mlnuta
Kteone sp,
Kteone flava
Eteone heteropoda
Eteone lactea
ELcone Ipnga
Lumida sanf;uinea
Exo^o.ne dlspar
32
180
40
1
60
83
20
1392
81
799
171
5
11
6
15
1
14
11
20
Fabrida oabella
-------
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SPECIES & 7 ^ "^ A -*
Cl, Polychaeta (continued)
Glycera dibranchiata
Clyceridae
Glyclnde solitaria
Gonladella gracilis
Goniadidae
Harmothoe imbricata 14 1
Keslonidae
Heteromastus filiformls
Hydroides dianthus 2
Lumbrinereis sp.
Lurabrinereis tenuis 9 2
Haldanidae
Kaldane sarsi
Kediomastus ambiseta 27
Melinna cristata
Hlnusnio sp.
Kinusplo cirrobranchlata
Neanthes virens
llephtys sp. 1
NoTihtys bucera
llcphtys incisa
Nephtys longosetosa
Kephtys picta
Nereidae 38
Nereis sp.
Nereis arenaceodonta 144
Nereis gray!
Nereis succinea 6 24
Notomaotun latericeus
Ophelia sp.
Opheliidae
Orbinlidae 2
Paranaitls speciosa
Paraonis fulgens 1
Paraonis EracUA3
Paraonis lyra
rafapionosylJ-is ipngicirrata 2^ 3 7
fecbinaria r,ourdir
Phobe., minuta
Phyll^docidae 1
Phyllodoce arenae J
c*"\ T-I O O
^O so *^ C^
2 1
2
93 1
1
5
1
10
1
6 1
1
-------
June 20, 1977
SPECIES
ov.
ti.
55
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Cl. Polychaeta (continued)
Glycera dlbranchiata
Clyceridae
Clycinde solitaria
Coniadella gracilis
Goniadidae
Harmothoe extenuata
Harmothoe imbrlcata
Heteromastus flllformla
Hydroides dlanthus
Lumbrlnereis sp.
Lumbrinereia tenuis
Maldanidae
Kaldane sarsi
Hedlomastus amblseta
Mellnna crlstata
Klnuspio sp.
Hlnuspio clrrobranchiata
Neanthes virens
Ilephtys sp.
Kophtyo bucera
Hephtys inclsa
N'ephtys longosetosa
Kephtys picta
Nereldae
Kerels sp.
Nereis arenaceodonta
Nereis grayl
Kerels succlnea
Notomastus laterioeus
Ophelia sp.
Opheliidae
Orbinlldae
Paranaltis speclosa
Paraonls fulgens
Paraonls f;racills
Paraonls lyra
Farapion'osyllls longicirrata
^ectinaria fiouTdS
Pholoe mlnuta
Phyllodoeidae
Phyllodoce arenae
12
188
1
3
10
57
1
63
1
4
1
3
-------
June 20, 1977
SPECIES
§
I— 1
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W
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\o C1**- P1^ ^O ^O
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Cl. Polychaeta (continued)
Phyllodoce maculata
Phyllodoce mucosa
Plsta crlstata
Polyclrrus eximus
Polydora sp.
Folydora ag;ffregata
Polydora llgni
Polydora quadrlcuspis
Polydora socialls
Potamllla nepjlecta
Praxlllella sp.
Prionospio heterobranchia
Protodorvlllea keferstelnl
Protodorvillea minuta
Pyp;osT)io ele^ans
Sabolla mlcrophthalma
Sabfillarla vulRaris
ScoloplO3 sp.
Scoloplos acutus
Scoloplos robustua
Serpulldae
Si^allonidae
Sphaerosyllls erlnaceus
Sphaerosyllis hystrix
Spio filicornls
Spionidae
Spiophanes bombyx
Spirorbls sp.
Streblospio benodicti
Strepto.syllis arenas
gtroptosyllis varians
Syllidae
Syllides setosa.
Terebellidae
Tharyx sp.
Travlsia carnea
Phylum Mollusca
Cl, Gastropoda
Aclis striata
60
15
812
140
28
33
12
10
25
2
24
1
2
69
-------
CD
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June 20, 1977
SPECIES
o
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Cl. Polychaeta (continued)
Phyllodoce maculata
Phyllodoce mucosa
Plsta crlstata
Polyclrrua exlmus
Polydora sp.
Polydora aggrcgata
Polydora llftnl
Polydora quadrlcuspis
Polydora socialls
Potanllla neglecta
Praxlllella sp.
Prionosplo heterobranchla
Protodorvillea keferstelni
Protodorvlllea mlnuta
Pygostilo elegans
Gabella mlcrophthalma
Sabollnria vulgarIs
Scoloplos sp.
Scoloplos acutun
Seoloplos robustua
Serpulldae
Slgallonldae
Sphaerosyllis erlnaceus
Sphaerosyllls hystrlx
Splo flllcornls
Splonldae
Spiophanes bombyx
Splrorbls sp.
Streblosplo -benedlctl
Streptosyllls arenas
Streptosyllls varlans
Syllldae
Syllldes setosa
Terebellldae
Tharyx sp.
Travlsla carnea
12
78
126
35
1
58
7
13
26
1
4
7
6
Phylum Mollusca
Cl. Gastropoda
Aclis strlata
-------
CTi
CO
June 20,
SPECIES
1977
a
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Cl. Gastropoda (continued)
Anachis avara
Anachis lafresnayi
Anachis translirata
Caecum cooperi
Caecum pulchellum
Cerithiopsis emersoni
Crepidula fornicata
Cylichna gouldii
Hamlrooa solitaria
Ilyanassa pbsolota
Littorina littorea
Littorina saxatilis
Lunatia heros
Mitrella lunata
Nassarius trivittatus
Natica pusilla
Odostomia sp,
Osostomla bisuturalis
Pyramidella producta
HeLusa Cc%naliculata
Turbonilla elegantula
Turbonilla interrupta
'Miscellaneous
Cl. Bivalvia
Anadara ovalis
Anomia simplex
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Crassinella lunulata
Gemma gemma
Idasola arp;enteus
Lyonsia hyalina
Macoma balthica
Macoma tenta
Nercenaria mercenaria
Hodiolus modiolus
Hulinia lateralis
Hya arenaria
Mytilus edulis
Nucula sp.
103
37
2
3
10
-------
-}•
CT»
-fi.
June 20,
SPECIES
1977
o
M
^
£
S
o
o
=1
£
WA
o
5
3
o
t=t
£
1
CM
& $
£ s
^ ^
?
«-<
$,
o
^
vu
<4
CO
1=1
Cl. Gastropoda (continued)
Anachis avara
Anachis lafresnayi
Anaehis translirata
Caecum cooperl
Caecum pulchellum
Cerithiopsis emersoni
Crepidula fornicata
Grepldula plana
Hamimea solitaria
Ilyanassa pbsoleta
Littorina littorea
Littorina saxatills
Lunatia heros
Kitrella lunata
Hassarius trivittatus
Natica pusilla
Odostomia sp.
Osostomia bisuturalis
Pyramidella producta
Hetusa canaliculata
Turbonilla elepiantula
Turbonilla interrupta
Miscellaneous
383
12
Cl. Bivalvia
Anadara ovalis
Anomia simplex
Cerastoderma pinnulatum
Crassinella lunulata
Gemma gemma
Idasola ardenteus
Lyonsia hyalina
Hacoma balthica
Macoma tenta
Kercenaria mercenaria
Hodiolus modiolus
Kulinia lateralis
Kya arenaria
Kytilus edulis
Nucula sp.
ZJ 142
33
-------
June 20, 1977
SPECIES
|
CO
\o c*.
so c*»
\o *f\
NQ C1^
I ^
1 ^
1
3
.13-36660
. 14-36662
vo NO
1 1
*0 NO -
35-43580
o
1
en
. ,
Pandora gouldiana
Petricola pholadiformls
Solemya velum
Solen viridis
Spisula solidl3slma
Tellina agilis
Thracla septentrionalls
Yoldia llmatula
Miscellaneous
Cl. Scaphopoda
Dentalium occidentale
Phylum Arthropoda
Cl. Arachnida
Acarina
Cl. Crustacea
Copopoda
Ostxacoda
Tanaldacea
Leptochelia sp.
Leptochelia rapax
Leptochelia savignyl
Leptognatha caeca
Isopoda
Cyathura sp.
Cyathura. pollta
Edotea trilo'ba
Erlchsonella flllformls
Idotea phosphorea
Cumacea
Dlastylls sp.
Dlastylls pollta
Ulastylls quadrlsplnosa
L^wprops quadriplicata
Oxyurostylls smithl
Petalosarsla decllvis
Amphlpoda
Acanthohaustorlus mlllsl
20
17
-------
ON CO ft C""\ J
C^- C»- CO CO \£
June 20, 1977 g
tj
SPECIES S
fN fN. <•"* f*> vi
1 1 J 1
O *O CO CVJ T-
O O O *-t \l
VQ ON
vo vo
^g vo
4 S 1
•> vo VO
C^ CO
VO vo
vo O
VS "**
0 0
r^ oo
w-< *«
Cl. Bivalvia (continued)
Pandora Rouldiana
Fetricola pholadlformis
Solemya velum
Solen virldls
Spisula solidissima
Tellina agilis
Thracla septentrionalla
Yoldia limatula
Miscellaneous
Cl. Scaphopoda
Dentalium occidentale
Phylum Arthropoda
Cl. Arachnida
Acarina
Cl. Crustacea
Copepoda
Ostracoda
Tanaidacea
Leptochelia sp.
Leptochelia rapax
Leptochelia savignyi
Leptognatha caeca
Isopoda
Cyathura sp.
^athura polita
Kdotea triloba
Erichsonella flliformis
Sphaerona q uadridentatum
Cumacea
Diastylis sp.
Diastylis polita
Diastylis quadrispinosa
Lamprops quadriplieata
Oxyurostylis smith!
Petalosarsla declivis
Amphipoda
Acanthohaustorius millsi
12
1 1 115 * 1
6 3 1
19
-------
er>
June 20,
SPECIES
1977
g
M
1
vo
VO
£
1
O
VO vo
C^ \O
"^ X?
C*^ (^
I t*\
ca
NO
*
A
VO
VO
VO
VO
i?
o
rl
Amphipoda (continued)
Ampellsea. sp.
Anpellsca abdita
Bathyporeia parkerl
Caprellidae
Caprella penantis
Corophium sp.
Cymadusa compta
Uexamine thea
Elasmopus levis
Canunarus sp,
Haustorlldae
Jassa falcata
Lembos websteri
Leptocheirus pinRuis
Listrlella barnardl
Lysianopsls alba
Hcllta dcntala
Microdeutopus anomalus
Klcrodeutopus gryllotalpa
Konoculodes cdwardsii
Orchomenella minuta
Paraphoxus spinoais
Phoxocephalus hoiboHl
Pro tohaustorius deichmannae
Trlchophoxus epistomus
Unclola sp.
Unelola irrorata
Decapoda
Cranqon septemspinosa
Hlppolyte zostericola
Hctcrythrops robuslus
Pagurus sp.
Pagiirus arcuatus
Pa/;urus lonRJeafpus
Fagurus polllcarls
Pinnixa chaetopterana
Rhlthropanopeus harrisii
Xanthidae
22
10
15
63
10
25
159
33
-------
June 20, 1977
SPECIES
PV
Z
O
£
&
EN-
3
o
T-4
CO
fc
r\
*
o
*-*
•^ <->
CO 00
>o >o
f\ C*\
d- Jt
CO CM
o ;3
^ »H
.* vo
VO vo
vo vo
VO VO
c*> r^
4 A
v\ NO
4-1 V-t
ON
\O
?
^2
c»-
VO
vo
vo
r>
A
ci
«-r
CO
vo
vo
?
o
CD
*-t
Amphipoda (continued)
Ampelisca sp.
Ampelisca abdita
Bathyporeia parkeri
Caprellidae
Caprella penantls
Corophium sp.
Cymadusa compta
Dexamlne thea
Elasroopus levis
Gammarus sp.
Haustorlldae
Jassa falcata
Icnbos websteri
Leptocheirus pinguis
Llstriella barnardi
Lysianopsis alba
Melltd dentata
Hicrodeutopus anomalua
Mlcrodnutopus gryllotalpa
Konoculodes edwardsii
Orchomenella minuta
Paraphoxus splnosus
Phoxoeephalus hoibolli
Protohaustorius deichmannae
Trichophoxus eplstoims
Unciola sp.
Unclola irrorata
Decapoda
Cran/^on septemspinosa
Hippolyte zostericola
Keterythrops robustis
Pa^urus sp.
Pagurus arcuatus
Pa.^urus lonKJcarpus
Pagurus pollicarls
Pinnixa chaetopterana
Rhlthropanopeus harrlsll
Xanthidae
11
-------
03
VO
VO
?
O
CO
June 20, 1977
SPECIES
Phylum Echinodermata
Cl. Ophiuroidea
Amphiura otteri
Cl. Echinoidea
Echlnarachnius j
Phylum Slpunculida
-------
APPENDIX B. HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS*
Methods
Sediment Extraction and Analysis --
Sediment samples were well mixed by hand and a visual description
noted. Approximately 20 g was removed for dry weight determinations.
Approximately 100 g wet weight sediment was placed in 1 liter round-
bottomed flask and digested for 4 hours with 300 ml methanol/toluene
azeotrope and 30 ml 2.5 n KOH/hLO. The solvent was decanted and
filtered through glass fibre fiTter. The sediment was rinsed with an
additional 50 ml methanol/toluene. The extract and rinse were combined '
in a 1-liter separatory funnel to which 100 ml dist. H?0 had been added.
Toluene layer was removed. The aqueous methanol was extracted with
2 x 5 cc hexane. The combined toluene and hexane extracts were back
extracted with water, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated by
rotary evaporation. Sulfur was removed by freshly activated copper
dust. Column chromatography used 7.5 g silica gel (activity grade 1)
and 2.5 g alumina, 5 percent deactivated. The aliphatic fraction (Fl)
was collected in 18 ml hexane. The aromatic fraction (F2) eluted with
20 ml benzene.
The amounts of petroleum hydrocarbons in the aliphatic and aromatic
fractions were determined gravimetrically on the Cahn balance. Each
fraction was analyzed by glass capillary gas chromatography for a
qualitative determination of the nature of the hydrocarbons present.
Organism Extraction and Analysis --
A given species from a single station was blended in a Waring
blender. In the case of bivalves, all individuals were homogenized. A
minimum of 20 g of homogenate was digested for 4 hours with 200 ml of
1:1 solution of 0.5 n KOH methanol:water. A smaller portion of homogen-
ate was removed for dry weight determination. Upon completion of diges-
tion, the mixture was diluted with an equal volume of saturated NaCl
solution and extracted with 3 x 100 ml portions of hexane. The hexane
extract was dried and concentrated for a lipid weight determination.
Column chromatography was the same as for sediments.
The amounts of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in the organisms
were determined by gas chromatography through the use of internal standards
Weights were also determined gravimetrically but the presence of large
amounts of biogenic hydrocarbons in most fractions precluded the useful-
ness of this data.
Gas Chromatography --
Gas chromatography was performed on the extracts with Hewlett-
Packard Model 5840 gas chromatographs (gc). Each gc was equipped with a
spitless mode injector and a 15 m glass capillary column (J&W Scientific).
*Source:Energy Resources Company.
170
-------
Conditions: T, . 250
T J 300
Tdet 60-110 @ 10° C/min
oven 110-260 @ 3° C/min
gas helium 2 ml/min
A computer interface system allowed data to be processed and amounts
of resolved components to be calculated from the internal standard.
Computer also calculated retention indices R., which relate the retention
time of a given component to that of the n-alkane series, i.e., pristane
elutes immediately after n-C,7; R. pristane = 17.10. A biogenic olefin
elutes midway between n-C?I- and n-C?fi; R. = 25.50. Internal standards
used in this study are hexaethylbenzene R. 16.70, n-C?n R. 20.00, andro-
stane R. 19.50, cholestane R. 27.90 and tfidecylcyclonexane RI 19.60.
Mass Spectrometry --
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed
on samples shown to have No. 2 fuel oil by gc analysis. A 15 m SE-30
glass capillary column (J&W Scientific) was employed. Temperature
program was from 80 to 250° C at 2° C/min. A Hewlett-Packard Model 5980A
was used with 5934A system which provided hard copy of the data.
Quality Control Program
Each sample extracted contained an internal standard for both
saturated and aromatic fractions. The amounts of individual resolved
hydrocarbons and unresolved complex mixture (UCM) in the organism samples
were calculated with respect to these internal standards. The percent
recovery of the Fl internal standard was determined in 4 cases by addi-
tion of an external standard prior to gas chromatography. Results are
listed in Table B-l.
TABLE B-l. PERCENT RECOVERY OF THE Fl INTERNAL STANDARD
Item Recovery
1. Sediment 14-29777 96%
2. Sediment 47-36670 97%
3. Mercenaria 1-41980 36%
4. Mya 13-41986 56%
The poor recovery of internal standards in the case of the organisms
stems from the fact that in both cases an unknown large amount of extract
was lost upon repeated injections on gc before recovery experiments were
performed. This was assumed to be 50 percent, but recovery indicates it
was much more.
171
-------
Procedural blanks are run routinely in our laboratory as part of
our overall quality control effort. Blank levels were routinely 5 to
10 times lower than the lowest level samples and more often several
orders of magnitude lower than most samples. This is true for the
sediment and macrofaunal samples.
APPENDIX C. CRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SEDIMENTS
AND SHELLFISH
Energy Resources Company
Class A - Clean Sediment--
The biogenic hydrocarbons, n-Cpc, n-C^y, n'Cpg' ar|d n~Coi derived
from land plants and marsh grasses predominate in The higher molecular
weight range. Lighter n-C-,r, n-C,^, n~cig from algae may a1so be found.
The biogenic olefins mentioned earlier may be found. There is little or
no UCM characteristic of fossil fuels. Total hydrocarbon load is less
than 5 g/g dry weight.
Class B - Moderate Amount of Chronic Pollution --
Resolved petroleum hydrocarbons and UCM are found in amounts
roughly equal to biogenic input.
Class C - Chronic Pollution --
Characteristics are homologous series of n-alkanes and branched
alkanes from n-C^r to n-C33 and a large UCM maximum at n-Cpo ~ """'Cog-
Class D - Chronic Pollution and Number 2 Fuel Oil --
The sediment contains hydrocarbons from Class C but also has lower
boiling constituents. N-alkanes from C-.. to C21 are present. The UCM
has a biomodal distribution reflecting tRe two inputs. The lower boiling
material has a maximum at n-C-,-, - n-C-,g whereas the higher molecular
weight chronic materials peak at n-C2g.
Class E - Recent Number 2 Fuel Oil Predominating --
A homologous series of n-alkanes and branched alkanes from n-C-,. to
n-C?-, are present. The UCM peaks at n-C-,y.
Environmental Protection Agency
Class A - Clean, low level background
Class C - Chronic pollution from higher molecule weight fuel oil
Class D - No. 2 fuel oil plus chronic pollution from higher
molecular weight fuel oil
Class E - Recent No. 2 fuel oil and chronic pollution from
higher molecular weight fuel oil.
172
-------
co
ERCO SEDIMENT DATA AND INTERPRETATION
Station Name
Widows Cove
Phinney's
Harbor
Scraggy Neck
Back Bay
EPA
Station Number
151(770523)27799
151(770421)27794
151(770620)36664
15(770421)27795
15(770523)29778
.15(770620)36663
16(770420)27789
16(770523)27800
16(770620)36661
2(770421)43591
2(770524)29782
Physical
Description
Fine sand,
10% mud
Medium sand,
20% mud
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sllty
sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sllty
sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Coarse sand,
10% pebbles,
Anoxic lenses
Coarse sand,
10% pebbles.
Anoxic lenses
Fl
yg/g
23.0
9.3
15.7
27.0
17.2
109.1
22.6
95.0
7.9
6.6
7.4
F2
yg/g
17.0
10.2
17.3
14.0
41.5
104.1
20.0
87.0
7.8
8.0
24.0
Total
HC
yg/g
40.0
19.5
33.0
41.0
58.7
213.2
42.6
182.0
15.7
14.6
31.4
Classification
Cl
X
Bl
1
C2
L.
Dl
I
C3
-------
Station Name
Back Bay
Scorton Creek
Cove West of
Railroad bridge,
Cape Cod Canal
Peter's Neck
EPA
Station Number
2(770620)43577
100(770621)43579
100(770421)43595
100(770521)29780
105(770421)43594
105(770620)43578
105(770524)29488
108(770421)43596
108(770524)29490
108(770621)43581
Physical
Description
Medium sand,
pebbles, shell
fragments
Medium sand
Coarse sand
Coarse sand
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Medium Sand,
Anoxic lenses
Coarse sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fl
ygig
3.1
3.9
.9
1.6
10.6
7.0
8.1
21.7
12.8
7.2
F2
ugig
4.5
4.4
1.1
2.1
10.0
6.7
9.2
21.5
9.9
4.8
Total
HC
7.6
8.3
2.0
3.7
20.6
13.7
17.3
43.2
22.7
12.0
Classification
A2
A3
A54
C6
C7
C8
C9
D3
El
-------
en
Station Name
Sandwich Harbor
Wings Cove
Buttermilk Bay
EPA
Station Number
160(770523)27797
160(770421)27791
160(770620)36666
14(770420)27791
14(770523)29777
14(770620)36662
1(770523)27798
1(770523)27798
1(770621)43582
1( 770421 ),27793
1(770620)36665
Physical
Description
Coarse sand
Medium sand,
5% shell
Coarse sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand
Fine silty
sand, anoxic
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses,
duplicate
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Coarse sand,
Anoxic lenses
Fl
ygig
2.6
1.3
1.4
16.0
18.9
15.8
9.4
15.4
27.0
7.7
1.9
F2
wgig
0.1
0.9
1.1
16.0
10.5
7.3
9.5
11.3
15.0
7.3
0.5
Total
HC
2.7
2.2
2.5
32.0
29.4
23.1
18.9
26.7
42.0
15.0
2.4
Classification
Afi
A5
A8
C10
A9X
°4
D5
E2
D6
A10
-------
Total
cr»
Station Name
Sandwich Creek
(control)
Wareham River
Pocasset River
Little Butter-
milk Bay
EPA
Station Number
35(770524)29779
35(770621)43580
35(770421)43593
161(770524)29489
161(770421)27796
161(770621)36669
4(770524)29781
4(770421)43592
4(770620)43576
112(770621)43583
112(770524)29491
112(770421)43597
Physical
Description
Medium sand
Medium-coarse
sand
Medium sand
Medium sand
Medium sand,
20% organic
matter
Medium silty
sand, anoxic
lenses
Coarse sand
Coarse sand,
5% organic
material
Coarse sand,
5% shell
Medium-coarse
sand, 20%
organic
Medium sand,
Anoxic lenses
Medium sand,
20% organic
Fl
yg/g
3.2
1.5
1.7
2.4
13.0
3.7
1.6
6.4
4.3
39.5
22.2
116.0
F2
yg/g
4.1
1.8
«
3.0
2.0
12.0
5.4
1.6
3.2
8.8
60.5
22.1
63.0
HC
yg/g
7.3
3.3
4.7
4.4
25.0
9.1
3.2
9.6
13.1
100.0
44.3
179.0
Classification
All
« i *
12
A13
A14
B4
*t
B5
•J
A,,
B6
0
A16
ID
C12
It
B,
7
C,,
13
-------
Total
Station Name
Mings Neck
Northwest
Gutter
Cleveland Ledge
Scorton Creek
EPA
Station Number
13(770523)29774
13(770420)27790
13(770620)36660
47(770322)419590 1A
47(770622)36670
180(770621)36668
170(770620)36667
Physical
Description
Coarse sand,
Anoxic lenses
Medium coarse
sand
Medium sand,
shell fragments
Fine sand,
Anoxic
Fine Silty sand,
heavily anoxic
Fine sand.
Anoxic lenses
Fine sand
Fl
ug/g
2.9
1.0
1.3
24.1
78.0
9.0
1.5
F2
ug/g
13.0
0.7
1.6
22.9
134.0
6.0
3.2
HC
ug/g
15.9
1.7
2.9
47.0
212.0
15.0
4.7
Classification
A16
A17
A18
°7
C14
B8
B9
Source: Energy Resources Company
-------
APPENDIX E. EPA SEDIMENT DATA AND INTERPRETATION
EPA
station
number
8
7
6
5
3
4
1
2
2
3
9B
10
15
14
17
18
19
16
108
105
35
1
4
2
2
4
35
100
108
112
151
16
15
Date
1/30
1/30
1/30
1/30
1/30
1/30
1/30
1/30
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/3
2/3
2/4
2/4
2/4
2/4
2/24
2/24
2/24
2/24
2/24
2/24
3/9
3/9
3/10
3/10
3/10
3/10
3/9
3/9
3/9
Lab code
42651
42652
42653
42654
42655
42656
42657
42658
42659
42660
42661
43903
43904
43906
44142
44143
44144
44128
4197301
4197302
4197303
4197304
4197305
4197306
43355
43356
43358
43359
43360
43361
44147
44148
44150
ug/gm - dry weight
K6*
K2
K2
K5
K5
K3
K2
K2
K8
K4
Kl
0.63
Kl
K2
K2
Kl
Kl
Kl.O
12.6
5.3
K0.5
12.5
K0.5
K0.5
Kl.O
1.07
Kl.O
Kl.O
5.16
1.55
4.95
1.92
Kl.O
Classification
C
C
C
C
C
A & chronic
pollution
C
C
C
C
C
D
C
C
C
C
C
D
E
E
A
E
C
A
C
D
C
A
E No
chronic
pollution
D
D
Not classi-
fied
C
*"K" value represents "less than" for a No. 2 fuel oil
oil were present it would be below the K value.
If No. 2 fuel
178
-------
APPENDIX E. SEDIMENT DATE AND INTERPRETATION (cont. )
EPA
station
number
14
105
1
47
Date
3/9
3/8
3/9
3/22
Lab code
44149
43357
44146
4195901ABC
yg/gm - dry weight
0.5
L.A.*
5.1
3.8
Classification
Not classi-
fied
D
E No
chronic
pollution
D
*Lab accident.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency.
179
-------
00
o
ERCO. ORGANISM DATA AND INTERPRETATION
Station Name
Little Buttermilk
Day
Scraggy Neck
Wings Neck
West Gutter
(control)
Widow's Cove
1
Buttermilk Bay
Phinney's Harbor
Sandwich Creek
Wings Neck
Wings Neck
Species
Mya arenaria
(15 individuals)
Mya arenaria
(15 individuals)
Mya arenaria
(15 individuals)
M. mercenaria
(15 individuals)
M. mercenaria
(15 individuals)
M mercenaria
(14 individuals)
M. mercenaria
(15 individuals)
M. edulus
(15 individuals)
Homarus americanus
(llepatopancreas)
Homarus americanus
Station Number
112(770713)41979
16(770714)41985
13(770714)41986
47(770714)41984
151(770713)41981
1(770713)41980
15(770713)41982
35(770713)41983
13( )41963
13( )41963
Fl
i'g/g
15.8
20.8
22.8
159.7
14.0
12.5
12.3
40.7
47.5
23.0
F2
K3/£
28.8
19.5
27.7
14.1
0.2
0.6
3.3
2.3
6.0
3.4
Fl &
F2
pg/g
44.6
40.3
50.5
173.8
14.2
13.1
15.6
43.0
53.5
26.4
Fl & F2
mg/lOOg
wet weight
.60
.53
.60
2.1
.19
.18
.20
,73
1.4,
.50
Classifi-
cation
0
D
D
C
0
D
D
A
A
A
APPENDIX
-rt
"
m
•ya
o
o
O
CD
y>
z
i — i
0
3>
30
.j.,
•z.
O
1— 1
Z.
rn
73
-Q
73
m
— I
—1
i — i
o
"z.
(Muscle)
-------
Fl & Fl & F2
Fl F2 F2 ing/100g Classifi-
S tat ion Name Species Station Number yig/g pg/g pg/g wet weight cation
Wings Neck Homarus americanus 13( )41987 13.1 22.2 35.4 .90 B
(Mepatopancreas)
Wings Neck Homarus americanus 13( )41987 22.7 1.9 24.6 .48 B
(Muscle)
oo Wings Neck Homarus americanus 13( )41988 45.3 2.9 48.2 1.3 B
1-1 (Hepatopancreas)
Wings Neck Homarus americanus 13( )41988 4.4 .1 4.5 .08 B
(Muscle)
Source: Energy Resources Company
-------
APPENDIX G. DENSITY AND DIVERSITY
Approach
Density and diversity of organisms were calculated for the Buzzards
Bay benthic samples. Density and diversity are two measurements fre-
quently used to detect and characterize changes in benthic communities.
Density is a simple measure of the number of organisms per unit
area of surface and can be translated as numbers of organisms occupying
a given area of available habitat. The density of benthic organisms
comprising the benthic communities of Buzzards Bay, or any aquatic
environment, is expected to fluctuate above and below an equilibrium
level. A goal of this study was to determine if the factors affecting
observed density fluctuations were density-independent (independent of
the size of the population) or density-dependent (dependent on the size
of the population). Density-independent factors in Buzzards Bay include
the Bouchard No. 65 oil spill, the severe winter, alterations of bottom
substrate type, and other sources of pollution. Density-dependent
factors are characterized by competition for food and predation.
While density is a measure of the effect of the environmental
forces of Buzzards Bay upon the benthic community as a whole, species
diversity is a measure of environmental forces upon the components of
the benthic community, the species. The diversity (variety in numbers
and kind) of species in a community can be expressed in the form of a
numerical index called a species diversity index. This index is generally
the ratio between the number of species and an important biotic value or
measure (Odum, 1971). Examples of this biotic value are numbers of
individuals, an importance value given to individual species according
to the role they play in the community, biomass, or productivity.
Species diversity values tend to be mid-range in physically stressed
ecosystems or those subject to perturbations (e.g., poor weather, poor
water circulation, and pollutants). Conversely, diversity indices in
ecosystems not subject to stress tend to be either very high or very
low. High values suggest the existence of a well developed food web and
community stability; low values suggest the presence of a climax com-
munity.
Three diversity indices were applied to the EPA benthic data:-,
Simpson's diversity index (D) ; Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H) ; and
Margalef's diversity index (d). Each of these indices analyzes the
characteristics of the community from a different viewpoint. Simpson's
index is sensitive to changes in the dominant species in the community.
The numerical value for Simpson's index increases with heterogeneity.
The Shannon-Weaver index gives an indication of the evenness (decrease
in dominance) and variety of species in the community, while the Margalef
index (the easiest to calculate) is an indicator of the species richness
(number of species) in the community.
182
-------
It should be kept in mind that numbers generated by a species
diversity equation do not, in themselves, have any meaning. These
numbers only have meaning when compared on a temporal or spatial basis,
or as indicators of a trend in combination with other types of measure-
ments. In this study, the values gained from the density and diversity
computations will be compared to determine if any changes occurred in
the benthic community during the sampling period (February through
June).
Results
Because of the aforementioned limitations of the sampling program,
density and diversity values were calculated but could not be accepted
without qualification. The following is an attempt to interpret calcu-
lated density and diversity values. The reader should not attempt to
draw any impact determination from these results.
The density of each station is shown in Table G-l. The calculated
results were achieved by dividing the total number of individuals per
station by the area of the grab sampler and converted to a standard
area. Because a variety of grab samplers were used, four surface area
dimensions were applied.
TABLE G-l. DENSITY (NUMBER ORGANISMS/100 cm2)
Sampling dates
Station numbers 277737774/7757776777"
1
2
4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
72 153
37
35
110
21 26
48 19 27
192 64 313
22
12
10
18
4
31 1
8
33 120
33 11
75
223
24
311
130
47
148
42
125
92
1
55
113
225
22
26
61
113
58
85
19
53
15
51
4
146
8
63
51
83
111
218
17
23
24
183
-------
Results of the Margalef diversity index are presented in Table G-2.
Results from the Margalef index are the only results presented because
the Margalef index is the only index that is not significantly influenced
by sample size. The Simpson and Shannon-Weaver indices are sample size
dependent. These indices were calculated but are not presented herein.
TABLE G-2. MARGALEF DIVERSITY INDEX
__^ Sampling date
Station numbers 274"375 3721 5724 572T
1
2
4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
35
47
100
105
108
112
151
160
161
170
180
3.9 3.7
2.0
1.6
6.4
5.0 3.4
2.0 2.0 3.1
NA* 5.1 5.5
NA
3.0
NA
0.2
0.0
1.7 1.7
2.5
2.6 2.1
3.8 3.6
2.3
4.9
2.9
3.6
3.8
4.8
6.4
2.3
6.1
3.5
0.9
3.2
4.1
2.8
4.7
2.1
5.1
3.3
3.5
2.8
4.1
4.1
2.3
5.4
1.5
NA
0.7
3.9
2.9
1.7
5.0
2.7
4.7
2.1
NA
*NA = Not available
In general, the density of most stations showed no change, other
than expected seasonal ones, throughout the sampling'period. These
seasonal changes were reflected in the shift in dominance from copepods
and ostracods during the winter months to a more even faunal composition,
dominated by polychaetes, amphipods, and bivalves, during the spring
months. A slight increase in density is noted during the spring months.
For the most part, Margalef's diversity index also remained steady
throughout the sampling period. A slight increase in the diversity
184
-------
index during the spring months corresponds to the increase in density
values. This is also an expected phenomena because of the normal trend
of the benthos toward evenness during these months. The absence of
observable effects can either mean that there simply was no effect as a
result of the spill or that the effects were not detected by the sampling
survey.
185
-------
00
TABLE H-l. ANNUAL AVERAGE SHELLFISH TAKE AND PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL
TAKE AFFECTED BY BED CLOSURES
3> O
Tl I— I
Tl X
m
00 Z
-< z
00 3>
m i—
o
i— m
o -yo
co 3>
CT £75
^3 m
m
CO CO
- zc
m
co i—
M I-H
3> CO
co — I
3>
00 ^
5> m
3>
CO "Z.
—I O
d
o -o
-< m
xD
3> O
^3 m
rn 2:
3> —I
5>
£73
m
z
.j/u avci aijc lane f*~
**1975 average take 3>
Source: Massachusetts State Department of Fish and Game
Quahog
Average take (bushels)
% take affected, 1977
Soft clam
Average take (bushels)
% take affected, 1977
Oyster
Average take (bushels)
% take affected, 1977
Scallops
Average take (bushels)
% take affected, 1977
Razor clam
Average take (bushels)
% take affected, 1977
Mussel
"Average take (bushels)
% take affected, 1977
Bourne"
Recreational Commercial
1,379 2,016
100% 100%
50
100%
400
100%
300 2,044
100% 100%
-- — —
__ _ _
Falmouth* Wareham**
Recreational Commercial Recreational Commercial
4,523 7,000 10,000 1
22% 11% 15%
600 300 6,000
10% 23% 15%
200
15%
1,171 900
27% 8%
50
15%
100
15%
,300
15%
--
--
--
--
--
*
1976 average take
-------
TABLE H-2. ESTIMATES OF TOTAL SHELLFISH CASH CROP FOREGONE DUE TO BED
CLOSURES, FEBRUARY - DECEMBER 1977
Quahog
Current value
per bushel*
Number of seasons
closed*
Number of bushels
gone per season
Bourne
Falmouth
Wareham
Total
Total case crop
foregone
Bourne
Falmouth
Wareham
Total
Recre-
ational
$ 10
11/12
fore-
1,380
1,000
1,500
3,800
12,650
9,170
13,760
$35,580
Commer-
cial
$ 18
11/12
2,020
770
200
2,990
33,330
12,820
3,300
$49,450
Soft
Recre-
ational
$ 25
11/12
50
60
900
1,010
1,150
1,380
20,610
$23,130
shell
Commer-
cial
$ 25
11/12
70
70
1,600
$1,600
Oyster Scallop
Recre-
ational
$ 18
1
400
30
430
7,200
540
$7,740
Commer- Recre- Commer-
cial ational cial
$ 18 $ 20
1 4/6
300
320
0 620
4,000
4,270
$ 0 $8,270
$ 20
4/6
2,040
70
2,110
27,190
920
$28,110
Razor clam
Recre- Commer-
ational cial
$ 45 $ 45
11/12 11/12
8
8 0
330
$330 $ 0
Mussel
Recre-
ational
$ 5
1
15
15
80
$80
Commer-
cial
$ 5
1
—
0
—
$ 0
*Source: Massachusetts State Department of Fish and Game (1977).
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/7-78-133
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
CLEANUP EFFICIENCY AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF A FUEL
OIL SPILL IN COLD WEATHER: The 1977 Bouchard No. 65
Oil Spill in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
5. REPORT DATE
July 1978 issuing date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Eric Schrier
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
URS 7004-05-01
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
URS Company
155 Bovet Road
San Mateo, California 94402
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
EHE623
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-03-2160
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory-Cin., OH
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final 6/77 - 1/78
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/12
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
This study was initiated following the 1977 Bouchard No.. 65 fuel oil spill in
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. Its major objectives were to evaluate the techniques
used to clean up and/or mitigate damage from this spill and make recommendations of
.feasible alternative methods that may be used in future spills in similar environ-
mental conditions; to inventory and evaluate EPA sampling techniques and problems;
and to assess the environmental damage caused by the spill.
Because of the unusual ice and weather conditions at Buzzards Bay during and
after the spill, much of the cleanup effort relied on methods and equipment rarely
used before. Modifications of existing techniques are necessary if future spills in
similar conditions are to be treated more successfully. Unlike previous No. 2 spills
in the bay, acute biological effects were not observed. Long-term acute and sub-
lethal effects may have occurred but could not be detected with presently available
data. Severe biological damage was probably prevented by the entrapment of oil in
both shore-fast and free-flowing ice.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b. IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
Buzzards Bay, Mass.
Burning
Vacuum skimming
Contaminated ice removal
Rope skimmers
Oil Spills
Benthic effects
Oil Spills - cleanup
COSATI Field/Group
Fuel oil
Sea ice
Gas chromatography
47A
47C
48C
68D
Spill;
CURITY C
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
200
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
1 88 ft "• S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978-757-140/1414 Region No. 5-11
------- |