ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WATER QUALITY OFFICE, NORTHWEST REGION
ALASKA OPERATIONS OFFICE
r
February-1971
Effects ol Pulp Mill Wastes
on Receiving Waters at
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EFFECTS OF PULP MILL WASTES
ON
RECEIVING WATERS AT SILVER BAY, ALASKA
Environmental Protection Agency
Water Quality Office
Northwest Region
Alaska Operations Office
Anchorage, Alaska
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CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION 1
Statement of Problem 1
Objectives 1
Scope of Study 2
Authority 2
SUMMARY 3
RECOMMENDATIONS 5
STUDY AREA 7
General Description 7
Climatic Conditions 7
Oceanography 9
Water Uses 11
Previous Studies 12
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS 15
WASTE SOURCES IN SILVER BAY 17
SAMPLING PROGRAM 21
Sampling Stations 21
Sampling Schedule 2A
Methods 24
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 27
Sulfite Waste Liquor 27
Dissolved Oxygen 33
Biological 41
Benthic Plants and Animals 41
Plankton 49
Fish and Other Associated Animals 50
BIBLIOGRAPHY 53
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 Silver Bay, Eastern Channel and Katlian Bay 8
2 Main Outfall, Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company 18
3 Upper reaches of Sawmill Cove showing foam and
floating solids near log dump, log haul and wood
room 19
4 Location of sampling stations in Silver Bay,
Eastern Channel and Sitka Harbor 22
5 Location of sampling stations Northwest from Sitka
Harbor and in Katlian Bay 23
6 Sampling periods with respect to tidal phase, stage
height 25
7 Zones in Silver Bay and Eastern Channel where high
SWL concentrations can be expected at various times
throughout the year 28
8 Typical annual distribution of SWL concentrations
at Stations 16 and 18 in Silver Bay, March, 1968
and through April, 1969 34
9 Typical dissolved oxygen concentrations in Silver
Bay prior to construction of Pulp Mill, May, 1956
through April, 1957 (from Reference No. 3) 40
10 Location of intertidal Stations in Silver Bay
where Mytilus edulis samples were collected 43
11 Location of intertidal Stations in Katlian Bay
where Mytilus edulis samples were collected 44
12 Typical decomposing sludge consisting of wood chips
and pulp fibers in the Sawmill Cove and Silver Bay
study area 47
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1 Sulfite Waste Liquor Concentrations (ppm) With
Depth (Meters) in Silver Bay and Adjacent Waters,
1968-1970 29
2 Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations (mg/1) With Depth
(Meters) in Silver Bay, Eastern Channel and
Katlian Bay, 1968-1969 and August 1970 35
3 Total Numbers of Blue Mussel, Mytilus edulis,
Collected per 30-Minute Sampling Effort at 6
Intertidal Stations in Silver Bay and k
Intertidal Stations in Katlian Bay, July 1968 45
A Percentages (Dry Weight) of Organic Carbon and
Organic Nitrogen from Sawmill Cove Bottom Deposits,
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INTRODUCTION
Statement of Problem
Many water quality problems in Alaska are associated with the
industrial development of estuarine areas. Water quality standards
have been adopted by the State and approved by the Federal Government,
with exceptions, to protect estuarine water resources for present and
future uses. To assure compliance with the approved standards, the
adequacy of industrial waste treatment and disposal systems at Silver
Bay was evaluated.
The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company operates a magnesium-base,
sulfite process pulp mill at Silver Bay. The mill does not provide
primary treatment, but relies upon chemical recovery and screening
before discharging wastes into Silver Bay. The water quality
standards adopted by the State of Alaska stipulate:
Secondary treatment is required for all industrial and
municipal waste unless engineering studies approved by the
Department of Health and Welfare, and where interstate waters
are affected, concurred in by the Federal Water Quality Ad-
ministration, show that the water quality standards can be
met with primary treatment. Primary treatment is the minimum
acceptable treatment. (1)
Objectives
The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions:
1. What is the present water quality in Silver Bay relative to the
water quality standards?
2. What is the magnitude of the effect of industrial waste discharges
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2
3. What changes in industrial operation should be made to improve
water quality in Silver Bay?
Scope of Study
The effects of industrial waste discharges upon the estuarine
waters of Silver Bay were investigated in 1968 and 1969 by the Federal
Water Quality Administration (formerly the Federal Water Pollution
Control Administration) in cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wild-
life Serviced Water quality data from this investigation, and from
previous studies by the State of Alaska and the Federal Water Quality
Administration established the significance of changes caused by the
long-term discharge of pulp mill wastes into Silver Bay.
Authori ty
Section 5 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,
authorizes the Secretary of Interior to conduct studies relating to
the causes, control, and prevention of water pollution. The study
was requested by the Alaska Department of Health and Welfare.
— On December 3, 1970, the Presidential Order creating the
independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took effect.
The EPA incorporates many Federal programs concerning the
environment, including water pollution control. The Federal
Water Quality Administration in the Department of Interior was
abolished and the water pollution control responsibilities and
authorities of the Secretary of the Interior were transferred to
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SUMMARY
The present waste treatment provided by the Alaska Lumber and
Pulp Company is insufficient to assure compliance with the Alaska
Water Quality Standards.
High sulfite waste liquor (SWL) concentrations, ranging from
137 to over 3000 parts per million (ppm), were found at various
times of the year throughout an 11-square mile area in Silver Bay
and Eastern Channel. Three hundred eighty-five samples were taken
in the top 20 meters of water at 34 stations between March 1968 and
August 1970. Sixty-eight percent of the samples had SWL concentra-
tions greater than 10 ppm, 48 percent greater than 50 ppm, 29 per-
cent greater than 200 ppm, and 10 percent exceeded 400 ppm.
SWL concentrations of 50 ppm, known to exceed the level toxic
to phytoplankton and salmon fishfood organisms were found throughout
Silver Bay and a large portion of Eastern Channel, as far as the
southeast entrance to Sitka Harbor. Ten parts per million SWL,
found to be damaging tr immature forms of fish and shellfish in
SLmilar f.n-ji roninenLs occurred o\er an even greater area. The dis-
charge of SWL has significantly redured populations of blue mussels,
Mytilus edulis, throughout Sawmill Cove and along the northwest shore
of Silver Bay to its mouth.
Liscarded solids, wood chips, and pulp fibers form sludge
deposits that blanket 0.2 square miles, covering half of the bottom
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4
Bay half way to its mouth. These black sludge deposits emit hydrogen
sulfide gas and prevent the establishment of the variety of bottom-
associated organisms that are found in similar, but unpolluted,
habitats. Many of these sludge deposits completely lack benthic
animals; the deposits which do contain animal life support only
pollution tolerant, ooze dwelling species of polychaete worms.
At times the anaerobic decomposition of organic bottom deposits
causes "bulking", the formation of gas and the subsequent respension
of benthic solids. Bulking releases hydrogen sulfide gas in the
water and creates floating sludge mats on the surface of the Bay.
Sulfide toxicity levels for fish have been exceeded, killing
over 100,000 fish on September 11, 1970.
The SWL discharged into Silver Bay, the organic bottom deposits
resulting from the discharge of solid materials, and the inability
of the waters of Silver Bay to effectively disperse the SWL, combine
to reduce the dissolved oxygen concentrations in Silver Bay and
Eastern Channel on a year-round basis. During the summer the
dissolved oxygen content of surface portions of these waters is re-
duced below 6 miligrams per liter (mg/1), the minimum level allowed
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company should take immediate steps
to implement the following recommendations.
a. Provide treatment of wastes to remove all settleable
solids and at least 70 percent of volatile suspended solids.
Primary treatment by 1972 is called for in the Implementation Plan
for the State of Alaska. The established deadline should be met.
b. Modify log handling practices to minimize accumulation of
wood solids in Sawmill Cove. Recent improvements have been made in
log storage and handling. Efforts should continue, however, to
minimize log handling and storage in the water by developing complete
land storage and handling capabilities.
c. Remove all existing sludge beds associated with mill
discharge and log handling. These highly organic deposits should be
removed entirely from the water and disposed of on land in a suitable
containment area. Removal should be accomplished during biologically
non-critical periods, particularly as regards salmon spawning, and
conducted in a manner to minimize water quality degradation.
2. The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company should develop and implement
an abatement program to assure that sulfite waste liquor (SWL) con-
centrations do not exceed 10 parts per million, beyond an immediate
dispersion zone, in the surface ten meters of Sawmill Cove, Silver
Bay, and Eastern Channel. Included in this program must be the
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6
a". Install increased chemical recovery capacity.
b. Provide adequate storage capacity at the mill to
assure that, in the event of equipment failure, etc., strong waste
liquors are not discharged to the receiving waters without treatment
or recovery.
c. Modify or improve in-plant processes and house-keeping
procedures to minimize losses of SWL.
d. Construct an outfall system designed to minimize the
dispersion zone and locate it away from the near-shore areas.
3. The plans and schedules for implementing recommendations 1 and 2
must be submitted to the State and Federal regulatory agencies for
approval. Detailed plans for the oceanographic and water quality
studies required to support the design of an outfall system must also
be submitted for review.
4. The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company must comply with the Alaska
Water Quality Standards by providing secondary treatment, unless it
can demonstrate that primary treatment will meet water quality
standards. Such evidence should include a study and monitoring
program to evaluate compliance with water quality criteria in both
Silver Bay and Eastern Channel. Study plans must be submitted to
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STUDY AREA
General Description
Silver Bay is an estuary located about 3.5 miles southeast of
Sitka, Alaska (Figure 1), connecting with Sitka Sound through
Eastern Channel. The Bay is 6.8 miles long and varies in width from
0.4 to 0.9 miles. It is 120 meters deep at the mouth, decreasing to
45 meters at the head of the bay. The bay covers an area of about
4.2 square miles. There are a number of sources of fresh water
entering Silver Bay. Three streams enter at the head of the bay,
seven creeks enter between Bear Cove and Herring Cove, and Sawmill
Creek enters at Sawmill Cove. Process water for the Alaska Lumber
and Pulp Company is drawn from Blue Lake which is also the source
of water for Sawmill Creek.
The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company is the only industrial dev-
elopment at Silver Bay. It is located at the head of Sawmill Cove,
about 1.5 miles from the mouth of the bay. There are no residential
areas or municipal developments near the mill. The mill is the only
source of waste water discharges to Sawmill Cove and Silver Bay.
Climatic Conditions
The Sitka-Silver Bay area is in the cold maritime belt of South-
eastern Alaska. Average annual precipitation is 100 inches, and
annual snowfall is less than 100 inches. Prevailing winds are
generally off-shore (from east and southeast) during autumn, winter
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Silver Bay
e(kR ANOF ISL At,0
SITKA
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9
during summer. The mean high and low temperatures for January are
38°F and 28°F, respectively. Icing seldom occurs on the marine
waters in the Sitka area.
The main input of fresh water to Sawmill Cove comes from the
mill outfalls and Sawmill Creek. The flow of waste water from the
pulp mill is estimated at 46 million gallons per day or 71 cubic
feet per second (based on an estimated output of 600 tons per day).
Sawmill Creek, from data for 1945 through 1950, had a yearly mean
discharge of 481 cubic feet per second (cfs) with a maximum daily
flow of 4860 cfs and a minimum of 34 cfs. The discharge of water
from Sawmill Creek is partially dependent on pulp mill water use.
Since the damming of Sawmill Creek, flow data have not been obtained,
and only a rough approximation of the present fresh water input to
Sawmill Cove can be made. The daily input from the mill discharge
and Sawmill Creek can be expected to vary between 4930 and 105 cfs,
with a mean flow of 550 cfs. Watershed flow retention is moderate
due to the heavy precipitation and steep stream gradient.
Oceanography
The fresh water input to Silver Bay mixes with saline waters and
forms a shallow surface layer of brackish water. Beneath this sur-
face layer, horizontal and vertical gradients are small and salini-
ties are near oceanic values.
The temperature of the surface layer is determined by seasonal
variations in temperature and by the temperature and volume of fresh
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10
temperature gradients are small and temperatures are near oceanic
values.
In 1956 and 1957 current studies in Silver Bay showed that the
circulation patterns are determined by the amount of fresh water run-
off, density differences between Silver Bay and Sitka Sound, wind
stresses, and, to a lesser degree, tidal forces. (3) During high
runoff, from June to October, the circulation pattern is of the
classical fjord type, with a strong outflow in the shallow surface
layer and the inflow immediately below the surface layer. In July,
1956, at the entrance to Silver Bay the surface layer was 6 meters
thick, with a maximum outward current of 0.15 meters per second. The
lower layer was 15 meters thick, with a maximum inflow of 0.05 meters
per second. The lower 60 meters of water were essentially motionless.
Strong west winds blowing up the Bay can reverse the surface currents
for short periods of a few days.
From January through April, runoff to Silver Bay is at a minimum.
Winds are predominantly from the southeast, tending to drive the
surface waters out of the Bay. The dense oceanic water flows in
along the bottom and then moves upward to replace the surface water
driven outward by the wind. Inflow-outflow occurs throughout the
entire depth of the Bay, in contrast to the high flow period, when
only the top one-third of the Bay is affected. In March 1957
current measurements showed the surface layer to be 30 meters thick,
with a maximum outflow of 1.10 meters per second. The bottom layer
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11
Tidal forces are usually insufficient to cause the surface layer
to flow into the Bay during flood tide. In December, 1956, however,
when neither wind stress nor density differences were great, surface
transport into Silver Bay was observed during a flood tide. (3)
Sulfite waste liquor, temperature, and salinity data obtained in
the present study (Table 1 and Appendix, Table 1A) agree with the
data of the study described above. Pollutants in the surface waters
of Silver Bay at Sawmill Cove are affected by wind conditions and the
volume of fresh water entering the Bay. Normally, the wastes flow
out of the Bay into Eastern Channel. An up-bay wind will drive high
concentrations of sulfite waste liquor to the head of the Bay. On
other occasions, when fresh water input is low (during winter months),
upwelling, and thus vertical mixing, occured in the upper reaches of
the Bay.
Flushing times for Silver Bay, which indicate how long a con-
sertive constituent will remain in the Bay, can be estimated from the
data obtained in earlier studies. (3) During low runoff, the
flushing time is 320 days; during high runoff, the flushing time
is 87 days.
Water Uses
Fisheries resources in Silver Bay are an important asset to
Southeastern Alaska and especially to the Sitka area (3). Silver
Bay is an important wintering ground for herring and also serves as
a nursery ground for young herring which either migrate into the
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12
salmon runs and the bay serves the important functions of providing
a nursery area for young salmon and a feeding ground for adult
salmon. The introduction of SWL and other wastes into Silver Bay
limits its uses for these purposes. Such wastes can have extremely
serious consequences on the fisheries resources of the bay. Several
fish kills have occurred in Silver Bay. On September 11, 1970, an
estimated 100,000 fish died as a consequence of poisoning by hydrogen
sulfide.
Silver Bay is very accessible and, except for the Sawmill Cove
area, is used for recreational fishing and boating by local residents.
The bay offers aesthetically pleasing sites within a major scenic
area of Alaska.
Previous Studies
Water quality data for Silver Bay and Sitka Sound, collected
between May, 1956, and March, 19 57, showed very high water quality.
At the time of the 1956-57 surveys, 3 years before mill operation,
no wastes were being discharged to the Bay. Previously, wastes
from logging and sawmill operations had been introduced into the Bay,
but grossly perceptible after-effects on water quality were not
observed. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measurements in July,
1956, were less than 2 mg/1, demonstrating the high quality of these
waters.
A great variety of marine life was found in the inter and sub-
tidal zones. In many benthic reaches of the bay, marine life was
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13
27 meters, as indicated by odors of hydrogen sulfide gas. In shallow
waters near stream mouths, flushing prevented the bottom from be-
coming anaerobic. Of particular interest in the 1957 report is the
almost complete absence of hydrogen sulfide and anaerobic conditions
in Sawmill Cove.
During the 1957 study, dissolved oxygen values throughout
the surface waters of Silver Bay showed seasonal variations, char-
acteristic of clean waters. The values for surface waters ranged
from 7.1 mg/1 during the winter to 18.2 mg/1 during the spring.
At the 100-foot depth, dissolved oxygen varied from 6.9 to 12.9
mg/1.
Studies conducted in August, 1965, revealed high SWL concen-
trations throughout the surface waters of Silver Bay. (5) The
threshold toxicity of SWL to important food chain organisms, such
as copepods, euphausids, mysids, and candlefish, was exceeded.
Near-surface SWL values were greater than those found to cause
100 percent mortality of egg and larvae stages of oysters and
certain bottom fish.
Dissolved oxygen in Silver Bay was less than the concentra-
tions found during the 1956-57 study. In 1965 dissolved oxygen
values in surface layers ranged from 4 to 6 mg/1. Between 2 and
10 meters, dissolved oxygen values increased to 7 to 8 mg/1.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 6 mg/1 were found in
the mill outfall. In August, 1965, prior to the discharge of pulp
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14
from 9.0 to 11.5 mg/1 in the surface waters, from 8.5 to 11.0 mg/1
at the 5-meter depth, and from 8.1 to 10.8 mg/1 at the 30-meter
depth. Degradation of surface waters, as shown by decreased dissolved
oxygen concentrations, was attributed to the biochemical oxygen
demand of pulp mill wastes and to a possible inhibition of phyto-
planktonic oxygen production resulting from high concentrations of
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WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
The State of Alaska Water Quality Standards (1) designate
all marine waters, including Silver Bay and Eastern Channel, as
Class D and E. The standards are designed to protect beneficial
uses of marine waters, which include growth and propagation of
aquatic life and waterfowl, furbearers, and other water-associated
life. Of particular interest in this study are the standards for
dissolved oxygen, residues in the form of floating solids and
sludge deposits, toxic substances, and aesthetic considerations:
Dissolved Oxygen
Class D - greater than 6 mg/1 in salt water. Minimum of 7
mg/1 fresh water.
Class E - greater than 6 mg/1 saturation in the larval stage;
greater than 5 mg/1 in the adult stage.
Residue
Class D - none alone or in combination with other substances
of wastes as to make receiving water unfit or unsafe for the
use indicated, except that no waste oils, tars, greases or
animal fats are permitted.
Class E - no visibile evidence of wastes. Less than acute
or chronic problem levels as revealed by bioassay or other
appropriate methods.
Toxic Substances
Class D - shall be absent or below concentrations affecting
public health or the ecological balance.
Class E - less than acute or chronic problem levels as re-
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16
Aesthetic Considerations
Class D and E - Shall not be unreasonably impaired by the
presence of materials or their effects (excluding those of
natural origin) which are offensive to the senses of sight,
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WASTE SOURCES IN SILVER BAY
The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Mill is a magnesium-base, sulfite
process, pulp mill. The mill produces an estimated 600 tons of
dissolving grade pulp per day. Recovery units collect, concentrate
and burn the strong pulping liquor. In the process, magnesium
oxide and sulfur dioxide are partially recovered for recycling.
Primary treatment of the plant effluent is not provided. All
wastes from the mill are discharged to Sawmill Cove through three
outfalls. The main outfall is shown in Figure 2.
Although chemical recovery is provided, and the concentrated
strong liquor and woodroom wastes are burned, enough wastes are
discharged to have a serious impact on Sawmill Cove and Silver
Bay. There are no facilities, such as a lagoon, for storing
strong liquors when the recovery units are by-passed. Thus,
waste concentrations in the main outfall can reach very high
levels. It is not uncommon to find SWL concentrations up to
9600 ppm near the main outfall, and 2,000 to 3,000 ppm extending
from the main outfall seaward to sampling station 16 (Figure 4).
A deep layer of solid wastes covers the bottom of Sawmill
Cove in the vicinity of the loghaul and the main outfall. The
log dump, log haul, and woodroom are shown in Figure 3; foam and
floating solids are evident in the picture. The deposition of
pulp fiber, wood chips, and bark results in an anaerobic environ-
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Figure 3. Upper reaches of Sawmill Cove showing foam and floating
solids near log dump, log haul and wood room.
h-4
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20
On occasion these wastes will bulk (a term used to describe the
formation of gas and subsequent rising of bottom sediments),
releasing hydrogen sulfide gas and floating sludge to the water.
This is apparently what caused a fish kill estimated at more than
100,000 fish on September 11, 1970.
Log storage and handling practices have recently been improved
by banding the logs into bundles for transporation and storage. The
bundles are lifted from the water onto a dry deck for debanding and
sorting. The bands are disposed of on land. Some of the logs which
are to be taken to the sawmill at Wrangle are rebanded and skidded
back into Sawmill Cove for transportation to Wrangle. Although these
modifications have reduced the wood solids contributed to Silver Bay,
improvement is still needed, as evidenced by the floating wood solids
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SAMPLING PROGRAM
The first phase of the present study was conducted in co-
operation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Auke Bay Bio-
logical Laboratory. It included two trips in 1968, in the spring
and summer, to collect data on dissolved oxygen, SVJL, temperature,
salinity, water currents, and marine life in Silver Bay, and the
adjacent waters of Sitka Sound and Katlian Bay. After the data
from these two trips were evaluated, the Federal Water Quality
Administration continued the study to document water quality con-
ditions in the fall and winter, and again in spring.
Sampling Stations
Thirty-four stations were established within Silver Bay and
the adjacent waters of Eastern Channel (Figure 4). An additional
five stations were established from Sitka Harbor to the head of
Katlian Bay (Figure 5).
Routine sampling for SWL was restricted to the top 10 meters
because SWL concentrations below the 10-meter depth generally were
less than the lower limit of accuracy of the analytical method.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were made at various depths.
Temperature and salinity data were obtained throughout the entire
water column during the first two trips. On later trips these
data were obtained only in the top 15 meters of water to define
stratification within the surface waters.
Biological sampling was accomplished during several trips to
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18#
SEE
INSERT
26
27
• 23
Figure 4. Location of sampling stations in Silver Bay, Eastern
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23
K-5
Miles
Sitka
Figure 5. Location of sampling stations Northwest from
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24
19, 21, 22, 25, and Stations 34 through 38. Samples of blue mus-
sels, Mytilus edulis, were collected at six intertidal zone sites
in Silver Bay and four in Katlian Bay.
Sampling Schedule
Sampling was scheduled throughout the year to determine the
seasonal variation of water column stability and its correlation
with the DO and SWL concentrations within Silver Bay. The sam-
pling periods are shown on Figure 6. Sampling often required a
12-hour tidal cycle. Thus, samples for chemical determination
were obtained at various tidal phases as shown in the figure.
Methods
2/
Water samples were collected with Nansen bottles- and sub-
divided into appropriate 250 or 500 milliliter containers. Dis-
solved oxygen was measured using either Yellow Springs Instrument
Model 54 or an Electronic Instrument Limited Model 15A. Dissolved
oxygen meters were used because of the possibility of SWL inter-
fering with the azide modification of the Winkler method. The
dissolved oxygen probes were routinely calibrated against the
Winkler method.
Temperature data were obtained either with the above dissolved
oxygen meters, a Beckman Instruments Model R55-3 Portable Salino-
— Use of product and company names is for identification
only and does not constitute endorsement by the
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25
1800
1800
0600
0600
0600
1800
20
March 1Q6B
2400
28
1200
2400
1200
1200
July IQfift
1800
0600
0600
0600
October 1968
2400
1200
1200
2400
2400
1200
1B00
0600
iaoo
0600
0600
August 20,1970
Figure 6. Sampling periods with respect to
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meter, or with a bathythermograph. Salinity measurements were
made with the salinometer, by titration with silver nitrate (6),
or by hydrometers.
SWL concentrations were determined using the Pearl-Benson
Index (7), and were based on the spectrophotometic determination
of the ligin-sulfonate concentration of the samples relative to
a reference solution containing 10 percent dry solids by weight
of calcium-base sulfite waste liquor. As an analytical quality
control, sLandards of various SWL concentrations were handled
exactly as the samples, i.e., frozen and shipped to the laboratory
along with the samples. The SWL analyses were conducted either
in the laboratory onboard the survey boat or, after preservation
by freezing, at the Alaska Water Laboratory in College, Alaska.
Bottom samples of muds and aquatic life were collected using
a core-sampLer, a Ponar dredge, and Marukawa and Eckman dredges.
Samples were preserved and transported to the laboratory where
they were analyzed. Blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, were collected
from inter-tidal reaches at low tide by two persons collecting,
in half an hour, as many mussels as possible from the sector of
greatest density at each of ten sampling sites. These samples were
preserved and taken to the Auke Bay Biological Laboratory for
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Sulfite Waste Liquor
During six trips to the Silver Bay area, 385 samples from
the top 20-raeters were collected and analyzed. These samples
were collected at 34 stations distributed over an area greater
than 11 square miles. Sixty-eight percent of the samples had SWL
concentrations greater than 10 ppm; 48 percent had concentrations
greater than 50 ppm; 29 percent had concentrations greater than
200 ppm; 10 percent had concentrations greater than 400 ppm.
Concentrations of SWL in the first meter of water varied
throughout Silver Bay and adjacent waters from one study period
to the next, and were higher in summer than in winter (Table 1).
The highest concentrations of SWL, ranging from 137 ppm to over
2800 ppm, were found on July 24 and 27, 1968. The region in which
these concentrations were found extended from the head of Silver
Bay, 5.5 miles from the mill, to the southeast entrance to Sitka
Harbor, 5.25 miles from the mill. SWL concentrations greater
than 137 ppm were found at various times of the year in an 11.1
square-mile area throughout Silver Bay and Eastern Channel (Fig-
ure 7). Within this area, nearer the mill outfalls, SWL concen-
trations were greater than 400 ppm in a 0.6 square-mile zone.
Vertically, SWL generally was distributed throughout the
surface waters to the 5 to 10-meter depth. The highest concen-
trations of SWL were found in the first meter of water. Signi-
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SWL Concentrations
» 137 ppm
§¦ > 400 ppm
Miles
m
Figure 7. Zones in Silver Bay and Eastern Channel where high SWL concen-
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TABLE 1
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR CONCENTRATIONS (PPM)
WITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER BAY AND ADJACENT WATERS, 1<>68-1Q70
Station Numbers
DEPTH 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 TO U 12 13 14 15 16 T7
March 28, 29, 31, 1968
0 53 <5 <5 8 33 438 - - 269 51 491 - 235 2250 2050
1 23 17 - - 96 27 252 - 14 69 576
2 <5 <5 1 -------- . .
3 <5 8 - - - 11 101 - -
4 -------- <5 . .
5 <5 <5 7 ------ 8 - <5 <5 5 -
July 24, 1968
0 - 165 225 364 266 196 - 245 152 266 310 106 268 314 271 252
1 228 388 268 450 267 291 447 278 545 1930 190
2 - 324 20 22 -------- - - -
3 - - - - 20 15 - 9 16 27 7 33 26 26 33 31
July 27, 1968
0 - 158 250 323 205 330 - 90 264 222 142 137 215 131 115 211
1 - 156 136 229 288 290 - 358 202 61 261 260 31 190 176 81
2 - 98 55 97 -------- - - -
3 25 69 - 24 93 28 41 50 20 43 97 12
4 . 58 49 86 -------- - - -
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1
2
3
4
5
0
i
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
TABLE 1 (Continued)
SULFITE \.'ASTE LIQUOR CONCENTRATIONS (PPM)
VITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER SAY AND ADJACENT WATERS, 1968-1970
Station Numbers
OF* 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
h'arch 28, 29, 31, 1968
188 611 - 461 299 361 178 80 152 193
72 - 102 45 L7 39 - 86 17 25
15 - 75 ...
53 - 68 - ...
5 - 6 5 <5 - 13 <5 7
July 24, 1968
2370 400 635 269 438 480 375 351 373 265 324
372 10Q 191 533 202 336 113 133 99 88
39 27 40 10 - ... ^
<5 <5 ... .
July 27, 1°6g
873 259 702 167 291 237 24S 233 280 295 269
283 341 213 67 111 484 321 141 185 268 136 45
376 23 58 <5 10 24 35 35 53 39 48
-------
TABLE 1 (Continued)
SULFITE V'ASTE LIQUOR CONCENTRATIONS (PPM)
WITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER BAY AND ADJACENT WATERS, 1968-1970
Station Numbers
DEPTH
1
2
3
4
8
16
18
21
23
24
25
28
29
30
31
32
33
OF'
Oc tobe r
12,
13,
14, 1Q68
0
<5
<5
<5
<5
239
542
994
1044
59
9
167
<5
26
<5
<5
<5
<5
-
1
-
-
<5
<5
10
180
482
7
30
63
48
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
<5
<5
6
<5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
-
10
-
-
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
-
-
-
20
-
-
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
<5
<5
-
December 13,
14,
15, 1968
0
6
7
<5
<5
<5
290
419
216
20
173
-
35
7
<5
<5
-
-
9650
1
-
-
<5
<5
<•5
218
31
146
19
170
-
34
7
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
<5
<5
<5
7
<-5
6
7
58
-
24
5
-
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
<5
<5
<5
<5
7
<5
<5
<5
-
7
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
-
<5
<5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Apr i ]
¦ 22,
23,
1969
0
8
14
<5
6
8
952
697
124
61
77
53
191
66
<5
-
-
-
528
3
-
-
<5
6
12
844
267
86
60
48
44
109
7
<5
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
<5
<5
<5
11
15
10
21
11
26
21
7
8
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
-
6
<5
<5
<5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
*Outfall
Library
"'"Cltlc iV/W!,.
L30/, f, water Laboratory
Co,>,£- •!- 6v-£
VC C ' r ^
• ^ c;on
-------
TABLE 1 (Continued)
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR CONCENTRATIONS (PPM)
WITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER BAY AND ADJACENT WATERS, 1968-1970
Station Numbers
DEPTH
13
16
34
35
36
37
38
391
August
20, 1970
0
95
374
495
202
326
230
252
253
1
215
1885
824
868
495
665
1670
3099
5
7
32
18
24
15
15
22
36
10
-
-
-
134
11
-
-
-
-------
33
meter depth at the head of the Bay and at the southeastern en-
trance to Sitka Harbor down to the five-meter depth (Table 1).
Water quality at stations 16 and 18, which are 0.25 and
0.75 miles, respectively, from the main sewer outfall, typically
reflected the yearly variation between March, 1968, and April,
1969 (Figure 8). Higher SWL concentrations occured during the
spring, summer, and fall, than occured during the winter. Such
variation is to be expected because of seasonal differences
in fresh water input, water column stability, variations in
storm activity, and upwelling of deep oceanic waters. Thus,
during the seasons when stratification of the water column
is apparent, the disruption and subsequent dispersal of the
surface brackish water layer containing the SWL wastes was minimal,
and high SWL concentrations were widely distributed. The SWL
concentrations were lowest in the winter when storms and upwelling
associated with low flow input increase horizontal and vertical
mixing.
Normally, SWL was not found in the upper reaches of Silver
Bay unless predominately westerly winds drove it upbay, as was ob-
served during the July, 1968 survey.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in Silver Bay and Eastern
Channel have been considerably reduced from levels measured prior
to mill operation. In the surface waters of Silver Bay dissolved
oxygen concentrations have occasionally fallen below 6 mg/1, the
-------
UJ
•o
2500
(/}
w
(0
2000
o
Sta 16
Sta 18
E
CL
3 1500
Surface
- meter
o
3
cr
Ll
1000
a>
500
Q.
CO
Figure 8. Typical annual distribution of SWL concentrations at Stations 16 and 18 in
-------
TABLE 2
DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS (mg/1)
WITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER BAY, EASTERN CHANNEL AND KATLIAN BAY
1968-1969 and August 1970.
Station Numbers
DEPTH
5
18
25
3
4
5
18
23
18
Tarcb 27,
1968
March
28, 1968
April 3, 1968
0
6.56
6.76
7.07
7. 12
7. 10
7.08
6.76
6.75
6.48
2
7.00
6.90
-
7.17
7. 10
6.91
6. 98
6. 90
6.52
5
6. 9*
6. 90
6.89
6. °g
6. 82
6.82
7.00
7.04
6.71
10
6.89
6.89
7.00
6. 97
6.71
-
7.01
7.00
6.60
15
6.71
6.75
-
7. 06
6.76
6.78
-
-
-
20
6. 56
6.53
6.74
6.64
6.76
-
6.84
-
6.34
25
-
-
-
-
-
6.46
-
-
-
30
-
-
-
6.05
-
-
-
6.76
6. 62
4 0
6.44
6.54
6.69
6. 05
6.22
-
6.30
-
6.57
45
-
-
-
-
-
6. 14
-
-
-
60
5.75
6.17
-
-
5.61
-
5.74
6.56
6.48
65
-
-
-
-
-
5.83
-
-
-
70
-
-
-
-
-
5.65
5. 60
-
-
80
5.39
5.66
6. 13
—
~
**
-------
TABLE 2 (Conti iucc)
DISSOLVED OXYGEN COX CENT RAT ION S (r>g/l)
i'TT" DEPTH CATERS) IN SILVER BAY, EASTERN ClANNEL AND KATLIAN B/Y
1°68-1969 and August 1^70.
Station Numbers
DEPTH
32
K-S
K-6
K-7
33
K-5
K-6
K-7
33
March 30,
1968
Apri 1
2, 1968
0
10.70
10.25
11.46
11.38
10. 53
10.79
1 1.77
12. 19
10.70
5
8.25
8.87
O.30
9. 08
9. 83
7.08
6.68
6.94
7.53
10
7.26
6.98
7. 68
7.41
7.73
6.49
6.33
6.43
6.62
20
7.06
7.56
6.64
6. 37
6.56
6.30
6.34
6. 18
5.72
30
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5.55
40
6.39
5.96
6.34
5.59
5.70
6. 17
5.95
6.08
5.58
60
6.26
6.29
5.59
5. 62
5. 94
6.04
5.87
5.94
5.58
80
6. 16
5.42
5.43
5.66
5.72
5.50
5.72
5.71
5.59
100
6. 18
5.38
5.57
5.63
-
5.36
5.36
5.46
-
120
6.23
5.21
5.60
5.63
-
5.55
5.54
5.54
-
130
6.31
-
5.60
5.73
-
-
5.43
5.58
-
140
-
5.52
-
-
-
5.55
5.47
5.46
-
160
5.50
-
-
-
—
-------
TABLE 2 (Continuea)
DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS (mg/1)
WITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER BAY, EASTERN CHANNEL AND KATLIAN BAY
1968-1969 and August 1970.
Station Numbers
DEPTH 4 8 16 16 18 21 24 28
December 13, 14, 15, 1968
0 8.4 8.8 9.2 8.6 8.0
1 8.6 7.U 8.2 8.8 8.5 7.6
5 8.1 8.4 8.7 8.6 8.3
10 - 8.4 - 8.3 8.3
20 8.2
April 22, 1969
0 11.9 11.6 11.9 - 11.3 11.7
1 13.3 12.8 12.2 - U.6 11.9
2 - 12.7 12.7 - 11.7
3 - 12.4 12.1 - 11.4
5 11.1 11.1 11.4 - 11.2 11.8
7 - 10.6 11.0 - 11.0
10 - 9.8 10.7 - 10.7
-------
TABLE 2 (Continued)
DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS (mg/1)
WITH DEPTH (METERS) IN SILVER BAY, EASTERN CHANNEL AND KATLIAN BAY
1968-1969 and August 1970.
Station
Numbers
DEPTH
13
16
34
35
36
37
38
39
Augus t
20, 1970^/
0
9.3
8.0
4.5
9.5
8. 3
8.6
8.5
-
1
6.7
4.6
5.2
5.1
5.5
5.7
4.9
-
5
8.3
7.5
5.4
7.9
8.0
8.2
8. 1
-
10
-
-
-
8. 1
00
LO
-
-
-
a/ Analyses were made by the Azide modification of the Winkler method. SWL
concentrations measured were below levels shown to cause interference per Moore, M.,
Rieck, R., and Moore, W. "Determination of Dissolved Oxygen in the Presence of Sulfite
Waste Liquor", Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation, Vol. 39, No. 10, pp.
-------
39
These low oxygen levels were measured in August, when mill wastes
would be expected to have the greatest influence on the waters of
Silver Bay. The continued discharge of inadequately treated wastes,
however, will ultimately decrease the dissolved oxygen to levels
where this standard will be violated on a sustained basis.
Prior to mill operation, dissolved oxygen concentrations in
the surface 15 feet of water in Silver Bay ranged seasonally from
8.0 mg/1 to 18.0 mg/1 (Figure 9). During spring, when phytoplank-
ton activity is greatest, dissolved oxygen levels were highest,
reaching 179 percent saturation. The minimum values occurred during
fall and winter because of reduced phytoplankton activity and the
upwelling of deep oceanic waters with low oxygen content.
The data collected in March and April, 1968, revealed the
surface waters of Silver Bay and Eastern Channel contained dis-
solved oxygen concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 7.1 mg/1. The
surface waters of Katlian Bay had dissolved oxygen concentrations
of 10.3 to 12.2 mg/1. During a comparable period prior to mill
operation, the surface waters of Silver Bay and Eastern Channel
had dissolved oxygen levels ranging from 9.0 to 18.2 mg/1. The
difference between dissolved oxygen levels in Silver Bay and East-
ern Channel and those in Katlian Bay is too great to be the result
of natural processes. The lower levels in Silver Bay and Eastern
Channel are primarily the consequence of waste discharges in Saw-
mill Cove and Silver Bay. Dissolved oxygen values below the IO-
-------
s \
>
m
15 ft
XX)tt
»
o
Figure 9. Typical dissolved oxygen concentrations in Silver
Bay prior to construction of Pulp Mill, May, 1956
-------
41
reported for Katlian Bay and in the pre-mill data.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in Sawmill Cove measured
during August, 1970, ranged from 4.5 to 9.5 mg/1 in the first
5 meters of water (Table 3). Dissolved oxygen levels ranging
between 4.6 and 8.0 mg/1 were measured in August, 1965, through-
out Sawmill Cove, other portions of Silver Bay, and Eastern
Channel. (5)
Low dissolved oxygen levels in the spring and summer are
consistent with the reduction of phytoplankton activity expected
when SWL concentrations reach the higli levels measured during
these sampling periods. Oxygen-producing phytoplankton in the
upper water layers are adversely affected by the toxicity of SWL.
The lower dissolved oxygen observed in December, and expected
throughout the winter, when SWL concentrations were relatively low,
probably was the result of lower decomposition rates, decreased
phytoplankton activity, and the intrusion of oceanic bottom waters
that characteristically are low in dissolved oxygen.
Biological
Benthic Plants and Animals
According to information published in 1957 (3), many clean-water
bottom organisms such as mussels, snails, crabs, shellfish, star-
fish, urchins, and green and brown algae, thrived in great abun-
dance in the intertidal and bottom areas extending downward to
about 27 meters in Sawmill Cove and adjacent portions of Silver
-------
42
long period of time, usually a year, because they have limited
mobility.
During the 1968-69 study and again in August, 1970, visual in-
spection of the intertidal zone within Silver Bay revealed that
many of the plants and animals found during the 1956-57 study
no longer could be found in the Sawmill Cove area. Farther from
the mill, along the northern shoreline toward the mouth of the
bay, some of the organisms could be observed, but these appeared to
be stunted. In the upper portion of Silver Bay and along much of
its southern shoreline the effect of SWL on the organisms was
either slight or imperceptible.
Blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, sampled at six sites in Silver
Bay (Figure 10) and four sites in Katlian Bay (Figure 11) were
abundant in Katlian Bay and in those portions of Silver Bay sig-
nificantly distant from the pulp mill. Along the northern shore-
line, between the pulp mill and the mouth of the bay, the number of
blue mussels was drastically reduced (Table 3 and Appendix, Table
2A) . At stations 1 through 4 in both Silver Bay and Katlian Bay
more than 400 of these organisms were found per sampling unit. At
stations 5 and 6 in Silver Bay, less than 100 were found. Popu-
lations of these semi-pollution tolerant animals decreased from
-------
Si te 4
\\ve r
Site6
Site 2
M i les
Figure 10. Location of intertidal stations in Silver Bay
where Mytilus edulis samples were collected
¦p-
-------
44
Site 4
Site 3,
Site2
Figure LL. Location of intertidal stations in Katlian Bay
-------
45
TABLE 3
TOTAL NUMBERS OF BLUE MUSSELS, MYTILUS EPULIS,
COLLECTED PER 30 MINUTE SAMPLING EFFORT AT 6 INTERTIDAL STATIONS
IN SILVER BAY AND 4 INTERTIDAL STATIONS IN KATLIAN BAY,
JULY, 1968.
Stations
1 2 3 4 5 6
Silver Bay 1886 526 774 a/ 474 39 68
Katlian Bay 575 414 1451 647
a/ 15 minute sampling effort.
The reduction of aquatic life and the prevalence of black,
foul-smelling sludge, that contains wood chips and pulp fibers,
attest to the severely polluted condition of Sawmill Cove and
adjacent portions of Silver Bay. (Figure 12). Sludge blankets
nearly 0.2 square miles of the bottom of Sawmill Cove and Silver
Bay (Figure 13) . Some samples of bottom materials from Sawmill
Cove and along the north shore toward the mouth of the Bay con-
tained only polychaete worms. Other samples contained no macro-
scopic life.
Analyses of the sludge samples collected from Sawmill Cove
in August, 1970, showed a carbon content ranging from 26.9 to
42.1 percent and a nitrogen content of 0.24 to 0.66 percent
(Table 4). Enriched bottom deposits from an unpolluted area
often have a carbon content of less than 5 percent and a nitro-
-------
46.
data show that a significant area of Sawmill Cove is.intensively
polluted. The high organic carbon and nitrogen values are similar
to those associated with other raw wastes, such as sewage or wastes
from packing houses.
TABLE 4
PERCENTAGES (DRY WEIGHT) OF ORGANIC CARBON AND ORGANIC NITROGEN
FROM SAWMILL COVE BOTTOM DEPOSITS
AUGUST 19 70
Station Number % Organic Carbon J, Organic
Nitrogen
34
40.28
0.52
35
30.40
0.66
38
26.90
0.24
Discharge from Sewer
on Dugway
42.14
0.39
Floating sludge
was collected from the
waters of
Silver
Bay on September 11,
19 70, when a fish kill
occurred,
culmin-
ating in the loss of
at least 100,000 fish.
Chemical
anal-
ysis of the sludge showed a total sulfide concentration of
270 ppm, an initial oxygen demand of 320 ppm, and a chemical
-------
Figure 12. Typical decomposing sludge consisting of wood chips and pulp fibers
-------
Figure 13.
-------
49
Plankton
Sampling for microscopic plants and animals floating in the
water (Appendix, Table 3A) was qualitative only, and was inadequate
to establish patterns of plankton numbers and diversity associated
with oxygen production and pollutional effects of the SWL. Nevertheless,
studies in other waters that have dealt with plankton as related
to oxygen production are generally applicable to Silver Bay. (3, 8)
High dissolved oxygen concentrations in estuarine and near-
shore marine waters typically are the consequence of algae or
other plant populations (attached or planktonic). These exhibit
patterns of abundance associated with seasonal changes in water
column mixing, nutrients, temperature, and daylight. Character-
istically, northern marine waters are nutrient-rich in early
spring as a result of poor plant growing conditions in winter and
winter mixing of the water column. This, coupled with increased
water column stability, increased temperature, and lengthening days,
creates favorable conditions for phytoplankton activity, and a
bloom begins. The bloom is evidenced by an increase in phytoplank-
ton reproduction with an associated increase in dissolved oxygen
production which may be followed by an increase in zooplankton.
Often the water becomes supersaturated with dissolved oxygen. The
spring bloom of algae in shallow waters usually is most noticeable
in late April or early May. Shortly thereafter, it begins to sub-
-------
50
abundant, the dissolved oxygen decreases to lower levels that
persist throughout the summer.
In late August or early September, water stability esta-
blished during the summer begins to decline, mixing follows,
and nutrients may stimulate another phytoplankton bloom and as-
sociated increase in dissolved oxygen. This bloom is often short-
lived because temperature and lengths of days are decreased to
winter levels.
This annual phytoplankton cycle is inferred by plotting dis-
solved oxygen concentrations for one year or more. This was
done with dissolved oxygen data for Silver Bay prior to operation
of the pulp mill (Figure 9). It is apparent that dissolved oxygen
was sufficiently abundant to result in supersaturation, and the
cyclic pattern of phytoplankton abundance with blooms in May and
August is implied.
The 1968-69 data showing reduced oxygen content in Silver
Bay imply a toxic effect of SWL on phytoplankton (Table 2). SWL
inhibits phytoplankton activity at concentrations exceeding 50 ppm.
The color of SWL also reduces the amount of light entering Silver
Bay waters. It is axiomatic that the photosynthetic process of
phytoplankton and attached algae is decreased if light is decreased,
and that oxygen production will be reduced. Biochemical oxygen
demand of the SWL and associated wastes discharged to Silver Bay
also contribute to the decrease in dissolved oxygen.
Fish And Other Associated Animals
-------
51
trations above 10 ppm are detrimental to many forms of biological
life, particularly larval stages which are found in the upper 10
meters of the water column. (8). The Puget Sound studies also
determined that survival and well-being of salmon were impaired
when the following criteria were not met:
SWL-less than 1000 ppm
Total sulfides-no detectable amount
Dissolved oxygen-greater than 5 mg/1
pH -greater than 6.5
Ammonia Nitrogen-0.2 mg/1
The first two of these criteria frequently are not met in
Silver Bay and dissolved oxygen, at times, is reduced below 6 mg/1.
In the vicinity of the mill outfalls and in extensive benthic
reaches of Sawmill Cove, sulfides were so apparent that they
were detected readily by their strong hydrogen sulfide odor. Dur-
ing the August 20, 1970, survey, extensive gas formation due to
anerobic decomposition of bottom deposits of wood chips and pulp
fibers was occurring over the western half of Sawmill Cove. Float-
ing sludge deposits were also observed in this area. On September
11, 1970, the sludge beds resulting from the discharge of inadequa-
tely treated mill wastes "bulked" and released a large mat of float-
ing sludge. At the same time, the hydrogen sulfide and total sul-
fide concentrations in the waters of Sawmill Cove increased to high
levels. A fish kill estimated at over 100, 000 occurred in con-
-------
52
A previous study showed that calcium-base SWL is toxic or
inhibitory to certain salmon-food and associated organisms at
concentrations exeeding 50 ppm. (3) This study concluded that
"to be entirely on the safe side of the toxicity range, concen-
trations of sulfite waste liquor solids should not exceed 50 ppm"
in waters where salmon are expected to feed. A concentration
of 50 ppm of SWL was exceeded, at times, over 11 square miles of
the study area in Silver Bay and Eastern Channel.
It should be pointed out that while SWL concentrations less
than 1000 ppm can be tolerated by juvenile salmon, they would be
toxic, or otherwise harmful, to salmon-food and associated organ-
isms. Thus, 50 ppm of SWL, or less, appears to be the upper li-
mit necessary for the sustained survival and well-being of salmon
food; 10 ppm appears to be the upper threshold for other aquatic
-------
BIBLIOGRAPHY
J. SLatc of Alaska, Department of llealtli and Welfare, "Alaska State
Plan, Water QualiLy Standards for interstate waters within the
State of Alaska." June 20, 1967, Revised November 10, 1967, and
Hay 24, 1970.
2. U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration. F.xcerpL of: Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
PublLC Law 84-660, as Amended by the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act Amendments of 1961 (PL 87-88), The Water Quality Act
of 1965 (PL 89-234) and the Clean Water Restoration AcL of 1966
(PL 890753). 24 pp Minieo.
3. Alaska WaLer Pollution ConLrol Hoard. "Report No. 10, Silver
Kay Water Pollution Control S'Luchos Near Sitka, ALaska."
June 17, 1957.
4. Barnes, C. A. et a], University of Washington, Department of
Oceanography. "Special Report No. 24, Oceanography of Silver
Bay." Seattle, Washington, September 1956.
5. U. S. Department of Lhe InLerior, Federal Water Pollution Control
Admi i) l st ra t loii , NorLhwest Region. "Oteanographic and Related
Water Quality Studies in Southeastern Alaska, August 1965."
Portland, Oregon. July 1966.
6. Strickland, J.D.II. and Parsons, T.K. "A Manual of Sea Water
Analysis." Fisheries Research Hoard of Canada, OLtawa, Canada
1965. pp 19-21 .
7. Barnes, C.A., et a I. A standardized Pear 1-Benson, or nitroso,
method recommended for estimation of spenL sulfate liquor or
sulfite waste liquor concentrations in waters. Tappi 46 (6):
347-351, 1963.
8. U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water Pollution
Control. Administration, and Washington State Pollution Control
Commission. "PolluLional Lffects of Pulp and Paper Mill Wastes
in Puget Sound." Portland, Oregon, and Olympia, Washington.
-------
I
-------
TABLE 1A
TEMPERATURE, SALINITY AND DENSITY WITH DEPTH (METERS)
IN SILVER BAY AND EASTERN CHANNEL
1968-1969
Station Numbers
L1
DEPTH
31
4 L
5
5
T°C
S°/oo
CT t
T°C
S°/oo
a t
T°C
S°/oo
a t
T°C
S°/oo
a t
March
27, 28
and April
3, 1968
0
5.07
31. 13
24. 63
5.00
30.69
24.29
4. 90
30. 15
23.87
4.76
30.51
24.17
2
5.33
31.49
24.89
5.32
31.40
24.82
5.34
31.00
24.50
5.26
31.12
24.61
5
5.29
31. 55
24. 94
5.28
31.55
24.94
5.29
31.40
24.82
5.28
31.50
24. 90
10
5.20
31. 58
24. 97
5. 16
31.58
24.98
5.22
31.51
24. 91
-
-
-
15
5.14
31.60
25.00
5. 14
31.58
24.98
5. 18
31.52
24.93
5. 18
31.60
25.00
20
5.06
31.61
25.01
5.08
31.60
25.01
5.06
31. 56
24.97
-
-
-
25
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5. 10
31.66
25.04
30
5.05
31. 69
25. 08
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
35
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40
5.09
31.73
25. 10
5.08
31.71
25.09
5. 10
31.62
25.01
-
-
-
45
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5.12
31.75
25.11
60
-
-
-
5.25
31.80
25.14
5.16
31. 70
25.07
-
-
-
70
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5.26
31.81
25. 15
80
-
-
-
-
-
31.67
-
-
•
Station Numbers
18
181
231
25
T°C
S°/oo
at
T°C
S°/oo
at
T°C
S°/oo
at
T°C
S°/oo
Ot
March
27, 28
and April
3, 1968
0
5. 10
28.78
22.78
4.98
29.19
23. 11
5.29
29. 92
23.67
4.86
30.28
23.98
2
5.27
31.21
24. 67
5.22
31.16
24.64
4.92
30.25
23.95
-
-
-
5
5.30
31.38
24.80
5.26
31.46
24.87
5.03
30.95
24.49
5.10
31.26
24.73
10
5.28
31.51
24. 90
5.28
31.54
24.93
5.30
31.46
24.86
5.32
31.43
24.84
15
5.22
31.42
24.84
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
5. 17
31.58
24. 98
5.24
31.62
25.00
-
-
-
5.22
31.57
24.96
30
-
-
-
-
-
-
5.29
31.68
25.04
-
-
-
40
5. 11
31. 57
24. 97
5.11
31.71
25.08
-
-
-
5.28
31.67
25.03
60
5.15
31.66
25. 04
5.22
31.79
25.14
5.32
31.79
25.13
-
-
-
70
-
-
-
5.28
31.82
25.15
-
-
-
-
-
-
80
-
31.77
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5.29
31.81
25.14
^arch 28, 1968
-------
TABLE 1A (Continued)
TEMPERATURE, SALINITY AND DENSITY WITH DEPTH (METERS)
IN SILVER BAY AND EASTERN CHANNEL
1968-1969
Station Numbers
2
3
4
8
16
T°C
S°/oo
at
T°C
S°/oo
a t
S°/oo
T°C
S°/oo
at
T°C
S°/oo a t
December
13, 14, 1968
0
6.0
27. 1
21.4
-
-
_
-
_
_
5.0
20.5
16.3
1
6.0
28.0
22.1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7.0
27.3
21.4
5
7.2
30.2
23.7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7.0
30.4
23.8
10
-
22.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30.8
-
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
29.9
-
December 15, 1968
0
-
27.7
_
_
27.1
_
30.4
_
30.8
_
-
25.7
-
1
-
30.4
-
-
22.8
-
30.9
-
30.1
-
-
30.1
-
5
-
30.8
-
-
30.9
-
30.6
-
30.8
-
-
30.6
-
10
-
30.9
-
-
31.1
-
31.1
-
30.8
-
-
30.6
-
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30.8
-
April
22, 1969
0
-
27.5
_
5.0
18.2
14.5
23.0
5.6
26.2
20.7
5.5
27.1
21.4
1
-
30.0
-
5.0
31.7
25.1
31.0
5.1
29.5
23.4
5.7
29.2
23.0
2
-
-
-
4.9
-
-
-
5.1
-
-
5.0
-
-
3
-
-
-
4.9
-
-
-
5.0
-
-
4.2
-
-
4
-
-
-
4.9
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
31.2
-
4.8
31.7
25.1
31.7
4.9
31.5
24.9
4.0
31.3
24.9
7
-
-
-
4.8
-
-
-
4.9
-
-
4.0
-
-
10
-
31.5
-
4.8
31.8
25.2
31.7
4.8
31.6
25.0
3.9
31.5
25.0
14
-
-
-
4.6
-
-
-
4.8
-
-
3.7
-
-
20
-
31.6
-
4.6
-
-
-
-
31.7
-
-
31.5
-------
TABLE 1A (Continued)
TEMPERATURE, SALINITY AND DENSITY WITH DEPTH (METERS)
IN SILVER BAY AND EASTERN CHANNEL
1968-1969
Stat ion Numbers
DEPTH
18
23
24
25
28
T°C
S°/oo
at
S°/oo
T°C
S°/oo
at
S°/oo
T°C
S°/oo
at
December 13,
14, 1968
0
5.5
21.4
16.9
30.6
6.5
29.6
23.2
-
6.0
29.7
23.4
1
6.5
29.7
23.3
30.1
6.5
29.4
23. 1
-
6.0
30. 1
23.7
5
7.0
30.4
23.8
30.8
6.0
30. 1
23.7
-
6.4
30.2
23.8
10
-
30.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
30.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
December 15
, 1968
0
-
21.9
-
30.4
-
29.6
-
-
-
30.2
-
1
-
30.8
-
30.6
-
29.6
-
-
-
30.4
-
5
-
30.4
-
30.4
-
29.6
-
-
-
30.3
-
10
-
30.4
-
30.8
-
30.6
-
-
-
30.4
-
20
-
30.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
April 22,
1969
0
5.3
29.0
22.9
27.4
_
29.4
-
31. 1
_
28.4
—
1
4.9
29.0
23.0
30.0
-
30.3
-
30.0
-
29. 1
-
2
4.4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
A
3.7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
3.3
31.3
24.9
30.9
_
31.1
_
30.6
_
31.0
7
3.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10
3.8
30.9
24.6
31.4
-
31.5
-
30.8
-
31.5
-
14
3.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
31.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-------
TABLE 1A (Continued)
TEMPERATURE, SALINITY AND DENSITY WITH DEPTH (METERS)
IN SILVER BAY AND EASTERN CHANNEL
1968-1969
Station Numbers
DEPTH
13
16
34
35
36
T°C
S°/oo
t
T°C
S°/oo
t
T°C
S°/oo t
T°C
S°/oo
i t
T°C
S°/oo
' t
August
20,
1970
0
10.0
8.9
<7.6
11.6
12.5
9.3
10.8
6.8
<7.5
10.7
10.8
8.1
10.8
11.5
8.6
1
12.1
20.9
15.7
12.7
27.5
20.7
11.8
23.4
17.7
12.0
23.2
17.5
11.9
23.0
17.4
2
12.1
32.0
24.3
12.2
29.9
22.6
12.2
27.2
20.5
11.5
31.7
24.2
12.3
28.5
21.5
5
11.4
30.1
22.9
11.7
31.6
24.0
11.6
31.5
24.0
11.2
32.1
24.5
11.5
31.8
24.2
10
-
-
-
11.4
32.0
24.4
-
-
-
12.0
28.9
21. 9
11.3
32.0
24.4
15
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11.2
32.2
24.6
20
-
-
_
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Station Numbers
DEPTH
37
38
39
T°C
S°/oo
at
T°C
S°/oo
1 at
T°C
s°/oo at
0
11.3
11.4
8.5
11.2
U.2
8.4
11.3
13.5
10.1
1
12.3
25.4
19.1
13.1
26.3
19.7
13.4
27.7
20.7
2
12.1
29.8
22.6
12.2
29.5
22.3
12.3
29.8
22.5
5
11.5
31.9
24.3
11.5
31.8
24.2
11.7
31.6
24.0
10
11.1
32.3
24.7
11.2
32.4
24.7
11.5
32.1
24.5
15
-
-
-
-
-
-
11.2
32.1
24.5
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
11.1
32.2
24.6
25
-
-
-
-
-
-
10.9
32.3
24.7
30
-
-
-
-
-
-
10.3
32.4
24.9
35
-
-
-
-
-
-
9.7
32.2
24.8
40
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.9
32.2
25.0
45
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.7
32.4
25.2
50
-
-
-
-
-
-
8.1
32.4
25.3
55
-
-
-
-
-
-
7.4
32.8
-------
61
TABLE 2a
LENGTH-FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF BLUE MUSSELS, MYTILUS EPULIS,
AT 6 SITES IN SILVER BAY AND 4 SITES IN KATLIAN BAY
JULY 1968.
Silver Bay Katlian Bay
Site/Length 15 min. 15 min.
in mm
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
app
1
2
11
8
550
123
2
3
11
1
1
2
23
10
72
32
3
30
46
2
4
8
23
69
32
4
52
64
3
8
3
8
17
58
29
5
44
84
1
13
2
1
6
17
62
26
6
35
58
14
6
16
12
46
21
7
32
47
4
11
2
1
13
9
48
21
8
51
43
5
11
4
2
16
12
27
18
9
49
33
1
8
3
14
17
30
28
10
57
35
13
2
25
14
35
18
11
69
24
11
3
24
8
21
37
12
68
23
19
2
2
14
9
32
35
13
62
24
28
3
13
13
18
26
14
68
9
35
5
6
30
16
15
25
15
51
8
1
30
1
3
13
7
17
28
16
41
6
30
2
6
25
14
21
32
17
43
3
27
2
7
20
10
14
16
18
28
1
1
27
1
3
22
11
20
20
19
34
3
31
1
4
21
10
13
15
20
29
1
31
2
5
25
6
13
9
21
16
29
7
15
4
7
7
22
20
1
23
6
15
4
7
8
23
16
2
18
1
12
5
13
8
24
8
I
8
3
22
6
13
4
25
8
5
17
1
16
11
7
8
26
6
1
2
3
2
13
2
10
5
27
5
3
9
1
2
19
5
10
4
28
4
6
15
4
3
29
;
1
1
5
14
2
5
2
30
1
2
4
5
13
9
9
3
31
3
4
3
16
6
8
32
3
7
9
2
8
1
33
2
8
11
5
11
34
3
10
3
2
8
4
9
2
35
6
8
2
14
2
36
6
4
4
9
1
37
17
2
11
6
9
-------
62
TABLE 2A (Continued)
LENGTH-FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION OF BLUE MUSSELS, MYTILUS EDUI.TS,
AT 6 SITES IN SILVER BAY AND 4 SITES IN KATLIAN BAY
JULY 1968.
Silver Bay
Katlian Bay
Site/Length
15 min.
15 min.
in irnn
1
2
3 4
5
6
1
2
3
4
38
12
4
2
8
1
39
22 1
3
6
5
40
1
24
2
4
8
41
27
4
6
6
42
27
1
3
2
11
43
27
1
2
9
44
28
1
8
45
31
5
3
46
24
7
47
13
4
5
48
13
5
8
49
12
4
4
50
10
4
2
51
8
4
5
52
2
3
5
53
5
6
7
54
4
5
4
55
2
6
2
56
2
5
1
57
2
58
1
59
1
2
60
3
2
61
1
62
3
63
1
64
3
65
3
66
2
68
1
1
TOTAL
943
526
387 474
39
88
575
414
1451
-------
'O ~
~3
4
8
16
18
21
24
23
25
30
31
32
31
3
4
8
16
18
TABLE 3A
PERCENTAGES OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN SAMPLES
FROM SILVER BAY, EASTERN CHANNEL AND KATLIAN BAY
1968-1969
co n)
3 Ij
O
CO CO
•H O
T3 -H
O CO
C co
•i-i cd
o .-I
co eg
co
O
u
c
o
•H
cu
JJ
CO
<
C
a
E
3
•H
c
•H
•r"l
a)
cu
u
cd
•H
60
cd
Ct,
CO
o
*0
'H
>
•r4 TJ
T3 0)
C 4J
M c
D
»—< O
cd o
o
H
3
cd
33
X
4J
a
3
3
57
1
2
62
1
3
64
2
10
33
3
8
38
5
8
33
3
6
45
6
6
53
4
3
49
4
13
76
5
8
81
3
9
65
3
20
63
4
68
14
4
88
7
1
86
2
1
73
13
7
75
8
4
63
21
4
92
2
90
1
65
12
8
69
13
4
31
29
24
36
40
46
34
29
35
1
5
16
10
11
7
8
3
5
5
3
5
13
6
7
5
5
6
3
1
2
1
1
1
<1
1
<•5
<.5
2
12
3
< .5 *.5
-- <.5
-- «.5
-- <.5
- <5
— <5
" <-5
" <-5
1
1
1
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
<1
<•5
< .5
-- <.5
2
<.5
< .5
< .5
<.5
<•5
<•1
<.5
1
1
<.5
1
1
3
< 1
5
1
1
4
5
2
2
1
2
5
<.5
<•5
<.5
<•5
<.5
<.5
<.5
<.5
<•5
<•5
<•5
1
2
4,836
10,837
1,893
733
1,161
1,824
1,152
983
1,604
392
526
384
897
76
82
119
99
96
301
62
160
85
251
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
2
30
2
30
2
30
2
30
2
-------
TABLE 3A (Continued)
PERCENTAGES OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN SAMPLES
FROM SILVER BAY, EASTERN CHANNEL AND KATLIAN BAY
1968-1969
Station Nos,
/-N
CO CO
0 u
O
ca
CO CO
O
O
l-i
'O 'H
a)
O CO
u
C co
o
•H cd
J->
O r-H
co ca
8
x:
o
69
7
77
5
93
3
75
8
70
8
83
5
63
10
78
3
OC
C
OC
C
RC
c
OC
c
RO
c
OC
c
RC
c
OC
c
OC
c
OC
c
OC
c
OC
c
4J
•H
J2
o
CO
•rt
•H
CO
CO
•M
CO
a
a
CO
CO
£
rH
N
CO
CO
±j
o
fS
•H
z
D
CO
3
"
7
7
3
cd
CO
CO
•H
cO
£
c
C
a)
a)
o
C
C
CL
p
o
o
a)
T"^
•C
4J
•H
CO
3
ftj
r-H
<0
o
(A
•rH
4-1
cO
Vj
3
a)
f—1
>
0)
•H
0
3
CO
>
T3
CO
i
o"
•H
•rH
a)
PC
¦H
4J
c
i—1
«
c
c
0
i—¦(
M
3
o
-H
o
r--)
o
4J
•H
i-H
o
XL
o
p
bO
nj
a
0)
o
CO
4J
a
J-l
u
o
a
•H
H
Q
21
24
23
29
22 April, 1969
3
4
8
16
18
21
24
23
25
Near Outfall
33
32
5
5
1
1
5
4
15
3
< .5
11
9
6
6
2 < 1
*.5
6^2
3 <;.5
2
2 .5
8 *.5
1
6
13 3
134
308
118
234
208
235
48
32
2
25
2
25
2
25
2
10
V
0
V
0
V
0
V
V
RELATIVE ABUNDANCE PHYTO PLANKTON
R-Rare , O-Occasional; C-Connnon
R
R
--
R
R
--
0
R
R
--
0
•-
0
.
•-
0
R
R
R
0
R
R
--
0
R
-
0
-
0
R
-
R
0
R
R
R
R -¦
0
0
0
0
25
0
0
0
25
0
R
0
25
0
0
R
25
0
0
R
25
0
0
0
25
0
0
R
25
0
0
R
25
0
0
R
25
0
•-
R
5
0
R
0
25
0
R
0
25
------- |