EFFECTS  OF
STRIP-MINE
DISCHARGES
MARINE
CAPE ROSIER
MAINE
 ON
IRON!
THE
Environmental  Prote
Region  I
Division of Surveillan
Needham Heights,
August, 1970
ction Agency

ce and Analysis
Massachusetts

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                                                          4155
         EFFECTS OF STRIP-MINE DISCHARGES

ON THE MARINE  ENVIRONMENT NEAR CAPE ROSIER, MAINE
         U. S.  Department of the Interior
       Federal  Water Quality Administration
            New England  Basins Office
                 Northeast Region
          Needham Heights, Massachusetts
                  August, 1970

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                            TABLE OF CONTENTS






                                                                   Page No.









SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS	    1




    Summary	    1




    Conclusions	    3




    Recommendations	    3




INTRODUCTION	    5




    Purpose	•	    5




STUDY AREA	    7




    General Description	    7




    The Mining Operation	    8




MATERIALS AND METHODS	   11




    Field  Procedures	   11




    Laboratory Procedures	   11




CHEMICAL RESULTS	   15




    Marine Waters	   15




    Sediments	•	   19




    Shellfish	   22




    Seaweeds	   28




    Ground Waters	   30




BIOLOGY	   37




    Faunal Composition	   37




    Bottom Sediments	•	   45

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                                                                  Page No.
    Study Area	   48




    Data Evaluation of Effluent and Control Areas	   48




    Seasonal lienthic Population Trends	   50




DISCUSSION	   53




REFERENCES	   57




APPENDIX	   58
                                   ii

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                              LIST OF TABLES







                                                                    Page No.







   I   Ground Water Locations                                          12






  II   Trace Metals in Cape Rosier Coastal Waters                      ^







  III   Trace Metals in Sediments                                       20






  IV   Metals Concentrations  in Soft-shell Clams                       24






   V   Metals Concentrations  in Seaweeds                               29






  VI   Metals  Concentrations  in Well Water                             33






  VII    Drinking Water Standards for  Metals  as Set Forth               ^5




        by Three Health Organizations






VIIIA   Percentage Values of Selected Study  Organisms-                 39




        Presented by Survey






VIHB   Total Numbers  and Percentage  Values  for Five Predominent       39




        Groups of Benthic Invertebrates






   IX   Benthic Invertebrates                                          41






   XA   Comparison of Total Numbers plus Percentage Values             47




        of Indicator Organisms in the Study Area






   XB   Comparison of Number of Kinds in Effluent and                  47




        Control Areas








                                      iii

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                              LIST OF  FIGURES
                                                                        Page  No,
1.   Survey and Station Locations, Cape Rosier,  Maine                     9

2.   Callahan Mine Complex                                               10

3.   Water Supply Sampling Locations                                     32

4.   Comparison of Total Organisms and Selected Indicator
     Organisms                                                           48
                                      iv

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                           APPENDIX
A-l       Shellfish Closure
A-2       Station Locations - Cape Rosier, Maine
                                                                Page No.
                                                                   60
A-3       Benthic Organisms Per Square Meter, Cape Rosier,         ,-,




          Maine - Phase I (Dec. 1967)







A-4       Benthic Organisms Per Square Meter, Cape Rosier,         gc




          Maine - Phase II (May, 1968)






A-5       Benthic Organisms Per Square Meter, Cape Rosier,         73




          Maine - Phase III (July, 1968)







A-6       Benthic Organisms Per Square Meter, Cape Rosier,         70




          Maine - Phase IV (Sept. 1968)

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SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS






Summary




At the request of the Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries and




the Maine Water and Air Environmental Improvement Commission, the Fed-




eral Water Quality Administration in cooperation with the United States




Public Health Service initiated a survey of the coastal waters of Cape




Rosier, Maine, in order to assess the effects of trace metal discharges




to the marine environment of the area.






A series of four surveys were accomplished on a quarterly basis from




December, 1967 to September, 1968.  Shellfish, marine waters, seaweeds,




sediments and ground water were collected during each of these surveys




for trace-metal analysis.  In addition, benthic organisms were also col-




lected and enumerated in order to determine the effect of the mine's




effluent on marine  populations.  A  fifth survey was conducted by the Maine




Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries during December, 1968, to assess the




background trace metal  levels in shellfish, marine water and sediments of




the surrounding area.






Trace metal values  of marine water  are quite variable from station to




station.  Environmental parameters  such as tidal stage, climatic condi-




tions and utilization of trace substances by marine organisms at the time




of sampling reduce  the  usefulness of trace metals in sea water as a basis




of representative conditions.






Although trace metal levels in sediments vary from station to station*
                                    -1-

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zinc and copper values In the area of the Callahan Mine effluent are




significantly higher than the average of all other stations.  Sediment-




tary zinc values in the area of the effluent range from 2.6 to 5.7 times




higher than the average of all other stations sampled.  Sedimentary




copper values in the effluent area range from 3.4 to 6.9 times higher




than the average of all other stations sampled.






Metals concentrations detected in shellfish of the effluent area are




high compared to background locations.






Zinc concentrations in seaweed from the effluent area range from 3 to 7




tiroes higher than other stations.  Copper concentrations in seaweed of




the effluent area range from 2 to 3 times higher than other stations.






Analyses of well water collected from selected  sites  in the Cape Rosier




area indicate that for the most part metals  levels are within the  limits




for drinking water set by the U.S. Public Health Service.  Some isolated




cases of lead concentrations in excess of USPHS Standards are noted.






Marine benthic  populations were sampled  and  evaluated during each  of  the




four surveys.   Two polychaete worms, Aricidea jeffreysii and Nephthys




incisa, are the most  abundant and uniformly  distributed species of the




Cape Rosier area.  Comparisons of the seasonal  trends of these  and other




species in the  effluent  and  control  areas  indicate no abnormal  effect




to  the marine adult  benthic  fauna, resulting from  the  strip-mine




discharge.

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Conclusions






1.   Zinc and copper values in sediments, seaweeds and shellfish of the




     effluent area indicate a heavy influx of these substances to the




     marine environment of Goose Cove.  Although limits for metals con-




     centration in shellfish have not been promulgated by any agency, it




     appears that the concentrations found in shellfish near the outfall




   .  may represent a potential health hazard, as Goose Cove is presently




     open for the taking of shellfish for human consumption (see page A-l).






2.   Except for isolated cases of excessive lead concentrations, trace




     metal levels in well water are within USPHS drinking water standards.






3.   Benthic population trends evaluated during the course of the survey




     indicate that the adult fauna of the Goose Cove area is able to toler-




     ate the effects of the mine's effluent.






Recommendations






1.   Because Goose Cove is open for taking of shellfish at the present time




     and a potential public health hazard, represented by the high metals




     concentrations present in shellfish of the Goose Cove area exists, it




     is recommended that further monitoring of this resource be undertaken




     by State authorities.






2.   In order to validly interpret the  long-term effects of trace-metal




     loadings to the marine environment, future biological work with rela-




     tion to metals should concentrate  on the larval stages of organisms
                                      -3-

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     rather than adult populations.  Work with the much more sensitive




     juvenile or larval stage will yield information on growth supres-




     sion and toxicity at this stage of development, which does not




     become obvious in the adult populations until life cycles are com-




     pleted.






3.   It is further recommended that future monitoring of public water




     supplies of the area be carried out to determine if the high lead




     concentrations detected at two Stations (11F and 14F) are persis-




     tant, as lead contamination of water supplies presents a definite




     public health hazard.
                                    -4-

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INTRODUCTION






Heavy metals discharged to the hydrosphere have long created




serious pollution problems because of the adverse effect excessive




amounts of metals have on aquatic life and the overall degradation




of water quality by them.  The immediate and long range effects of




heavy metals upon the life histories of marine organisms are not




completely understood or readily predicted.  For these reasons




particular attention is given to anomalous heavy metals concentra-




tions as potential hazards to the flora and fauna of the marine




environment.






Purpose






In November,  1967, the Maine  Department of Sea and  Shore Fisheries




and  the Maine Water  and Air Environmental  Improvement  Commission,




requested  the FWPCA, Northeast Region, to  conduct an  investigation




in the Cape Rosier coastal waters in order to  assess  the potential




hazards to marine  life which  may  result from the  discharge  of  metals




and  other  chemical wastes during  strip mining  operations.






Goose Falls,  a  small cove located on the  southeast  portion  of  Cape




Rosier, Maine,  is  the  source  of  sea water for  the aqueous  flotation




and  separation  process of the Cmllahan copper  and zinc strip mine




 located nearby. Goose Falls  also receives the effluent from this




process.






A series  of four surveys were conducted  by the FWPCA from the  period
                                 -5-

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Purpose (Cont.)






of December, 1967 to September, 1968 - the results of which have been




used in the determination of water quality in the area, the effects




it may have on marine life, and the notential public health hazard




posed by metals discharges.  A fifth survey was conducted by the




Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries to assess the background




trace metal level in shellfish, marine water and sediments of the area.
                                  -6-

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STUDY AREA







General Description






Cape Rosier is located in the central coastal section of the State of




Maine and constitutes a portion of Hancock County (See Fig. 1).  Cape




Rosier is a small, hilly, peninsular land body known for its natural




beauty and esthetic quality.  The Cape is surrounded by Castine Harbor




and the tidal waters of the Bagaduce River to the north, the open




waters of the Penobscot Bay to the west, and the island studded East




Penobscot Bay to  the south.  Prominent land marks in relation  to the




Cape  include the  City of Castine  (north), Isleboro Island  (west),




and Little Deer Isle (southeast)   Other portions of Hancock County




lie to the east and  include the Town of Brookville.






The coastline of  Cape Rosier is ruggedly typical of Maine.  Many




natural coves penetrate  the shoreline  and numerous fingerlike  land




formations penetrate the waters edge forming excellent  shelters for




man and wildlife  alike.   Picturesque islands of various sizes  dot




the northern and  southern  tips  of the  Cape.






The  economy of  Hancock County  is  orincipally dependent  upon the  fishing




 industry.  This area is recognized as  one  of the world's largest  pro-




ducers of lobsters and soft shell clams    Other  shellfish harvested




 for  profit include crabs and scallops.






 Cape  Rosier itself has a history of mining activity.   The Callahan




 Complex shown in Figure 2 is located in the vicinity of Goose Pond and
                                  -7-

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STUDY AREA (CONT.)






includes part of the Rosier Mines, now defunct.  Prior to this operation




Goose Pond, a tidal water pond was the only predominent inland water




body   Goose Pond has been drained, and presently a small, shallow,




fresh water pond and a man made ditch, Weir Cove ditch, exists in




this area.






The Mining Operation






The Callahan Mining Corporation started a copper and zinc strip mine




in early 1968.  The mining process involves removal of copper-zinc




ore from the strip-mine area to a crushing mill .  The ore is crushed




to a size of 3'8 of an inch and is then wet ground in a ball mill.




Various chemicals are then added to promote selective froth flotation:




a copper froth concentrate is removed first and then the zinc froth




concentrate is removed.






The ground materials remaining after the copper and zinc minerals have




been floated off plus the filtrate are pumped to a tailing pond.  The




mixture of solid material and sea water, or slurry as it is commonly




called, is estimated to settle to approximately 55 percent solids.  The




remaining water is pumped or allowed to overflow into an effluent pond.




The water from the effluent pond is then discharged to Goose Cove.




Rain and ground water which collects in the open pit mine is periodically




pumped directly to the effluent line.  Figure 2 depicts the general




flow of water through the mine complex.
                                 -8-

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                                                                   /     SURVEY  AREA  AND STATION LOCATIONS
                                                                                   CAPE  ROSIER,  MAINE
                                                                                   DECEMBER. 1967 - DECEMBER. 1968

                                                                                             LEGEND
                                                                                         • Station Location

                                                                                         •V On BoOui

                                                                                         • Known nviMraltratton of nwtafi at ihown on
                                                                                           mop* of  Colby* Atkj* Of Hancock Count y, 1971
                                                                                              [ Th«M Oft incfccottd 01 "coop«r")
                                                                                                                       ' v
                                                                            BLUE        HILL
   CAST     PENOBSCOT
          BAY
^
                                                                                                                    Flfl PI
^
                                                                                                                  FIGURE  I
                                                         -9-

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GOOSE FALLS COVE
                   UNDERWATER  EFFLUENT DISCHARGE
       SALT
      WATER  TO
      "~" MILL
                                          FRESH
                                           WATER
                                             POND
                                           INTERMITTANT  FLOW
                                                  fe. WEIR  COVE
                                                  'mr DITCH
                CALLAHAN  MINE  COMPLEX
                     CAPE ROSIER, MAINE
                         -10-
FIGURE  2

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MATERIALS AND METHODS






Field Procedures






Marine water samples were collected one foot off the bottom at all




stations with a Kemmerer water sampler.  Each sample was transferred to




a one liter plastic bottle and acidified for preservation.






Benthic samples were taken with a Petersen grab, an aliquot portion




removed and preserved with acid for sediment analysis and the remainder




put through a 0.5 mm screen.  Macrofaunal organisms retained on the




screen were removed to a jar and preserved with formaldehyde for




laboratory analysis.






Seaweed samples, Ascophylum nodosum, were hand picked at the closest




possible proximity to the actual station location.  These samples were




iced to retard biological degradation.






Ground water samples were collected by personnel of the Maine Water and




Air Environmental Improvement Commission at selected well sites around




the survey area- (See Table 1).






All clam samples were hand collected by the Maine Department of Sea and




Shore Fisheries.






Laboratory Procedures






Marine and ground water, seaweeds and sediments were analyzed for zinc,




cadmium, nickel, copper and lead concentrations by atomic absorption




spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer Model 303). December, 1967 and May,
                                 -11-

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Station
Number
                                 TABLE I
              GROUND WATER LOCATIONS  -  Dec.  1967  -  Sept.  1968
              Cape Rosier, Brookville,  Maine -  Harborside Area
   IF        From Property of Brainard Farnham.   This  is  a 63  foot  drilled
             well which serves two houses  -  one  now vacant.  There  is  some
             copper pipe,  but remainder is plastic.  This has  replaced
             older copper  pipe and when it was all  copper in 1962 a test
             showed.1 mg/1 copper,  The well is  at  first  house on right
             on old mine road.

   2F        From property of Malcolm Gray.   This is a dug well which  serves
             two houses (one near road and now vacant  and one  further  back).
             The cover is  nailed on.   The  pipe to the  sink is  plastic, but
             faucet and a  short piece of pipe is brass.   The well is repor-
             ted to be about 10 ft. (or a  little more) deep.   The well is
             on the east side of the road  at Harborside.

   3F        From property of Richard Howard Sr. The  well is  on west  side
             of road at Harborside.  It is a 315 ft. drilled well.   Pipe
             is all plastic.  Samples taken  from basement at pressure  tank.

   4F        From property of Murray  Bray,  but  is  a community veil serving
             ten houses, including Mr. Tracy Howard.  Flows out of  well
             casing in pit where sample was  taken.   This  is in area behind
             third house on right, west of Harborside  Corner.

   5F        From property of James Babbridge.   A spring  delivers water to
             house by plastic pipe with a  very little  copper in the house.
             This is the last house on shore side before  cove  west  of  Harbor-
             side Corner.
                                       -17-

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Station
Number
                              TABLE I (Cont.)

              GROUND WATER LOCATIONS - DEC. 1967 - SEPT. 1968
                      Cape Rosier, Brookville, Maine
                   Road from Harborside to Rosier Grange
                      All houses listed were sampled.
    6 F       Fifth house, west side.  Property of B. Redman.  This is a dug
              well less than 10 feet deep.  Sample was dipped from well after
              breaking ice one foot below top of well.

    7 F       Ninth house, east side.  Robert T. Howard.  Spring with house
              over it across the road and back 200 feet toward Harborside.
              Sample dipped from source.  Also serves eighth house west side
              of road near cemetary entrance.

    8 F       Tenth house, and store, west side.  Carl Leach.  Spring—plas-
              tic pipe.

    9 F       Eleventh house, east side G. Dyer.  Spring on C. Leach property-
              serves this and also next house.  This spring is covered and is
              located only a few yards from drainage ditch to Weir Cove.

   10 F       Callahan Mining Corp.
              Drilled well near Office and laboratory.  290 feet deep, samp-
              led at pump.

              Main Road — Rosier Grange toward Brooksville.

   11 F       Red house on east side of Weir Cove on side road - spring on
              property of Forest Tyson; water flows to cellar in iron pipe.
              Sampled at pump.

   12 F       Second house on east side of road - J.R. Gray property, Spring -
              concrete block and wooden cover.  Sample dipped from source.

   13 F       Horseshoe Market - Perry Smith property, Drilled well 92 feet
              deep, plastic pipe.  Sampled in washroom.  Apartment on second
              floor has copper pipe.
              This is at the "Creek School" location on USGS Map.

   14 F       Third house, west side, not counting trailer and market pro-
              perty of Rosco Rankin - has water rights to spring on Holbrook
              Wildlife Sanctuary.  Plastic Pipe; sampled at sink.
                                        -13-

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Laboratory Procedures (Cont.)






1968 analyses were performed at the Hudson-Delaware Basins Office of the




FWQA.  Subsequent analyses were performed at the New England Basins Office




of the FWQA.






Clam samples from all five surveys were analyzed for zinc, copper, iron,




manganese, nickel, cobalt, cadmium, lead, and chromium at the U. S.




Public Health Service Laboratory at Narragansett, Rhode Island.  Atomic




absorption spectrophotometry was also used for these analyses.







Benthic macrofauna collected during the first four quarterly surveys




were separated and microscopically identified at the New England Basins




Office of the FWQA.  Identification was performed utilizing standard




biological keys, and results were mathematically evaluated to detect




trends in the data.
                                    -14-

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RESULTS






Marine Waters






Quantities of trace metals found in sea water overlying the biological




sampling sites are shown in Table II.






To delineate the five surveys accomplished during the course of this




program, phase designations have been used as follows:




         Phase I - December, 1967




         Phase II- May, 1968




         Phase III - July, 1968




         Phase IV  - September, 1968




         Phase V - December, 1968




Phase I -  (Dec. 1967)






Trace metal values in marine waters  during the  initial  survey  showed




variable concentrations of these elements at  almost  all stations.  This




appears to be an indication of the active geology of the area, and must




be taken into consideration when assessing the  potential hazards of trace




metal contamination  in the marine environment.






Values  for zinc (in mg/1) ranged from 1.640  at  Station 9 to 0.047 at




Station 8, and an  average value of 0.361 mg/1 was obtained for all




stations.






Copper  values ranged from 0.302 at Station 9 to 0.042 at Station 7  and




an average value of  0.113 mg/1 was obtained  for all  stations.   Other




trace elements  (Cd,  Ni,  and Pb) were somewhat lower.
                                     -15-

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TRACE METALS IN CAPE ROSIER COASTAL WATERS,  MG/L




                    TABLE  II




          DECEMBER, 1967 TO JULY, 1968
Station
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
10
11
; 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Goose
Pond Br.
Zn
0.088
0.132
0.84
0.116
; 0.049
0.047
1.640
0.138
'
-
-
-
0.649
0.105
-
_
_
-
-

0.166
PHASE I
Cd Ni
0.003
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.000
0.001
0.001
0.002
-
-
-
-
0.001
0.001
-
.
—
-
-

0.002
0.061
0.004
0.050
0.020
0.021
0.020
0.009
0.031
-
-
-
-
0.008
0.025
.
_
_
-
-

0.026
Cu
0.070
0.109
0.093
0.087
0.042
0.117
0.302
0.117
-
-
-
-
0.187
0.073
-
.
_
-
-

0.047
Pb
0.08
0.01
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.09
0.04
0.08
-
-
-
-
0.00
0.00
-
-
-
-
-

0.00
PHASE II PHASE III
Zn Cd Ni Cu Pb Zn Cd Ni Cu Pb
<0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.070 <0.01 0.07 0.03 0.14 0.14 0.45
<0.01 
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••J
I
                            TRACE METALS IN CAFE ROSIER COASTAL WATERS, MG/L


                                                TABLE II  (cont)


                                      SEPTEMBER, 1968 TO DECEMBER, 1968
Station
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
24
25
27
28
29
30
31
32
Zn
0.105
0.035
0.030
0.030
0.035
0.030
0.040
0.060
0.035
0.135
0.040
0.035
0.045
0.095
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
PHASE IV
Cd Ni
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.025
0.025
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.025
0.04
-
_
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.06
0.06
0.10
0.06
0.14
0.14
0.10
0.06
0.14
0.10
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cu
0.230
0.090
0.065
0.080
0.105
0.090
0.100
0.135
0.090
0.200
0.100
0.075
0.105
0.245
-
-
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Pb
0.27
0.27
0.22
0.22
0.22
0.27
0.31
0.19
0.27
0.22
0.31
0.27
0.22
0.27
-
_
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Zn
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.02
.
0.02
0.03
0.015
0.015
0.02
0.04
0.015
Cd
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
.
0.02
-
0.02
0.03
0.01
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.02
PHASE V
Ni
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
.
-
-
-
-
o.
-
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.














10

10
06
01
06
10
10
10
Cu
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.035
-
0.030
0.08
0.015
0.02
0.035
0.045
0.035
Pb
_
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.20
-
0.20
0.23
0.08
0.20
0.27
0.20
0.20

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Phase II -(May 1968)






Except for copper, metals levels In coastal waters of the Cape Rosier




area decreased markedly during the Phase II survey, and in most cases




were below the minimum detection limit of the instrument used to analyze




them.






Copper concentrations varied somewhat from station to station as compared




to the Phase I results, but an average value of 0.132 mg/1 for all




stations closely approximates the average of the first survey.






Phase III - (July 1968)






Metals levels during the Phase III survey were generally higher than levels




found during Phase II.  Again copper was an exception to this variability




with an average value of 0.122 mg/1 for all stations.






Zinc values ranged from 0.28 mg/1 at Station 15 to 0.04 mg/1 at Station




20 and an average value of 0.085 mg/1 was obtained for all stations.






Lead values increased markedly during this Phase, reaching a maximum value




of 0.50 mg/1 at Station 3, and an average value of 0.37 mg/1 for all




stations.






Phase IV - (Sept. 1968)






During this Phase, average copper concentrations for all stations remained




somewhat similar to previous surveys at 0.122 mg/1.  Zinc concentrations




ranged from 0.135 mg/1 at Station 17 to 0.03 mg/1 at Stations 3, 4, and 8.
                                    -18-

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The average zinc value for all stations was 0.054 mg/1.  Lead concentrations




remained high, maximum values of 0.31 mg/1 being found at Station 9 and 18.




The average lead concentrations for all stations was 0.25 mg/1.






Phase V - (Dec. 1968)






Background samples collected during this time period tended to substantiate




high metals concentrations normal to the Cape Rosier area.  Although these




samples were apparently free from the effects of pollutional influx, trace




metal levels were fairly high at all stations, averaging 0.022, 0.079,




0.037, and 0.20 mg/1 for zinc, nickel,  copper, and  lead, respectively.






Sediments






Trace metal levels in sediments of the  Cape Rosier  area readily reflect




the long term  input of the mining operation on the  benthic environment,




as these sediments act as a storehouse  of  materials.   Results  of three




Phases (II, IV, and V) are shown on Table  III.   During all phases stations




near the Callahan Mine effluent (7, 8,  and 9) have  average trace metal




concentrations significantly higher than  the rest.






In May,  1968,  zinc values (in mg metal/kg dry material) ranged from 99.5




at Station 8  to 12.2 at Station 1.  Average  zinc values at Stations 7




and 8 were 2.6 times higher than the average of  all other stations.






During the September,  1968 survey, trace  metal  levels  in sediments




generally increased  at all stations.   Zinc values range from 228.00




mg/kg dry material at  Station 9 to 23.01  mg metal/kg dry material  at
                                     -19-

-------
                                     TABLE  III
Phase 11
Trace Metals In Sediments (Mg metal/kg dry material)
     Cape Rosier, Maine, May and September, 1968

                              Phase IV
                                   September









1
IS)
o
i









Station
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Ave.
Max.
Min.
Ave . of
Ave . of
others
zn
12.2
36.0
43.3
18.5
47.8
99.5
32.6
24.1
14.1
35 8
37.8
-
-
-
36.2
99.5
12.2
7&8 73.65
28.27

Factor,7&8 2.6

to others

Cd
0.26
0.32
0.30
0.18
0.36
0.44
0.18
0.28
0.15
0.15
0.15
-
-
-
0.25
0.44
0.15
0.40
0.22

1.8

Ni
7.09
8.80
11.22
8.88
13.64
21.96
18.37
13.45
13.50
6.78
14.82
-

.
12.59
21.96
6.78
17.80
11.43

1.6

Cu
5.51
5.62
8.37
4.81
9.93
26.79
7.69
10.39
1.96
1.01
3.39
-
-
.
7.77
26.79
1.01
18.36
5.42

3.4

Fb
3.59
2.97
3.05
2.40
3.35
5.27
3.17
3.62
2.35
2 80
3.15
-
-
.
3.25
5.27
2.35
4.31
3.01

1.4
zn
27.23
48.96
43.68
44.12
52.63
215.92
228.00
34.74
24.48
-
23.01
41.07
43.27
48.17
67.33
228.00
23.01
221.96
39.21

5.7

Cd
0.189
0.372
0.283
0.204
0.343
0.469
0.912
0.342
0.191
-
0.192
0.246
0.367
0.225
0.333
0.912
0.189
0.690
0.268

2.6

Ni
15.32
23.42
17.80
14.30
28.60
29.50
28.66
15.66
12.24
-
12.27
21.76
25.67
26.01
20.86
29.50
12.24
29.08
19.37

1.5

Cu
6.79
18.89
8.74
1818.07*
18.02
65.04
67.10
8.93
4.51
-
5.68
5.86
8.43
9.59
18.96
1818.07
4.51
66.07
9.54

6.9

Pb
7.79
5.85
8.90
75.99*
10.75
12.07
12.77
6.46
3.44
-
3.60
3.60
12.69
12.78
8.36
75.99
3.16
12.42
7.54

1.6 F

                                                                           Ave, of 8&9
                                                                    1.6  Factor 8&9 to others
                                                                         * Not included in Average

-------
                                                        TABLE III (Cont.)
i
N)
     Station
                                      Trace Metals in Sediments (mg metal/kg dry material)
                                          Cape Rosier, Maine  December, 1968 (Phase V)
Cd
Ni
Cu
Pb
22
23
8,9
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
St. George
River
16.11
9.80
109.23
32.04
26.94
24.87
12.33
5.35
14.64
17.21
9.02
10.18
31.25

0.18
0.13
0.62
0.21
0.13
0.18
0.08
0.01
0.10
0.07
0.08
0.04
0.13

4.17
4.72
14.69
7.92
11.08
11.66
3.80
2.34
7.12
12.05
4.14
5.22
12.28

3.11
1.54
19.74
2.90
3.48
3.34
2.53
0.74
2.48
2.41
1.41
1.67
6.14

2.22
2.97
19.28
4.38
6.74
6.80
6.48
1.00
6.30
3.44
2.44
2.09
14.51

     Note i   Phase III Sediment Samples - Laboratory accident.   No values Reported.


            Sedimnt »amples not  collected during Phase I (refer to Interim Report on Cape Rosier)
                                                                        (1)

-------
Sediments (Cont.)






Station 18.  Average zinc values at Stations 8 and 9 were 5.7 times higher




than the average of all other stations.  It should be noted that at Station 4




during this Phase extremely high copper and lead values were noted in the




sediment (1818.07 mg Cu/kg dry material and 75.99 mg Pb/kg dry material.




Trace metal levels in seaweeds and clams at this station, although high,




do not reflect such an abnormal concentration to be present.  For this




reason it is felt that an enriched piece of material was picked up at this




Station during sampling and is not representative of conditions of the area.






Copper values for all stations during this Phase ranged from 1818.07 mg




metal/kg dry material at Station 4 to 4.51 mg metal/kg dry material at




Station 16.  Average copper values for Stations 8 and 9 were 5.7 times




higher than the average of all other stations, excluding Station 4.






Background samples collected during December, 1968 (Phase V) reflect the




same general trend of sediment metals concentrations found in previous




surveys.  Stations near the effluent area demonstrated much higher metal




values, especially with respect to copper and zinc, than other stations.







Shellfish





For some time it has been understood that shellfish, expecially the




bivalves, have the ability to selectively concentrate heavy metals to




levels greater than those found within their environment.  Many heavy




metals are known to be detrimental to human health.  The contamination




of edible shellfish by heavy metals, therefore, can present a serious




health hazard.  In general, shellfish accumulate metals by osmosis
                                     -22-

-------
Shellfish (Cont.)







directly from the hydrosphere and by feeding on organisms in lower trophic




levels which also have the faculty of metals uptake.







The fact that Goose Cove (Figure 2) receives the effluent from the zinc




and copper metal processing complex of the Callahan Mine operation indicates




the possibility of metals entering the marine water and shellfish of Cape




Rosier, Maine.  Metals analyses were conducted on the softshell clam,




Mya arenaria, for the determination of the presence and concentration of




nine metals.







Clams were qualitatively sampled from selected areas on the coast of




Cape Rosier and included the Goose Cove effluent area.  The bulk of




these data are presented on Table IV.






Phase I







Shellfish in the effluent area (Stations 8 and 9) exhibited slightly




higher metals concentrations than other stations.  Copper concentrations




in shellfish of this area were 4.8 mg/kg wet tissue compared to average




copper concentrations of 2.9 mg/kg wet tissue for all other stations.




Zinc concentrations in shellfish of the effluent area were 18.8 mg/kg




wet tissue compared to 13.8 mg/kg wet tissue for all other stations.




Other metals (See Table V) showed similar trends in concentrations.






Phase II







Metals levels in shellfish during this Phase generally increased at all
                                      -23-

-------
                                                          TABLE IV
                                METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN SOFT SHELL CLAMS - Mg/Kg WET TISSUE

                                                    CAPE ROSIER,  MAINE
                                Phase  I (December,  1967)
Phase II (May, 1968)
.p-
I
Station
1
2
4
6
7
8
9
11
14
Zn
14.7
12.6
15.2
13.3
13.6
18.5
19.1
13.7
-
Cu
2.8
3.2
3.0
3.1
2.4
4.9
4.6
2.7
-
Fe
93.6
123.8
138.9
154.0
75.1
526.0
759.7
286.7
-
Mn
2.4
5.9
6.0
5.9
1.3
20.2
21.4
39.9
-
Ni
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
6.2
0.3
-
Co
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.6
-
Cd
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.1
-
Pb
2.4
1.5
1.4
1.8
1.2
4.9
2.4
2.2
-
Cr Zn
0.2
1.4
1.1
0.8
0.3
1.4
1.2
2.0
-
16.6
13.8
14.4
16.6
16.6
45.2
28.4
16.2
14.9
Cu
2.7
2.3
4.3
2.6
4.6
8.4
6.8
1.6
2.5
Fe
89.8
262.0
678.2
513.5
281.8
1709.0
131.1
122.4
682.2
Mn
68.2
17.3
43.8
8.0
3.9
204.3
23.4
22.4
28.6
Ni
0.7
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.1
2.1
0.6
1.4
Co
0.1
0.7
0.9
0.5
0.7
1.2
0.7
0.0
0.8
Cd
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.2
0.1
0.8
0.3
0.1
0.1
Fe
4.6
1.1
3.2
2.4
2.1
19.5
17.0
0.5
2.5
Cr
4.2
1.3
1.6
2.2
1.4
3.9
2.1
0.6
2.5

-------
I
to
01
I
                                                    TABLE IV (CONT.)



                             METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN SOFT SHELL CLAMS - Mg/Kg WET TISSUE



                                                  CAPE ROSIER, MAINE
                    Phase III (July, 1968)


                    Cu    Fe    Mn    Ni   Co   Cd   Pb   Cr
Station    Zn


   1      20.1   1.8  327.0  15.6  2.5  0.5  0.1  2.4  1.2


   2      17.3   1.8  177.3  10.9  0.8  0.0  0.1  2.2  1.2


   4      18.1   1.6  189.2   8.3  0.2  0.0  0.1  1.9  0.2


   6      15.0   2.2  145.5   3.2  0.2  0.0  0.1  1.6  0.4


   7      15.4   1.6   76.7   1.8  0.1  0.0  0.1  1.5  0.2


   8      69.6   4.8  868.5  37.4  0.6  0.5  0.6  5.3  1.3


   9      36.5   3.0  123.1   2.9  0.0  0.0  0.3  2.5  0.4


  11      14.6   2.3  330.2  34.1  0.8  0.4  0.1  0.2  1.3


  14      16.4   1.4  305.5  34.3  1.5  0.5  0.1  1.4  0.2
 Zn
Phase IV (September, 1968)


Cu    Fe    Mn    Ni   Co   Cd   Pb   Cr
13.9   3.1 1028.0  341.2 1.2  1.3  0.1  2.5  1.2


12.6   2.0  115.8    2.9 0.7  1.9  0.1  1.1  0.5


43.6   7.5 1181.0   80.6 2.0  0.5  0.7 14.0  1.5


15.6   3.3  477.0    5.5 2.7  0.3  0.1  1.7  1.7


17.4   2.9  580.3   19.9 1.1  0.0  0.1  1.9  1.2


35.6   4.6 1942.0  101.8 1.1  0.7  0.6 12.4  1.7


13.4   4.0  690.0  174.3 1.9  1.0  0.2  2.2  1.2


12.5   2.6  430.2    3.6 0.2  0.2  0.2  2.2  1.3


16.5   2.2 2971.0  191.4 1.5  1.5  0.2  5.6  1.4

-------
I
NJ
                                                  TABLE IV(Cont.)


                                                  REFERENCE STATIONS


                                                       PHASE V


                              METALS CONCENTRATIONS OF SOFT SHELL CLAMS  MG/KG WET TISSUE


                                                    December,  1968
Station
8
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Cu
2.9
2.0
1.4
1.2
1.1
2.9
0.9
0.9
1.6
1.7
1.3
Zn
34.7
16.9
11.6
12.5
9.8
13.8
10.4
8.9
8.8
11.0
10.9
Cd
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.4
Pb
7.1
2.4
1.3
1.8
0.0
1.1
1.7
1.0
0.8
0.9
0.9
Co
1.2
0.5
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
Fe
1722.0
766.4
287.5
876.3
196.7
199.1
225.8
355.8
654.8
530.3
262.6
Cr
3.3
6.4
2.7
3.4
3.2
4.5
5.1
5.1
2.6
1.3
2.6
Mn
189.4
21.6
19.2
21.6
4.0
4.3
21.5
21.5
17.1
4.6
3.8
Ni
1.61
2.2
1.5
1.5
1.5
0.8
2.1
2.1
1.4
0.9
1.0

-------
Phase II (Cont.)






stations.






Copper and zinc concentrations in shellfish of the effluent area averaged




7.6 and 36.8 mg metal/kg wet tissue, respectively.  Copper and zinc




concentrations in shellfish of all other areas averaged 2.9 and 15.6 mg




metal/kg wet tissue, respectively.  There was also a significant increase of




lead in shellfish of the effluent area.






Phase III






Zinc concentrations increased slightly for all stations, and significantly




in the effluent area (3310 mg Zn/kg wet tissue).  Copper concentrations




generally decreased during this Phase to 1.8 mg/kg wet tissue at all stations




outside the effluent area, and 3.9 mg/kg wet tissue in the effluent area.




Lead and chromium concentrations in shellfish of the effluent area also




decreased, while cadmium remained constant.






Phase IV






Zinc concentrations increased to 18.9 mg/kg wet tissue in shellfish of all




stations outside the effluent area and decreased to 24.5 mg metal/kg wet




tissue in the effluent area.  Copper concentrations in shellfish increased




in both the effluent area and other stations.  Lead and chromium concentra-




tions in shellfish of the effluent area increased, while cadmium remained
               f



constant.
                                     -27-

-------
Phase V







Copper concentrations in shellfish of the effluent area decreased to




2.9 mg metal/kg tissue, while zinc increased to 34.7 mg/kg.  Lead




and cadmium also decreased while chromium increased.  Other stations




sampled during this Phase cannot be directly compared with previous




phases, because station locations were changed.






Seaweeds







Metals concentrations in seaweeds Ascophylum nodosum from the Cape




Rosier area reflect long-term metals loadings in the marine environment.




Seaweeds, unlike clams, obtain metals by direct exchange with the




hydrosphere, utilizing dissolved materials.  On the other hand, clams




more readily utilize particulate matter which contains metals previously




assimilated such as detrital material and aggregates.  For this reason,




seaweeds may be considered a primary consumer of metals from the




environment, and clams a secondary one utilizing metals that have already




passed through at least one trophic level.






Table V shows metals concentrations in seaweeds in the Cape Rosier area




reported on dry weight basis.  As in the case with clams and sediments,




seaweeds at Station 8 and 9 near the effluent of the Callahan Mine,




exhibited metals concentrations much higher than surrounding areas.







Generally, seaweeds at Station 9 contained higher concentrations of




metals during April and July, while in September, highest values were




reported at Station 8.
                                     -28-

-------
                                                     TABLE V


                             METALS  CONCENTRATIONS  IN  SEAWEEDS, MG/KG  DRY MATERIAL


                                     CAPE ROSIER  - APRIL  1968  TO SEPTEMBER 1968
                  JHASE II  -  APRIL
PHASE III - JULY
PHASE IV - SEPTEMBER
Station
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
10
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Max.
Kin.
Ave.
8 f. 9
Ave.
f\f_ i_
Others
Factor
Zn Cd
113.07 0.66
92.53 0.66
103.05 1.11
105.23 0.63
207.12 1.29
256.20 0.14
478.92 4.16
131.36 0.78
107.73 0.71
98.35 0.93
94.51 0.62
109.21 1.27
- -
.
-
478.92 4.16
92.53 0.14
367.56 2.15

116.22 0.87


8 & 9 to 3.2 2.5
Others

Ni
3.29
13.09
2.09
22.74
2.98
5.44
3.90
5.53
8.93
9.08
4.55
3.43
_
_
-
22.74
2.09
4.67

7.57


0.6

Cu Pb
7.36 4.47
8.86 4.63
5.43 4.84
7.26 3.90
5.05 4.79
12.81 6.69
19.26 4.05
6.31 4.06
6.24 5.39
7.42 3.89
6.24 4.10
6.60 4.40
_ _
_
-
19.26 6.69
5.05 3.89
16.04 5.37

6.68 4.45


2.4 1.2

Zn Cd Ni Cu Pb Zn Cd Ni Cu Pb
37.0 0.33 0.50 2.61 2.03 56.8 0.30 4.28 5.98 3.93
34.6 0.22 1.10 2.36 1.25 49.0 0.27 7.86 5.66 3.06
31.9 0.14 0.70 1.06 1.06 117.7 0.22 4.77 6.20 2.86
39.4 0.23 1.18 2.28 1.97 107.2 0.25 3.57 6.19 2.61
49.0 0.17 1.74 2.90 1.39 90.5 0.38 5.45 5.72 4.47
91.0 0.21 1.21 2.88 1.21 871.3 0.82 6.54 22.99 8.71
119.4 0.79 6.21 7.01 2.48 230.1 0.49 3.08 9.04 4.64
— — •• — — • «• ™ _«.
41.1 0.32 1.02 3.24 2.05 48.0 0.25 3.75 4.52 0.95
15.9 0.21 0.15 3.02 0.63 51.9 0.24 3.65 4.68 1.90
33.6 0.22 1.49 1.75 1.49 143.7 0.50 9.95 4.88 5.19
20.4 0.16 0.61 - 1.22 69.5 0.19 5.24 3.96 1.16
48.4 0.22 5.39 3.86 - 97.6 0.33 5.51 5.02 2.98
54.0 0.19 1.73 2.54 1.54 65.0 0.84 3.42 4.31 1.85
25.2 0.18 0.78 1.82 1.25 39.5 0.08 6.30 7.06 1.85
119.4 0.79 6.21 7.01 2.48 871.3 0.84 6.54 22.99 8.71
15.9 0.14 0.15 1.06 0.63 39.5 0.08 3.08 3.96 0.95
105.2 0.50 3.71 4.94 1.84 550.7 0.66 4.81 16.02 6.68

33.6 0.22 0.94 2.40 1.45 78.0 0.37 5.31 5.35 2.73


3.1 2.3 4.0 2.1 1.3 7.1 1.8 0.9 3.0 2.4

I
to
vD
I

-------
Seaweeds (Cont.)






Average values for zinc at Stations 8 and 9 were significantly higher for




all surveys than the average of all other stations, ranging from 3.1 to




7.1 times higher during July and September, respectively.






Maximum values for zinc occurred at Station 8 during September when a




concentration of 871.3 rag/kg dry material was detected in the seaweeds.




The highest value occurring at Station 9 was 478.92 mg/kg during April.







Copper concentrations in seaweeds were also high in the effluent area,




ranging from 2 to 3 times higher than the average of all other stations




during July and September, respectively.






Maximum copper concentrations in seaweeds at Station 8 occurred during




September (22.99 mg/kg), while at Station 9 the maximum occurred in




April (19.26 mg/kg).






The abundance of other metals (Cd, Ni, and Pb) was not as pronounced in




the effluent area as copper and zinc.  However, in most cases they were




above values found at other stations.







Ground Waters






Ground water collected from locations near the Callahan Mine complex




were analyzed for the metals zinc, cadmium, nickel, copper, and lead.




The purpose of these analyses was to determine whether or not the




mine was causing metals contamination of the well water used for drinking




by local inhabitants of Cape Rosier.  When subjected to water, metals
                                      -30-

-------
Ground Waters (Cont.)






can be leached from the ground and transported into ground water systems




from which well water is drawn.  If incidents of heavy metal loadings




occur, serious health hazards can result.







Table VI lists the concentrations of the five metals analyzed, and




Figure 3 indicates the approximate sample locations.  Table VII which




indicates the drinking water standards for metals as set forth by three




health organizations serves as an aid in distinguishing if the Cape Rosier




well waters are meeting recommended and allowable concentrations for




certain metals.






Since nickel is not listed on the standards  table, no direct conclusions




can be derived for this metal except that it  is not considered harmful




to human beings in small concentrations.  Zinc, cadmium and copper appear




to be well within acceptable limits for drinking water for Phases I,




III, and IV.







The data indicate that lead was also within  limits except  during Phase  I




and III for certain stations.  During Phase  I Stations 11F and  14F had




lead concentrations of 0.09 mg/1 and 0.08 mg/1  respectively.  These




concentrations are greater than the maximum  allowable USPHS limit of




0.05 and approach WHO International  and WHO European limits  of 0.10.
                                      -31-

-------
                                   GOOS6 FALLS COVE
WATER  SUPPLY  SAMPLING  LOCATIONS

          CAPE  ROSIER, MAINE

        DECEMBER, 1967-DECEMBER, 1968
                   -32-
FIGURE 3

-------
I
u>
                                                        TABLE VI



                                        Metals Concentration - mg/1 in Well Water

                               Cape Rosier, Maine  December, 1967 - September, 1968
Station
IF
2F
3F
4F
5F
6F
7F
8F
9F
10F
11F
12F
13F
I4F
PHASE
Zn
1.5.
1.6
0.1
0.1
1.6
0.1
0.02
1.6
0.03
0.07
1.6
0.04
0.05
0.05
I
Cd
0.0
0.001
0.0
0.002
0.001
0.0
0.001
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.001
0.0
0.001
0.0
Ni
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.0
0.01
0.05
0.04
0.05
0.03
0.03
0.03
.04
Cu
0.5
0.01
0.05
0.03
0.06
0.2
0.005
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.01
0.14
0.05
Pb Zn
0.0
0.0
0.02
0.0
0.0
0.01
0.0
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.09
0.0
0.01
0.08
Goose Pond
At Weir
Cove
0.03

0.0

.03

0.02

0.0

< .01
1.3
0.4
< .01
0.8
-
< .01
< .01
< .01
< .01
-
< .01
< .01
< .01

< .01

Cc
<
<
<
<
<

<
<
<
<

<
<
<

<

PHASE II
1
.01
.01
.01
.01
.01
-
.01
.01
.01
.01
-
.01
.01
.01

.01

Ni
< .01
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.02
_
< .01
0.15
< .01
< .01
-
< .01
< .01
< .01

< .01

Cu
0.4
0.1
0.1
0.07
0.2
-
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.06
-
0.04
0.08
0.09

0.04


<
<
<
<
<

<
<
<
<

<
<
<

<

Pb
.01
.01
.01
.01
.01
_
.01
.01
.01
.01
-
.01
.01
.01

.01

     Phase I - December, 1967



     Phase II - May, 1968

-------
             PHASE III
                  TABLE VI  (Cont.)

     Metals Concentration - mg/1 in Well Water
Cape Rosier, Maine  December, 1967 - September, 1968
                                  PHASE IV
Station
IF
2F
3F
4F
5F
6F
7F
8F
9F
10F
11F
12F
13F
14F
Goose Fond at
Weir Cove
Zn
.
1.07
0.11
0.04
0.47
.
0.03
0.72
0 07
0 04
-
0.02
0.03
0.04

.
Cd
.
0.01
< .004
< .004
< .004
-
< .004
< .004
< .004
< .004
-
< .004
0.008
< .004

_
Ni Cu
0.03
<.01 0.05
<.01 0.25
<.01 0.04
<.01 0.15
-
<.01 0.04
<.01 0.04
<.01 0.0
<.01 0.03
.
<.01 0.02
<.01
<.01 0.11

_ _
Pb Zn
.
< .03
< .03
< .03
< .03
_
< .03
< .03
0.05
< .03
.
0.05
< .03
0.1

0.0
0.68
0.08
0.08
0.45
0.09
< 0.01
-
0.01
0.02
_
_
0.01
0.05

.
Cd
< .004
< .004
< .004
< .004
< .004
-
< .004
-
< .004
< .004
-
.
< .004
< .004

_
Ni
< .01
< .01
< .01
< .01
< .01
-
< .01
-
< .01
< .01
.
-
< .01
< .01

_
Cu
< .005
0.03
< .01
< .005
0.120
_
< .005
_
< .005
< .005
_
_
0.03
0.25

„
Pb
< .03
< .03
< .03
< .03
< .03
_
< .03
_
< .03
< .03
_
_
< .03
< .03

—
Phase III - July, 1968

Phase IV  - September, 1968

-------
CJ
                                                        TABLE VII

                                            Drinking Water Standards  For Metals (mg/1)
                                         as set forth by three Health Organizations

       ELEMENT    .    WHO INTERNATIONAL - 1958	WHO EUROPEAN  -( 1961)	U.S.P.H.S.  (1962)

Cadmium
Chromium
^Hexavaleni
Copp*r
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Zinc
Permissive
Limit
--
t) --
1.0
0.3
--
0.1
5.0
Excessive Maximum
Limit Allowable
--
0.05
1.5
1.0
0.1
0.5
15
Recommended
Limit
--
—
3.0*
0.1
--
0.1
5.0
Tolerance
Limit
0.05
0.05
--
--
0.1
--
_ _
Recommended
Limit
--
—
1.0
0.3
--
0.05
5.0
Maximum
Limit
0.01
0.05
--
--
0.05
--
_-
      * After  16 hours  contact with new  pipes;

      But water entering a  distribution  system  should have  less  than 0.05 mg/1 of copper.

-------
Ground Waters (Cont.)






During Phase III both Stations 9F and 12F have lead concentrations




of 0.05 mg/1.  These are maximum allowable by USPHS Standards.  Station




1AF has a concentration for lead of 0.10 mg/1.  This is two times greater




than the USPHS figure and equal to maximum for WHO International and




equals the tolerance limit for WHO European.
                                      -36-

-------
BIOLOGY






A marine survey in the water surrounding Cape Rosier, Maine was per-




formed to evaluate the effects of a strip mine effluent on benthic




invertebrate life in the outfall area.






Sampling was undertaken outside of Goose Cove to establish a control




area which was relatively free of the strip mine discharge and had a




bottom sediment composition similar to the effluent area.  The survey




was initiated in December 1967, before the strip mine was operational to




establish the composition of the benthic community for comparison with




the three surveys (May, July, and September,  1968) performed after the




mine began discharging the waste.  Surveys were conducted during different




times of the year to establish seasonal patterns and determine if any




organisms exerted a major controlling influence on the community.  A




comparison of population trends of benthic invertebrate  life within the




control and effluent area was made to evaluate the influence of the strip




mine effluent.






Faunal Composition






Benthic marine animals are divided into two ecologically different groups:




the epifauna and the infauna.  (9)  The epifauna comprises those animals




living upon or associated with rocks, stones, shells,  pilings, and




vegetation either sitting upon or crawling on these  substrata.  The




infauna comprises those animals  living buried in or  digging  into  the




substratum.  They are most abundant below the intertidal zone, which was




the area  sampled for these surveys.
                                  -37-

-------
The infaunal environment of the sublittoral zone is more stable than




the epifaunal environment.  It is constantly covered with water and is




therefore not subjected to drastic temperature changes, winter ice, and




land predators, such as shore birds.  The infauna, being continuously




exposed to the strip mine effluent, would be the most likely to show any




adverse effects that might be attributed to the mine.  Because of this




environmental stability and because of their uniform distribution over




broad geographical areas, the infaunal forms were emphasized in this study.






  Iversity in kinds and numbers of benthic marine fauna was found in the




level, muddy, bottom communities of the sheltered coves of Cape Rosier




and of Nautilus and Ram Islands.






The predominent form of benthic life, in terms of total numbers, was the




marine polychate worm.  This class of invertebrates made up an average




of 76% (Table VIIIB) of the total December to September sample population.




Second and third in order of abundance were the amphipods (Class Crustacea),




averaging 12% and the nematodes, which averaged 6%.  Cumaceans (Class




Holothurioidea) and bivalves were fourth and fifth in numbers, each




comprising 1% of the population.






 ?wo polychaete worms, Arcidea jeffreysii and Nephthys incisa> both members




of the infauna, were the most abundant and uniformly distributed species




of the Cape Rosier Survey.  Aridicea jeffreysii comprised from 33% to




39% (Table VIIIA) of the  total organisms in each of the four surveys and




was found in 78% (Table IX) of the sample stations.  Nephthys incisa
                                        -38-

-------
                                                         TABLE VIII
                                                            1            o
                                         A-Percentage Values  of Selected1^ Study

                                              Organisms-Presented by Survey


                                                Cape Rosier, Maine 1967-68
u>

Organisms December
Aricidea jeffreysii 39.35%
Nephthys incisa 45.227,
Nematoda (Class) .127.
Corophium volutator 1.557,,
Prionospio steenstrupi
May
37.62%
10.06%
22.447.
6 . 50%
2.70%
Survey
July
33.30%
10.74%
2.87%
7 . 53%
4.60%
B-Total Numbers and Percentage Values1 for Five Predominent
of Benthic Invertebrates - Presented by Survey
Cape Rosier, Maine 1967-68
Survey
December
May
July
September
Average
Polychaetes Amphipods
Total Total
No. 1* No. 7.*
52,528 92.177. 2,670 4.687.
94,459 60.28% 15,260 9.747.
75,738 72.207. 23,212 22.13%
50,470 80.86% 9,072 14.53%
68,299 76.387. 12,554 12.777.
Nematodes
Total
No.
70
35,154
3,010
952
9,796
September
46.63%
18.55%
1.52%
3.84%
4.75%
Groups
Cumaceans Bivalves
Total Total
%* No. %* No.
.121 644
22.44% 2,072
2.87% 966
1.52% 672
6.74% 1,088
1.13% 798
1.32% 882
.92% 1,288
1.08% 658
1.11% 906

%*
1.40%
.56%
1.23%
1.05%
1.06%
         Percentage  values refer to percent contribution to total number of organisms in survey

         Selected organisms are the first five listed in Table IX


         Percent of  total organisms

-------
contributed 10% to 45% (Table VIIIA) of the total organisms in each of the




surveys and was present in 91% (TableK) of the stations.  Together,




these two species of marine polychaete worms comprised 55% of the total




number of organisms in the survey (Table IX).






Aricidea jeffreysii, a member of the Paraonidae family, is a small,




delicate, threadlike worm living a sedentary existance in a fragile




tube while feeding indiscriminately in the upper layers of the sediment.




Paraonids such as Acididea jeffreysii are thought to be more widely




distributed than their sparse records might indicate since they are in




general, very small and easily overlooked. (3)  Only a sieve with a




small mesh size opening such as the .595 mm used in this survey will




retain them.  This polychaete was first in order of abundance making up




38% of all animals (Table IX).






The second most dominant organism, Nephthys incisa, constituting 16% of




all organisms (Table IX) is also a non-selective deposit feeder which




burrows into the flocculent layer that lies loosely on the surface of




the sediment and into the gray silty layer just below.  This marine




worm has an eversible proboscis with a pair of horny teeth enabling it




to perform as a carnivore, but the existing literature has reported it




to be a deposit feeder when found in soft, muddy bottoms.  (4)  Since




predators are not believed to be stable members of the infauna, it is




important to realize that in the Cape Rosier area Nephthys incisa feeds




on the sediments.  It is, therfore, considered to be an acceptable or-




ganism for use in the comparison of the control and effluent stations.(5)




The two organisms discussed above, Aricidea jeffreysii and Nephthys incisa,
                                  -40-

-------
                                              TABLE NO. IX
                                         BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES
                                     Listed in Order of Abundance
                                        CAPE ROSIER 1967 - 1968
Rank         Species
  1  Aricidea jef f reysi^i
  2  Nephthys incisa
  3  Nematoda
  4  Corophium volutator
  5  Prionospio steenstrupi
  6  Scolecolepides viridis
  7  Marine oLigochaete
  8  PhoxerphaLus holbolli
  9  Ampithoe spp.
 10  Capitella capitata
 11  Scoloplos acutus
 12  Cumaceans
 13  Pholoe minuta
 14  Ampelisca macrocephala
 15  Harmothoe extenuata
 16  Tryphosa pinguis
 17  Ninoe nigripes
 18  Apistobranchus tullbergi
 19  Allorchestes littoralis
 20  Polydora cilita
 21  Phyllodoce groenlandica
 22  Ammotrypane aulogaster
 23  Sjpj-o s_etosa
 24  Amphicteis gunneri
Number of
Individuals

145,404
 64,386
 39,186
 21,420
 12,040
 10,108
  7,910
  7,658
  7,406
  6,958
  5,726
  4,354
  4,298
  3,976
  3,052
  3,052
  2,870
  2,786
  2,142
  1,428
  1,386
    952
    952
    854
o/o of Total
Organisms

38,161
16.898
10.284
   622
   160
   653
   076
   010
   944
 1.826
 1.503
 1.143
 1.128
 1.044
  .812
  .801
  .753
  .731
  .562
  .374
  .364
  .250
  .250
  .224
Cumulative o/o
by Number

38,161
55.059
65.343
70.965
74.125
76.778
78.854
80.864
82.808
84.634
86.137
87.280
88.408
89.452
90.264
91.065
91.818
92.549
93.111
93.485
93.849
94.099
94.349
94.573
o/o Occurrence in
all Samples Taken

78.26
91.30
34.78
60.87
34.78
21.74
 2.17
47.83
34.78
58.70
36.96
60.87
34.78
54.35
34.78
21.74
54.35
10.87
13.04
 4.35
26.09
41.30
 2.17
15.22
  Class
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Nematoda
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Olicochaeta
Crustacea
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Holothurioidea
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta

-------
fe
I
      Rank    Species
25      Mya arenaria
26      Cirratulus arandis
27      Clymella torquata
28      Gananarus marlnus
29      Cossura longocirrata
30      Nucula proxima
31      Periploma fragilis
32      Echinarachnius parna
33      Mytilus edulls
34      Melita dentata
35      Ostracod
36      Diplocirrus hirsutus
37      Harmothoe Imbricate
38      Eteone lactea
39      Lumbrineris tenuls
40      Polydora llgnl
41      Littprlna littorea
42      Macoma balthlca
43      Pectlnaria gouldll
44      Ampharete acutlfrons
45      Nereis arenaceodonta
46      Strongylocentrotus
          drobachlensls
47      Glycera dlbranchiata
48      Nephthys caeca
49      Anonyx nugax
50      Leptocheirus pinguis
51      Spisula solidissima
52      Clymenella zonalis
53      Eulalia billneata
54      Lumbrineris fragllis
Number of
Individuals

   770
   756
   742
   728
   658
   602
   574
   504
   476
   448
   448
   406
   392
   378
   351
   334
   322
   308
   308
   252
   252

   252
   238
   224
   210
   196
   196
   168
   168
   168
o/o of Total
Organisms

   .202
   .198
   .195
   .191
   .173
   .158
   .151
   .132
   .125
   .118
   .118
   .107
   .103
   .099
   .092
   .088
   .084
   .081
   .081
   .066
   .066

   .066
   .062
   .059
   .055
   .051
   .051
   .044
   .044
   .044
Cumulative o/o
by Number

   94.775
   94.793
   95.168
   95.359
   95.532
   95.690
   95.841
   95.973
   96.098
   96.216
   96.334
   96.441
   96.544
   96.643
   96.735
   96.823
   96.907
   96.988
   97.069
   97.135
   97.201

   97.267
   97.329
   97.388
   97.443
   97,494
   97,545
   97,589
   97,633
   97.677
o/o Occurrence in
all Samples Taken

      30.44
      17.39
      13.04
       6.54
      17.39
      21.74
       6.52
      10.87
      23.91
       8.70
      15.22
      15.22
      17.39
      28.26
      26.09
      17.39
       6^52
      23.91
      17.39
       6.52
      10.87

      19.56
       4.35
       8.70
       2.17
       6.52
       2.17
       4.35
       4.35
      15.22
                                                                                                     Class
Pelecypoda
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Pelecypoda
Pelecypoda
Echinoidea
Pelecypoda
Crustacea
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Gastropoda
Pelecypoda
Polydora
Polychaeta
Polychaeta

Echinoidea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Crustacea
Pelecypoda
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta

-------
Rank
Species
Nunfoer of
Individual
% of Total
Organisms
Cumulative
 by Nurrber
% Occurrence in
  all Sartples
    Taken
Class
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
Spisula polynma
Eteone lonqa
Edotea triloba
Acmaea testudinalis
Cythura carinata
Scoloplos rubustus
Terebellides stroemi
Tellina agilis
Arabella iricolor
Lyonsia hyalina
Macoma tenta
Nassarius" trivittatus
Paraphoxus spinosus
Paraonis fulgens
Acarina
Gnathia spp.
Lysianopsis alba
Notonastus luri'dus
Aitpharete gracilis
Anphicteis extenuata
Corophium cylindricium
Glyoera capitata
Meterythrops robusta
Pherusa afrinis
Potamilla neglecta
Stemaspis fossor
Asterias forbesi
Caprellidea
                                   154
                                   140
                                   140
                                   126
                                   112
                                   112
                                   112
                                   112
                                    98
                                    98
                                    98
                                    84
                                    84
                                    70
                                    56
                                    56
                                    56
                                    56
                                    42
                                    42
                                    42
                                    42
                                    42
                                    42
                                    42
                                    42
                                    28
                                    28
                                      .040
                                      .037
                                      .037
                                      .033
                                      .029
                                      .029
                                      .029
                                      .029
                                      .026
                                      .026
                                      .026
                                      .022
                                      .022
                                      .018
                                      .015
                                      .015
                                      .015
                                      .015
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .011
                                      .007
                                      .007
                               97.717
                               97.754
                               97.791
                               97.824
                               97.853
                               97.882
                               97.911
                               97.940
                               97.966
                               97.992
                               98.018
                               98.040
                               98.062
                               98.080
                               98.095
                               98.110
                               98.125
                               98.140
                               98.151
                               98.162
                               98.173
                               98.184
                               98.195
                               98.206
                               98.217
                               98.228
                               98.235
                               98.242
                                 2.17
                                 6.52
                                10.87
                                 6.52
                                 2.17
                                 6.52
                                 8.70
                                10.87
                                 2.17
                                 4.35
                                 2.17
                                 6.52
                                 6.52
                                 2.17
                                 4.35
                                 2.17
                                 2.17
                                 4.35
                                 2.17
                                 2.17
                                 2.17
                                 2.17
                                 4.35
                                 4.35
                                 6.52
                                 2.17
                                 2.17
                                 4.35
                                Pelecypoda
                                Polychaeta
                                Crustacea
                                Gastropoda
                                Crustacea
                                Polychaeta
                                Polychaeta
                                Pelecypoda
                                Polychaeta
                                Pelecypoda
                                Pelecypoda
                                Gastropoda
                                Crustacea
                                Polychaeta
                                Arachnida
                                Crustacea
                                Crustacea
                                Polychaeta
                                Polychaeta
                                Polychaeta
                                Crustacea
                                Polychaeta
                                Crustacea
                                Polychaeta
                                Polychaeta
                                Polychaeta
                                Asteroidea
                                Crustacea

-------
 Rank
 83
 84
 85
 86
 87
 88
 89
 90
 91
 92
 93
 94
 95
 96
 97
 98
 99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
Species
Cardita borealis
Cladocera
Lepidonotus squamatus
Nephthys bucera
Platynereis megalops
Talorchestia longicornis
Ampelisca spinipes
Amphipholis squamata
Ampithoe rubricata
Calliopius laeviusculus
Dulichia porrecta
Gatnmarus locusta
Grubia compta
Jaeta marina
Jassa marmorata
Littorina obtusata
Maldanopsis elongata
Nephthys picta
Nereis virens
Paqurus pollicaris
Paranatis speciosa
Pherusa plumosa
Stegocephalus inflatus
Syllidae
Yoldia limatula
ineous (unidentified) 6
imber of Organisms 381
Number of
Individuals
28
28
28
28
28
28
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
,264
,029
o/o of Total
Organisms

   .007
   .007
   .007
   .007
   .007
   .007
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
   .004
Cumulative o/o
by Number

 98.249
 98.256
 98.263
 98.270
 98.277
 98.284
 98.288
 98.292
 98.296
 98.300
 98.304
 98.308
 98.3L2
 98.316
 98.320
 98.324
 98.328
 98.332
 98.336
 98.340
 98.344
 98.348
 98.352
 98.356
 98.360
o/o Occurrence in
all Samples Taken

      2.17
      4.35
      4.35
      4.35
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
      2.17
  Class
Pelecypoda
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Crustacea
Ophiuroidea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Crustacea
Gastropoda
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Polychaeta
Polychaeta
Crustacea
Pelecypoda
Pelecypoda

-------
were found to be the most dominant, stable, and uniform of all the benthos




collected and are believed to have a similar ecological niche in the upper




layers of the substratum.  They indiscriminately ingest the substratum,




where precipitating metals would be concentrated, in search of organic




nutrients.  The feeble currents of muddy bottom areas allow organic matter




to settle out, thus providing an adequate source of nutrients for large




numbers of deposit feeders.  Any heavy metals, such as zinc and copper,




that are present would also settle to the bottom.  Appreciable amounts of




these metals, e.g., zinc, copper,  iron, lead, cobalt, cadmium, etc., are




disruptive to ecosystems -- copper, in particular may have a devastating




effect on biological systems.  Consequently, comparisons between the effluent




area (Stations 8 and 9) and selected stations in the control area (Stations 1,




2, 3, and 4) will chiefly involve  the two deposit feeding polychaete worms,




Aricidea jeffreysii and Nephthys incisa, but will include comparisons of total




organisms and total kinds as well.







Third in order of abundance were the nematodes (10%) found in 34% of the




stations (Table IX).  A majority (31,920) of the total number of nematodes




(39,186) were found at Station 17  during the May survey (TableVEBB) .  A small




amphipod, Corophium volutator, was fourth in numerical order  (5%) and present




at 69% of the stations.  Although  it does inhabit a burrow and can  feed there,




it may leave  it, either to feed or possibly to undertake periodic migration.(6)




Because of  its ability to migrate  once it becomes a member of the epifauna, this




animal is considered to be too unstable to be used as an index species, even




though it feeds on organic detritus and was found in large numbers  (2,828) at




Station 8 of  the effluent area during the May survey.
                                      -45-

-------
Fifth in numerical order was the small spionid Prionospio steenstrupi




contributing 3% of the total population (Table IX).  This marine worm




is a selective deposit feeder that utilizes two large tentacles on its




head to carry fine particles from the surface to its mouth.  Ecologically




this is important because this polychaete feeds in the niche where preci-




pitating metals would accumulate.  Although it was present in large num-




bers at Station 8 during the May survey, Prionospio steenstrupi has not




been used as a principle index specie because it was not found in any of




the December survey samples.






Those species that contributed less than one percent of the total popula-




tion are considered "fringe species" because of their lack of numbers and




uniformity (Table IX).  Of the total 107 kinds, 93 fringe species contri-




buted only 8% of the total organisms.  The remaining 14 of the 107 kinds




contributed 89% of the total number of organisms (Table IX).  The two




most dominant species composed 55* of the organisms collected.






The great diversity of benthos found in the majority of the soft bottom




station indicates a nomal, clean environment, but lack of numbers and




uniformity of these fringe species prevent using them for comparison be-




tween effluent and control stations.  These fringe species are used, how-




ever in comparing the total kinds of the two areas (Table XB).






Bottom Sediments






A field analysis of bottom sediments of the effluent and control stations




had an average of 75-100% silt, except Station 4 which has an average of




55% silt.  Fine sand and small amounts of gravel made up the remaining
                                    -46-

-------
                TABLE X
    A comparison of Total Numbers
  Plus Percentage Values of Indicator
      Organisms in the Study Areas

      Cape Rosier, Maine 1967 - 68
Control Area Effluent Area
(Stations 1, (Stations 8, 9)
2,3,4)
Total Number
of Organisms 237,580 35,322
Total Number of
Aricidea jeffreysii 135,422 4,620
Total Number of
Nephthys incisa 51,926 5,516
Percent
Aricidea jeffreysii 57.007. 13.087,
Percent
Nephthys incisa 21.867. 15.627.
Cumulative Percentage
(A. jeffreysii and
N. incisa) 78.861 28.707.

Control and
Effluent area
Combined
272,902
140,042
57,442
51.327.
21.05%
72.37%
     B-Comparison of numbers of kinds
(actual and average figures) In Effluent
            and Control Areas

       Cape Rosier, Maine 1967 - 68
Station Average No. of
Kinds per Meter December
sq
Control
1
2
3
4
Effluent
8
9

20.0
19.5
13.5
19.0

18.0
19.8

12
11
12
18

15
18
No. of Kinds per Meter sq.
May July September

13
16
11
16

27
23

28
24
17
26

19
21

27
27
14
16

11
17
                   -47-

-------
percentages of sediment materials.






Study area







Stations 1, 2, 3, and 4 were selected for comparison with Stations 8 and




9 because of their similar sediment composition and their distance from




the strip mine discharge pipe (Fig. 1).  Station 7 was too close to the




effluent area and Stations 15 and 16 were near the Weir Cove ditch that




connects with a fresh water pond near the mining area.  The remaining




Stations (10, 17, and 19)  were not sampled continuously during the survey.




The study area will therefore consist   of Stations 8 and 9 ( the effluent




area) and Stations 1, 2, 3, and 4 (the control area).






Data Evaluation of Effluent and Control Areas







The dominant benthic invertebrates, Aricidea jeffreysii and Nephthys incisa,




were found in all of the study area stations (Tables A-3 to A-6) and comprised




72% of the total organisms (Table X).







A greater density of the benthic fauna in the first four sampling sites




(Stations 1, 2, 3 and 4) indicates the presence of a source of organic




enrichment from the Bagaduce River that is not available to Stations 8 and 9.







Values for changes in the percent composition of the benthos from the Dec-




ember to September surveys were used in comparing the control and effluent




stations rather than actual numbers.  However, the raw data may be found




listed in Figure 4.
                                     -48-

-------
               NOTE:
   20-1
    18-
    16-
00
UJ
t-
o
-  14-
o
o
o
    12-
z
o  10
OC
O
u.
o
a:   8
UJ
to
ID
Z
ui   6
o
tr
UJ
     4-
     2-
A,  Reported in  terms of average
   numbers  and percent increose or decrease
B.  Numbers  used in  graph are  the
   average  values  for  the Control
   Area  stations (1,2,3,4) and
   for the  Effluent  Area
   stations (8,9)
         LEGEND

•  Control Area (C)
O  Effluent  Area  (E)
	 Total Organisms
                                                                 —  Aricidea  jeffreysii
                                                          	Nepnthys  incisa
         	1	
          DEC. 1967
                          	1	1	"I
                           MAY 1968    JULY 1968     SEPT. 1968
                                  COMPARISON  OF
         TOTAL  ORGANISMS  AND  SELECTED  INDICATOR  ORGANISMS
                         CAPE  ROSIER  MAINE   1967-68  (NOTE  A)
                                   -4'--
                                                         FIGURE  4

-------
Total organisms increased 328% in the effluent area (Stations 8 and 9)




from December, 1967 to May, 1968; while increasing 467. in the control




stations (1, 2, 3 and 4).  This increase of organisms in the effluent




area occurred over a four month period during which the strip mine was




in operation.  Aricidea jeffreysii increased by 1407. during this period




in the control stations and by 8587. in the effluent stations.  As the




population of^Aricidea jeffreysii accelerated dramatically along with




total organisms per square meter, the population of Nephthys incisa




decreased markedly in both areas.  Apparently, Nephthys incisa could not




successfully compete with the rapidly increasing Aricidea jeffreysii for




the available nutrients.






Seasonal Benthic Population Trends







Nephthys incisa decreased 47% in the control stations and decreased 167.




in the effluent stations.







From May to July, a decrease in numbers for all organisms occurred in




both areas, except for Nephthys incisa which increased 248% in the efflu-




ent stations.  This general decline in organisms in both areas indicates




the possibility that the carrying capacity of the organic nutrients in




the sediments had been reached with inevitable deceleration of population




as food availability decreased.  During this period of a 5970 decline in




total organisms and a 68% decline for Aricidea jeffreysii in the effluent




area, the competition for food and space lessened for Nephthys incisa,




which responded with a strong 248% increase in population.
                                     -50-

-------
From July to September, in the effluent area, Nephthys incisa continued




with a 237o increase in population while Aricidea jeffreysii reversed




its downward trend with a 349% increase during this period.  Total or-




ganisms increased 97. in the effluent stations.  Conversely, the control




stations continued the downward trend with a 247« decrease in Aricidea




jef freysii, a 6% decrease in Nephthys incisa, and a 337<, decrease in total




organisms.  In the study  area Nephthys incisa appears to be taking advan-




tage of the midsummer reduction of Aricidea  jeffreysii by either continu-




ing to increase in numbers (effluent area) or by beginning to level off




(control area).






In September, 1968, the effluent stations had an increase in Aricidea




jeffreysii, Nephthys incisa, and total organisms over December, 1967.




This increase occurred while the strip mine was in operation  for




approximately seven months.  For this same period the control stations had




a decline in Nephthys incisa and total organisms.







Juvenile Nephthys incisa were predominent in both the control and effluent




stations throughout the survey. (7)  The presence of these juveniles suggest




that reporduction occurred despite the presence of waste discharge at




Station 8 and 9.






Large numbers of the polychaete Prionspio steenstrupi (4,242 per square




meter) were found at Station 8 during the May survey and were abundant




during the July and September surveys (Tables A-3, A-4 and A-5).  This




worm feeds on fine particles from the surface sediment where the highest




copper concentrations were found in the sediment (26.79 tng/kg)  of the
                                   -51-

-------
May Survey (Table III).






Also present  in  large numbers  (2,828 per  square meter during the May




Survey at Station 8) was  the filter feeding  amphipod Corophium volutator,




that strains  fine detritus  from the sediment (Table A-3).






The presence  of  large numbers  of organisms  in the  effluent  area and the




similarity of population  trends of Aricidea jeffreysii  and  Nephthys incisa,




total organisms  and number  of  kinds in the  study  area  indicate  that there




have been no  adverse  effects  to the marine  environment  caused by  the  strip-




mine waste  discharge  into Goose Cove.
                                       -52-

-------
DISCUSSION







Excessive concentrations of heavy metals present a direct hazard to




marine organisms.






Two serious effects may result from the influx of trace metals to the




marine environment.  The first is the direct deleterious effect which




these pollutants may have on marine flora and fauna.  Secondly, is the




inhibition of photosynthetic efficiency in certain marine plants caused




by heavy metals.






Concentrations of copper in excess of 0.05 mg/1 have been found to have




toxic effects on marine ecosystems.  Raymont and Shields (8) found that




the polychaete worm Nereis sp. was killed in 4 days when subjected to this




concentration of 0.05 mg/1 copper.  Pringle (9) found the soft-shell clam,




Mya arenaria, to be extremely sensitive to copper.  Using a 0.2 mg/1




concentration at 10°C and 20°C, all clams died within 23 days at the




lower temperature, while at the higher temperature, all succumbed in 6 to




8 days.  Copper concentrations of less than 0.1 mg/1 in marine water have




been found to inhibit photosynthetic processes.  Zinc, cadmium and lead




are similarly toxic.






The inhibition of photosynthesis in marine plants caused by heavy metals




is extremely hard to detect in situ.  However, its effects over a long




time span may be devastating as a reduction of photosynthesis would upset




the entire ecological and productive balance of the area in question.






At sub-toxic levels, marine organisms which are used as food, notably clams,
                                      -53-

-------
may concentrate metals to a degree which makes them hazardous to human

health.


Zinc, copper, cadmium, chromium and lead all have undesirable effects on

human health.  Briefly, copper and zinc are necessary elements for proper

human nutrition and biological function, but excesses can be toxic.  Lead,

cadmium and chromium are foreign to the human body, are non-essential and

serve no beneficial function. (10)


Lead and cadmium tend to accumulate in the body tissue rendering them

harmful if one is subjected to small concentrations over a period of time.

Chromium is not cumulative.


No standards have been set forth related to maximum allowable concentrations

for specific metals in shellfish.  This report can only refer to metals

at various concentrations which could potentially cause a health problem.

Specific conclusions regarding health hazards are left up to the reader.


The concentrations found for zinc and copper are apprently within safe

limits from a health standpoint.  Emetic concentrations for zinc are re-

ported to range from 675-2280 mg/1. (11)  Doses of copper over  100 mg are

thought to be injurious.(12)  Zinc concentrations are highest at Station

4, Phase IV; Station 8, Phases II, III, IV; and Station 9, Phases II,

III.*  Copper in general, follows a similar trend for most stations and

phases.  Station 4, 8, and 9 have the highest values.


*Hereafter, station and proper phase designation will be noted  as: Example:
    8-11 for Station 8, Phase II.
                                       -54-

-------
Cadmium and lead are found in the greatest concentration at Stations 4,  8




and 9 with chromium being highest at Station 1.  The fact that these elements




are recognized as health hazards is reflected by the limits for drinking water




imposed for Cd, Pb, Cr, by WHO International, WHO European, and USPHS.  These




standards are presented on Table VII.







To point out one possibility of many potential health hazards, let us




consider the concentration of lead for Station 8, Phase II (19.5 mg Pb/Kg




wet tissue.  A reported onset of a case of gastro-enteric plumbism was




associated with an alimentary intake of 10 to 15 mg. of lead. (12)  An




individual consuming a large quantity of clams containing a similar amount




of lead could be taken ill, not to mention potential complications from




chromium and cadmium.






Cadmium poisoning of humans has resulted from the consumption of foods




or liquids left in cadmium-plated containers.  Several health departments




have had to forbid the use of cadmium-plated food containers and pipes




in recognition of the health hazard which can be caused by them.(11)






The presence of significant quantities of lead, cadmium and chromium  in




the tissue of clams from the entire Cape Rosier coastal sample area indicate




other sources of heavy metals enrichment in addition to the mine effluent.




According to Colby's Atlas of Hancock County, 1871, there are shown several




areas in the proximity of Cape Rosier, Maine waters with known mineralization




of metal.  These are  indicated as "copper"; however, many other elements




probably exist as a constituent of the ore bodies.  The locations of  mines,
                                      -55-

-------
active and inactive, and ore bodies are indicated on Figure 1.  Natural




weathering and leaching of elements, combined with surface runoff and




ground water infiltration is the probable means of metals entering into




the marine waters.  Inactive as well as active mines are of significance




when explaining metals in clams and marine waters because a characteristic




feature of heavy metal pollution is its persistance in time as well as in




space for years after the pollutional operations have ceased. (13)
                                     -56-

-------
                                REFERENCES

 1.      Interim Report on Chemical and Biological Characterization of Water
        and Sediment from Cape Rosier, Maine.   U.S.  Department  of the Inter-
        ior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration,  Boston, MA. 1968.

 2.      Petersen,  D.G. Johan,  1913.  The Valuation of the Sea,  Part II.  The
        animal communities of  the sea bottom and their importance for marine
        zoogeography.  Report  of the Danish Biological Station.  Vol. 21,
        44 pp.

 3.      Pettibone, M.H.,  1963.  Marine Polychaete Worms of the  New England
        Region. Smithsonian Institute, U.S. National Museum.  Bulletin  227,
        part 1.

 4.      Sanders, Howard L., 1960.  Benthic Studies in Buzzards  Bay III.  The
        Structure  of the Soft-Bottom Community.  Limnology and  Oceanography,
        Vol. 5, No 2.

 5.      Thorson, Gunnar,  1957.  Bottom Communities (sublittoral or shallow
        shelf). In Treatise on Marine Ecology and Paleoecology. Memo.tr 67
        Geological Society of  America, Vol. 1, 1296 pp.

 6.      Yonge, C.M. 1952.  "Aspects of Life on Muddy Shores." in Essays in
        Marine Biology.  Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh,  pp. 29.49.

 7.      Personal  communication with Dr. Marian H. Pettibone, Smithsonian
        Institute, U.S. National Museum, May 1, 1968.

 8.      Raymont, E.E.G.,  and J. Shields.  1962, 1964.  Toxicity of  copper and
        chromium in the marine environment,  pp. 275-290.  In:   Recommended
        procedures for the bacteriological examination of sea water  and shell-
        fish.  1962 APHA. New York.

 9.      Pringle, B.H., Trace metal accumulation by estuarine mollusks.   In
        press.

10.      Browning,  E., 1961.  Toxicity of Industrial Metals. Butterworths,
        London

11.      State of California, 1963.  Water Quality Criteria.  The Resources
        Agency of  California,State Water Quality Control Board.

12.      Kehoe, Robert A., 1966.  Lead.  Symposium on Environmental  Lead Con-
        tamination. USDHEW, Public Health Service Publication No.  1440

13.      Report of  the Committee on Water Quality Criteria. 1968.  U.S.  Depart-
        ment of the Interior, FWPCA, Washington, D.C.
                                      -57-

-------
APPENDIX
      -53-

-------
                        Shellfish Closure







The official closure of shellfishing in Cape Rosier is confined to the




flats and waters of that section of Harborside, in th» town of Brook-




ville, Hancock County, between a red painted wood post located in a




point of land approximately 200 yard north westerly of the Goose Falls




Bridge and a red painted wood post located on a stone pier approximately




one mile southwesterly of said point of land.  The closure area does




not include Goose Falls Cove, which receives the mine processing discharge.
                                     -59-

-------
                       STATION LOCATIONS
                       CAPE ROSIER, MAINE
Station #

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Latitude
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
22i
22'
22>
22'
22'
21'
21'
.21'
21'
21'
19'
19'
19'
19'
18'
20'
20'
22'
22'
26'
23'
22'
21'
20'
18'
24'
24'
17'
15'
22'
34"
28"
17"
09"
03"
54"
40"
22"
19"
13"
37"
23"
15"
16"
28"
13"
41"
43"
13"
08"
42"
43"
34"
56"
11"
50"
24"
37"
38"
20"
Longitude
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
48'
47'
47'
47'
48'
48'
48'
48'
48'
48'
49'
47'
47'
46'
47'
45'
49'
47'
47'
46'
48'
47'
45'
45'
40'
30'
34'
31'
34'
33'
16"
51"
22"
05"
51"
39"
15"
39"
43"
59"
10"
22"
21"
53"
01"
38"
23"
26"
03"
57"
47"
46"
55"
03"
45"
58"
31"
12"
41"
52"
                                    -60-

-------
                                                                       r  4-3
                                                                    Sg.
                                                         CAPE BOSIEH. .4/UNF - OECEwBEP  196?
                                                                                            9      10      {5      16      1?      18      19
•ifP-ITVI i Mi
  vjF.PH I v<; T'JCIS'V
  \JPPHI re; 'Af C'»
  t\ifpHT<<; n• jcEy^
  NJFPM r v«; -PP .
 CAP I Tit i I. [nftt-;
  C rt P I I f l L 1 C H "-• i T ft T '
                                                    S6
5390      42
                 11?      56
                         68f
                                                                                           14
                                                                                  ll?    iosn
1*0     644

         1*
         9*

 56      42

         28


        196

-------
   CI3PATULIOAE
   MEBf
                                                            TABLE «-1  (CONT.)


                                                                                       NUMBER
                                                                        T       9       9     10     15      16      I?     18     1»
                                                          1*      -      -             14      -      -14

   LU <*BR I N€« T OAF



    NlNOE NjflRJPFS                          -       -      ?B            14             42      -      .48

                                                           ----14---
OJ   HARMOTHOF EXfEMHATA                     _                   25
-------
                                                             TABLE  A.-, (CONT.1
                                                                                STATION NUMBER
U)
    M/A  "-TN40TA
3      *
9      10      1>     16






                      28



                      14
                                                           1*
                      70
                                                                          2*
                                                                                                                             18     19

-------
                                                                           -•> (CONT.)
                 KT*'r>«;
                                                                                         STATION MUMBER
         .'T[r ttO




SEA  JRC'ITN
TOT/IL ''UT 4 Mf SMS
         \l, ITftTI
                                    "'« IS
                                                        •>        -\       <»
                                                       J 4ft
                                                         1 *
     11       12




./M  fir  ,|F  1  IN  THE
                                                                                          3910
                                               4?
                                                                                          u
                                                                                          U      14
     163q    ?296




7      IS       IB
1     150    1*10




1       6       16

-------
                                                         A-*
                                                PER SU.
                                               ROSIER* M«INF - MAY
 TNCISA
   CAPTTOTfl
L&CTE4
                                      »      3      *      7      8      9     10     15     16     1?     IS     i»
                                          1*71*  125S8    126
16?*



  1*
                                                 1082
252
              51 •
                                                                         8*
                      350
                                                    70

-------
                                                          TA9LE A.4  (CONT.)
                                                                            STATION NUMBER
           MTNUTA
           0«:
I
    NtNOt
    HAPMOTHOP  EXTPMHATA

    H4RMOTHOP
   SPTONIDAP
             CILUTA
   POLVDOR4  LIGNT

   PRIONOSPTO  STFFVSTRUPT
                                                        3      *      7      9      9      10      15      16      I7      It     If
57*
                                                                             U
               U
                                                                             U     14
                                                                      70     5*     28
                                    2A     42
96    57*
       42
                                                        is*
                                                        448
                                                         42
                                                 168
                                    70
                     70
                                         1400
                                                                                                                     2940

-------
S Tf-
                                                         TABLE A-A  (CONT.)
                                                                            STATION
                                        1       7       T      »
                                                                     7       S       9     10      |5      U     if     18      1»
                                                                    952
                                                                             U
                                                                                                                       15*
  up (jus A ^FFI jf <;
14
                                                      U
                                                                                                                        56
                                                                             U
                                                                                    14

-------
                                                             TABLE  A.ft. (CfW.I
                                                                               STATION NUH9ER
00
I
                SPINT°ES
     CO»OPHTTO»E
     ORCHE&TIIOAE
1       ?
                                                           3       *      7      9      •     10     IS      It      I7      IS     1»
434


 »?







51fl
                                           70



                                           14
                                                                                                     14    168      -     154
                                           14
                                            170     1
                                                                121b
                                 3B2A    546
                                                    4?
                      56   4970
                                                                                                           168

-------
                                                         TABLE A-i (CONT.)
                                                                           STATION
        S J.OCU*!TA
 BANMABUS
PMOTI04F
              PINQUI5
                       115
 JASS* MAPMOR4TA
                                                                                          10     15     It      lT
                                                              70
                                                                           53?
U
                                                                                    14
       70
                            126
                                                                                                                 U
                                                                                                                 U

-------
O
    SEA
                                                                    T4&LE  *-/  ICONT.)
                    * t n">«
     CAJ>f»ELi_TOFA
1*
                                                                                          U
                       jo
                                                                                                                                        is
                                                        41*
                                                                                 98       U      04
                                                                                 5*.
                2f»
                                                                                          U
                                                                                                                                        15*

-------
                                                         T»BLE  *-4  
-------
                                                         TABLE  4-i  (CONT,)
                                                                             H      9     10     IS      16      l'      IS
TOT»L MwO*                              11     im     11      1»      1Z      2?     23      *     21
                 «*MfLF.firv(TN  v.< *R^IT»«PY ^ALUP OF i I.M THE

-------
                                                                  A-5
                                                      .BENTHIC
                                                             Sn.
                                                  CAPE ROSIER*  *AtM€ - JUtr. 1<*«,S
                                                                          ST»TION
        TNCTS*
        PICTA
          CAPTTiTn
'.••not
                                                                                        10      is      16     1?     18
                                                    574
4Q2»    57*    504
                        qg

                        70
                                                                                 32?
        322
                                                                   140     18?    840

                                                                                  84
B*
                      532
                                                            9t*
                                       f t.     4?
                                                                                 812
                                                                          *'      2B
      2730      U    1120      14
                                                                                                                             U
T«2    420    434   H48     42
                                                                                                84
                                                                                                70
                                                                  90    420     42

-------
                                                        TAHLt  *-«  (CONT.I
       MTN'ITA
          ACUTHC
          SPP.
NtMOt
          EXTFMi'ATft
                                       U
To
               14
                                              '8      1*
                                              14
               1*
               *<>
  -      -    2V*
1?A     14     70
                       14
                                                                    14
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