Draft



       Environmental Impact Statement -



                     on



    Designation of an Ocean Dumping Site



       in the San Pedro Basin for the



Ocean Disposal of Drilling Mads  and Cuttings
                Prepared by



      Criteria  and Standards  Division



 Office of Water Regulations  and  Standards



    U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency



                August  1983

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                            Summary Sheet


 (x)  Draft


 ( )  Final Environmental  Impact  Statement


 Environmental Protection  Agency


 1.  Name of Action


   (x)  Administrative Action  -


   ()  Legislative Action


 2.  Description of Proposed Action


     The proposed action  is to  designate an ocean disposal site for


 the disposal of drilling  muds and  cuttings  from drilling operations


 by THUMS Long Beach  in Long Beach  Harbor.   The proposed site is near


 the center of San Pedro Basin off  Long  Beach,  California,  about 16


 nautical miles from  Long  Beach  in  a southwesterly direction, a-n'd is


a circle 1-5 nautical miles in  radius.

                                                             * • •
     It is proposed-  to designate the  site  for  three years  and  to


evaluate further use of the site at the  end of that period using


data from a monitoring program  to  be  conducted by THUMS Long Beach.


 3.  Summary of Environmental  Impacts  and Adverse  Environmental


Effects.

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     The  information  presented  on  the  fate  and effects of drilling



muds disposed  in  the  San  Pedro  Basin shows  that the  disposal of



drilling  muds  and  cuttings  which are environmentally acceptable for



ocean disposal according  to  the EPA ocean dumping  criteria would



have no significant impact  on the  marine environment either directly



as a primary impact or  indirectly  as. secondary impacts.








     The  impacts on recreational,  economic,  esthethic, and



biological resources  of such disposal  are summarized below.








     (1)  No detrimental  impacts on the area's recreational uses are



expected.  Recreational values within  the area include boating  and



fishing.  Inshore  waters  and shorelines are  well out of  the initial



dilution  zone and  will  not be impacted.








     The  disposal  material does not contain  pathogenic organisms,



biologically available  toxic materials or other material  which  might



significantly impact  either fisheries, shellfisheries  or  public



health directly or indirectly through  food chain interaction.



4.  Alternatives Considered



    a.   No action



        (1)   Landfill

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     (2)  Land spreading



     (3)  Sub-surface injection



    b.   Near shore ocean disposal site



    c.   Off shore ocean disposal site



5.  Distribution of Draft EIS



Comments are requested from the following:



Federal Agencies and Offices







Council on Environmentrl Quality



Department of Commerce



  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  (NOAA)



  National Marine Fisheries Service



Department of Defense



  Army  Corps of Engineers (CE)



  Department of the Navy



Department of Health and Human Services



Department of the Interior



  Fish  and Wildlife Service

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  Bureau of Outdoor  Recreation



  "B-ur-eau of Land Management



  Geological Survey



Department of State



Department of Transporation



  Coast Guard



National Science Foundation



Water Resources Council




•National Science Foundation



Water Resources Council







States and Municipalities







California .Fish and  Game Commission



California Coastal Commission



California State Water Resources Control Board



Regional Water Quality Control Board







Private Organizations







American Littoral Society



Center for Law and Social Policy



Environmental Defense Fund/ Inc.

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 League of Women Voters

 National Academy of Science

 National Wildlife Federation

 Resources for the Future

 Sierra Club

 Water Pollution Control Federation

 Academic/Research Institutions



 California Academy of Sciencies

 Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley

 Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla

 6.   Availability of Draft EIS

_The Draft EIS was made available to CEQ and the public on (date of
DEC  t 8 1983
 publication).  Copies of the Draft EIS may be obtained from:

 Director, Criteria and Standards Division

 (WH-585)

 Environmental Protection Agency

 Washington,  D.C.   20460

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The Draft EIS may be reviewed  at  the  following  locations








Environmental Protection Agency



Public Information Reference Unit, Room 2-104  (rear)



401 M Streets S.W.



Washington, D.C.  20460








Environmental Protection Agency



Region IX, Library



215 Fremont St.



San Francisco, California  94105

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1.  Introduction;








     Thums Long Beach  Co.  has  applied for an ocean dumping permit



for the ocean disposal  of  drilling  muds  and cuttings from drilling



operations in Long Beach Harbor.   Since  no designated ocean dumping



site is available for  the  disposal  of these materials,, a new ocean



dumping site must be designated  if  the permit is to be granted.








     The applicant has  submitted  an application containing detailed



information on the characteristics  of drilling muds similar in



composition to those to be  dumped,  on the characteristics of the



proposed disposal site, and on the  anticipated fate and impacts of



the drilling muds after disposal.   This  application is attached as



the Appendix to this document.



                                •^




     The application has been  reviewed by EPA Region IX and



Headquarters staff.  EPA Region IX  has determined  that the



application is complete for purposes  of  action on  the issuance of a



permit.  Both Region IX and Headquarters  staff agree that the



information presented  is adquate  to assess the impacts of dumping



drilling muds and cuttings  at  the disposal site proposed by the




applicant.

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      Because  of  the  volume of material to be dumped and  the  length



of  the operation,  a  formal site designation in accordance with  the




EPA Ocean  Dumping  Regulations must be made.  As part of  this



procedure  EPA  had  made  the commitment to prepare EIS's on ocean



dumpsite designations.   The policy and procedures to be  followed  by



EPA were published in  39 FR 16.186  (May 1, 1974) and 39 FR 37119



(October 23,  1974).



     The information relevant to the designation of a site for  the



proposed disposal  is summarized below.








      2.  Purpose and Need for Action;








     The action needed  is to  designate  an ocean dumping site for  the



disposal of drilling muds'a'nd cuttings  from exploratory .wells of.  the



THUMS Company within Long Beach Harbor.   This  action is needed



because discharges of drilling  muds  and  cuttings from drilling



platforms  inside the harbor area is  prohibited and other means of



disposal must be used.   Ocean dumping is one alternate means of



disposal, and consideration of  this  option by  the permitting



authority  (EPA Region IX)  is  contingent  upon the availability of  an



ocean disposal site suitable  for the ocean disposal of such



materials.

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     The  purpose  of  this  action is to recommend for designation as



an approved  ocean disposal  site a location off Long Beach suitable



for  the disposal  of  drilling  muds and cuttings which are



environmentally acceptable  for  ocean dumping under EPA's Ocean



Dumping Regulations.   This  document presents the information needed



to assess  the  suitability of  the ocean environment in the vicinity



of Long Beach  for the  disposal  of such materials and, based on an



analysis of  this  information, recommends  a suitable location.








     The proposed dumpsite  is within a 1.5 nautical mile radius of



latitude 33034'30"N  and longitude 118°27'30"W near the center of the



San  Pedro  Basin.   The  point  is  16 nautical miles on a course of 239



degrees true from the  Long Beach whistle  buoy at the Long Beach



opening in. the Federal breakwater;  11 nautical miles on a bearing  of



194  degrees  true  from  Pont .Vincente  and' 11 nautical miles on a



bearing of 334 degrees true from Long Point on Santa Catalina



Island.  Water depth at the proposed disposal site is approximately



485  fathoms.








3.   Alternatives  Including the  Proposed Action;



    No-Action Alternative








     One alternative is not to  designate  an ocean  disposal  site for




the ocean dumping  of drilling muds and cuttings  from the THUMS  Long



Beach operation.   This would have  the effect  of  requiring THUMS to

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use alternate means  of  disposal  for. tnese wastes.   This would



severely restrict  the THUMS  drilling  operations at Long beach for



the following reasons.








     At the present  time,  the  THUMS Long  Beach Unit is experiencing



a period of increased drilling activity with resulting generation of



large volumes of drill  cuttings  and muds.  This activity is expected



to last for the next five  to eight  years.  The cuttings contain such



nacural occurring  sediments  such as quartz,  feldspar,  mica and



fossil fragments,  clays, shales  and silt  tones.   The bulk of the



muds is primarily  composed of  fresh water to which bentonite, and



lignite have been  added.   These  are naturally occurring inert



geological materials, and  there  are no biological, chemical,



physical or incineration processes  that would change the material to



something other than what  it is.  Recycling  of these materials is



not feasible because they  are  reused  in the  drilling muds until they



have physically deteriorated until  they are  no longer suitable for



further use.








     THUMS is currently using  land  fill dumpsites  for  disposal.   the



Greater Los Angeles Basin  is overwhelmed  with demands  of disposal



needs for domestic trash and rubbish.  Because of  these ever



increasing demands of sites  for  domestic  disposal,  these sites are



not anticipated to be able to  accept  the  large volume  of drilling



wastes to be generated during  the length  of  the  projected THUMS



drilling period.

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     The geological  strata  and  formations  located in the Long Beach



Unit are used  for  two  purposes:



     1.  to extract  hydrocarbons;  and



     2.  to inject water  into the  production  formations.



If mud were introduced  by well  injection,  it  would ruin the



formation and  defeat the process of  intrazonal  nydrocarbon



production.



     The THUMS operation  is  adjacent  to  the Greater Los Angeles



megalopolis where all  available land  is  intensively used and open



land for land  spreading is  not  available.  Transportation costs and



increase hazards of  land transport over  great distances preclude



disposal in remote unused areas.



     b.  Selection of Alternative  Sites



     The major oceanographic feature off Long Beach is  the San Pedro



Basin,  which has depths greater than 450 fathoms.   The  geology,



physical structure, water movement and biology  of  the Basin are



described in detail  in  the Appendix  (pp. 49-77).   Within the San



Pedro Basin many -different disposal  sites  could be selected, and one



such site is that proposed.

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     The specific site  chosen  within  the  San  Pedro basin was



se-lected from an evaluation of  these  factors,  and  is  near a site



used by THUMS for disposal of  drilling  muds  and  cuttings in 1965.



     The EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations  also  require that the



permittee implement a monitoring plan acceptable  to the Regional



Administrator.  The applicant  has proposed a  monitoring plan which



has three phases:







     (1)  Verification  of the  initial dilution zone and fate of the



          drilling muds and cuttings as indicated  by  a  mathematical



          model developed for  that purpose;



     (2)  Establishing  baseline water quality  data at the proposed



          Site, prior to any disposal activities;  and



     (3)  Monitoring of water  quality parameters during disposal



          activities.   "                                    ,

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      Details of the monitoring program proposed by the  applicant  are



 presented  in the Appendix (pp. 78-80).



      Conclusion



      The  proposed site is acceptable for the ocean disposal  of



 drilling  muds  and cuttings based on evaluation of the criteria  and



 factors  listed in Parts 228.6 of the EPA Ocean Dumping  Regulations.



 Also,  the  fact that the site has been used hsitorcally  for the



 disposal  of  similar types of materials makes it preferable for



 additional use in the  absence of an environmentally more acceptable



 site.



      Recommendation



      (1)   Designate the proposed site for a limited period of time



 sufficient to  verify  the  mathematical model of the initial dilution



 and  fate .of  the drilling  muds and cuttings.  Three years is'



 recommended.                     ...              '  -        -



      The  applicant  has developed a mathematical model describing  the



 fate  of drilling muds  and cuttings dumped at the site;  this model is



.acceptable .theoretically  in  cpmparison to similar models, but it  has



 not yet been verified  at  quantities in ranges approximately the



 volumes THUMS  proposes to dump.   Limiting the maximum amount dumped



 per year  for this period  to  half that anticipated at  peak operation



 will  permit  verification  at  the  same order of magnitude  expected  at



 peak  operation.



      (2)   It is therefore recommended that disposal at the site be



 limited to a maximum of 100,000  cubic meters per year  for this



 period.

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      (3)  Require  the  permittee  to conduct the monitoring program as



proposed  in  the Appendix,  and  to report  the results to EPA in a



timely manner  so that  a  decision on extending the site designation



can be made  before  the initial designation expires.



4.  AfJ&cted Environment



     The  characteristics of  the  marine environment in the San Pedro



Basin where  the proposed site  is located  are presented in the



Appendix  (pp.  47-77).  The Basin is of generally open ocean chemical



and biological characteristics with fauna typical of  the pacific



marine environment  off the Southern coast of California.  The



geology,  physical oceanography,  chemistry,  and biology of the Basin



are described  in detail  in the Appendix.



5.  Primary and Secondary Environmental Consequences



     The.,  discussion presented  in the  Appendix (pp.- 81-91) on. the



fate and  effects of drilling muds  disposed  in the San Pedro Basin



shows that the disposal  of drilling muds  and cuttings which are



environmentally acceptable for ocean  disposal according  to the EPA



ocean dumping  criteria would have  no  significant impact  on the



r.iarine environment, either directly as a  primary impact  or



indirectly as  secondary  impacts.

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     The  impacts  on  recreational,  economic,  esthetic, and biological


resources of  such  disposal  are  summarized below.





     (1)  No  detrimental  impacts  on  the area's recreational uses are


expected.  Recreational values  within  the area include boating and


fishing.  Inshore  waters  and  shorelines are  well  out of the initial


dilution zone and  will not  be  impacted.





     (2)  The drilling muds disposal activity  will not adversely


impact the recreational and commercial  value  of  living marine


resources,, such as sport  and  commerical fisheries.  Fishes in the


vicinity of the initial dilution  zone will move out of the area and


into surrounding  areas.                                    :



                                                          * • •
                                                          '*
     (3)  No  long-term effects  on  the proposed water quality of the


dumpsite are expected.  Short-term turbidity  increases are expected


within the initial.dilution zone.  However,  the bulk of material


will descend repidly to a depth of 60 m.  The  esthetic values of the


area, therefore, will be  minimally impacted.





     The disposal material does not contain pathogenic organisms,


biologically available toxic materials  or other material which might


significantly impact either fisheries,  shellfisheries  or public


health directly or indirectly  through food chain  interaction.

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     Ocean  disposal  of  water based muds and cuttings have several



advantages  over  transporting them from offshore drill sites to land



disposal sites.   The  advantages  are:








     a.  Decreased truck  traffic from dockside and disposal site.



At present, THUMS  is  dumping at  sites loccated in West Cov.ina, a



distance of 38 miles.   Trucking  of this material requires 575 round



trips a month for  a  total  of 42,940 miles a month.







     b.  Decrease  in  energy  use  associated with trucking to land



dump sites.  In  excess  of  28,000 gallons of fuel are used each



month.







     c.  Decrease  of  potential for nearshore air and water pollution



associated with  barge'transport  of trucks to shore . facilities.







     d.  Decrease  of  potential for air and noise pollution due to



offloading operations and  trucking.







     e.  Unnecessary  use of  the  presently limited Clas I disposal



sites within the region.







     f.  Decreased marine  traffic within Long  Beach  Outer Harbor



with a decrease  in probability of accident in  transit to and from



shore facilities.  The  disposal  vessel will move directly to sea



from the production islands  rather than having  barges moving about



within the Harbor  itself.
                                  10

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      g.   Decrease  in probability of accidents on California



highways.







      (4)   Effects  on water column and benthic organisms.







      Phytoplankton.   Initial  discharge of the drilling muds will



increase  turbidity in the  initial dilution zone.  Thus/ a small



decrease  in primary  productivity could be expected.   However, the



rapid descent  of the drilling muds to a depth of 60  m and subsequent



diluted dispersion in the  California Undercurrent at the lower edge



of the euphotic  zone substantially diminishes the changes of any



significant reduction in primary productivity.




     Zooplankton.  Temporary  loss of zooplankton biomass may occur



within the initial zone related  to the physical  effects of



particulates interrupting  respiratory and feeding metabolism.  No



toxicity-related mortality  is  expected since  the metals present in



the muds  are biologically  unavailable.   Further  transport of the



drilling muds  to increasing depths at minimal concentrations



preclude  any further adverse  impacts occurring within the



zooplankton community.







     Fishes.   No adverse impacts on the  pelagic, littoral,



mesopelagic or bathypelagic fish fauna are  expected  to occur.  These



fishes will respond  to the  increase of particulate concentrations by
                                  11

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moviny out of  the  immediate  area  of  discharge,  which will eliminate



the potential  for  interruption  of any  metabolic processes.








     The non-toxic nature  of  the  drilling  muds  and  cuttings will



preclude any biomagnification or  mortality in  the San Pedro Basin



benthic community.








     Benthos.  The San Pedro Basin benthic environment will be



impacted by the settling of  the cuttings particles  and the  larger



drilling mud particolate fractions.  Approximately  1/3 of the



disposal material  (20,000  barrels of cuttings and a fraction of the



drilling muds  per month) will be  added  to  the sediments of  the basin



between 0.3 to 7.5 km northwest of the  dumpsite.








     The addition of the cuttings will  likely cause a shift -in the



grain size distribution of the sediments toward larger particles



primarily evident nearest  the point  of  impact and decreasing in



impact with increasing distance northwest.








     Biologically, the shift in grain  size  characteristics  may alter



the benthic community and/or smother sessile benthic  organisms



unable to migrate up through the  deposited  material.   Biological






                                  12

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loss  is expected  to  be minimal  and  localized  since  basin



productivity  is low  and  the  community  exhibits low  density,



diversity, and random spatial dispersion  throughout the basin.








     The non-availability  of  chemical  constituents  of the drilling



muds and cuttings to animals  precludes  any  adverse  toxicity  impacts.



Primary impacts would relate  to a change  of the  physical environment



which in turn may alter  the  biotic  components  in the  area.




     Endangered Species








     No adverse short-term or long-term impacts  on  any Federally



endangered or rare species are  expected from  the discharge  of



drilling muds and cuttings in the San  Pedro Basin.








6.  Conclusions;








     (1)  The site proposed  for designation by the  applicant meets



all the EPA criteria for designation as an  acceptable ocean  dumping



site for drilling muds and cuttings that  are environmentally



acceptable for ocean disposal.








     (2)  Similar waste materials had  been  discharged for three



years in the vicinity of the proposed  site  from  1966-1969 under  the



congnizance of the appropriate  State and  Federal agencies without



significant adverse  impact.
                                  13

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      (3)  Drilling  muds  and  cuttings of natural non-toxic materials



and generically similar  to  those  proposed to be dumped by the



applicant are discharged  under  National Pollutant Discharge



Elimination Sytem  (NPDGS) general permits in the Pacific, Gulf of



Mexico, and Atlantic  on  a regular basis without significant adverse



impact.








      (4)  Mathematical modelling  of  the dispersion and fate of tht



drilling muds indicates within  reasonable limits of accuracy that



the waste materials wil  be dispersed in the marine environment



rapidly without significant  impact on  marine biota or other uses of



the ocean.                  .                               ~  .-..








      (5)  The baseline data  and  information on fate and effects of



the drilling muds at  the  proposed dumpsite  is  as complete as can be



done without actual data  on  the environmental  effects of dumping the



specific mud formulations used.   The site designation should be



restricted .in time  and quantities to be disposed of at the site to



levels within the reasonable limits  of  the  predictive model, and the



applicant should be required to conduct monitoring studies during



this time to provide  data to assure  that increased quantities  dumped



over a longer period  of time will also  have not significant  impact.
                                  14

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      (6)   No  authorization for use of the site beyond these  limits



should  be  given  until  actual field data demonstrate that such



disposal would not  result in significant adverse impacts on  the



marine  environment  or  other uses of the marine environment.








7.  Finding;








      Based  on the conclusions above derived from an assessment of



the .proposed  action it  is concluded that:





      (1)   Use of  the proposed site for the ocean disposal of no more



than  100,000  cubic  meters per year of drilling muds and cuttings



environmentally  acceptable for ocean disposal under EPA Ocean



Dumping Regulations, would result in no significant impact on the



marine  environment  or  on  other uses of the ocean.  .








      (2)   Data collected  during the three-year period by the



•permittee,  if a  permit  is issued,  -will be .evaluated to determine



whether larger amounts  can be dumped over a longer period of time.








      (3)   Since  dumping the materials in the quantities and times



proposed would result  in  no significant impact on the environment,



it is not  necessary to  consider the relative impacts of alternative



types of material,  alternative frequencies  of dumping,  alternative



dumping techniques, or  the use of  multiple  dumping sites, since



these are  all considered  to be measures to  mitigate significant




environmental impact.




                                 15

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THUMS Application for Ocean
Dumping Permit No. OD-82-01
       November 1982

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       Application Under  Chapter I
   - Environmental  Protection Agency,
  Title 40 - Protection of  Environment,
Sub-Chapter H,  Ocean  Dumping, Part 221 -
      Application for Ocean Dumping
      Permits Under Section 102 of
                 the  Act

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CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT
  221. 1( a)
  221. Kb)
  221. He)
    Cuttings
    Muds ............................................. .
EVALUATION OF LIMITING PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATIONS
  221. l(d)
  221. He) ............. .
  221. l(f) ......... .
ENVIRONMENTAL GETTING
  Geol ogy
  Geohaza rds
SAN PEDRO BASIN AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BIGHT WATER
  CHARACTERISTICS
  Physi cal Oceanography ................................
    Hydrogen  Ion Content
    Turbi di ty . . .
    Nutri ents ....... .
    Sediments of the San Pedro  Basin
WATER QUALITY
  Trace Metals
  Hydrocarbons ................................... . .
  Synthetic Chlorinated Hydrocarbons ............... .._.
  Drilling Muds ..................... ..... .............
MARINE  BIOLOGY.,
  Benthic Biol ogy
  Water Column  Biology
    PI ankton
    Phytopl ankton .............................
    Primary Productivity and Standing  Crop
    Zoopl ankton
      Depth Distribution of Zooplankton
    Fish Eggs and  Larvae .............................. .
    Fishes
    Marine Mammals and Seabirds
PROPOSED  SAMPLING  PROGRAM
SUMMARIZATION OF DISPOSAL SITE CRITERIAL UNDER SECTIONS
  228.5 AND  228.6
  General Criteria for Site Selection
    228. 5(a) ....................................... .
    228. 5(b)
    228. 5(c)
    228. 5(d) ..............
    228. 5(e)
                                     Page

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                                                                     1 1

                                                                    Page

  Specific Criteria for Site Selection	        83
    228.6(a)	        83

    221.Kg)	        87
    221. l(h)	        87
    221.1(1)	        87
    221.KJ)	        88
  Fate of Ocean Disposed Muds and Cuttings	        88
    221.l(k)	        88
IMPACT ASSESSMENT	        91

LITERATURE CITED.....	        94

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                                                                      111


                            LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No.                                                           Page

   1          Location of THUMS oil production Islands	         2
   2         THUMS drill  cuttings particle size frequency
               distribution	          5
   3         THUMS spud mud particle size frequency
               distribution	         11
   4         THUMS water-base mud particle size
               characteristics	         13
   5          THUMS polymer mud particle size frequency	        16
   6         Temperature, salinity, sigma-t, and dissolved
               oxygen values by depth at CalCOFI Station 9028
               (provided by Dr. J. List)	        41
   7         Dilution in turbulent jets with a linearly
               stratified environment (from Fischer et al.
               1979)			         42
   8         Terminal velocity of fall  of quartz spheres in
               air and water  (provided by  Dr. J. List	        43

   9         Location of proposed THUMS San Pedro
               Basin disposal site..	        48
  10         Annual average surface water circulation off
               southern California	        50
  11         San Pedro Basin and adjacent areas, showing the
               50 fm and 425 fm contour lines, the  northwest
               and southeast sills. The area of impoverished
               fauna at the-western end are indicated, and the
               glass sponge bottoms  are  shown  (Hartman  1958)...        63
  12         The high density sampling .areas, benchmark sites,
               and descriptive sites of  the  benthic  study	        66
  13          Sportfishing catch assessment	        75
  14          Sportfishing effort assessment	        76
  15          Commercial  fisheries catch assessment	        77
  16         Idealized jet discharge described by mathematical
               mode	         90

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                 SECTION 221.1  APPLICATION FOR  PERMIT

,§221.1 .(..a)   Name of the  firm  producing  and  transporting the material for
 dumping  is  THUMS Long  Beach Company located at 840 Van Camp Street, Long
 Beach,  California.  Mailing  address  Post  Office  Box 2900,  Long Beach,
 California  90801.

 §221.1 (b)   THUMS  Long  Beach Company's program is  to  dispose  of water
 base  drilling  mud  and cuttings- by dumping  them in  a specific site that
 will  meet EPA  requirements.  The  muds and  cuttings  wastes  proposed for
 ocean disposal will  result from THUMS'  drilling  activities  at four
 islands  within Long Beach  Harbor (Figure  1).  THUMS 1s  planning to use
 vessels  of  American Registry to pick  up  and  dispose  of the muds and
 cuttings.  The  tankship presently being  considered  1s  a  220  foot motor
 vessel,  a former  navy yard oiler.  EPA will be  notified  of  the  hauling
 vessels  name,  or  any  change  in  the  hauling  vessel's  present location,
 communication  and  navigation  equipment  at  least  60 days prior  to com-
 mencement of any permitted dumping.

 §221.1 (c)   THUMS  proposed.wells  *i!1  be  directionally  (deviated)
 drilled  into  six  different production  zones.  Therefore,  1t  is not
 possible  to give  finite  numbers of cubic yards of cuttings and muds for
 each  of  the  proposed 864 new wells (Table 1).

             Cuttings.  Three  quarters  of the  drill  cuttings  are  sands
 containing:  primarily  detrital  grains made Aip  of  quartz, feldspar rock
 fragments, mica and  fossil fragments,  with  a matrix made up of authigenic
 clays. One  quarter of  the cuttings are shales and siltstones containing
 predominately  clays  of detrital and authigenic origins. The cuttings are
 very  similar  to materials  naturally  occurring  today  on the  San Pedro
 basin floor.

             A  sample of  drill  cuttings was obtained  from  the cuttings
 discharge of the shaker  screen  for THUMS Well A-761, Rig  T-5 on 23 March
 1982, while  drilling at a depth of 2,775 feet.

-------
        L_J^8toSJI|
 ttl
                       LONG'
       BEACH
                                          iwrrao »T«TM - wnr COACT
                                         SAN PEDRO BAY
    W<
    &&
                 v»-
                       i.<^_.
                                                             «»*rl"
                                                                    &>rx
                                                                              ^r
    \j
o
o
o


o
Jr
                                                                 /lil_ANC
           >>./
                               -ir
.'»?
              """"  ""-""•""// '*v"'V^:T7'* -  "' v -•  •
              •   .,         »   ••   "  • / L ~ ""^  •«  -»-^' ••             N
                    **   -     ""•//   - "^si r*»"  •"'•'•      •/
              •   •        **         A'  .1      TV  x        * "
              *       - 'A>       1  .   /  • " *  •    -r'-\v^
               "         - "       "I  'f       "  I •  -x>»% "    . ~ l_
              ••               "-;•"«    _  .   
-------
                Table  1. Existing proposed THUMS oil wells,
                        THUMS LONG BEACH  COMPANY
NUMBER OF EXISTING WELLS
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1981
Site
Grlssom
White
Chaffee
Freeman
P1er J
TOTALS
Produce/s
126
116
158
160
100
660
Injectors
46
37
44
31
33
191
Total
172
153
202
191
133
851
NUMBER OF PROPOSED NEW WELLS
NEXT 10 YEARS
221
190
189
154
110
864
Total
393
343
391
345
243
1,715
12/09/81

-------
 Table 2. THUMS drill  cuttings particle size characteristics.




'/. GRAVEL = 0.
'/. SAND = 58.
X SILT = 10.
% CLAY = 29.
5865
2478
8156
1274
FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION TABLE
MEAN PHI
INTERVAL
-2.25
-1.75
-1.25
-0.50
-0. 13
0. 13
0.38
0.63
0.88
1. 13
1.38
1.63
1.88
2. 13
2.38
2.63
2.88
3.13
3.38
.3.63
3.88
4.67
5.15
5.65
6.12
6.58
7.07
7.57
8.06
8.51
9.13
10.05
11.05
12.05
13. ")5
14.45
15.05
16.05
INTERVAL
PERCENT
0.2749
0. 1650
0. 1466
0.4221
1.4773
4.4319
14.3509
18.5718
6.7534
2.7436
1 . 6883
1 . 2663
0.6331
0.8442
0.6331
0.8442
0.4221
0.8442
0.8442
0.8442
0.6331
0. 1100
0.7331
0.3666
1 . 8328
3.6657
0.0000
3.4824
1 . 6496
3. 1158
3.4824
6.0297
5.1020
4. 1744
3.2468
2.3191
1.3915
0.4638
CUMULATIVE
PERCENT
0. 2749
0.4399
0.5865
1 . 0086
2.4859
6.9178
21.2687
39.8405
46.5938
49.3374
51.0257
52.2920
52.9251
53.7693
54.4024
55.2466
55.6687
56.5128
- .57.3570
58.2012.
58.8343
58.9443
59.6774
60.0440
61.8768
65.5425
65.5425
69.0249
70.6745
73.7903
77.2727
83.3024
88.4045
92.5789
95.8256
98. 1447
99. 5362
100. 0000
                                           ONE PHI INTERVAL
                                        PERCENT TOTAL SEDIMENT
                                         WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
                                         -10 =<
                                          -9 =<
                                          -8 =<
                                          -7 =<
                                          -6 =<
                                          —s — •-
                                           J   *•
                                          -4 =<
                                          -3 =<

                                          -1 =<
                                           0 =<
                                           1 =<

                                           3 -<
                                           4 =<
                                           5 =<
                                           6 =<
                                           7 =<
                                           8 =<
                                           9 =<
                                          10 =<
                                          11 =<
                                          12 =<
                                          13 =<
                                          14 =<
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
 0
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
 0.
 0.
 0.
 0.
 0.
 0.
 0.
 0.
 0.
 1.
44.
 6.
 ^
 3.
 0.
 1.
 5.
. 4.
 5.
 •-.
 *» •
 8.

 5.
 1.
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
2749
3116
8994
1079
3313
7436
1656
2534
3852
0696
1073
3440
2789
34B9
7829
6502
7709
9516

SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION PARAMETERS  (  MOMENT  )
     MEAN      DISPERSION     SKEWNESS      KURTOSIS
    4.5851       4.8438        0.3275        -1.0965

SHARP & FAN SORTING INDEX
     BASED ON 18  INTERVALS = 27.4357
     BASED ON 25  INTERVALS = 34.8413

-------
0
INTERVAL PERCENT  (*)
        1         i
...5....0....S....0..
                                    .5.
 3
.0.
4         5
0. . . . 5. . . .0
-9.50
-9.00
-8.50
-8.00
-7.30
-7.00
-6.50
-6.00
-5.50
-
*
*•

* . .

*

»

*

*

*

00) CT W CT CT CT CT • ft • fTt
• • • • w • • • • U • • • • 
-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.
            The results  of grain  size analysis  of these  THUMS drill
cuttings  are  presented  in Table  2 and the  grain size distribution is
portrayed graphically  in Figure  2.  These  data  demonstrate  that the
cuttings are composed primarily  (58%)  of sand particles  (phi range -1 to
4) removed from the  rock formation by the drilling  activity.  The cuttings
also  contcin  significant silt  (phi  range  4  to  8) and clay  (phi  >8)
fractions, comprising repsectively  11%  and 29%  of  the cuttings. The  silt
and clay  fractions  of  the cuttings are essentially residual drill  muds
which are  retained  by  the cuttings during  the process of  removing the
larger  drill  cuttings  particles  from the  recircul ating  mud  system.

            Sand and  gravel  grain  size  distributions   for  THUMS drill
cuttings and muds were determined using a settling tube similar to that
described by Gibbs  (1974). The  device  uses a  differential transformer to
sense the load exerted by  sediment as it settles and accumulates in a pan
near  the  base of the settling column. The  strip  chart output  from the
load  sensor is converted  to a cumulative frequency plot of  the sizes of
the particles  constituting  the  samples.  The  silt-clay  distribution is
determined by hydrometer method based  on the  settling rates  of different
sized particles and fluid density (ASTM,  D422  1963). Sizes  are reported
in  phi  units  (phi   = -Iog2  diameter in millimeters).  The  range  of phi
sizes examined is from  approximately  -5 phi  to 15 phi. Grain size data
are then converted to the  cumulative frequency of the occurrence of grain
size classes.  Statistical  parameters (mean  grain size, sorting, skewness,
and kurtosis) of each grain size distribution  have been extracted using
moment  measures (Krumbein and  Pettijohn 1938,  Sharp and Fan  1973).

            Before  detennination  of sediment  grain size analyses could
be  performed,  the  soybean oil  was  removed  because such oils interfere
with  the  analytical  methods utilized  in  particle size determinations.
The method  of  extraction  utilized for soybean  oil  removal was based
upon  phase  separation utilizing  freon  (1,1,2  trichloro-1,2,2 trifluoro-
ethane).  The  drilling muds  and cuttings  samples were extracted in

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                     7

separatory funnels utilizing first 500 ml freon/60 g  sample  daily for 5
days, followed with extractions utilizing 100 ml freon twice  daily  for 13
days. The remaining sediments from these extractions  were  digested twice
daily using  15  ml  hydrogen peroxide.  After the 18 days of  extractions,
the  sediments  were dried at 70"C  for  24 hrs and prepared  for  particle
size analyses.

            In a  letter from  W. H. Pierce (EPA Region  IX)  to  W. F.
Ellison (THUMS) dated 9 February  1982,  it was stated  that  "inert natural
minerals  or  materials  with particle  size  greater  than   silt  would
be  considered  acceptable  without further testing."  In a  telephone
conversation  with  Mr.  Eric  Yunker,  EPA Region IX,  this  statement  was
clarified to  mean  that requirements  for inorganic or organic  chemistry
determinations  or  potentially bioassay testing  of  the  drilling  muds
which  are  the silt/clay fraction  of the drill cuttings  would be con-
sidered applicable to  these  fractions of the drill cuttings  and that no
such  determinations  for particles larger than  silt  would be  required.
The  characterizations   of   representative drilling  muds  are  presented
subsequently.           "                                          __

            Muds.  Drilling  fluids employed in the drilling  and completion
of  Long  Beach  Unit  wells  are  considered to  utilize  very   fundamental
drilling  technology.  For description  purposes, the  drilling fluid  has
been divided into  three systems (Table 3). The first is termed "spud mud"
which is  used in  drilling  the  initial  shallow  section of  the well, i.e.
from  the surface  to 900  ft or  1500 ft. It is primarily  composed of
bentonite, lignite  and fresh water. These  are all   naturally  occurring
substances.

            The second system is  termed  "water based  mud" and is actually
a continuation of the spud mud. However,  it receives  additives for
fluid loss and viscosity control, lubricity,  increase in weight require-
ments  and,   if  required,  for controlling  cement  contamination.  The
materials are  used in  varying amounts  depending  on  the well  depth and

-------
       Table 3. Typical  Drilling and  Completion Fluid Program for
                    Muds Proposed for Ocean Disposal
    Type Fluid
 Drilli ng Interval
                             Normal  Constituents
                                Approx.  Quantity
                                    (Ibs./bbl.)
   Foot   Depth

Spud mud
  Surface to 1000'
Water based mud
  1000 ft +_ to total
  depth
Polymer
completion 'interval
Bentonite
Lignite
Sodium hydroxide
Fresh water
Bentonite
Iron lignosulfonate
Lignite
Sodium hydroxide
Polyanionic cellulosic  polymer
Barite                        .
Organic Liquids (soybean oil)—
Fresh water
HEC polymer
XC polymer           ~,
Potassium chloride-4%=/
Bri ne
                        Bactericld
                                  ,3/
                                                           20-25
                                                           2
                                                           0.25
                                                           Remai nder
                                                           20-25
                                                           2
                                                           2
                                                           0.5
                                                           0.25
                                                           90-120
                                                           2.0
                                                           Remainder
                                                           2.0
                                                           0.25
                                                           14.0
                                                           Remai nder
I/
2/
3/
    The utilization of  soybean oil in Thums drilling muds proposed for
    ocean disposal  has  been  determined acceptable by Mr. A. Wasler (EPA,
    Marine Protection Branch, Washington, D.C.)

    The type brine depends on required fluid weight: sodium chloride
    74.0 Ibs./bbl.  or calcium chloride 125 to 193 Ibs. bbl.

    Thums proposes to utilize an  EPA approved drilling mud bactericide.
    A defoamer and/or bactercide  may be used infrequently and not in
    amounts to exceed 10  ppm.

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                     9

problems encountered while drilling.  This system is used in drilling the
well  to   total  depth  and  during  preliminary  completion  phases.  Small
amounts of soybean oil  (approximately  1.5%) are  used to provide lubricity
to minimize friction against the drill shaft at bending points where the
direction of drilling is changed.

            The thi-d  system used  in the  completion  of  producing  and
water injection wells is a polymer completion fluid.  This is used during
the hole  opening  and the gravel packing  phases.  The  fluid employed  is
technologically simple  and  contains  NEC polymer,  potassium chloride  to
prevent  formation  damage  and  a brine  of  calcium or sodium chloride
solution  depending  on  the weight requirement.  Please note  that informa-
tion regarding THUMS' polymer muds is contained herein. The polymer muds
will not  be ocean disposed,  but rather  will  be "trucked" to appropriate
land disposal  sites.

            THUMS1 drilling  f'uids have less additives  than the drilling
fluids being disposed  of on-site at  outer continental  shelf leases that
have EPA  National  Pollutant  Discharge  Elimination System  approval  for
exploratory and developmental  drilling.

            Physical  grain  size  determinations  of  the  three  THUMS
muds were performed following the  same procedures  as performed  for
the analysis of  the drill  cuttings sample.  The spud  mud sample  was
obtained from the  return mud flow beneath the shaker screen of THUMS well
A-364,  Rit T-l at 1000 hrs, 29 May 1982, while  drilling at a depth of 90
feet.  The water base drilling mud sample was obtained from the return mud
flow beneath the  shaker screen of THUMS well A-364, Rig T-l at 1016 hrs,
4 June 1982, while  drilling at  a depth of 1,744 feet.  The polymer i ril-
ling mud  was obtained  from  the  return flow beneath the schaker screen of
THUMS well A-364,  Rig T-l at  1530 hrs, 21 June  1982, while drilling at a
depth of 4,707 feet. The results of these determinations are presented on
the following pages and are  summarized below.

-------
                                                               10
     Table 4. THUMS spud mud particle size  characteristics,
•/. GRAVEL = 0.0000
'/. SAND = 2.8086
V. SILT = 33. 1140
X CLAY = 61.5772
FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION TABLE
MEAN PHI INTERVAL CUMULATIVE
INTERVAL
1.
1.
1.
1.
2 •
2..
4.'.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
5.
5.
6.
6.
7.
7.
8.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
===
13
38
63
88
13
38
63
88
13
38
63
73
21
70
16
63
12
62
10
53
14
06
06
06
06
06
06
06
===========
PERCENT
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
1.
11.
4.
5.
9.
12.
10.
8.
6.
4.
*. •
0.
= = =
0351
0351
0526
1052
1052
1753
2630
3858
4384
3507
3332
5768
3036
3036
9554
9554
6518
5626
6250
6161
2501
1829
3086
4343
5600
6857
8114
9371
5ICSSSS
PERCENT
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
1.
1.
A»' •
4.
8.
11.
16.
21.
23.
34.
39.
44.
54.
66.
76.
85.
91.
96.
99.
100.
=========
0351
0701
1227
2279
3332
5085
7715
1573
5956
9463
2795
8563
1599 .
4635-
4189
3743
0261
5837
2137
8299
0800
2628
5714
0057
5657
2514
0629
0000
=====
ONE
PERCENT-
WEIGHT
-10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
===



-.:;
= <
= <
= r
= .(
= <;
= <
= <
= <
= <;
= .:;
= ••:'.
= •:!'
= <
= <
= <
= :;
"""* ''•.
— '\
= :;'
= <;
= <
= <
= <
= <;
===



PHI INTERVAL
TOTAL SEDIMENT
DIET
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-•?•
— 2
-1
0
1
+i
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11 .
12
13
14
15
=====



R I BUT I ON
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0,
i:
«L •
7.
9.
14.
11.
6.
16.
5.
11.
3.
5.
===



0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
00U0
0000
2279
9293
6513
0477
234V
7202
1112
9302
2272
7602
7312
3471
6472
9341
=====



SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION PARAMETERS  (  MOMENT  )
     MEAN      DISPERSION     SKEWNESS      KURTOSIS
    9.3499       2.8612         0.0463        -0.4890
SHARP & FAN SORTING
     BASED ON 14  INTERVALS =  11.9871
     BASED ON 25  INTERVALS =  27.8409

-------
                                                              11
         INTERVAL PERCENT (*)

-9.50
-9.00
-8.50
-8.00
-7.50
-7.00
-6.50
-6.00
-5.50
-5.00
-4.50
-4.00
-3.50
-3.00
-2.50
-2. 00
-1.50
-1.00
-.50
0. 00
.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
5.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
7.00
7.50
8.00
8.50
9.00
9.50
10.00
10.50
11.00
11.50
12.00
12.50
13.00
13.50
14.00
14.50
15.00
12345
















™



•f
+
+
+
*.
*.

.*
*. '
« . • ....
* . ' '
*
* .
*
*
*
*

*
"
«

#

*

*

™ •

10 • • • * lO • • • • 10 • •••I0»»t* IO ••• • 10 • •• • V m
     123456
  CUMULATIVE PERCENT (.)
                                            !£)•• • • tu • •••₯)• •• •u
                                            7890
                                                             1
Figure 3. THUMS spud mud particle size frequency distribution.

-------
                                                             12
  Table 5. THUMS water-base mud particle size characteristics,
          7. GRAVEL
            7. SAND
            7. SILT
            7. CLAY
 0.0000
 1.5100
27.4640
68.3098
     FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION TABLE
                           CUMULATIVE
                             PERCENT

                             0.0277
                             0.0554
                             0.0970
                             0.1524
                             0.2355
                             0.3463
                             0.5264
                             0.8312
                             1.1914
                             1.5100
                             1.6949
                             3.8521
                             8.4746
                             11.5562
                             17.7196
                             18.9522
                             26.656*
                             35.2851
                             40.8321
                             51.0015

                             75. 0WI3i3
                             84.0005
                             91.0003
                             96.0001
MEAN PHI
INTERVAL
1.63
1.88
2. 13
2.38
2.63
2.88
3. 13
3.38
3.63
3.88
4.76
5.24
5.73
6.20
6. 66
7. 15
7.63
8. 11
8.55
9. 16
10.07
1 1 . 07
12.07
13.07
14.07
15.07
16.07
INTERVAL
PERCENT
0.0277
0.0277
0.0416
0.0554
0.0831
0. 1108
0. 1801
0.3048
0.3602
0.3186
0. 1849
. 2. 1572
4.6225
3.0817
6. 1633
1 . 2327
7.7042
8.6207
5.5470
10. 1695
12.9996
10.9997
8.9997
6.9998
4.9998
2.9999
1 . 0030
                       ONE  PHI  INTERVAL
                   PERCENT  TOTAL  SEDIMENT
                    WEIGHT  DISTRIBUTION
-10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
— V
-1
0
"..1
j£
3
4
5 .
o
7
8
7
111
— .;•
= <
=• :;
= <
= ••'
= .
= <
= •••'..
= :..
= <
=5 •:;'
= <
= <
= :!'
=r. •:
.= <
= :;
= '•'.
= •:.
~ <
z- :..
-9
-8
-/
-6
-5
-4
-3
— ^
-1
0
1
^
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1 I
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
0.
6.
9.
10.
14.
7.
17.
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
000(4
0554
2909
1 637
2110
•^l..'
3155
9963
9358
0S-17
7U<.->4
                      12 ==:.  13   11.9949
                      13 =<  It    4.0046
                      14 =<  15    6.2035
                            100.0000
SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION  PARAMETERS  (  MOMEN1  )
     MEAN      DISPERSION      SKEWrESE     KURTOSIS
    9.665U       2.6941         0.0/39       -13.48^9

SHARP & FAN SORTING  INDEX
     BASED ON 14   INTERVALS  =  14.9564
     BASED ON 25   INTERVALS  =  30.2754

-------
                                                                 13
           INTERVAL  PERCENT (*)
                    1          2
         V ••*CW**»* V ••••^•••B U •
 34
i 1U • • • • ^ • • • • 
-------
§221.1 (c)  cont'd.                                                    14

            The spud  and  water-base drilling muds, which  are the only
muds  to  be  ocean  disposed,  are projected to  comprise 99.5%  of the
total  drilling  mud  wastes to  be produced by  THUMS,  have very  similar
grain size characteristics.  Mean grain size for the spud and  water-base
muds were 9.35 phi  and 9.67  phi, respectively  (Tables  4  and 5; Figures 3
and 4).  Both muds  were dominated by  the clay  fraction  (phi  >8), with
this clay  fraction  comprising  61.6% of  the  spud mud and  68.3%  of the
water-base  mud. The silt  fraction (phi 4  to 8)  made  up  the bulk  of the
remaining balance of  these  muds. Medium  and  fine  sands  (phi 1  to  4)
comprised a relatively insignificant 2.8% of the spud mud  and 1.5% of the
water-base  mud  and  no particles larger  than  one  phi  (0.5 mm diameter)
were detected in either mud.

            The polymer mud  was  dominated by  silts  (phi  4 to 8), which
constituted 72.6% of the mud  and  the mean  grain size was  7.24 phi,
significantly larger  than  that  of the  spud and water-base muds (Table 6;
Figure 5). Clays comprised 22.2% of the  polymer mud  and as in the spud
and water-base muds,  the  largest particles  were medium  and find sands,-
comprising  a total of  only 4.2% of the polymer mud.

            Chemical  determinations  for arsenic,  cadmium,  chromium,
copper,  nickel, mercury, lead,  zinc, cyanides,  oil and grease, and
organohalogens  in the THUMS drilling  muds are  presented  in  Tables  7
through  9.

            Heavy metals concentrations in the three drilling muds do not
represent significant  toxicity problems based upon present waste disposal
criteria. In  general,  concentrations  of  heavy metals are  significantly
belov  the criteria for these raw muds to be assessed as hazardous wastes,
as would be expected since these muds  are composed  primarily of modestly
refined  naturally occurring materials.

-------
                                                             15
   Table 6. THUMS  polymer mud particle size characteristics,
              THUMS   820069   28 MAR 82    PART  2
          7. GRAVEL
            '/. SAND
            '/. SILT
            7. CLAY
 0.0000
 4.1906
72.6348
22.1583
     FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION TABLE
MEAN PHI
INTERVAL
1. 38
1.63
1.88
2.13
2.38
2.63
2.88
3. 13
3.38
3.63
3.88
4.35
4.92
5.37
5.83
6.27
6.65
7.06
7.53
8.03
8.48
9. 11
10.03
11.03
12.03
13.03
14.03
15.03
16.03
INTERVAL
PERCENT
0.0301
0.0603
0.0904
0. 1206
0. 1809
0.3316
0.4522
0.8140
0.9346
0.6331
0.5427
7. 1760
7.4170
4.6356
6.4899
8.3442
23. 1782
12.0527
2. 5960
1 . 6688
1 . 2980
1.6688
5. 1162
4.3291
3.5420
2.7549
1.967B
1. 1807
0.3936
CUMULATIVE
PERCENT
0.0301
0.0904
0. 1809
0.3015
0.4824
0.8140
1 . 2662
2.0802
3.0148
3.6479
4. 1906
1 1 . 3666
18.7836
23.4193
29.9091
38.2533
61.4315
73.4842
76.0801
77.7489
79.0469
80.7158
85 . 8320
90. 1611
93.7031
96.4580
98.4258
99.6064
100.0000
                                           CINE PHI  INTERVAL
                                        PERCENT TOTAL SEDIMENT
                                        WEIGHT .DISTRIBUTION
-10 = : -9
-9 =< -8
-8 =<. -7
-7 =< -6
-6 =< -5
-5 =< -4
-4 «< -3
-3 =< -2
-2 =< -1
-1 =< 0
0 =< 1
1 =< 2.
2 =< 3
3 = <• 4
' 4 =< 5
5 =< 6.
6 =< 7
7 =< B
8 =< 9
9 =< 10
10 =< 11
11 =< 12
12 -< 13
13 =< 14
14 =< 15
0.0000
0.0000
0. 0000
0. 0000
0. 0000
0. 0000
0. 0000
0. 0000
0. 0000
0 . 0000
0.0000
0. 1809
1.0853
2.9244
12.2988
12.5356
36.7059
1 1 . 0946
2.8436
1.0467
7. 1619
2.2834
4.8438
1.4531
2.5257
SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION PARAMETERS  <  MOMENT  )
     MEAN      DISPERSION      SKEWNESS      KURTOSIS
    7.2366       2.6330         0.5760         0.9883

SHARP & FAN SORTING  INDEX
     BASED ON 14   INTERVALS =  23.5029
     BASED ON 25   INTERVALS =  37.2824

-------
                                                               16
          INTERVAL PERCENT  '. *
                  1          2
-9.50
— 9. 00
-8.50
-S.00
-7.50
-7.00
-6.50
-6. 00
-5.50
-5.00
-4.50
-4.00
-3.50
-3.00
-2.50
-2.00
-1.50
- 1 . 00
-.50
0. 00
.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4. 00
4.50
5.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
7.00
7.50
8.00
8.50
9.00
9.50
10.00
10.50
11.00
11.50
12.00
12.50
13.00
13.50
14.00
14.50
15.00
























+
+
+
*+
*.
*.
.* .
* .
*
*
. *
w . « .
# .
*
*
*
*

*

*

*

*

*

*

0....0. . . . 0. . . . 0. . . . 0. . . . 0. . . .0. ...0....0....0....0
1234567890
CUMULATIVE PERCENT (.) 1
Figure 5.  THUMS  polymer mud particle size frequency  distribution.

-------
                                                                 17
  Table 7.  Chemical  determinations of Thums spud mud samples.
Element
Arsenic (As*)
Cadmium (Cd+2)
Chromium (Total, as Cr*3)
Copper (Cu+2)
Lead (Pb+2)
Mercury (Hg+2)
Nickel (N1+2)
Zinc (Zn+2)
Cyanides
01 1 and Grease
Organohalogens (Total)
pH
% Solids
Lot
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
1!
I
II
I
II
I
il
I
II




Sampl e
Concentration
(mg/kg)
<0.002
<0.002
0.05
0.05
1.4
1.4
0.85
0.65
1.6
1.6
<0.0002
<0.0002
0.35
0.35
7.45
7.10
<0.02
7,870
0.0192
6.5
6.27
EPA Mid-Atlantic
Program #5 Spud Mud
(mg/kg)
3
< 1
16
5
4
< 1
6
21
t
t
t
t
21.7
t Data hot available

-------
                                                                  18
Table 8.  Chemical  determinations of Thums water-base mud samples.
Element
Arsenic (As+)
Cadmium (Cd+2)
Chromium (Total, as Cr+3)
Copper (Cu+2)
Lead (Pb+2)
Mercury (Hg+2)
Nickel (Ni+2) *
Zinc (Zn+2)
Cyanides
Oil and Grease
Organohalogens (Total)
pH
% Solids
Lot
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II




Sampl e
Concentration
(mg/kg)
<0.002
<0.002
0.80
0.80
16.0
15.3
10.3
10.1
7.58
7.52
<0.0002
<0.0002
9.56
9.40
96
96
<0.02
17,970
0.0567
11.5
37.37
EPA Mid-Atlantic
#7 Li gnosulfonate
Mud (mg/kg)
< 1
< 1
265
26
24
< 1
6
82
t
t
t
10.8
24.1
 t Data not available

-------
                                                                  19
Table 9.  Chemical  determinations of Thums polymer mud samples.
El ement
Arsenic (As*)
Cadmium (Cd+2)
Chromium (Total, as Cr+3)
Copper (Cu+2)
Lead (Pb+2)
Mercury (Hg+2)
-Nickel (Ni+2)
Zinc (Zn+2)-
Cyanides
Oi 1 and Grease
Organohalogens (Total)
pH
% Solids
Lot
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II
I
II




Sampl e
Concentration
(mg/kg)
<0.002
<0.002
1.0
0.92
2.9
2.8
1.5
1.5
5.32
5.36
<0.0002
<0.0002
2.5
2.5
7.28
6.72
<0.02
2,880
0.0265
11.5
37.37
EPA Mid-Atlantic
#1 K Cl Polymer
mud (mg/kg)
< 1.3
< 1
14
2
2
1
6
20
t
t
t

 t Data not available

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                    20

            Typically, the  greatest  heavy metals  toxicity problems
encountered with drilling muds are  due  to the utilization of the additive
chrome 1ignosulfonate. THUMS will  not be utilizing this additive 1n muds
proposed  for  ocean  disposal.  Still,  "chrome-free"  1ignosulfonate  does
contain  some  chromium: however,  utilization of  this substitute  mud
additive will  not pose a significant toxicity problem as demonstrated by
the low chromium content of these muds.

            Another major contributor of heavy metals to drilling muds is
through the  use of  pipe  dope compounds.  Pipe  dope is utilized at  the
joints of  both the drill  string and In stringing casing  to  ensure  that
the joints do  not  freeze  tight and can be  readily freed during removal.
Pipe  dopes  utilized  in oil  and  gas drilling are generally  composed  of
lead  and zinc  compounds. As  would  be expected,  the  greatest  quantity of
lead  and  zinc  compounds occur in the  water-base mud,  which  is utilized
during the  majority  of drilling operations. The  quantity of  pipe  dope
utilized varies widely based  upon the number of times the drill  string is
pulled and  replaced  and  it  is  also  very  dependent upon the  specific
operator's  habits  in  application  of  the  pipe dope.  Because  of  this,
drilling  muds proposed "for ocean dumping would be  expected to vary
well  to well  somewhat  for  lead  and zinc,   however,  the  overall  average
concentrations should be no  greater  than for water-  and clay-based muds
presently  being  ocean dumped  based  upon  EPA  NPDES guidelines for  the
eastern United States and  Gulf of Mexico coasts.

            No cyanides  were  detected  (<0.02  mg/kg)  in  either of  the
three THUMS drilling mud samples.

            Oil and grease concentrations  for the  THUMS spud  mud, water-
base  mud,  and  polymer mu6  were  7,870 mg/kg,  17,970  mg/kg, and  2,880
mg/kg,  respectively.  These   values  correspond with THUMS  utilization
of  soybean  oil as  a drilling mud  additive to provide  lubricity, thus
minimizing destructive  friction which  results  from  directional  drilling
activities. The  utilization of  soybean  oil  as an  additive for  the

-------
§221.: (c) cont'd.                                                     21

THUMS  drilling  muds  proposed  for  ocean  disposal   has  been  previously
addressed with  the EPA  and  has  met approval  for  ocean disposal  based
upon  the  fact  that  some form  of  lubricant is  required  to perform  the
directional  drilling,  however, soybean oil  is a vegetable  (not  petroleum)
product and  as such is essentially non-toxic.

            Comparisons  were  made  of  heavy metals  concentrations  and
bioassays from  specifically selected  muds,  which were highly  similar  to
the three THUMS muds  for the  purpose of obtaining  inferences regarding
the toxicities  of these muds.  The most valuable  prior  bioassay evalu-
ations have been  those tested under the EPAs Mid-Atlantic Joint Bioassay
Program.  From these  evaluations of nine "generic"  muds,  three muds  had
formulations and constituents which are highly similar to the  THUMS muds
proposed  for  ocean disposal.  These  muds  are  #5 seawater  spud  mud,   #7
lignosulfonate mud, and  II  KC1  polymer mud, corresponding to  THUMS spud
mud, water-base  mud, and polymer mud,  respectively.

            A comparison of the heavy metals concentrations of these  raw
(wet) muds is provided adjacent the results of chemical determinations  of
their THUMS mud counterparts  (Tables  7 through 9).  In general, the  THUMS
muds  demonstrate  parallel  if  not  significantly lower concentrations  of
those  metals  of  primary concern.  In neither  of the three  muds  is  the
concentration of  metals  significantly greater in the THUMS mud than  in
their  mid-Atlantic  program counterpart. Although  many  of  these metals
exist  in  the drilling  muds  themselves  at concentrations exceeding  EPA
water  quality criteria,  most  metals  of concern are not in a dissolved
form  but  rather are associated with  the particulate  (mineral)  additives
and  as such are  highly insoluble  in water  and are biologically  inert
(Neff et. al. 1980).

            The purpose  of  bioassays  utilized  in obtaining  ocean  dumping
or  discharge  permits has  been to  assess  the relative  toxicity of com-
pounds containing a number of potentially toxic constituents with  a  waste
substance. Bioassays  have generally been performed  on animals  typical  of

-------
 §221.1  (c) cont'd.                                                     22
 a  potentially  impacted  biological  community as  a screening method  for
 identifying  materials  which are  sufficiently  toxic  to  warrant more
 extensive  scrutiny.  Because  of  inherent  similarities  regarding  sensi-
 tivity  to  inorganic  toxicants  between  biological  systems,  inferences
 regarding  potential  toxic  effects  from disposal  of  a  waste  within  a
 particular  community may be made based  upon evaluations  of such  a waste
 against other similar  or analogous communities. Therefore, just  as
 evaluation  of drilling mud disposed along the Atlantic  coast and in  the
 Gulf of Mexico can be made utilizing  mysid  and clam Indigenous to these
 areas,  these  data  would  also  be  applicable to  disposal of such  materials
 along the  west coast in  analogous communities.  Certainly, the  applic-
 ability of the data would be  proportional to  the similarity of both  the
 wastes  and  the biological systems into which they are disposed.

            In a  review  of  previous drilling mud  bioassays, Neff  et.  al.
 (1980)  determined  that the  majority of drilling muds tested would not be
 toxic at concentrations  less  than 10,000 ppm (Table 10)  to any of a wide
 variety of organisms tested.  In  fact, a wide variety of organisms demon-
strated very  .similar LCSOs. These comparisons lend credibility  to support
 applicability between toxicities to  closely related  ecological analogs,

           Table 10.  Classification  of  relative toxicity grades

                 Toxicant Classification    LC50 Value  (ppm)


                 Practically  nontoxic          >10,000
                 Slightly toxic              1,000-10,000
                 Moderately toxic             100-1,000
                 Toxic                         1-100
                 Very toxic                       <1

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                    23
If  not  to  generalizations  between  broadly diverse  biological  systems.
Therefore, the applicability of bioassay investigations upon Atlantic and
Gulf coast mysid  shrimp as  a substitution  for  additional  testing with  a
Pacific coast  mysid  shrimp  does  not  require, scientifically unsupported
assumptions. Given the  broad confidence fntervals  around  each  toxicity
determination, the ability  to  determine significantly  different toxic-
ities becomes less precise.  Performance of  additional  bioassays  on THUMS
muds would  not provide significantly  greater  precision  regarding  their
toxicities  than  rigorously  performed  historical  evaluations of  similar
muds, and applicability  would be justified  if the similarity of muds were
treated conservatively.

            A  comparison  of metals  concentrations  from  THUMS  spud
mud  proposed  for ocean  disposal  with Mid-Atlantic #5  spud  mud was
presented in  Table  7.  The  THUMS  spud mud  has significantly lower  con-
centrations of all  metals  evaluated. A"  review of  previous bioassay
results on  similar  spud  muds demonstrate  this  category  of muds to be
quite non-toxic to mysids as all LCSOs were greater than 100,000 ppm and
neither phase was toxic at  200,000  ppm whole mud basis for mid-Atlantic
#5 spud mud  (Table 11).  The density and therefore  solids content of the
Thums spud  mud  is significantly less than  that of  the muds  to  which it
was compared. Since the primary environmental effect of drilling muds is
due to the suspended  particulates  and  these muds contain similar  particle
size distributions,  the  environmental  effects  of disposal  of the  THUMS
mud would be expected to be  very similar to those to which it is  present-
ly being  compared based  upon its  similar  particulate content.  Suplicate
solid phase bioassays performed on Mid-Atlantic #5  spud mud demonstrated
no toxic effects to  the  hard-shelled clam,  Mercenaria mercenaria.

-------
    Table 11. Comparison of spud mud .formulations  and  toxlcltles  (LC50 whole mud basis).
      THUMS SPUD MUD (0-1000 ft)
Constituents
bentonlte
lignite
NaOH
freshwater
density
% solid
 Quantity (Ib/bbl)

       20-25
         2
        0.25
     remainder
    9.34 Ib/gal
        21.7%
       MID ATLANTIC #5 SPUD MUD
Constituents
barite
bentonlte
drill solids
seawater

% sol ids
mud density
pH
 Quantity (Ib/bbl)
                 i-
         2
        22
        52
    remainder

       21.7
    9.2 Ib/gal
        8.7
NEFF ET AL. 1980
"SPUD MUD" MUD AQUEOUS FRACTION
cadmium
chromium
density
0.51 mg/kg dry basis
51.2 mg/kg dry basis
 9.2 Ib/gal
            Mysidopsis bahia LC50s

             Liquid Phase   Suspended Particulate
ERCO
Normandeau
>200,000 ppm
>200,000 ppm
>200,000 ppm
>200,000 ppm
           Percent Survival  Hard Shell  Clams
                             Solid Phase (controls)
               ERCO           100 (100)
               Normandeau     100 (100)


            Mysidopsis almyra LC50s
 1 day old post larvae
 7 day old post larvae
             >100,000 ppm
             >100,000 ppm
GERBER AND GILFILLAN (1980)
SEAWATER SPUD MUD (similar to mid-Atlantic #5)
cadmium
chromium
copper
lead
density
 3.5 mg/kg dry basis
10.9 mg/kg dry basis
30.2 mg/kg dry basis
34.2 mg/kg dry basis
      9.2 Ib/gal
           Gammarus locusta (amphipod)  LC50s

                     >250,000 ppm
                                                                                                 ro
                                                                                                 -P.

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                    25

            A comparison of  metals  concentrations  from THUMS water-base
mud  proposed  for  ocean  disposal  with  Mid-Atlantic  )C7 lignosul fonate mud
was  presented  in Table  7.  The  THUMS water-base mud  has similar or
significantly lower concentrations of  nearly all metals evaluated.
The  exceptions were  nickel,  which averaged 9.48 mg/kg  in  the  THUMS and
6 mg/kg  in  the  Mid-Atlantic  #7 mud and  zinc  which was  96  mg/kg  in the
THUMS mud and 82 mg/kg in the Mid-Atlantic #7 mud.  These nickel and zinc
concertrations  in the  THUMS  muds  represent  relatively  insignificant
increases in metals concentrations in  relation to the toxicities of these
metals and  would  not be expected to  contribute  significant  toxicity to
the THUMS mud.

            A review of water-base  (or  1ignosulfonate)  drilling mud
toxicities  from  published literature  indicate  that chrome-free  ligno-
sul fonate muds are generally  not toxic to mysids at concentrations below
100,000  ppm whereas  chrome  1ignosulfonate  muds are generally  toxic  at
concentrations between  10,000  and 100,000 ppm  (Table  12).  The greatest
quantity of information  regarding  testing  of a mud of similar formulation
to  the  THUMS water-base  mud is  that for~Mi;d-Atl antic  #7.  LCSOs using
Mysidopsis  bahia  for both  liquid  and  suspended particulate  phases  of
Mid-Atlantic #7  were  greater than 200,000 ppm (whole mud basis). Because
the  THUMS water-base mud  contains less solids  than  Mid-Atlantic  #7 and
the other lignosul fonate muds evaluated, the environmental effects due to
particulate content  of  the THUMS mud would be expected to  be signifi-
cantly less than those of the muds  to which it  has been compared. Dupli-
cate  solid  phase  bioassays performed  on  Mid-Atlantic  #7 lignosul fonate
mud  demonstrated  no  toxic effects  to the hard-shelled clam, Mercenaria
mercenaria.

            A comparison of metals concentrations fron  THUMS polymer mud
not proposed for ocean disposal  with Mid-Atlantic #1 K Cl polymer mud was
presented  in  Table  9.  With  the single  exception  of  lead, all  metals
existed  at  similar  or  greater  concentrations  in  the  Mid-Atlantic  #1
polymer mud than in the THUMS mud. Although  the  lead concentration of the

-------
    Table 12. Comparison of water-base (llgnosulfonate)  mud  formulations and toxlcitles
                                  (LC50 whole mud basis).
THUMS WATER-BASE MUD (1000 ft to depth)
Constituents
bentonlte
Fe llgnosulfonate
lignite
NaOH
polyanionlc cellulose
  polymer
barlte
organic liquids
fresh water
mud density
Quantity (Ib/bbl)

      20-25
        2
        2
       0.5

       0.25
      90-120
        2.0
     remainder

    9.34 Ib/gal
MID ATLANTIC #7 LIGHTLY TREATED LIGNOSULFONATE
FRESH WATER/SEAWATER MUD
Constituents
barlte
bentonite
drill  solids
chrome llgnosulfonate
lignite
                     Quantity (Ib/bbl)

                             9
                            25
                            48
                             4
                             5
                       ERCO
                       Normandeau
cellulose polymer (Drispac)  0.5
% solids (dry wt)
mud density
PH
      24.1
    9.6 Ib/gal
      10.8
                                      Mysldopsis bahia LC50s
Liquid Phase

>200,000 ppm
>200,000 ppm
Suspended Partlculate

     >200,000 ppm
     >200,000 ppm
                                   Percent Survival Hard Shell Clams

                                               Solid Phase (controls)
                                                          ERCO
                                                          Normandeau
                  100
                  100
             (100)
             (100)

-------
Table  12. (Cont)
HOUGHTON-DAMES A MOORE (i960)
HIGH DENSITY LIGNOSULFONATE SYSTEM*

barite             200,000-250,000 ppm
bentonite           85,600- 92,700 ppm
low density solids
sand and cuttings  128,000-285,000 ppm
ferrochrome
  lignosul fonate     3,200-  5,700 ppm
caustic soda         2,140-  2,850 ppm
water content            84-87%

GERBER AND GILFILLAN et al (1980)
SIMILAR TO MID ATLANTIC #7 LIGNOSULFONATE MUD
Constituents
cadmium
chromium
density
1.18 ing/kg dry basis
 597 mg/kg dry basis
  10.0 Ib/gal
ATLANTIC RICHFIELD (Dames A Moore 1980)
FERROCHROME LIGNOSULFONATE FRESHWATER MUD

no constituent information

NEFF ET AL. (1980)
SEAWATER CHROME LIGNOSULFONATE FLUID

density                    13.4 Ib/gal

MEDIUM DENSITY LIGNOSULFONATE FLUID

density                    12.7 Ib/gal
                                 Mysids  LC50s

                            100,000  to 150,000 ppm
Crangon septemspinosa LC5Qs   142,000 ppm
Macoma balthica Lt$Q       >1,000,000 ppm  whole mud
Placopecten magellanicus LCso 490,000 ppm  whole mud
                                   Neomysis integer

                                   100,000 - 125,000 ppm


                                   Mysidopsis almyra
                     1  day  post larvae
                     7  day  post larvae
                     1  day post larvae
                     7  day post larvae
                27,000 ppm
                not detectable
                12,800 ppm
                13,000 ppm
*lignosul fonate content similar to that of Thums mud
                                                                                                          r\j

-------
Table 12. icont)
CARR ET AL. (1980)
MEDIUM DENSITY LIGNOSULFONATE  MUD
density
12.7 Ib/gal
                     Mysidopsis almyra
                      Mud Aqueous Fraction
 1 day post 1arvae
 1 day post larvae
 3 day post 1arvae
 7 day post larvae
10 day post larvae
 32,000 ppm
 42,000 ppm
 66,300 ppm
 72,100 ppm
113,000 ppm
                                                                                                        CD

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                    29

THUMS mud  1s  greater  than that of the Mid-Atlantic #1 polymer mud, this
does not  represent  a  significant toxicity problem. The  total  lead con-
centration of  5.3 mg/kg in the  THUMS  polymer  mud only slightly exceeds
"soluble" lead limitations following  EP-Toxicity or California Assessment
Manual   for hazardous  wastes  (CAM)  criteria.  Yet, based  upon  previous
investigations, such heavy metals in drilling fluids are quite insoluble
and therefore biologically inert.

            Toxicity of the Mid-Atlantic #1 polymer mud to mysids was in
the range  of  10,000 ppm (whole mud basis) (Table 13). Although this mud
exhibited significantly higher toxicity than  those muds determined
acceptable  for ocean disposal  by EPA,  the  THUMS polymer mud  would be
expected to be less toxic based upon  its  formulation. As discussed above,
heavy metals  would not be expected  to  contribute  significant toxicity
because of their  low concentrations and  relative  insolubility.  The basis
of  the  polymer muds is a starch-like polymer of cellulose, which itself
is  non-toxic.  Toxicity of polymer muds is attributed to the bactericides
utilized  for  the control  of bacterial  degradation  of the cellulose
polymer. (The polymer is a food source for the bacteria.) Duplicate solid
. •      '         '•**"
phase bioassays " performed on  Mid-Atlantic  #1  polymer  mud demonstrated
nominal   toxic  effects  to the  hard  shelled clam,  Mercenaria mercenaria.

            THUMS proposes to  utilize  EPA-approved  bactericides  for all
polymer muds  to  be  disposed  at an appropriate  land waste disposal site.

            Based  upon  the comparisons  of  formulations  and  properties
of  the  THUMS  drilling  muds proposed  for ocean  disposal  (spud  mud and
water-base) with  muds  previously evaluated for  toxicity,  we have strong
evidence  to  support the conclusion that  THUMS muds will  not  be signif-
icantly more  toxic than  muds  already  determined acceptable by  the EPA
for ocean  disposal. The comparisons of coxicities of similar muds demon-
strates  that  the  toxicity of THUMS muds  (LCSOs)  can  be estimated based
upon existing  (secondary) data  within  the precision of estimation to be
expected from primary (experimental laboratory bioassay) data.

-------
 §221.1  (c) cont'd.                                                    30

          A  comprehensive  discussion  of  bioaccumulation   potential  of
 heavy metals from drilling muds was presented in Or. Jerry M. Neff's (15
 April  1981)  testimony  for  the Lease Sale  48 Evidenciary  Hearing.  The
 following is an excerpt from his  Appendix 0:

          "Bioavai lability to marine  animals of several metals associated
 with  some  drilling  muds  has  been  evaluated.  Metals of  concern include
 chromium, barium, lead, zinc, vanadium, nickel, mercury, and cadmium. All
 metals  in drilling fluids examined to date have a very low bioavailabil-
 ity to  marine animals  because of the form in which  they occur. Chromium,
 usually associated with chrome or ferrochrome lignosulfonate, is the most
 bioavailable. The other metals, when  present at all, are usually associa-
 ted  with  the barite  and clay fractions  of the  mud  and are  in  highly
 insoluble, nonbioavailable  form. Mercury  rarely is present in drilling
 mud at  higher than trace concentrations.  When mercury  is present, it has
 been found to be in  the form of a contaminant of barite, highly insoluble
 mercury sulfide, which is bialogically immobile and  unavailable. Lead and
 zinc  may  be present  as particulate solJds  in the  form of  drill  pipe
 thread lubricant (pipe dope).

 II.  LABORATORY  STUDIES

          Recently,  Liss  et  al.  (1980)   studied  the  concentrations  of
 barium, chromium, iron,  and lead  in  used drilling muds,  in  the  liquid
 (soluble)  phase of drilling muds, in seawater suspensions of mud, and in
 the  tissues  of  the  sea  scallop Placopecten magellam'cus.  In scallops
 exposed for 27 days to Ig/liter  (1,000 ppm) of a used low density chrome
 lignosulfonate  drilling mud  from the Baltimore Canyon, chromium concen-
 tration in  the  kidney nse  to nearly  3  ppm  compared to  about 1.5 ppm
 chromium in controls.  The  slow adductor muscle,  the part of the scallop
consumed by humans, did  not accumulate any  chromium.  When  scallops were
exposed to  1,000 ppm  of  a  synthetic attapulgite clay mud  for 28 days,
 they accumulated up  to 100 ppm barium in the kidney. Kidneys of unexposed
 control  animals  contained a maximum  of about 12 ppm  barium. No barium was
 accumul ?ted in  the adductor muscle.

-------
§'221.1 (c)  cont'd.                                                     31

         'Page et al  (1980)  recently  studied  the accumulation of chromium
from  used  offshore  drilling muds by  sand  shrimp  Crangon septemspinosa.
sand worms Nereis virens,  and mussels  Mytilus edulis. Sand shrimp accumu-
lated nearly 2 ppm  chromium  in their  tissues  during exposure for 96 hours
to  a  50 percent mud aqueous  fraction  (MAP)  (50,000  ppm)  of  used  low
weight 1ignosulfonate drilling mud.  Nearly  all  the accumulated chromium
was released  during  96  hours in  clean seawater.  Cadmium was not accumu-
lated  from  the mud  by  the  shrimp.  The sand worms  failed  to accumulate-
chromium from the MAF or LSP  (layered solids phase) preparations of used
high weight 1 ignosulfonate mud. Mussels  accumulated approximately 2-4 ppm
chromium in their tissues  (not substantially more than background) during
continuous exposure  for 30  days  to  a nominal 50 mg/1  suspended used low
weight  1 ignosulfonate  drilling mud  containing  0.03 ppm chromium  .  The
mussels did not  accumulate  cadmium  from the  MAF of mid weight lignosul-
fonate mud and seawater chrome 1ignosulfonate mud.

          Mussels were also exposed to three forms of chromium for up to
seven days (Table  D-l). Chromium  in  the  MAF of  the  used mid  weight
1 ignosul fonate-mud was  the  form  least available  for accumulation by the
molluscs, as shown  by the  observation  that they accumulated less chromium
from  this preparation, than  from the other two forms of chromium studied.
Chromium, as  the inorganic  trivalent salt (Cr C^)^ was t^e most readily
accumulated followed by chromium  associated with ferrochrome 1ignosulfon-
ate (Table  D-l). Th.ese  results show  that complexation  of  chromium with
1 ignosul fonate decreases  its  apparent  bioavailability  to  mussels;  and
association of chrome 1 ignosulfonate  with the  clay  fraction of the mud,
as  occurs  in  used chrome  1 ignosulfonate  muds  (McAtee  and  Smith, 1969;
Knox,  1976; Liss et al.,  1980),  decreases  the bioavailability further.

          Carr ev al. (1981)  have examined the bioavailability of chrom-
ium from used seawater chrome 1ignosulfonate  drilling mud to five species
of  marine animals:  three  marine crustaceans, Portunus spinicarpus,
Penaeus aztecus,  and Palaemonetes pugio; a polychaete worm Nereis virens;

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                     32

and a bivalve mollusc Rangia cuneata.  All  five species  showed  an  apparent
accumulation  of  chromium during  exposure to  different  types of  chrome
lignosulfonate mud-seawater mixtures. When the crustaceans were  returned
to  mud-free  seawater, they  rapidly released  the  accumulated chromium.
Clams £.  cuneata accumulated significant  amounts  of chromium when  they
were  exposed  to  a  sand  substrate  containing a layer  of drilling  mud.
However, most of the chromium was released within 24  hours when the clams
were  returned  to clean  natural  substrate, indicating that much of  the
chromium accumulated was 1n  the  form of unassimilated mud components  in
the digestive  tract or  on  the  gills.  Clams  and  worms both  accumulated
chromium from  the mud  aqueous fraction. The worms released the  chromium
more slowly than the clams  did when both were  returned  to  clean seawater.

          I (Neff)  have also investigated  accumulation of chromium,
lead, and zinc from  the  four  used  drilling muds described above  by marsh
clams  Rangia  cuneata  and  juvenile  Pacific   oysters  Crassostrea gigas
(McCulloch et  al.,  1980). As  expected,  chromium concentrations were  high
in  the three chrome lignosulfonate muds (225-485 ppm) and  low  in  the  spud
mud (11  ppm).  Concentrations  of  lead in the muds  ranged from 134  to 900
ppm and those of zinc from 250 to 600 ppm.

          Clams  Rangia c uneata  accumulated  only   small amounts  of chro-
mium and lead  from  the mud  aqueous  fraction of mid weight lignosulfonate
mud.  Less  than  half  the accumulated chromium and lead was  released  in
four  days  when  the clams  were  returned  to  clean seawater.  When juve-
nile  Pacific  oysters Crassostrea gigas were  exposed to the  mud aqueous
fraction of three drilling  muds  for two weeks, they showed little or no
net accumulation of  chromium,  lead, or  zinc.  Maximum concentration  of
chromium  accumulated  (approximately  three times  thie  concentration  in
control  anima.s)  was In oysters  exposed  to  the  40  percent  MAP (40,000
ppm) of mid weight lignosulfonate drilling mud. Oysters exposed to  the 40
percent MAP of this mud also accumulated slightly more  than 2  ppm lead in
14  days  (well within  the  range  expected  in  oysters).  There  was  no  net
accumulation of zinc from the MAP of any mud.

-------
§221.1 (c)  cont'd.                                                     33

          Rubinstein et  al.  (1980) reported elevated  concentrations  of
barium, chromium, and lead in  tissues  of  oysters  following  exposure for
100 days to nominal  concentrations of 10 to 100 ppm of the controversial
drilling muds from Mobile Bay,  alluded  to earlier. Mean concentrations of
barium, chromium, anu  lead in  the  drilling muds tested were 1,086, 1,372,
and 41  g/g (ppm) respectively. One sample of mud had a chromium concen-
tration of 5,420 ppm,  tending to confirm the statement of Mr. Yarborough
quoted above that t,ie  Mobile Bay muds were heavily treated with chromate.
Oysters were placed in clean  seawater  for  several  hours  before analysis
to allow purging of  unicorporated mud  particulates.  Maximum metals
concentrations in oycters exposed  to 100 ppm drilling mud were 56.17 ppm
barium, 9.98 ppm chromium, and 3.26 ppm lead  compared  to levels of 1.90
ppm barium,  0.65 ppm  chromium, and  1.08  ppm lead  in  unexposed control
oysters. It should  be recalled  that mud particul ates  accumulated in the
awuaria  during   exposure  so  that actual  exposure  concentrations  were
substantially higher than nominal  values.  Other metals examined, includ-
ing aluminum,  iron,  and  zinc,  were  not  accumulated by the oysters.

       .   Tornberg   et al.  (1980)  studied  accumulation, of cadmium,  chro-
mium,  lead, and  zinc by amphi pods Onisimus sp and Boeckosimus sp. during
exposure for  up to  20 days to  several  dilutions  of XC-polymer drilling
fluids. Fifty animals  were pooled "per sample,  and coefficients of varia-
tion  between  replicates  were  high.  Mean metal  concentrations in control
amphipods were  0.3  ppm  (  g/g  dry  weight)  cadmium, 3.0 ppm chromium, 9.7
ppm lead,  and 85.8 ppm  zinc.  Metals  accumulation was neither dose nor
time dependent.  Maximum  metal  accumulation by the crustaceans was approx-
imately 1.7 ppm cadmium,  5.3  ppm chromium, 20 ppm lead, and 140 ppm zinc.
So, in this case the greatest relative  accumulation (nearly six-fold) was
of cadmium.  The other  metals were accumulated  two-fold or  less  in  20
days.

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                     34

          Gerber et  al.  (1981)  studied accumulation of chromium  by  the
ocean scallop Placopecten  magellanicus during  exposure  for  40 days  to a
suspended solids phase  (SSP)  preparation  or for 7 days to  the MAP of a
mid weight lignosulfonate drilling mud. Scallops exposed to  the  SSP  for
40 days contained about twice as much chromium as was present in tissues
of control  animals  (Table  0-2).  Accumulation  of chromium  by  scallops
exposed  to  the .MAP  was dose-dependent. Maximum accumulation was about
three times  the concentration  1n  control  scallops.  Scallops accumulated
more chromium more  rapidly  from a 2 percent MAP trhan  from  an 8.9  mg/1
SSP  preparation,  both of  which  contained the same concentration  of
chromium in solution.

          These  studies show  that heavy metals associated with used
drilling muds have a limited bioavailability to marine animals.  Chromium
appears to be the most readily accumulated of the mud-associated  metals.
Most of  the  chromium  in used  drilling mud is associated with the  high
molecular weight lignosulfonate fraction  and with  the  clay. Organically
bound and particle-absorbed heavy  metals usually are much  less bioavail-
able than  the  metal  ion in solution. Much of  the lead, zinc, and,  pos-
sibly, cadmium is in particulate form associated with pipe  dope  (usually
high  in  lead  and  zinc) and  the  clay  or barite fractions of the mud
(McCulloch et al., 1980; Kramer et al., 1980).  Such tightly  bound metals
generally  cannot be  assimilated  by  marine  animals. These  particulate
metals may be  taken  up from the digestive tract by phagocytosis  (George
et al., 1976; Conklin et al.,  1980).  The metals are retained in intracel-
lular vacuoles and remain in particulate form.  In this particulate form,
they are unable to cause biochemical  damage. They eventualy are transfer-
red to the kidney and excreted. This may explain the observation of Liss
et al. (1980) that chromium and  jarium from drilling muds are accumulated
1n the kidney but not the edible muscle of the  sea scallop.  The available
evidence  indicates   there  is little  likelihood heavy  metals would  be
accumulated from environmentally  realistic  levels of used  drilling  muds
in edible portions of shell  and  finfish to concentrations that would pose
a health hazard to human consumers of such fishery products."

-------
Table 13. Comarlson of polymer mud formulations and toxlcltles  (LC50 whole mud basis;
THUMS POLYMER MUD

Constituents

HEC polymer
Xc polymer
K Cl-4%
brine

density
                      2.0
                     0.25
                     14.0
                    remainder
                                     Note:  (1)  brine may  be  NaCl 74.0 Ib/bbl
                                               or CaCl2 125-193 Ib/bbl
                                           (2)  defoamer and/or bacterldde <10 ppm
                  9.85 Ib/gal

MID ATLANTIC MUD #1 KC1/POLYMER MUD

Constituents         Quantity  (Ib/bbl)


barite
bentonlte/drlll
K Cl
X-C polymer/hyd
  cellulose mix
polyanlonlc cellulose
soda ash
                                                              Mysld LC50s
                                                    Liquid Phase   Suspended Partlculate
caustic soda
Al s tea rate
sawdust
lime
surfactant (Defoam-L)

% sol Ids
density
pH

solids

'oxyethyl
ulose





am-L )

9.

18
18
16
12
1
4
2
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.01
18.1
3 Ib/gal
11.5
ERCO 13,200 ppm
NORMANDEAU 11,600 ppm

Percent Survival Hard
Solid Phase
ERCO 90
Normandeau 88







5,000 ppm
14,180 ppm

Shell Clams
(Controls)
(99)
(100)







                                                                                                       CJ
                                                                                                       in

-------
Table 13. (Cont)
TORNBERG ET. AL. (1980)
                                 Mysls  sp. LCBOs
XC polymer
XC polymer
XC polymer
XC polymer
cadmium
chromium
copper
lead
mercury

density
pH
(density 1.174  g/1)
(density 1,210  g/1)
(density 1.198  g/1)

  <0.5-1.5 mg/kg
   66-176 mg/kg
   10-16 mg/kg
   5.6-56 mg/kg
   O.Ci5-0.07 mg/kg
10,000
20,000
32,200
50,000
            1.14-1.23  kg/1  (20 samples)
             9.0-12.1
TORNBERG (1980)

CMC-Gel
CMC-Gel-Res1nex
CMC-Gel-Reslnex
20,000
34,000
                               Mysls sp. LC50s
                                  * K
                                 43,000 ppm
                                <12,000 ppm
                                 14,600 ppm
                                                                                                        CO

-------
§221.1 (c)  cont'd.                                                    37
          EVALUATION  OF  LIMITING PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATIONS

            The  volume of the Initial  dilution zone and short-term fate
of muds  and cuttings proposed by  THUMS for ocean disposal  has been
determined by Dr. E. J. List of the W. M. Keck Laboratory of Hydraulics
and Water Resources at the California  Institute of Technology. Discharge
velocity, volume, particle grain  size,  and density data for  the THUMS
drilling muds  and  cuttings were utilized to determine  the rate  of
descent,  initial dilution  zone,  and  fate of the disposed muds. Environ-
mental data included an average annual density  profile for CalCOFI
Station 9028 near the proposed disposal site.

          The following mathematical  analyses  constitute  a  model  of the
proposed  THUMS  drilling muds and  cuttings discharge based upon formulae
provided  in Fischer et al. (1979):
                   SUMMARY OF DISCHARGE FATE CALCULATIONS
FLOW,-BATE:            2 jets at 1000 BBLS/hr each
                     Each jet: Q = 42,000 GALS/hr.
                                = 700 GPM
                                = 700 x 63.08 x 10-6
                                = 0.0442 nrVSEC

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.                                                     38
NOZZLE DISCHARGE VELOCITY:     d = 10 in.
                                 = 0.254 m
                            Area = 0.0507  m2
                         U = Q   = .0442
                             A"     0.0507
MOMENTUM FLUX:            M= Qn  =  0.8709 x 0.442
                                 = 0.03846
BUOYANCY FLUX:
              Density of Effuent = 9.34 Ibs/gal.
                                 = 2467.4 Ibs/m3
                              P0 = 1119.17  Kg/m3
             Density of Seawater =1024.25  kg/m3
             (CalCOFI station 9028, Fig. 6)
                                  94.42   kg/m3
                               =  0.0848
                                 9.8 x 0.0848
                            P
                               = 0.8312 m/SEC2
                   B = g^p Q  =  08312 x 0.0442
                         P
                               =  0.0367 m4/SEC3

-------
•§221.1  (c)  cont'd.                                                     39
 ORIFICE  LENGTH  SCALE:
                    1Q =   Q    = 0.225m
 MOMENTUM  LENGTH  SCALE:

                                 •• 0.4523
                           B
                             1/?
 RICHARDSON MUMBER  OF  DISCHARGE:
                   Ri  =  J^  = 0.4963—&• Plume immediately
                          em
 DENSITY  STRATIFICATION:           Surface Density 1024.25  kg/m3

      (CALCOFI  9028 profile
         Figure 6)              Density @ 50 m depth 1025.50  kg/m3
                                          Ap            T7I5    kg/m3
                           9e  =  -9  AP  =  1.25 x 9.8
                                          1024.25 x 50
                                          =  0.00024


 STRATIFICATION  PARAMETER FOR BUOYANT JETS



                           N = M2  g


                                 B2

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.
                                               40
STRATIFICATION PARAMETER FOR BUOYANT JETS:   (continued)

                            '(0.0385) 2  0.00024
                             (0.0367)

                            = 0.000264
                               400     from Figure 7
                         Zt =
VOLUME FLUX:
TTt  =  »t  B1/2
                                               .Rp = 0.557
                         "t  = 400 x 0.557 x (0.0385)5/4
                             =  19.834

DILUTION FACTOR:    S = wt  •  19.834
                        Q      0.0442

TERMINAL DEPTH:     Zt  =  X0.557 x (0.03850)3/4
                           0.254 x (0.03670)1/2
                    Zt  =  54.6  meters
                 add 4 to 5 meters for subsurface discharge
                 terminal  dspth (Zt) = 60 meters

-------
                                                                       41
IOO -
20O -
3OO-
400
500
          TEMPERATURE CO
        8   IO   12  14   16  18  2O
                                        33.5
                        SALINITY (%•)

                    33.7      33.9      34.1
                                     34.3
                                     100 -
                                    20O -
                                    300-
                                    40O -
                                    5001-
                                                  DiSSOLVED OXYGEN
            24
                    25
26
 100
20O
3OO
40O
500
27
                                         IOO -
                                        2OO -
                                        3OO -
                                        4OO -
                                        5OOI-
       Figure 6.  Temperature,  salinity,  sigma-t, and dissolved oxygen values by
                 depth at CalCOFFI Station 9028 (provided by  Dr. J. List).

-------
                                                      42
Figure 7.  Dilution in turbulent jets with  a
          linearly stratified environment
          (from Fischer et al. 1979).

-------
                                                                    60/0     20
                                                                                     vuocirr w cu/sec
                                                                                      4p  ep oo op      ego
ace
aof    aai    ao4 OK aoao./     a*     a/  as at /
                                                                4660     X
                    Figure 8.  Terminal  velocity of fall of quartz spheres  in  air
                               and water (provided by Or. J. List).

-------
§221,1 (c) cont'd.                                                   44
            These resulting calculations demonstrate that the discharged
drilling muds and cuttings will rapidly drop to a depth of approximately
60 m. This  stage of turbulent mixing and rapid descent prior to encoun-
tering neutral buoyancy  is considered convective  descent and the volume
through which the mud becomes  turbulently diffused is termed the Initial
mixing zone.  The  initial  dilution  zone  for  the THUMS drilling muds wi.ll
comprise 428,300  nr* resulting  in  an initial dilution  factor  of 449:1.

            Based upon  the 449:1 initial dilution  factor,  the expected
maximum concentrations of  trace contaminants beyond the initial dilution
zone  from  ocean disposed THUMS muds  are  presented  in Table  14.  For
comparison,  applicable  water  quality  criteria  based upon  both Federal
Register November 28, 1980,  and the California Ocean Plan are provided.

            The only metals  to potentially  exceed California Ocean Plan
discharge criteria  are chromium and  zinc in  the water-base mud. Chromium
concentration in  the water-base mud, however,  did not exceed the appli-
cable EPA  water  quality  criterion  based  upon  Federal  Register"November
28,  1980.  As discussed  previously, pipe dope  compound  is  the primary
source of this metal in  drilling muds, therefore,  the quantity of zinc  in
drilling mud wastes is highly variable and dependent  upon  the application
techniques  of the  drill  operators.  Previous  analyses  of water-base mud
from  a different  THUMS well  demonstrated a  zinc concentration equivalent
to  102   g/1  after  Initial  dilution. This  indicates that the  214 ug/l
value is likely  at  the  "high end"  of a .highly variable concentration. A
similar relationship was encountered for lead.

            Comparison ,of  metals  concentrations of  the  THUMS muds with
applicable  EPA water quality  criteria  demonstrated  the  spud mud  to  be
expected not to  exceed  any  applicable  water  quality criteria  and the
water-base  mud  to  be expected to  exceed the  Federal  Register criteria

-------
§221.1 (c) cont'd.
45
   Table 14. Comparison of expected maximum concentrations of trace
             contaminants following initial dilution with applicable
             water quality criteria.
Trace Contaminant
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Zinc
Cyanides
Oil and Grease
Organohalogens
Concentrations ug/l
Thums Thums
Spud Mud Water-Base Mud
<0.01
0.11
3.1
1.7
3.5
<0.00004
0.75
16.1
<0.04
17.373
0.04
<0.01
1.76
34.8
22.7
16.8
<0. 00004
21.1
214
<0.04
40.022
.126
Water Quality Criteria ug/l
California Federal
Ocean Plan Register*
80
30
20
50
80
1.4
200
200
50
75,000
6.0
5.08
59.
1260.
23.
6.68
3.7
140.
170
0.30
.
-
   * November 28, 1980 (x 0.01)
There appears a vast discrepancy between criteria based upon the Califor-
nia  Ocean Plan  and that  following  the Federal  Register. The  Federal
Register  guidelines are clearly  more  stringent,  with the  exception  of
chromium. Although  two trace metals concentrations are likely  to exceed
0.01  times   the  Federal Register "acute  toxicity"  concentrations,  the
concentrations of   these .metals  are  generally  between the  two  sets  of
guidelines utilized for comparison.  Most important in the  evaluation  of
expected  biological effects  is the fact that these concentrations demon-
strate "total" nitric acid recoverable quantities and'based upon previous
research, these  metals  have been  demonstrated not  to  be  biologically
available.  Therefore,   significant   toxicity effects,  either  acute  or
chronic, due to the disposal of THUMS  drilling  muds  are  highly unlikely.

§221.1 (d)   THUMS's drilling program will peak  in some 5 to 7  years and
then taper off.  At peak drilling,  it is estimated THUMS will  dump some
60,000 barrels of  drilling muds  per month.  An  estimated 20,000  barrels
a month  of  cutting will also  be  generated. THUMS  is  planning to  use  a

-------
     §221.1 (d)  cont'd.                                  46

     tankship  of American Rehd dispose our drilling wastes.
     The  tankship  being  consot  motor  vessel,  a  former navy
    yard oiler. Depending orte material and the  scheduling,
     ft 1s  anticipated  the  3 w1ll be  about  6,000 barrels.
    Marine  surveyors estima:apability to be  2,000 barrels
    per hour. Depending  on ,hip traffic  in the  Long  Beach
    Harbor, we  estimate  thed from dockside  to  dump  site
    1-1/2  hours  +; dump timne  return  trip to dockside for
    the next load  to be l-i/tne average  round trip for the
    disposal  vessel  will be, dock  to dock.  The preferred
    vessel  will  need some  ltions  to  handle  our cuttings.
    Estimates of quantities oad  have  not been addressed at
   this time and because offering and shipyard costs they
   shall  not be made until )mmittment that we will receive
   an ocean dumping permit.f the  on-site  dumping for both
   mUd  and Cutt1n9s could  smately 6  to  16 times a month.

              If  the  prefeasic design  precludes  Its use
  to transport  cuttings, -  oslW and/or•  .adaption  costs  to
  n>ake th* vessel  suitabl transporting  and dumping are
  prohibitive,  then  we  willarine vessels to  accomplish our
  disposal  needs.  Alternate!$  will  be  employed only upon
  concurrence of the regiona:t0r.

 J21.1 (e|   Since  the proling fluid wastes and cuttings
 vary  according  to well  Cjles, dumping  may be required
 at  any  time of  the  day  c,hout the   permit  period.   THUMS
 recognizes the  desire of dumping  to  daylight  hours for
 purposes  of monitoring andafety.  THUMS  will  limit dumping
 activities  to  daylight  hently as  practical   within the
 limitations of storage and capacities.

            However,  to re-.se! to shift berths three to
five times and  load  tanks-ss  is, in  reality,   increasing
navigational  risks instead  aritime safety.

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§221.1 (d) cont'd.                                                     47
       Most dumping activity will be performed during daylight and there
will be  sufficient daylight dumping to  satisfy  EPA's monitoring needs,
however, the  dumping  scheduling will  necessarily  be  controlled  by  need
and the safety judgement of the master  of the  vessel.

§221.1 (f)                ENVIRONMENTAL  SEATING

Geology

            The proposed  THUMS dumpsite  is  within a  1.5  nautical   mile
radius of  latitut'e 33°34'3d"N  and  longitude  118°27'30"W near the center
of  the  San Pedro  Basin (Figure 9), The  point is  16 nautical  miles  on a
course of  239  degrees  true from the Long Beach whistle buoy at the  Long
Beach opening  in  the  federal  breakwater; 11  nautical  miles on a bearing
of  194  degrees  true from Point Vincente and 11  nautical miles  on a
bearing  of 334 uegrees  true  from  Long  Point on  Santa Catalina Island.
Water depth at the proposed disposal  site is approximately 485 fathoms.
                                  i
            The physical  geology  of the San  Pedro Basin  has  been  pub-
lished several times  and  most  geologists generally agree that the works
of  Emery  and  Shepard  (1945)  represent baseline  data. The  San  Pedro
Basin is the  shallowest of about a dozen depressions along the southern
California coast. It lies between the mainland of  southern  California and
Santa Catalina Island,  and it continues northeastward  through a narrow
channel  with the Santa Monica  Basin. It is bounded  by  a  submarine valley,
the Redondo Canyon,  to the north,  by  the City of South Laguna Beach to
the south.  Its geographic boundaries extend  from  33°16' to 33850'  north
latitude,  and  117°46'  to 118°36' west longitude. The area comprises about
520 square miles  of sea  bottom. Depths  range  from  4 to  495  fathoms,  with
the deepest measured  about halfway  between Isthmus, Catalina Island, and
Point Yincente on  the  mainland. There  are   two  poorly marked channels
running  approximately  parallel  to  the  mainland.  There  is  a northwestern
threshold  or  sill at a  depth  of about  489 fm, only  slightly above the
deepest  part  of  the Basin, and a southeastern one  of about 400 fm,  east

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FT:  VICENTE

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§221.1 (f) cont'd.                                                    49
of Avalon, Catalina Island.  The oceanward  basins, beyond San Pedro Basin,
gradually  attain  far greater  depths,  to more  than a  thousand  fathoms
(Hartman 1955).

Geohazards

            The geology of  the offshore  southern  California  area  is one
of  block  faulting  similar  to the  Basin  and Range Province  of  eastern
California and Nevada (Emery 1958).

            Offshore  southern California  is  cut by  numerous faults,
many  of which  have  been  Identified as  active.  Four major  fault  zones
transect  the  inner basin  and ridge area;  Palos  Verdes, Malibu  Coast,
Newport-Inglewood  and Rose  Canyon  fault  zones.  The  Palos   Verdes  and
Newport-Inglewood are the  most significant with long histories of seismic
activity. Several active faults, fault traces,  have been identified near
the  proposed  dump  site  area  and the  San  Pedro  Basin in general  (BLM
1981b), designated as the  San Pedro Basin fault zone  (Junger and Wagner
1977).  The  fault  shows  about ;600  ft  (180  m)  of vertical   movement  of
Pliocene  age   strata.  Lower  Pleistocene  deposits  are  evidently  offset
across this  fault in the  San Pedro  Basin (Junger  and Wagner 1977).

            Slump and slide  areas have also been  identified  for  the San
^Pedro  Basin (BLM 1979).

  SAN  PEDRO BASIN AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA  BIGHT WATER CHARACTERISTICS

PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

            The  water in  the Southern California  Bight region of  the
California offshore is  a  mixture of relatively  low temperature-low
salinity  water transported  south in the  California Current  with  higher
temperature-higher salinity water  brought  north in  the  California
Undercurrent  (Chan  1974).  The California  Current  water dominates  in the
upper  few hundred  meters  of the ocean  seaward  (west)  of the  borderland.

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§221.1 (f) cont'd
                                                                       50
The undercurrent  is  predominant below 500 m  and  the  200 to 500 m  depth
range is a  zone  of mixed water (Emery 1960,  Sverdrup and Fleming  1941).
The Southern  California  Eddy mixes northern with  southern  surface
water,  and  modified  surface  water occurs  over much of the  borderland
(Figure 10).  Local  climatic  conditions further modify the  surface  water
characteristics.
                                   Sflnio Monico
                                         port 8«ocn
          Figure 10.  Annual  average surface water  circulation
                     off southern California.
            Basin-to-basin differences indicate that the bottom waters  of
most basins  move in a  general  northwesterly  direction, opposite of the
surface current. Coldest waters occupy each basin  from its  bottom to  near
its sill  depth.  Current measurements  show  that the  flow at the bottom  of
San Pedro Basin  is normally  very  weak,  less than  0.05 cm/sec,  but strong
surges can occur (LaFond and LaFond 1973).

            These water masses  directly influence the physical, chemical
makeup of the surface and  bottom waters and   sediments of  the  San Pedro
Basin as well as the biotic components of the  area.

            The ocean surface water temperature ranges from 12.5°C in the
north to  19.5°C  in the  south (Emery 1960), and the  surface is  coldest  in
the winter, December to February, and warmest  in the months of  August and
September  (Emery 1960,  Reid  1965).  Above normal  sea surface temperatures
occur  in  the Southern California  Eddy  as  a result of  the  local  climate
(Word and Mearns 1973). Temperature data obtained over a  large number  of

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      51

years from Balboa Pier, Newport and Scn'pps  Pier,  La Jolla,  show  that  the
sea  surface  temperature  varies no more  than  2°C  above or  below monthly
average temperatures (Jones 1971).

            A small, permanent thermocline is  developed at depths between
200 and 500 m where the northern and southern  waters mix. The temperature
drops  from between 8° to 9°C at 200  m to between  5.5°  and 6.28C at
500  m.  This thermocline is  better developed where warm  southern water
predominates in the surface layer (Maloney'and Chan 1974).

            Below  the  thermocline the water  temperature decreases
slightly with .depth.  Emery (1960) found that the borderland basins  are
isothermal below the  sill  depth.  The basin  temperatures  are the same as
the  undercurrent temperatures  at  depths  that  are  slightly less  than  the
sill. Emery (1960)  reported San Pedro Basin  bottom temperature at 5.06°C,
and a salinity of 34.29°/oo. Its bottom  depth  was  912 m, sill depth 737 m,
and effective sill  750 m.
              \                       :                              -
            The amount of oxygen in the  surface waters depends on several
factors,  including  temperature, salinity,  current and  wind mixing,  and
photosynthetic processes (California Water Quality Control  Board [CWQCB]
1965, Chan 1974, Reid et al. 1958).

            The water in  the  marine basins  has  approximately  the same
oxygen content  as  the water outside the basins at the same depth as  the
basin sills. The shallower basins have  sills at the depth  of the oxygen
minimum layer and so their oxygen concentrations are only about 0.7 mg/1,
while deeper basins have dissolved oxygen content  of 2.0 mg/1 (Rittenberg
et  al.   1955).  Minard  (1968)   compared  the  temperature,  salinity,   and
oxygen content of the Santa Monica  and  San  Pedro  basins in  1937  and 1954
with those  in  1968   and  noted that there  were no significant long-term
changes.  However,  using  Santa  Barbara Basin  as a model,  Sholkovitz  and
Gieskes  (1971)  demonstrated  that the  replacement  of basin  water with
colder,  more saline,  and  more oxygenated  seawater  is  a  dynamic,   and
perhaps  a seasonal  process.  Vertical  mixing is  sufficient to  maintain

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      52

aerobic condition and the residence time of the basin water is about five
years.  The presence  of oxygen  in. the  bottom-most  layer  of the  basin
water  suggests  replenishment  through advection and  renewal  processes  is
sufficient  to  satisfy  the amount  used  in  decomposition  (Emery  1960).

            Paxton  (1967)  detailed  the  seasonal  oxygen,  salinity,  and
temperature relationships to depth within  the  San  Pedro  Basin in a study
of the distribution of California lanternfishes between 1959 and 1962.  He
observed  the  basin is  relatively  stable  in  the  fluctuation  of oxygen,
salinity, and temperature below 200 m. Temperature and light appear to  be
the most effective determinants of vertical zonation within the San Pedro
Basin. Hartman  and Barnard (1958)  listed  the San Pedro  Basin dissolved
oxygen  level  at 912 m  as  0.2  mg/1.  Rittenberg et al.  (1955) noted  the
average oxygen content of San Pedro Basin waters was 0.25 mg/1.

Hydrogen Ion Content

            pH. The range  of  pH  for shelf waters  varies  from 7.5  to  9.6
(Chan 1974). At about 70 to 100 m, pH decreases to a range of 7.6 to 7.8.
Below  the  euphotic zone,  pH  decreases  with increasing  concentration  of
carbon  dioxide  as  a  result  of  respiration  and  decomposition. In  the
oxygen  minimum  layer,  pH  approaches a  limit of  7.5.  Below  the  oxygen
minimum  layer,  there  is a gradual  increase  in pH with  depth. The  pH  of
the water  below  the sill  depth in  the marine  basins depends on  the sill
depth. Those basins having greater sill  depth will  have higher pH values.
the Santa Monica Basin has a sill depth of 737 m,  and the pH of the basin
below  sill  depth  ranges between  7.68 - 7.77, while  the Catalina  Basin,
which  has  a  sill  depth  of 982 m,  the corresponding  range is 7.70  - 7.89
{Rittenberg et al. 1955).

Turbidity

            Turbidity consists of  inorganic  mineral  material  and organic
material  consisting  of  plankton  and organic  detritus. This  turbidity
comes  from river  floods,  waves  along  coasts, plankton  blooms,  benthic

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§221.1 If) cont'd                                                     53

plants and animals,  and sewage  outfalls. Most of the participate material
is  suspended  at  the top of the pycnocline and just  above  the sea floor
(Drake and  Gorsline 1973). The clarity  of ocean water  is  important in
planktonic  productivity and  distribution.  The   poorest  transparencies
occurr close  to  shore  and  during  the spring  especially off Santa Monica
Bay  and  the  coast  south  of San  Pedro.  North  (1962)  found  the  poorest
light penetration over the San Pedro  s^lf,  near San Clemente  and  Del
Mar, and south of Point Loma (Maloney and Chan 1974).

            Light transmission  measurements made  by the California Water
Quality Control  Board  (1965)  showed  that on  most occasions  the  light
transmission curve below a  depth  of 1 m  (3.28 ft) was  linear.  The
greatest deviations  from this linearity occur where the water is  turbid,
generally in  the  upper 1  to 3  m (3.25 to 9.84 ft). Eighty-three  percent
of  the  light  entering the  ocean was  lost  in  the upper 1.4  m (4.59  ft)
(BLM 1981b, 1979, Lease Sale 68 and 48).

Nutrients                                   '      • ?

            Nutrients  in   seawater  are chemical   compounds   or  elements
necessary  for the production of organic matter.  They  include dissolved
and particulate compounds  and elements  in various  chemical forms that are
present in  very  low concentration  in  seawater.  In the surface layers of
the  ocean  where   there  is  enough  solar radiation  for  photosynthesis to
take  place, the  production  of the phytoplankton  depends  on sufficient
concentrations of inorganic nutrients  such as  nitrates,  phosphates,  and
silicates.  Nitrogen  is usually the  limiting  nutrient in the  ocean  for
phytoplankton production.  Generally,  phosphate  is  not a limiting nutrient
in  the ocean. Although silicate can  be limiting  for diatoms and silico-
flagellates,  it  is  not   limiting  for other  phytoplankton   (Strickland
1965).

            Sources of nutrients to  the  coastal waters off southern
California and  areas  to   the  north  and  south, are  upwelling,  waste
discharge,  land  runoff, precipitation, and the decomposition of organic

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§221.1 (f)  cont'd                                                     54
matter. Upwelling  is  the most  significant source  of nutrients  to  the
surface  layers  of the  water  column,  less  than  200 m  (656 ft)  and
replenishes the  nutrient supply depleted  by  phytoplankton  growth  (BLM
19815).

            Measured diffusion  gradients  of oxygen,  phosphate,  nitrate
and silicon are  restricted  to the- bottom  1 or  2 ft  of  water above  the
sediment surface, evidently  because of mixing  in this turbulent current.

            The concentrations of nutrients in'  the  marine  basins  of  the
Southern California Boarderland  are given in Table 15. The concentrations
of  phosphate  and  nitrate are nearly  uniform below about 800 m  (2,624
ft). Further,  there is relatively little variation  from  basin to  basin.
Silica  becomes  uniform with depth at  about 1,000  m (3,280 ft).  The
concentration  of  silica depends  on sill depth (Chan 1974).

         .   The major source  of particulates  to ocean waters  are river
transported particulates from mainland drainage areas.  The  Santa Clara
River near Montalvo is the largest discharge having a direct influence on
the basins. The  Santa Clara  river  contributes about 50%  of the southern
California discharge at present  considering flood control limitations on
the Los Angeles,  San Gabriel,  and Santa Ana Rivers.

            These four rivers normally discharge an  average of 4 million
tons a year.  This  can be compared to  200  million tons  that  entered  the
Borderland coastal  waters  during the  1969  flood.  Thus the drilling
discharges are miniscule in  comparison with a  major  flood of a  decade.
The bulk  of the drilling and mud  cuttings is  composed  of  natural  min-
eral and  organic materials  also found as  a part of natural  suspension
loads  (Gorsline  1981).  Additionally,  municipal  waste  dischargers  and
storm  runoff  contribute  significantly to  particulates  in the Southern
California Bight.

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 	_.     .                                                        55
§221.1  (f) cont'd

 Table  15. Nutrient concentrations near the floor of San Pedro Basin.

                                      Total
             Depth  Total-P  Ortho-P  Org-N   NOa-N  Si02-Si
 Location     (m)    (mg/1)   (mg/1)  (mg/1)  (mg/1)  (mg/1)  References
33°45.5'N ,,n
118°34.8'W //U
33°38.1'N ...
118°2 'W
33°34.3'N
118°24.8'W 848
33°31.0'N fl,9
118°21.0'W *U
33'29.8'N
118e22.1'W yi:}
0.09 0.11
0.16 0.09
0.22 0.11
0.11 0.12
0.10
0.11
0.10
0.12
0.12

0.34
0.40
0.25
0.33
0.49
2.38 Merz 1959
2.43
2.66
2.62 " '
2.02
   Source: taken from Maloney and Chan 1974

Sediments of the San Pedro Basin

            Much of the bottom  of  San  Pedro  Basin is bedrock overlaid by
silt,  ooze,  clay,  or  fine  detritus  (particle   <0.062  mm  in  diameter)
(Hartman and Barnard 1958).

            Sediments in  the  general  region  of the  dump  site  sampled by
Hartman  and  Barnard v(, 1,9,58.);,..Stations  115,  116, ,136, 138: 470  to  484-m)
consisted  of primarily  greenish  mud,  varying amounts  of  "oozy,  blue,
green gray muds". Visual observations also included living and dead tubes
of chaetopten'd worms, forams, and shell debris.

            Calcium carbonate of basin sediments  is mostly in the form of
foraminiferal  tests,  whereas  that of  the  shelves  is  mostly of  shell
fragments. Emery and Rittenberg (1952) reported San Pedro Basin sediments
contained 7.6% organic matter, noting that in San Nicholas, Catalina, and
San Pedro Basins, food is far more concentrated at the bottom than at any
depth in the water column.

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      56
                             WATER QUALITY

            The Southern  California  Bight receives  pollution  from both
discrete and diffuse  sources.  Discrete sources include municipal waste-
water  discharges  and surface  runoff.  Diffuse  discharges  include ocean
dumping, runoff  and atmo.spheric  addition,  vessel  waste,  and. adyective
transport.

TRACE METALS

            Trace  metals  in low concentrations are  physiologically
essential  metals (such as  Cu,  Co, Zn,  Fe, Mn, B, Mb, Se); however, they
may also be toxic  at higher concentrations, or concentrated, by organisms
low  in the food  chain and passed up the food web to higher  trophic
levels. Most trace metal  analyses have been limited  to nearshore  studies
in  the Southern .California  Bight (Southern California  Coastal  Water
Research Project   [SCCWRP]  1973)  related  to   municipal  discharges.  The
California   Mussel  Watch  Progam  has monitored water quality,  along  the
mainland coast and  also stations  on  the offshore islands. These  studies
have indicated trace metals in  tissues  as  well  as the water and sediments
(higher near urban  areas than areas  farther away  from population centers)
Accordingly, the  higher  levels  of trace metals  are associated  heavily
with the 25 municipal dischargers  into  the Southern California Bight (BLM
1981b). Recent studies were conducted  for   BLM  by  Bruland  and Franks
(1977) who  analyzed  for water column and  benthic sediment concentrations
in  outer  deep basin  and   inner  basin  as well  as nearshore  areas  (BLM
19815).

            Difficulties  in  analyzing  seawater  concentrations  of trace
metals stem from the fact that the:  1) elements are near their limit of
detection  by analytical  techniques;  and 2)  natural variation can be quite
high,  varying  with distance from  shore,  depth,  heavy  rains, upwelling,
and alterations in  plankton populations (SCCWRP 1973).

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§221.1 (f) cont'd
                                        57
            Water column levels of trace  metals  in  the California Current
is as  low  as that in  the  open ocean (Chan  1974).  Because  of its large
volume, the  tota1  amount of trace metals  transported  by the Current is
very large in comparison with all  other sources.

            Suspended particulate  trace  metal  concentrations  for  inner
basin, outer  basin,  and outer  banks  are  summarized in  Table 16.  These
studies indicate  the  concentration of surface water column particulates
do not contrast markedly, although lead was higher by a  factor of 2 or 3
in particulates at the  outer basins  relative to the inner basin. Bottom
water  samples  of the  outer banks  exhibited  a  substantial  increase  of
lead, zinc, cadmium,  and possibly  copper, compared  to the inner and outer
basins.

            Table 17  list  estimated  background sediment  levels of trace
metals for  the  Southern  California Bight  (SCCWRP  1973);  60  m  depth
(Word  and  Mearns  1979); outer  and  inner  shelves  and  outer  and  inner
basins of the Southern  California  Bight (Table-18) (Chow and Earl 1977);
and  shelf  and San  Pedro Basin  (Table  19)  (Dames  and  Moore  1978).  In
general,  outer  shelves exhibited  the   lowest  levels,  however  several
 Table 16. Trace metal  concentrations  in  Inner  Basin, .Outer B.asin, and
           Outer Bank suspended particulates.
     Inner Basins - 350,
     372,336.402.412.420
  Outer Basins
256.579.748.749
Outer Banks (Tanner
and Cortes) - 576,
584,603.636,727.761
Surface
ppm ng/1
Cd
Cr
Cu
Ni
Pb
Zn
Ba
V
6.9
-
< 8
23
8.5
42
65
<33
1.8
-
<2.5
7
2.5
16
19
<10
Deep
ppm ng/1
2.6
.
<18
30
11
43
1100
<48
0.5
-
<3.4
5.7
1.8
8.0
160
< 9
Surface
ppm ng/1
9,6
-
<34
30
25
29
<87
<52
1.1
-
<3.8
3.4
2.8
3.3
<10
< 6
Deep
ppm ng/1
7.9
-
<55
50
37
62
1450
<98
0.6
-
<4.5
4.4
2.6
6.0
123
<8
Surface
ppm ng/1
11
-
<13
16
18
42
<48
<41
1.7
-
<2.5
2.8
24
5.5
<8.6
< 6
Deep
ppm ng/1
17
•
<53
50
130
150
1010
<94
1.1
-
<3.8
3.4
7.8
10
67
< 7
   Source: BLM 1981b

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                                                                       58
§221.1 (f) cont'd
Table 17. Estimated background sediment levels of trace constituents
          for the Southern California Bight (mg/kg dry weight).


                                              60 m Control  Survey
         Estimated Background Levels     Offshore Southern  California
Southern
As
Cd
Cr
Cu
Fe
Ni
Pb
Zn
Hg
DDT 0.
PCBs 0.
California Bight 1973
1.0
0.37
5.1
16.0
2.5
14.0
8.5
63.0
0.037
01 - 0.06
01 - 0.06
T
0.35
0.42
2.4
9.6

16.0
6.8
4.5




0.04
0.1
6.5
2.3

1.6
2.7
9.8



Range
- 18.0
- 1.4
- 43.0
- 40.0

- 51.0
- 12.0
110.0



        Source: SCCWRP 1973,  Word and Mearns 1979
    Table 18. Arithmetic means of eight trace metals  in  Southern
              California Bight benthic sediments,  ppm.


             Outer-shelves  Inner-shelves  Outer Basins   Inner  Basins
    Element  (38 Samples     (15 Samples)  (28 Samples)   (65  Samples)
Ba
Cd
Cr
Cu
Ni
Pb
V
Zn
370
0.52
53
12
16
9.1
36
31
835
0.57
56
15
19
17
62
54
714
0.80
118
32
48
13
65
«6
686
0.93
119
39 •
38
25
97
101
    Source: Chow and Earl  1977

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                                                                          59
     §221.1  (f)  cont'd
       Table 19. Trace metal concentrations (ppm)  in  sediments
                for San Pedro Shelf and Basin.
Sample
Number

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18 '
19
Depth
(fathoms)

20
< 20
< 20
100
< 20
< 20
75
< 20
< 20
30
150

350
>450
>450
>450
350
425
400
375
Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper

6.82
14.10
_
1.12
1.65
1.84
1.26
2.19
1.25
1.26
3.21

6.63
5.04
6.53
6.24
6.84
5.20
4.36
3.14
San Pedro
3.57
2.00
_
2.77
1.83
2.24
1.92
1.57
1.91
2.28
2.41
San Pedro
2.68
3.24
2.52
3.09
3.50
2.90
3.44
3.00
Shelf (
48.16
46.07
_
35.96
42.62
30.51
34.63
31.75
23.72
27.23
58.80
Basin (
62.37
57.55
37.74
70.06
42.55
55.86
50.39
57.81
upper 2
17.08
26.99
_
14.64
21.75
9.63
13.68
10.51
9.18
13.82
14.39
upper 2
28.07
33.81
25.66
34.66
29.04
30.47
29.64
37.54
Iron Mercury
inches
16640
22890
.
17270
19570
15130
24800
15130
14160
18430
35050
inches
34740
39280
35080
33190
28040
31920
29230
35510
Nickel
Iron
Zinc
of sediment)
0.160
0.258
-
0.210
0.128
0.106
0.040
0.043
0.035
0.072
0.106
37.59
37.23
-
41.82
26.09
20.03
25.65
20.22
19.14
33.51
25.37
61
39

52
41
44
48
31
24
56
48
.29
.55
-
.7.0
.32
.00
.31
.98
.37
.56
.68
75.74
-
80.03
41.82
73.06
36.11
51.30
43.22
35.88
55.72
41.54
of sediment) .
0.134
0.117
0.179
0.183
0.18u
0.256
-0.207
0.244
53.02
61.15
55.34
67.10
55.07
50.78
68.18
60.06
46
50
55
51
42
47
47
56
.78
.36
.20
.62
.55
.15
.43
.31
36.48
87.77
110.40
94.40
82.61
92.85
96.67
93.85
Source:   Dames  and Moore 1978

    elements  including  Cd, Cu,  Pb, V,  and  Zn  exhibited  higher levels
    (although of  the same-magnitude) in the inner basin sediments than in the
    outer basins.

    HYDROCARBONS

               Hydrocarbons  encountered  in  the  marine  environment  may
    originate  from  not only  human  activities  (e.g. offshore  drilling  and
    production  operations, oil  tanker operations, coastal  refineries,
    atmospheric   transport  of  combustion   products,  coastal  municipal  and
    nonrefinery  Industrial   wastes,  and  urban  and  river runoff),  but  also
    natural  sources  (e.g.   biological production  by organisms  as well  as
    submarine  oil  seeps).  Distinction of  environmental  hydrocarbons  among
    these various sources has only recently been attempted (Winzler and Kelly
    1977).

-------
§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      60
            Based on  64  benthic samples  Kaplan  (1977) collected  during
the 1975/1976 BLM baseline  study,  Kaplan  was able to make the  following
environmental interpretation.  The wide range of values  found  reflects the
variety  of  depositional  environments  and  complexity  of   contributing
sources. Hexane + benzene fractions  were  less than 50 *g/gm  in  stations
located in the outer  banks  and ridges and areas, south of Newport  Beach,
whereas stations  located in  basins   in the same  general  location have
slightly higher amounts  of  total hydrocarbons (50  to  100 *g/gm). Still
higher levels of total hydrocarbons,  from 200 *g/gm to as much  as 1,354
*g/gm, are found  in sediments at  stations  located in  Santa Monica Bay,
San Pedro Bay, and San Pedro Basin. High levels (approximately 600  *g/gm)
of total  hydrocarbons  are  also  found  in  stations  located near  Coal  Oil
Point. Word  and Mearns (1979)  reported similar  levels  of hexane extrac-
table materials  in the Southern California Bight,  averaging 243+44
mg/kg, ranging up to several thousand mg/kg.

SYNTHETIC CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS                                  ~  :

            The major  source  of chlorinated hydrocarbons in  the study
area as surveyed by SCCWRP  (1973)  is  primarily from municipal wastewater
dischargers,  however, ocean dumping,  surface runoff,  and aerial fallout
all contribute to the total chlorinated hydrocarbon levels in the  Bight.

            The total amount  of chlorinated hydrocarbons transported by
the California Current is about  five  times  as great as  all other sources
combined, at a concentration of about 0.01 *g/l  (SCCWRP 1973). BLM  (1979)
reported  Southern  California   Bight  levels  of  dissolved   hydrocarbons
range from 0.03 ppb to 20 ppb.

DRILLING MUDS

            The majority  of most drilling  muds are relatively inert clays
or  relatively  insoluble  barium  sulfate (barite)  (BLM  1981b), which are
sedimentary rock chips similar to the rock type through which the well is

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      61
drilled. Table 20 lists  the  drilling  mud  types  and respective components
of  recent  studi'es  on the  Southern  California  Bight Outer  Continental
Shelf (from BLM 1981b).
   Table 20. Drilling mud types and respective components of recent
             (1976) [late] to 1978) practices on southern California
             Outer Continental  Shelf - San Pedro.
Depth
(ft)
0- 800
900-1600
Mud Type
Sea water
Gel /Saltwater
/
Components
Seawater
Bentonite
Salt
Lignosulfonate
Caustic Soda
Barite
Pounds/42
Gallon bbl
20 ppb
7
3
0.5
1
   1600-4600    Gel/Saltwater
                (treated)        Bentonite                    20
                                 Salt                          7
                                 Lignosulfonate                5
                                 Caustic Soda                .  1
                                 Barite                       80
                               .  Lost Circulation Material     10
                                 Drispac (CMC)                 1

   Source: BLM 1981b

                             MARINE BIOLOGY


BENTHIC BIOLOGY


            The macrofauna  of  subtidal  benthic  communities  in  general
within  the Southern  California  Bight  are  influenced  by  a  variety  of

factors  including  bathymetry,   substrate   type,  oceanic  and  localized
currents,  biogeographic  location, and  oxygen concentrations.  The  near-

shore  deep sea basins  located  between  the  mainland and  first  line  of
islands  and ridges are quite broad  and relatively shallow  (900  m)  as  a

consequence of rapid  sedimentation.  Offshore  basins  are  deeper with less
plains and greater slope habitat. Outer basins are relatively more highly

oxygenated than inner basins (BLM 1981a).

-------
§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     62
            There have  been few  mac robe nthic  studies conducted  in  the
San  Pedro Basin  and deep  sea basins  off southern  California.  Early
Investigations conducted in the 1950s Include Hartman (1955) and Hartman
and Barnard (1958 and  1960).  Later  studies conducted  as part of the BLM
Bight-wide  investigations  between  1975 and  1978  include  Fauchald  and
Jones (1978a-c). Summaries of these studies have been given in DOI Lease
Sale  documents  Lease Sale 48  and 68 (BLM  1979,  1981b),  POCS Technical
Paper 81-8 (1981a)  and  DOI  POCS Reference Paper  III (1979).

            The San  Pedro Basin benthic macrofauna community is randomly
distributed  and numerically  dominated by minor  phyletic  groups  (BLM
1981b), Similar  to  other basin  habitats,  San Pedro  Basin  supports  few
species and  low population  densities.  The benthic fauna  are typically
deposit feeders,  since  the  basin  acts as a  food trap.  In comparison
to  other  basins,  San Pedro  Basin exhibits the  lowest standing  crop
(6  gm/m2,  BLM  1981a;  5.5  gm/m2, Hartman  and  Barnard  1960)  and  lower
specie; richness and diversity  than Santa  Cruz  and San  Nicholas basins.

            Hartman  (1955) reported more  than 400 densities/m2- inverte-
brate metazoan species from within  the  entire San Pedro Basin. However,
an  area  within  the  middle  and  deeper parts,  delineated by  a  contour
near  the 837  m depth and about 100 m  below  the  sill  depth supported a
very  sparse   or  impoverished  fauna  (Figure  11).  Seventy  samples  from
subsill depth yielded a  total  of 115  species (Hartman and Barnard 1960)
and  a density  of 31  animals  per  n>2. in  this area,  two polychaetes
(Phyl1ochaetopterus  sp.  and  Protis  pacifica)  and a scallop  (Cyclopecten
sp.) were  the dominant  organisms. This  impoverished  habitat is a result
of the extremely low oxygen  levels.  The oxygen levels generally corres-
pond  to  the  sill depth  at 500  to  700 m  the oceanic minimum layer and
little decomposition  of organic material before  reaching the basin floors
(Emery 1960).

            The greatest occurrence of  animals  is  along a rim bordering
Santa Catalina  Island  and  off of Point Fermin. Siliceous sponge/amphar-
etid  polychaete  associations  dominate  the  community makeup  and occur in

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                                                                      63
                          •37
Figure 11 . San Pedro Basin and adjacent creas, showing the 50 fm and
      425 fm contour lines, the northwest and southeast sills. The area
      of  impoverished fauna at the western end are Indicated,  and the
      glass sponge bottoms are shown (Hartman 1958).

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§221.1 (f)  cont'd                                                     64
high density at  the  base  of submarine mountains on either  side  of the
sills  and  along  the  walls  of  the canyon  (Hartman  and  Barnard  1958).

            The dominant  benthic  Invertebrates of  the  San  Pedro  Basin
Identified in studies by Hartman and Barnard (1958,  1960) and  POCS
reference  paper  #3  (1979)  are given in Table  21. In  both studies,
polychaete  worms  and  mollusks  characterized  the list of  dominants.  San
Pedro  Basin  station  locations  of  the  BLM Bight  studies are shown  in
Figure 12.

            The San  Pedro benthic  macrofauna  associations  reported  in
these  studies  have  shown  similar  species compositions,  but  high  vari-
ations  among  dominants  (as  evidenced in  Table 21),  which   indicate  a
lack of species having large enough populations to be sampled frequently
enough to be considered dominant species (BLM 1981b).

            Foraminifera fauna  of  the inshore basin (including San Pedro
Basin) are  characterized by assemblages present in water depths below the
basin  sill  where oxygen  levels are  normally  less  than  0.3 mg/1.  The
principal  species of this assemblage  are Bolivina  argentea,  Suggrunda
eckisi,  Buliminella  tenuata,  Cassidulinoides   cornuta,   and  Loxostomum
pseudobeyrichi  (Harman  1964). The dominant  form in the San Pedro Basin is
Buliminella tenuata.

WATER COLUMN BIOLOGY

Plankton

            The distribution, abundance, and type of planktonic organisms
in  the coastal waters  between  the mainland  and  Catalina are  directly
influenced  by  both mixing  and transport by currents,  i.e. the southerly
flowing  California Current and  the counterclockwise eddy  system  in the
Southern Califoria Bight, and upwelling.  Thus,  in  the study area  we find
species which are  typical  of  coastal waters throughout California,
including  central and northern California  as well  as southern California

-------
§221.1 (f)  cont'd
                                                                       65
                                 Table  21.

    (A)       San Pedro Basin  common  and characteristic  species
               (subsill  samples)  (Hartman  and  Barnard 1960)

                Phyllochaetopterus limicolus       Polychaeta
                Protis paciflcaPolychaeta
                Cyclopecten zephrus                Mollusca
                AmphicteiT~schaphobrianchiata      Polychaeta
                Maldane slrsi                      Polychaeta
                Aricidea nr.  suecica              Polychaeta
    (B)
Dominant benthic invertebrates of San Pedro Basin.
(BLM Bight studies, Fauchald and Jones)
(Z=622-m to 888 m; Y=798 m).
                                  Abundance
                                    Frequency

Eclysippe trilobatus
Polychaeta
Mitrella permodesta
Mollusca snail .
Aricidea complex
Polychaeta
Tomburchus redondoensis
Mollusca bivalve
Cadulus .cal,ifiorn.icus
Mollusca
Liljeborgia cota
Crustacea
Phyllochaetopterus sp.*
Polychaete
Spiophanes sp.
Polychaete
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
5
Value
Y #/Site
4.9
2.7
1.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
(4.9)
(1.9)
Rank
2
1
3
4
4
4
Value
5/12
7/12
4/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
(8/12)
(5/12)
Percent
41.7
58.3
33.3
16.7
16.7
16.7
(66.7)
(41.7)
    * Possible polyspecific species  with  high  rankings

    Source:   POCS Reference Paper No.  Ill  (1979)

-------
                     n
                    AA
                    AA
                    AA

                    AA
           SAN MIGUEL IS  j.  SANTA ROSA
                     <-^.    .s
                  47
                           102
                                                                                    SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA  BIGHT
                                         SANTA CRUZ IS
                                                                                     LOS ANGELES
                                                                                                        I
                                                                                                        N
                                  D
                                    45
                                                            SANTA
                                                           BARBARA IS
                                                                                               HUNTINGTON BEACH



                                                                                                   LAGUNA BEACH
                             SANTA ROSA-  A
                            CORTES RIDGE  A •
                                               SAN NICOLAS IS
Q  tOSA'* - BASELNE SURVEY  (1»7S-7«)


 •  BENCHMARK 9TTES  (107»-77)


 A  BASELtC (DEdCROTVE) STTES (1076-77)
                                                  i m
                                                  1 lo
                                                             C'l">M -, BA'.-b
ill*
                  Figure 12 . The  high density  sampling  areas, benchmark sites, and  descriptive
                               sites  of the benthls study.
                                                                                                                                 Cf>

-------
§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     57
and Baja California. The waters  of  the Continental  California Shelf are
highly productive  due  to upwelling, diffusion mixing  of  nutrients from
colder deep waters to shallower surface waters.

            Phytoplankton.  Approximately  280  species  of  phytoplankton
from California waters  were  reported by Riznyk  (1977): 160  diatom;  112
dinoflagellate,  and 6 silicoflagellate  species.  Sixty  species  were
reported  in Santa Monica Bay (Resig 1961). The  distribution  of the
species and their abundances are controlled by several  factors including
amount of  light,  currents,  Intensity of  grazing,   temperature and  up-
welling events  (BLM 1981b).  Phytbplankton  variability is  evident  on  a
seasonal  basis  as well as over  long-term  periods in which  it  has  been
related to oceanographic and  meteorological  events (Balech 1960).

            Phytoplankton  work previously conducted  offshore of southern
California  includes  the  works  of  Allen  (summarized  in   Riznyk  1974),
Balech (1960),  Resig (1961),  and  CWQCB  (1965).

            Primary Productivity  and Standing Crop.   CalCOFI   data  pre-
sented for 1969 (Owen 1974)  in BLM  (1981b)  displays  primary productivity
variations for  the  Southern  California Bight  region. Values are highest
within  the ne.arshore..regions ,and .decrease -with  distance offshore.
Standing crop estimates, integrated  over  the upper 150 m (445 ft) display
differences between  sampling periods  (highest between  July-October 1969
and lowest between October-December) and area along  the California coast
(highest  in  southern  California,   decreasing  offshore beyond  a  highly
productive band  100  to 200  km  [60  to 120  miles] along the  coast.  Pro-
duction values  for San Pedro to San  Diego  range from  20  g/m2 (October-
December)  to 90 g/m2 (July-September).

            Zooplankton. Zooplankton are instrumental in thr; transfer of
energy  from  the  phytoplankton  to  the higher trophic  levels including
fishes, birds,  and marine mammals.  Studies dealing  with  Southern Cali-
fornia Bight Zooplankton are  listed  in  Seapy (1974).

-------
§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     68
            In the California Current system, at  least  546  invertebrate
and  2,000 vertebrate species  of  fish larvae  are estimated  to occur
(Kramer and Smith  1972),  representing 23 major taxa among 9 animal  phyla.
The  zooplankton   include  both  temporary   nanoplanktonic  and  permanent
(holoplanktonic) forms which  range in depth distribution  from the  surface
to at least 6,000  m  (Hoiton et al. 1977).

            The primary  source of zooplanktonic  information  is  the
CalCOFI program which originated  in  1949. Although  no CalCOFI   "base"
stations were directly in  the  San  Pedro Basin proposed dump site area,
data  are  available  from numerous  other   stations  within  the  Southern
California Bight region from  surface to depths of 140 m (462  ft).

            Bathypelagic coelenterates (cnidarians) in the  southern
California basin  were investigated by  Hartman  and Emery (1956). Those
observed  in  San  Pedro  Basin  are shown  in Table 22. Siphonophores
dominated the fauna of the bottom of  San Pedro  Basin,   feeding on
bathypelagic  animals  living  above  the  surface of the anoxic sediments.

            Atstatt  and  Seapy (1974) studied  decapod  crustaceans   in San
Pedro and Santa Catalina Basins to  depths  of  650  m  using an  Isaccs Kidd
midwater trawl. Abundances never exceeded  49/1000 m3. Sergestes  similis
was the dominant species  in each sample.

            Factors   influencing  zooplankton  density  and   distribution
within the study  area include  advection or currents and the winds  that
cause currents long-term  meteorological and oceanographic changes  (Berner
and  Reid  1961,  Radovich  1961)  and nutrient/temperature relationships
(Reid 1962).

            Several  endemic  species occur  within  the  California  Current
system. Most species, however, vary  geographically, seasonally,  and yearly
due primarily to  changes  in current patterns.  These include  the chaetog-
nath  Sagitta bierii, the copepod Eucalanus bungi  californicus, the

-------
                                                                       69
§221.1 (f) cont'd
    Table 22. Scyphozoan species list (from Hartman and Emery 1956).
San Pedro Basin
    2916 ft    3 abylld siphonophores
               2 campanulate scyphozoans
    2915 ft    1 bathyphysid siphonophore
    2910 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    2890 ft    1 bathyphysid siphonophore
    2910 ft    2 abylid siphonophores
    2814 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    2806 ft    1 campanulate scyphozoan
               1 abylid siphonophore
               1 bathyphysid siphonophore
    2878 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    2735 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    1125 ft    1 slender object with bulb at either end (not identified)

Station 2097 (March 29, 1952.'Lat. 33°29.6'; Long.  118°29.0')
    Bottom is green mud at 1663 ft and its temperature 6.4°C
    Slope of San Pedro Basin

    1510 ft    2 abylid siphonophores
    1528 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    1549 ft    2 abylid
               1 bathyphysid siphonophores
 .   1568 ft    3 abylid siphonophores
    1585 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    1616 ft    1 abylid
               1 bathyphysid siphonophore
    1648 ft    2 abylid
               1 bathyphysid siphonophores
    1617 ft    .,1. aby.l i d si-phonophore
    1660 ft    1 abylid siphonophore
    1465 ft    1 bathyphysid siphonophore
    1375 ft    1 abylid
               1 bathyphysid siphonophore

Station 2099 (March 30, 1952. Lat. 33°24.0'; Long.  118°50.9')
    Bottom Ts green mud at 4330 ft and its temperature 4.0°C

-------
§221.1 (f) cont'd
                                                                       70
    Table 23. Major zooplankton taxa In the Southern California Bight.
  Major Taxa
    Common Species
         Distribution Remarks
Coelenteratess  Poorly known for the
                area
Ctenophores
Pleurobrachia bachei
Beroe sp.~
Chaetognaths
Sagitta euneritica
S. bieriT
"5". minima
T. inflata
Polychaetes     Vanadis formosa
                Torrea Candida
                Tomopterls elegans
                Trav i s i op"si s 1 obi fera

Mollusks
 - Pteropods    Limacina helicina
 - Heteropods   Atlanta peroni
                Atlanta sp.
                Carinaria japonica
 - Cephalopods  Abraliops'is felis
                Gonatus o"nyx
Crustaceans
 - Copepods
   Amphipods

   Cladocera
Libinocera trispinosa
Acartia tonsa
A. clausT
"Talanus helgolandicus
Rhlncalanus nasutu?

Oithor.3 similis

Vibilia armata

Penila avirostris
                Evadne nprdmanni
                Podon polyphemoides
                EvadneTp ini fera
                E. tergestlna
Common in nearshore plankton.
Reported from south of the area.
Densities of less than 5/10,000
m3 of water in the upper 110 m
(363 ft)

No seasonability pattern or
inshore-offshore difference in
abundance
                        Ofshore distribution (200 km)
                        (120 miles).
                        Can be extremely abundant
                        Cold water form
Dominant in surface samples in
Santa Barbara Channel. Maximally
abundant in November (McGinnis
1971)

Abundant in summer months
All stages abundant in May-June
Juveniles abundant in July-August
Adults abundant in May-June
Most abundant cyclopoid copepod
from samples off Scripps
Captured 9.t surface at night; at
200 m (660 ft) in the day
Maximally abundant in December,
1969 in Santa Barbara Channel
(McGinnis 1971)
Abundant in July-August, 1968
in nearshore waters off La Jolla

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                    ?1


Table 23. (Cont)


  Major Taxa        Common  Species               Distribution Remarks

Crustaceans (cont)
 - Euphausids   Euphautia pacifica      Listed in order of abundance over
                Nematoscells  ditflcilis Southern California Bight
                Nyctiphanes simplex
                Stylochei'rb'n  longiTorne
                Yhysanoessa gregana
                T.  spunfera

 - Decapods     Sergetes similis        Recorded from 650 m (2145 ft)
                                       trawls

Thaliacea       Doliolum denticulatum   Abundant in nearshore waters in
                                       summer
                D.  dgegenbauri
                TTyclosalpa  bakeii
                Pegea  confoederata
                Sal pa  fusiformis
baipa
TRaTTi
                    ia  democratica
   Source: Compiled from Seapy  1974



hyperiid amphipod Hyperietta stebbingi,  and the squid Abcaliopsis  jelis.

Table 23  summarizes  the major zooplarikton  taxa  in the Bight  (compiled

from Seapy 1974 in BLM 1981b).


            Nearshore  waters  have been  found to  support higher  popu-

lations of benthic  invertebrates  and  fishes  than offshore waters,

including the larval stages of the Dungeness crabs Cancer  magister, pink

shrimp  Panda!us  jordanni,  Crangon shrimp,  and  several  species  of  bottom

dwelling flatfishes (BLM 1981b).


            Depth  Distribution of Zooplankton.  Patterns  of vertical

distribution of  zooplankton relate  to  such variables as light,  phyto-

plankton  density,  food, and  life  history  patterns.  Individual  species

show  differing  depth  maxima  (Alvarino   1964). Most species within  the

waters  of the  Continental  Slope are neritic forms, with occasional

oceanic and migratory abyssal  forms.

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§221.1 (f) corc'd                                                     72
Fish Eggs and Larvae  (BLM 1981b)

            Ahlstrom  (1959,  1965,  1969)  summarized  information  on the
extensive Cal CCCI  collections  of  fish  eggs  and  larvae  in  the  California
Current. The  distribution  of fish larvae is  highly  dependent upon the
spawning areas of the parents and  the hydrographic  conditions  prevailing
in the area. Because  most of  the coastal waters are  transported in either
a northern or southern  direction, larvae spawned in  coastal  areas tend to
be  retained there  (Richardson  and  Pearcy  1977).  The  distribution and
abundance of fish larvae and  eggs vary by  season over  the Southern
California Bight depending  on the  species. For some species, for example
the northern  anchovy and the several  species  of rockfish, larvae  occur
throughout the Bight  area during most of the year.

            In the CalCOFI  data,  12 larval  types (species  or genus)
comprised 90 to  93%  of all larvae collected. The northern anchovy
(Engraulis  mordax) and Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) represented
40  to  60% of the catch. Larvae of  deep sea pelagic fishes composed 20
to  40%  of all larvae taken in CalCOFI  cruises from 1955 to 1960.  Three
families represented  90% of  the  deep sea  fishes  and were the most
important species in offshore  oceanic  waters. These were the  larvae of
the myctophid lanternfishes,  the  gonostomatid lightfishes and the  deep
sea smelts  (Bathylagidae)  (Ahlstrom  1969).  Ahlstrom  (1965) found  larvae
of  subarctic species  in winter  and spring  and those of subtropical
species in the warmer summer  months.
Fishes
            The southern California fish fauna consists of at  least  485
species (Miller and Lea 1972) and  an  unknown  number  of deep  sea  fishes.
The  factors  which  govern  the types  and distribution of the fishes  are
largely those  which  govern the zooplankton and  phytoplankton  discussed-
earlier in this report.

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     73
            The  San Pedro Basin  fish  fauna  consists  of vertically
distributed  fish communities  including  forms  common  to  mainland  and
island shelf  areas,  mesopelagic  deep sea or midwater  forms,  and bathy-
pelagic  demersal  fishes.  Various  transient  and resident  species  occur
within the Basin (Ebeling  et al.  1970).

            Epipelagic  forms  are generally migratory  through  the  study
area between  various parts of  the  Pacific  Ocean or at least through the
Bight.  Common  species  in  southern  California  waters include  Pacific
bonito (Sardo chiliensis), yellowtail (Seriola dorsal is),  jack mackerel,
northern anchovy,  Pacific mackerel, Pacific barracuda, and  Pacific
sardine. Horn (1974) listed a  total of 80 pelagic species  of 30 families
which occur in  southern California,  of which  many  are rare or uncommon.

            Many  deep  sea fishes  undergo periodic  vertical  migrations
and,  therefore,  may be  found in  the  upper  100 to  500 m  layer of  the
ocean. However_,  they are members  of a rather distinctive group since they
live at  least part of their lives  in waters several hundred to thousands
of meters deep.  These fishes are  generally  small (<300 mm long), black or
dark  with silvery  reflective sides and  frequently  with luminescent
organs.  Members  of  the families  Myctophidae (lanternfish), Bathylagidae,
and  Gonostomidae are the most  abundant  deep  sea  fishes  off  southern
California,  and  they  occupy   central  positions in  oceanic  food  webs.
These families,  especially the  Myctophidae, appear  to occupy important
positions in  the  trophic  structure of offshore waters comparable to that
of the anchovy in shallow, more inshore waters  (Horn 1974).

            Although Pt.  Conception  is  recognized  as a faunal boundary,
many  of the  nearshore  fishes,  especially  bottom  fishes, are  found
throughout the  coast as far north  as British  Columbia. Many of the deep
water species are essentially cool water temperature fishes with centers
of  distribution lying to the north of  the Southern  California Bight.
Therefore, a  distinct southern California fauna does not occur below the
thermocline or  in the deeper  waters  of the coastal shelf (SCCWRP 1973).

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     74
            Principal  sportfish species  taken  within  the general dumpslte
region  include  rockfish, kelpbass  and  Pacific mackerel.  Sport fishing
catch data  demonstrate  that the proposed ocean disposal  site is  not an
area of  significant sportfishing activity  (Figures  13  and 14) although
the coastlines adjacent  the  San  Pedro  Basin ind the Catalina Channel to
the south  do provide important  sport  fisheries.  Commercially  important
species  taken  from the  general  dumpslte  area Include northern anchovy,
jack mackerel, Pacific bonito, and market squid (Figure 15) (BLM 1981b).

Marine Mammals and Seabirds

            Marine Mammals.   Within  the  Southern  California   Bight,  32
species of marine mammals have been  recorded.  The Bight 1s  the richest of
all temperate water areas in terms of abundances and  types.

            The most  common  of these  are  the California grey  whale,
common dolphin, pilot whale, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Pacific bottle-
nosed dolphin, California sea lion,  and  harbor seal.  In addition to these
species, 10 others are considered uncommon (or rare)  In the region; these
are the Minke whale, Sei whale, blue whale,  humpback  whale,  killer whale,
sperm whale,  northern fur seal,  Steller sea lion,  the northern elephant
seal, and the very rare  California sea otter.

            Five cetaceans which occur  in California waters  (California
grey whale,  blue whale,  Sei  whale,  humpback whale, and sperm whale) are
designated as endangered species by  the  federal  government.  The  Guadelupe
fur seal  1s designated  rare  by  the State of California all marine mam-
mals, however, and  afforded complete protection under the  Marine Mammals
Protection Act of 1972.

            Birds.  Birds within the offshore areas in  the  San Pedro
Channel largely consist of pelagic and littoral  species which  show a high
degree of transiency.  These  birds feed on  epipelaglc  fishes  and  a variety
of  marine   invertebrate,  either at  the surface or  by  shallow diving.

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                                 SANTA BARBARA
                                                                                            Principal Species or Group

                                                                                              1.   Rockfieh
                                                                                              2.   Kelp Baas
                                                                                              3.   Pacific  Mackerel
                                                                                              4.   Pacific  Bonlto
                                                                                              5.   Barred Sand Bass
                                                                                              6.   Sculpin
                                                                                              7.   California  Barracuda
                                                                                              8.   Halfmoon
                                                                                              9.   Yellowtall
n
NUMBER OF FISH


> 1OO.000 FISH


1O.OOO - 00.000 FISH
                    Figure 13 .  The most Important sportfIshing areas  In Southern California for the
            commercial passenger fishing vessel fleet based on the average number of  fish  caught from
            1974-1978.  T.e principal species (>10,000 fish) caught  in  each  area are  indicated  by numbers.
SAN DIE GO
                                                                                                               in
            Source:   The most recent marine sport catch data by origin  available  from  the  California Dept.
                     of Fish and Came (unpublished).

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                                SANTA BARBARA
w..
    NUMBER OF ANGLERS


|  I > 10.00O ANGLERS
000 TO 9.999 ANGLERS
    1.000 TO 4.999 ANGLERS
                                                                                                            OIEG
           Figure 14  .  The most important sportfishing areas in Southern California
   for  the  commercial passenger fishing vessel  fleet based on the average number of
   anglers  per area from 1974-1978.
                                                                                                              cr>
   Source:  The most recent marine sport catch  data by origin available from the
   California Dept. of Fish and Cnme (unpublished).

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                                 SANTA BARBARA
                                                                                                Principal Species

                                                                                                  1.  Northern anchovy
                                                                                                  2.  Jack mackerel
                                                                                                  3.  Pacific bonito
                                                                                                  4.  Market squid
                                                                                                  5.  Sea urchin
                                                                                                  6.  Black abalone
                                                                                                  7.  Bluefin tuna
                                                                                                  8.  Albacore
                                                                                                  9.  Yellowfln tuna
                                                                                                 10.  Skipjack tuna
                                                                                                 11.  Rock crab
c
n
AMOUNT(POUNOS) OF FISH
   PER COFQ FISH BLOCK

> S.OOO.OOO lb«.


1.000.0OO TO 4.99g.9BO Iba.


BOO.000 TO 999.099 lb«.


                                Figure 15.    The most  important  commercial  fishing areas in Southern
100.000 TO 499.999 Ibt.  Cailfornla based on the average  amount  (pounds)  of  fish  and invertebrates
                        caught from 1971-1975.  The principal species  (>250,000  Ibs.)  caught in each
                        area are Indicated by numbers.
0 TO  99.999 Ibs.

                        Source:  The most recent commercial  catch  by origin data available from the
                                 California Dent, of Fish  and Game (unpublished).
                                                                                                           8 A N D IE Q O

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     78
            Common offshore pelagic  species  include  common loon, Arctic
loon,  red-throated  loon, western  grebe,  horneo grebe, eared  grebe,
pied-billed grebe, pink-footed shearwater, sooty shearwater, Manx shear-
water, black stormpetrel, brown pelican, double-crested cormorant, black
brant, surf scoter, red-breasted merganser, glaucous-winged gull, western
gull,  California  gull,  ring-billed  gill, mew  gull,  Bonaparte's  gull,
Heerman's gull,  Forster's  gull, elegant  tern, and Caspian tern.

                        PROPOSED SAMPLING PROGRAM

            THUMS  proposes  to  utilize three  complimentary  sampling
programs toward: 1) verification of the  initial dilution zone and fate of
drilling muds and cuttings as  indicated  by Dr. List's mathematical model;
2)  establishing baseline water  quality data  at the  proposed  disposal
site,  prior to any  disposal  activities;  and 3) monitoring  of water
quality parameters during  disposal activities.

I.  Verification of Model
            Verification  of  the  initial  dilution  zone  and fate  of the
drilling muds  and  cuttings will be  accomplished  in a study  to  be per-
formed  upon  initiation  of disposal  activities.  Determination of short-
term spatial  extent of the discharge  plume will be  accomplished utilizing
a  grid of  vertical  transmissivity  profiles  adjacent  to  the  disposal
vessel, during discharge of muds and cuttings. The use of transmissivity
has been  previously used  to  examine the dispersion  of  discharged bulk
drilling fluids  in  the  waters off Louisiana  (Ayers  et al.  1980)  and at
Tanner  Tank,   located  in  the  southern  California  waters   (Pctrazzuolo,
1981).  Ayers  (1980)  reported  that  transmissivity  readings  were  more
sensitive than suspended  solid water column measurements (an  alternative
to transmissivity readings) due to the  ability of  the transmissometer to
detect  colloidal  particle,  via  light  sectoring,  at lower  levels than
could be measured by sampling suspended solids.

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      79
            In order to relate transmissivity readings to suspended solid
'levels within the water column, samples of raw drilling muds,  representa-
tive of those being disposed, and disposal  site seawater will  be  returned
to the laboratory for development of a transmissivity-mud dilution  curve.
The curve will be  used  for  evaluating  the  field collected transmissivity
data.

            A minimum of  two field  surveys  will  be conducted to  verify
the  initial  dilution model  and examine  the fate  of  drilling muds  and
cuttings  disposed.  The  initial  survey  will  be  used  to  refine  sampling
protocol.  The  survey will   be  conducted  during  the  first  disposal  of
material  to; 1)  determine  the area! extent the  sampling  grid  must  cover
to  examine  the  fate  of material  disposed;  2)  determine the number  of
stations  and  station  spacing, within the  grid, necessary to  define  the
initial dilution zone and  provide  data on the  fate of  disposed  muds  and
cuttings; and 3) determine  the  number of  depths that  must be  sampled,  at
each station, to meet the stated objectives.

            Results of  the  initial field  survey  and  the  laboratory
transmissivity-mud  dilution  standardization curve will  be used to  devel-
op  the sampling protocal  necessary to meet  the stated  objectives.  The
refined sampling protocol will  be  instituted  in the second field survey.
If  necessary,  additional  field  surveys will  be conducted to  verify  the
model  and provide  data  on  the  fate  of the  drilling muds and cuttings.

            In the  initial  and subsequent field survey(s) transmissivity
profiles  will be taken  with a Martec Mark VII XMS transmissometer fitted
with an  "pn-deck"  digital  readout. The transmissometer has a  light path
length of 25.0 cm.

II.    Monitoring Program

            A. Baseline  data. Prior to  any disposal  activities,  baseline
water  quality  data will be  established for  the disposal  area (latitude
33°34'30"N, Longitude  118°27'30"W).  Water  quality  analysis  will  be

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      80
conducted at depths of  1  m,  30 m and 60 m. At each depth, water quality
parameters sampled will  Include pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids,
salinity,  temperature   and  the  following  trace  contaminants:  arsenic,
cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel,  zinc, cyanides, oil and
grease, and organohalogens. Replicate samples for each parameter will be
collected in order to  examine  natural  variability at the  dump site. A
Martec Mark VI water quality  profiler  will  be used to determine in  situ
values for pH, dissolved  oxygen, salinity and temeprature. The  remaining
parameters will  be analyzed following the procedures outlined by the  U.S.
Environmental  Protection  Agency/Army  Corps  of  Engineers  criteria  for
dredge and fill  material (Plumb 1981).

            These baseline data will  subsequently  be utilized in compari-
son with  data  obtained  through the proposed  monitoring  program toward
determination  of  any  significant impacts  resulting from disposal  opera-
tions.

            B.  Proposed Monitoring Program. A semi-annual field sampling
program will be  initiated to  monitor  for water  quality  effects  of the
proposed  ocean   disposal  activities.  Three  stations  will   be  occupied
during each survey.  One  station will  be at  the  proposed disposal   site
(latitude 33°34'30"N, longitude 118°27'30"W). The second station will be
established downcurrent (northwest)  of  the  proposed disposal  site, within
the expected path of  discharge flow but beyond  the zone of initial
dilution. The third station will be  established upcurrent (southeast) of
the proposed disposal  site as a control. Exact location of the second and
third  stations  will  be  determined following the  model verification
investigation.

            The  semi-annual monitoring will  be conducted during the two
primary local  oceanographic seasons: winter and  summer. Sample of ambient
seawater will  be obtained from  depths of 1 m, 30  m and 50 m  at  the three
stations during  each survey. The water quality parameters to be analyzed
for, and  the  methods for  analysis  will  be the same  as  outlined  in the
baseline study.

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 §221.1  (f)  cont'd
                                                                       81
  SUMMARIZATION OF DISPOSAL SITE CRITERIAL UNDER SECTION 228.5 and 228.6

 GENERAL CRITERIA FOR SITE SELECTION

 §228.5 (a)   The dumping  of materials  into  the ocean will  be  permitted
     only  at  sites  or in areas selected  to  minimize the interference of
     disposal activities with other activities in the marine environment,
     particularly avoiding areas of existing fisheries of shellfisheries,
     and regions of heavy commercial or recreational navigation.

            THUMS1  application  is  a  request to resume  dumping  of  drill
Wds 'and cuttings near its  historical  dump site unopposed by the Federal
 and  State  governments in  1965.  The  dump site was chosen to  minimize
 those impacts  that  are raised in  this sub-paragraph.  Effects  upon
 the  biological  communities  of  the  San Pedro  Basin are expected  to be
 negligible.

            There  are  no  major  commercial  navigational  problems  since
 the  nearest traffic separation  lane for  south  bound ships will  be  1-1/2
 miles  north of  the proposed  dump site.  This  takes  into consideration
 the  possibility  that  the U.S.  Coast Guard move the north/south traffic
 separation  system one  mile south of its present location.

            Recreational  navigation  12 years  ago  did  not present  any
 problems  during various kinds  of weather and  would not  be  expected to
 become a  problem in the future.  After personal  contact  with the Captain
 of the Port (COTP)  Los Angeles  (LOSA)  1n November 1981, he indicated that
 by  adding  one more  ship  every  day or  two to the  channel, traffic  would
 not  cause  any  navigational  or search  and rescue  problems  that did not
 already exist or they  could  not handle  on a  routine  basis.

 §228.5 (b)  Locations  and  boundaries of disposal  sites will  be so chosen
      that  temporary perturbations  in water quality of other environmental
      conditions  during  initial  mixing  caused by  disposal  operations
      anywhere within the site can  be expected to reduce to normal ambient

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                         82
     seawater levels  or to  undetectable contcentrations or
     effects before reaching  any beach, shore* sanctuary or
     known geographically limited fishery or shi

            The  location of  the  proposed  THUM.site  has  been
established as  clearly  beyond potential influe Of  the above
sensitive areas.  The  muds will  be  rapidly  northward at
increasing depths within the 'indercurrent and  ci  fall to the
bottom in a region  of  extremely  low biological  pi.

§228.5 (c)   If  at any time  during or after c,te  evaluation
     studies, it  is determined  that  existing dtes  presently
     approved on  an  interim  basis for ocean d not  meet the
     criteria for site  selection set forth  in  §2?28.6, the use
     of  such  sites will  be  terminated as soon51 e  alternate
     disposal sites can be  designated.

            Since this  is  a determination to.beby  EPA,  THUMS
has  no comment except that  we will  make every-.o adjust  our
operations  in such a  manner so  as  to  preclude tHty  of  EPA to
exercise the provisions of  this  sub-paragraph.

§228.5 (d)  The size of ocean disposal   sites will >d in order to
     localize  for  identification  and control  aiiate adverse
     impacts and  permit the implementation of effonitoring  and
     surveillance  programs  to  prevent adverse loi  impacts.  The
     size,  configuration,  and  location of  any  dsite  will  be
     determine'  as a part of the disposal site evaV  designation
     study.

            THUMS  proposes  to  utilize its  historiiautical  mile
radius as approved in  1965 for  the current draft apm. We believe
the  size of the proposed  dump site is within goodg considering
drift  and currents for a maximum of 3.5 hrs  dumping  tsite.

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§221.1 (f) cont'd                                                     83
§228.5 (e)   EPA will, whenever  feasible,  designate  ocean dumping  sites
     beyond the edge  of  the  Continental  Shelf and other  such sites  that
     have been historically used.

            Utilization  of. the  significantly greater  nearshore depths
located along the Pacific  Coast  of the United States, and specifically,
the San  Pedro Basin,  provide  for  minimization  of environmental  impacts
through adequate dilution during  descent  of the disposed wastes.  The  edge
of the Continental  Shelf  from Long  Beach, California, is 150 miles
offshore.  We  believe  such  a  time-consuming distance would  m,-»ke ocean
dumping of the drilling wastes financially  impractical while providing no
appreciable environmental benefit.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR SITE SELECTION

§228.6 (a)   In the  selection of  disposal  sites, in  addition  to other
     necessary .or apprpriate factors determined by the Administrator, the
     following factors will  be considered:

            (1)  Geographical  position,  depth  of water, bottom topography
                and distance from coast.

            The proposed dump site 1s within  1.5  nautical mile  radius of
latitude 33°34'30"N and  longitude  118°27'30"W near the center of  the San
Pedro Basin. The point is 16 nautical miles on a  course of 239°  true  from
the Long Beach whistle  buoy at the Long  Beach  opening  in  the  federal
breakwater; 1 nautical mile on a bearing of  194°  true  from Point Vicente
and 11 nautical miles  on a bearing of  334°  true  from Long Point on  Santa
Catalina Island.

            (2) Location  to  breeding,   spawning,  nursery,   feeding, or
                passage  areas  of  living resources  in  adult or  juvenile
                phases.

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S221.1  (f) cont'd
84
           As  previously described, the proposed  disposal  site location
Is not of  any  unique significance  to any life  stage of present  living
narine  resources.

           (3) Location  in  relation  to  beaches  and  other  amenities.

           Coastal  beaches are 21 miles  north and east of  the proposed
dump  site.  Palo Yerdes  Peninsula with  its rocky shoreline  is  11+ miles
north  and Santa Catalina  Island's closest rocky shoreline  is  7.5 miles
south  of the  proposed  dump  site. Since subsurface currents  at  the
proposed  disposal  site move northwest,  it is  quite  unlikely that disposal
activities  will have any  adverse impacts  upon  these  areas of  special
Interest.

           (4) Types and  quantities  of wastes  proposed to  be disposed
               of,  and  proposed methods of release,  Including methods of
               packing'the waste, if any.

           THUMS'  program  is  to  dispose of water-base  drilling mud and
 cuttings  that will meet  EPA requirements.  The dilling  program  will  peak
 1n some five  to seven years and then  taper  off. At  peak    drilling, we
 estimate  to dump some 60,000  barrels of drilling  muds  per  month.  AT the
 ptik,  we estimate  20,000  barrels a  month of cuttings to  be  produced.
 THUMS is  planning to use a tankship of American Registry  to pick  up and
 tfspose of  the drilling wastes. The tankship  we  are  considering 1s a 220
  ft motor  vessel, a  former navy yard oiler. Depending  on the weight of the
  uds and scheduling,  1t 1s  anticipated the  average load will  be about
  1,000 barrels. Our marine  surveyors estimate  the unloading capability to
 Ifc 2,000  barrels  per hour. Depending on  the  weather, ship traffic at the
  long Beach  entrance  to  the  Harbor, we estimate the following, loaded from
  lockside  to dump  site 1.5  hrs  +_ dump  time  3  hrs  +_ and the return trip to
      de  for  next  loading  to  be  1.5 hrs ±.  In  other words,  an  average
      trip  for the disposal vessel will be about six  hours, dock to dock.

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§221.1  (f)  cont'd                                                      85
The preferred  vessel will  need  some  through-hull adaptions  to handle muds
and cuttings.  Estimates of quantities of cuttings per load have  not been
addressed  at this time and  because  of the unknown engineering and ship-
yard costs  they  shall  not  be made  until we have a  firm commitment that we
will receive  an ocean dumping permit.  The frequency of the  on-site
dumping  for both mud  and cuttings could vary from 6 to  26  times  a month.

            If  the  preferred  vessel's  basic  design  precludes  its  use
to  transport  cuttings,  or  if  the  conversion  and/or adaption  costs  to
make the  vessel suitable  for loading,  transporting  and dumping are
prohibitive, then we  will  explore other marine vessels  to  accomplish our
disposal  needs.  Alternate disposal   vessels  will  be  employed  only upon
concurrence of-the  regional  EPA administrator.

            (5)  Feasibility  of  surveillance and monitoring.

            Based upon published information on the impoverished area of
the San Pedro  Basin,  it  is not  expected to be  practical  to  attempt a
surveillance and/or monitoring  program of the effects of driling muds on
the benthos of  the area. The. proposed monitoring  programs  address:  1)
collection  of  baseline water  quality data;  2)  verification  of  initial
fixing  zone and  fate  of-drilling muds  and  cuttings;  and  3) semi-annual
 nnitoring  of  water quality  parameters.

            (6)  Dispersal,  horizontal   transport,   and   vertical  mixing
                characteristics of the area  including prevailing current
                direction, if any.

            Published   information  indicate  that  prevailing  subsurface
 current movement  is   toward the  northwest,  parallel  to  the coastline.
 Information regarding  vertical  mixing  near  tho  proposed  dumpsite  was
 inadequate  toward forming  any conclusions.

            (7)  Existence  and effects of current  and previous discharges
                and dumping  in  the  area (including cumulative effects).

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§221.1  (f) cont'd                                                      86
           There  have been  no discharges of  record adjacent THUMS'
proposed  dump site  since  we ceased dumping  in  1969.  We know of  no  cumu-
lative effects or direct effects on the benthic organisms  in  the  historic
1965 dump site.

           (8) Interference with  shipping, fishing,  recreation,  mineral
               extraction,  desalination,   fish  and  shellfish  culture,
               areas  of   special  scientific  importance  and  other
               legitimate uses of the ocean.

           As  stated  in  our  response  to  228.5 (a),  the proposed  dump
site is 1.5 nautical miles iouth of the nearest shipping lane.  We know  of
no  mineral extractions being proposed. Our  drilling waste will not  cause
desalination.  There is no  fish or shellfish  culturing  in  the  area.  We
know of  no special scientific  or  other  uses  of ocean that  our  proposed
activity  will   interfere  with.  Fishing,  both  commercial  and  sport,  as
well as  small  craft piloting  will  only  be slightly  disrupted while our
tankship  is on station.

           (9) The existing  water quality and ecology  of  the  site  as
               determined by available  data  or  trend assessment  or
               baseline surveys.

           Historical baseline data were presented previously.

          (10) Potentiality  for the development  or  recruitment  of
               nuisance species in the disposal  site.

           Data  presently available  do  not  support the  prospect for
 introduction or augmentation  of  populations of  nuisance  species at the
 disposal  site  as a  result of disposal  activities.

          (11) Existence  at  or 1n close  proximity to the  site of any
               significant  natural  or cultural  features of  historical
               importance.

           THUMS knows of no such features.

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§221.1  (f)  cont'd                                                      87
§221.1  (g)    It  1s  proposed  to release  the material  at  the  dump  site
through pipes having  through-hull  fittings  adjacent the centerline  of
the disposal  vessel's  hull.  Rate of discharge willbe  determined  by
gravitational  forces  and/or by  pumps furnished  with  the  transporting
vessel. Control  valves  or variation of pump speed may be used to control
discharge  rates  as required.

§221.1  (h)   The  waste  products  proposed for disposal  are produced in the
process of drilling  oil wells 1n the Long Beach Unit located in San Pedro
Bay at  Long Beach, California.  These waste materials are produced without
alternative in the normal  drilling  of  an oil well.

§221.1  (i)   These  materials  are  now being disposed of in  land  fill
dump sites located as follows:
            BKK  Corporation  in West Covina
            Operating  industries  in Monterey Park
            Los  Angeles  County Land Fill #6 in Puente Hills
(NOTE:  There are a rfumber  of  land fills in Los Angeles County that will
not accept liquid wastes).

            Frpm 1966  to January  of  1969..THUMS disposed of,drilling muds
and cuttings in the San Pedro  Basin with the support of the U.S. Bureau
of  Commercial  Fisheries,   U.S.  Geological  Survey,  U.S.  Bureau  of Land
Management, California Department of  Fish  and Game, California Regional
Water Quality Control Board, California  State Lands Commission,  and the
California State  Attorney General's  office. The U.S.  Army Corps of
Engineers  sent  a  letter  on  March  4,  1966,   "o  THUMS which  the Corps,
considered as evidence of  approval for  the  disposal  operation.

            The  disposal  was  pumped  from a specially built motorless
barge  that carried between  5,000  and  6,000  barrels  depending  on  the
weight of  the  fluid  being hauled.  The material  was  discharged while
the barge  was static  in the  water and the  material  was pumped through a

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§221.1  (f)  cont'd                                                      88

10 Inch hose  that  extended 20 ft below  the  ocean  surface.  During these
discharge  operations,  no effluent plume  was observable from  either
aircraft or  surface  craft. The  fine particulates  apparently  continued
                                                        >,
rapid  descent in  a  similar  fashion to that presented 1n §221.l(k),
following.  During the  three  years of  discharging,  no complaint  was
received from any of  the  governmental monitoring agencies.

§221.1  (j)    At  the  present  time,  the  Long  Beach  Unit  is  experiencing
a period  of  increased  drilling  activity  with resulting  production of
large volumes of drilling  waste  materials.  This  activity is anticipated
to continue for the  next  five  to eight  years. Land fill  disposal  is not
anticipated to continue  to be  available  to  meet  these disposal require-
ments,  nor is sub-surface  well injection feasible  for  disposal  of  such
materials  in the Long Beach Unit.  Incineration would impose serious air
quality problems  and  has  not at this time been  determined to be feasible.
Land is not available for open ground spreading disposal and biological,
chemical,  or  physical  treatment  is not feasible. Drilling  fluids  are
reconditioned and recycled under present operations until contamination
of these  fluids  exceeds  economical  or  feasible  treatment.  Waste fluids
are  disposed  of  in  abandoned  wells within the  area  wherever possible,
but  these  sources  provide  only  minor   relief in   the  overall disposal
requirement.

FATE OF OCEAN DISPOSED MUDS AND CUTTINGS

§221.1  (k)   The  short-term fate of  muds and  cuttings proposed by THUMS
for  ocean disposal has  been  determined  by  Dr. E.  J. List  of  the W. M.
Keck Laboratory  of  Hydraulics  and Water  Resources  at  the   California
Institute of Technology.  Discharge velocity, volume, particle grain size,
and  density data for the  THUMS drilling muds  and cuttings were utilized
to determine the rate of  descent, initial dilution zone and fate of the
disposed  muds.  Environmental   data   included  an  average  annual   density
profile for CalCOFI Station 9028 near the proposed  disposal  site.

            The  resulting  calculations  demonstrated that the  discharged
drilling muds and cuttings will rapidly  drop to a  depth  of  approximately

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$221.1  (f) cont'd                                                      39
60 m.  This stage of turbulent mixing  and rapid descent prior to encoun-
tering  neutral  buoyancy is considered convective descent (Figure 16) and
the volume through which the mud  becomes turbulently  diffused is termed
the initial mixing zone. The initial dilution zone for the THUMS drilling
nuds  will  comprise  324,300  m3 resulting in an  initial  dilution factor
of 340:1.  At  this  depth, dynamic  collapse of the drilling mud plume will
occur.  The very  largest drill cuttings particles will continue descent at
rates  of  5  to  10 cm/sec, however, 90% of the particles will  form a
diffuse cloud approximately 10  to  20  m thick  descending  at  an average
rate  of approximately  1.2 m/day, during which further dilution will occur
through turbulent ocean mixing and passive diffusion processes.

           Once beyond wind-driven  predominantly  southeastward flowing
surface currents,  transport of disposed  drilling muds  and cuttings will
proceed northwest  following the California Countercurrent.  Average
undercurrent  flow  rates at the proposed  disposal  site  range between 4.5
and 5.5 cm/sec  (Hendricks 1980).  Based, upon this flow rate, the largest
cuttings particles will reach  the bottom .in approximately 1.75 hrs after
being  discharged and  at a location approximately 0.3  km northwest from
the point  of  discharge. The  smaller  cuttings particles  (0.06  mm)  will
arrive  at the  bottom  in  approximately  17  days at  a  location  7.50  km
northwest  of  the disposal  site.  Therefore,  the  majority  of  cuttings
particles will reach  the  floor  of the San  Pedro Basin in  bands  of
decreasing particle  size between  0.3 and 7.5 km from the disposal site.
The average  mud particle  (0.0015  mm)  would  take approximately two years
to reach the  depth of 900 m and would likely have traveled  300 km had it
remained in a  5  cm/sec current without  vertical  turbulent mixing.

           In  summary, most  of  THUMS drill  cuttings  would be  retained
within  the north  half  of the  San Pedro Basin;  however,  the  muds would
continue  to  be  further  dispersed and  diluted,  remaining  in  the water
column  at  infinitessimal concentrations  for extended periods of time and
distances.

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              .-   .    . •

           COfiyECTJYE DESCENT-
DYNAMIC COLLAPSE
PASSIVE DIFFUSION
                              ENCOUNTER
                              NEUTRAL
                              BUOYANCY
                   DIFFUSIVE SPREADING
                   GREATER THAN
                   DYNAMIC SPREADING
Figure 16. idealized jet discharge described by mathematical
           model. Cross-sections are shown  at three  stages  of
           the plume. A heavy class of particles  Is  depicted
           settling out of the plume at an  early  stage.  Lighter
           particles are shown settling during the collapse
           phase. Very fine particles are shown leaving  the
           plume shortly after discharge and remaining  near the
           surface to form the visible plume.
                                              10
                                              o

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$221.1 (f) cont'd                                                      91

                           IMPACT ASSESSMENT

           The  preceeding  discussion on  the  short  term fate  of the
drilling  muds  disposed  1n the San Pedro  Basin  outlines the bases of the
physical  transport of materials through the water column and subsequently
to the ocean floor.  The Impacts  on recreational, economic, esthetic, and
biological resources of such disposal are summarized below.

           (1)  No  detrimental  impacts  on  the  area's  recreational  uses
are expected.  Recreational  values within  the  area  include  boating and
fishing.  Inshore witers and shorelines  are well  out of the  initial
dilution  zone  and will  not be impacted.

           (2)  The  drilling mud disposal  activity will  not adversely
impact  the recreational and commercial  value of living marine resources,
such as  sport and commercial fisheries.  Fishes in  the  vicinity of the
Initial   dilution  zone  will move out  of the area  and into  surrounding
areas.

            (3)  No  long-term effects  on the proposed water quality of the
dumpsite are expected.  Short-term turbidity increases are  expected within
the Initial dilution  zone. However,  the bulk  of  material will  descend
rapidly  to a  depth  of  60 m. The esthetic  values of  the area, therefore,
will be  nominally impacted.

           The disposal  material  does  not contain pathonogenic organ-
isms,  biologically  available  toxic  materials  or  other  material  which
might significantly  impact either fisheries,  shell fisheries or public
health directly or indirectly through food chain interaction.

            Ocean disposal of water  based  muds  and cuttings  have several
advantages over transporting  them  from  offshore  drill   sites   to  land
disposal sites. The advantages are:
                  •\
                a. Decreased  truck  traffic  from  dockside and  disposal
site. At present,  we  are  dumping  at  sites  located  in  West Covina,  a

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S221.1  (f) cont'd                                                     92
distance  of 38  miles.  Trucking of  this material requires 575 round trips
a month for a total of 42,940 miles a month.

               b. Decrease 1n  energy  use  associated  with  trucking
to land dump sites.  In  excess  of 28,000 gallons of  fuel  are  used each
month.

               c. Decrease of  potential for  nearshore air  and water
pollution  associated  with  barge  transport of  trucks to  shore facilities.

               d. Decrease of  potential for  air  and noise  pollution
due to  offloading operations and trucking.

               e. Unnecessary  use of  the  presently  limited  Class  I
disposal  sites  within  the  region.

               f. Decreased marine traffic within Long Beach Outer
Harbor with a decrease 1n probability of accident 1n  transit to  and from
shore facilities.

               g. Decrease  1n  probability  of  accidents  on  California
highways.

            (4) Effects  on water column and benthlc  organisms.

            Phytoplankton. Initial  discharge of  the  drilling  muds will
 Increase turbidity 1n the Initial  dilution zone. Thus, a  small  decrease
 1n primary productivity could be expected.  However, the rapid  descent  of
 the drilling muds  to  a depth  of  60 m and subsequent diluted dispersion  1n
 the  California Undercurrent  at the lower  edge of the  euphotic zone
 substantially  diminishes  the chances  of any  significant reduction  in
 primary productivity.

            Zooplankton. Temporary loss  of zooplankton  biomass may  occur
 within  the initial   dilution  zone  relaced  to  the  physical   effects  of

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$221.1 (f)  cont'd                                                     93
participates  Interrupting  respiratory  and  feeding  metabolism.  No
toxlcity-related mortality 1s  expected since the metals  present 1n the
muds are biologically unavailable.  Further  transport of the drilling muds
to  Increasing  depths  at  minimal  concentrations  preclude  any  further
adverse Impacts occurring within  the  zooplankton community.

            Fishes.  No adverse  Impacts on  the  pelagic,  littoral, meso-
pelaglc or  bathypelagic  fish  fauna are expected  to  occur. These fishes
will respond to the Increase of partlculate concentrations by moving out
of  the  immediate  area of discharge, which  will  eliminate the potential
for Interruption of any  metabolic  processes.

            The non-toxic nature of  the drilling  muds and cuttings will
preclude any biomagnification  or mortality  1n  the  San  Pedro Basin benthic
community.

            Benthos.  The San  Pedro Basin  benthic  environment  will   be
impacted by  the settling of  the cuttings particles  and  the larger
drilling  mud particulate fractions.  Approximately  1/3  of the  disposed
material  (20,000 barrels  of cuttings and a  fraction of the drilling muds
per month) will be added to the sediments of the basin between 0.3 to 7.5
km  northwest of the dumpsite.

            The addition of the cuttings will  likely cause a  shift in the
grain  size  distribution  toward larger  fades,  primarily  evident nearest
the  point of  Impact  and decreasing in Impact  with  increasing  distance
northwest.

            Biologically,  t!ie shift  In grain  size  characteristics may
alter  benthic community   structure and/or  smother sessile  benthic organ-
isms  unable  to migrate  up  through  the  deposited  material.  Biological
loss 1s  expected  to  be minimal  and localized  since  basin productivity  is
low and  the community  exhibits low density, diversity, and random spatial
dispersion  throughout  the basin.

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S221.1 (f)  cont'd                                                     94


            The non-availability of chemical constituents of the drilling
muds  and  cuttings  to  animals precludes  any  adverse  toxicity  impacts.

Primary impacts  would  relate to  a change  of the  physical  environment
which in turn may alter the  biotic components  1n the area.


Endangered Species


            No adverse  short-term or  long-term  impacts on  any federally

endangered or  rare  species  are  expected from the  discharge  of drilling
muds and cuttings in the San Pedro Basin.


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