United States Oil and Special Materials September 1980
Environmental Protection Control Division
Agency Marine Protection Branch
Washington DC 20460
Water
oEPA Environmental Final
Impact Statement
(ElS)for New York
Bight Acid Waste
Disposal Site
Designation
-------
METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS
Approximate Conversions to Metric Measure
Symbol
When You Know
Multiply by
To Find
Syml
LENGTH
in
inches
2.54
centimeters
cm
it
left
30.
cenlimeters
cm
yit
rirds
a. g
meters
m
Ina
latNnis
4.8
meters
m
ffii
statute miles
16
kilometers
km
nmi
nautical miles'
19
kilometers
ken
'1 nauticil
m*it * € 076 leel r 115 statute miles
AREA
in*
square inches
6.5
square cenfcrneters
cm2
square feel
D.D9
squaie meters
m2
square yards
C.8
squave meters
m2
mi*
il»rt miles
2.6
square kilometers
km^
nmi2
squire nautical miles
3.4
square kilometers
km2
MASS [weight]
(2
ounces
28
grams
g
lb
pounds
0.45
kilograms
kq
shad ions (2.000 lbs!
o.g
tonnes*
X
*1 tonne -
1.000 kg - 1 metric ion
VOLUME
II 07
fluid ounces
30
milliliters
ml
pt
pints
047
liters
1
qt
quads
0.95
liters
1
gal
gallons
38
liters
1
ft3
cubic feel
0.03
cubic meters
m3
Wd3
cubic yards
0.76
cubic meters
m3
TEMPERATURE (exact)
3F
Fatirenteit temperature
0.551 F) 32
Ceisins temperature
X
VELOCITY
in''sec
inches per second
2.5
centimeters per second
cm/
11/sec
feel pe> second
30,
centimeters per second
cm/
h/imn
feel per minute
0.5
centimeters per second
cm/
mph
miles per how
16
kilometers per hour
kph
kn
knots"
51.
centimeters per second
cm
kn
knots (nautical miles pe* hour] 1.9
kilometers per hour
kph
"I knot * 1.15 mpk
Approximate Conversions from Metric Measure
Symbol
When You Know
Multiply by
To Find
Symbol
LENGTH
mm
millimeters
004
inches
in
cm
cenlimeters
04
inches
in
m
meters
3.3
leel
n
m
meters
1.1
yards
yn
m
melers
0.6
la thorns
tin
km
kilometers
06
statute miles
mt
km
kilometers
0.5
nautical raftes*
nmi
*1 nautical
mile = 6.076 feet = 1.15 statute miles
AREA
cm®
square centimeters
0.16
square inches
in*
m*
square melers
n.
s«wre feel
n!
square melers
1.2
square yards
rd2
km2
square kilometers
0 4
square miles
mi2
km^
square kilometers
03
square nautical miles
•mi®
MASS (weight]
9
grams
04
o traces
01
kg
kilograms
2.2
poonds
lb
1
tonnes^
1.1
short toos 12.000 Ibl
*1 tonne -
1.000 kg - 1 metric ton
VOLUME
ml
milliliters
0.03
fluid ounces
11 oz
1
liters
2.1
pints
pt
1
liters
1.1
quarts
qt
1
liters
0.3
gallons
gal
m3
cubic meters
35
cubic leel
ft3
m3
cable meters
1.3
cubic yards
yd3
TEMPERATURE (exact)
DC
Celsius temperature
l.arci +32
Fakrenheii temperature
"F
VELOCITY
cm/sec
centimeters per second
0.4
inches per second
in./ sec
cm/s«
centimeters per second
0.0-3
leet per second
ft'sec
cm/sec
centimeters per second
2.0
leet per minute
fl'min
cm/sec
centimeters per second
0.02
knots (nautical miles per hr)"
kn
kph
kilometers per hew
0.6
miles per hour
mph
kpfc
kilometers per hew
0.5
knits
kn
"1 kwi -
1.T5 npfa
-------
FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)
for
NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE
DISPOSAL SITE DESIGNATION
August 1980
&EPA
Pnparad Under Contract 68-01-4610
T, A. Wastlsr, Project Officer
for
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Oil and Special Materials Control Division
Marina Protection Branch
Washington* D.C. 20460
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON
THE NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL
SITE DESIGNATION
Prepared by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Oil and Special Materials Control Division
Marine Protection Branch
Washington, D.C. 20460
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF WATER PROGRAM OPERATIONS
MARINE PROTECTION BRANCH
(X) Administrative/Regulatory action
( ) Legislative action
The review period for coinmentB on the Draft EIS ended on 12 February 1980;
however, the review period was extended until 6 March 1980 in order to
incorporate all public comments.
The 30-day review period for comments on the Final EIS ends on
December 5, 1980
Comments should be addressed to:
Mr. T.A. Wastler
Chief, Marine Protection Branch (WH-548)
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Copies of the Final EIS may be obtained from:
Environmental Protection Agency
Marine Protection Branch (WH-548)
Washington,.D.C. 20460
Environmental Protection Agency
Region II (2 SA-MWP)
Marine and Wetlands Protection Branch
26 Federal Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10007
v
-------
The Final Statement may be reviewed at the following locations:
Environmental Protection Agency
Public Information Reference Unit, Room 2404 (Rear)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
Library, Room 1002
26 Federal Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10007
Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
Woodbridge Ave.
GSA Raritan Depot
Edison, N.J. 08817
NOAA/MESA New York Bight Project
Old Biology Bldg.
State University of New York
Stony Brook, N.Y. 11794
Approved by:
T.A. Wastler
Project Officer
Date
vi
-------
SUMMARY
This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) provides the public information
required for the decisionmaking process about formal designation of the New
York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site (Acid Site) for continued use as an ocean
disposal site. It recommends the types of wastes that could be released at
the site, summarizes the history of waste disposal at the site, and provides
guidance for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage the site
under the ocean dumping permit program.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The CIS has three levels of detail. This summary emphasises significant
points of the chapters, permitting readers to understand major points without
reading the entire text. The main text contains additional technical
information, with full discussions of the alternatives and choices. The
Appendices contain supplemental technical data and information which amplify
and support tne preferred alternative. It is not necessary to read the
appendices to understand the rest of the document.
Six Chapters comprise the main body of the EIS:
• Chapter 1 specifies the purpose of and need for the proposed action
and presents background information relevant to ocean waste
disposal. The legal framework by which EPA selects, designates, and
manages ocean waste disposal sites, is described.
• Chapter 2 presents alternatives to designating the Acid Site,
outlines the procedures by which alternatives were chosen and
evaluated, and summarizes the relevant comparisons of all
alternatives.
vii
-------
• Chapter 3 describes the environmental features of the Acid Site and
the alternative sites. The history of waste disposal and other
activities in the site vicinities is fully described.
• Chapter 4 discusses the environmental consequences of waste disposal
at the alternative sites and at the proposed site.
• Chapter 5 lists the preparers of the EIS and those who commented
on the DEIS.
• Chapter 6 contains a glossary and the references.
Seven Appendices are included to support the text:
• Appendix A specifies the environmental characteristics of the New
*
York Bight and describes the oceanographic processes occurring at
the Acid Site.
• Appendix fi discusses the Acid Site in detail, specific studies
already performed at the site, and unique features.
• Appendix C describes the waste inputs to the Bight from all
contaminant sources.
• Appendix D discusses the previous waste disposal at the Acid Site
and compares the inputs to the total waste loading.
• Appendix E summarizes the existing monitoring plan at the site and
defines general criteria for future site monitoring.
• Appendix F contains the letters received during the public comment
period and the responses to these comments.
~Hereinafter - "the Bight;" mid-Atlantic Bight will be in full.
viii
-------
• Appendix G presents the Federal Register May 29, 1980 announcement
of the Proposed Site Designation and Criteria for Management of the
New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site.
BACKGROUND
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) identified ocean waste disposal
as a potentially serious environmental problem (CEQ, 1970). As a result of
the CEQ's report and increasing public awareness of the dangers of unregulated
waste disposal in the oceans, Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research,
and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) in 1972. This law placed the ocean disposal of
barged wastes under the authority of EPA, which published the Final Ocean
Dumping Regulations and Criteria in 1977 (superseding regulations published in
1973). These were designed to regulate waste disposal, evaluate environmental
effects of various waste types, and designate and manage all ocean disposal
sites for continued use. The regulations identified 14 interim municipal and
industrial waste disposal sites for use until waste disposal operations were
terminated, or until sites were designated for use, in accordance with the'
criteria. The interim designation of the sites was extended pending
completion of in-depth studies of various dumpsites. (See AO CFR 228.12 as
amended 16 January 1980; 45 FR 3053.) The subject of this EIS is the
designation of the Acid Site for continued use.
PROPOSED ACTION
EPA proposes to designate the Acid Site for continued use for liquid acid
waste disposal. This action will satisfy the need for a suitable location off
the Middle Atlantic States for disposal of certain wastes which comply with
the criteria for ocean disposal, under EPA's ocean dumping permit program.
The criteria are based on a demonstrated need for ocean disposal in preference
to land-based alternatives, and an evaluation of the potential impact on the
marine environment.
ix
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The Acid Site was first used in 1948. Only two industrial waste
generators, NL Industries, Inc. and Allied Chemical Corp., are presently
(1960) using the site for disposal of highly acidic waste. Acids in the waste
are rapidly neutralized by seawater. Other waste constituents, present in
minute quantities, have no apparent impact on the marine environment. NL
Industries and Allied Chemical have each submitted reports to CPA, which
demonstrate that their respective wastes comply with the environmental impact
criteria of the Ocean Dumping Regulations. Land-based alternative disposal
methods are considered before granting a permit for ocean disposal. EPA
requires the permittees to investigate the most promising alternatives with
the objective of eliminating ocean dumping. At this time, however, ocean
disposal of these acid wastes is the environmentally preferable disposal
solution.
Continued use of the existing interim site in the New York Bight Apex
(Apex) is the preferred alternative for several reasons. More than 30 years
of studies have not documented any long-term adverse effects from acid waste
disposal at this site. The amount of pollution introduced by acid waste is
slight, tnus tne transference of waste disposal activities to a more distant
site would not environmentally counterbalance increased economic costs (to the
waste generators and ttie Federal Government) and logistic difficulties of
using a new site.
MAJOR ALTERNATIVES
The major alternatives to designation of the Acid Site are:
(1) No action - The site would continue under the interim designation.
No action is not a viable alternative since the EPA is required to
decide the fate of this site, i.e., final designation or end of
dumping at the site.
(2) Use of alternative ocean disposal sites.
x
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Three other locations, the Northern and Southern Areas in the Bight, and
the 106-Mile Ocean Waste Disposal Site (106-Mile Site) off the Continental
Shelf, were considered as possible alternatives to the existing site. The
following listing shows the category of each alternative site:
Site
Category
Acid Site
106-Mile Site
Northern Area
Southern Area
Existing site on the
Continental Shelf
Existing site off the
Continental Shelf
New site on the
Continental Shelf offshore
Long Island
New site on the
Continental Shelf offshore
New Jersey
Nine municipal and industrial waste disposal sites (excluding dredged material
disposal sites) exist in the mid-Atlantic region. (See Figure 2-2, Chapter
2). Sites used for other types of wastes (cellar dirt, wood incineration,
wrecks, and sewage sludge) were not considered as candidates for acid waste
disposal. Combinations of different waste types at a single site are
generally undesirable because synergistic interactions may occur between the
wastes. The Delaware Bay Acid Waste Site was not considered because of its
inactive status and distance from New York Harbor.
The 106-Mile Site was considered as a viable alternative since it is
presently used for disposal of aqueous industrial wastes (including acids),
and is located beyond the Continental Shelf. The Northern and Southern Areas
were considered as alternative sewage sludge disposal sites, and site-specific
information is available for both areas. The Alternate Sewage Sludge Site,
(Figure 2-2 in Chapter 2) has been designated in the northeast corner of the
Northern Area. These areas are representative of the mid-shelf region
offshore New Jersey and Long Island. If another specific location on the
shelf were selected, the same reasoning would apply. Table S-l summarizes the
favorable and unfavorable features of each alternative considered in this EIS.
xi
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TABLE S—1
SUMMARY EVALUATION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
Alternative
Favorable Factors
Unfavorable Factors
No Action
Continue
interim site
designation
Proposed Action
designate existing
Acid Site
None
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Alternative Sites
Clt £-the-Continental
Shel f
106-Mile Site
(i)
iii)
(iii)
On-the-Cont inental
Shell
U) Northern Area
(2J Southern Area
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(i)
Commercial resources (lobster,
whiting, bluefish) not harmed
by waste disposal.
Site has been used over 30
years without apparent environ-
mental damage.
Nearshore location simplifies
monitoring effects of disposal
and surveillance of disposal
operations; cost of these
programs is low.
Documented loss of biotic or
mineral resources have not
occurred due to acid waste
disposal.
Hauling coats are low for
all permittees.
No adverse effects on fisheries,
aesthetics, or benthos due to
distance from shore and depth.
Short-term adverse effects on
the water same as at existing
site.
Site has been used for 14 years
for aqueous industrial wastes
without apparent environ-
mental damage.
Area does not have large
numbers of commercially
exploitable species.
Water movement usually carries
contaminants along or off-Shelf
and away from shore.
Short-term adverse effects on
the water same as at existing
site.
Short-term adverse effects on
the water sane as at existing
site.
(i)
(ii)
(i)
(ii)
Interim designation
expires December 1982.
Less environmentally sound
alternative disposal method
would be implemented or the
plant would be shut down.
Although a small amount
(<1Z of the total input),
acid wastes are additional
sources of contaminants to
the Apex, a highly stressed
area.
Acid-iron wastes form a
visible plume of ferric
hydroxide (rust) which is
persistent (48 hr max),
aesthetically displeasing
and may interfere with some
pelagic sport fisheries.
(i)
(ii)
( iii)
-------
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
The Acid Site is in the Apex. The Apex is adjacent to one of the most
industrialized and populated regions of the country, and receives wastes from
more than 20 million people. Large quantities of acid wastes are released
annually at the site, but adverse effects last only a few minutes following
disposal. When compared with waste inputs from all sources, the contaminants
in acid wastes are insignificant. The existing site is 15 nmi from shore,
abuts the Hudson Shelf Valley, has a sandy bottom, and is in 26 m of water.
The Northern and Southern Areas are further offshore (30 nmi), with sandy
bottoms in deeper water (31 to 53 m). The Hudson Shelf Valley and Canyon, an
important geological feature and a migration route for some animals, lies
between the two named areas. Potentially exploitable shellfish resources and
mineral resources exist near the Southern Area. The Northern Area is neither
unique nor especially productive.
The 106-Mile Site is just beyond the edge of the Continental Shelf, 90 nmi
from shore, in over 1,500 m of water. The site is oceanic with the water
characteristics and biological features resembling more the open ocean to the
east than coastal areas to the west. Chemical wastes were released there,
beginning in 1961; munitions and low-level radioactive wastes have also been
dumped in or near this area. Long-term adverse effects caused by such wastes
have not been demonstrated. There are no known exploitable mineral or
biological resources in the area.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Since acid-waste liquids do not have a toxic solid phase, before or after
release, the short-term effects after release will be similar at all
alternative sites. Acid-iron waste does form a ferric hydroxide (rust) floe
after release which, according to the Ocean Dumping Regulations, is part of
xiii
-------
the suspended particulate phase. Four characteristics of these liquid acid
wastes are important in considering possible effects at the alternative sites:
(1) Aqueous wastes will not measurably affect benthos at deep sites, but
some waste constituents may accumulate in sediment at shallow sites.
(2) Aqueous wastes have short-term (minutes to hours) effects on the
water when released at rates that allow adequate dispersion,
preventing accumulation of waste constituents in the water mass.
(3) Bioaccumulation of waste constituents in organisms that inhabit the
water column (plankton or fish) is unlikely.
(4) Solid fraction will slowly settle to the bottom after being
dispersed over a wide area.
Acid waste disposal has had minimal adverse impacts on the environment of
the Acid Site. Assessments of over 30 years of documentation from
investigations by Federal, university, and private groups, show that there are
no long-term adverse effects from the wastes. Accumulations of waste
constituents in sediments are possible, but acid wastes represent less than 1%
of total contaminant inputs to the Bight. Consequently, transferring waste
disposals to other locations probably would not measurably improve either
water quality or ecosystem health in the Bight.
The effects of acid waste disposal in the Southern Area could be more
severe than at the existing site. Since wastes have never been released in
the area, detectable accumulations in the sediments may occur and adversely
affect the ecosystem. It should be noted that potentially exploitable
biological (shellfish) and mineral (sand, oil, and gas) resources exist in the
area, and waste disposal operations could interfere with such profitable ocean
usage.
xiv
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It wastes were released in the Northern Area, effects on the ecosystem
would parallel those in the Southern Area. Such effects are potentially more
severe than those resulting from continued use of the existing site. The
adverse effects on public health and water quality would be negligible since
exploitable resources are not found near the site.
If the 106-Mile Site were designated for the disposal of acid wastes, the
effects would be similar to those at the existing nearshore site. Should
adverse environmental effects occur, however, they would be more difficult to
detect because of the inherent complex oceanographic characteristics at the
site. The risk of emergency (short) dumping is further increased because of
the much longer transit time to the site from New York Harbor.
CONCLUSIONS
After carefully evaluating all reasonable alternatives, EPA proposes that
the New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site receive final designation for
continuing acid industrial waste disposal in compliance with the EPA Ocean'
Dumping Regulations and Criteria. However, under the MPRSA, evaluation of
alternative disposal methods should continue. Relevant research and
development will continue to be a condition imposed by EPA on waste generators
obtaining ocean disposal permits. After the publication of the DEIS, EPA, the
Department of Justice, and NL Industries entered into a consent decree which
will phase out the ocean disposal of NL Industries waste by 31 December 1989.
Details are provided at the end of Chapter 2,
Wastes permitted for disposal at the site should have the following
characteristics:
• Aqueous acidic wastes with low concentrations of suspended solids.
• Neutrally to negatively buoyant in seawater.
• Contain no materials in concentrations prohibited by the MPRSA.
xv
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• Demonstrate low toxicity to representative planktonic and nektonic
marine organisms after allowance for initial mixing and dispersion.
The disposal operations should have the following characteristics:
• Wastes should be discharged from a vessel under way to facilitate
rapid and immediate dilution.
• Limiting permissible concentration (LPC) for waste constituents will
not be exceeded outside the disposal site during initial mixing nor
will it be exceeded anywhere in the environment after initial
mixing.
• Each barge load should be sufficiently small to permit adequate
dispersal of the waste constituents before disposal of the next load
so that accumulation of waste materials would not occur due to
successive dumps.
• Except in emergency situations, only one barge should be permitted
within the site for disposal operations within the 4-hour initial
mixing period.
xvi
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CONTENTS
Chapter Title Page
ADDRESSES FOR COMMENTS v
SUMMARY vii
1 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION 1-1
FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND CONTROL PROGRAMS 1-4
Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) 1-6
Ocean Disposal Site Designation 1-10
Ocean Dumping Permit Program 1-14
INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 1-17
2 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION 2-1
NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE 2-5
CONTINUED USE OF THE PROPOSED SITE 2-6
Public Health and Water Quality 2-7
Ecosystem 2-7
Economics ..... 2-9
USE OF ALTERNATIVE EXISTING SITES 2-11
Introduction 2-11
106-Mile Ocean Waste Disposal Site 2-14
USE OF NEW SITES 2-19
Locations On the Continental Shelf 2-20
Location Off the Continental Shelf 2-25
Summary . . . ¦ 2-26
DETAILED BASES FOR SELECTION OF THE PROPOSED SITE 2-27
Geographical Position, Depth of Water,
Bottom Topography and Distance from Coast 2-30
Location in Relation to Breeding, Spawning, Nursery,
Feeding, or Passage Areas of Living Resources in
Adult or Juvenile Phases 2-30
Location in Relation to Beaches and Other Amenity Areas . 2-30
Types and Quantities of Wastes Proposed to be
Disposed of, and Proposed Methods of Release,
Including Methods of Packing the Waste, if Any 2-31
Feasibility of Surveillance and Monitoring 2-31
Dispersal, Horizontal Transport and Vertical Mixing
Characteristics of the Area, Including Prevailing
Current Direction and Velocity .... 2-31
Existence and Effects of Current and Previous
Discharges and Dumping in the Area (Including
Cumulative Effects) 2-32
Interference With Shipping, Fishing, Recreation,
Mineral Extraction, Desalination, Fish and Shellfish
Culture, Areas of Special Scientific Importance,
and Other Legitimate Uses of the Ocean 2-32
The Existing Water Quality and Ecology of the Site
as Determined by Available Data, by Trend
Assessment, or Baseline Surveys . 2-33
xvii
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CONTENTS (Continued)
Chapter Title Page
Potential for the Development or Recruitment of
Nuisance Species in the Disposal Site 2-34
Existence at, or in Close Proximity to, the Site
of any Significant Natural or Cultural Features
of Historical Importance 2-35
CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSED ACTIONS 2-35
Types of Wastes 2-35
Waste Loadings 2-36
Disposal Methods 2-37
Disposal Schedules 2-37
Special Conditions 2-38
3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3-1
PROPOSED SITE - NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE ... 3-1
Acid Site Environment 3-1
Waste Disposal at the Acid Site 3-8
Other Activities in the Site Vicinity 3-13
Ocean Waste Disposal 3-21
Marine Recreation 3-25
ALTERNATIVE SITE OFF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF - 106-MILE
OCEAN WASTE DISPOSAL SITE 3-25
106-Mile Site Environment . 3-25
Waste Disposal at the 106-Mile Site 3-32
Concurrent and Future Studies 3-39
Other Activities in the 106-Mile Site Vicinity 3-39
ALTERNATIVE SITES ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF 3-40
4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 4-1
EFFECTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY 4-2
Commercial and Recreational Fish and Shellfish 4-3
Navigational Hazards 4-6
EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEM 4-8
Biota 4-9
Water and Sediment Quality 4-15
Emergency Dumping .. 4-20
UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND
MITIGATING MEASURES 4-23
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM USE OF THE SITE AND
LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 4-24
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES .... 4-25
5 COORDINATION 5-1
PREPARERS OF THE EIS 5-1
COMMENTERS ON THE DRAFT EIS 5-3
xviii
-------
CONTENTS (Continued)
Chapter Title Page
6 GLOSSARY AND REFERENCES 6-1
GLOSSARY 6-1
REFERENCES CITED 6-17
OTHER REFERENCES 6-39
APPENDICES
A ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT A-l
B ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT
ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE B-l
C CONTAMINANT INPUTS TO THE NEW YORK BIGHT C-l
D CONTAMINANT INPUTS TO THE NEW YORK BIGHT
ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE D-l
E MONITORING E-l
F RESPONSES TO WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT EIS F-l
G PROPOSED SITE DESIGNATION AND CRITERIA FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE
NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE G-l
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Title Page
1-1 New York Acid Waste Disposal Site Location in the
New York Bight 1-2
2-1 Proposed Site and Alternative Sites 2-2
2-2 Categories of Existing Disposal Sites in the Mid-Atlantic 2-12
3-1 Location of New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site 3-2
3-2 Distribution of Surf Clams, Ocean Quahogs, and Sea Scallops
in the New York Bight 3-7
3-3 Benthic Faunal Types in the Mid-Atlantic Bight 3-9
3-4 Inputs of Metals to the New York Bight 3-11
3-5 Total Landings of Commercial Marine Food Finfishes in the
New York Bight Area, 1880-1975 3-16
3-6 Total Commercial Landings of Marine Food Shellfi.shes in the
New York Bight Area, 1880-1975 3-16
3-7 Location of Foreign Fishing off the U.S. East Coast 3-17
3-8 Gravel Distribution in the New York Bight 3-19
3-9 Oil and Gas Leases in the Mid-Atlantic Bight 3-20
3-10 Traffic Lanes in the Mid-Atlantic Bight 3-22
3-11 Ocean Disposal Sites in the New York Bight 3-23
3-12 Location of the 106-Mile Site 3-27
3-13 Monthly Averages of Oxygen Concentration Versus Depth
at the 106-Mile Site 3-30
xix
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CONTENTS (Continued)
TABLES
Number Title Page
1-1 Responsibilities of Federal Departments and Agencies for
Regulating Ocean Waste Disposal Under MPRSA 1-8
2-1 Fish and Shellfish Landings by States - 1974 2-11
2-2 Summary Evaluation of Alternative Disposal Sites for Acid Waste . . 2-28
3-1 Total Landings in 1974 of Five Major Commercial Finfishes
in the New York Bight 3-15
3-2 Total New York-New Jersey Commercial Landings in 1974 and
1976 of Important Shellfish Species in the New York Bight .... 3-15
3-3 Beach Attendance at State and National Parks in the
New York-New Jersey Metropolitan Area, 1976 3-26
3-4 Waste Volumes, 1973-1978, at 106-Mile Site 3-33
3-5 Projected Volumes, 1979-1980, at 106-Mile Site 3-34
3-6 Physical Characteristics for the Wastes at the 106-Mile Site . . . 3-35
3-7 Average Metal Concentrations for the Wastes at the 106-Mile Site . 3-36
3-8 Toxicity Bioassays for Wastes at the 106-Mile Site 3-37
4-1 Distances and Transit Times to Alternate Sites 4-7
4-2 Worst-Case Contribution of Waste Metal Input to the
Total Metal Loading at the New York Bight Acid Waste
Disposal Site 4-17
4-3 Estimated Waste Metal Input to the Total Metal Loading
at the 106-Mile Site 4-18
4-4 Estimated Waste Metal Input to Total Metal Loading
at the Southern Area 4-21
4-5 Estimated Waste Metal Input to Total Metal Loading
at the Northern Area ............ 4-22
5-1 List of Preparers 5-1
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Chapter 1
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION
An ocean disposal site is needed since land-based disposal
methods for some acid wastes cannot be implemented using
existing technology. To fulfill this need, EPA proposes to
designate the New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site in
accordance with the January 11, 1977 EPA Ocean Dumping
Regulations and Criteria. This chapter defines the action to
be taken, discusses the history of the regulation of ocean
disposal, and summarizes the legal regime for identifying and
establishing viable options.
Ocean disposal of waste materials has been practiced for generations on an
international scale. In the early 1970's, U.S. legislation and international
agreements were enacted to control the disposal of waste in the marine
environment. This legislation greatly decreased the number of industries and
municipalities using the ocean for waste disposal and forced the development
of land-based alternatives. However, some industrial processes produce wastes
which cannot (using current technology) be treated or disposed of safely or
economically on land, but can be disposed of in the ocean without seriously
degrading the marine environment. Most of this waste-generating activity is
centered around the heavily populated and industrialized East Coast. To
accommodate this need for ocean waste disposal, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to designate the New York Bight Acid Waste
Disposal Site (referred to as the Acid Site) for continued use.
The Acid Site is in the New York Bight Apex (hereinafter called the Apex).
Figure 1-1 shows the location of the site and the geographical positions of
several features. The New York Bight (or Bight) stretches from Montauk, Long
Island to Cape May, New Jersey and seaward to the edge of the Continental
Shelf. The Apex is bounded by the coast and latitude 40°10'N and longitude
73°30'W. The Hudson Shelf Valley begins in the Apex and reaches to the Hudson
Canyon at the edge of the Shelf. The term mid-Atlantic Bight refers to the
Continental Shelf from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Cape Hatteras, North
Carolina.
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- 40°
— 39*
10 0 10 20 KILOMETERS
i 1 I t
10 0 10 20 NAUTICAL MILES
I— 1 J 1
NOTE: CONTOURS IN METERS
Figure 1-1. Hew York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Bite Location
in the New York Bight Apex
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The Acid Site has been used for waste disposal since 1948. In 1973 EPA
designated this site for use on an interim basis, for disposal of acid wastes.
Only three companies have used the site for waste disposal: (1) NL Industries,
Inc., Sayreville, New Jersey; (2) Allied Chemical Corporation, Elizabeth, New
Jersey; and (3) the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Grasselli Plant,
Linden, New Jersey. Since December 1975, only NL Industries and Allied
Chemical have used the site. The projected use of the site (1.4 million
*
tonnes annually until April 1981) is well below the long-term average (2.3
million tonnes annually from 1958 to 1978). Almost all of the wastes released
at the site have been highly acidic (pH below 1.0); some caustic wastes (pH
above 12) were released by DuPont-Grasselli before 1976, when their waste
disposal operations were moved by EPA to the 106-Mile Ocean Waste Disposal
Site (hereinafter, simply the 106-Mile Site).
Studies of the effects of waste disposal at the Acid Site have been
conducted since 1948. Until 1972 most of the work was conducted by university
scientists and sponsored by NL Industries, the main user of the site. In
1973, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration - Marine
EcoSystem Analysis (NOAA-MESA) - New York Bight Project began assessing the
environmental health of the Bight and man's influence on the area. This work,
and all other work performed at the site or in the general area, has not
uncovered significant adverse effects caused by acid waste disposal.
By January 1, 1982 ocean disposal of industrial wastes will be permitted
only for wastes which comply with EPA's environmental impact criteria and
cannot be treated on land for environmental or economic reasons. NL
Industries and Allied Chemical have demonstrated that their wastes comply with
EPA's environmental impact criteria and that, at present, technically feasible
alternative disposal methods are environmentally less preferable than
continued use of the site; therefore, a present and future need exists for the
designation of an ocean dump site. The reason for this continuing need is
* One metric ton equals 2,205 lb. Throughout this EIS, the word tonne will be
used to designate a metric ton and to distinguish it from an English ton.
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twofold: (1) NL Industries and Allied Chemical each produce wastes that can
be released safely at the Acid Site without unreasonable degradation of the
marine environment, and (2) ocean waste disposal may be required for other
wastes that do not comply with environmental regulations for land disposal,
but can be released into the marine environment without causing irreversible
adverse effects.
As part of the decision-making process, EPA has investigated all reasonable
alternatives to the continued use of the Acid Site. Two broad categories of
alternatives exist: (1) take no action, which would leave the existing site
with an interim designation, or (2) designate and use another ocean location
for disposing of these wastes.
After a careful review of the alternatives, EPA has determined that
designation of the New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site for continued use
is the most favorable course of action. Continued use of the site will allow
approved dumping of the wastes at the site under current ocean dumping
permits, and will provide for the disposal of new wastes which the EPA deems
acceptable for ocean disposal. EPA Region II will manage the site, regulate
times, rates, methods of disposal, and quantities and types of materials
disposed, develop and maintain effective monitoring programs for the site,
conduct disposal site evaluation studies, and recommend modifications in site
use or designation as necessary.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND CONTROL PROGRAMS
Before the early 1970'8, there was little regulation of ocean waste
disposal. Limited regulation was provided primarily by the New York Harbor
Act of 1888, which empowered the Secretary of the Army to prohibit disposal of
wastes, except from streets and sewers, into the harbors of New York, Hampton
Roads, and Baltimore. The Refuse Act of 1899 prohibited the disposal of
materials into navigable waters when disposal impeded safe navigation. Under
these acts, selection of disposal locations by the U.S. Army Corps of
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Engineers (CE) and the issuance of permits for ocean disposal were based
primarily upon transportation and navigation factors rather than upon
environmental concerns.
Public interest in adverse effects of ocean disposal was aroused in 1969
and 1970 by incidents resulting from disposal of warfare agents in the ocean.
Simultaneous studies by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) and several universities identified potential adverse effects of sewage
sludge and industrial waste disposal in the New York Bight (e.g., Buelow et
al., 1968; Gross, 1970; Pearce, 1972). The Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) 1970 report to the President identified poorly regulated ocean waste
disposal as a potential environmental danger.
The CEQ report, and the increasing public awareness of the potentially
undesirable effects of poorly regulated ocean waste disposal, were mainly
responsible for the enactment of the Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972 (PL 92-532, as amended), the primary U.S.
legislation now regulating barged ocean waste disposal. Seeking advice and
counsel from EPA marine scientists and from marine specialists in univer-
sities, industries, environmental groups, and other Federal and State
agencies, EPA developed criteria which would provide effective technical bases
for the regulatory program required by the Act. The criteria were published
in May 1973, finalized in October 1973, and revised in January 1977. The
criteria are used to evaluate the need for ocean waste disposal and the
potential impact of disposal on the marine environment.
The Clean Water Act (CWAJ of 1977 (PL 95-217) amended and replaced earlier
legislation and established a comprehensive regulatory program for controlling
discharge of pollutants from outfalls into navigable waters of the United
States, including ocean waters. The primary objective of the CWA is to
restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the
nation's waters. CWA regulates discharges by the promulgation of criteria to
prevent degradation of the marine environment (Section 403), and the
application of the criteria in the issuance of permits (Section 402). Thus,
CWA and MPRSA are the primary Federal statutes which are used to control waste
disposal via ocean outfalls or by dumping at offshore disposal sites.
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MARINE PROTECTION. RESEARCH, AND SANCTUARIES ACT (MPRSA)
The MPRSA regulates the transportation and ultimate dumping of waste
materials in ocean waters. The Act is divided into three parts: Title I -
Ocean Dumping, Title II - Comprehensive Research on Ocean Dumping, and Title
III - Marine Sanctuaries. This EIS concentrates on Title I, specifically
Section 102(c), which charges EPA with the responsibility for designating
sites and times for dumping.
Title I, the primary regulatory section of the Act, establishes the permit
program for the disposal of dredged and non-dredged materials, mandates
determination of impacts, and provides for enforcement of permit conditions.
Through Title I, the Act provides a procedure for regulating the transporta-
tion and ocean disposal of waste materials into ocean waters under the
jurisdiction or control of the United States. Title I requires that a permit
be obtained by any person of any nationality wishing to transport waste
material from any U.S. port, or under a U.S. flag, to be dumped anywhere in
the oceans of the world.
Title I prohibits the dumping in ocean waters of certain wastes, among them
biological, radiological, and chemical warfare agents, and all high-level
radioactive wastes. Title I was amended in November 1977 (PL 95-153) to
*
prohibit dumping of harmful sewage sludge after December 31, 1981. The
provisions of Title I include a maximum criminal fine of $50,000 and jail
sentence of up to one year for every unauthorized dump or violation of permit
requirement, or a maximum civil fine of $50,000. Any individual may seek an
injunction against an unauthorized dumper with possible recovery of all costs
of litigation.
Title II of MPRSA provides for comprehensive research and monitoring of
ocean dumping effects on the marine environment. Under Title II, NOAA's ocean
* Harmful sewage sludge is defined by PL 95-153 as sewage sludge that "may
significantly degrade or endanger human health, welfare and amenitiea, the
marine environment and ecological systems, or economic potential."
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dumping program has conducted extensive survey and laboratory investigations
over the past several years at ocean waste disposal sites in the North
Atlantic Ocean. This work aids EPA in site management by providing data for
site-use decisions.
Several Federal departments and agencies share responsibilities under the
Act (Table 1-1). The major responsibilities are mandated to EPA to review,
grant, and enforce dumping permits for all wastes except dredged materials,
and to designate and manage all disposal sites. In October 1973, EPA
implemented its responsibility for regulating ocean dumping under MPRSA by
issuing Final Ocean Dumping Regulations and Criteria (hereinafter the "Ocean
Dumping Regulations") which were revised in January 1977 (40 CFR, Parts 220 to
229). These regulations established procedures and criteria for designating
and managing ocean disposal sites (Part 228), reviewing ocean disposal permit
applications (Part 222), assessing impacts of ocean disposal (Part 227), and
enforcing permits (Part 226). Interim disposal sites were authorized pending
final designation for continuing use or a decision to terminate use. The Acid
Site was one of 14 municipal and industrial sites approved for interim use.
The CE issues permits for disposal of dredged material after determining
compliance of the material with EPA environmental impact criteria (40 CFR
227). Compliance with the criteria is subject to EPA concurrence. The CE is
responsible for evaluating disposal applications and granting permits to
dumpers of dredged materials, whereas dredged material disposal sites are
designated and managed by EPA.
Under MPRSA, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is assigned
responsibility by the Secretary of Transportation for conducting surveillance
of disposal operations to ensure compliance with the permit.conditions and to
discourage unauthorized disposal. Violations are referred to EPA for
enforcement. Surveillance is accomplished by means of spot checks of disposal
vessels for valid permits, interception or escorting of dump vessels, use of
shipriders, aircraft overflights during dumping, and random surveillance
missions at land facilities.
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TABLE 1-1
RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
FOR REGULATING OCEAN WASTE DISPOSAL UNDER MPRSA
De par tment/Agency
Responsibility
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Issuance of waste disposal permits,
other than for dredged material
Establishment of criteria for
regulating waste disposal
Enforcement actions
Site designation and management
Overall ocean disposal program
management
U.S. Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Issuance of dredged material
disposal permits
Recommending disposal site locations
U.S. Department of Transportation
Coast Guard
Surveillance
Enforcement support
Issuance of regulations for disposal
vessels
Review of permit applications
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Research on alternative ocean
disposal techniques
Long-term monitoring and research
Comprehensive ocean dumping impact
and short-term effect studies
Marine Sanctuary designation
U.S. Department of Justice
Court actions
U.S. Department of State
International agreements
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All of these methods are used for surveillance at the Acid Site, and
interception and escort by USCG vessels or aircraft are the most common
methods. In addition, the USCG has tested the feasibility and accuracy of an
automatic Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS) , which is based on
electronic navigation. The system has been field-tested and evaluated by the
USCG for future use in routine surveillance. Proposed regulations (33 CFR
158) requiring installation and use of an ODSS were issued in the Federal
Register on 13 December 1979. Systems would have to be approved and installed
within six months of the date of publication of the final rules.
Under Title II of MPRSA, NOAA conducts comprehensive monitoring and
research programs on the effects of ocean dumping on the marine environment,
including short-term effects and potential long-term effects of pollution,
over-fishing, and other man-induced changes in oceanic ecosystems. Title III
of MPRSA authorizes NOAA to designate coastal Marine Sanctuaries, after
consultation with other affected Federal agencies, and to regulate all
activities within the sanctuaries.
The Department of Justice initiates relief actions in court, at EPA's
request, in response to violations of the terms of MPRSA. When necessary,
injunctions to cease ocean dumping are sought. Fines and civil penalties may
be levied administratively by EPA after a favorable court decision. Jail
sentences may be imposed, based on the magnitude of the violation.
The Department of State seeks effective international action and
cooperation in protection of the marine environment by negotiating inter-
national agreements furthering the goals of MPRSA. The most significant
international negotiation with respect to ocean dumping is the Convention on
the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter
(hereinafter the "London Dumping Convention").
The MPRSA has been amended several times since its enactment in 1972. Most
amendments provide for annual appropriations for administration of MPRSA.
However, two of the amendments are noteworthy: first, passage of an amendment
in March 1974 (PL 93-254) brought the Act into full compliance with the
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Convention. Second, an amendment (PL 95-153) passed in November 1977,
prohibits disposal of harmful sewage sludge in ocean waters after December 31,
1981.
OCEAN DISPOSAL SITE DESIGNATION
Under Section 102(c) of the MPRSA, the EPA Administrator is authorized to
designate sites and times for ocean disposal, provided that the waste does not
contain prohibited materials, and will not significantly degrade, or endanger,
human health, welfare, and amenities, the marine environment and ecological
systems, or economic potential.
Land-based methods of disposal as alternatives to ocean dumping are
thoroughly evaluated during the permit application process. Through this
evaluation, the applicant must prove a need for ocean disposal, and evaluate
alternative disposal means before a permit for ocean dumping is granted.
Since potential alternative disposal methods will vary, based on the type of
waste, the issue is best resolved during the permit application stage.
Part 227 Subpart (C) of the Ocean Dumping Regulations specify the factors
considered and the basis for determining that the need for ocean dumping
exists. Even if a permit is granted, EPA may require the permittee to
"...terminate all ocean dumping by a specified date, to
phase out all ocean dumping over a specified period or
periods, to continue research and development of
alternative methods of disposal and make periodic reports
of such research and development in order to provide
additional information for periodic review of the need for
and alternatives to ocean dumping..."
The conditions hold even when the permittee has demonstrated that the wastes
comply with the requirements of Part 227 Subparts (B), (D), and (E) to prevent
environmental impact; damage to aesthetic, recreational, or economic values,
or interference with other uses of the ocean.
EPA lias established criteria for designating sites in Part 228 of the Ocean
Dumping Regulations. Included are criteria for site selection and procedures
for designating the sites for disposal. Through this and other EIS's, EPA is
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conducting in-depth studies of various dump sites to determine, their
acceptability in keeping with the criteria. The agency has designated a
number of existing dump sites on an interim basis for use pending completion
of the studies and formal designation or termination of the sites. (See 40
CFR 22.8.12, as amended 16 January 1980; 45 FR 3053.) The Acid Site is
included in these interim designations.
General criteria for selection of sites, as provided in the Ocean Dumping
Regulations, are:
(a) The dumping of materials into the ocean will be permitted
only at sites or in areas selected to minimize the
interference of disposal activities with other activities in
the marine environment, particularly avoiding areas of
existing fisheries or shellfisheries, and regions of heavy
commercial or recreational navigation.
(b) Locations and boundaries of disposal sites will be so chosen
that temporary perturbations in water quality or other
environmental conditions during initial mixing caused by
disposal operations anywhere within the site can be expected
to be reduced to normal ambient seawater levels or to
undetectable contaminant concentrations or effects before
reaching any beach, shoreline, marine sanctuary, or known
geographically limited fishery or shellfishery.
(c) If, at any time during or after disposal site evaluation
studies, it is determined that existing disposal sites
presently approved on an interim basis do not meet the
criteria for site selection set forth in [Section] 228.5 to
228.6, the use of such sites will be terminated as soon as
suitable alternate disposal sites can be designated.
(d) The sizes of ocean disposal sites will be limited in order
to localize for identification and control any immediate
adverse impacts and permit the implementation of effective
monitoring and surveillance programs to prevent adverse
long-term impacts. The size, configuration, and location of
any disposal site will be determined as a part of the
disposal site evaluation or designation study.
(e) EPA will, wherever feasible, designate ocean dumping sites
beyond the edge of the continental shelf, and other such
sites that have been historically used. [Section 228.5]
Factors considered under the specific criteria for site selection relate
more closely to conditions at the proposed sites by treating the general
criteria in additional detail. A proposed site, which satisfies the specific
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criteria for site selection conforms to the broader, general criteria. The
factors to be considered are:
• Geographical position, depth of water, bottom topography and
distance from coast.
• Location in relation to breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding,
or passage areas of living resources in adult or juvenile
phases.
• Location in relation to beaches and other amenity areas.
• Types and quantities of wastes proposed to be disposed of and
proposed methods of release, including methods of packing the
waste, if any.
• Feasibility of surveillance and monitoring.
• Dispersal, horizontal transport, and vertical mixing character-
istics of the area, including prevailing current direction and
velocity, if any.
• Existence and effects of current and previous discharges and
dumping in the area (including cumulative effects).
• Interference with shipping, fishing, recreation, mineral
extraction, desalination, fish and shellfish culture, areas of
special scientific importance, and other legitimate uses of the
ocean.
• The existing water quality and ecology of the site as
determined by available data or by trend assessment or baseline
surveys.
• Potentiality for the development or recruitment of nuisance
species in the disposal site.
• Existence at, or in close proximity to the site of any
significant natural or cultural features of historical
importance. (.Section 228.6a]
These factors are addressed relative to the Acid Site in Chapter 2.
Once designated, the site must be monitored to determine if adverse impacts
are occurring as a result of waste disposal. EPA monitors the following types
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of effects to determine the extent of marine environmental impacts due to
material released at the site:
• Movement of materials into estuaries or marine sanctuaries, or
onto oceanfront beaches or shorelines.
• Movement of materials toward productive fishery or shellfishery
areas.
• Absence from the disposal site of pollution-sensitive biota
characteristic of the general area.
• Progressive nonseasonal changes in water quality or sediment
composition at the disposal site when these changes are
attributable to materials disposed of at the site.
• Progressive, nonseasonal, changes in composition or numbers of
pelagic, demersal, or benthic biota at or near the disposal
site, when these changes can be attributed to the effects of
materials disposed of at the site.
• Accumulation of material constituents (including, without
limitation, human pathogens) in marine biota at or near the
site. [Section 228.10b1
EPA has established impact categories in the Ocean Dumping Regulations
which specify impacts, detected by means of site monitoring, which require
modifications in disposal site usage:
(1) Impact Category I: The effects of activities at the
disposal site shall be categorised in Impact Category I when one or
more of the following conditions is present and can reasonably be
attributed to ocean dumping activities:
(i) There is identifiable progressive movement or accumulation,
in detectable concentrations above normal ambient values, of any
waste or waste constituent from the disposal site within 12 nautical
miles of any shoreline, marine sanctuary designated under Title III
of the Act, or critical area designated under Section 102 (c) of the
Act; or
(ii) The biota, sediments, or water column of the disposal
site, or any area outside the disposal site where any waste or waste
constituent from the disposal site is present in detectable
concentrations above normal ambient values, are adversely affected
by the toxicity of such waste or waste constituent to the extent
that there are statistically significant decreases in the
populations of valuable commercial or recreational species, or of
specific species of biota essential to the propagation of such
species, within the disposal site and such other area as compared to
populations of the same organisms in comparable locations outside
such site and area; or
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(iii) Solid waste material disposed of at the site has
accumulated at the site or in areas adjacent to it, to such an
extent that major uses of the site or of the adjacent areas are
significantly impaired and the Federal or State agency responsible
for regulating such uses certifies that such significant impairment
has occurred and states in its certificate the basis for its
determination of such impairment; or
(iv) There are adverse effects on the taste or odor of valuable
commercial or recreational species as a result of disposal
activities; or
(v) When any toxic waste, toxic waste constituent, or toxic
byproduct of waste interaction, is consistently identified in toxic
concentrations above normal ambient values outside the disposal site
more than four hours.after disposal.
(2) Impact Category II: The effects of activities at the
disposal site which are not categorized in Impact Category I shall
be categorized in Impact Category II. (Section 228.10.)
On May 29, 1980 EPA published the announcement of a proposed rulemaking in
the Federal Register establishing the New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site
as an EPA-Approved Ocean Dumping Site. The closing date for receipt of
comments was set at July 28, 1980. The announcement appears in Appendix G of
this report.
OCEAN DUMPING PERMIT PROGRAM
EPA's Ocean Dumping Regulations establish a program for the application,
evaluation, and issuance of ocean dumping permits. When a site is selected
and duly designated, permits for the use of the site can be issued by CE for
dredged material dumping and by EPA for other dumping. The Ocean Dumping
Regulations are specific about the procedures used to evaluate permit
applications, and the granting or denying of such applications. EPA and the
CE (when appropriate) evaluate permit applications principally to determine
whether there is (1) a demonstrated need for ocean disposal, and proof that no
other reasonable alternatives exist (40 CFR 227 Subpart C), and (2) compliance
with the environmental impact criteria (AO CFR 227 Subparts B, D, and E).
Compliance with EPA's environmental impact criteria ensures that the
proposed waste disposal will not "unduly degrade or endanger the marine
environment," and will not cause unacceptable adverse effects on human health,
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the marine ecosystem, or other uses of the ocean. The criteria are too
Lengthy to include here; however, the relevant points are briefly summarized
below:
• Prohibited Materials: High-level radioactive wastes; materials
produced for radiological, chemical, or biological warfare; unknown
materials; persistent floatable materials which interfere with other
uses of the ocean.
• Materials present as trace contaminants only: Organohalogens; mer-
cury and mercury compound's; cadmium and cadmium compounds; oil;
known or suspected carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens.
• Trace contaminants in the liquid fraction must neither exceed the
marine water quality criteria (EPA, 1976) nor exist in toxic and
bioaccumulative forms after initial mixing.
e Bioassays on the suspended particulate or solid fractions must not
indicate occurrence of significant mortality or significant adverse
sublethal effects, including bioaccumulation due to waste dumping.
• When bioassay methods are unavailable: Maximum concentrations of
mercury and cadmium apply; organohalogen concentrations must be less
than is known to be toxic to organisms; oils in the waste must not
produce a visible sheen on the water.
• Trace contaminants must neither render edible marine organisms
unpalatable nor endanger health of humans, domestic animals,
shellfish, or wildlife.
Six types of ocean dumping permits may be issued: Interim, Special,
General, Emergency, Research, and Incineration-at-Sea. With few exceptions,
EPA has issued only Interim Permits. These permits are valid for one year
maximum. They are issued when the permittee cannot demonstrate compliance of
the waste with the environmental impact criteria, but can demonstrate that the
need for ocean disposal is of greater significance to the public interest than
possible adverse environmental impacts. However, Interim Permits cannot be
issued to applicants who were not issued dumping permits before April 23,
1978. Holders of present Interim Permits must have a compliance schedule
which will ensure either the complete phaseout of ocean dumping or compliance
with the environmental impact criteria by December 31, 1981. After that date,
EPA will not issue Interim Permits and ocean disposal of harmful wastes will
cease. No present permittees at the Acid Site hold Interim Permits.
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Special Permits, which are issued when the applicant can adequately
demonstrate compliance of the wastes with the environmental impact criteria
and can demonstrate a need for ocean disposal, may be issued for a maximum of
three years. Holders of Special Permits are not subject to the 1981 deadline
for cessation of the ocean disposal of harmful wastes. Some industrial
permittees have been granted Special Permits. NL Industries and Allied
Chemical each hold Special Permits for use of the Acid Site.
General Permits may be issued for ocean disposal of small amounts of
materials which will have minimal adverse effects upon the environment.
Examples of materials which warrant a General Permit include human remains or
ashes for burial at sea, target vessels for ordnance testing, and derelict
vessels transported for scuttling.
Emergency Permits may be issued for ocean disposal of materials which pose
unacceptable risks to human health, and for which there are no other
reasonable disposal techniques. Emergency Permit requests are considered
case-by-case by EPA on the basis of the waste characteristics and the safest
means for its disposal.
Research Permits may be issued for dumping material into the ocean as part
of a research project, when the scientific merit of the project outweighs the
potential adverse impacts of the dumping. EPA designates the disposal site to
be used by Research Permit holders on the basis of the nature of the study
project.
Incineration-at-Sea Permits are either Research, Interim, or Special
permits. Current Incineration-at-Sea Permits are Special Permits, issued for
disposal at the New York Bight Wood Incineration Site. As Special Permits,
they are issued for a maximum period of three years. Burning is conducted
under controlled weather conditions; the ash is transported back to shore and
used as landfill. Research and Interim Permits have been issued by EPA in the
past for the incineration of organochlorine wastes.
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INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
The principal international agreement governing ocean dumping is the
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and
Other Hatter (London Dumping Convention), which became effective in August
1975, upon ratification by 15 contracting countries. Designed to control
dumping of wastes in the oceans, the Convention specifies that contracting
nations will regulate disposal in the marine environment within their
jurisdiction, disallowing all disposal without permits. Certain other
hazardous materials are prohibited, such as biological, radiological, and
chemical warfare agents and high-level radioactive matter. Certain other
materials (e.g., cadmium, mercury, organohalogens and their compounds, oil,
and persistent synthetic materials which float) are prohibited, except when
present as trace contaminants. Other materials - arsenic, lead, copper, zinc,
cyanide, fluoride, organosilicon, and pesticides - while not prohibited from
ocean disposal, require special care. Permits are required for at-sea
disposal of materials not specifically prohibited. The nature and quantities
of all waste material, and the circumstances of disposal, must be periodically
reported to the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO),
which is responsible for administration of the Convention. Effective in
March 1979, the Convention was amended to incorporate regulations for control
of incineration of wastes at sea to be enforced nationally.
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Chapter 2
ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION
The proposed action is to designate the New York Bight Acid
Waste Disposal Site for continued use. Thirty-two years of
studies on the effects of acid wastes disposed at the site
have not produced evidence of any adverse, long-term effects
on the site environment. Alternative sites (Figure 2-1) were
considered but rejected because there would be no
environmental benefits, and barging costs to the waste
generators and monitoring costs to the Federal Government
would increase. The quality of the marine environment in the
Apex would not improve if the ocean disposal of acid wastes
were moved to another site. The No-Action alternative was
rejected because a decision — either final designation or an
end to dumping at the interim site — is needed for this
site.
After reviewing the alternatives, EPA proposes that the interim Acid Site
be designated for continued use. The alternatives considered were:
• No-Action Alternative: The existing Acid Site would retain its
interim designation until December 31, 1982.
• Proposed Action: Designate the existing Acid Site.
• Use of Other Sites: Designate another, existing or new, disposal
site.
The environmental consequences of each alternative, and the economic
burdens, implications and effects of each alternative have been predicted from
analyses of available data and are discussed below. Evaluations and
comparisons of the alternatives are based upon three major considerations:
• Public Health and Safety.
• Ecosystem Effects.
• Economic Costs.
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75' 74° 73° 72°
Figure 2-1. Proposed Site and Alternative Sites
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As stated in Chapter 1, land-based alternatives are considered for each
individual applicant during the application for a permit. They are not
considered in this EIS because:
• Different wastes will have different manufacturing processes and,
hence, different alternative methods of disposal.
• The EPA Region, as the site management authority, can best evaluate
the environmental impacts of each alternative and determine the most
acceptable solution.
• If a site is designated and there is a new applicant for ocean
dumping, it would be evaluated by the EPA Region under the criteria
in Part 227 of the Ocean Dumping Regulations.
Once the site management authority determines that ocean disposal is
required for waste, the EIS provides information to determine the best
location for the ocean dumpsite.
The EPA has required the waste generators to evaluate several land-based
alternatives in previous permit requirements. To date, these alternative
disposal methods have not been found to be more environmentally acceptable
than continued ocean dumping. Recycling or upgrading and selling the wastes
is done to the maximum possible extent. Listed below are the alternatives to
ocean disposal considered by the permittees and the more important adverse
impacts associated with each alternative:
• NL Industries:
(1) Neutralize the acid waste with lime or caustic soda, landfill
sludge solids, and discharge effluent into the Raritan River.
Consequences: Increased air pollution and energy consumption
with possible adverse effects on Raritan River or Raritan Bay.
Large landfill areas are required.
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(2) Neutralize the acid waste producing usable by-products and
landfill sludge solids. Consequences: Increased air pollution
and energy consumption, and not all by-products can be sold.
Large landfill areas are required.
(3) Change to the chloride process to produce less waste. Company
has not developed an effective manufacturing process.
(4) Neutralize the acid waste before ocean disposal. Consequences:
Increased energy consumption and amounts of suspended solids.
• Allied Chemical:
(1) Neutralize the acid waste, landfill sludge solids, and
discharge clarified effluent to Newark Bay. Consequences:
Adverse effects on Newark Bay, increased air pollution and
energy consumption.
(2) Upgrade and sell a portion of the acid waste, and neutralize
the excess acid, thereby producing sludge for landfill and a
clarified effluent. Consequences: Similar effects as
alternative (1), but less severe. Oversupply of higher grade
acid severely limits market.
(3) Convert by-product hydrochloric acid to chlorine using the
Kel-chlor process, which produces a less toxic waste.
Consequences: Remaining acid still requires disposal.
Requires other companies to develop need for chlorine.
(4) Neutralize the acid waste before ocean disposal. Consequences:
Unreasonable capital/operating costs for essentially no
environmental benefit with increased energy consumption.
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As outlined above, the permittees have evaluated, and are continuing to
evaluate, various alternatives to the current disposal practices. Their
reports are public information and are on file at Region II. The reports are
part of the company's permit application and have been summarized in public
hearings held prior to issuing permits.
Recently (May 1980), EPA, the Department of Justice, and NL Industries
entered into a consent decree concerning the ocean disposal of NL Industries
waste. The major features of the agreement are, by 31 December 1981, NL
Industries will:
• Reduce the free sulfuric acid portion of its waste to 1.2 tons per
ton of titanium dioxide produced (about 50%).
• Cease all ocean dumping of its gangue solids slurry.
Further information about the agreement is provided at the end of this
chapter.
NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE
The No-Action Alternative would result in leaving the existing Acid Site
with an interim designation. The Ocean Dumping Regulations (Section
228.12[a]) state that the site was "...approved for dumping the indicated
materials on an interim basis pending' completion of baseline or trend
assessment surveys and designation for continuing use or termination of use
... The sizes and use specifications are based on historical usage and do not
necessarily meet the criteria [for site designation] stated in this Part."
Taking no action toward a final determination of the site status — either
continued use or termination of use — would violate the intent of Section
102(a) of the MPRSA since the interim sites may not comply with the site
selection criteria mandated by the MPRSA and outlined in the Ocean Dumping
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Regulations. Therefore, the No-Action Alternative has been rejected because
of the need for a decision on the fate of this site — final designation or
termination of dumping at the site.
CONTINUED USE OF THE PROPOSED SITE
This section presents a detailed summary of the projected impacts of the
proposed action, which forms the basis for comparison with the other
alternative sites considered.
The Acid Site was established in 1948 for the disposal of acid wastes
generated from industries in New Jersey. The site is 14.5 nmi (27 km) from
2 2
the New Jersey and Long Island coasts, covers 12 nmi (41 km ) and is on the
Continental Shelf (Figure 2-1 #1). The boundaries of the site are latitudes
40°16' to 40°20'N and longitudes 73°36' to 73°40'W. Topographically, the
bottom is relatively flat, with an average depth of 25.6 m (84 ft), ranging
from 22.6 m (74 ft) to 28.3 m (93 ft). Sediments are predominantly medium to
fine grained sands.
The principal user of the site, since it was first established, has been NL
Industries, Inc., which contributes about 95% of the total annual volume of
waste disposed therein. The only other currently active permittee is Allied
Chemical Corporation. Du Pont-Grasselli Plant released part of its caustic
wastes at this site until 1975, when their entire waste disposal operations
were moved by EPA to the 106-Mile Site.
The effects of all wastes released into the Apex, including those at the
Acid Site, have been extensively investigated by the NOAA-MESA New York Bight
Project; the NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Sandy Hook
Laboratory; and the permittees (Appendix B, Table B-l). The site environment,
history of ocean disposal, and the important waste constituents are described
in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 includes a description of the environmental
consequences of acid waste disposal at this site.
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PUBLIC HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY
A winter whiting fishery and some lobster fishing are conducted near the
site. During some seasons, bLuefish appear to be attracted to the area, so
there is concern that disposal of acid wastes may adversely affect these
resources; however, there has been no evidence of undesirable effects. The
wastes rapidly disperse through the water column and are neutralized within
minutes by the tremendous buffering action of sea water. Bioassays have
demonstrated that the acidity of the waste is the toxic component; neutralized
wastes have low toxicity.
There is a visible impact of one waste type; when acid-iron wastes are
released, the ferrous sulfate turns the water a distinctive green color. As
the ferrous iron oxidizes to ferric hydroxide (rust), the color turns
red-brown. The waste plume is distinguishable usually for less than 24 hours,
but it may persist for several days after a disposal operation; however, there
are no apparent long-term adverse effects on the water quality. This visual
impact may be responsible for attracting bluefish to the area. When the site
was originally chosen in 1948, it was an unproductive fishing area. We s tin an
(1958) reported that the area had become popular and, in the early part of the
season, bLuefish were abundant at the site. Recently (1978) charter boatmen
stated that the overall effect on fishing was extremely harmful due to the
waste plume drifting outside of the site. If the plume drifted into an active
fishing area, the fish stopped biting and the boats had to move. Concern that
the floe interferes with normal migration patterns and reduces the abundance
of near-shore fiBh has also been expressed. The net effects of the waste
plume (beneficial or adverse) have not been determined.
ECOSYSTEM
Long-term effects of acid waste on the ecosystem are undetectable. The
first investigation of the area was made in 1948, immediately before waste
disposal operations began. Since then, studies have been periodically
conducted and no adverse long-tens effects attributed to the vaatea have been
detected or documented (Appendix D). The major reports for the site are by
Redfield and Hal ford (1951), Ketchum et al. (1958a,b), Westmar. (1958), and
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Vaccaro et al. (1972). NL Industries (1977b) has summarized these and other
studies made of the site in a document included as part of their permit
application.
Investigators have examined several environmental features of the Acid Site
which may have been affected by the waste. With respect to the impacts of the
waste on the biota, the water quality, and the sediment quality, some of the
conclusions are:
• Vaccaro et al., 1972:
- "There is no indication of an increase in iron (the most abundant
waste constituent) in sediments of the acid grounds over the past
14 years.
- "Although the standing crop of zooplankton and numbers of benthic
animals were less on the acid grounds than the control area, we
have been unable to attribute these differences to acid waste.
- "A phytoplankton toxicity experiment carried out in a culture
containing a 10~^ concentration of acid waste in seawater, a
concentration four times greater than that observed in the field,
has no effect on phytoplankton growth."
• Grice et al., 1973:
"..laboratory experiments ... [indicate] the mortality of
zooplankton caused by the release of acid waste is negligible on
adult copepod populations because of the very few minutes in
which lethal concentrations of low pH occur immediately behind
the barge. The iron floe which persists in the acid grounds at
great dilutions does not affect adult copepods and probably does
not affect their developmental stages."
• Wiebe et al., 1973:
"... In the laboratory tests, the principal cause of copepod
mortality appeared to be the acidity of the waste product rather
than some toxic component in the material. Thus the laboratory
experiments suggest that the mortality of zooplankton resulting
from acid waste discharge is negligible because potentially
lethal concentrations of low pH do not persist for sufficient
time to produce a noticeable effect in the field. The field
observations support this conclusion... acid-waste discharges do
not appear to have a systematic effect on zooplankton numbers or
biomass which is detectable...Longer term effects on develop-
mental stages of copepods also appear negligible since
concentrations of acid waste required to inhibit development do
not occur for sufficient time in the receiving waters."
Ine purpose of monitoring is to ensure that long-term adverse impacts do
not develop undetected, especially adverse impacts which are irreversible.
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Monitoring at this site is simplified since the area is nearshore and shallow,
yet difficult because there are so many contaminant inputs to the region
(.Appendix C, Tables C-l to C-9). However, the NOAA-MESA New York Bight
Project has coordinated and generated many investigations in the Bight, ar.d
this area is one of the best understood oceanic regions in the world. Effects
of acid waste disposal have not been demonstrated; however, the long history
of site-specific and general-area studies provides an excellent base from
which any changes could be detected,
EPA and NASA have cooperated in programs to develop remote-sensing
techniques (aircraft and satellite flights) for monitoring. Recent dumpings
of acid-iron can be located to within <185 m (0.1 nmi) and EPA can determine
if the operations conform to permit restrictions (Anderson and Mugler, 1978).
Other work on remote sensing of acid wastes revealed that iron concentrations
in seawater can be estimated by means of these techniques (Lewis, 1977).
Emergency or "short" dumping occurs when the vessel releases its load
before reaching the designated disposal area. The Acid Site is close to
shore, thus the probability of a short dump is minimal.
ECONOMICS
The cost, to the waste generators and the Federal Government, of waste
disposal at the Acid Site is not great. This section examines the costs of
transportation, monitoring, surveillance, and the loss of other resources.
In October 1977, NL Industries, the primary user of the site, reported that
the estimated cost, for barging to the existing site, was $1.84 million per
year, equal to $2,900 per trip (estimated 640 trips). Allied Chemical has
estimated costs at about five times NL Industries cost per trip. For 12 trips
per year, the cost is about $170,000; therefore, the estimated costs for
hauling wastes to the site (including tugs, fuel, maintenance and associated
shore facilities) are about $2 million per year for the two permittees. The
effects of inflation and increased fuel costs have not been estimated;
however, NL Industries now barges less frequently to the site. This estimate
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does not include other costs associated with permit analytical requirements,
reporting, and alternative studies required by current permit conditions.
Site monitoring costs are discussed below.
Rodman (1977a) reported (for NL Industries) that a round trip takes 12
hours. Timing is important: there are two drawbridges between the waste
Loading dock and the mouth of the harbor, and the barge can only pass at
certain times and under certain tidal conditions. If barging operations have
to be postponed, NL Industries has adequate storage facilities for temporarily
holding the wastes until barging can resume.
Monitoring costs are difficult to estimate for this site; however, the cost
to the Federal Government is low, since monitoring programs are required for
the other ocean disposal sites in the Apex. Monitoring costs are spread over
all the sites. The Acid Site is within the NGAA-MESA sampling grid for trend
assessment surveys, and this grid would not change if use of the site were
discontinued. The permittees are required to conduct a summer survey each
year to evaLuate the short-term effects of the waste. These surveys cost
approximately $45,000 to $50,000 each. The cost is lower for this nearshore,
shallow site than it would be for a site further offshore in deeper water.
The program goal for USCG surveillance at this industrial waste site is 10%
of all dumping operations. Surveillance at the Acid Site is effective and
costs are relatively low. The Bite is within the normal cruising range of
Coast Guard ships and helicopters, and routine surveillance can be conducted
with only infrequent use of shipriders. Vessels assigned to surveillance
missions remain available for other, higher priority missions (e.g., search
and rescue).
There are no documented losses of biological or mineral resources in the
Apex due to acid waste discharges. Potential mineral resources, e.g., sand
and gravel, may be contaminated by other waste sources (dredged material,
sewage sludge) but are unaffected by acid waste. Table 2-1 lists the
economically important fish and shellfish landed from the Bight. Except for
whiting, important species are either absent at the site, not affected by acid
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wastes, or become contaminated by other sources, such as sewage sludge. A
whiting fishery exists near the site in the winter. The whiting are
apparently unaffected by the waste.
TABLE 2-1
FISH AND SHELLFISH LANDINGS BY STATES - 1974
Landings
New York
New Jersey
Total
000 lb
$000
000 lb
$000
000 lb
$000
Fish
Fluke
2,487
846
3,499
1,153
5,986
1,999
Menhaden
576
18
107,307
2,735
107,883
2,753
Scup
3,635
852
6,040
880
9,675
1,732
Whiting
1,955
250
7,022
587
8,977
837
Shellfish
Lobsters
731
1,396
1,191
1,916
1,922
3,312
Surf Clams
3,951
719
22,657
2,948
26,608
3,667
Seallops
884
1,158
344
531
1,228
1,689
Note: Landings are shown in round (live) weight except for clams, lobsters
(total meat), and scallops (edible meat).
Source: Adapted from NOAA-NMFS, 1977C ?)
USE OF ALTERNATIVE EXISTING SITES
INTRODUCTION
Eight municipal and industrial waste disposal sites (aside from dredged
material sites and the proposed site) presently exist in the mid-Atlantic area
(Figure 2-2), six in the New York Bight and two near Delaware Bay. Only the
106-Mile Site is a viable alternative.
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Figure 2-2. Categories of Existing Disposal Sites in the Mid-Atlantic
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The other interim sites were not considered as possible alternatives for
several reasons. Only the Delaware Bay Acid Site (Figure 2-2, #8), which has
been inactive since March 1977, has been used for acid waste disposal. The
other sites are for the disposal of construction debris (cellar dirt), wrecks,
sewage sludge, or the incineration of wood. Combining acid wastes with other
materials violates the tenet of segregating generic wastes by disposal site.
Disposal of different types of wastes at the same site could cause problems
such as:
• Synergistic interactions at sites where the wastes are not
chemically inert. The effects of the combined wastes might be worse
than the sum effects of individual materials. In 1974, EPA-Region
II required that all industrial wastes dumped at the New York Sewage
Sludge Site be transported to the 106-Mile Site.
• Monitoring would be more difficult since the effects of the
individual wastes would be extremely difficult to differentiate.
« Some of these interim sites have already experienced adverse impacts
due to waste disposal operations (e.g., New York Bight Sewage Sludge
Site [Figure 2-2, #3] and Delaware Bay Sewage Sludge Site [Figure
2-2, #10]); the situation could be aggravated by increasing the
load or changing the character of part of the waste load,
• Increased traffic to the nearshore sites would increase navigational
hazards and could cause logistic difficulties in coordinating
disposal operations.
The Delaware Bay Acid Site was not considered as an alternate site tor
several reasons: (1) it has been inactive since March 1977 and, wtien Mirage
sludge disposal ends at a nearby site, there will be no anthropogenic inftufca
to the area, (2) the site is further from New York Harbor than the 106-Mile
Site, which would add to transportation costs, logistic* difficulties* aild
fuel requirements, (3) if acid waste disposal should adversely affect tfte.
benthos at a shallow site, moving the disposal operations to another shallow.
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another shallow, coastal site would not be logical, especially when a very
deep site (106-Mile Site) could be used, and (4) the interim designation of
this site was terminated in January 1980 (EPA, 1980). Consequently, the other
disposal sites in the mid-Atlantic region were not considered as acceptable
alternatives for acid waste disposal. Only the 106-Mile Site is considered
here, and is compared with the Acid Site.
106-MILE OCEAN WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
The 106-Mile Site, established in 1961 for the disposal of industrial
wastes unsuitable for land disposal, is approximately 106 nmi (196 km)
southeast of Ambrose Light, New York, and approximately 126 nmi (233 km) east
. 2 2
of Cape May, New Jersey. The site covers 480 nmi (1,646 km ) on the
Continental Slope and Continental Rise, and its latitudes and longitudes are
38°40'N to 39°00'N, and 72°00'W to 72°30'W, respectively. Water depths at the
site range from 1,440 m (in the topographically rugged northwest corner) to
2,750 m (in the relatively flat southeast corner). An inactive munitions
waste disposal site is within the site boundaries, and an inactive low-level
radioactive waste disposal area is 10 nmi (18.5 km) due south.
NOAA, assisted by other government agencies and academic institutions, has
been studying this site for several years, and has published survey results in
two summary reports (NOAA, 1975; 1977), several memoranda, public hearing
testimony, and in its annual report to Congress (NOAA, 1978). A private
contractor, acting on behalf of the permittees, has been monitoring the site
for two years. The permittees have submitted the results of these monitoring
cruises to EPA-Region II (e.g., Hydroscience, 1978). A Draft Environmental
Impact Statement on designation of the 106-Mile Site has been issued (EPA,
1979b).
PUBLIC HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY
Waste disposal at the 106-Mile Site will not directly endanger human
health. This site is not in a commercially or recreationally important
fishing or shellfishing area. NOAA resource assessment surveys do not extend
out to the site, but it is known that the densities of fish eggs and larvae
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are low beyond the edge of the Continental Shelf. Foreign fishermen may be
near the site from late winter to early spring, but they usually catch highly
migratory fish. The probability of migratory fish remaining in the site and
accumulating toxic levels of contaminants from the waste is extremely
unlikely.
Navigational hazards due to the use of the site are minimal. Barges can
use the Ambrose-Hudson Canyon Traffic Lane for most of the journey. The
greatest danger of collision is in the Precautionary Zone through which all
the vessel traffic for New York Harbor must pass (Figure 3-10). All waste
barges will pass through this area, irrespective of any designated disposal
site.
ECOSYSTEM
The short-term effects of acidic waste will be similar to those observed at
the Acid Site. Long-term adverse effects are improbable at the 106-Mile Site,
since these have not been demonstrated for the Acid Site. The potential for
adverse effects on the indigenous biota and existing water and sediment
quality, although remote, is even less at this site because the organism
density is much lower and the site is larger and in deeper water. The natural
variability of the water at the site, caused by the interactions of three
different water masses, causes greater changes in the biotic assemblages of
the site than acid waste disposal. Consequently, only immediate, short-term
(minutes) changes can be related to the wastes (Chapter 3).
Monitoring at a site off the Continental Shelf is much more difficult than
at a shallower, inshore site. NOAA (1977) observed:
"In the case of the 106-Mile Site, this situation [the
difficulty of measuring and predicting the effects of waste
disposal] is further complicated by the interactions of major
water masses, Shelf Water, Slope Water, and Gulf Stream
eddies. The [site] is a complex oceanographic area in which
to assess natural environmental conditions and the impact of
man'8 activities upon those conditions."
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Long-term impacts would be nearly impossible to document, since potentially
affected animals will probably have moved out of the area, either carried by
currents (plankton) or actively swimming (nekton).
The use of a distant offshore site causes increased risks of emergencies
and short dumping. The effects of a short dump of waste materials would
depend upon the location of the dump, and particularly water depth. Acid
wastes are liquid and dilute rapidly after discharge, thus a single cargo of
dumped waste would cause local, immediate acute effects, but no long-term
adverse effects. If emergency disposal is necessary, during inclement
weather, the effects would be mitigated by the rapid dilution caused by storm
turbulence.
ECONOMICS
NL Industries estimated operating costs to barge to the 106-Mile Site at
$9.25 million per year. This is about §14,500 per trip, or about five times
more expensive than present costs. Assuming that Allied Chemical's costs also
increase five times, their annual expense would be $850,000, and the total
cost would be about $10.1 million. This estimate may be low. EPA (1978a)
estimated that the cost of hauling sewage sludge to the 106-Mile Site would be
from 6.4 to b times more expensive than hauling to the New York Sewage Sludge
Site. Assuming that a similar relationship exists for acid wastes, the cost
of hauling acid wastes to the 106-Mile Site would be from $12.8 to $16.0
million annually.
Logistical ly, the use of this site would be extremely difficult for the
primary waste generator. NL Industries submitted a report (Rodman, 1977a) to
EPA-Segion II concerning the problems of moving out to the 106-Mile Site. The
barge round trip transit-time would increase from 12 to 38 hours. Barging
from the present loading dock would be infeasible due to increased travel
time, higher probability of weather delays, the requirement to pass through
two drawbridges during certain tidal conditions, and a need for increased
temporary land storage facilities. NL Industries investigated the possibility
of building new loading facilities below the drawbridges, and did not believe
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that the required construction permits could be obtained, especially since the
facility would be located in a wetlands area. If the permits were granted,
the estimated capital costs would be $30 million.
The cost of monitoring the 106-Mile Site is high compared to other areas,
due to the complexity of the environment and distance from shore. NOAA is
responsible for assessing long-term changes by biological monitoring. A cost
of $1 million per year has been estimated for conducting baseline surveys, two
of which have been completed (Breidenbach, 1977). The NOAA - National Ocean
Survey (NOS) is continuing earlier work at the site. The cost to permittees
for a monitoring program is high, due to the site's distant location. These
costs would be moderately increased if acid wastes were released at the site;
however, the bulk of the monitoring costs are due to ship time and crew costs.
Surveillance Costs
The current U.S. Coast Guard Instruction regarding enforcement of
regulations and surveillance of dumping at ocean sites (Commandant Instruction
16470.2B, dated 29 September 1976) establishes a goal of observing 75% of all
industrial waste disposal operations. Surveillance activities include
stationing a shiprider aboard the vessel to observe the disposal operation, to
conduct random spot checks before the barge leaves port, and to check the
vessel log for departure and arrival times. The USCG assigns several
full-time personnel to the surveillance of disposal activities in the Bight,
including the 106-Mile Site.
Shipriders at the 106-Mile Site are the most efficient means of surveil-
lance. In 1978, the Coast Guard expended 7,247 man-hours on shiprider
surveillance, excluding the time that shipriders awaited departure due to
delays caused by mechanical failures or weather and tidal conditions
(Schubert, 1979). The Acid Site is in the Apex and within the normal range of
Coast Guard ships and aircraft, thus shipriders are not normally used.
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Surveillance of acid waste disposal activities at the 106-Mile Site would
represent a significant, additional requirement for personnel, particularly
since NL Industries barges wastes at least daily. Assuming 400 trips
annually, surveillance of approximately 300 disposal operations would be
required, or approximately 11,200 man-hours.
Loss of Biotic or Mineral Resources
Only fluke and lobster may be present at or near the site, where they may
be affected by the waste materials. (Table 2-1 lists the most economically
important finfish and shellfish in the mid-Atlantic Bight.) Liquid wastes
would be diluted and dispersed in the water column and not reach the bottom at
this deepwater site, therefore stocks would not be adversely affected by
disposal operations. Almost all U.S. fishing activities are over the
Continental Shelf and would not be directly affected by the wastes. Foreign
ships fish along the edge of the Continental Shelf from Georges Bank to Cape
Hatteras, especially during the late winter and early spring. However, the
site is not a unique location for foreign fishing, nor does it obstruct
migration routes of commercially valuable species. Therefore, the probability
of foreign fishing operations being affected by disposal operations at the
site is extremely remote.
Future oil and gas development is possible near the site (see Chapter 3,
Figure 3-9). Waste disposal would not interfere with petroleum exploration or
production activities. The only potential navigational hazard would be due to
the barge traffic to atid from the site. To date, there has been no known lost
income resulting from existing disposal operations at the 106-Mile Site, and
if acid wastes were also released there, it does not appear that income or
resources would be adversely affected.
OVERALL COMPARISON WITH THE ACID SITE
There would not be significant adverse environmental effects from acid
waste disposal at the 106-Mile Site. Effects on public health and water
quality are minimal and effects on the ecosystem would be limited to
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short-term changes. However, an increase in monitoring activities would be
required, and the probability of short dumping is greater, because the site is
so distant from New York Harbor.
The economic impact of moving waste disposal to 106-Mile Site would be
severe. Barging costs would increase five to eight times over present leyels
and barging may be infeasible for the dominant waste generator. Surveillance
requirements by the Coast Guard would increase substantially, since
surveillance would be required for approximately 480 barge trips annually.
Shipriders would be required frequently, whereas they are used infrequently at
the Acid Site. If acid pastes are released at this site, the probability of
biological or mineral resource losses is low.
The effects on public health, the ecosystem, and other uses of the ocean
would be low at the 106-Mile Site, as they are at the Acid Site. The wastes
have minimal or no environmental impacts at the present site. Thus, moving
the disposal operations to the 106-Mile Site would not have any additional
important environmental benefit. Therefore, the increased costs and,
difficulty of barging to the 106-Mile Site reduce the value of this action.
USE OF NEW SITES
In addition to the use of an existing disposal site, new sites on or off
the Continental Shelf are alternatives to disposal at the Acid Site. The
areas under consideration are the Bight and the Continental Slope along the
eastern edge of the Bight. A feasible alternative site for ocean disposal
must meet the criteria for "selection of ocean disposal sites" (Sections 228.5
and 228.6 of the Ocean Dumping Regulations). The criteria require that the
site must not: (1) conflict with other uses of the area, e.g., resource
development or commercial fisheries, or (2) endanger human health or
amenities. If possible, the site should be within the range of the present
fleet of waste disposal vessels, in order to make pcean disposal economically
feasible.
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LOCATIONS ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
The Bight is one of the busiest oceanic regions in the world; uses include
extensive commercial shipping, fishing, shellfishing, recreation, resource
development, and waste disposal. In selecting a site within the Bight for
ocean waste disposal, other conflicting activities in the area must be
evaluated for potential adverse effects on disposal operations and vice versa.
Adequate background environmental information on the area must presently exist
to provide firm bases for projecting impacts of waste disposal.
Most of the survey work in the Bight has centered around existing disposal
sites. However, two candidate areas for sewage sludge disposal, the so-called
Northern and Southern Areas, have been studied. These areas were selected for
study by NOAA, in part to avoid conflict with living marine resources
(NOAA-MESA, 1976) and, therefore, were concluded to be the most reasonable
alternative locations for acid waste disposal. Within the larger areas
suggested by NOAA for consideration, two smaller areas were studied in detail,
the Northern and Southern Areas discussed below.
The Northern and Southern Areas are representative of the marine
environment on the Continental Shelf off New Jersey (Southern Area) and Long
Island (.Northern Area). If other locations were evaluated as alternatives,
the same considerations discussed below would be valid. The advantages in
considering these particular areas are that surveys have been completed and
site-specific data are available. If another location were chosen for acid
waste disposal, predisposal surveys would be required.
SOUTHERN AREA
Public Health and Water Quality
The Southern Area is adjacent to commercially exploitable shellfish
resources. Surf clams and ocean quahogs are numerous in and shoreward of this
area, and sea scallops are present, but abundance estimates were not made
(EPA, 1978a).
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Other contaminant inputs do riot exist in this area, thus there is a risk
(although low) that the bivalves may concentrate contaminants from the acid
wastes. Preliminary work by Pesch et al. (1977) indicated that the tissues of
sea scallops accumulated vanadium from acid wastes released by Du Pont-Edge
Moor at the Delaware Bay Acid Site. However, other metals present in high
concentrations in the waste (e.g., iron, manganese, and titanium) were not
accumulated by the animals. Simpson (1979), working with other bivalves
(mussels), found that the uptake and loss of trace metals varied with the body
weight of the animal and the phase of its reproductive cycle. Additional work
is needed to establish if benthic organisms can accumulate contaminants from
these liquid wastes.
The site is not visited by sport fishermen due to distance from shore, so
that undesirable visual effects of temporarily discolored water resulting from
the release of acid-iron wastes would not be noticed at this site; however, if
bluefish are attracted to the waste plume, the sportfishing value might be
lost. In addition, if other pelagic fish avoid the waste plume, pelagic
fisheries could be adversely affected for a short time.
Ecosystem
The short-term effects of acid waste on the water column biota would be
similar to changes already documented for the Acid Site (i.e., minor effects
on the plankton, but no irreversible changes). As noted above, there is a
slight possibility of changes in benthic populations due to waste
constituents. These changes would be simple to detect, since the site is
outside the Apex where multiple contaminant inputs exist.
Monitoring would require an additional program since none of the existing
surveys concentrate on the area. Due to the existence of the NOAA data based
on predisposal conditions in the Southern Area, monitoring is feasible. This
site is outside the heavily contaminated Apex, and there are no contaminants
from other sources. Thus detecting changes caused by waste disposal at the
site would be simplified.
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Economics
The economic consequences of moving acid waste disposal to this area are
important. Neither permittee has estimated the costs of using this area.
However, EPA (1978a) estimated that the cost of hauling sewage sludge to this
area would be 3.2 to 4 times more expensive than the cost of hauling to the
existing New York. Sewage Sludge Site. Assuming that the same relationship is
valid for acid wastes, the cost for hauling acid wastes to the Southern Area
would range from $6.4 to $8 million per year. For NL Industries, logistic
difficulties due to using a more distant site (as for the 106-Mile Site), are
increased. If ocean disposal is not feasible, the company would have to find
alternative treatment methods. According to reports submitted to EPA-Region
II, in compliance with previous Interim Permits, land-based alternatives are
less environmentally preferable and economically infeasible for the large
volumes of waste liquid generated by NL Industries (NL Industries 1975a,
1975b, 1975c, 1977a; Ryckman/Edgerly/Tomlinson and Associates, 1977).
Monitoring costs would increase at this site. The costs to the waste
generators would probably be about the same as existing costs, since the
short-term effects of the waste would be similar. NOAA, however, would be
required to establish additional surveys in the site, to evaluate the
long-term biological effects of waste disposal.
Surveillance costs and difficulties would increase in the Southern Area.
It is located beyond the normal operating range of Coast Guard 82-foot and
95-foot patrol boats, and helicopters normally used for surveillance, so
multiple missions are not possible. As for the 106-Mile Site, the much higher
number of barge trips would require shipriders. The overall time would be
less than at the 106-Mile Site since the transit time is less to this site.
However, the use of shipriders for acid waste would be a new requirement for
the Coast Guard.
The possible loss of biotic resources is probably the most important cost
of using this site. As shown in Table 2-1, economically important finfish
(scup and whiting) and shellfish (lobsters, surf clams, and scallops) are
found in the area. The site region contains an important and established
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fishery resource. Ocean quahogs, shellfish which may be exploited in the
future, are abundant in the area (EPA, 1978a). The area is shallow, so that
wastes may reach the bottom and shellfish may take up waste constituents.
Finfish may avoid the area; consequently, use of this site could cause a
significant adverse economic impact on such living resources. The potential
economic impact cannot be quantified, because the actual amounts of fish and
shellfish taken from the area are unknown.
Use of the Southern Area would not affect sand and gravel deposits which
could be mined in the site vicinity, since the wastes are not sufficiently
toxic to require decontamination of the mined materials. Barging operations
should not interfere with exploration and development of oil and gas
resources.
Overall Comparison with the Acid Site
The possible effects on the areas of public health and water quality and on
the ecosystem are much higher at a site in the Southern Area. There are no
other contaminant inputs to the area, thus existing resources are not
adversely affected. The possibility of acid waste constituents contaminating
economically important resources does exist. Use of this area is less
economically desirable. The transportation costs to the waste generators
would increase 3.2 to 4 times, as would monitoring and surveillance costs to
the Federal Government.
NORTHERN AREA
Public Health and Water Quality
Minimal or no effects on public health and water quality would be expected
as a result of acid waste disposal at this site. Surf clams, sea scallops,
and ocean quahogs are present in the vicinity, but commercial possibilities
are probably less than in the Southern Area (EPA 1978a). Aesthetically, the
effects of waste disposal should be minimal, the same as in the Southern Area.
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Ecosystem
The oceanographic features of the two areas are similar, therefore effects
on the ecosystem would be similar to those in the Southern Area, i.e.,
short-term effects on the water with the possibility of waste constituents
accumulating in the sediments or benthic organisms. NOAA would be required to
initiate a new long-term monitoring program to supplement those already
planned for other sites. If sewage sludge were released at the Alternative
Sewage Sludge Site (Figure 2-2, #5) it would be difficult to differentiate
between the effects of acid waste and sludge contaminants.
Economics
The Northern Area is almost the same as the Southern Area as to trans-
portation costs, logistics difficulties related to a more distant site,
monitoring, and surveillance costs. These costs would be higher for the
permittees and the Federal Government. The Northern Area is within the normal
distribution of surf clams, but they are not abundant at the site. The
density of sea scallops is not known, but ocean quahogs are abundant, and acid
waste disposal could possibly interfere with the development of these
potentially valuable marine resources. This adverse effect would be mitigated
because the net dispersive flow appears to be offshore, away from the
Continental Shelf (EPA, 1978a).
Ocean disposal at a site in the Northern Area would not interfere with
development of mineral resources in the Southern Area. The area is
approximately 60 nmi (110 km) northeast of the oil and gas lease tracts
identified on the mid-Atlantic Shelf (OCS Sales No. 40 and 49; Figure 3-9);
however, future sales may include tracts,near the Northern Area (OCS Sale No.
59). Acid waste disposal could possibly interfere with this petroleum
exploration or development.
Overall Comparison with the Acid Site
There are few economic resources in the Northern Area, thus it is
preferable to the Southern Area. The effects on the ecosystem would be
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similar to those predicted for the Southern Area and potentially more severe
than the documented effects at the Acid Site.
Economic considerations make use of the Southern Area much less desirable
than continued use of the Acid Site. Hauling costs for the permittees would
increase 3.2 to 4 times, thus ocean disposal may not be possible for NL
Industries, which generates the largest volume of wastes requiring ocean
disposal. Monitoring and surveillance costs to the Federal Government would
increase.
LOCATIONS OFF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
Information on the mid-Atlantic Continental Slope and Continental Rise is
sparse (TRIGOM, 1976). The 106-Mile Site is at the closest point to New York
Harbor beyond the Continental Shelf (Figure 2-1). Due north of the site is
the Hudson Canyon, a major migratory route for fish entering the New York
Bight. (See Chapter 3.) Waste disposal nearer the Canyon would be environ-
mentally unacceptable, primarily because migrating organisms could accumulate
toxic constituents of the waste, and became a potential health hazard to
humans consuming the animals.
Little background environmental information exists for the Slope beyond the
106-Mile Site. The environment immediately southwest of the 106-Mile Site
along the Continental Slope is also unknown. Designating a site for waste
disposal in that area would require extensive baseline survey work.
There are no data indicating that the 106-Mile Site is on or near an
especially unique portion of the Slope. The same physical processes affect
this entire region and the benthos is fairly uniform over great horizontal
distances at these depths. Other localities, further northeast or south of
the 106-Mile Site, would add considerably to the round trip time and distance
without any clear environmental benefit. The longer travel time increases the
probabilities of emergencies and short dumps.
C«l—-
L*rar* . RW WSM PM-21*
401 M Strwt, SW, YVW"
Washington* D.C. ^
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Tne 106-Mile Site is the best off-shelf alternative for acid waste disposal
for a number of reasons: Unlike other areas off the mid-Atlantic Shelf, the
106-Mile Site has been studied extensively, thus adequate information exists
-for projecting effects of disposal activities. Use of any other Continental
Slope site would require extensive new survey work to produce as much data as
are presently available for the 106-Mile Site. The site is on the portion of
the Continental Slope closest to New York Harbor, and highly accessible to
potential users of the site. No environmental advantage would be gained by
choosing another off-Shelf location instead of the 106-Mile Site.
SUMMARY
Several alternative sites on and off the Continental Shelf were evaluated
as potential dump sites. A number of features of the Acid Site make it the
best choice among all alternatives examined:
• It conforms to the Ocean Dumping Regulations recommendation to use
either historical sites, or sites off the Continental Shelf whenever
feasible.
• It has been studied repeatedly for more than 30 years.
• Only minor, short-term, adverse environmental changes and no
long-term effects caused by acid waste disposal have been
demonstrated at the site.
• Movement of acid waste disposal from the Apex would not create a
measurable environmental benefit, nor would nearby areas closed to
shellfishing be reopened.
• The site is convenient to New York Harbor.
Thus, in considering all reasonable alternatives to the proposed action,
the proposal of designating the Acid Site for continued use is the preferred
alternative for the foreseeable future. Although there are risks involved in
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this action, the environmental risk of waste disposal at this site is
considered to be less serious than the risk of disposing of wastes at other
locations on or off the Continental Shelf (Chapter 4). If subsequent
monitoring at the site shows that adverse effects resulting from waste
disposal are greater than anticipated, EPA may discontinue or modify use of
the site, in accordance with Section 228.11 of the Ocean Dumping Regulations.
Table 2-2 presents the comparative evaluation of the possible effects of
acid wastes at the alternate sites discussed in this chapter. The effects on
three major components are summarized: (1) public health and water quality,
(2) ecosystem, and (3) economics.
DETAILED BASES FOR SELECTION OF THE PROPOSED SITE
Part 228 of the Ocean Dumping Regulations and Criteria describes general
and specific criteria for selection of sites to be used for ocean waste
disposal. In brief, the general criteria state that site locations will be
chosen:
• "...to minimize the interference of disposal activities
with other activities in the marine environment..."
• "...[so] temporary perturbations in water quality or
other environmental conditions during initial
mixing...can be expected to be reduced to normal ambient
seavater levels or to undetectable contaminant
concentrations or effects before reaching any beach,
shoreline, marine sanctuary, or known geographically
limited fishery or shellfishery
• "[site sizes] will be limited in order to localize for
identification and control any immediate adverse impacts
and permit the implementation of effective monitoring and
surveillance programs to prevent adverse long-range
impacts
• "EPA will, whenever feasible, designate ocean dumping
sites beyond the edge of the continental shelf and other
such sites that have been historically used."
The Acid Site complies with all of the above criteria.
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TABLE 2-2
SUMMARY EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL SITES FOR ACID WASTES
Affected Component
Northern Area Site
New York Bight
Acid Waste Disposal Site
Southern Area Site
106-Mile
Ocean Waste Disposal Site
PUBLIC HEALTH &
WATER QUALITY
None to very slight short-
term potential effects.
None to very slight short-
term potential effects.
Slight potential effects.
None to very slight short-
term potential effects.
Commercial Pishing
No effects as commercial
stocks either do not exist
(shellfish) or are not
unique (finfish.) to the area.
No effects documented after
32 years of disposal activi-
ties.
Slight potential for contam-
ination of exploitable
resouces.
No effects as exploitable
resources are not found
in this area.
Recreational Fishing
No effects as the site is
beyond the normal range of
most fishermen.
Slight effects.
No effects as the site is
beyond the range of most
fishermen.
No effects as the site is
well beyond the range of
fishermen.
Navigational Hazards
Very slight potential
effects as site is further
from shore.
Very slight potential effects
as site is located over part
of a traffic lane. No
increased hazard over present
practice.
Slight potential effects as
site is further from shore
and potential resource
development in area.
Moderate potential effects
as site is much further from
shore.
Aestnetics
No effects as area is not
frequented.
Very slight effects when waste
is released. Discolored water
does not reach shore.
No effects as area is not
frequented.
No effects as area is not
frequented.
ECOSYSTEM
Slight potential effects
Very slight effects.
Slight potential effects.
Very slight potential effects.
biota
• Plankton
Slight toxic effects when
waste released. None to
very slight potential for
modifying the population
structure.
Slight toxic effects when
waste released. None to
very slight potential for
modifying the population
structure.
Slight toxic effects when
waste released. None to
very slight potential for
modifying the population
structure.
Slight toxic effects when
waste released. None to
very slight potential for
modifying the population
structure.
• Nekton
Slight potential for uptake
of waste contaminants.
Slight potential for uptake
of waste contaminants.
Slight potential for uptake
of waste contaminants.
Slight potential for uptake
of waste contaminants.
• Benthos
Moderate potential for
modifying the population
structure or contaminant
uptake.
Very slight potential for
further changes.
Moderate potential for
modifying the population
structure or contaminant
uptake.
No potential for bottom
effects.
Water Quality
• Trace Metal*
Slight short-term increase
of concentrations.
Slight short-term increase
of concentrations.
Slight short-term increase
of concentrations.
Slight short-term increase
of concentrations,
-------
TABLE 2-2. (Continued)
Affected Component
Horthern Area Site
New York Bight
Acid Waste Disposal Site
Southern Area Site
Ocean Waste Disposal Site
Sediment Quality
• Trace Metals
Slight potential for detect-
able accumulation.
Very slight potential detect-
able accumulation. Cannot
distinguish from other vaste
sources.
Slight potential for detect-
able accimkulation.
Slight short-term increase
of concentrations.
Monitoring
Ho difficulty in following
short-ten changes.
No difficulty in folloving
short-term changes.
No difficulty in following
short-term changes.
Slight difficulty in
following short-term changes.
Snort Dumping
Slight short-term effects
along the Mantucket
Navigatiooal Lane.
Slight short-term effects
in the Precautionary Zone.
Slight short-term effects
along the Hudson Canyon
Navigational Lane.
Slight short-term effects.
More probable occurrence as
site is so far from shore.
ECOHOHlCS
Slight to moderate increase
in effects over present
practice.
Present piactice. Very
slight effects.
Moderate increase in effects
over present practice.
Moderate to severe increase
in effects over present
practice.
Transportation Costs
Moderate increase over
present practice.
No increase in costs.
Moderate increase over
present practice.
Large increase over present
practice.
• Logistics
Moderate difficulty due to
increased barging distance
and location of loading
facilities.
No difficulty over current
practices.
Moderate difficulty due to
increased barging distance
and location of loading
facilities.
Severe difficulty due to such
increased barging distance
and location of loading
facilities.
• Energy
Requirements
Moderate increase over
current requirements.
No increase over current
requirements.
Moderate increase over
current requirements.
Large increase over current
requirements•
Monitorins
Increased effort as site
is further from shore.
No increased effort over
current requirements.
Increased effort as site is
further from shore.
Substantially increased effort
as site is much further from
shore.
Surveillance
Moderate difficulty as site
is outside range of normal
Coast Guard activities.
No difficulties as site is
well within range of normal
Coast Guard activities.
Moderate difficulty as site
is outside range of normal
Coast Guard activities.
Moderate difficulty as site is
well outside range of normal
Coast Guard activities.
Lo&s of Resources
• fjsticrxeg
Ho loss of non-commercial
reaources.
Slight effects on recreation
fishing. No loss of
commercial resources.
Slight potential loss of
commercial resources.
No loas of commercial or
recreational resources.
• Hi-MjurX'rK
No potential resources
identified.
Resources contaminated by
other waste sources.
Very slight change of loss
of potential resources.
No potential resources
identified.
-------
Eleven specific site selection criteria are presented in Section 228.6 of the
Ocean Dumping Regulations. The following eleven subsections consolidate the
information for the Acid Site, and show that the site complies with the eleven
site selection criteria. Additional information is in Chapter 3 (Affected
Environment) and Chapter 4 (Environmental Consequences).
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, DEPTH OF WATER.
BOTTOM TOPOGRAPHY AND DISTANCE FROM COAST
The Acid Site is on the Continental Shelf at the Apex (Figure 2-1). The
coordinates are latitudes 40°16'N to 40°20'N and longitudes 73°36'W to
73°40'W. The water depth averages 25.6 m (84 ft) and ranges from 22.6 to
28.3 m (74 to 93 ft). The site is approximately 15 nmi south of Long Beach,
Long Island and 15 nmi east of Long Branch, New Jersey.
LOCATION IN RELATION TO BREEDING, SPAWNING. NURSERY. FEEDING,
OR PASSAGE AREAS OF LIVING RESOURCES IN ADULT OR JUVENILE PHASES
All of the above activities occur throughout the entire coastal area of the
mid-Atlantic Bight. The site is not uniquely important for any species, and
no stage in the life history of valuable organisms occurs primarily at or near
the Acid Site. The site is just north of the Hudson Shelf Valley, which is an
important migratory route for some animals. However, studies have not shown
that aqueous acid wastes affect the benthos; conditions in the Valley are
primarily affected by ocean disposal activities at other sites and contaminant
inputs from shore and harbor outflow.
LOCATION IN RELATION TO BEACHES AND OTHER AMENITY AREAS
The distance from the site to the shore precludes the possibility of danger
to beaches or other amenity areas. Swanson (1977), Manager of the NOAA-MESA -
New York Bignt Project, stated that, "...we have no evidence to suggest that
waste materials from the Apex Acid Waste Dumpsite have reached shore".
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TYPES AND QUANTITIES OF WASTES PROPOSED TO BE DISPOSED OF, AMD PROPOSED
METHODS OF RELEASE, INCLUDING METHODS OF PACKING THE WASTE, IF ANY
Wastes released at the site must meet the EPA environmental impact criteria
specified in the Ocean Dumping Regulations and Criteria, Part 227, Subparts B,
D, and E. In all cases, in accordance with Part 227, Subpart C, a need for
ocean disposal must be demonstrated before issuance of a permit. At this time
(1980), permit applications from companies not presently barging and dumping
wastes in the ocean are not anticipated.
All wastes expected to be released after final site designation will be
aqueous acid wastes transported by vessels. The wastes will be discharged
below the surface into the wake. None of the wastes are proposed to be
containerized or packaged in any way.
FEASIBILITY OF SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING
Surveillance and monitoring activities are quite simple at the site. The
site is close to shore, and well within the areas regularly patrolled by Coast
Guard 82- and 95-ft patrol boats. The site is within the patrol range (25
miles from shore) of the Coast Guard HH-52A helicopter.
The Apex has been extensively studied by researchers from the EPA, NOAA,
universities, industries, and others. One goal of the NOAA-MESA project is to
develop waste management plans and monitoring strategies for the Bight
(NOAA-MESA, 1977). The existing monitoring plan for the Acid Site is
presented in Appendix E.
DISPERSAL, HORIZONTAL TRANSPORT AND VERTICAL MIXING CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE AREA, INCLUDING PREVAILING CURRENT DIRECTION AND VELOCITY
The physical oceanographic features of the Acid Site are described ifr
detail in Appendices A and B. The waste behavior immediately after release is
discussed in Appendix D.
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Wastes from both permittees are diluted and dispersed within the
permissible 4-hour mixing period. Even if an ocean current traveled directly
from the site to the shore, the concentration of the most abundant waste
constituent would be far less than ambient levels. One waste type forms an
iron hydroxide (rust) floe which usually persists for less than 24 hours,
although a colored waste plume may be detectable up to 48 hours after a
disposal operation.
Surface currents in the Apex often move in an anticyclonic (clockwise) eddy
around the Bight. At the site, surface and bottom currents tend to move in
northerly and westerly directions. These directions, however, are neither
constant nor predictable, and details of the circulation within the Apex have
not been resolved,
EXISTENCE AND EFFECTS OF CURRENT AND PREVIOUS DISCHARGES
AMD DUMPING IN THE AREA (INCLUDING CUMULATIVE EFFECTS)
Numerous studies have failed to detect significant, long-term, adverse
effects caused by the acid wastes at this site. Redfield and Ualford's (1951)
conclusion is still valid:
"Consideration of the general rate of exchange of water
between the New York Bight and the adjacent parts of the
ocean make it extremely unlikely that the quantity of waste
discharged during more than a few days could be found in the
region at any one time. No evidence has appeared which
indicates that undesirable effects of any sort have arisen
from these waste disposal operations."
INTERFERENCE WITH SHIPPING. FISHING, RECREATION, MINERAL EXTRACTION,
DESALINATION. FISH AND SHELLFISH CULTURE, AREAS OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC
IMPORTANCE. AND OTHER LEGITIMATE USES OF THE OCEAN:
Mineral extraction, desalination, and fish and shellfish culture do not
occur at or near the site. The site is not located in a unique area of the
Bight , ana is not an area of special scientific significance other than the
evaluation of acid waste disposal. The site is in one of the outbound traffic
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lanes from New York Harbor, yet disposal operations have not interfered with
shipping^. When in the traffic lanes, barges move parallel with them,
otherwise they move at right angles to the traffic. In the 32 years of
operations at the site, there has never been a collision of a waste-
discharging barge and another vessel, although a collision did occur in 1976
between a freighter and a barge bound for the 106-Mile Site (P. Anderson,
... *
personal communication ). Use of the site does, however, increase the traffic
density in the approaches to New York Harbor.
When the site was originally chosen in 1948, it was an unproductive fishing
area. Ironically, the site has become a sportfishing area because the iron
floe apparently attracts bluefish. Recreational fishermen in private and
charter boats use the site.
Numerous studies on the effects of acid waste disposal on finfish of the
area have failed to document any health problems associated with finfish
caught at the site or in the plume. Fishermen claim that the industry is
being destroyed by the dumping; yet the conclusions of Ketchum et al. (1958b),
that the waste is nontoxic and rapidly diluted, are apparently still valid.
THE EXISTING WATER QUALITY AMD ECOLOGY OF THE SITE AS DETERMINED
BY AVAILABLE DATA, BY TREND ASSESSMENT, OR BASELINE SURVEYS
The large numbers of surveys made at or near the site have been summarized
above, in Chapter 4, and in Appendix B. Adverse effects resulting from acid
waste disposal have not been documented.
Both NL Industries and Allied Chemical, have evaluated the influences of
their respective wastes on the existing water quality of the site (Energy
Resources Company, 1978a,b). The wastes of both industries comply with the
* P. Anderson, Chief, Marine and Wetlands Protection Branch, EPA-Region II,
New York, NY.
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marine water quality criteria for all constituent materials. Concerning the
ecology of the site, Swanson (1977) stated:
"Hydrated, iron oxide precipitates from acid wastes coat
suspended particles, including biota. It might be
suspected that coatings could adversely affect some membrane
transport functions. No observational evidence can be found
to indicate any effects on biota from such coatings. Surveys
of benthic populations in the immediate vicinity of the Apex
Acid Waste Dumpsite have not demonstrated an observable
impact of waste acid. Such an observation at the site would
not be expected for two reasons: first, the acid waste
materials do not accumulate in the sediments at the site; and
second, any impacts would be the sum of all activities
affecting the site, and could not be attributed to acid
wastes alone. Long-term, sublethal, toxic effects on
organisms at and near the Apex site have not been
investigated."
Swanson1s last statement refers to comprehensive, in situ studies.
Vaccaro's group (Vaccaro et al., 1972; Grice et al., 1973; Wiebe et al., 1973)
did investigate chronic effects of acid waste in the laboratory and concluded
that biologically significant effects did not occur. If adverse effects due
to waste disposal are detected, the Ocean Dumping Regulations state that
appropriate mitigating measures must be taken, ranging from reducing the
discharge rate, frequency of dumping, or annual volumes to relocating the
disposal operations, or prohibiting ocean disposal (40 CFR 228.11).
POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OR RECRUITMENT OF NUISANCE SPECIES
IN THE DISPOSAL SITE
After 32 years of disposal, acid waste has not promoted or attracted
nuisance species to the area. Extensive phytoplankton blooms in the Bight,
which cause adverse effects, usually result from an excess of nutrients
combined with anomalous physical conditions (Sharp, 1976). Acid wastes do not
contain constituents which promote phytoplankton growth.
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EXISTENCE AT, OR IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO, THE SITE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT
NATURAL OR CULTURAL FEATURES OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
No such features are known to exist at or near the site. The site is
sufficiently distant from shore so that wastes do not affect state or national
parks or beaches.
CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSED ACTIONS
EPA has determined that the Acid Site should be placed in Impact Category I
but designated for continuing use. The site was placed in this category
because iron, a nontoxic constituent of NL Industries waste, is present in
detectable concentrations above normal ambient values within 12 nmi of shore.
NL Industries and EPA have entered into a consent decree which provides for
the reduction of iron levels. The site remains the most preferred location
for disposal of some acid wastes generated in the New Jersey region.
All future use of the Acid Site for acid waste disposal must comply with
the EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations and Criteria — a requirement which brings
prospective dumping into compliance with the MPRSA and the London Dumping
Convention. EPA determines compliance with the Ocean Dumping Regulations on a
case-by-case basis as applications for disposal permits are evaluated.
General guidelines for determining acceptability of applicant wastes proposed
for release at the Acid Site are outlined below.
TYPES OF WASTES
Waste materials similar to those presently dumped at the site are
acceptable since no significant adverse environmental effects from these
wastes have been demonstrated. If adverse effects are observed in later
monitoring, dumping must be altered (reduced or stopped) until such effects
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cease (Ocean Dumping Regulations, Section 228.11). For the present, however,
industrial wastes with the following characteristics may be released at the
site:
• Aqueous acid wastes with low solid phase content.
• Neutrally buoyant or slightly denser than seawater.
• Low toxicity (after neutralizing and initial mixing) to repre-
sentative marine organisms.
• Contain no materials in concentrations prohibited by the MPRSA.
• Be released at a rate such that the limiting permissible concen-
tration for all waste constituents will not be exceeded outside the
disposal site during initial mixing (4 hours) nor will it be
exceeded anywhere in the environment after initial mixing.
The foregoing are Liquid wastes which comply with the Ocean Damping
Regulations with respect to environmental impact, need for ocean disposal, and
impacts on aesthetic, recreational, economic, or other usps of the ocean.
WASTE LOADINGS
Cumulative effects of past waste loading have not been demonstrated at the
site, thus no upper limit can be defined beyond which undesirable effects
could occur. The maximum historical input, roughly 5.45 million tonnes of
acid wastes in 1963, did not cause observable adverse effects. It is certain
that historical average volumes are acceptable (about 2.3 million tonnes per
year). Existing (1980) permits allow a maximum of 2.2 million tonnes annually
to be released at the site. However, the total annual input is not the
critical element in evaluating the effects of waste loading at the site;
rather, an individual barge load is important because the waste constituents
do not accumulate, but are dispersed below toxic or bioaccumulative levels by
currents. The rate of release, of each waste load must not be greater than the
ability of the water to dilute it to acceptable levels within a short time.
Compliance with Section 227.8 of the Ocean Dumping Regulations (limiting
permissible concentration) should ensure that the marinp environment will not
be adversely or irreversibly affected.
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The total assimilative capacity of the site or area is unknown for these
wastes since long-term adverse effects have not been demonstrated. The
current patterns in the Apex are highly complex and have large, unpredictable
variations, thus the short-term (days) transport of the waste cannot be
predicted. The most prevalent direction of transport is to the south-
southwest. However, estimating maximum seasonal or annual waste loadings is
not possible at this time. Each waste proposed to be dumped must be evaluated
individually and in relation to other wastes being dumped, for dispersion
characteristics and input of toxic elements to the Apex environment. In the
absence of more accurate information, waste loadings increased above the
present level may be permitted as long as the site is carefully monitored for
adverse effects. However, the amount of material dumped in each barge load
must not be greater than that amount which can be reduced to acceptable levels
by dispersal and dilution at the site. EPA establishes the size of barge
loads and rates of release of materials at the site to meet this objective.
DISPOSAL METHODS
Present disposal techniques are acceptable and will be required for future
permittees. The wastes are transported to the site in specially constructed
rubber lined barges. Wastes are discharged from 30-cm diameter underwater
ports at a specified rate while the barge is under way (5 to 7 kn). The
turbulence created by the wake of the barge causes immediate dilution of the
waste (from 1:250 to 1:1,800). The acid is neutralized by the buffering
action of seawater; pH changes are detected only occasionally behind the barge
and rarely exceed 0.2 pH units below ambient conditions after initial mixing.
This method (or another method that maximizes initial dilution upon discharge)
will be required for all future disposal.
DISPOSAL SCHEDULES
Only two companies are using the site; thus there have not been any
scheduling problems. Allied Chemical makes 12 to 18 trips per year to the
site, whereas NL Industries barges at most twice (usually once) a day. Only
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one barge will be allowed in the site during a 4-hour period, to prevent
additional hazards from shipping, and preclude the condition within the site
of still showing the influences of the previous dump.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Current permits have ten special conditions, which will remain part of
future permits issued for waste disposal at the Acid Site. Special Conditions
Numbers 1, 2, 7, and 9 of NL Industries permit have been modified by a consent
decree between the EPA, the Department of Justice, and NL Industries. Details
are provided at the end of this section:
• Special Condition 1 is the time period the permit is in force.
Current permittees are:
NL Industries, April 10, 1979 to April 9, 1981.
Allied Chemical, January 15, 1979 to January 14, 1982.
• Special Condition 2 is a description of the material to be
transported for ocean dumping. Separate quarterly reports from the
waste generator and waste transporter on volumes of waste delivered
or transported are required. Allowable volumes (1980) are:
- NL Industries - not to exceed 2,147,000 tonnes per year
(2,370,000 wet tons) or 2,721,000 tonnes (3,000,000 wet
tons) of liquid sulfuric acid and gangue slurry during the
term of the permit.
Allied Chemical - 51,700 tonnes (57,000 wet tons) per year
of by-product hydrochloric acid generated in the
manufacture of fluorocarbons.
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Special Condition 3 specifies the disposal site. Each present
permittee releases wastes at the Acid Site.
Special Condition 4 lists the barges to be used and requires that
navigational overlays of the dump vessel trackline during any
disposal operation be submitted to the Coast Guard. The waste
transporter must notify the Captain of the Port, USCG, of his
departure time from the port and the time of actual discharge.
Discharge rates are also indicated. Current barges used are:
NL Industries: MORAN 102 (633,000 gal capacity).
MORAN 108 (990,000 gal capacity).
- Allied Chemical: AC-5 (456,000 gal capacity).
Discharge rates are presently (1980):
NL Industries: 100,000 gal/nmi
(378,500 1/nmi).
Allied Chemical: 12,000 gal/nmi
(45,425 1/nmi).
Special Condition 5 specifies the waste constituents to be
monitored, the approved analytical procedures, and some requirements
for laboratory quality control practices. Samples for analyses are
taken monthly by NL Industries and quarterly by Allied Chemical.
Special Condition 6 requires the continuation of the EPA-approved
monitoring program to determine the short-term environmental impacts
of the ocean disposal of acid waste. Details of the monitoring
program are in Appendix E.
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• Special Condition 7 pertains to the implementation of alternative
disposal methods. Each current permittee has submitted reports to
demonstrate that their respective wastes are in compliance with 40
CFR, Part 227. This condition requires further research and
evaluation of alternative disposal methods with the objective of
ending ocean disposal. The conditions in the current permits are:
NL Industries:
(1) After publication of the proposed national effluent
guidelines for the titanium dioxide industry, the company
will submit a plan committing it to cease ocean dumping
within 18 months of promulgation of final guidelines.
(2) Evaluate the feasibility of three process changes:
(a) Chloride process.
(b) Ishihara process (neutralizing of ammonia).
(c) Malazsian Titanium Corp. process.
(3) Report amounts of acid waste produced, amounts discharged
to municipal treatment plants, amount recycled, and
amounts sold.
(4) Plan and implement a land-based disposal method for
insoluble gangue and ore slurry. Anticipated cessation of
the ocean dumping of this material is June 30, 1981.
(5) Continue research and development on alternative
land-based disposal techniques for the acid phase of the
waste.
Allied Chemical:
(1) Submit a detailed report prepared by an independent
consultant evaluating economic and environmental effects
of several alternative technologies recently studied
(1977-1978) by the company.
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(2) Report: amounts of by-product acid produced and amounts
sold.
(3) Continue research and development in alternative
land-based disposal techniques.
• Special Condition 8 details procedures for notifying the USCG that
dumping is to occur. This notification is required to facilitate
USCG surveillance of disposal operations.
• Special Condition 9 details information relative to correspondence
and reports required by the special and general conditions of the
permit.
• Special Condition 10 specifies the liabilities for compliance
related to the special conditions of the permit as applicable to the
waste generator, waste transporter, or both.
The special conditions will continue to be part of all permits authorized
for wastes to be released at the Acid Site.
EPA and NL Industries have entered into a consent decree which has changed
several of the special conditions of the ocean dumping permit issued to NL
Industries. The action was taken between the time of publication of the Draft
EIS and this Final ISIS. At the time of publication of this G1S, EPA, the
Department of Justice, and NL Industries are reviewing comments received on
the consent decree.
• Expiration date of the current permit is extended to 9 April 1982.
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• Allowable volumes of waste to be dumped are:
Year
1980
1981
Volume (tonnes)
196,800,000
214,500,000
Material
Sulfuric acid/gangue solids
Sulfuric acid/gangue solids
1*982 (to
9 April 1982)
407,000
Sulfuric acid
Implementation plan and schedule is changed to:
- Gangue will not be dumped in the ocean after 31 December 1981.
- The free sulfuric acid portion of the waste will be reduced to
less than 1.2 tons of free sulfuric acid per ton of titanium
dioxide produced by 31 December 1981 (about 50% reduction).
- The free sulfuric acid portion of the waste will be reduced to
less than 0.6 tons of free sulfuric acid per ton of titanium
dioxide produced by 9 April 1985 (about 75% reduction).
The free sulfuric acid portion of the waste will be reduced to
less than 0.2 tons of free sulfuric acid per ton of titanium
dioxide produced by 9 April 1988 (about 90% reduction).
- Ocean dumping of all waste will cease by 31 December 1989.
The reporting requirements have been modified, so that after 1
January 1982, NL Industries will report (monthly) the total
volume of waste and the total volume of free sulfuric acid
transported for ocean dumping.
The initial reduction in free sulfuric acid wastes will be accomplished
through the conversion to a Liquid Phase Digestion Process. Subsequent
reductions will involve recycling of the acid wastes to the maximum extent
possible.
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Chapter 3
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
The environmental characteristics of the proposed Acid Site
and three alternative sites (106-Mile Site, Northern Area,
and Southern Area) were assessed in terms of oceanographic
features (physical, geological, chemical, and biological),
the history of waste disposal at the sites, the effects of
wastes at the sites, and other activities near the sites
which may be affected by waste disposal. The proposed site,
located nearshore at the Apex, has been used since 1948 with
no adverse effects on the environment or on activities in the
area. The 106-Mile Site, located beyond the Continental
Shelf in deep water, has been used since 1961 primarily for
aqueous chemical waste disposal with no detected adverse
effects. The Northern and Southern Areas, located in shallow
water near Hudson Canyon with oceanographic features similar
to the proposed site, have never been used for waste
disposal. The Acid Site is preferred for designation because
of (1) the greater distance to the 106-Mile Site and the
difficulty of detecting effects in deep water, (2) the
absence of other contaminant inputs and the additional
expense of surveillance and monitoring at the Northern and
Southern Areas, and (3) the lack of adverse effects at the
proposed Acid Site.
PROPOSED SITE - NEW YORK
BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
ACID SITE ENVIRONMENT
The Acid Site (Figure 3-i) is not unique when compared with the rest of the
Apex. Physical processes operate over broad areas, the chemical and
biological features of the water being nearly uniform over the entire Apex.
The sediments and associated biota in the Apex and at the site are typical of
the sandy bottom assemblages found throughout the mid-Atlantic Bight.
Anthropogenic inputs (dredged material, sewage sludge, and cellar dirt) have
extensively modified the sediments in some areas; acid waste, which is liquid,
does not appear to affect the bottom. (See Appendix B for details.)
3-1
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73*30'
Figure 3-1. Location of New York Bight Acid Haste Disposal Site
3-2
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PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
The physical characteristics of the Bight are complex. Seasonal patterns
of temperature, salinity, insolation, and river runoff are complicated by
strong meteorological events and intrusions of Slope Water into the outer
Bight (Bowman and Wunderlich, 1977). The hydrography of the Bight exhibits
clear seasonal cycles in temperature, salinity, and density structures. Two
distinct oceanographic regimes, with short transition periods between them,
prevail during an annual cycle. Early winter storm mixing, and rapid cooling
at the surface create well-mixed, unstratified water. A moderate stratifi-
cation develops in the early spring, and intensifies through the summer
(Charnell and Hansen, 1974). The rapid formation of the seasonal thermocline
divides the water into upper and lower layers. Bottom waters retain their
characteristics with little modification until storms and cooling trends break
up the thermocline in late autumn.
The major feature of Bight circulation is a slow flow to the southwest over
most of the Continental Shelf; an anticyclonic (clockwise) eddy is often
present in the inner Bight. Exchange circulation, characterized by seaward
surface flow of estuarine waters and landward flow of bottom waters, occurs
through the Sandy Hook-Rockaway Point Transect. All of these features can be
masked by stronger but variable wind-driven currents on a day-to-day basis,
and may be drastically altered for periods of several weeks. Alterations are
more common during the summer, when there may be sustained periods of strong
southerly winds (Hansen, 1977).
GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
The Continental Shelf surface of the Bight is a vast, sandy plain,
underlain by clay (Emery and Schlee, 1963; Milliman et al., 1972). Whereas
sand is the most abundant textural component on the Shelf, significant
deposits of gravel and mud exist. Sediments at the Acid Site are 96% to 98%
sand and gravel, the remainder being silt. The site is at the edge of the
Hudson Canyon where the predominant sediments are silts and clays.
3-3
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Suspended particulate matter (SPM) includes fine material from natural and
man-made sources. SPM may be transported for some distance by waves and
currents before sinking to the bottom, and may be resuspended by bottom
currents and transported to another area. SPM can cause several adverse
environmental effects: higher levels of this material can increase turbidity,
in turn decreasing the depth of light penetration in water, thereby limiting
the depth at which plants can photosynthesize — which limits the amount of
primary production in the area. Suspended particulates can be toxic, or can
bind or adsorb toxic materials which are eventually carried to the bottom.
While suspended in water or lying on the bottom, the toxic material can be
consumed by marine organisms.
The Acid Site has concentrations of SPM typical of other Apex areas, but
higher than areas further offshore. Acid-iron waste does contribute to the
elevated levels of SPM in the Apex; the ferric hydroxide floe which forms
after waste release remains in suspension for many hours. Additional
significant sources of SPM to the Apex are material from other ocean disposal
sites (Dredged Material, Cellar Dirt, and Sewage Sludge Sites), atmospheric
fallout, coastal shelf currents, and outflow from New York Harbor through the
Sandy Hook-Rockaway Point Transect. SPM, however, is not a major environ-
mental problem in the Bight. After considering the effects from all sources,
Pararas-Carayannis (1973) concluded that, "turbidity associated with ocean
dumping does not appear to have an adverse lasting effect on the sediment and
water quality of the Bight."
CHEMICAL CONDITIONS
The coastal metropolitan area is the primary source of heavy metals
entering the Bight (Benninger et al., 1975; Carmody et al., 1973). The
concentrations of dissolved heavy metals in the water of the Bight vary
seasonally. Background (natural) concentrations however, are generally higher
than those reported for the open ocean (Bewers et al., 1975). Heavy metal
concentrations in bottom sediments are not uniformly distributed throughout
the Apex; elevated levels of metals in the sediments of the Bight are
3-4
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associated with the Hudson Shelf Valley, and the Dredged Material and Sewage
Sludge Sites. Levels of iron (the most abundant waste constituent) were
similar at the Acid Site and a control area, but were half the level of metals
in samples from the Hudson Shelf Valley (Vaccaro et at., 1972). Some material
may reach the bottom during unstratified (winter) conditions, but there is no
indication of a buildup of contaminants from acid waste in the sediments.
Surface values of dissolved oxygen are usually at or near saturation
levels. Below the seasonal thermocline, saturation may fall to 30% in the
vicinity of the Sewage Sludge Site (O'Connor et al., 1977). There are no
indications of abnormally depressed oxygen levels near the Acid Site. Levels
of trace metals in the water are higher than in samples from the outer Bight,
but there are no indications of consistently higher levels near the ocean
disposal sites (Segar and Contillo, 1976). Acid waste disposal only causes
short-term perturbations in the water. The flushing time for the entire Apex
is 6 to 14 days, thus waste is being continually diluted and transported from
the region. The overall direction of transport is to the south-southwest.
Particulate organic carbon, which may act as a transport agent for toxic
substances, has the highest concentrations near areas of wastewater discharge
(outfalls) and the Sewage Sludge and Dredged Material Sites. No comprehensive
studies of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the New York Bight have been made, but
dredged material and sewage sludge disposal are probably the major sources of
these materials (EPA, 1975; Raytheon, 1975a, 1975b; West et al., 1976).
BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
The total annual phytoplankton production is higher in coastal waters than
in the outer Bight. Productivity is uniformly low (0.5 g/m /day) over the
entire Bight during the summer. The outer Bight approaches these levels
throughout the year; values in the inner Bight rise throughout the winter
2 2
(1.0 g C/m /day) to a spring maximum (2.0 g C/m /day; Yentsch, 1977).
In the Hudson River estuary and Apex, phytoplankton populations are
dominated by diatoms in cold months, and by chlorophytes during warm months,
and by diatoms year-round in the outer Bight. Zooplankton populations are
3-5
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dominated by copepods and larvae of vertebrates and invertebrates (summer
only) in the estuary, and by copepods in the outer Bight. However, the high
degree of spatial and temporal variation inherent in plankton populations
makes studies of their abundance, composition, and distribution extremely
difficult. Even though plankton have been studied for about 75 years, the
data are insufficient to assess the effects of man's activities on plankton
populations in the Bight (Malone, 1977).
Many finfish of commercial and recreational importance are found in the
Bight. Their diversity and abundance are due to the geographical location of
the Bight, which is the northern limit of tropical and subtropical migrants,
and the southern limit of boreal migrants (Grosslein, 1976). Some species are
found inshore, others offshore, and some migrate from inshore to offshore.
However, because of wide seasonal fluctuations in the Bight (especially
temperature, which ranges from 2°C in the winter to 25°C in the summer), the
important fish species are migratory, and not unique to the Apex.
There is a rich mixture of species in the Bight — each species occupying
wide areas over the Shelf. Eggs, larval stages, and immature forms can be
found all year round throughout the area. Spawning and larval growth usually
occur over a broad geographic area, thus it is difficult to assess man's
effects on the stock. Grosslein indicated that there are no Shelf areas free
from potential changes induced by waste disposal activities.
Commercial fishing activities are minor around the Acid Site. A seasonal
whiting fishery exists north of the site along the edge of the Hudson Shelf
Valley during the winter, and lobster are taken inshore of the site. Most of
the Apex is closed to shell fishing because of bacterial contamination. Some
species of commercially important shellfish are evenly distributed over the
Bight, while others (e.g., sea scallops) have a more patchy distribution
(Figure 3-2).
The inshore benthic fauna are dominated by organisms characteristic of a
high-energy coastal marine environment: bivalves (Tellina agilis and Spisula
solidissima) and the sand dollar (Echinarachnius parma; Pearce, 1972).
3-6
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Figure 3-2. Distribution of Surf Clams, Ocean Quahogs, and Sea Scallops
in the New York Bight
Source: Adapted from NOAA-NMFS, 1974, 1975
3-7
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Benthic populations in the Bight are not static and substantial annual changes
occur due to natural causes. The benthic fauna change from a sand bottom
assemblage to silty-sand, and then silty-clay fauna further offshore in the
Bight (Figure 3-3).
WASTE DISPOSAL AT THE ACID SITE
The Acid Site was established in 1948 for disposal of aqueous waste
produced by industries in New Jersey. Waste disposal at the site is discussed
in detail in Appendix D.
RECENT WASTE DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES
Two permittees — NL Industries and Allied Chemical — are now (1980) using
the Acid Site. NL Industries liquid waste materials consist of approximately
8.5% (by weight) sulfuric acid (l^SO^) and 10% (by weight) ferrous sulfate
(FeSO^) dissolved in fresh water. Insoluble materials (e.g., silica and
unrecovered titanium dioxide) are present in the waste. When the waste is
discharged, the ferrous sulfate colors the water light green. The barge wake
then turns brown as the ferrous iron is oxidized, to form ferric hydroxide
(rust). NL Industries waste represented 97% of the total amount discharged at
the site between 1975 and 1978.
Allied Chemical waste materials consist of approximately 30% by weight
hydrochloric acid (HC1), 2% by weight hydrofluoric acid (HF), and trace
constituents in aqueous solution. Allied Chemical wastes represented 3% of
the total material released at the Acid Site between 1975 and 1978.
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS
Several studies have shown that the acid wastes do not remain together as a
cohesive mass but are diluted rapidly after discharge. Redfield and Walford
(1951) reported that the maximum volume of water having an acid reaction was
3
162,000 m (640 m long, 23 m wide, and 11 m deep); the acid was neutralized
less than 3.5 minutes after discharge. It was calculated that, at discharge,
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Figure 3-3. Benthic Faunal Types in the Mid-Atlantic Bight
Source: Adapted from Pratt, 1973
3-9
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the sulturic acid would be diluted immediately to 0.02 /xg/1 and the seawater
pH would not fall below 4.5. The actual pH depression observed 2 minutes
after discharge was only 1.3 pH units (from 8.2 to 6.9).
Trace metals in acid wastes are insignificant sources of contaminants to
the Apex. In all cases, the acid wastes contribute less than 1% of the total
input, and usually much less than the input from atmospheric fallout
(figure 3-4).
EFFECT UN ORGANISMS
Before ocean dumping was regulated by the EPA, numerous laboratory and
field toxicity studies had been performed on the wastes dumped at the Acid
Site. Observations of minor effects were reported by Redfield and Walford
(1951), Public Health Service Sanitary Engineering Center (1960), Ketchum et
al. (1958a,b), Vaccaro et al. (1972), Wiebe et al. (1973), Grice et al.
(1973), and Gibson (1973). In contrast, the Sandy Hook Laboratory (SHL)
(1972) reported more severe effects due to acid waste disposal; however, the
SHL method and conclusions were criticized by Buzas et al. (1972).
A variety of ptiytoplankters and zooplankters have been collected in the
wake of an acid waste discharge. Animals may be immobilized immediately after
disposal, but recover quickly when the waste is diluted with an equal volume
of seawater. The gastrointestinal tracts of copepods and ctenophores
collected at the site after a discharge were filled with iron particles from
ttie waste, but the animals did not appear to show ill effects.
Laboratory work indicated that phytoplankton were unaffected by a concen-
tration of acid waste four times higher , than concentrations observed in the
field. Zooplankton were chronically affected by concentrations of one part
waste in 10,000 parts seawater. Reproduction was impaired and development
slowed over an 18-day period. These results, however, are not biologically
important, because this concentration of waste only persists for a few minutes
alter disposal. When the toxicity of neutralized acid waste and the toxicity
of the pH change were determined, the pH change appeared to cause lethal
elti'Cts rather tnan the toxic elements in the waste. Neutralized acid waste
wan net toxic, to test organisms.
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MASS LOADING BY SOURCE - ALL METALS
LONC ISLAND
NEW |ERSEV
CHROMIUM (5.6 METRIC TONS/OAY)
LONC ISIANO
NEW JERSEY
ACID WASTE
LEAD (12.6 METRIC TONS/DAV)
NEW JERSEY
SEWACE SLUDGE
ACID WASTE
ATMOSPHERE
SEWACE SLUDGE
ACID WASTE
ATMOSPHERE
COPPER (13.S METRIC TONS/DAY)
VONG ISLAND
NEW IERSEY
ATMOSPHERE
ACID WASTE
SEWACE SLUDGE
ZINC (32.3 METRIC TONS/DAY)
NEW JERSEY/LONC ISLAND
ACID WASTE
ATMOSPHERE
•MUD DUMP - NEW YORK BIGHT DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITE (FICURE 3-11, NO. 1>.
Figure 3-4. Inputs of Metals to the New York Bight
(Adapted from Mueller et al., 1976)
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When the site was first established (1948), there was controversy over
possible effects on migratory fish in the Bight. NL Industries sponsored the
first comprehensive studies of the effects of acid-iron waste, which concluded
(Redfield and Walford, 1951) that there was no conflict between the waste
disposal operations and sportfishing activities in the Apex. After that,
Westman has periodically surveyed the site and other fishing areas in the
Bight (Westman, 1958, 1967, 1969; Westman et al., 1961), and concluded that
bluefish and yellowfin tuna were attracted to the s'te, and that an active
pelagic fishery had begun in the area. He did n' . observe adverse effects
caused by the waste disposal.
The waste does not appear to be toxic to the bottom-dwelling animals
(benthos). The site supports a typical sand-bottom community; the biomass and
species diversity are comparable to a control area (Vaccaro et al. , 1972),
although the number of animals is significantly less. Other investigators
(Westman, 1967, 1969; SHL, 1972) have reported anomalous benthic conditions at
the site. Recent samples (Pearce et al., 1976a,b, 1977) showed that there
were wide natural variations at stations in and around the site. Such
variability is common for sand-bottom assemblages of animals.
CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDIES
Scientific Investigations of the Area
The NOAA-MESA program is responsible for identifying and measuring the
impact of man on the marine environment of the Bight and its resources.
This program began in 1973 and is scheduled to end in 1981. After that date,
a smaller monitoring program will be maintained to provide the data necessary
for management decisions about use of the resources in the Bight. The MESA
project has sponsored and conducted numerous investigations of all the
oceanographic features of the Bight; these data provided much of the
information used in this EIS.
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Sandy Hook Laboratory Ocean Pulse Program of the NOAA-NMFS conducts
continuous studies of the area, primarily with respect to man's impact on
commercial fish and shellfish resources. The Ocean Pulse Program is designed
to monitor and assess the health of the ocean's living resources on the
Continental Shelf of the northwest Atlantic Ocean. This program includes the
study of effects of pollutants on important marine species.
Area-Wide Planning
The Interstate Sanitation Commission (ISC) conducts research, monitoring,
and regulation activities in the New York-New Jersey area. ISC is primarily
concerned with monitoring water quality and verifying compliance with existing
interstate regulations by sanitary waste dischargers. The ISC is developing a
combined management plan for municipal wastes and have begun to monitor air
quality in the Bight. The work is not directly pertinent to the Acid Site,
but is close enough to the site to produce important information for
evaluating effects of acid wastes on the marine environment.
Monitoring
EPA-Region II requires permittees to monitor the respective sites to
determine if disposal operations have a short-term adverse impact. Monitoring
surveys are made at the Acid Site once a year and at the Sewage Sludge Site
daily during the summer. A monitoring plan has been developed for the Cellar
Dirt Site and one is being developed for the Dredged Material Site.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IH THE SITE VICINITY
COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
Extensive finfishing and shellfishing activities are conducted in the
Bight. Most of the finfish grounds lie over the inner Continental Shelf or
near the edge of the Shelf. Most species of shellfish are found throughout
the Bight, while others (e.g., lobster) are most abundant nearshore in the
Hudson Shelf Valley or at the edge of the Continental Shelf.
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DOMESTIC FISHERIES
Table 3-1 shows the 1974 total yield and dollar value for the five major
species of commercial finfish in the Bight. The stock of most commercial
species is still substantial, but there has been an overall decrease in annual
yields of finfish over the last two decades (Figure 3-5), with commercial
landings of certain over-fished species (e.g., menhaden) declining. The yield
of the domestic ehellfishery has increased greatly since 1960 (Figure 3-6).
The once-important surf clam is becoming increasingly scarce, and other
shellfish species have recently begun to be exploited (e.g., red crab and
ocean quahog). Table 3-2 shows the total annual values in 1974 and 1976 for
the more important shellfish species. The American lobster is the most
important species fished along the Continental Shelf/Slope break, and is
becoming the most important fishery resource of the Bight (Chenoweth et al.,
1976).
FOREIGN FISHERIES
Nearly all foreign fishing in the north and mid-Atlantic regions of the
United States is conducted on the Continental Shelf area, with the majority of
foreign vessels trawling in the outer Shelf region (Figure 3-7). Peak foreign
fishing activity in the Bight occurs during spring and early summer, when the
fleet moves south from its winter fishing grounds on the Georges Bank. The
foreign fleet greatly increases in size during this period in order to harvest
the greater numbers of fish which congregate at spawning grounds. An average
of 1,000 foreign vessels fish along the mid-Atlantic coast annually (Ginter,
1978). Foreign fishing in the Bight is dominated by the Soviet Union,
followed by East Germany, Spain, and Japan. Major foreign fisheries are
herring, silver and red hake, and mackerel. The seasonal migrations of these
species account for the north-to-south movement of the foreign fleet
throughout the year. Recently, fishing efforts have been directed towards
squid, butterfish, tuna, and saury.
3-14
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TABLE 3-1
TOTAL LANDINGS IN 1974 OF FIVE MAJOR COMMERCIAL FINFISHES
IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
New York
New Jersey
Total
Species
000 lb
$000
000 lb
$000
000 lb
$000
Fluke
2,487
846
3,499
1 ,153
5,986
1,999
Menhaden
576
18
107,307
2,735
107 ,883
2,753
Scup
3,635
832
6,040
880
9,675
1 ,712
Striped
Bass
1,409
533
714
177
2 ,123
710
Whiting
1,955
250
7,022
587
8,977
837
Source: Adapted from NOAA-NMFS, 1977(?)
Table 3-2
TOTAL NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY COMMERCIAL LANDINGS IN 1974 AND 1976 OF
IMPORTANT SHELLFISH SPECIES IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Species
1974
1976
000 lb
$000
000 lb
$000
American Lobster
1 ,922
3,312
1,117
2,368
Hard Clam
9,769
15,164
10,072
19,396
Surf Clam
26,608
3,667
9,493
3,299
Oyster
2,563
4,778
2,256
5,642
Sea Scallop
1,228
1,689
1 ,953
3,170
Blue Crab
2,864
725
407
123
Source: From NOAA-NMFS, 1977a, 1977b
3-15
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1680 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970
Figure 3-5. Total Landings of Commercial Marine Food Finfishes
in the New York Bight Area, 1880-1975
Source: From McHugh and Ginter, 1978
1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970
Figure 3-6. Total Commercial Landings of Marine Food Shellfishes
in the Hew York Bight Area, 1880-1975
Source: From McHugh and Ginter, 1978
3-16
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Figure 3-7. Location of Foreign Fishing off the U.S. East Coast
Source: Adapted from McHugh and Ginter, 1978
3-17
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RECREATIONAL FISHERIES
Most recreational fishing in the Bight is confined to the inner Shelf
waters, which are most accessible to the public, and more sport species are
found there than in the outer Bight (Chenoweth et al., 1976). The important
species are striped bass, weakfish, bluefish, and mackerel. Recreational
species fished further offshore are bluefin tuna, marlin, and swordfish. The
sport catch often equals or surpasses the commercial landings of certain
species (e.g., striped bass), and significantly contributes to the economics
of several coastal areas. In 1970, 1.7 million anglers caught 1.3 million
kilograms (2.7 million pounds) of fish from the North Atlantic coast.
SAND AND GRAVEL MINING
Sanko (1975) states that "sand deposits in the Lower Bay of New York Harbor
have been the largest single source of commercial sand for the New York City
metropolitan area since 1963." This is the only marine environment in the
Bight where sand is presently mined; however, recent geological surveys show
that sand could be mined nearly anywhere in the Bight, with current technology
limiting the outer boundary to the 50-m (165-ft) isobath.
2 2
There is an estimated area of over 781.4 nmi (2,680 km ) suitable for sand
mining between the 50 m isobath and the Long Island shoreline (Schlee, 1975).
Most of the sand is of uniform grain~size and contains a low percentage of
fine particles. Gravel deposits in the Bight are much more limited than sand.
Potential mining areas for gravel are few, mainly off the northern coast of
New Jersey (Figure 3-8).
OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT
No existing or planned oil and gas lease tracts are located in any interim
or designated ocean disposal site. Figure 3-9 is an EPA (1978a) summary of
oil and gas development in the Bight.
3-18
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Figure 3-8. Gravel Distribution in the Mew York Bight
Source: Adapted from Schlee, 1975
3-19
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Figure 3-9. Oil and Gas Leases in the Mid-Atlantic Bight
(Adapted from EPA, 1978a)
'J-20
-------
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
completed the first sale of oil and gas leases in the mid-Atlantic Baltimore
Canyon trough in August 1976 (Outer Continental Shelf [OCS] Sale No. 40).
Exploratory drilling at 6 of the 93 tracts leased in OCS Sale No. 40 began in
spring and summer of 1978. On May 19, 1978, BLM published a draft EIS on the
OCS Sale No. 49, including most of the Baltimore Canyon trough. Sale No, 49
was held in May 1979. A third sale (No. 59) is under consideration and is
tentatively scheduled for August 1981 (BLM, 1978).
SHIPPING
The major trade routes identified by NOAA (TRIGOM, 1976) to serve the New
York-New Jersey area coincide with the three traffic lanes into New York
Harbor: the Nantucket, Hudson Canyon and Barnegat Traffic Lanes
(Figure 3-10). The Hudson Lane lies across the Acid Site, and the other lanes
straddle the Northern and Southern Areas.
OCEAN WASTE DISPOSAL
The EPA (in 1980) permitted municipal or industrial waste disposal at six
locations in the Bight, and the CE permitted dredged material disposal at
other sites (Figure 3-11). The Alternate Sewage Sludge Site has not received
any wastes to date (1980). This section briefly describes activities at the
six sites, but not the Acid Site (Figure 3-11, #4).
SEWAGE SLUDGE SITE
Sewage sludge is composed of residual municipal sewage solids from primary
and secondary treatment plants. The present Sewage Sludge Site was
established in 1924 (Figure 3-11, #3). There are 19 permittees currently
(1980) disposing of sewage sludge at the site, with the City of New York
discharging more than any other permittee. The total volume of sewage sludge
3 3
discharged in 1979 was 5,330 m and is estimated to be 9,890 m in 1981.
3-21
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Figure 3-10. Traffic Lanes in the Mid-Atlantic Bight
3-22
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75' 74° 73" 72°
Figure 3-11. Ocean Disposal Sites in the New York Bight
3-23
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The Alternate Sewage Sludge Site (Figure 3-11, #5) was designated in 1979
for use, if the existing site cannot accommodate the increased volumes of
sludge before ocean disposal ends in 1981. No sludge has yet been released at
the site.
DREDGED MATERIAL SITES
Several sites have been used for the disposal of material dredged from
navigable waterways in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area. Use of the
present site (Figure 3-11, #1) began in 1914. Until 1973, fly ash residues
frosa fassi1-fueled power plants were released at the site.
Each year, the volume of dredged material exceede that of any other waste.
The average annual volume of dredged material for the period 1960 to 1977 was
3
approximately 8 million m . Some dredged material is contaminated because
particulate solids carried in the Hudson River settle in the harbor.
Other dredged material sites exist just outside the inlets, along the Long
Island and New Jersey shoreline (not shown in Figure 3-11). Much lower
volumes of sediment are released at the sites, and the material is relatively
uncontaminated sand.
CELLAR DIRT SITE
The Cellar Dirt Site (Figure 3-11, #2) has been relocated several times to
prevent excessive moundings of the waste. The site has occupied its present
location since 1940. Inert materials from land-based construction projects
(demolition wastes), including excavated earth, broken concrete, rock, and
other nonfloatable materials, are dumped at the site. The average annual
volume of cellar dirt released at the site from 1960 to 1977 was 450,000 m .
The annual volume will fluctuate from year to year according to the activity
of the construction industry and the availability of alternate disposal
met hods .
3-24
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WRECK SITE
The Wreck Site (Figure 3-11, #6) was designated by the EPA for derelict or
wrecked vessels. The site has been used infrequently since 1962, and in 1977
was moved slightly to avoid interference with shipping. In January 1980,
designation of the site was terminated. Future use of the Site will be
reguLated under a General Permit (40 CFR 229.3).
WOOD INCINERATION SITE
The EPA has designated the Wood Incineration Site (Figure 3-11, #7) for
burning and disposal of scrap wood from harbor debris, pier pilings, and
waterfront construction sites. The site is used as needed and only the
combustion products reach the ocean. The remaining ash is sold or dumped on
land,
MARINE RECREATION
The shorelines of Long Island and northern New Jersey support an estimated
$2-billion per year beach industry (Interstate Electronics Corporation, 1973).
The popularity of the low, sandy beaches is due to their quality and access-
ibility. Beach property in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area may be
publicly or privately owned. In the metropolitan area, the 1976 beach
attendance, at state and national parks alone, was over 20 million
(Table 3-3).
ALTERNATIVE SITE OFF THE
CONTINENTAL SHELF - 106-MILE OCEAN WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
106-MILE SITE ENVIRONMENT
The 106-Mile Site (Figure 3-12) is in an arrea typical of the
Continental Slope and upper Continental Rise. The physical and
characteristics of the site are highly complex, with large
Atlantic
chemical
natural
3-25
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TABLE 3-3
BEACH ATTENDANCE AT STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS IN THE
NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY METROPOLITAN AREA 1976
Park
At tendance
Island Beach State Park, N.J.
194,223
Gateway National Recreation Area
Breezy Point, N.Y. (Jacob Riis State Park)
3,800,000
Sandy Hook, N.J.
2,000,000
Staten Island, N.Y.
1,240,000
Smith Point Co. Park, Fire Island, N.Y.
735,256
Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island, N.Y.
2,122,200
Captree State Park, Long Island, N.Y.
500,000
Fire Island National Seashore, N.Y.
702,194
Fire Island, "Other," N.Y.
2,301,000
Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.
7,000,000
Total
20,594,873
Source: EPA, 1978a
variability. The sediments and benthic biota are typical of deep-water,
silty-sand sediments. Disposal of chemical wastes began at the site in 1961,
but measurable changes caused by the wastes have not occurred.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
The site is just off the Continental Shelf in Slope Water, with intrusions
of Shelf Water in the upper 200 m, and intrusions of oceanic water in the form
of Gulf Stream eddies. Each water mass has distinctive physical, chemical,
and biological characteristics.
Slope Water normally occupies the site; however, when the Shelf/Slope ocean
front migrates eastward, Shelf Water of equal or lower salinity and
temperature mixes with Slope Water. The differing densities of the water
masses causes formation of separate layers. Therefore, the mixing of waters
at the site can be quite complex, influenced by highly unpredictable factors
and normal seasonal changes (Warsh, 1975).
Occasionally, an eddy of Gulf Stream Water surrounding Sargasso Sea Water
is entrained in the Slope Water and migrates through the site. Both are of
3-26
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°w
40"
39°
38*N
Figure 3-12. Location of the 106-Mile Site
higher temperature and salinity than Slope Water. Eddies do not pass through
the site on a seasonal basis; they occupy part or all of the site about
70 days a year (Bisagni, 1976).
As the surface waters of the site warm in late spring, stratification
within the top 50 m forms layers of water with differing temperatures,
salinities, and densities. This stratification (the thermocline) can occur
within one water mass without any mixing with another water mass and persists
until September/October, when cooling and storm activity destroy it. From
autumn to early spring, the temperature of the water column is the same from
3-27
-------
the surface to a depth of approximately 200 m. At 200-m depth, however, a
permanent stratification exists. The seasonal changes are important because
the changing density gradients greatly influence the ultimate fate of liquid
waste discharges.
Few ocean-current measurements exist for the site, yet the literature
indicates a general net flow to the southwest along the margins of the
Continental Shelf (Warsh, 1975). In addition, the surface flow is generally
seaward with a shoreward subsurface flow in the upper 200 m. These flows are
usually minor except in spring when there may be a larger influx of Shelf
Water over the Continental Slope. In deeper water (below 200 m) the net
direction of the currents is also to the southwest. When eddies traverse the
area, the flow within the eddy is anticyclonic (clockwise).
The physical and chemical characteristics of the site cause biological
complexity because each water mass possesses characteristic associations of
plants and animals.
GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
The Continental Slope within the disposal area has a gentle (4%) grade,
leveling off (1%) outside the site, in the region of the upper Continental
Rise. Sediments within the site are principally sand and silt, with silts
predominating (Pearce et al., 1975). The sediment composition is an important
factor which determines the types of animals found in an area. Generally,
greater diversity and abundance of fauna are associated with finer sediments
(e.g., silt), although unusual physical conditions will alter the community
structure. Fine-grained sediments commonly have higher concentrations of
heavy metals. Sand, gravel, and rocky bottoms rarely contain metals in high
concentrations.
Continental Slope sediments across the site are subject to different
dynamic forces; the upper Continental Rise is an area of tranquil deposition,
and the lower Continental Rise is an area of shifting deposition. Erosional
areas (caused by bottom currents) lie between these two provinces. The
different processes would largely determine the ultimate fate of any waste
3-28
-------
products (probably insignificant) which reach bottom. In areas swept by
currents, waste products would be carried out of the disposal site, and
greatly diluted before being buried. In erosional and shifting depositional
areas, the waste material may be temporarily deposited before being moved. In
areas of tranquil, or slow deposition, waste products would be slowly buried.
CHEMICAL CONDITIONS
Dissolved oxygen concentrations at the 106-Mile Site generally follow the
temperature gradients; the permanent stratification level at 200 m divides the
water into upper and lower regimes. Water densities of these regimes (due to
differences in temperatures and salinities) keep the two layers distinctively
different, and no mixing occurs. Dissolved oxygen levels decline from surface
levels to a natural minimum between 200 to 300 m, then slowly increase with
depth. Figure 3-13 illustrates that summer and winter dissolved oxygen
gradients are similar, with slightly higher surface concentrations during
winter. Acid wastes, which have not caused oxygen depletion problems in the
Apex, would not significantly change the natural conditions.
Chemical surveys and monitoring programs at the 106-Mile Site have analyzed
trace metal levels in sediments, water, and selected organisms. Metals in the
sediments and water represent contaminants potentially available to site
fauna, and may possibly be assimilated (bioaccumulated) and concentrated by
them in toxic quantities.
Metals are naturally present in seawater. Only concentrations of metals
which exceed natural background levels, and approach known or suspected toxic
levels, threaten the marine fauna or mail. The most recent studies of the
trace metal content in the water of the 106-Mile Site found near-background
levels typical of other Shelf-Slope regions (Kester et al., 1977; Hausknecht
and Kester, 1976a, 1976b).
Trace metals in sediments all along the Continental Slope and Rise
(including the site area) are elevated in comparison to Continental Shflf
3-29
-------
OXYGEN (mg/1)
4 5 6 7 8
-I n 1 V I
MAY -n MAR-*\ PR^.•
OXYGEN (mg/1)
4 5 6 7
'iMOV^^ V"°EC
U \_
* • • • % "¦
'"11V:
Figure 3-13. Monthly Averages of Oxygen Concentration Versus Depth
at the 106-Mile Site
Source: From Warsh, 1975
values (Greig et al., 1976; Pearce et al., 1975). However, these values are
widespread and cannot be attributed to waste disposal activities at the site.
Analyses of trace metal concentrations in finfish caught at the site
revealed high cadmium levels in three swordfish livers, mercury levels above
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level ("unfit for human
consumption") in most fish muscle samples, and low to moderate copper and
3-30
-------
manganese concentrations, similar to those in Bight finfish (Greig and
Wenzloff, 1977; Greig et al., 1976). However, the fish were migratory and
transient species, and the levels in benthic organisms were similar over a
large area, therefore waste disposal was not suggested as the "cause" of the
elevated metal concentrations; other factors, e.g., seaward transport from the
Hudson Shelf Valley to the Hudson Canyon, were important (Pearce et al.,
1975).
BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Plankton are microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton)
which drift passively with the current or swim weakly. The plankton are the
primary source of all food in the ocean, therefore their health and ability to
reproduce are of crucial importance to all life in the ocean, including fish
and shellfish of commercial importance.
Plankton populations at the 106-Mile Site are highly diverse due to the
influence of the Shelf, Slope, and Gulf Stream Water Masses. Diatoms dominate
in Shelf Waters, whereas coccolithophorids, diatoms, dinoflagellatea, and
other mixed flagellates are important in the low-nutrient Slope Waters
(Hulburt and Jones, 1977). Mixed assemblages of zooplankters (common to the
different water masses) occupy the site year-round (Sherman et al., 1977;
Austin, 1975).
Fish have been surveyed at various depths within the site. The diversity
and abundance of near-surface fish are similar inside and outside the disposal
site (Haedrich, 1977)'. Fish occurring primarily at mid-depths (mesopelagic
fish), are dominated by Slope Water species with anticyclonic (clockwise)
eddies bringing in some north Sargasso Sea species (Kreuger et al., 1977;
Haedrich, 1977). At some depths, particularly in the lower water column, the
density of mesopelagic fish may be lower at the site when compared with
control (natural) areas (Krueger et al., 1977). Several migratory oceanic
fish, usually associated with the Gulf Stream, are found in midwater regions
of the site. The diversity and abundance of benthic (bottom) fish in the site
area are similar to those in other Slope areas (Musick, et al., 1975; Cohen
and Pawson, 1977). Fifty-five species have been reported at the site.
Numbers of individuals in species and numbers of species decrease with depth.
3-31
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At the bottom, the abundance and diversity of invertebrates at the 106-MiLe
Site are similar to other Slope localities of the mid-Atlantic Bight.
Invertebrates living on the surface (the epifauna) of the 106-Mile Site bottom
are dominated by echinoderms (e.g., starfish and sea urchins), whereas
segmented worms (polychaetes) are the dominant burrowing organisms.
WASTE DISPOSAL AT THE 106-MILE SITE
PERMITS AND WASTE VOLUMES - 1973 to 1978
The 106-Mile Site was proposed for use in 1965 by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service as an alternative to inland discharge of industrial/ chemical
wastes which might contaminate potable water supplies. However, chemical
wastes were released in the area during 1961 , 1962, and 1963. From 1961 to
1978, approximately 5.1 million tonnes of chemical wastes and 389,000 tonnes
of sewage sludge were released at this site, an average of 305,000 tonnes per
year.
When ocean waste disposal came under EPA regulation in 1973, there were
66 permittees at the site. Since then, the number of permittees has steadily
declined until, as of November 1979, only four permittees remain: American
Cyanamid (Linden, N.J.), E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Inc., Edge Moor
Plant (Edge Moor, Del.) and Grasselli Plant (Linden, N.J.), and Merck & Co.
(Rahway, N.J.). The volume of waste released, however, increased from
341,000 tonnes in 1973 to 797,000 tonnes in 1978. The increase was due to
four factors: (1) the relocation of industrial waste generators from the
Sewage Sludge Site in 1974, (2) Du Pont-Grasselli1 s move from the Acid Site
in 1975, (3) Du Pont-Edge Moor's move from the Delaware Bay Acid Site in 1977,
and (4) the relocation by court order, of waste disposal operations of the
City of Camden, New Jersey to the site in 1977. Camden, however, contributed
only 48,000 tonnes. Overall, approximately 75% of the waste discharged from
1973 to 1978 was from three industrial sources: Du Pont-Edge Moor, Du Pont-
Grasselli, and American Cyanamid. The actual dumping volumes of each
permittee appear in Table 3-4. Table 3-5 shows the projected inputs to the
site from 1979 to 1981.
3-32
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TABLE 3-4
WASTE VOLUMES, 1973-1978 AT 106-MILE SITE
(thousands of tonnes)
Permittee
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
Totals
Average
American Cyanamid Co.
118
137
116
119
130
111
731
122
Camden, N.J.
—
—
—
—
48
54
102
51
Chevron Oil Co.
25
26
22
—
—
—
73
24
Du Pont-Edge Moor
—
—
—
—
380
372
752
376
Du Pont-Grasselli
116
155
264
164
107
172
978
163
Hess Oil Co.
7
—
—
—
—
—
7
7
Mixed Industries*
34
35
78
67
85
72
371
62
• . **
Mixed municipalities
41
93
96
25
16
16
287
48
Totals
341
446
576
375
766
797
3,301
* Crompton and Knowles, Merck and Co., and Reheis Chemical Co.
** Permittees using New York Bight Sewage Sludge Site (sewage sludge digester cleanout residue).
Source: Data from EPA-Regionll permit files
-------
TABLE 3-5
PROJECTED VOLUMES, 1979-1980, AT 106-MILE SITE
(thousands of tonnas)
Permittee
Scheduled Phaseout Date
Year
1979
1980
1981
American Cyanamid
April 1981
123
123
30
Du Pont-Edge Moor
November 1980
299
250
0
Du Pont-Grasselli
None
295
295
295
Merck
April 1981
36
36
10
Annual totals:
753
704
335
WASTE TYPES AND CONTAMINANTS
The types of wastes, physical characteristics, authorized discharge rate,
and dispersion factors are summarized in Table 3-6. The averages and ranges
of concentrations of selected trace metals are presented in Table 3-7.
Table 3-6 shows that the different wastes have some common characteristics.
The wastes are heavier than seawater, although American Cyanamid wastes are
almost neutrally buoyant. Minimal dilution after initial mixing ranges from
20,000 to 25,000:1 up to 75,000:1. The authorized discharge rates have been
established by EPA-Region II to prevent long-term adverse effects caused by
the waste discharges. Comparing the mean and maximal trace metal concen-
tration (Table 3-7) with the minimal dilution factors (Table 3-6) shows that,
with few exceptions, even maximal concentrations of waste constituents are
diluted well below the limiting permissible concentration (LPC) within 4 hours
after a waste disposal operation.
TOXICITY
Periodic toxicity bioassays are required of each permittee at the 106-Mile
Site. Table 3-8 summarizes the results for the remaining waste generators.
These results show the variability common to tests of this type and probable
3-34
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TABLE 3-6
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR THE WASTES AT THE
106-MILE SITE
Company
Haste Produced
Fran the Manufacture of:
Number of
Barge Trips
Per Month
Mean Specific
Gravity (Range)*
pH
(Range)**
Authorized Discharge
Rate
(per nautical mile)
Minimum Dilution and
Dispersion 4 Hours
After Waste Release
American Cyananid
Rubber, mining and paper
chemicals, nonpersistent
organophosphorus pesticides
and surfactants
7
1.028
(1.010-1.055)
2.7 to
8.3
113,400 liters
(30,000 gallons)
25,000:1
Du Pont—Edge Moor
Titanium dioxide (chloride
process) iron chloride and
hydrochloric acid
7
1.135
(1.085-1.218)
0.1 to
1.0
140,000 liters
(37,000 gallons)
75,000:1
Du Pont-Grasselli
DMHA and Anisole
7-9
1.109
(1.036-1.222)
12.4 to
13.6
197,000 liters
(52,000 gallons)
30,000:1 to
55,000:1
Merck & Company
Thiabendazole
(pharaaceuticals)
1-2
1.115
(1.022-1.132)
5.2 to
10.3
378,000 liters
(100,000 gallons)
20,000:1 to
52,000:1
Sources: Data froa EPA-Region II permit files
* Specific gravity of seawater ¦ 1.025 approximately
** pH of seawater " 7.8 to 8.4
-------
TABLE 3-7
AVERAGE METAL CONCENTRATIONS (in jtg/1) FOR THE WASTES
AT THE 106-MILE SITE
Metal
Seavater
Concentration
Reference
American Cyanamid
Du Pont-Edge Moor
Du Pont-
Grasselli
Merck Industries
Mean
Range
Mean
Range
Mean
Range
Mean
Range
Arsenic
2-3
Kopp, 1969
620
20-2,600
140
5-525
<6
1-21
30
1-130
Cadmiun
0.15
Fleischer et al., 1974
4
1-150
320
20-900
170
3-700
3,200
20-15,600
Chromium
1
EPA, 1976
550
45-4,900
270,200
52,600-900,000
330
10-3,500
21,170
4-170,000
Copper
3.0
Mero, 1964
350
1
•C-
o
o
3,250
4-7,400
330
25-1470
10,900
1-115,000
Lead
0.03
Home, 1969
120
o
o
0
1
40 , 540
2 ,700-76 ,000
900
10-4,900
8,840
8-62,000
Mercury
0.05-0.19
Robertson et al., 1972
30
1-200
30
1-500
7
1-20
300
21-3,830
Nickel
5-7
NAS, 1974
1 ,100
145-6,400
29,060
200-65,000
730
30-2,000
4,900
20-31,500
Zinc
10
EPA, 1976
560
1
O
100,960
110-530,000
540
30-2,700
163,800
15-1,400,000
Source: Data fron EPA-Region II permit files
-------
TABLE 3-8
TOXICITY BIOASSAYS FOR WASTES AT THE 106-MILE SITE
(ptl/liter)
Company
Menidia
(Minnow
menidia
96-h TL5Q)
Skeletonema costatum
(Phytoplankton-diatom)
Acartia tonsa
(Zooplankton-copepod)
Aerated
Unaerated
96-h EC5q
96-h TL5()
American
Cyanamid
0.24 to
2,900
0.10 to
2,900
10 to 1900
19.5 to 3,500
Du Pont-
Edge Moor
5,000
5,000 to
14,400
712 to 3,450
No data
Du Pont-
Grasselli
750 to
6,950
730 to
6,170
160 to 8,600
57 to 238
Mixed
Industries
(includes
wastes other
than Merck)
650 to
100,000
150 to
100,000
65 to 12,000
29.7 to 5,300
Source: Data from EPA-Region II permit files
-------
variability in the toxicity of different bargeloads of waste. The EPA
established the discharge rates (Table 3-6) based upon the more conservative
bioassay results.
In addition to the bioassays, the Du Pont plants have sponsored additional
laboratory work on the toxicity of their wastes. For wastes from the Edge
Moor Plant, Falk and Phillips (1977) concluded that:
• In 200-day chronic toxicity teats, the "no-effect" level for
Mysidopsis bahia (opossum shrimp) and Cyprinidon variegatus
(sheepshead minnow) ranged from 25 to 50 ppm.
• pH-neutralized waste (which rapidly occurs in seawater) produces
mortalities only at concentrations several orders of magnitude above
the unaltered waste.
• Pulsed exposure of Palaemonetes pugio (grass shrimp) to initial
wastewater concentrations of 250 ppm (v/v)* followed by dilution
slower than that observed in the barge wake produced no mortalit ies.
• Maximum waste concentrations in the barge wake were calculated to be
approximately 150 ppm within 2 hours, and about 5 ppm within
B hours. The 2-hour calculated wake concentrations is about half
the acute LC^0 value range of 240 to 320 ppm and the 8-hour wake
concentration is a fifth of the calculated chronic no-effect level
of 25 to 50 ppm for unaltered waste.
Based on these results, Falk and Phillips (1977) concluded that the Edge
Moor wastewaters can be discharged into the marine environment over a 5-hour
period, at a barge speed of 6 kn, without adverse impact and without violating
the requirements of Section 227.8 of the EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations.
For wastes from the Grasselli plant, Falk and Gibson (1977) concluded:
• Under oceanographic conditions least likely to enhance dispersion,
peak wastewater concentration in the barge wake is about 450 ppa
(v/v) 1 minute after release.
• Wastewater concentrations decline to a maximum of 80 ppm 4 hours
after release, and to about 60 ppa after 12 hours.
* v/v ¦ volumetric ratio
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• In 178-day chronic toxicity tests, the no-effect level for
Mysidopsis bahia (opossum shrimp) and Cyprinodon variegatus (sheeps-
head minnow) was 750 ppm.
• The wastewaters are not selectively toxic to a particular life stage
of Cyprinodon or Mysidopsis.
• There is little difference in the toxicity of the wastewater to
several species of marine organisms.
The results supported the discharge of Grasselli waste into the site over a
5-hour period, at a barge speed of 5 kn without adverse impact, and without
violating the requirements of Section 227.8 of the EPA Ocean Dumping
Regulations.
CONCURRENT AND FUTURE STUDIES
NOAA will continue to monitor the 106-Mile Site to detect any long-term
changes due to the chemical wastes released. All permittees are required to
monitor the short-term effects of their waste discharges. Present permittees
have contracted with a private company to conduct continuous monitoring, and
twelve reports (as of 1979) have been submitted to EPA-Region II.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE 106-MILE SITE VICINITY
Few activities occur in the site vicinity other than waste disposal
operations. A large area immediately south of the Site has been proposed as
an Incineration Site; however, there are no other active ocean disposal sites
in the vicinity. Oil and gas lease tracts are located west and north of the
site, along the outer Continental Shelf (Figure 3-9). The Hudson Canyon
Traffic Lane crosses the Continental Slope to the north of the site, but other
major traffic lanes are not near the 106-Mile Site.
Limited fisheries resources occur at the 106-Mile Site and vicinity. Due
to the abyssal depths at the site, none of the shellfish common to shallower
Shelf-Slope areas are found at the site. Lobsters, which constitute a
valuable fisheries resource in the Bight, are confined to areas shallower than
500 m. The red crab (a potential fishery resource) is most abundant at depths
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between 310 and 914 m; its depth range is to 1,830 m. Small individuals may
occur at the site; however, liquid wastes would not affect bottom dwelling
animals.
Existing population data show that commercially important species of
finfishes in the Bight vicinity are most abundant in Shelf areas and along the
Continental Shelf-Slope break (NOAA-MESA, 1975; BLM, 1978; Chenoweth et al.,
1976). Consequently, most foreign and domestic fish trawling is conducted at
depths shallower than 1,000 m, much shallower than the 106-Mile Site. Nearby
waters have been used for the commercial longline fishing of marlin,
swordfish, and tuna (Casey and Hoenig, 1977). However, only 1,041 of these
fish were taken in 1973 and 1974, in a large area including the 106-Mile Site.
In general, catch statistics for Continental Slope areas are unavailable
because landing records do not separate Shelf species from Slope species.
ALTERNATIVE SITES ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
In addition to existing disposal sites, the so-called Northern and Southern
Areas were evaluated as alternative sites for the release of acid wastes.
The sites might be considered if disposal operations were moved out of the
Apex, but not off the Continental Shelf, due to environmental or economic
considerations. The Alternate Sewage Sludge Site is in the northeast corner
of the Northern Area, but anthropogenic wastes have never been released in
either location.
The main environmental features of the two areas are similar to those
discussed earlier in this chapter for the Acid Site, and detailed in
Appendix A. This section emphasizes the most significant differences between
the areas, and the general oceanography of the Bight. The information is
taken from NOAA-MESA (1976).
The flow of waters is generally southwestward, following depth contours,
although (as in the Apex) this flow is highly variable and subject to intense
meteorological events. Flow in the Hudson Canyon is both up and down the
canyon, but the long-term flow is distinctly up-canyon, towards the Apex.
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Surface sediments are mostly clean, medium-sized sands. The most prominent
feature of the bottom sediment in the Southern Area is a band of coarse,
gravelly sand, near the northeast rim of the site, parallel to the Hudson
Shelf Valley. The motion in both areas is generally towards the southwest,
especially during winter "northeaster" storms.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in surface, mid-depth, and bottom waters in
the Northern and Southern Areas are moderately to highly saturated under
winter, spring, and critical summer conditions. The percent saturation of
oxygen, at these sampling depths, probably does not fall below 50% at any time
of year, and is usually much higher (75% to 110%).
The concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments and waters of the
Northern and Southern Areas are low compared to those found in the Apex, but
all levels of chemical parameters are typical of the Bight. Concentrations of
suspended particulate matter are lower in these areas since they are further
removed from shore influence.
The living marine resources are typical of those along the mid-Atlantic and
New England Continental Shelf. NOAA-MESA (1976) reported surf clams and sea
scallops at each site. Commercial possibilities were not determined. Ocean
quahogs were present in both areas. Figure 3-2 shows the distribution of
these three species.
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Chapter 4
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
The release of acid waste at any of the alternative sites
would produce similar environmental consequences. There will
be minor, short-term, adverse effects on the plankton and
minimal effects on bottom-living organisms. Effects on the
benthos are most probable and would be easiest to demonstrate
at the Southern or Northern Areas; effects (if present) at
the Acid Site are obscured by the multiple contaminant
sources, while no effects are expected at the 106-Mile Site,
which is located in water depths of 2,000 m.
Adverse effects from acid waste disposal on the public health
and water quality will be minimal except for a site in the
Southern Area, where acid waste disposal might interfere with
development of exploitable shellfish resources. Demon-
strable, adverse effects on the ecosystem are most probable
at a new site in the Northern or Southern Areas since wastes
have never been released in these regions.
Most importantly, 32 years of study at the existing New York
Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site have not demonstrated any
adverse effects resulting from the disposal of these wastes.
This chapter details environmental effects of waste disposal at various
alternative disposal sites outlined in Chapter 2. Included are unavoidable
environmental consequences which will occur if the proposed action takes
place. The effects discussed first are environmental changes which directly
affect public health, specifically, commercial or recreational fisheries and
navigational hazards. Secondly, the environmental consequences of acid waste
disposal at each alternative site, are discussed, which cover effects of short
dumping in nondesignated areas. Finally, the chapter concludes with
descriptions of unavoidable adverse effects and mitigating measures, the
relationships between Bhort-term uses of the environment, maintenance and
enhancement of long-term productivity, and any irreversible or irretrievable
commitments of resources which will occur if the proposed action is
implemented.
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Much data were examined to evaluate potential effects of acid waste
disposal at the sites. The principal data sources for each area are:
• Acid Site: NOAA-MESA studies of the entire Apex beginning in 1973,
NMFS/SHL study from 1968 to 1972, Site-specific studies sponsored
by NL Industries, Inc., beginning in 1948. Routine monitoring
surveys sponsored by the permittees.
• 106-Mile Site: NOAA surveys, starting in 1974. Waste dispersion
studies and monitoring of short-term disposal effects sponsored by
the permittees. Public hearings concerning relocation of sewage
sludge disposal sites and issuing of new permits.
• Southern Area: NOAA survey in 1975. Public hearings concerning the
disposal of sewage sludge in the Bight.
• Northern Area: NOAA and Raytheon surveys in 1975. Hearings
concerning the disposal of sewage sludge in the Bight.
Information from these and other sources was collected and compiled into an
extensive data base entitled Oceanographic Data Environmental Evaluation
Program (ODEEP; see Appendix D). The following discussion is based on an
evaluation of the available data.
EFFECTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
A primary concern in ocean waste disposal is the possible direct or
indirect link between contaminants in the waste and man. A direct link may
affect man*8 health and safety. An indirect link may cause changes in the
ecosystem which, although not apparently harmful to man, could lead to a
decrease in the quality of the human environment.
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COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISH AND SHELLFISH
The most direct link between man and waste contaminants released into the
marine environment is via consumption of contaminated seafood. Shellfishing,
for example, is automatically prohibited by the FDA around sewage sludge
disposal sites, or other areas where wastes are dumped, which may contain
disease-producing (pathogenic) microorganisms. Thus, the possibility of
consuming shellfish which may be contaminated by pathogens, is eliminated or
minimized. Harmful effects caused by eating fish containing high levels of
mercury, lead, or persistent organohalogen pesticides have been documented.
Certain compounds (e.g., oil) have made fish flesh and shellfish unhealthy and
unpalatable. Therefore, wastes containing heavy metals, organohalogens, oil,
or pathogens must be carefully evaluated with respect to possible contami-
nation of commercially or recreationally exploitable marine animals.
Foreign long-line fisheries exist on the Continental Slope, but U.S.
fishing in the mid-Atlantic is mostly restricted to waters over the
Continental Shelf. Commercial fishing and sportfishing activities on the
Shelf are widespread and diverse; finfish and shellfish (mollusks and
crustaceans) are taken. The Bight is one of the most productive coastal areas
in the North Atlantic, and the region may be capable of even greater
production as new fisheries develop.
Important spawning grounds and nursery areas lie within the Bight, but
critical assessments of the effects of man-induced contamination on fish and
shellfish populations are lacking. Many factors complicate the collection and
assessment of these data. For example, normal short-term and long-term
population cycles are not well understood, catch data may not be adequate, and
the complete life cycle and distribution of the stock may be unknown. Natural
population fluctuations, overfishing, and unusual natural phenomena may have
greater influences than man-induced contamination on the health and extent of
the fisheries' resource. Therefore, assessment of the effects of ocean
disposal includes uncertainties due to the weaknesses of existing fisheries
information.
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NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
Tnere is an extremely low potential for endangering public health from
continued acid waste disposal at this site. The site location was chosen
32 years ago because it was not a point of concentration for fish or fishing
and because the sandy sediments of the site are seldom associated with
productive fishing. Ironically, the site has become a sportfishing area
because the discoloration of the water caused by acid-iron waste disposal
apparently attracts bluefish, a prized sport fish, to the area (Westraan,
1958) . Fishermen in the New Jersey and Long Island areas claim that the
discolored water hurts the fishing for other pelagic sport fish. In winter, a
commercial whiting fishery exists near the Acid Site, and lobstering may occur
northeast of the site.
Effects of acid waste disposal on these resources are practically
nonexistent. No health problems associated with sport fish caught at the site
have been reported. No tainting or harmful accumulations of waste components
in the flesh of fish taken from the area have been reported. Longwell (1976)
observed adverse effects on mackerel eggs taken near the site, but did not
suggest that dumping caused these changes, which also appeared at stations
halfway to the edge of the Continental Shelf, Long-term damage to the
resources by the acid waste disposal have not been documented (EG&G, 1978b;
ERCO, 1978a,b) . The area nearer shore is closed to shellfishing because of
the material released at the Sewage Sludge and Dredged Material Sites.
Acid waste contains only small amounts of tainting substances, e.g., oil
and grease. Relative to total inputs of oil and grease to the Bight, acid
waste is an insignificant contributor of these contaminants. Waste
constituents may reach the bottom and be assimilated by organisms, but other
sources ot contamination are probably more significant. (The Sewage Sludge
Site is only 2.8 nmi from the Acid Site.)
106-MILE SITE
Commercial or recreational fishing is infrequent at this site; conse-
quently, acid waste disposal will not directly endanger human health.
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NOAA-NMFS resource assessment surveys do not extend beyond the Shelf, however,
densities of fish eggs and larvae are low beyond the edge of the Shelf.
Foreign fishermen are near the site in the late winter, but usually catch
highly migratory fish. The probability of fish accumulating toxic levels of
contaminants from the waste is extremely unlikely.
A small fishery for the deep sea red crab (Geryon quinquedens) exists near
the Shelf-Slope break in the mid-Atlantic. Immediately north of the 106-Mile
Site, crabs are found in moderate abundance (33 per half hour otter trawl),
but the water depth is much shallower than at the site (311 to 732 m). At a
station 70 nmi (130 km) northeast of the site, at a comparable depth, no crabs
were taken (Wigley et al., 1975). The site is within the range of smaller
crabs, yet none of commercial size were taken deeper than 914 m. As with
finfish, the probability of liquid wastes affecting a benthic animal is
extremely low. Therefore, disposal at this site does not directly endanger
human health by contaminating edible organisms.
SOUTHERN AREA
Numerous surf clams, ocean quahogs, and scallops are found in the Southern
Area. Most commercial shellfishing is presently to the west, near the New
Jersey coast. However, declining harvests may cause the Southern Area to be
exploited in the future (EPA, 1978a). Recreational fishing is unlikely at
the site due to the distance offshore and the competition from more attractive
sportfishing areas closer inshore. If the area were used as a disposal site
for wastes, similar to those presently being released at the Acid Site, a real
but low potential for an accumulation of waste constituents in the flesh of
shellfish would exist.
NORTHERN AREA
Disposal of aqueous acid wastes in the area would probably not directly
endanger public health. The site is not in a known commercially or
recreationally important fishing or shellfishing area. Resource assessment
surveys show that this area has a similar, or lower, density of fish eggs and
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larvae compared with other Shelf sites (NOAA, 1975). Shellfish are not
abundant in the area. The area supports no commercially or recreationally
exploitable finfish or shellfish, thus a health hazard from eating animals
contaminated by waste materials is unlikely.
NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS
Navigational hazards may be separated into two components: (1) hazards
resulting from the movement of transport barges to and from a site, and (2)
hazards resulting from barge maneuvers within the site.
If an accident occurred involving the release of wastes, the effects from
the dumped waste would probably be equivalent to a short dump. The effects
from the other ship would depend on the cargo, and could be severe if the
barge collided with an oil or liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker. There is
the possibility of loss of life in any collision. Sites further offshore have
a longer search and rescue response time than sites closer to shore.
With respect to all sites, barges must pass through the Precautionary Zone
centered around Ambrose light (see Chapter 3, Figure 3-10), where traffic is
densest and hazards are greatest. Once through the Precautionary Zone,
potentials for problems increase with increasing distance from shore. Table
4-1 shows the distance and estimated transit time for the four alternate
sites.
ACID SITE
The Acid Site is across the outbound section of the Hudson Canyon Traffic
Lane from New York Harbor, but the barging operations are designed to minimize
interference with traffic. In 32 years of use at the Acid Site, no collision
between a barge discharging waste and a ship has ever occurred. In April
1976, a collision did occur near the Acid Site between a ship and a barge
outbound for the 106-Mile Site. The permittees now using the site barge
wastes about once a day. Any accident would be close to New Jersey or Long
Island beaches.
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TABLE 4-1
DISTANCES AND TRANSIT TIMES (ROUND TRIP) TO ALTERNATE SITES
Site
*
Distance
**
Transit Time (hours)
nmi
(km)
5 kn (9 km/hr)
7 kn (13 km/hr)
Acid Site
17
(31)
7
3
106-Mile
Site
113
(209)
46
32
Southern
Area
53
(98)
22
16
Northern
Area
50
(93)
21
16
* Measured from the Rockaway - Sandy Hook Transect
** Does not include time in transit from the loading dock to the Rockaway-
Sandy Hook Transect (New York Harbor), nor time spent at the sites.
106-MILE SITE
Barges in transit to the 106-Mile Site from New York Harbor use the
Ambrose-Hudson Canyon Traffic Lane for most of the journey. There is a
slightly greater possibility for problems during the round-trip transit to the
106-Mile Site than to a site closer inshore.
Hazards resulting from maneuvers within the site are negligible. The site
is extremely large, and permittees are required to use different quadrants of
the site if there are simultaneous disposal operations. The frequency of
existing barging is only two to three times per week. Increased frequency of
use would not significantly increase navigational difficulties.
SOUTHERN AREA
The Southern Area lies outside traffic lanes for New York Harbor, thus its
use would cause few navigational hazards. Barges could use the Ambrose-
Barnegat Traffic Lane for most of the trip. However, increased ship traffic
resulting from offshore oil and gas resource development would slightly
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increase the hazards. The degree and extent of such hazards would depend on
the speed and magnitude of oil and gas development in the area. Any accidents
would likely occur in the heavily fished coastal waters off New Jersey.
NORTHERN AREA
The Northern Area lies outside traffic lanes for New York Harbor thus its
use would cause few navigational hazards. Barges could use the Ambrose-
Nantucket Traffic Lane for most of the trip. Mineral resources have not been
found in the area, so there is no possibility of increased hazards from future
resource development. Any accidents would be near coastal waters off Long
Island.
EFFECTS ON THE ECOSYSTEM
The adverse effects of ocean disposal on the ecosystem (the interacting
living and non-living components of the environment) can be subtle, and may
not exhibit obvious direct effects on the quality of the human environment.
However, subtle adverse impacts can accumulate and combine to cause long-term
consequences which are as serious as any readily observed direct impacts. For
example, an organism may accumulate waste constituents in its tissues at
concentrations which do not cause its death immediately, but instead act at a
sublethal or chronic level. Sublethal effects may reduce reproduction, reduce
health of eggs and larvae, slow development of juveniles, or affect other
facets of the life cycles of individual organisms, followed by adverse changes
in the entire population of the organism. The population may eventually be
eliminated from an area, not because it was immediately killed by a single
waste discharge but because of long accumulations of sublethal effects. If
that population were a major human food source or a food source for an
organism that was commercially exploited, man could lose the resource. This
sequence is vastly simplified, and is not a projection of what is actually
resulting from acid waste disposal in the ocean; however, it does illustrate
ttiat man, as an integral part of a complex ecosystem, may ultimately feel the
results of adverse impacts on other parts of the ecosystem.
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The magnitude of the effects of waste disposal on the marine ecosystem
depends upon several factors: (1) the types of waste constituents, (2) the
concentrations of toxic waste materials in the water and sediments, (3) the
length of time that high concentrations are maintained in the water or the
sediments, and (4) the length of time that marine organisms are exposed to
high concentrations of these materials. Current disposal techniques for
aqueous acid wastes maximize the dilution and dispersion of the wastes, and
minimize chances for wastes to remain in the water column, or to reach the
bottom in high concentrations.
BIOTA
PLANKTON
Plankton consist of plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) which
spend all or part of their lives floating or weakly swimming in the water.
Aqueous wastes primarily affect the water column, thus plankton represent the
first level of the ecosystem where the effects of waste disposal are likely to
be observed. Accordingly, numerous studies of the effects of wastes on
planktonic organisms have been conducted at ocean disposal sites.
Acid Site
The effects of waste disposal on plankton at the Acid Site have been
studied extensively. Field studies during waste discharges have shown that
acid-iron waste does not harm zooplankton populations (Wiebe et al., 1973;
Redfield and Walford, 1951). Evidence of chromosomal damage in mackerel eggs
collected in the vicinity of the site has been reported (Longwell, 1976), but
the cause of the damage cannot be definitely linked to the disposal of acid
wastes since the same abnormalities occurred at stations far from the site.
Interpretation of field results from this site is difficult; changes in
plankton populations due to acid waste disposal at the Acid Site cannot be
reliably distinguished from changes caused by pollutants from other sources
introduced into the Apex.
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Laboratory studies show that acid wastes released at this site can cause
chronic effects in zooplankton after prolonged exposure to waste concen-
trations which are much greater than those encountered under field conditions
(Grice et al., 1973). Sublethal effects (e.g., failure to reproduce and
extended developmental times) have been demonstrated in the laboratory, only
after 21 days of exposure to waste concentrations which persist for only
minutes after actual discharge of wastes at the site (Vaccaro et al., 1972).
Additional release of acid wastes at the Acid Site would not be expected to
cause effects different from those presently existing. However, releasing
wastes, with characteristics different from wastes previously dispersed, may
have unpredictable effects.
106-Mile Site
Numerous field and laboratory studies on the 106-Mile Site have investi-
gated the effects of dumped wastes on the plankton. Some of these wastes are
aqueous by-product acids, similiar to those at the Acid Site. Field studies
of populations have shown great numerical variations, mainly due to the
presence of several water masses, each with different species (Austin, 1975;
bherman et al., 1977; Hulburt and Jones, 1977). NOAA (1977) recognized these
factors at the 106-Mile Site:
Plankton undergo large natural variations with changing water
type and for this reason, assessment of the plankton of the
region was difficult. Coastal waters are characterized by
high nutrient concentrations and populations with wide
seasonal variations in abundance and diversity. Oceanic
waters have reduced nutrient levels and population densities,
but photosynthetic processes extend to much greater depths.
Mixing water types will produce a complex combination of
these conditions.
Plankton data demonstrate high natural variabilities in populations, hence,
changes in species composition, abundance, and distribution data due to waste
disposal may never be demonstrated. Variations induced by waste disposal are
obscured by variability created by natural events.
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The adverse effects of acid waste disposal at this site should be localized
and short term.
Southern and Northern Areas
Use of either the Southern or Northern Areas for acid waste disposal would
not be expected to have significant long-term effects on plankton. The areas
are outside the highly stressed Apex, thus the biota are unlikely to have had
the opportunity to adapt to man-induced environmental stresses. However,
specific effects would depend upon the nature and volume of wastes and
frequencies of disposal. Based upon existing wastes and volumes, any effects
would be difficult to demonstrate, because plankton populations are so
variable.
NEKTON
The nekton include animals, e.g., fish and mammals, capable of strong
swimming and migrating considerable distances.
Acid Site
None of the numerous studies on nekton at the Acid Site have detected
long-term effects attributable to acid waste disposal. Many contaminant
inputs to the Apex, other than those at the Acid Site, make it unlikely that
any deterioration of fish health or populations could ever be proven to be
caused by acid waste disposal. Therefore, any effects on fish populations by
additional acid waste disposal at this site are difficult to predict, based
on information obtained during present disposal operations. However,
considering (1) the dilution and dispersion of wastes presently released, (2)
the absence of dead fish in the wake of disposal barges, and (3) the ability
of fish to move away from temporarily stressed areas, it is unlikely that
disposal of acid wastes at the Acid Site would have any demonstrably advprse
consequences.
One possible effect under investigation is a relationship between acid
waste disposal and mutagenesis in fish eggs (Longwell, 1976). Kinne and
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Rosenthal (1967) suggested the. possibility, while investigating the effects of
sulfuric acid wastes on the larvae of the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus):
however, even this effect would be insignificant. No species spawn only in
the vicinity of the site or only in the Apex. Fish eggs and larvae are spread
over the entire Bight. Concentrations of acid waste are rapidly diluted to
nontoxic levels, and would not affect more than a small number of eggs or
larvae.
106-Mile Site
The results of field investigations of effects of chemical waste disposal
on fish at the 106-Mile Site have been inconclusive. Field work has usually
occurred during the infrequent presence of Gulf Stream eddies. NOAA (1977)
reported:
Total fish catches within and without the dumpaite were not
significantly different, although midwater fish were most
abundant outside the dumpaite. The highest rate of fishless
tows occurred the night after a dump, but whether the tows
were still in water affected by the dumped material is not
known.
The histopathology of fish collected from the disposal site area (NOAA
Pathobiology Division, 1978) has been inconclusive. Lesions were observed in
some fish, but the sample size was small. High cadmium levels were found in
the livers of three swordfish from the site area, and high mercury levels were
observed in muscles of almost all fish analyzed (Greig and Wenzloff, 1977),
However, the elevated concentrations were not attributed to disposal
operations at the 106-Mile Site, because of the low amounts of metals added to
the area by disposal, and the migratory nature of the large swordfish.
Disposal of acid wastes at the site should not significantly affect nekton,
other than possibly causing them to avoid the affected area temporarily.
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Northern and Southern Areas
Conditions at the Northern and Southern areas are similar to the Acid Site,
and the same lack of adverse effects would probably occur. Fish evasion of
waste plumes might occur for about an hour or so, until conditions return to
preplume ambient levels.
BENTHOS
Benthos consist of animals living on (epifauna) and in (infauna) the
sediments. Epifauna are dominated by larger echinoderms and crustaceans while
the infauna primarily include small, segmented worms (polychaetes) and
mollusks. Benthic organisms are important as indicators of waste-related
impacts because many are sedentary and incapable of leaving a stressed
environment. They are also important because many are commercially valuable
(e.g., shellfish), or are food sources (e.g., worms) for valuable species
(demersal fish).
Acid Site
The Bight benthos shows a natural temporal and spatial variability
substantially greater than any changes caused by disposal of acid wastes
(Pearce et al., 1976d). Any effects from acid waste disposal would probably
be overshadowed by effects from the numerous other contaminants introduced to
the Bight, particularly the Sewage Sludge and Dredged Material Disposal Sites.
This complex interplay between natural variability and contaminants introduced
by other sources, makes it extremely difficult to isolate and quantify effects
at the site, solely due to the disposal of acid waste. All on-site investi-
gations of the effects of waste disposal have led to similar conclusions.
The firat comprehensive study of the site by Redfield and Walford (1951)
reported that, "biological observations have failed to produce any direct
evidence that the populations of fish or of bottom-living animals are being
damaged or excluded from the area by the disposal of waste." Vaccaro et al.
(1972) stated that "Our synoptic sampling was planned to detect alterations in
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the biota of the acid grounds which could be attributable to discharge of
approximately 50 million tons of acid waste over a period of 22 years. We
have been unable to detect major effects of acid-iron waste on the sediment
and biotas (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos) of the region, although
we have indications in our observations of possible minor effects of this
waste." More recently, Swanson (1977) concluded that although "observational
evidence of the impact of dumping on the biota at the [site] is limited...
past studies indicate no reduction of primary productivity or phytoplankton
mortality... surveys of benthic populations in the immediate vicinity of the
Apex Acid Waste Dumpsite have not demonstrated an observable impact of waste
acid....existing scientific evidence indicates so far that ocean dumping [of
waste at the Acid Site] has had minor adverse impacts on the ecology."
106-Mile Site
No effects of chemical waste disposal have been observed in the benthos at
the 106-Mile Site. The species composition and diversity at the site are
similar to those observed in nearby Continental Slope areas (Pearce et al.,
1975; Rowe et al., 1977). Analyses of trace metal content in benthic
invertebrates have shown values well within the range of background values
(Pearce et al., 1975). The results are not surprising since it is unlikely
that the low-density liquid waste could reach bottom in measurable concen-
trations. There is tremendous dilution due to the depth and movement of water
at the site. Therefore, readily-dispersed, low-density aqueous wastes should
not affect benthic organisms at or near the site.
Southern Area
Tne Southern Area benthos resembles that of the Delaware Bay Acid Waste
Site (Figure 2-2, #9). Preliminary work indicated that disposal of acid
wastes at the Delaware Bay Acid Site caused measurable accumulation of
vanadium in the tissues of sea scallops (Pesch et al., 1977). Vanadium is not
known to be toxic to humans and probably does not have an adverse effect on
the sea scallops, yet the possibility of accumulating other, more toxic waste
constituents does exist. This would be an adverse long-term impact from acid
waste disposal. This effect is observable because of (1) the relative
4-14
-------
shallowness of the site (45 ra), permitting some solid waste fractions to reach
bottom, (2) the lack of other contaminant inputs to obscure the effects of
waste disposal, (3) the presence of the shellfish, and (4) the ability of the
scallops to concentrate some metals in their tissues at levels much higher
than the levels in the surrounding water or sediment. The sites are similar,
especially the shallow-water depth factor; therefore similar effects are
anticipated at the Southern Area if acid waste disposal is initiated.
Accordingly, use of the Southern Area for disposal of acid wastes carries the
risk of contaminating commercially valuable shellfish populations, or
otherwise changing the benthic community structure.
Northern Area
Acid waste disposal in this area may have the same effects as at the
Delaware Bay or Southern Area Sites. Commercially exploitable shellfish
resources, however, are not present at or near the site, thus the effects on
humans would be neglible. The site could be used for disposal, if the benthos
were monitored carefully for changes related to the wastes.
WATER AND SEDIHENT QUALITY
ACID SITE
Investigations of the effects of waste disposal at the Acid Site have
continued for more than 30 years, but no changes in the water or sediment
chemistry have been positively linked to acid waste disposal. The Apex is a
difficult region in which to assess impacts because of the variety of
contaminant sources, and the existing high levels of most parameters resulting
from the populations, and heavy industrialization of the region.
Most seawater measurements at the Acid Site are well within the background
values of the Apex. Vaccaro et al. (1972) reported reduced surface salinity
at the site when compared with a control area. Turbidity is usually greater
at the site, caused by the iron-floc which forms when acid-iron waste reacts
with seawater (NOAA-MESA, 1975).
4-15
-------
Trace metal (e.g., mercury, copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc) concentrations
in sediments have been reported. High metal concentrations in the Apex occur
in the area of the nearby Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Disposal Sites
(Ali et al., 1975). Values at the Acid Site are much lower than at other
disposal sites. Some workers have reported higher concentrations of trace
metals in Acid Site sediments than in sediments from supposedly uncontaminated
areas (Vaccaro et al., 1972; EG&G, 1978c); however, these values have
generally been within the range of values from other locations in the Bight
(SHL, 1972) described below (Appendix B).
The potential addition of disposal-related metals on the "background"
levels at the Acid Site have been estimated (Table 4-2). Only zinc
(0.04 tonnes/day) represents a significant input; but, considering the total
input of zinc to the Apex (33 tonnes/day), any effects from the acid waste
metal content would not be measurable. The 7-day residence for water, used in
the calculations, is for the waters near the Acid Site. Water into which
waste was released usually moves from the site before the next disposal
operation; therefore, the calculations are extremely conservative.
Wastes presently permitted at the site satisfy criteria for evaluating
environmental impact (ERCO, 1978a,b), thus no significant changes in the
site water quality are anticipated. Ambient concentrations of the waste
constituents are not exceeded beyond site boundaries. The concentrations
return to ambient levels within the period allowed for initial mixing
(4 hours). In fact, except for the most abundant constituents (fluorides and
iron), concentrations usually return to ambient conditions within 1 hour.
There is one noticeable harmless change in the water quality at the site. The
ferric hydroxide floe, which forms when acid-iron waste is released, persists
for eight to twelve hours (Charnell et al., 1974; ERCO, 1978c), and has been
reported to persist for several days (Vaccaro et al., 1972).
Continued use of the site for acid waste disposal will probably produce
similar results for measurements of the water and sediments. Background
values of trace metals at the site are in the micrograms-per-liter range.
Values slightly above background levels, resulting from disposal, may be
masked by variability due to various factors (e.g., sample contamination,
4-16
-------
TABLE 4-2
WORST-CASE CONTRIBUTION OF WASTE METAL INPUT TO THE
TOTAL METAL LOADING AT THE NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Zinc
Background
Concentration
*
(jig/liter)
3.1
8.0
140
0.04
11.0
Total Amount.(g)
in 7.7 x 10
1.1 x 10®
liters^
2.4 x 106
6.2 x 107
3.1 x 104
8.5 x 106
Estimated Input
(g) from 1978
Waste Volumes
and Mean
Concentrations
1.47 x 105
3.08 x 106
1.25 x 106
4.3 x 103
1.52 x 107
Estimated Input
in. 7 Days
. **
i
4.02 x LC2
8.44 x 103
3.42 x 103
1.18 x 102
4.16 x 10
Percent of
Loading due
to Waste in
7 days
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.5
* Source: from Klein et al., 1974.
t The total volume of the Site to 10-m depth.
** The estimated flushing time for the Site (Redfield and Walford, 1951).
natural variability), Consequently, projections of disposal effects an the
water and sediments must be based on the present knowledge, allowing for the
inherent weaknesses. This also applies to trace metal chemistry work at the
other disposal sites.
106-MILE SITE
A similar lack of effects is anticipated for the 106-Mile Site. Table 4-3
shows maximal metals additions due to acid waste, and the amounts are
insignificant (2% or less in all cases). Investigations of dissolved oxygen,
pH, organic carbon, and trace metals after waste disposal at the 106-Mile
4-17
-------
TABLE 4-3
ESTIMATED WASTE METAL INPUT TO THE
TOTAL METAL LOADING AT THE 106-MILE SITE
106
-Mile Site Dumpers
106-
-Mile Site Dumpers and Acid Waste Dumpers
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Zinc
Cadmiurn
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Zinc
*
Background Concentration
0.37
0.9
2.9
0.72
8.0
0. 37
0.9
2.9
0.72
8.0
Total Amount (g) in
b.2 x 10 literst
2.3 x 106
5.6 x 106
18.0 x 106
4.5 x 106
49.6 x 106
2.3 x 106
5.6 x 106
18.0 x 106
6
4.5 x 10
49.6 x 106
Estimated 1976 Input (g)
1.7 x 105
1.9 x 106
1.3 x 107
11.0 x 103
5.3 x 107
3.2 X 105
5.0 x 106
1.4 x 107
1.5 x 104
6.8 x 107
Estimated Input ^
During 7 aays (g)
6.5 x 103
7.3 x 104
5.0 x 105
4.2 x 102
2.0 x 106
1.2 x 104
1.9 x 105
5.5 x 103
5.9 x 102
2.6 x 106
Percent Loading Due to
Dumping During 7 Days
0.2
1.3
2.8
0.009
4.0
0.5
3.4
3.1
0.013
5.2
Percent Loading Due
to Acid Waste Dumping
0.3
2.1
0.3
0.004
1.2
* Source: from Hausknecht (1977).
TTotal volume of one quadrant of the 106-Mile Site to 15 m.
**The maximum residence time for a water parcel at the site,
assuming a flow rate of 10 cm/sec and a distance of 32 nrai
in a diagonal across the site.
-------
Site, have shown that within four hours after disposal the values are within
the normal range of values reported from this site and similar oceanic regions
(Hydroscience, 1978).
NOAA (1977) summarized the results of 1974 and 1976 investigations on trace
metals at the 106-Mile Site and at similiar nondisposal areas:
Results of the May 1974 cruise indicate that some metals were
significantly elevated compared to normal ambient concentra-
tions [Brezenski, 1975]. However, normal concentrations are
only a very few parts per billion, and great care must be
taken to avoid errors in measured values. A variety of fac-
tors can lead to misleading results, among them sample con-
tamination during collection, storage, or analysis. More
recent observations support the conclusion that heavy metal
concentrations in the...[site]...water column are typical of
shelf-slope regions [Kester et al., 1977; Hausknecht and
Kester, 1976a,b]. Moreover, calculations show that the total
amount of metals added in dumping contributes less than
1 percent to the total normal amount of metals in the water
at the dumpsite region [Hausknecht, 1977]. None of the
observations occurred near the time of or in the immediate
vicinity of dumping, so that ambient concentrations would be
expected to be typical of the background for the region.
Therefore, investigations by NOAA (1977) and Hydroscience (1978), of
effects from waste disposal on the water chemistry of the site, have not
detected concentrations elevated above ambient conditions after the initial
mixing period.
Metal concentrations in sediments of the 106-Mile Site were measured in
1974 by Pearce et al. (1975), and in 1976 by Greig and Wenzloff (1977). The
metal concentrations reported for 1976 are consistent with those for 1974.
Sediment metal concentrations varied little in samples from depths greater
than 180 m. Although the heavy metal content of sediments taken beyond the
Continental Shelf appears to be elevated relative to sediments on the
Shelf/Slope break, the elevated metal concentrations cannot be attributed to
present disposal practices at the 106-Mile Site, since they are not unique to
the site vicinity. Therefore, there is no evidence that the wastes released
at the site have affected the sediments (Pearce et al., 1975).
4-19
-------
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN AREAS
The Northern and Southern Areas, which have never been used for waste
disposal, share a number of environmental features in common with the Acid
Site, except that they are deeper. Disposal of acid wastes at the sites will
probably have little effect on water chemistry, but minor effects on the
benthos may occur (similar to those observed at the Delaware Bay Acid Site).
Such effects in the Southern Area would adversely affect humans since an
exploitable shellfish resource exists near the site. If a new site were
established for acid waste disposal, the environmental consequences of
disposing the wastes would be much less in the Northern Area.
As with the Acid Site, the potential effects of disposal-related metal
input on the concentrations at these sites have been estimated (Tables 4-4 and
4-5). The near-surface currents in these areas are quite strong
(16-20 cm/sec), and the residence time is short, therefore acid waste
constituents would not measurably raise the ambient concentrations.
EMERGENCY DUMPING
The Ocean Dumping Regulations specify that, in emergency situations, the
master of a transport vessel may discharge the waste load at any location and
in any manner to safeguard life at sea. Such emergency situations may derive
from (1) severe weather conditions typical of the North Atlantic in late
autumn, winter, and early spring, and (2) vessel breakdowns, equipment
failure, or collisions with other vessels or stationary objects.
The potential for illegal short dumping exists. The USCG ocean disposal
surveillance program discourages such illegal activities through a system of
shipriders, patrol vessels, aircraft overflights, and checking of vessel logs.
The procedures for administering ocean dumping permits discourages these
activities by requiring notification of departures and commencement of
disposal, providing overlays of the barge track, and examining ship logs. If
violations do occur the permit provides for civil and criminal penalties
ranging from revocation of the permit to a $50,000 fine and/or a jail term.
4-20
-------
TABLE 4-4
ESTIMATED WASTE METAL INPUT TO TOTAL METAL LOADING
AT THE SOUTHERN AREA
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Zinc
Background
Concentration
•k
(fig/ liter)
1.6
7.0
2.7t
0.08*
18.3
Total amount
(g) in
12
2.1 x lO1*
**
liters
3.4 x 106
5.7 x 106
1.7 x 105
3.8 x 105
3.8 x 107
Estimated Input
(g) from Waste
Volumes and Mean
Concentrations
1.47 x 105
3.08 x 106
1.25 x 106
4.3 x 103
1.52 x 107
Estimated Input
in 2 Days (g)**
8.05 x 102
1.69 x 104
6.85 x 103
2.36 x 101
8.33 x 104
Percent of Loading
Due to Waste in
2 days
0.02
0.1
0.1
0.01
0.2
* Source: from NOAA-MESA, 1976.
t Source: from EPA, 1976.
** The volume of the site to 10-m depth.
tt Based on the lowest observed current velocity at the site.
Twenty-four possible violations of permit regulations sufficient to cause
follow-up actions were reported to EPA-Region II between 1973 and 1977. Three
were for the Acid Site and seven were for the 106-Mile Site. Of the three
violations at the Acid Site, one was upheld and a civil penalty assessed; one
had the charges withdrawn, and one is pending (EPA, 1978a). At the 106-Mile
Site, four citations were upheld and civil penalties assessed, one was
dismissed, and two had the charges withdrawn. No enforcement actions were
initiated against permittees at either site in 1978 (EPA, 1979a).
The probability of an emergency rises as the round-trip transit time
increases. (See Table 4-1 for estimated transit times.) The decision to
locate a site far from shore carries the increased risk of emergencies leading
4-21
-------
TABLE 4-5
ESTIMATED WASTE METAL INPUT TO TOTAL METAL LOADING
AT THE NORTHERN AREA
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Zinc
Background
Concentration
(fig/ liter )
3.3
4.4
2.7'
0.08*
33.3
Total Amount
(g) in
12
2.1 x 10^
liters
6.9 X 106
9.2 x 106
5.7 x 106
1.7 x 105
7.0 x 10^
Estimated Input
(g) from 1978
Wastes Volumes
and Mean
Concentrations
1.47 x 105
3.08 x 106
1.25 x 106
4.3 x 103
1.52 x 107
Estimated Input
in 2 Days (g)^
8.05 x 102
1.69 x 104
6.85 x 10^
2.36 x 101
8.33 x 104
Percent of Loading
Due to Waste in
2 Days
0.01
0.2
0.1
0.01
0.1
* Source: from NOAA-MESA 1976.
t Source: from EPA, 1976.
** The volume of the site to 10-m depth.
tt based on the lowest observed current velocity at the site.
to short dumping. The effects of a short dump of toxic waste materials would
depend on the location of the dump. Acid wastes are liquid and diluted
rapidly upon discharge, thus a single load of waste in a new area might cause
local immediate acute effects, but should not cause any long-term adverse
effects. Effects of emergency dumping during inclement weather would be
mitigated by the rapid dilution caused by storm activity.
Use of any of the alternative sites involves the possibility of legal or
illegal short dumping. Based on distance of a site from port, the probability
of a short dump is highest fpr the 106-Mile Site and lowest for the Acid Site.
Except for the Acid Site, however, the effects of a short dump would be
short-term and the ecosystem would rapidly recover. Short dumping at the Acid
4-22
-------
Site causes more concern because of close proximity to shore and the
possibility of waste constituents reaching the New Jersey or Long Island
shorelines.
UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS AND MITIGATING MEASURES
Some unavoidable adverse environmental effects of disposal of liquid acid
wastes will occur in all sites designated. Field and laboratory observations
show the most important short-term adverse impacts to be:
• Acute mortality in plankton.
• Rise in waste constituent concentrations in the water.
• Lowering of pH.
• Possible avoidance of the area by fish.
These effects occur immediately upon release of the wastes, but do not
persist beyond the period allowed for initial mixing.
The most important potential long-term adverse impacts are:
• Possible accumulation of waste constituents by the benthos in
shallow waters.
• Sublethal effects on zooplankton and fish. These have been observed
only in the laboratory at higher waste concentrations than occur at
the. site.
The volumes and rates of waste discharges specified in disposal permits
have been established to reduce the possibilities of persistent short-term
effects. The continuous monitoring program, by permittees and the Federal
government, was established to determine if short-term or long-term adverse
effects are occurring.
4-23
-------
None of the effects described in this section apparently persist for more
than a few hours after the waste is discharged; consequently, none of the
impacts are irreversible and additional mitigating measures are not required.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM USE
OF THE SITE AND LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY
For some of the alternative sites, there appears to be conflict between the
sh/brt-term use of the area as a waste disposal site and the area's long-term
productivity as part of the mid-Atlantic Bight ecosystem. Exploitable
shellfish and possible mineral resources in the Southern Area would cause
conflicts. Adverse effects are probably reversible, but it is not certain.
Neither the 106-Mile Site nor the Northern Area appear to offer conflicts
between short-term use and long-term productivity. The Northern Area is more
likely to show adverse effects (if any) than the 106-Mile Site because it is
closer to shore and shallower.
The use of the Apex is affected by many waste inputs, and additional
released wastes would not be readily detected. For the long-term, the wastes
could exceed the total assimilative capacity of the Apex. However, continual
monitoring should detect any changes, and EPA, the permitting authority for
the site, can halt or modify disposal practices at the site. The magnitude of
the contaminant inputs from acid waste must be kept in perspective; they are
generally less than the inputs from the atmosphere. Acid waste disposal
activities at this site over the past 32 years have not interfered with
shipping, fishing, recreational activities, or the development of other
resources. There is no evidence that the long-term productivity of the area
has been adversely affected by the wastes.
4-24
-------
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE
COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES
Several resources will be irreversibly or irretrievably committed by the
proposed action:
• Loss of energy (e.g., fuel for transporting barges to and from the
site). Transport to distant sites requires more fuel.
• Loss of constituents in the waste, (e.g., acids or metals).
Present-day technology or markets are not adequate to permit
economical recovery.
• Loss of economic resources due to costs associated with ocean
disposal. Ocean disposal costs, however, are almost always lower
than the costs of land-based disposal methods.
4-25
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Chapter 5
COORDINATION
PREPARERS OF THE EIS
Preparation of this EIS was a joint effort employing many members of the
Oceanic Engineering Operations of Interstate Electronics Corporation
scientific and technical staff. This chapter summarizes the. backgrounds and
qualifications of the primary workers on the document (Table 5-1).
The principal author wishes to thank those who assembled background
information, wrote or commented upon sections, edited, and performed the data
analysis for the EIS. The document has benefited greatly from their
assistance.
TABLE 5-1. LIST OF PREPARERS
Responsible
Person
Chapt
er
Appendix
Summary
1
2
3
4
5
6
A
B
C
D
E
F
M. Holstrom*
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
R. Lewi s
A
A
B. Knudtson
A
A
A
K. King
A
A
*EIS Coordinator and principal author
A=Author
5-1
-------
MARSHALL HOLSTROM
Mr. Hoistrom is the principal author of the EIS. He holds B.A. and M.A.
degrees in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and has completed
additional graduate work in marine biology at the University of Southern
California.
Mr. Holstrom prepared the Summary, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and
Appendices A, B, E, and F. As the coordinator for this EIS, he directed the
writing efforts on other sections, and maintained liaison with EPA Head-
quarters and EPA-Region II.
ROBIN LEWIS
Mr. Lewis received his B.S. degree in Marine Biology from California State
University, Long Beach, and is presently a candidate for the M.A. degree.
Mr. Lewis prepared Appendices C and D of this EIS and performed the
analyses of the waste loading data.
BRUCE KNUDTSON
Dr. Knudtson obtained his B.A. from the University of California, Santa
Barbara, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Knudtson assisted in writing Chaper 6 and Appendices A and B and
performed some of the analyses used to evaluate alternative disposal sites.
KATHLEEN M. KING
Ma. King is a marine biologist holding the B.S. in Biological Sciences from
the University of California, Irvine, and an M.A. in Biology (with emphasis
on marine biology) from California State University, Long Beach.
Ms. King prepared Chapter 1 of this EIS and assisted in Chapter 6.
5-2
-------
COMMENTERS ON THE DRAFT EIS
The following persons submitted written comments on the DEIS. The letters
and responses are in Appendix F.
Letter
Number Commenter
Federal Agencies and Offices
1 Sidney R. Galler
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environmental Affairs
U.S. Department of Commerce
Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology
Washington, DC 20230
(20 February 1980)
2 Gar;ry F. Meyer
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
MESA New York Bight Project
Old Biology Building, SUNY
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(30 January 1980)
3 Robert B. Rollins
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Survey
Rockville, MD 20852
(5 February 1980)
4 George C. Steinman
Chief, Division of Environmental Activities
Office of Shipbuilding Costs
U.S. Department of Commerce
Maritime Adminstration
Washington, DC 20230
(6 February 1980)
5 Bruce R. Barrett
Acting Director, Office of Environmental Affairs
U.S. Department of Commerce
Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology
Washington, DC 20330
(6 March 1980)
5-3
-------
Allen E. Peterson, Jr.
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Federal Building, 14 Elm Street
Gloucester, MS 01930
(11 February 1980)
P.A. Descenza
Chief, Engineering Division
U.S. Department of the Army
New York District Corps of Engineers
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10007
(3 March 1980)
Herbert Howard
Chief, Planning Division
U.S. Department of the Army
North Atlantic Division, Corps of Engineers
90 Church Street
New York, NY 10007
(31 December 1979/
Frank S. Lisella
Chief, Environmental Affairs Group
Environmental Health Services Division
Bureau of State Services
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Center for Disease Control
Atlanta, GA 30333
(5 February 1980)
William Patterson
Regional Environmental Officer
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary
Northeast Region
15 State Street
Boston, MS 02109
(14 February 1980)
Donald R. King
Director, Office of Environment and Health
Department of State
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and
Scientific Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
(7 February 1980)
-------
12 Adair F. Montgomery
Chairman, Committee on Environmental Matters
National Science Foundation
Washington, DC 20550
(7 February 1980)
State Agencies
13 David S. Hugg, III
Office of the Director
Delaware, State of; Executive Department
Office of Management, Budget, and Planning
Dover, DE 19901
(17 January 1980)
14/16 James W, McConnaughhay
Director, State Clearinghouse
Maryland, State of; Department of State Planning
301 w. Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(15 February 1980; 26 December 1979)
15 Frank L. Hamons, Jr.
Maryland, State of;
Department of National Resources
Water Resources Administration
Lowes State Office Building
Annapolis, MD 21401
(24 January 1980)
17 Lawrence Schmidt
Chief, Office of Environmental Review
New Jersey, State of;
Department of Environmental Protection
John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 1390
Trenton, NJ 08625
(No date)
16 Marwan M. Sadat
Assistant Director, Water Quality Management
New Jersey, State of;
Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water Resources
P.O. Box CN-029
Trenton, NJ 08625
(14 January 1980)
19 Richard A. Ginman
State Review Coordinator
New Jersey, State of;
Department of Community Affairs
P.O. Box 2768
Trenton, NJ 08625
(20 December 1979)
5-5
-------
20 Jerome W. Jensen
Acting Director
New York, State of;
Department of Environmental Conservation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12233
(4 March 1980)
Private Organizations
21 R. Sobel
Director, Environmental Controls
Allied Chemical
Chemicals Company
P.O. Box 1139R
Morristown, NJ 07960
(11 February 1980)
22 L.L. Falk
Engineering Service Division
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
Engineering Department
Louviers Building
Wilmington, DE 19898
(28 January 1980)
23 Kenneth S. Kamlet
Assistant Director for Pollution and
Toxic Substances
National Wildlife Federation
1412 16th St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(12 February 1980)
5-6
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Chapter 6
GLOSSARY AND REFERENCES
GLOSSARY
Abundance
Abyssal
Acute effect
Adsorb
Aesthetics
Alkalinity
Ambient
Amphipoda
Anaerobic digestion
Anthropogenic
AnticycIonic
The number of individuals of a species
or taxon inhabiting a given area.
Pertaining to the great depths of the
ocean beyond the limits of the
Continental Slope, from 2,000 to
5,000 m.
The death or incapacitation of an
organism caused by a substance within a
short time (normally 96 hours) .
To adhere in an extremely thin layer of
molecules to the surfaces of solid
bodies.
Pertaining to the natural beauty or
attractiveness of an object or location.
The sum of anions of veak acids _ in
seawater, plus hydroxide ipns (OH ),
minus the hydrogen ion (H ) concen-
trations. Alkalinity is usually
calculated by the empirical equation
meq/kg * 0.061 x salinity (g/kg).
Pertaining to the undisturbed or
unaffected conditions of the surrounding
environment.
A large order of predominantly marine
crustaceans, ranging from free-living,
planktonic forms to benthic, tube-
dwelling forms, which usually have
laterally compressed bodies, e.g., sand
fleas.
Digestion of organic matter by
bacterial action in the absence of
oxygen.
Relating to the effects or impacts of
man on the ecosystem.
A rotation about the local vertical that
is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
6-1
-------
Anticyclonic eddies
Apex
Appropriate sensitive
benthic marine
organisms
Appropriate sensitive
marine organisms
Aqueous
Assemblage
Background level
Baseline data
Baseline surveys
Benthos
Bight
Mesoscale (50 to 100 km) features of
oceanic circulation in which water flows
in a circular (clockwise) pattern around
warm core waters.
See New York Bight Apex.
Species representing different feeding
types (filter-feeding, deposit-feeding,
and burrowing), chosen from the most
sensitive species accepted by EPA as
being reliable test organisms to
determine the anticipated impact on the
site.
At least one species each, represen-
tative of phytoplankton or zooplankton,
crustacean or mollusk, and fish species
chosen from the most sensitive species
documented in the scientific literature,
or accepted by EPA as being reliable
test organisms to determine the
anticipated impact of the wastes on the
ecosystem at the disposal site.
Similar to, containing, or dissolved in
water.
A recurring group of organisms having a
common habitat.
The naturally occurring (or ambient)
level of a substance within an
environment.
Data collected prior to the initiation
of actions which have the potential of
altering an existing environment.
Surveys conducted to collect information
prior to the initiation of actions which
have the potential of altering an
existing environment.
All marine organisms (plant or animal)
living on or in the bottom; also, the
floor of the ocean.
A slight indentation or bend in shore-
line, river, open coast, or bay.
6-2
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Bioaccumulate The intake and assimilation of
materials, e.g., heavy metals, leading
to an elevated concentration of the
substance within an organism's tissue,
blood, or body fluid.
Bioassay Determination of the strength (potency)
of a substance by its effect (on growth
or survival) upon an organism—plant or
animal.
Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD)
Biomass
Biota
Biotic groups
BLM
Bloom
Boreal
°C
C/N
Carcinogen
CE
Cephalopoda
The amount of oxygen consumed by
microorganisms while assimilating and
oxidizing organic (and some nitrogenous)
materials in water or wastewater under
specified environmental conditions and
time periods.
The amount (weight) of living organisms
inhabiting a given area or volume.
Collectively, plants and animals of a
region.
Organisms which are ecologically,
structurally, or taxonomically grouped.
Bureau of Land Management.
Relatively high concentrations of
plankton in water resulting from their
rapid growth and reproduction.
Pertaining to the higher northern
latitudes, as opposed to tropical.
Degrees Celsius, formerly Centigrade.
Carbon/nitrogen ratio.
A substance or agent producing cancer.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Squid, octopus, or cuttlefish. Members
of the phylum Mollusca.
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations.
6-3
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Chaetognaths
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll a.
Chronic effect
cm
cm/sec
Coccolithophorid
Coelenterate
Compensation depth
Continental margin
Continental Rise
Continental Shelf
Continental Slope
A phylum of small, elongate, free-
swimming transparent, wormlike
invertebrates, also known as arrow-
worms, which are important carnivores in
the zooplankton community, with chaetae
(bristles) curved on each side of the
mouth.
A group of green plant pigments which
function as photoreceptors of light
energy for photosynthesis.
A specific green plant pigment used in
pho tosynthesis, and used as a measure of
phytoplankton biomass.
A sublethal effect of a substance on an
organism which reduces the survivorship
of that organism after a long period of
exposure to low concentrations of the
substance.
Centimeter(s).
Centimeters per second.
Ultra-microscopic planktonic algae, the
cells of which are surrounded by an
envelope of small calcareous discs.
A animal phylum which includes hydroids,
sea anemones, jellyfish, and corals.
The depth at which photosynthetic oxygen
production equals oxygen consumed by
plant respiration.
The zone between the shoreline and the
deep ocean floor; generally consists of
the Continental Shelf, Continental
Slope, and the Continental Rise.
A transitional portion between the
Continental Slope and the ocean floor
which is less steeply sloped than the
Continental Slope.
The continental margin extending seaward
from the coast to a variable depth,
generally 200 m.
The steeply descending slope lying
between the Continental Shelf and the
Continental Rise.
6-4
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Contour line A chart line connecting points of equal
depth above or below a reference plane,
generally sea level.
Copepod A large subclass of usually small
crustaceans; they are an important link
in the oceanic food chain.
Coriolis Force An apparent force acting on moving
particles resulting from the earth's
rotation. In the northern hemisphere
moving particles are deflected to the
right, and in the southern hemisphere to
the left.
Crustaceans Animals with jointed appendages and a
segmented external skeleton composed of
a hard shell (chitin). The group
includes barnacles, crabs, shrimps, and
lobsters, copepods, and amphipods.
Ctenophores An animal phylum superficially
resembling jellyfish, ranging from less
than 2 cm to about 1 m in length. The
planktonic organisms are commonly
referred to as comb jellies or sea
walnuts.
Cuesta
Current meter
Current shear
Decapod
Demersal
Density
Diatom
An asymmetrical ridge with one slope
gentle and the other steep.
Any device for measuring and indicating
flow rate, velocity, or direction (often
all three) of flowing water.
The measure of the spatial rate of
change of current velocity with units of
cm/sec/m.
The largest order of crustaceans in
which the animals have five pairs of
locomotory appendages, each joined to a
segment of the thorax. Includes crabs,
lobsters, and shrimps.
Living at or near the bottom of the sea.
Applies mainly to fish.
The mass per unit volume of a substance.
Single cell, usually planktonic plant
with a cell wall of silica. Abundant
worldwide.
6-5
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Diffusion
Dinoflagellate
Discharge plume
Dispersion
Dissolved oxygen
Dissolved solids
Diversity
Dominance
Dry weight
EC
50
Echinoderms
The process whereby particles in a
liquid intermingle spontaneously; net
motion is from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower
concentration.
Single-celled, planktonic organisms with
flagella, which are an important part of
marine food chain.
The region of seawater affected by a
discharge of waste which can be
distinguished from the surrounding
water.
The movement of discharged material over
large areas by the natural processes of
mixing (turbulence and currents).
The quantity of oxygen dissolved in a
unit volume of water; usually expressed
in mg/liter.
Solid matter in solution, such as salt
dissolved in water.
A measure that usually takes into
account the number of species and the
relative abundance of individuals in an
area.
A species or group of species which
strongly affect a community because of
their abundance, size, or control of
energy flow.
The weight of a sample of materials
and/or organisms after all water has
been removed; a measure of biomass.
In bioassay studies, the concentration
of a substance which causes a 50 percent
reduction in the growth rate of the test
organisms (usually phytoplankton) during
a unit time (usually 96 hours).
A phylum of benthic marine animals
having calcareous plates and spines
forming a rigid articulated skeleton or
plates with spines embedded in the skin.
This group includes starfish, sea
urchins, sea lilies and sea-cucumbers.
6-6
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Economic resource
zone
Ecosystem
Eddy
EIS
Endemic
Entrain
EPA
EPA Region II
Epifauns
Epipelagic
Estuary
Euphausiids
•P
Fscies
Psuna
The oceanic area within 200 nmi from
shore in which the adjacent coastal
state possesses exclusive rights to the
living and non-living marine resources.
A functional system which includes the
organisms of a natural community or
assemblage together with their physical
environment.
A generally circular water current
moving contrary to the direction of the
main current.
Environmental impact statement.
Restricted or peculiar to a locality or
region.
To carry along with (e.g., eddies
entrain other waters).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region II, New York, N.Y.
Animals which live on the surface of the
sea bottom.
Ocean zone extending from the surface to
200-m depth.
A semienclosed coastal body of water,
which has a free connection to the sea
and within which the sea water is
measurably diluted with fresh water.
Shrimp-like, planktonic crustaceans
which are widely distributed in oceanic
waters. These organisms, also known aa
krill, may grow to 8 cm in length and
are an important link in the oceanic
food chain.
Degrees Fahrenheit.
Any observable attribute of a
atratigraphic unit, such as overall
appearence or composition.
The animal life of a particular
location, region, or period.
6-7
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FDA
Food and Drug Administration.
Flagellum (pi. -a)
Flocculate
Flora
FWPCA
, 3
g/cm
Gangue
Gastropods
Geostrophic current
Gulf Stream
Heavy metals or
elements
High-level radioactive
waste
Histopathology
H' values
Whip-like appendage(s) used for
swimming.
The process of aggregating a number of
small, suspended particles into small
masses.
The plant life of a particular location,
region, or period.
Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Grams per cubic centimeter.
Mineral matrix, useless rocks.
Mollusks that possess a distinct head
(generally with eyes and tentacles) and
a broad, flat foot, and which usually
have a spiral shell, e.g., snails.
A stable current due to gravitational
forces and the Coriolis force.
A warm, swift, northward flowing ocean
current flowing through the Caribbean,
Gulf of Mexico and up the North American
East Coast.
Elements with specific gravities of 5.0
or greater.
The aqueous or solid wastes from repro-
cessing irradiated fuel of nuclear power
reactors.
The study of tissue changes associated
with disease.
Shannon-Wiener species diversity index.
Hydrography
Ichthyoplankton
1EC
Indigenous
The measurement and description of the
physical features of bodies of water.
Fish eggs and weakly motile fish larvae.
Interstate Electronics Corporation.
Having originated in and being produced,
grown, or naturally occurring in a
particular region or environment.
6-8
-------
Infauna
Animals which live or burrow below the
sea bottom.
In situ
Insolation
Invertebrates
ISC
Isobath
kg
kg/day
km
kn
LC^o (Lethal
concentration 50}
Limiting permissible
concentration (LPC)
Loran-C
m
m
m/sec
V-
M-g/^g
pg/liter
(Latin) in the original or natural
setting.
Solar radiation received at the earth's
sur face.
Animals without backbones.
Interstate Sanitation Commission.
A line on a marine chart joining points
of equal depth below sea level.
Kilogram(s).
Kilograms per day.
KiLometer(s).
Knot(s), nautical miles per hour.
In bioassay studies, the concentration
of a substance which causes 50 percent
mortality of the test organisms during a
given time (usually 96 hours).
A concentration of a waste substance
which, after initial mixing, does not
exceed marine water quality criteria,
cause acute or chronic toxicity, cause
other sublethal effects, or cause
bioaccumulation.
Long Range Aid to Navigation (Type C).
Meter(s).
Cubic meters.
Meters per second.
Micron(s), 10 ^ m.
Micrograms per kilogram, or millionth
gram per kilogram.
Micrograms per liter, or millionth gram
per liter.
6-9
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^m
Macrozooplankton
Marine
Massif
Mesopelagic
mg
MGD
mg/liter
mi
Micron (fi)
Microorganisms
Mid-Atlantic Bight
Mixed layer
ml
ml/m^/hr
mm
Monitoring
mph
MPRSA
Mutagen
Micron, micro-meter, millionth of a
meter.
Planktonic animals which can be seen by
the unaided eye.
Pertaining to the sea.
A mountainous mass or group of connected
heights, more or less clearly marked off
by valleys (land or submarine).
Relating to depths of 200 to 1,000 m
below the ocean surface.
Milligram(s), or thousandth(s) gram.
Million gallons per day (3.785 million
liters per day).
Milligrams per liter.
Mile(s), 5,280 ft.
Millionth(s) of a meter.
Microscopic organisms including
bacteria, protozoans, and some algae.
The Continental Shelf extending from
Cape Cod, MA, to Cape Hatteras, NC.
The upper layer of the ocean which is
well mixed by wind and wave activity.
Milliliter(s), or thousandth(s) liter.
Milliliter(s) per square meter per hour.
Millimeter(s), or thousandth(s) meter.
As used herein, to observe environmental
effects of disposal operations through
biological, chemical, geological, and
physical data collection and analyses.
Miles per hour.
Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act.
A substance which increases the
frequency or extent of mutations.
6-10
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Myctophids
Nannoplankton
MAS
NASA
A group of small mesopelagic fish which
possess light-emitting organs and
undergo large-scale vertical (deep to
near-surface) migrations daily.
Minute planktonic plants and animals
which are 50 microns or less in size.
Individuals of this size will pass
through most plankton nets and are
therefore usually collected by
centrifuging water samples.
National Academy of Science.
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
Nekton
NEPA
Free swimming animals which
independently of water currents.
move
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969.
Neritic
Pertaining to the region of shaLlow
water adjoining the seacoast and
extending from low-tide mark to 200 m
depth.
Neuston
A community of planktonic organisms
which are associated with the surface
film of water; mainly composed of
certain copepods and the eggs and larvae
of fish.
New York Bight
Mew York Bight Apex
NJDEP
The Continental Shelf which extends from
Montauk Point, Long Island, to Cape May,
New Jersey.
A portion of the New York Bight bounded
at the south by latitude 40°10'N and at
the east by longitude 73°30'W.
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection.
nmi
NOAA
NOAA-MESA
Nautical milets), 6,076 ft or 1.852 km.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini-
stration.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini-
stration-Marine EcoSystems Analysis.
6-11
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NOAA-NMFS
NSF
Nuisance species
Nutrient
ocs
ODSS
Organophosphate
pesticides
Ortho-phosphate
Oxygen minimum layer
Parameters
Particulates
Part8 per thousand
(ppt; o/oo)
Pathogen
PCB('s)
Pelagic
Perturbation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini-
stration-National Marine Fisheries
Service.
National Science Foundation.
Organisms with no commercial value which
outcompete, oust, or harm commercially
important species.
Any substance which promotes growth or
provides energy for biological
processes.
Outer Continental Shelf.
Ocean Dumping Surveillance System.
A phosphorus-containing organic pest-
icide, such as parathion or malathion.
One of the possible salts of ortho-
phosphoric acid, an essential nutrient
for marine plant growth.
The depth in the water column where the
lowest concentration of dissolved oxygen
occurs naturally.
Any of a measurable set of physical,
geological, chemical, or biological
properties whose values determine the
characteristics of the area under
certain conditions.
Fine solid particles which are
individually dispersed in water.
A unit of concentration of a mixture
indicating the number of parts of a
constituent contained per thousand parts
of the entire mixture.
Producing or capable of producing
disease.
Polychlorinated biphenyl(s).
Pertaining to water of the open ocean
beyond the shore and above the abyssal
zone.
Disturbance of a natural or regular
system.
6-12
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pH
Photic Zone
Phytoplankton
Plankton
Polychaetes
PPb
ppm
ppt
Precipitate
Predator
Primary Production
Protozoa
Qualitative
Quantitative
Recruitment
Numerical range (0-14) used to describe
the hydrogen ion activity; 0-7 are acid,
7 is neutral, 7-14 are alkaline.
The layer in the ocean from the surface
to the depth where light is reduced to
1.0% of its surface value.
Planktonic plants; the base of most
oceanic food chains.
Passively floating or weakly motile
plants or animals in a body of water.
The largest class of the phylum Annelida
(segmented worms) distinguished by
paired, lateral, fleshy appendages
provided with setae on most segments.
Parts per billion.
Parts per million.
Parts per thousand.
A solid which separates from a solution
or suspension by chemical or physical
means.
A carnivorous animal which eats other
animals as a source of food.
The amount of organic matter synthesized
by plants from inorganic substances per
unit time per unit area or volume. The
plant's respiration may (net produc-
tivity) or may not (gross productivity)
be subtracted.
Microscopic, single-celled organisms of
extremely diverse characteristics.
Pertaining to the nature, being,
attribute, trait, character, or status.
Pertaining to the numerical measurement
of a parameter (quantity, mass, extent,
range).
Addition to a population of organisms by
reproduction or immigration of new
individuals.
6-13
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Redox potential
Measurement of the state of oxidation of
the system.
Release zone
An area 100 m on either side of the
disposal vessel extending from the point
of first waste release to the end of the
release.
Runoff
That portion of total surface precip-
itation on land that ultimately reaches
streams or the ocean.
Salinity
The amount of dissolved salts in
water usually measured in parts per
thousand.
Sea state
•ec
Shelf Hater
Shellfish
The numerical or written description of
ocean roughness.
Second(s).
Water Which originates in or can be
traced to the Continental Shelf. It has
characteristic temperature and salinity
values which identify it.
Any aquatic invertebrate having a shell
or exoskeleton, especially any edible
mollusk or crustacean.
Shiprider
Short dumping
Significant wave
height
Slope Water
An observer aboard a vessel, assigned by
the Coast Guard to ensure that ocean
disposal operations are conducted
according to permit specifications.
The premature discharge of waste from a
vessel anywhere outside designated
disposal sites. This may occur legally
under emergency circumstances or
illegally to avoid hauling to a
designated site.
The average height of the one-third
highest waves in a given wave group.
Water which originates from, occurs at,
or can be traced to the Continental
Slope. It has characteristic tempera-
ture and salinity values which identify
it.
Sludge
Precipitated solid matter from sewage
and chemical waste treatment processes.
6-14
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Species
Specific gravity
SPM
sq
SS
Standing Btock
Stressed
Surfactant
Surveillance
Suspended solids
Synergism
Taxon (pi. taxa)
TCH
Temporal distribution
Teratogen
A group of individuals which closely
resemble each other structurally and
physiologically and interbreed in
nature, producing fertile offspring.
The ratio of the density of a substance
relative to the density of pure water at
4°C.
Suspended particulate matter.
Square.
Suspended solids.
The biomass or abundance of living
material per unit volume or area of
water.
A stimulus or series of stimuli which
disrupt the normal ecological
functions of an area.
An agent which lowers surface tension of
a liquid, (in water — soap, bile, and
certain detergents).
Systematic observation of an area by
visual, electronic, photographic, or
other means for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with applicable laws,
regulations and permits.
Finely divided particles of a solid
temporarily suspended in a liquid, e.g.,
soil particles in water.
The interaction between two or more
agents which produces a total effect
greater than the sum of the independent
effects.
A group or entity sufficiently distinct
to be distinguished by name and to be
ranked in a definite category (adj.,
taxonomic).
Total carbohydrate content.
The distribution of a parameter over
t ime.
A chemical agent which causes develop-
mental malformations and monstrosities.
6-15
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Terrigenous sediments Shallow marine sedimentary deposits
composed of eroded terrestrial material.
ThermaeLine
TKN
TOC
Trace metal or
element
Trend assessment
Surveys
Trophic level
Turbidity
Turnover rate
USCG
Water mass
Water type
Wet weight
yd3
Zooplankton
A sharp temperature gradient which
separates a warmer surface water layer
from a cooler subsurface layer, most
pronounced during summer months.
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen.
Total organic carbon.
An element found in the environment in
extremely small quantities.
Surveys conducted over long time
periods to detect shifts in environ-
mental conditions within a region.
A feeding level in the food chain of an
ecosystem through which the passage of
energy proceeds.
A reduction in transparency which, in
seawater, may be caused by suspended
sediments or plankton growth.
The time necessary to replace tne entire
standing stock of a population;
generation time.
U.S. Coast Guard.
A body of water usually identified by
its temperature, salinity, and chemical
content and containing a mixture of
water types.
Water defined by a narrow range of
temperature and salinity.
The weight of organisms before drying
them to remove the internal water.
Cubic yard(s)
Usually small, passively floating or
weakly swimming animals which are
important in many marine food chains.
6-16
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6-40
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Appendix A
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE
NEW YORK BIGHT
-------
CONTENTS
Page
METEOROLOGY A-2
Minds and Storms A-2
Visibility A-3
Air Temperature ................... . . A-4
Precipitation A-4
PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY A-5
Water Types ...................... A-5
Current Regimes A-7
Temperature Distribution . A-8
Salinity Distribution ..... A-9
Waves and Winds ....... ........ A-9
GEOLOGY A-11
Bathymetry A-ll
Sediment Types . A-13
Suspended Particulate Matter ..... A-13
Grain Size A-15
Transport A-16
CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY A-17
Mater Column A-17
Sediments A-21
Biota A-22
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS A-23
Water Column A-24
Benthos A-30
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure
A-i Frequency of Waves on a Percentage Basis from Month to Month .... A-10
A-2 Morphologic FrameworK. of the New York-New Jersey Shelf A-12
A-3 Distribution of Surficial Sediment Based on Visual
Sample Examination . A-14
A-4 Area Closed to Shellfishing in the New York Bight A-31
A-5 Bentnic Faunal Types in the Mid-Atlantic Bight A-32
A-i
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TABLES
Number Title Page
A-l Incidence of Fog in the New York Bight A-3
A-2 icing Conditions in the New York Bight A-4
A-3 Average Precipitation per Month A-4
A-4 Mean Trace Metal Levels in Unpolluted Seawater Samples A-19
A-3 Mean Trace Metal Concentrations in the New York Bight A-20
A-6 Phytoplankton Species with Cell Densities Greater than
Ten Thousand per Liter in the New York Bight A-25
A-7 Seasonal Occurrence of Zooplankton in the New York Bight Apex . . . A-27
A-b benthic Species Characteristic of the Sand Fauna in the
Mid-Atlantic Bight ..... A-33
A-ii
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Appendix A
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT
An understanding of the oceanographic features of the New York Bight is
essential for an evaluation of the effects of acid waste disposal. The Bight
extends 430 nmi (800 km) from Cape May, New Jersey to Montauk Point, Long
Island. Offshore New York City, the Continental Shelf extends 100 nmi (165
km) seaward, and a series of Shelf valley complexes has formed because of the
postglacial sea-level rise (Swift et al., 1976). The Apex is north of 40°10'N
(Shark River, New Jersey) and west of 73°30'W (Jones Beach, Long Island).
The Bight is adjacent to the most heavily populated, highly industrialized
section of the eastern seaboard, and is a heavily used and environmentally
"stressed" coastal area. It receives wastes from 20 million people and a
number of major industries. Municipal and industrial wastewater effluents,
urban runoffs, atmospheric fallout, and materials released at different
dumpsites, add large quantities of heavy metals, nutrients, organic matter,
and chlorinated hydrocarbons to the Bight waters. The Bight supports
important commercial and recreational fisheries and other activities
(NOAA-MESA, 1977).
RecordB are extensive for the region. The MESA New York Bight Atlas
Monograph series describe the area excellently. Other MESA-sponsored works
exist as data reports, technical reports, and technical memos (NOAA-MESA,
1978b). A detailed technical summary resulted from a symposium (Gross, 1976b)
sponsored by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography in November
1975. Earlier, workers from the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological
Laboratory had assessed the nonbiological aspects of the Bight (Charnell,
1975).
A-l
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METEOROLOGY
Seasonal meteorological events affect man's use of the Bight for waste
disposal, shipping, resources, and recreation. Meteorology is an important
influence on physical characteristics of the area, which determine dispersion
of wastes. Sufficient knowledge and predictability of meteorology exist to
permit site designation for waste disposal, with minimal danger to workers on
disposal operations. Excellent sources for the conditions in the Bight are
Williams and Godshall (1977), Hohnen (1977), and Lettau et al, (1976),
WIMPS AMD STORMS
WINDS
Bryson and Lahey (1958) defined the primary seasons of the Bight as winter
(November to March) and summer (July to August), separated by spring (April to
June) and autumn (September to October). Wind speeds are usually moderate.
During the winter, winds are offshore with average speeds of 9 to 13 kn,
whereas summer winds are onshore with average speeds of 5 to 9 kn. Strong
winds (between 28 and 40 kn) are more common in the winter (10% of all
observations) than in summer (1Z of all observations) but strong winds
(greater than 40 kn) have occurred during every month.
Highest recorded winds in the Bight were due to tropical storms. In I960,
wind speeds recorded from hurricane Donna were 61 kn (70 mph) from the
northeast at La Guardia Airport; wind speeds of 98 kn (113 mph) from hurricane
Hazel were recorded at The Battery in 1954 (Lettau et al., 1976).
STORMS
Seasonal storms are characteristic of the Bight area. Extratropical
(northeasterly) storms are common from November until April (Fore et al,,
1974), but tropical storms (hurricanes) usually occur in the late summer or
early autumn (Pore and Barrientos, 1976). Pore and Barrientos (1976) reported
that an average of 6.8 storms per year cause moderate to severe coastal
damage. The recorded frequency of northeasters (10 to 14 days) is greater
A-2
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than hurricanes (4 to 7 years). Storms
operation, but frequencies or severities
disposal operations.
may
are
restrict a particular disposal
not sufficient to restrict all
VISIBILITY
Visibility in the Bight is influenced by fog, smoke, and haze. Thick fogs
occur, but not frequently enough to restrict sailing to and from the site.
FOG
The maximal incidence of fog occurs from May to July, when the greatest
differences between 6ea and air temperatures exist. Fog is not generally
frequent between October and March, but heavy fogs occasionally occur. The
monthly frequency of restricted visibility in the Bight is summarized in Table
A-l.
TABLE A-l
INCIDENCE OF FOG IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Average Days/Month
Limit Of
Visibility
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1/4 Mile
1.1
0.8
3.3
0.8
7.4
4.0
4.6
0.3
0.6
1.9
1.8
0.5
1 Mile
4.2
3.6
5.6
3.0
11.5
7.7
6.6
4.2
3.0
3.3
2.9
1.6
Source: Modified from Williams and Godshall, 1977.
When necessary, disposal operations can be performed under conditions of
restricted visibility and fog, smoke or haze (see below), and these are not
important factors which restrict use of sites in the Bight.
SMOKE AND HAZE
Smoke is an anthropogenic product, and its effects decrease offshore. Haze
is often composed of dust and salt particles, and haze frequencies are evenly
distributed over the Bight. Maximal peaks of haze are associated with
-------
southwesterly winds, however, minimal values are usually recorded when there
are northwesterly winds (Lettau et al., 1976). Neither smoke nor haze
significantly restrict navigation in the Bight area.
AIR TEMPERATURE
Air temperatures in the Bight range from a mean low of 2°C (36°F) in
February, to a mean high of 22°C (approximately 72°F) in August (Lettau et
al., 1976). Only a slight icing potential occurs between December and March
(Table A-2).
TABLE A-2
ICING CONDITIONS IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Icing Potential
Percent Per Month
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Light
Moderate
4.8
0.9
6.2
0.3
1.3
Source: Modified from Williams and Godshall, 1977.
PRECIPITATION
The winter months (November to March) have the highest incidences of
combined precipitation (rain and/or snow), but average monthly Bight values
indicate only slight seasonal changes (Table A-3).
TABLE A-3
AVERAGE PRECIPITATION PER MONTH
(Nearest 1.0 inch)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
5
3
3
4
4
Source: Modified from Lettau et al., 1976.
A-4
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PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
Physical characteristics of the Bight are complex. Seasonal temperature,
salinity, insolation, and river runoff are complicated by meteorological
phenomena and intrusions of Slope Water (Bowman, 1977).
The Bight hydrography exhibits clear seasonal cycles in temperature,
salinity, and density. Two distinct oceanographic regimes, with short
intervening transition periods, prevail annually. In early winter, storm
mixing and rapid cooling at the surface create a well-mixed, unatratified
water column. A moderate stratification develops in early spring due to heavy
runoff from the Hudson, Raritan, and other rivers. With increasing vernal
warming, stratification changes rapidly from a saline to a thermally
maintained formation. Transition is rapid, usually occurring within one month
(Charnell and Hansen, 1974). Rapid formation of the seasonal thermocline
divides the water column into upper and lower layers. Bottom waters retain
specific characteristics with little modification until atmospheric cooling
and storm activities break up the thermocline in the late autumn.
Familiarity with physical characteristics of Bight is necessary to
understand waste disposal, because such factors determine immediate dilution
and dispersion of wastes and the transposition of contaminants. Excellent
sources for physical oceanographic patterns in the Bight are Hansen (1977) and
Hardy et al. (1976).
WATER TYPES
Three water types have been identified in the Bight shelf waters by Hollman
(1971): (1) Inlet Water (hereafter called Hudson River Plume Water, after
Botman and Wunderlich, 1977), (2) Surface Shelf Water, and (3) Bottom Shelf
Water.
A-5
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HUDSON RIVER PLUME WATER
The combined discharge of the Hudson and Raritan rivers flows from the
Lower Bay into the northwest corner of the Apex as a low-salinity plume, less
dense than Shelf Waters. Consequently, Hudson River Plume Water floats over
Shelf Waters in the Bight. Discharge volumes are maximal in April and minimal
in August. Approximately half the annual discharge occurs during March,
April, and May (Bowman and Wunderlich, 1976). The plume persists throughout
the year, and the extent and depth are highly dependent on flow rates from the
Hudson and Raritan Rivers (McLaughlin et al., 1975). Generally, the plume
flows southward between the New Jersey coastline and the axis of the Huds-on
Shelf Valley. During the winter, however, the plume may flow eastward between
the southern coast of Long Island and the axis of the Hudson Shelf Valley, or,
in some instances, the plume may split and flow both eastward and southward.
SURFACE SHELF WATER
With the onset of heavy river discharge in the spring, surface salinities
in the Bight decrease and a moderate saline-maintained stratification occurs,
separating Surface Shelf Water from Bottom Shelf Water. Decreasing winds and
increasing insolation, however, cause a stronger thermocline to develop
(Charnell and Hansen, 1974). The two-layer system reaches its maximum
strength by August. Summer Surface Shelf Water is characterized by moderate
salinity and high temperature.
BOTTOM SHELF WATER
During winter, the water is essentially homogeneous over the Bight Shelf,
With the rapid formation of the thermocline and separation of Surface Shelf
Water in the spring, bottom waters become isolated until the next winter.
Bigelow (1933) found that this "cool pool" (temperatures typically less than
4°C) extended from south of Long Island to the opening of Chesapeake Bay.
This cold water persists even after the surface layers have reached the summer
maximum. Bigelow (1933) also found that the cool pool was surrounded on all
sides by warmer water. The upper layer of the Bottom Shelf Water is usually
A-6
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found between 30 and 100 m during the summer (Bowman and Wunderlich, 1977).
Seaward, near the Shelf edge, steep temperature, salinity, and density
gradients prevent large-scale mixing from occurring between Shelf and Slope
Waters.
CURRENT REGIMES
Currents in the Bight are characterized by large temporal variability,
which makes it impossible to resolve the "average" current patterns. The
great variability results from several competing influences (e.g., tidal
currents, estuarine and Hudson Shelf Valley circulation, and local wind
effects). The currents may be so random that only statistical effects, not
organized patterns, can be predicted (Hansen, 1977).
TIDAL CURRENTS
The flow of the tidal current in the Apex is anticyclonic (clockwise).
Velocities decrease offshore and the tidal ellipse is on a northwest/
southeast axis. Tidal currents are important in the initial distribution
(mixing and dispersion) of dumped materials on the bottom. They may resuspend
settled solids. Bottom tidal current velocities are low, about 10 cm/sec,
but, coupled with wind-driven currents during storms, they can resuspend and
subsequently redistribute sediments.
SURFACE CURRENTS
The synergistic effects of temperature, salinity, river runoff, prevailing
winds, and tides produce complex and variable circulation patterns within the
Bight (Hardy et al., 1976). Seaward of the 100-m contour, geostrophic drift
induces westerly to southwesterly currents having an average speed of
10 cm/sec. Within the 100-m isobath, surface currents are highly variable and
strongly influenced by winds and surface runoff. Currents within 30 km of
shore still depend on winds for direction but have consistently higher
velocities than the distant offshore areas. The southerly flow of the Hudson
River plume along the coast forces an opposing northward flow of more saline
waters to the east. Consequently, the nearshore water often contains a small
anticyclonic (clockwise) gyre (Hardy et al., 1976).
A-7
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In general, average surface currents inshore of the 100-m isobath (which
includes the entire Apex) flow alongshore southward from Cape Cod to Cape
Hatteras at mean speeds of about 5 cm/sec (Bumpus, 1973), except during
periods of strong southerly winds and low runoff (Bumpus, 1969). Flows in the
outer Bight are characteristically southwest with speeds of 4 to 5 cm/sec at
the surface decreasing to 2 cm/sec, or less, closer to the bottom.
BOTTOM CURRENTS
Near the Hudson estuary, classical estuarine circulation occurs with
low-salinity surface water flowing offshore and more saline water flowing
onshore along the bottom. Hansen (1977) reported that average shoreward
current speeds as great as 5 cm/sec have been observed in the Hudson Shelf
Valley over periods as long as a month. Bumpus (1973), summarizing 10 years
of sea-bed drifter returns, has inferred that onshore bottom Shelf current
speeds average 0.9 to 1.3 cm/sec.
The axis of the Hudson Shelf Valley separates the general bottom currents.
East of the valley, flow is westerly; west of it, the flow is northerly. This
cooler, more saline bottom water, may reach the Hudson River estuary,
dependent upon the season and amount of surface runoff; bottom water may reach
the surface during periods of southwesterly winds, which cause upwelling south
of Long Island (Hardy et al., 1976).
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
Water temperatures in the Bight follow well-defined seasonal cycles.
Surface waters usually reach a minimum (2°C) in January when strong vertical
mixing and low river runoff create a vertically homogeneous water mass. In
April, the surface waters begin to warm with a thermocline developing during
the late spring and early summer. The thermocline is strongest in the late
summer, with surface temperatures peaking (24°C to 26°C) in early August. The
thermocline begins to decay with normal cooling, and by late October the
isothermal layer is 20 m thick. By mid-November further cooling and winter
storms produce an almost homogeneous water mass within the 80-m contour
(Bowman, 1972; 1977).
A-8
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SALINITY DISTRIBUTION
The salinity cycle is more complex than the temperature cycle because of
three factors which influence salinity: (1) the influx of river runoff (inner
Bight), (2) evaporation minus precipitation, and (3) the advection and mixing
of more saline Slope Water (outer Bight; Bowman, 1977). Maximum salinities
(33 to 34 ppt) are found inshore during the winter (February and March) when
subfreezing conditions reduce river runoff. River runoff during the spring
thaw reduces the surface salinity, and strong vertical gradients may develop.
In Burner, surface salinities are minimal (27 to 31 ppt) and bottom salinities
are 27 to 29 ppt. In the late summer, when the fresh water input decreases,
salinities begin to increase towards the winter maximum (Bowman and
Wunderlich, 1977).
WAVES AND WINDS
SURFACE WAVES AND WINDS
Waves are beneficial in diluting and dispersing the waste more rapidly,
until they become too high and restrict disposal operations. Figure A-l shows
the distribution of the percentage frequency of waves greater than or equal to
1.5 n (solid lines), and greater than or equal to 3.7 m (dashed lines) for the
mid-Atlantic Bight. Wave energies are greater in winter. The contours
parallel the coast and most of the higher frequencies are seaward. Wave
directions parallel the wind patterns over the northeast United States. There
is a distinct reversal in the prevailing wind pattern between summer and
winter. During the simmer (May through August) wind and waves derive most
frequently from the southwest. In the winter (September through April), wind
and waves are most frequently from the northwest,
Wave heights greater than 6.1 m occur about 2X of the time in the winter
months of December, January, and February. The median significant wave height
for this region is about 1.2 m in winter and about 0.6 m in summer. The
mid-Atlantic Bight is generally not subject to unusually high waves (U.S.
Naval Weather Service Command, 1970).
A-9
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f=l % FREQUENCY WAVES > 5 FT.
[7T7| % FREQUENCY WAVES >12 FT.
Figure A-l. Frequency of Haves on a Percentage Basis from Month to Month
Source: Bunpus, 1973
A-10
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INTERNAL WAVES
Internal waves on the Continental Shelf and in the Hudson Shelf Valley have
been identified in satellite imagery studies (Apel et al., V974). Stratified
water conditions must be present for the generation of internal waves which
can contribute to sediment resuspension and must be considered in evaluating
bottom sediment transport.
GEOLOGY
The most common sediments in the Bight are fine to medium sands. Isolated
patches of coarse sand and gravel occur near the Long Island and New Jersey
shores. The Continental Shelf contains numerous ridges and troughs which
resemble relic barrier islands. The Hudson Channel and Shelf Valley, a relict
submarine canyon, transverses the shelf and extends from the mouth of New York
Harbor south to the head of Hudson Canyon. The Hudson Canyon runs in a
southeast direction, to the edge of the Shelf (Williams, 1974). Stubblefield
et al. (1977) reported that the sediments in the Bight are in textural
equilibrium with the existing hydraulic climate. Silts and muds accumulate
naturally only below depths of 24 m.
BATHYMETRY
The well-defined Shelf valley complexes, which are narrow or broad shallow
depressions, are scoured by currents and often terminate in delta-like
terraces. Sand transported by littoral drift from nearby coasts frequently
forms sills across valley heads. More extensive sand banks (called sand
massifs) form on seaward shoals near estuary mouths (Figure A-2). The
morphology of the Delaware, Great Egg, Hudson, and Block Shelf Valleys in the
Bight follows this pattern (Swift et al., 1976).
A-ll
-------
T
76° W
42°N
72° W
Morphologic Framework of the New York-New Jersey Shelf
Source: Modified from Swift et al., 1976
-------
Plateau-like expanses (stretching between Shelf valleys) vary from nearly
flat plains to patterns of undulating sand ridges reaching 10 m high and 2 to
4 km apart. The ridges appear highest on the northeastern sides of the shoal
massifs. This sand ridge and swale topography is characteristic of the
mid-Atlantic Bight.
SEDIMENT TYPES
Clean sand facies occur in the Inner and Middle Shelf, and muddy sand
facies on the Outer Shelf (McKinney and Friedman, 1970). Occasionally,
remnants of the mud facies on the Middle Shelf are found embedded in shell
fragments buried in the clean sand, indicating that the muds were deposited
prior to the clean sand (Biscaye and Olsen, 1976).
The Shelf off New York is covered by sand-sized particles with isolated
gravel patches (Schlee, 1973, 1975). Silt dominates seaward of the 60-m
isobath and in the Hudson Shelf Valley. Silt is also present in lagoons and
estuaries with only light wave activity. Small mud patches, often seasonal in
nature, occur in the nearshore areas of Long Island to the west of Fire
Island.
Sediment types have been mapped in the Apex (Freeland et al., 1976; Figure
A-3). The topographically low Hudson Shelf Valley and the Christiaensen Basin
contain fine-grained sediments; the other areas contain variously sized sands
and both artifact and natural gravel deposits. The most common sediments are
silty fine sand and slightly gravelly fine to medium sand (Harris, 1976).
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER
The sizes of inorganic particles in the Apex are similar to fine silt or
clay. Suspended fluvial sediments discharged onto the Shelf are composed of
85% inorganic and 15Z combustible organic materials (Hathaway, 1971), The
inorganic constituents are carried from the Hudson River. The organic
combustibles are from anthropogenic sources and are introduced via river
A-13
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CONTOUR INTERVAL: 5fm (1936 SURV8Y j*° W
= MUD | | FINI-MED. SANDS Xvl SANDY ORAVEL
| 11 | | SIITY-FINE SANDS |§§|g COARSE SANDS Sggg ARTIFACT ORAVEL
Figure A-3. Distribution of Surficial Sediment
Based on Visual Sample Examination.
Source: Freeland et al., 1976
outflow, surface runoff, atmospheric fallout, and ocean disposal. In general,
particulate concentrations decrease with distance from the shore, especially
in surface waters. Vertical mixing of suspended particles, however, is
limited by the seasonal thermocline (Biscaye and Olsen, 1976).
A-14
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Only about 10% of the riverborne suspended solids reach the coastal waters,
and the solids are carried in the less saline, surface layer plume. Some SPM
is carried back into the Lower Bay by the onshore bottom flow (Meade et al.,
1975). The resuspension of fine, inorganic sediments near estuary mouths is
related to the effects of wave surge and wind-drift currents in these shallow
waters. Drake (1974) estimates that a single November storm resuspended
10,000 tonnes of fine sediments throughout the water column in the Apex,
indicating the great influence of storms in sediment resuspension.
GRAIN SIZE
Medium-coarse sands predominate on the inner and middle. Shelf, whereas
silts are the major components of the Outer Shelf. Inner Shelf sediments off
Long Island are of uniform size (well sorted), whereas Middle and Outer Shelf
areas are more poorly sorted. This indicates that sediments on the Inner
Shelf have undergone more mixing and transport than sediments in deeper water.
Stubblefield et al. (1977) identified two sand provinces in the Bight: the
*
New Jersey Platform sand province and the Cholera Bank sand province, where
medium-grain sands predominate. Finer and coarser sands stretch out in a
north- to northwest-trending band off New Jersey, but the Cholera Bank sands
are more homogeneous.
The topographic highs surrounding Christiaensen Basin (Figure A-3) are
covered by medium-grain sands; however, towards New Jersey, sand ribbon
patterns with 10- to 200-m spacing appear. Stubblefield et al. (1977) report
that mud facies occur only in the tributary channel of Christiaensen Basin and
on the western side. They further reported that the basin floor deposits
become coarser towards shallow water.
* Located 3 nmi east of the Sewage Sludge Site.
A-15
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TRANSPORT
Sediment transport is produced by two basic phenomena: tidal flow which
stores sand in estuary mouths, and storm wave action which moves sand between
estuary mouths. Sand discharges from surf zones off the Long Island and New
Jersey coasts move towards the New York Harbor mouth, and have built Sandy
Hook and Rockaway spits (Swift et al., 1976).
On the Shelf proper, westward and eastward currents measured from bottom,
mid-depth, and surface locations showed that surface flows have an offshore
component in both east and west directions (Lavelle et al., 1975). However,
with increasing depth, the westward bottom flows begin to parallel isobaths
and the eastern flows tend to move shoreward. The result is a net southwest
migration of sand particles along the bottom.
Lavelle et al. (1975) concluded that transport occurred during brief,
intense transport events separated by vast periods of quiescence. As a
function of excess velocity, more efficient transport occurs during intense
rather than mild storms. The potential consequences are that, if bottom
currents in any of the dump sites exceed the threshold velocity and overcome
the fractional components of the waste material (e.g., during storms), the
dumpsite may be scoured clean of waste. The sequence may have occurred in the
Sewage Sludge Site, where only traces of sewage sludge can be found.
Harris (1976) reported that substrate mobility is greatest near Long Island
and northern Christiaensen Basin and varies seasonally. Hud dominates in the
late spring and early summer and may even cross intervening sand-wave crests.
Trough areas are mud-free from early autumn until early spring because of
bottom current scour. The mud facies moved to within 5.0 km of Long Island
between winter and summer, but later moved back to 9.3 km from Long Island.
The distribution of muds are important in evaluating the effects of waste
disposal since trace metals and other waste constituents are present in higher
concentrations in muds than in sands.
A-16
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CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
The Bight receives wastes from a large metropolitan area. The sources of
the wastes include ocean disposal, sewage outfalls, river discharge,
groundwater seepage, land runoff, petrochemical processes, and atmospheric
fallout,
It is difficult to determine effects of any particular type of waste
disposal, because contaminant sources are so varied and inputs are large.
Contaminants may be changed from one chemical state to another by synergistic
interactions with seawater, biologically assisted changes, or oceanographic
events which affect mixing and sediment turnover (MESA, 1975).
This section covers the spatial and temporal variability in the water
column, sediments, and biota relevant to the wastes presently released at the
Acid Site. References are made to various sources for those parameters (e.g.,
nutrients) unaffected by acid waste disposal. Sufficient chemical data are
available for site designation and future decision-making for wastes released
at the site.
Excellent overview sources for chemical features of the Bight are Alexander
and Alexander (1977), and Segar and Cantillo (1976).
WATER COLUMN
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the surface waters of the Bight are
greater than or equal to the saturation level (Corwin, 1970). At a 20-m depth
(66 ft) in the Apex, the percentage of saturation in control areas located
outside the disposal sites was 55% to 902.
In contrast, at 20-m depth near the edge of the Sewage Sludge Site, the
oxygen concentration was 1.6 mg/1 (26% saturation), and at the center of the
A-17
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site the saturation was 10% (Pearce, 1969). It is not known if this oxygen
depression was due to sewage sludge disposal.
Subsurface oxygen concentrations may vary seasonally {Corwin, 1970). Below
10 m (33 ft), concentrations are lower in September than in November, due to
stratification of the water column in the summer and higher biological and
chemical oxygen demands. In April, oxygen concentrations usually approach
saturation.
Garside and Malone (1978) suggest that the near-surface variation in
dissolved oxygen is not significantly above zero. Oxygen production from
photosynthesis in the Apex is sufficient to balance the respiration of organic
material from naturally occurring and anthropogenic sources. With respect to
total carbon respired in the Apex, 77% is derived from naturally occurring
sources, sewage sludge contributes another 7%, surface runoff 7%, and the
Hudson Estuary about 9% (Garside and Malone, 1978). The Apex-derived carbon
supply is about three times greater than all other external carbon sources,
therefore normal oxygen production has been adequate to balance the
respiration demands of the system. Local anoxic conditions, which occurred in
some deep Bight areas during the summer of 1976, are only likely below the
thermocline, when the surface (oxygenated) and subsurface (oxygen depleted)
waters do not mix.
pH
The pH of Bight waters ranges from 7.6 to 8.4; surface values are usually
higher than bottom values because of the dynamic relationship with atmospheric
CC>2 at the surface (which increases alkalinity) and the decomposition of
organic material (which increases acidity) in subsurface waters (Alexander and
Alexander, 1977).
Seawater is an extremely well-buffered solution. Changes in pH are
temporary and usually the pH returns to normal ambient values almost
immediately after it is perturbed (Duxbury, 1971; see Appendix B).
A-18
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TRACE METALS
The effects of trace metals in the water column are determined by the
concentrations, chemical species, and availability to the biota. Certain
metal8 may stimulate or depress biological activity or may become concentrated
in the food chain (Alexander et al., 1974). Segar and Cantillo (1975) noted
large temporal and geographic variations of trace metal concentrations in the
Bight, caused by river discharges, ocean waste disposal, or complex oceano-
graphic and meteorological events. Normal levels of trace metals in
unpolluted seawater samples are listed in Table A-4.
TABLE A-4
MEAN TRACE METAL LEVELS IN UNPOLLUTED SEAWATER SAMPLES
/ig/liter (ppb)
Source
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Iron
Mercury
Manganese
Nickel
Lead
Zinc
(1)
0.1
0.05
3
10
0.03
-
500
0.03
10
(2)
—
—
3
10
—
2
—
—
10
(3)
0.1
0.05
3
6
—
2
—
0.03
10
Sources: (1) Goldberg, 1963; (2) Riley and Skirnow, 1965;
(3) Buelow et al., 1968.
These data (Table A-4) can be compared to trace metal levels in the Apex
and offshore control sites (Segar and Cantillo, 1976; Table A-5). The area of
disposal influence indicated in Table A-5 refers to all potential sources of
contamination (acid waste, dredged material, sewage sludge, and cellar dirt).
Two conclusions can be drawn from these data. The values for metal concen-
trations in the Bight are higher than in uncontaminated seawater samples, but,
apart from manganese, the ocean disposal sites do not raise actual levels in
the overlying water.
A-19
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TABLE A-5
MEAN TRACE METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
ug/liter (Standard Deviation)
Metal
Cadmium
Copper
Iron
Manganese
Zinc
Surface
Disposal
Site
Influence
0.6 (0.42)
4.3 (1.98)
15.3 (8.38)
5.3 (1.38)
32.5 (8.66)
Control
0.8 (0.40)
4.6 (1.62)
18.6 (16.5)
3.7 (1.50)
35.0 (12.25)
10 Meters
Disposal
Site
Influence
0.6 (0.28)
4.7 (1.60)
16.4 (9.88)
9.6 (5.19)
32.5 (13.23)
Control
0.5 (0.19)
4.0 (2.08)
17.1 (8.09)
4.7 (1.70)
30.0 (10.80)
Source: Modified from Segar and Cantillo, 1976. Means are for 7 separate
months between May 1974 and March 1975.
NUTRIENTS
Acid wastes do not contain significant levels of the elements required for
phytoplankton growth (Appendix D, Tables D-2 and D-3). Consequently, the
disposal of acid waste does not markedly affect the distribution or
concentration of nutrients in the water column. Therefore, seasonal and
spatial variabilities of the nutrients are not discussed in this EIS. The
interested reader is referred to Corwin (1970), or Alexander and Alexander
(1975, 1977) for discussions of nutrients, and to Mueller et al. (1976) for
discussions of the sources and mass loads of nutrients from anthropogenic
sources into the Bight.
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Acid waste does not contain significant amounts of organic compounds.
Disposal operations, however, may affect the phytoplankton in the barge wake.
Chlorophyll a concentrations in seawater can be used as indicators of
A-20
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phytoplankton abundance, thus changes in concentrations can be used to
interpret micronutrient fluctuations. In general, chlorophyll £ concen-
trations are greater in the upper water column, because of increased produc-
tivity in the euphotic zone and, particularly in the Apex, because of large
nutrient inputs. An increase in surface water concentrations of chlorophyll _a
from 0.5 to 8.0 ug/1 in September 1969, to greater than 4.0 to 8.0 ug/1 in
April 1970, was associated with a spring plankton bloom (Hardy, 1974).
Corwin (1970) and McCarthy (1970) have additional information about parti-
culate carbon and organic nitrogen in the Bight.
SEDIMENTS
TRACE METALS
Elevated concentrations of iron, manganese, titanium, copper, tin,
chromium, zinc, lead, and nickel have been measured in many areas of the Bight
(Biscaye and Olsen, 1976; Pearce et al., 1977). Iron and magnesium are common
throughout the Bight; the other metals are more common in sediments near the
Sewage Sludge and Dredged Material Disposal Sites and in areas of river
discharge.
Greig et al. (1974) investigated trace metal concentrations in the Apex,
and concluded that there were insignificant seasonal variations in the levels
of copper, chromium, lead, nickel, and zinc, except near the Dredged Material
Disposal Site. Elevated sediment concentrations were not observed near the
Acid Site. Decreases in trace metal concentrations away from the center of
disposal sites, and areas of elevated concentrations to the northeast of the
sites, and in the Hudson Shelf Valley, imply dispersal of wastes by water
currents (Carmody et al., 1973).
ORGANIC CARBON
Acid waste contains no significant amounts of organic carbon, nor does it
affect the distribution of organic carbon in the Apex. The total organic
carbon (T0C) content of sediments is important since sediments with different
A-21
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levels of TOC may support different biotic communities. Trace metals are more
abundant in sediments which have a high TOC content. Harris (1976) and
Hatcher and Keister (1976a,b) discuss TOC in Bight sediments.
CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS
Persistence and toxicity of chlorinated "hydrocarbons, e.g., DDT (dichloro-
diphenyltrichloroethane) and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), cause, great
concern about their abundance and distribution in marine environments.
However, acid waste does not contain chlorinated hydrocarbons (ERCO, 1978a,b).
West et al. (1976) have information about the distribution of PCB'8 and DDT
near the Dredged Material Disposal and Sewage Sludge Sites,
BIOTA
TRACE METALS IN ZOOPLANKTON
Extensive species lists and zooplankton abundance measurements, including
studies by Grice and Hart (1962), Jefferies and Johnson (1973), Falk et al.
(1974) and Gibson (1973) exist for the Bight. Several species of Apex
zooplankton were examined for trace metal contaminants. Levels of copper and
lead varied among species examined, and zinc varied according to the location
of the sample. It has not been possible to determine the source of the
contaminants (Greig et al., 1977). At the Delaware Bay Acid Site (where the
waste characteristics are similar to those at the Apex Acid Site), Johnson and
Lear (1974) reported extreme variability in the concentrations of trace metals
in the zooplankton, probably due to the complex nature of contaminant inputs
and the dispersal of planktonic organisms by water movement and mixing.
Contaminants which accumulate in the eggs and in developing larvae of
marine fauna may cause chromosomal mutagenesis at subtoxic levels (Longwell
1976; Westerhagen et al., 1974). Longwell (1976) determined that there was a
significant increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations in eggs and
larvae of the Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrua, near the Acid Site, along
A-22
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Long Island, and halfway to the edge of the Continental Shelf, The "health"
of the Apex (measured by abnormalities in fish eggs) is about equal to the
"health" of waters of the New Jersey coast.
TRACE METALS IN BENTHIC BIOTA
Levels of trace metals in benthic macrofauna from the Bight are reported in
SHL (1972), Pratt (1973), and Pararas-Carayannis (1973). Sedentary benthic
organisms are the preferred indicators of the effects of environmental
contamination, because they are directly exposed to sediment-bound trace
metals and are unable to move from stressed areas (Pararas Carayannis, 1973).
SHL (1972) reported that some specimens contained levels of lead, chromium,
and mercury above the normal range of values for the animals. These animals
were in the vicinity of the Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Sites.
Vaccaro et al. (1972) measured elevated trace metal concentrations in some
benthic animals collected from the Acid Site. Elevated concentrations of iron
were detected, but no documented lethal or chronic effects exist for the
epifauna and macroinfauna at the Acid Site. Earlier work by Redfield and
Walford (1951) and Westman (1958) led to the same conclusion.
Pearce et al. (1976d) noted that some disposal areas, characterized by
large heavy metal and/or organic concentrations, showed a decline in thp
number of benthic individuals from 1973 to 1974; however, the species
composition did not vary significantly during the same period. It was
concluded that the Bight biota are reasonably dynamic in abundance, and that
correlations of abundance to trace metal concentrations must be made with
caution.
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The biota in the Bight demonstrate complex diurnal, seasonal, and
longer-term cycles of species composition and abundance. Several factors
contribute to these cycles: (1) the influence of various water masses, each
with its characteristic biota; the location of the Bight, between boreal fauna
A-23
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(found to the. north) and temperate to subtropical fauna (found to the south);
(2) the effects of unusual or aperiodic physical conditions; and (3) the
varying locations and amounts of anthropogenic input.
The Bight is biologically heterogeneous. This section, however, only
discusses those environmental aspects of the region which are directly
relevant to the specific conditions at the Acid Site. The water column biota
are described first, then the benthic biota are characterized. For the
benthos, organisms characteristic of a sandy bottom are treated in the most
detail. The sediment type at the Acid Site is medium to fine sand, thus the
biota typical of other habitats (muds, canyon slopes, rocky outcrops,
artificial structures, or coarse sand and gravel) in the Bight are not
pertinent to this EIS. Appendix B describes the environmental characteristics
and biota within the site proper.
WATER COLUMN
The dynamics of the water and its biota affect the entire Apex. The
plankton (microscopic plants and animals moving passively with the water) have
patchy distributions in space and time, Quantities of individual species vary
seasonally; different species may be abundant in successive years, and species
composition is not predictable. Physical and chemical parameters which
influence plankton are known, but because the seasonal changes in species
cannot be reliably predicted, it is difficult to determine why a species is
present or absent in an area. Consequently, individual species are poor
indicators of pollution. The plankton move with the water throughout the
Bight, thus it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to relate
long-term changes in the populations to any specific disposal site or other
pollutant source.
The nekton contain several species of commercially or recreationally
important fish. As with the plankton, the motility of the fish makes it
difficult to demonstrate that changes in the population dynamics are related
to a specific dump site or pollutant source. However, fish have been
extensively surveyed and are economically important. Fish are the most direct
links between man and potentially toxic contaminants in the acid waste.
A-24
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MICROBIOTA
The waste released at the Acid Site does not contain pathogenic organisms,
nor does the disposal of acid-iron waste significantly affect the distribution
and abundance of the microfauna in the Bight.
PHYTOPLANKTON
Phytoplankton in the Bight have been extensively investigated for the past
75 years. Work has concentrated on seasonal changes and the major physical
and biochemical factors controlling primary production in the Bight. The
information in this section is taken from monographs by Malone (1977) and
Yentsch (1977). Additional information, including species lists, can be found
in Barber and Krieger (1970), Esaias (1976), Falkowski and Howe (1976),
Freudenthal and Lee (1963), Hulburt (1963), Martin (1928, 1929a,b), Riley
(1952), Ryther (1954), and Sinayda (1973). Table A-6 shows the more abundant
species in the Bight.
Phytoplankton in the Apex have strong similarities to those found in
estuarine and bay waters. The chlorophyte, Nannochloris atomus, and the
TABLE A-6
PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES WITH CELL DENSITIES
GREATER THAN TEN THOUSAND PER LITER IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Maximum
Observed
Specie8
Month
Densitv
x 10,000
Skeletonema costatum
Dec
50 to 60
Thalassionema nitzschioides
Dec
7
Rhizosolenia alata
Dec
2
Asterionella japonica
Rhizosolenia delicatula
Feb
10
Feb
2
Rhizosolenia alata
Sep
1
Chaetoceros socialis
Mar
10 to 90
Calycomonas gracilis
Apr
9
Sources: After Hulburt 1963, 1966, 1970; Hulburt and Rodman, 1963
A-25
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dinoflagellate, Ceratium tripos, dominate the. phytoplankton assemblage from
the late spring until middle to Late summer. Diatoms dominate during the
colder autumn and winter months. Skeletonema costatum, Thalassiosira 8pp. and
Leptocylindrus danicus are frequently, although not always, the dominant
species.
Plankton cannot be used as indicators of water quality, but some phyto-
plankton species do reflect man's influence on the Bight. According to Smayda
(1973), Nannochloris atomus is an indicator of eutrophication. Excessive
population growth of Ceratium or Nannochloris has caused oxygen depletion in
bottom waters, besides reducing the populations of more desirable phyto-
plankton food species for oysters and clams. Oxygen depletion of the bottom
waters and associated fish kills had been reported earlier (Smayda, 1973), yet
the most extensive oxygen depletion and benthic mortality occurred in the
summer of 1976. Apparently, unusual meteorological events, a large population
of Ceratium tripos, and a lack of herbivorous zooplankton produced the
condition (Sharp, 1976; Steimle, 1976b). Barged ocean disposal of sewage,
sludge and dredged material may have contributed to the event, but Segar and
Berberian (1976) stated that nitrogen input from the rivers (caused by waste
water discharge) is the largest nitrogen source in the Bight.
ZOOPLANKTON
The distribution and abundance of zooplankton populations in the Apex have
been extensively studied for many years. The material in this section is
primarily from the monographs by Malone (1977) and Yentsch (1977). Further
information and data are found in Austin and Dickinson (1973), Bigelow and
Sears (1939), Deevey (1956), Grice and Hart (1962), Jefferies and Johnson
(1973), and SHL (1972). Table A-7 lists species for the major seasons in the
Bight.
Unlike phytoplankton, the zooplankton in the Apex have strong similarities
to those found offshore in the outer Bight. Copepods (Oithona similis,
Paracalanus parvus, Pseudocalanus minutus, Temora longicornis, and Centropay
A-26
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TABLE A-7
SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF ZOOPLANKTON IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT APEX
Season
Species
Winter
Spring
Sumner
Autumn
HOLOPLANKTON
Copepoda
Oithona similis
A
A
A
A
Paracalanus parvus
A
A
A
A
Faracalanus crassirostris
A
A
A
A
Pseudocalanus ninutus
A
A
A
A
Centropagea haaatus
A
A
A
A
Centropagea typicus
A
A
A
A
Temora lon^icornis
A
A
A
A
Tortanus diacaudatus
B
A
A
B
Acartia clausi
B
A
A
A
Acartia tonsa
B
A
A
A
Labidocera aestiva
B
A
-
A
Coxycaeus
B
B
-
A
Calanus finaarchicus
B
A
A
A
Eurgtemora
B
B
B
-
Canadia
-
-
-
-
Eucalanua
-
-
-
B
Metridia
-
B
-
B
Rhincaianua
-
-
-
B
clytenmestra
B
B
B
B
Cladocera
Podon
-
-
A
B
Evadne
A
A
A
A
Penilia
-
-
A
A
Siphonophora
B
A
A
A
Ctenopbora
-
-
-
B
Mysidacea
B
-
B
B
Amphipoda
Gaumaridae
-
-
B
B
Hyperiidae
-
-
-
B
Tunicata
Thalacen
-
-
B
A
Oikopleura
B
B
B
A
Poiychaeta
Tonopteridae
B
-
-
-
Nematoda
-
B
-
B
Ectoprocta
B
A
B
A
Chartognatha
A
A
A
A
MEROPLANKTON
Poiychaeta
A
A
A
A
Gastropoda
A
A
A
A
Pelecypoda
A
A
A
A
Cirripedia
B
B
B
B
Decapoda
B
B
A
A
Phoronida
- ¦
B
B
B
Echinoderaiata
-
B
B
A
Fish larvae
-
B
B
B
Fish eggs
B
A
A
B
- ¦ No occurrence
A " Prelent at 50X or nore of stations sampled
B " Present at less than 50* of stations sampled
Source: After Gibson, 1973
A-27
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typicus) dominate the population throughout the year. Warm water oceanic
species are often present during the summer and autumn months, but have not
been reported in the Hudson estuary.
Seasonal peaks in abundance are usually bimodal with the highest numbers
found in July and November (after the spring and autumnal phytoplankton
blooms). Cropping by herbivorous zooplankton reduces the size of the summer
phytoplankton population. Zooplankton densities are lowest during the winter
months; the decline from the autumnal peak is accompanied by a rise in the
numbers of carnivorous ctenophores.
Zooplankton are important biological components in assessing the impact of
man's activities in the Bight. They may concentrate contaminants from the
phytoplankton or the water, and many fish feed directly upon zooplankton.
This feeding provides a direct link with such contaminants to humans. Greig
et al. (1977), determined the levels of several trace metals in the
zooplankton in the Bight, but could not determine any differences in metal
levels which were related to the geographical locations of sampling.
NEKTON
Many finfish of commercial and recreational importance are found in the
Bight. Their diversity and abundance is due to the geographical location of
the Bight, which is the northern limit of temperate and subtropical migrants,
and the southern Limit of boreal migrants. Some species are found inshore,
otners offshore, and some migrate from inshore Co offshore. Significant
numbers of adults, planktonic eggs, and larvae can be found over the entire
mid-Atlantic Shelf throughout the year. Consequently, waste disposal activity
in any area of the Shelf carries a potential risk of adversely affecting the
fish (Grosslein, 1976).
Numerous surveys of pelagic and demersal fish have been made (see Appen-
dix B, Table B-l). However, because of the large area these surveys cover
(usually Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras), the number of stations is limited; thus
the precision of each survey is low, and only major changes in the fish
A-28
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populations are detectable. In the Apex, finfish are potentially affected by
widespread and varying inputs of contaminants; consequently, relating even
major changes in the fish populations to a specific source is difficult.
The broad distribution and migration patterns of two important sport fish
— bluefish and Atlantic mackerel — are known. The NOAA-NMFS has three
categories for the North Atlantic fishery resources: based on the importance
to man, bluefish are in the high category, while mackerel are in the medium
category (Gusey, 1976). Whiting, which are fished commercially near the site,
are in the low category. The first two species are occasionally abundant at
the Acid Site.
Bluefish
The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is a warm-water fish which winters and
spawns offshore, and moves inshore during the summer (Gusey, 1976). Wide
fluctuations in its abundance have been reported since colonial times. The
bluefish is a voracious predator on other fish; sea temperature plus the
availability of prey are important determinants of bluefish distribution.
They are much sought after as sport fish, and the value of bluefish taken by
sport fisherman may be a multiple of the commercial catch (Saila and Pratt,
1973). This makes landings even more difficult to estimate because the
recreational fisheries in New York are mostly unregulated; the amount of the
catch and the fishing effort is not known (Ginter, 1974).
Atlantic Mackerel
The Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) is a wide ranging fish with its
distribution centered in the mid-Atlantic Bight. Spawning is in the spring
and early summer, but the fish do not prefer a particular region. Therefore,
the location of greatest egg production can vary from year to year, depending
on the local concentrations of the fish (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953).
Mackerel abundances fluctuate widely from year to year. The determining
factor for this fluctuation appears to be the comparative success of
reproduction, but little is known about the factors which promote the
A-29
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production and survival of larvae (Saila and Pratt, 1973). Young mackerel
have Higher survival rates when there are few adults and higher mortality when
the adults are abundant (Gusey, 1976).
Mackerel are not as important commercially at this time as they were in the
1940's, because demand is low (McHugh, 1977). Landings are now 1 to 4 million
kg (2 to 8.9 million lb) against the peak harvest of 33.5 million kg (74
million lb) in 1944 (Gusey, 1976). Mackerel are still an important sport
fish, but, as with bluefish, the recreational value of the catch cannot be
estimated.
BENTHOS
Benthos includes marine species which burrow into bottom sediments, species
attached to the bottom, and species which live and move about on the bottom.
Due to their ubiquitous nature, limited mobility, and comparatively long
lifespan, benthic organisms are frequently used as indicators of water and
sediment quality. They are often sources of food for fish and man.
Shellfish are not treated here, since the the Acid Site environs do not
have commercially or recreationally important numbers of surf clams, ocean
quahogs, or sea scallops. The site is next to the area closed to shell fishing
(Figure A-4). Lobsters are taken northeast of the site. However, as shown in
Appendix B, acid waste does not measurably affect the bottom.
The Apex benthos is composed of several different communities. Pratt
(1973) recognizes three level-bottom faunal groups widespread on the
mid-Atlantic Continental Shelf: sand, silty-sand, and silty-clay fauna (Figure
A-5). Therefore, Apex sediments range from sandy gravel to mud (Freeland et
al., 1976), elements of all three biotic communities can be, and are, within
the Bight. The following discussion concentrates on sand fauna, the dominant
community in the Apex, which are found at the Acid Site. Table A-8 lists the
species and feeding types characteristic of the sand-bottom fauna.
bandy bottom sediments have low organic carbon content, large grain size,
and high mobility. Animals living on or in the sand are adapted to move
A-30
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Figure A-4. Area Closed to Shellfishing in the New York Bight
Source: HEff, 1976
A-31
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Figure A-5. Benthie Faunal Types in Che Mid-Atlantic Bight
Source: Adapted from Pratt, 1973
A-32
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TABLE A-8
BENTHIC SPECIES CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SAND FAUNA
IN THE MID-ATLANTIC BIGHT
Species
Deposit
Feeders
Suspension
Feeders
Predators
of
Bivalves
Scavengers
Polychaetes:
Scoloplos fragilis
Nephtys bucera
Nephtys picta
Nereis arenaceodentata
Sthenelais limicola
Spiophanes bombyx
Prionospio malmgreni
Ophelia sp.
Goniadella sp.
CLymenella sp,
Aricidea sp
Magelona sp.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bivalves:
Spisula solidissima (surf clam)
Astarte castanea
Ensis directus (razor clam)
Tellina agilis
X
X
X
X
Gastropods:
Polinices duplicatus
Lunatia heros
X
X
Amphipods:
Haustorids
Phoxocephalids
Lysianassids
X
X
X
X
X
Decapods:
Crangon septemspinosus (shrimp)
Cancer irroratus (crab)
X
X
Echinoderms:
Echinarachnius parma (sand dollar)
X
Ascidians:
Amaroucium (sea pork.)
Mogula arenata (sea squirt)
X
X
Source: After Pratt, 1973.
A-33
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within the sediment and to recover from burial; the communities are usually
dominated by suspension feeders, although species with other feeding habits
can be important (Pratt, 1973). In the Apex , deposit detrital feeders and
scavengers are present. Invertebrate carnivores are rare and do not appear to
have an important role in this community type. Demersal fish are probably the
most important carnivores.
Productivity in this sediment type is usually low, although, if the surf
clam, Spisula solidissima, is present, sandy bottoms can be extremely
productive. Thomas et al. (1976) measured the seabed oxygen consumption over
the entire Apex and found that the rates were comparable to other enriched
coastal areas.
The inshore benthic fauna are dominated by organisms characteristic of a
high-energy coastal environment; bivalves (Tellina agilis and Spisula
solidissima), the sand dollar (Echinarachnius parma), and polychaetes (e.g.,
Spiophane8 bombyx and Prionospio malmgreni; Pearce, 1972). Benthic
populations in the Bight are not static. Pearce et al. (1976a, 1976b) report
substantial annual variations in the distribution and abundance of benthic
assemblages in the Apex, when compared to earlier surveys (Pearce et al.,
1976c).
Host analytical studies of the Apex benthos investigated effects of use of
the Sewage Sludge and Dredged Material Sites. Buelow et al. (1968)
investigated the distribution of coliform bacteria in the Apex. As noted
earlier, acid waste does not contain bacteria. The FDA has continued to
*
monitor coliform bacterial levels (Verber, unpublished) • Other benthos
investigators are: Frey (1973, 1974), New York Ocean Science Laboratory
(1973), Pararas-Carayannis (1973, 1975), Ropes and Merrill (1976), SHL (1972),
and Buzas et al. (1972).
*Capt. J. Verber, Chief, NE Technical Services Unit, Shellfish Sanitation
Branch, Davisville, RI 02854
A-34
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Rowe (1971), SHL (1972), Pararas-Carayannis (1973), and Buzas et al. (1972)
have evaluated some of the ecological effects of the pollution of the Bight.
O'Connor (1975) summarized these impacts as:
• High prevalence of diseases in several species of finfish and
shell fish.
• Alterations in the distribution and abundance of bottom living
organisms.
• Widespread distribution, in exceptionally high numbers, of coliform
and fecal coliform bacteria, indicates the presence of pathogenic
bacteria.
• Presence of bacteria which are resistant to a broad spectrum of
heavy metals and antibiotics.
• Noxious concentrations of suspended particulate material, flotsam,
and surface slicks.
The listed effects are the result of all contaminant inputs to the Apex and
most strongly associated with three sources: outflow from New York Harbor, and
ocean disposal at the Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Sites (Appendix C).
The Acid Site contributes significantly only to the suspended solid load in
the Apex.
A-35
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Appendix B
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE
NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
-------
CONTENTS
Page
METEOROLOGY B-9
PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY B-9
Water Masses B-9
Current Regimes B-9
GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY B-10
Sediment Trace Metal Levels B-ll
Sediment Transport B-12
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS B-13
Water Quality . B-13
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS B-16
Water Column Biota B-16
Benthic Biota B-18
ILLUSTRATION
Figure
B-l Location of New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site B-2
TABLES
Number
B-l Historical Surveys in the Vicinity of the Acid Site B-3
B-2 Iron Concentration in Sediments B-15
B-3 Fish in the Vicinity of the Acid Site B-17
B-4 Comparison of Species Diversity and Abundance Values for
Acid and Control Sites in the New York Bight B-19
B-i
-------
Appendix B
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
NEW YORK BIGHT ACID DISPOSAL WASTE SITE
The Acid Site was established in 1948 for the disposal of waste generated
from industries in the New Jersey area. At present (1980), the Acid Site is
used by only two companies, NL Industries and Allied Chemical, both located in
New Jersey. Before 1974, Du Pont disposed of caustic wastes from its
Grasselli plant at the site; now, these wastes are dumped at the 106-Mile
Site. The Acid Site is 10.6 nmi (20 km) southeast of Ambrose Light, and 14.5
nmi (27 km) off the Mew Jersey and Long Island coasts. Covering an area of
• 2 2
12 nmi (41.2 km ) and located on the Continental Shelf, the site is bounded
by latitudes 40°16'N to 40°20'N, and longitudes 73°36'W to 73°40'W.
Topographically, the bottom is almost flat, with an average depth of 25.6 m
(84 ft), ranging from 22.6 m (74 ft) to 28.3 m (93 ft). The site abuts the
northeastern edge of the Hudson Shelf Valley (Figure B-l).
Until 1948, industrial acid waste was deposited either at the Sewage Sludge
• 2
Site or in Raritan Bay. In April 1948, a separate Acid Site covering 2.0 nmi
was established at 40°15,24"N, 73°46'42,,W. In March 1949, the dumpgrounds
were moved south of 40°20'N, and east of 73°40'W. In January 1950, seasonal
dumping locations were established. The summer track was south of 40o20'N,
and east of 73°40'W. The winter track was south of 40°20IN, and east of
73°43'W (Puplic Health Service Sanitary Engineering Center, 1960). The
present site is over the summer track. The Acid Site is only 2.75 nmi (5.1
km) southeast of the Sewage Sludge Site and 7.9 nmi (14.6 km) from the Dredged
Material Site (Figure B-l).
Table B-l lists the major studies which have analyzed samples from, or near
the Acid Site. Most surveys in the Bight have encompassed the entire Apex, or
concentrated on the Sewage Sludge or Dredged Material Sites. Agencies
conducting or sponsoring most of the work in this area include the NMFS
Laboratory at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and the NOAA-MESA New York Bight
B-l
-------
73*30'
Figure B-l. Location of New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site
b-2
-------
TABLE B-l
HISTORICAL SURVEYS IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACID SITE
(Abbreviations Listed at the end of this table)
Date
Sponsor/
Investigator
Purpose
Source
Sept 10-18,
1978
Allied Chemical
Industries/ERCO
&
NL
Dumpsite monitoring
cruise
ERCO, 1978c
Mar 13-14,
1978
Allied Chemical
Industries/EG&G
&
NL
Dumpsite monitoring
cruise
EG&G, 1978b
Nov 14-16,
1977
Allied Chemical
Industries/EG&G
&
NL
Dumpsite monitoring
cruise
EG&G, 1978a
Aug 15,
16, 18,
1977
Allied Chemical
Industries/EG&G
&
NL
Dumpsite monitoring
cruise
EG&G, 1977c
Aug 13,
1977
Allied Chemical/
EG&G
Dispersion study of
byproduct HC1 wastes
EG&G, 1977b
Aug 12,
1977
NL Industries/
EG&G
Dispersion study of
acid-iron wastes
EG&G, 1977a
Jan - Dec
1977
NOAA/NMFS
Monitor dissolved
oxygen levels
Steimle, 1978
Sept
1976
NOAAf/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Hazelworth,
et al., 1977a
July-Sept
1976
NOAA/NMFS
Investigate
the oxygen
depletion phenomena
Steimle, 1976a,
1976b
June 1976
NOAAT/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Starr et al.,
1977
Apr 1976
noaaVaoml
Hater column
characterization
for water movement
analysis
Hazelworth,
et al., 1977b
B-3
-------
TABLE B-l. (continued)
Date
Sponsor/
Investigator
Purpose
Source
Dec
1975
NOAAt/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Kolitz et al.,
1976b
Sept
1975
EPA/Raytheon
Baseline survey of the
New York Bight
Raytheon,
1975, a,b
Sept-Oct
1975
NOAAr/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Starr et al.,
1976b
May-June
1975
NOAAf/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Kolitz et al.,
1976a
Apr 1975
NOAA1/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Hazelworth
and Darnell,
1976
Mar 1975
noaaVnmfs
Obtain data on demersal
finfish
Azardvitz,
et al., 1976f
Har 1975
NOAAt/NMFS
Obtain data on demersal
finfish
U.S. Dept.
Commerce, 1975
Feb-Mar
1975
noaaVaoml
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Hazelworth and
Darnell, 1976
Jan
1975
NOAAt/AOML
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Starr et al.,
1976a
Oct 1974
Allied Chemical/
Int'l. Hydronics
Corp.
Determination of
immediate effect of
HC1-HF waste disposal
on seawater
International
Hydronics Corp.
Nov 1974
Sept-Oct
1974
noaaVmhfs
Study of demersal
finfish catches by
by species and station
Azardvitz
et al.„ 1976e
B-4
-------
TABLE B-l. (continued)
Date
Sponsor/
Investigator
Purpose
Source
Aug-Sep
1974
NOAAt/NMFS
Determine distribution
and abundance of
benthic invertebrates
Pearce et al.,
1976a
July-Nov
1974
noaaVaoml
Water column
characterisation
cruise**
Hazelworth
et al., 1975b
June 1974
EPA
Collected salinity,
temperature, dissolved
oxygen and coliform
data
EPA, 1974
Mar-May
1974
noaaVaoml
Hater column
char ac ter iza tion
cruise** with recovery
of bottom pressure
gauges
Charnell
et al., 1976
May 1974
noaaVnmfs
Fish egg mutagenesis
Longvell, 1976
Apr-Jun
1974
noaaVaoml
Water column
characterisation
cruise**
Hazelworth
et al., 1975a
Apr-May
1974 '
noaa/hmfs
Obtain data on demersal
finfish
U.S. Dept. of
Commerce, 1974b
Apr-May
1974
noaat/nmfs
Study of demersal
finfish catches by
species and station
Azardvitz
et al., 1976d
Mar 1974
Feb 1975
noaa/nmfs
Determine baseline
seabed oxygen
consumption
Thomas et al.,
1976
Mar-May
1974
noaaVaoml
Water column
characterisation
cruise** with deployment
of bottom pressure gauges
Charnell
et al., 1976
Jan-Aug
1974
NOAAf/MSRC
To provide data on sea
surface movements
iardy et al.,
1976
B-5
-------
TABLE B-l. (continued)
Date
Sponsor/
Investigator*
Purpose
Source
Jan-Feb
1974
NOAA/NHFS
Collected phytoplankton,
benthos, trace metals,
salinity, and tempera-
ture data
U.S.Depar tment
of Commerce,
1974a
Oct-Nov
1974
noaat/nmfs
Study of demersal
finfish catches by
species and station
Azardvitz
et al., 1976c
Sept-Nov
1973
NOAA/MESA
A study of suspended
particulate matter
Drake,
1974
Aug-Nov
1973
noaaVaoml
Water column
characterization
cruise**
Hazelworth,
1974
Aug 1973
noaaVnmfs
Determine abundance and
distribution of benthic
invertebrates
Pearce et al.,
1976b
June 1973
noaa^nmfs
Determine abundance and
distribution of benthic
invertebrates
Pearce et al.,
19 7 B
May-June
1973
N0AAt/NMFS
Study of demersal
finfish catches by
species and station
Azardvitz
et al.,
1976b
Oct-Dec
1972
NOAA^/NMFS
Study of demersal
finfish catches by
species and station
Azardvitz
et al., 1976a
Nov 24,
1972
Allied
Chemical
Studies on acid-
fluoride wastes
Uestman,
1972
Sept
1971
New York
Ocean Sci.
Lab.
Determine baseline data
for physical, chemical,
and biological
characteristics of the
New York Bight
NYOSL, 1973
June 25-29,
1970
NL Industries/HHOI
Detect relationships
between the chemical
and biological
parameters of the area.
Vaccaro,
et al., 1972
B-6
-------
TABLE B-l. (continued)
Date
Sponsor/
Investigator*
Purpose
Source
Oct 9,
1969
NL Industries
Benthic study of the
Acid Site
Westman, 1969
July 26,
1967
NL Industries
Benthic study of the
Acid Site
Westman, 1967
Summer
1961
NL Industries
Determine the fishery
conditions of the area
Westman
et al., 1961
Sept 16-19,
1958
MHO I
Evaluate the effects of
acid waste on sport
fisheries
Ketchum
et al., 1958a,b
July 24-
Sept 9,
1958
NL Industries
Study the Acid Site iti
relation to certain
fisheries of the area
Westman,
1958
Oct 1956
NL Industries/WHOI
Benthic photo-survey
of the Acid Site
Owen, 1957
MULTIPLE
-YEAR PROJECTS
June 1974-
June 1975
NOAA/HMFS
Determine distribution
and densities of fish
Wilk et al.,
1977
Aug 1973-
Sept 1974
NOAA^SHL
Five cruises to deter-
mine distribution of
benthic invertebrates
Pearce et al.,
1977
Aug 1968-
Dec 1971
NOAA1/NMFS
Determine distribution
and abundance of benthic
invertebrates
Pearce et al.,
1976c; SHL,
1972; vol. 2
1968-1970
U SACE/SHL
Collect data' to
determine the effects
of ocean disposal on
the environment
SHL, 1972
1965-1974
NOAAt/NMFS
Historical data on
bivalve mollusks
Ropes and
Merrill, 1976
H-7
-------
TABLE B-l. (continued)
Date
Sponsor/
Investigator
Purpose
Source
July 1964
May 1977
USPHS/NETSU
Collect coliform counts
to determine safe shell-
fish fishing grounds
Verber, unpub.
Feb 1948-
Jan 1950
NRC & USFWS/WHOI
& MIT
Assess the hydrographic
processes of the area
Ketchum,
et al.,
1951
1950
NL Industries/WHOI
Study the dispersion
rates of barge dis-
charges
Ketchum and
Ford, 1952
1950
USDI
Observe effects of
acid-iron waste on
populations
Arnold and
Boyce, 1950
* AQML - Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories
EPA ¦ Environmental Protection Agency
ERCO « Energy Resources Company
MIT ¦ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MSRC * Marine Science Research Center
NETSU ¦ North East Technical Support Unit, FDA
NMFS - National Marine Fisheries Service
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NRC » National Research Council
SHL ¦ Sandy Hook Laboratory
USAGE * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USD1 - U.S. Department of the Interior
USPHS ¦ U.S. Public Health Service
USFWS » U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WHOI » Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
t Cosponsored with the Marine EcoSystems Analysis Program (MESA)
** Data collected consisted of salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen,
nutrients, meteorology, and density.
B-8
-------
Project. NOAA's goals were to develop a clearer understanding of the nature
of the forces driving this complex marine ecosystem, and to assess man's
impacts in the area. EPA-sponsored or required studies have concentrated on
specific effects of ocean disposal.
METEOROLOGY
Appendix A summarizes the meteorological conditions in the Bight.
Conditions at the site itself are, of course, the same as those prevailing in
the Bight. Meteorological conditions in the Bight are not sufficient (either
by themselves or in combination with other factors) to preclude or restrict
use of the site for a significant length of time.
PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
WATER MASSES
Water mass characteristics at the Acid Site and in the Bight are generally
the same, except that the site is probably not often influenced by the low
salinity outflow from the Hudson estuary. This water is usually restricted to
the area west of the Hudson Channel and Shelf Valley. Refer to Appendix A for
a discussion of water mass characteristics in the Bight.
CURRENT REGIMES
Hardy et al. (1976) conducted a seabed drifter study to determine the
bottom current patterns in the Bight. Sixty nine drifters were released at
the Acid Site and sixteen (23%) were eventually recovered. Eleven drifters
landed on Long Island, five landed in New Jersey; no drifters were recovered
at sea or from within the New York Harbor. It was concluded that the Hudson
Shelf Valley appears to form a boundary of divergence where the bottom drift
east of the Valley (the Acid Site area) is northwest to northeast towards Long
Island. The fact that only 23% of the drifters released at the site were
recovered suggests that many of the remainder may have been trapped in the
B-9
-------
Hudson Channel and Shelf Valley, which may be a "sink" for wastes released at
the Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Sites. Most of the denser waste
components disposed at the Acid Site probably settle in this area.
GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
Several studies have examined the Bight sediments (e.g.s Stubblefield et
al., 1977; Freeland and Merrill, 1976). In addition, six reports, Pearce et
ai. (1977), Vaccaro et al. (1972), Ali et al. (1975), Owen (1957), and EG&G
(1978a, 1978b), discuss sediments within the Acid Site boundaries.
The bottom sediments are medium to fine sand, with patches of silty-fine
sand intruding from the northeast (Stubblefield et al., 1977). Mean
grain size is 2.80 ^0.32 mm for 14 samples taken at two of the MESA sample
stations within the site (Pearce et al., 1977). Divers have reported the
bottom as tine sand and silt, overlain by a flocculent brown particulate
material which collected in the troughs of ripple marks (Vaccaro et al.,
1972). Owen (1957) reported that the bottom sediments were medium-grained
sand, with greenish-gray sand predominating. A dark or greenish ooze (not
characterized) was reported at three sample stations.
EG&G (1978a) reported that the surficial sediments varied from gray, to
dark gray, to brown, to dark brown in color. Texture was fine-grained sand,
round to well-rounded grains, mainly quartz, with a dark mineral assemblage
(glauconite or quartz sand) of 5 to 10%. In one case, the sediment was
overlain by a "soupy" black layer. EG&G (1978b) reported the bottom surface
sediments as varying in color from brown, to brown with some black. Texture
was fine-grained quartz sand, well-sorted and rounded, with some silt present.
The presence ot a "pasty, tar-like" material is reported in one sample. None
of the investigators analyzed the characteristics of these "oozes," "soups,"
or "tar-like" material, but speculated that these materials may have been
sewage sludge, or the slops discharged from ship bilges or fuel tanks.
B-10
-------
SEDIMENT TRACE METAL LEVELS
It has not been consistently demonstrated that the sediments within the
confines of the Acid Site have significantly higher levels of trace metals
than sediments in surrounding "control" areas. Ali et al. (1975) separated
the sediments in the Bight into four "clusters", on the basis of trace metal
content and location. The one Acid Site sample fell into their cluster facies
IV, a group containing only a few, widely separated samples, which the authors
were unable to characterize adequately. They suggested that cluster facies IV
corresponded to some relict sedimentary feature of the area. Aside from
relatively high silver (17 mg/kg) and lead (220 mg/kg) values, cluster facies
IV was not comparable to cluster facies 1, which corresponded to sediments
sampled at the Sewage Sludge and Dredged Material Sites.
Vaccaro et al. (1972) reported higher concentrations of iron, zinc, cobalt,
copper, lead, chromium, nickel, and cadmium in sediment samples taken from the
Acid Site as compared with a control grea. However, there is some doubt as to
whether these results (which represent a single sampling time) reflect
statistically significant differences between Acid Site and control sediments.
Samples from the Hudson Shelf Valley contained substantially greater
quantities of these metals than samples from either the Acid Site or control
area. Vaccaro et al. (1972) concluded that "...the implication is that most
of the heavy metal contamination of the Bight, other than the iron, is derived
from sources other than the acid-iron dump."
EG&G (1978a) found that zinc, titanium, and copper concentrations in
sediments from the site were significantly higher than the concentrations at
one reference (control) station. The EG&G surveys only sampled one station
not within the site; consequently, this is referred to as a "reference
station" rather than a "control area." However, copper concentrations from
the Acid Site (2 ppm) and reference station (1 ppo) sediments were more than
one order of magnitude less than those found in other sediment samples from
the Bight (mean: 68 ppm, range: 23 to 620 ppm for samples taken between 1968
and 1972; SHL, 1972), and from other nearshore sites (mean: 48 ppm; Chester,
1965). Two sediment samples from the Acid Site contained titanium; one had a
concentration of titanium significantly higher than that of the reference
B-ll
-------
station, and one had approximately the same concentration as the reference
station. Titanium concentrations in all samples ranged from 71 to 210 ppm.
Wide variations in zinc concentrations occurred between reference station and
Acid Site sediments. In some instances, zinc concentrations at the Acid Site
were significantly higher than those at the reference sediments; at other
times, the reverse proved true. However, all zinc concentrations (range:
17.5 to 105 ppm), were less than those reported for other samples from the
Bight (mean: 142 ppm, range: 3 to 900 ppm for samples taken between 1968 and
1972; SHL, 1972).
The fact that significant accumulations of metals at the Acid Site have not
been documented is not surprising. As shown in Appendices C and D, the
relative contribution of metal contaminants released at the Acid Site is
extremely low when compared with the total input to the Apex. One potentially
toxic metal, vanadium, is present in high concentrations in the waste.
However, within minutes of discharge into seawater, the vanadium complexes
with other material (e.g., other ions, suspended particulates, organic
ligands) and becomes biologically unavailable. Iron and titanium are
significant inputs at the Acid Site, but both of these metals are nontoxic.
The conclusion of Vaccaro's group (1972) is still valid: "...there is no
clear indication that enhanced disposal activity has caused a significant
build-up of iron within the sediments immediately below the acid grounds...
Thus, the distribution of iron on the seabottom still appears to be regulated
by natural phenomena."
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT
Sediment transport away from the immediate area of the Acid Site can be
derived from bottom topography, current patterns in the Bight, and the
distribution of ferric hydroxide particles, which are excellent tracers of
suspended solids originating in the Acid Site. Net transport of coarse
sediment away from the Acid Site is dominated by the "sink" provided by the
proximity of the Hudson Shelf Valley. Movement towards the Valley and Hudson
Canyon is accelerated by storm flow transport, which is the most important
B-12
-------
force in coarse sediment movements. Fine sediments, suspended in the water
column; e.g., ferric hydroxide particles, may move north towards shore, under
influence of the surface gyre (NOAA-MESA, 1975).
The Hudson Shelf Valley is the accumulation area for coarse and fine
sediments from the Acid Site. It also serves as a sink for suspended solids,
sediments originating in other disposal sites, and from the Hudson River
outflow. It is impossible to determine the relative contributions that each
of these sources make to the total contaminant load reaching the Valley.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
WATER QUALITY
EG&G (1978a) found no significant differences in water column pH values
between the Acid Site and control samples taken to the northeast, irrespective
of depth. In all cases, bottom waters were more acid (pH 7.70 to 7.86) than
were surface waters (pH 8.18 to 8.26). This is normal and is caused by the
oxidation of organic matter. Variations of mean pH values with depth during
the summer are partially due to density stratification and the presence of a
strong thermocline. Dissolved oxygen levels did not vary significantly
between the Acid Site and control site.
Westman (1958) described the water color in the Acid Site area as green and
somewhat turbid, in contrast with the blue and clear appearance of adjacent
waters. Towards the center of the site, the water color was brown to brownish
green. Hater discoloration, a characteristic of the site, is the basis for
locating water transport stations during recent monitoring surveys. The green
discoloration is caused by the reaction of the ferrous sulfate in NL
Industries waste with seawater. As the ferrous iron is oxidised to ferric
hydroxide (rust), the color changes to a brown to reddish brown (Redfield and
Walford, 1951).
B-13
-------
IRON
Ferric hydroxide particles, introduced at the Acid Site through regular
disposal activities, provide excellent tracers for the movement of suspended
waste material, away from the site, and can indicate the degree of incorpor-
ation of waste components in the sediment or biota (pelagic and benthic;
Biscaye and Olsen, 1976). The particles range in size from colloidal to sand
sizes (>62 p) as orange and red aggregates having the appearance of floccules
(MOAA-mESA, 1975). Particle distribution varies with depth in the water
column. Surface particles are carried by the clockwise surface gyre, whereas
Those near the bottom are under the influence of the Hudson Shelf Valley and
the bottom water flow towards shore (MESA, 1975). EG&G (1978a) reported no
significant differences in dissolved iron concentrations between the Acid Site
and the reference stations.
Iron in Sediments
Table B-2 summarizes data on iron content (ppm) of the Acid Site and
control site sediments. The iron concentrations in sediment are highly
variable, and no clear distinction can be made between the Acid Site and
control site parameters. Acid Site sediments do not always contain more iron
than do control site sediments; on occasion they contain less. The conclusion,
from these data is that acid waste disposal cannot be consistently related to
the concentration of iron in sediments because other sources are equally
important. Vaccaro et al. (1972) concluded that there was no indication of an
increase of iron in the sediments of the Acid Site over a 24-year period
(1948-1972).
Vaccaro et al. (1972), Redfield and Walford (1951), and Corwin and Ketchum
(1956) found that the highest concentrations of iron occur in the soft
sediments of the Hudson Shelf Valley. Vaccaro et al. (1972) suggested that
the distribution of iron in sediments was regulated by natural phenomena
favoring an accumulation of fine sediments in the Valley.
B-14
-------
TABLE B-2
IRON CONCENTRATION IN SEDIMENTS
Location
Range of Values (ppm)
Reference
Acid Site
2,200 - 2,500
ERCO, 1978c
2,100 - 2,600
EG&G, 1978c
9,000 - 10,000
EG&G, 1977b
3,100 - 3,200
EG&G, 1977c
3,000 - 12,500
Vaccaro et al., 1972
0.16% ash
Vaccaro et al., 1972
0.38% ash
Corwin and Ketchum 1956
Control Areas
3,100
ERCO, 1978c
8,300 - 8,800
EG&G, 1978c
37,000 - 58,000
EG&G, 1978b
8,400 - 15,000
EG&G, 1977c
2,200 - 3,300
Vaccaro et al., 1972
0.15% ash
Vaccaro et al., 1972
Hudson Shelf Valley
31,300
Vaccaro et al., 1972
Iron in Biota
2ooplankton - Vaccaro et al. (1972) reported iron concentrations of 120 to
867 ppm in dried samples of zooplankton taken from the Acid Site and
concentrations of 130 to 380 ppm iron in similar samples taken at a control
site. Zooplankton from an oceanic site 65 rnni (120 km) south of the Acid Site
contained 730 ppm iron. It was concluded that the iron precipitated in the
discharge area does not appreciably affect the zooplankton. Ketchum et al.
(1958b) found that the intestines of zooplankton collected in the discolored
water of the Acid Site were packed with precipitated ferric hydroxide
particles. Following a series of feeding experiments, it was further
concluded that the particles were passed through the intestinal tracts of the
animals with little or no change, and apparently without harmful effects.
Vaccaro et al. (1972) reported iron concentrations of 6,800 and 22,000 ppm
in two ashed samples of benthos from the Acid Site, and 2,900 ppm in a sample
from a control site. A sample from the Hudson Shelf Valley contained 5,600
B-15
-------
ppm iron. These data suggest that iron may be accumulated by the benthic
biota of the Acid Site. However, it is not possible to test this conclusion
statistically, since replicate samples were not taken at the control site.
Nekton - Westman (1958) analyzed the stomach contents of ten chub mackerel
(Pneumataphorus colias), five taken in the water of the Acid Site, and five
taken near the waters of the Dredged Material Site. He reported the following
values:
Stomach Contents
Dredged Material Site
Acid Site
Iron content (mg)/stomach
0.37
3.5
Percent iron in total stomach contents
0.66
0.47
Percent ash
4.08
5.03
Total contents (mg)/stomach
57.1
744
These data do not indicate that iron was assimilated by the fish, since
differences in stomach iron content could be due entirely to the great
variations in total stomach contents.
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
WATER COLUMN BIOTA
Vaccaro et al. (1972) found zooplankton biomass (both in terms of dry
weight and displacement volumes) to be approximately 30% higher in the control
area than in the area of the Acid Site. This difference could be due entirely
to the patchy distribution of zooplankton in the Bight.
Wiebe et al. (1973) were unable to observe a trend in the spatial distri-
bution of zooplankton which would suggest that acid wastes were an important
factor in forming such distributions. Gibson (1973) concluded that "...under
present conditions the disposal of acid waste ... in the New York Bight is
having no discernible effect on the local zooplankton population."
Longwell (1976) found that developing mackerel eggs, collected from the
waters near the Acid Site, showed an appreciably higher incidence of
B-16
-------
chromosome abnormalities (60.62, compared to a control site value of 12.7%).
A sample taken southwest of the Acid Site showed 38.6% abnormalities while a
sample taken to the south showed 52.1% abnormalities. Longwell implied that
these abnormalities were due to the mutagenic properties of heavy metals.
Chemical mutagenesis of fish egg chromosomes was first suggested by Kinne and
Rosenthal (1967) in their studies of sulfuric water pollutants and larvae of
the Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus. However, danger to fish eggs was noted
only up to a dilution of waste by ocean water of 1:32,000. Minimal dilution
of acid waste after initial mixing is 1:67,000 (ERCO, 1978a).
Westman (1958, 1967, and 1969) reported that acid waste disposal actually
enhances fishing in the Acid Site area. The "acid grounds" did not exist as a
recognized fishing area until acid waste disposal started. He concluded that
darkening of the water (increased turbidity) due to the presence of suspended
iron particles provided a sheltering environment attractive to fishes,
particularly bluefish. No health problems associated with sport fish caught
at the site have been reported. Long-term damage to the resource resulting
from waste disposal has not been documented.
Trawl data (Table B-3) obtained by Wilk et al. (1977) do not clearly
substantiate Westman's belief that there is improved fishing at the "acid
grounds." These data show high variablity and do not indicate whether there
is an impoverishment or an enrichment of fish populations at the Acid Site.
TABLE B-3
FISH IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACID SITE
(mean + std. dev.)
Number
Number
Weight
Number
Area
of samples
of individuals
of catch (kg)
of species
Acid Site
3
201 + 172
28.8 + 32.3
11+4
Near Acid Site
6
114 + 89
47.0 + 52.8
11+3
Control site
5
511 + 255
101.2 + 47.8
13 + 4
Source: Wilk et al., 1977.
B-17
-------
Swanson (1977) concluded that although "... observational evidence of the
impact of dumping on the biota at the [site] is limited.... past studies
indicate no reduction of primary productivity or phytoplankton mortality....
surveys of benthic populations in the immediate vicinity of the Apex Acid
Waste Dumpsite have not demonstrated an observable impact of waste acid....
existing scientific evidence indicates so far that ocean dumping [at the Acid
Site] has had minor adverse impacts on the ecology."
BENTHIC BIOTA
Quantitative data on benthic biota of the Acid Site are summarized in Table
B-4. There is no consistent trend in species diversity values (H1), and no
clear indication that the benthic fauna of the Acid Site are particularly
enriched or reduced, with respect to surrounding control areas. However,
Vaccaro et al. (1972) did find significant differences between mean densities
of benthic animals at the Acid Site and control site. Rowe (1971) noted that
there was a decrease in the species diversity values from deep water towards
the Acid Site, and that values for the Acid Site were lower than those in a
control area. Evaluation of the data from Pearce et al. (1977), showed that
differences in mean diversity values from the Acid Site and control site were
not statistically significant. These data did not demonstrate any significant
geographic trends which would support the findings of Rowe (1971). Pearce et
al. (1976d) noted that there is a close correlation between the distribution
of benthic organisms and sediment type, yet no correlation was found between
the diversity value and either mean grain-sice or percentage of organic
material in 81 samples taken at MESA sampling sites in the Bight. However,
two low-value samples from within the Acid Site were associated with high
values for percentage of organic material. These findings and others in Table
B-4 support the general conclusion that there is a high degree of spatial and
temporal variability in the benthic fauna of the Bight (Pearce et al., 1976d).
B-18
-------
TABLE B-4
COMPARISON OF SPECIES DIVERSITY AMD ABUNDANCE VALUES
FOR ACID AND CONTROL SITES IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Site
S
N
H*
Source
Control
—
2984/m*
2.13
Vaccaro et al., 1972
Acid Site
-
1694/m
2.08
Acid Site
6
73+
0.87
Westman, 1967
7
120+
0.56
7
72
1.15
7
21
1.20
Acid Site
6
24
1.39
Westman, 1969
6
37+
0.80
7
80+
1.08
5
104+
0.24
Acid (pre-dump)
9
512
1.09
Arnold and Royce, 1950
Control (pre-dump)
2
38
0.63
Acid (post-dump)
4
548
0.94
Control (post-dump)
4
178
0.78
Control (35 samples)
—
2.08 + 0.91
Pearce et al., 1977
Acid (14 samples)
-
-
1.55 + 0.87
Coastal (10 samples)
-
-
1.65 + 0.52
S ¦ Total number of species
N "Total number of individuals
H1 ¦ Shannon-Wiener species diversity index
B-19
-------
Appendix C
CONTAMINANT INPUTS
TO THE NEW YORK BIGHT
-------
CONTENTS
Page
SOURCES C-3
Transect Zone C-4
Ocean Disposal Sites C-5
Atmosphere C-6
New Jersey , C-7
Long Island C-7
MASS LOADS BY SOURCE C-10
Transect Zone C-10
Ocean Disposal ..... C-ll
Atmosphere C-13
New Jersey Coastline C-15
Long Island Coastline C-16
TOTAL MASS LOADING OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT APEX C-17
Volume C-17
Suspended Solids C-19
Trace Metals C-21
Oil and Grease C-27
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure
C-l Source Inputs of Selected Contaminants in the New York Bight .... C-2
C-2 Geographical Zones in the New York Bight C-4
TABLES
Number
C-l Total Mass Loading - Metals - New York Bight Apex C-6
C-2 Contaminant Inputs from the New Jersey Coastline C-8
C-3 Contaminant Inputs from the Long Island Coastline C-9
C-4 Total Mass Loading - New York Bight Apex C-9
C-5 Contaminant Inputs from the Transect Zone C-10
C-6 Contaminant Inputs from Ocean Disposal C-12
C-7 Contaminant Inputs from Atmospheric Fallout C-15
C-8 Amounts of Iron Released into the New York Bight Apex C-26
C-i
-------
Appendix C
CONTAMINANT INPUTS TO THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Immense volumes of waste discharge eater the Apex by direct disposal
operations, e.g., barge disposal, coastal discharge, rivers, or outfall
effluents. Indirect waste inputs, e.g., atmospheric fallout, add to the total
(Figure C-l). The largest single source of discharge (by volume) into the
Apex region derives from Hew "York Harbor across the Sandy Hook-Rockaway Point
* -
Transect (Mueller et al., 1976).
Acid waste introduces a limited variety of contaminants to the Bight -
several trace metals found in inorganic acids and compounds, suspended solids,
and oil and grease (Figure C-l). Consequently, the discussion of contaminant
inputs to the Bight is restricted to these contaminants, and an analysis of
the relative contribution of sources other than the Acid Site.
In this Appendix, the relative contribution of sources of contaminants will
be examined and, based on the available data, the mass loading (amount) of
these contaminants will be estimated for the Apex. Trace metals are important
contaminants. Some trace metals (e.g., lead and mercury), are extremely toxic
to living organisms. Others, namely chromium, copper, and zinc are essential
to life processes of living organisms, but may be toxic in high concentrations
or in certain chemical forms (Segar and Cantillo, 1975). Cadmium, chromium,
and mercury are discussed because of their significance as toxic contaminants.
Iron, the principal metal contaminant introduced with acid wastes, is a fairly
nontoxic metal, but its release in large quantities may influence activities
of other, more toxic, metals. Suspended solids are discussed because of their
importance in trace metal transport to, and removal from, waters of the Apex.
Oil and grease, which can cause chronic effects on organisms, are present in
the waste.
~Hereinafter, Transect Zone
C-l
-------
LOAD
PARAMETER TONNES/DAYS
F( OW, MGD
PERCENTAGE CONTRIBUTION
40 60
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
OIL & GREASE
CADMIUM
CHROMIUM
COPPER
LEAD
MERCURY
ZINC
TRANSECT LONG ATMOSPHERE . DREDGED SEWAGE
ZONE ISLAND (2] (3) MATERIAL SLUDGE
1. FOLLOWING THE TRANSECT ZONE, ALL REMAINING CONTAMINANT SOURCES
CONTRIBUTE ONLY ABOUT 0.5* OF THE TOTAL DAILY VOLUME.
3. LONG ISLAND CONTRIBUTES ONLY CHROMIUM ABOVE THE 0.5* LEVEL.
3. ATMOSPHERIC INPUT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED BY DUCE EL AL., 1976, FOR
SUSPENDED SOLIDS, CADMIUM. LEAD AND ZINC OVER AN AREA 4 TIMES
THE APEX AREA.
THE ACIO SITE WAS CONSIDERED, BUT ALL CONTAMINANTS ARE
BELOW TH£ 0 5% CONTRIBUTION LEVEL AND DO NOT APPEAR.
Figure C-l. Source Inputs of Selected Contaminants
in the Hew York Bight
Source; Adapted from Mueller et al., 1976
-------
In 1978, a panel of marine experts identified contaminants that are, or are
likely to be, the most serious problems in the Bight (O'Connor and Stanford,
1979). In comparing contaminants present in acid waste with those identified
by the experts, only mercury and cadmium are considered to be "major perceived
threats." Arsenic, chromium, and lead are considered to be "substances not
requiring priority attention;" thus, most of the contaminants discussed in
this Appendix are not even considered to be potential problems and, as
documented in Appendix D, acid wastes are insignificant sources of the five
trace metals mentioned.
This Appendix is divided into three sections. The first section briefly
describes the sources of contaminant inputs to the Bight, and the second and
third sections present the same data from different viewpoints. The second
section discusses each source and the contaminants it provides, while the
third discusses the contaminants in terms of the major sources.
SOURCES
Five sources of contaminants are considered in this section — the Transect
Zone (representing outflow from New York Harbor and the Lower Bay), barged
ocean waste disposal, atmospheric fallout, surface and effluent discharges
from New Jersey and Long Island coastlines (Figure C-2). The Transect Zone
contributes over 99% of the total volume while barged wastes and for some
metals, atmospheric fallout, are important sources of contaminants.
The information presented in this section is based strongly on data
presented in Mueller et al. (1976); however, reliability of these data has
been questioned by Lee and Jones (1977). According to Lee and Jones, the
estimated quantities of dredged material contaminants reported by Mueller et
al. (1976) are of questionable accuracy. The information presented by Mueller
et al. (1976) represents the best data presently available for total Apex
contaminant input estimates, although contaminant input estimates for dredged
material may be inaccurate. Lee and Jones (1977) cannot state if these
estimates are high or low for each contaminant. Furthermore, Lee and Jones
C-3
-------
Figure C-2. Geographical Zones in the New York Bight
Source: Adapted from Mueller et al., 1976
(1977J point out that contaminants are not entirely released into receiving
water when dredged materials are disposed, hence Mueller's estimates represent
the worst-case condition.
TRAMSECT ZONE
The Transect Zone of the lower New York Harbor is delineated across the
channel entrance, from the tip of Sandy Hook peninsula to Rockaway Point.
Numerous rivers in New York and Hew JeTsey discharge into Sew York Harbor.
The Hudson River and its drainage basin are the largest sources of water to
2
the Lower bay, and drain approximately 34,630 km . The Hackensack, Passaic,
2
and Raritan Rivers in New Jersey drain approximately 6,790 km .
These rivers and their tributaries provide most of the municipal and
industrial water requirements of approximately 15 million people (Mueller et
C-4
-------
al., 1976). Most contaminants in these waters ultimately reach New York
Harbor, and enter the Apex, either by the surfac outflow across the Transect,
or by dredging operations which release materials at the Dredged Material
Site.
OCEAN DISPOSAL SITES
Ocean disposal of waste materials within the Bight started before 1900.
The Acid Site was first used in 1948. The first Dredged Material Disposal
Sites (DMDS) was designated in 1888. Dredged Material Disposal Sites receive
the largest amounts of dumped ocean materal. The DMDS (also known as the Mud
Dump) considered here has been in use since 1914 (Gross, 1976a). The Sewage
Sludge Site was first used in 1924 and the Cellar Dirt Site was established in
1940. Large volumes of trace metals, suspended solids, organic wastes, and
nutrients are introduced into the marine environment at these sites.
A fifth site, located over the Hudson Shelf Valley at the edge of the Apex,
was used for disposal of wrecks. Only eight ships have been reported sunk at
this site, and none since 1973 (EPA, 1978a). Since the ships are stripped of
potential contaminants prior to disposal, this site does not measurably
contribute to anthropogenic inputs to the Bight. Designation of this site was
recently (1980) terminated by EPA. Future use wil be controlled by a General
Permit managed by EPA-Region II.
Two disposal sites are beyond the Apex. A site was designated for toxic
chemical waste dispos.al in 1965. However, this site is 106 tuni southeast of
Ambrose Light at the edge of the Continental Shelf. The 106-Mile Site is,
therefore, outside the influence of the inshore Apex region. An area south of
the Apex (at approximately 40°N, 73°40'W) has been used for the incineration
of driftwood, harbor pilings, and other wood debris from harbor wharf destruc-
tion. Possible contaminants from this source can be neglected, since the site
is outside the Apex and the burning does not affect the water column, with the
possible exception of minute amounts of atmospheric loading. The ash and
other residue is returned for sale or land disposal.
C-5
-------
ATMOSPHERE
Contaminant inputs from the atmosphere have only recently been evaluated.
Estimates provided by Duce et al. (1976) are based on samples taken near the
New Jersey and Long Island coasts of the Bight (Table C-l). Their estimates
are calculated on the assumption that no atmospheric contaminant gradient
occurs from nearshore to the outer Bight, i.e., atmospheric concentrations of
contaminants are equally dense at 100 km offshore and at 1 km offshore. Since
settling velocity estimates of atmospheric particles do not conform to this
assumption, Duce et al. (1976) concluded that their calculations probably
overestimate metal inputs from atmospheric fallout. Direct measurements of
trace metal inputs throughout the Bight are required for reasonably accurate
estimates of atmospheric source loading by precipitation and dry fallout.
These measurements should include at least one seasonal cycle.
TABLE C-l
TOTAL MASS LOADING - METALS - NEW YORK BIGHT APEX
(Tonnes/Day)
*
Input
Cadai.ua
X
Contrib.
Chroaiua
X
Contrib.
Copper
X
Contrib.
Iton
X
Contrib.
Mercury
X
Contrib.
U«d
X
Contrib.
Zinc
X
Contrib.
Trunct
Zone
0.36
14.8
2.2
41.6
6.2
47.0
35.0
16.0
0.26
49.9
5.6
46.8
17.0
52.*
Ocean
Disposal
2.04
83.9
3.03
57.6
7.0
53.0
160.0
•1.0
0.26
49.9
5.4
43.5
9.1
28.3
Ataospharet
0.03
1.2
tt
--
tt
-
6.1
3.0
tt
-
1.2
9.7
5.9
18.4
Long Is Lend
Coastline
<0.01
<0.5
0.03
0.5
0.01
<0.5
0.6
<0.5
<0.01
<0.05
<0.01
<0.05
0.1
<0.5
Total
2.43
5.26
13.2
221.7
0.52
12.4
32.1
Sources:
* All estimate*, except atmospheric, fro* MualUr at *1., 1976.
t Duce et «!., 1976.
** Includes all ocean dumping ectivities,
tt Hot aeuured.
C-6
-------
Duce and Hoffman (1976) concluded that as much as 10% of the total anthro-
pogenic vanadium injected into the atmosphere in North America may be
deposited in the central North Atlantic by northern hemisphere westerlies.
Three models, which may be accurate only to within one order of magnitude,
were compared in deriving this estimate.
Atmospheric input of most metals is an insignificant contribution in
comparison to the Transect Zone and ocean dumping (Table C-l). This source of
input can be neglected when evaluating the effects of contaminants in the
Bight, because of the diffused input from this mode of contaminant entry.
NEW JERSEY
Contaminant inputs along the coast of New Jersey were examined by Mueller
et al. (1976). They listed 5 industrial wastewater sources, 50 municipal
wastewater sources, and surface runoff water contaminants. Contaminants in
groundwater are included in the surface runoff.
The New Jersey coastline is an unimportant source of contaminants (Table
C-2). Mueller et al. (1976) reported values only from the coast south of the
Shark River (at the edge of the Apex). Contaminants north of the Shark River
are included in the Transect Zone figures. Surface currents usually move
south along the New Jersey shoreline (see Appendix A), thus contaminants are
transported out of the Apex and do not add to its contaminant load.
Therefore, New Jersey coastline contaminants are not included in total mass
loading figures (Tables C-l and C-4).
LONG ISLAND
Contaminant sources along the Long Island coastline were examined by
Mueller et al. (1976), including sources between Fines Brook in western Nassau
County and Montauk Point. Six municipal and 20 industrial (duck farm) waste
sources were considered in waste loading estimates. Groundwater produced a
significant flow, but contained insignificant waste loads.
C-7
-------
TABLE C-2
CONTAMINANT INPUTS FROM THE NEW JERSEY COASTLINE
(Tonnes/Day)
Input
Municipal &
Industrial
Wastewater
Surface
Runoff
Total
Volume (MGD)
105
3,300
3,400
Suspended Solids
55
79
134
Oil and Grease
6.6
69.0
75.6
Metals
Cadmium
0.0036
0.0084
0.012
Chromium
0.026
0.0064
0.032
Copper
0.057
0.065
0.12
Iron
0.22
5.2
5.4
Mercury
0.017
Nil
0.017
Lead
0.055
0.012
0.067
Zinc
0.067
0.26
0.33
Source: From Mueller et al., 1976
Approximately 85% of the Long Island coastline is beyond the borders of the
Apex. Therefore, in evaluating Long Island's importance as a contaminant
source, a linear relationship between the total contaminant loading from Long
Island coastline, and that portion of the coastline inside the Apex region was
included. Table C-3 represents the estimated total average daily input
contributed by the entire Long Island coastline. Tables C-l and C-4 represent
one-seventh (152) of the total contribution, estimated to be entering the Apex
region from the Long Island coastline. Currents may bring contaminants from
eastern Long Island into the Apex, but at other times currents will flow
eastward and remove contaminants from the Apex. In either case, Long Island
is an insignificant contaminant source.
C-8
-------
TABLE C-3
CONTAMINANT INPUTS FROM THE LONG ISLAND COASTLINE
(Tonnes/Day)
Input
Municipal &
Industrial
Wastewater
Surface
Runoff
Groundwater
Total
Volume (MGD)
88.0
225.0
280.0
593.0
Suspended Solids
11.3
5.4
0.0
16.7
Grease & Oil
4.8
0.55
0.0
5.4
Metals
Cadmium
0.00091
0.00066
0.00003
0.0016
Chromium
0.19
0.0005
0.0
0.19
Copper
0.024
0.0036
0.0009
0.029
Iron
0.096
0.27
0.023
0.39
Mercury
0.0017
Nil
Nil
0.0017
Lead
0.014
0.0052
0.0003
0.02
Zinc
0.66
0.022
0.0024
0.68
Source: From Mueller et al., 1976.
TABLE C-4
TOTAL MASS LOADING - NEW YORK BIGHT APEX
(Tonnes/Day)
Input
Volume
(MGD)
Percent
Gontrib.
Suspended
Solids
X
Contrib.
Oil &
Grease
%
Contrib.
Transect Zone
.19,291
99.5
7,300
31.0
460.0
59.0
Ocean Disposal
10
<0.5
15,108
64.0
322.0
41.0
Atmosphere
NA
—
1,170
5.0
0.0
0.0
Long Island Coastline
85
0.5
2.4
0.5
0.7
0.5
Total
19,386
23,580
782.7
Source: From Mueller et al., 1976.
C-9
-------
MASS LOADS BY SOURCE
TRANSECT ZONE
Mueller &t al. (1976) estimated the average volume of contaminant loaded
water entering the New York Harbor complex from industrial, municipal, urban,
3
and surface runoff to be 850 m per second. This volume and the estimated
contaminant mass loads are derived via mean sample values from various records
(government, industrial and academic) for the period 1960 to 1974 (Table C-5),
Surface runoff contributes approximately 80% of the average daily volume,
industries contribute 14% of the daily average, and urban discharge
contributes about 6% of the total.
TABLE C-5
CONTAMINANT INPUTS FROM THE TRANSECT ZONE
(Tonnes/Day)
Input
Municipal &
Industrial
Wastewater
Surface
Runoff
Urban
Runoff
Total
Volume (MGD)
2,700
15,430
1,160
19,290
Suspended Solids
870
3,500
2,900
7,300
Oil and Grease
193
64
202
460
Metals
Cadmium
0.14
0.10
0.12
0.36
Chromium
0.92
0.51
0.77
2.2
Copper
2.73
1.24
2.23
6.2
Iron
12.95
9.10
12.95
35.0
Mercury
0.20
0.04
0.02
0.26
Lead
2.67
0.75
2.38
5.8
Zinc
3.23
6.46
7.31
17.0
Source: From Mueller et al., 1976.
Suspended solids constitute the largest amount (by mass) of contaminant
materials. The river-suspended load is the single largest source, approxi-
mately 3,500 tonnes/day (48%), and urban runoff contributes 40% of the total.
C-10
-------
Industrial discharge of suspended solids averages only 12% of the contribution
(approximately 870 tonnes/day). Urban runoff (44%) and municipal/industrial
wastewater (42%) are the main sources of oil and grease.
The input of cadmium (Table C-5) is evenly distributed among the three
effluent categories: municipal and industrial wastewater, surface runoff, and
urban runoff. Inputs of zinc are nearly equal between surface runoff (38%)
and urban runoff (43%).
Industrial and municipal discharges, combined with urban runoff, contribute
about three quarters of the total input of other metals. The former averages
about 42% of the total input, and urban runoff is about 37% of the total.
An estimated 35 tonnes of iron is discharged into the New York Harbor daily
(Mueller et al,, 1976; Table C-5). This is the largest amount among all
metals studied. Other metals with high inputs are zinc and, to a lesser
extent, lead and copper.
Sediments of the harbor complex are not considered here because their
contaminants are immobilized, and thus do not influence the Apex region.
Harbor sediments are an important contaminant source vfcen dredged and released
at the Dredged Material Site.
OCEAN DISPOSAL
Mueller et al. (1976) examined the volume of material dropped at the
Dredged Material, Sewage Sludge and Cellar Dirt Sites (Table C-6). The
greatest volume of waste material is released at the Dredged Material Site,
3
which receives approximately 24,100 m /day, or 64.5% of the daily average of
material dumped at the three sites. The Sewage Sludge Site receives approxi-
3
mately 31.8% (11,820 m /day) and the Cellar Dirt Site receives approximately
3.7% (1,364 m3/day).
The greatest tonnage (86%) of suspended solids is introduced at the Dredged
Material Site (Table C-6). Mueller's group estimated that the Cellar Dirt
C-ll
-------
TABLE C-6
CONTAMINANT INPUTS FROM OCEAN DISPOSAL
(Tonnes/Day)
Waste Type
Volume
(m^/day)
Suspended
Solids
Oil and
Grease
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Mercury
Lead
Zinc
Dredged Material
24,100
13,000
300
2.0
2.3
6.3
0.013
4.7
7.3
*
Sewage Sludge
11,820
450
22
0.044
0.73
0.70
0.013
0.72
1.8
Cellar Dirt
1,364
1,650
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total
37,284
15,100
322
2.044
3.03
7.0
0.026
5.42
9.1
*1973 Data onLy
Source: Fro* Mueller et al. (1976)
-------
Site contributes about 1,650 tonnes/day, or 11% of the total suspended solid
load, but the amount is probably only about 300 tonnes/day, or only 2% of the
total input (Interstate Electronics Corp., 1978). The oil and grease input is
primarily from dredged material disposal, with approximately 300 tonnes/day
entering the Apex (93% of the total) .
For the metals, the Cellar Dirt Site is an insignificant source and the
Dredged Material Site contributes from 50% to 98% of all metals examined
(Table C-6). Except for mercury, the Dredged Material Site contributes an
average of 862 of the metals, and the Sewage Sludge site the remaining 14%.
Iron, copper, lead, and zinc are significant contaminant inputs from direct
ocean disposal.
Approximately 0.026 tonnes/day of mercury is deposited at the Dredged
Material and Sewage Sludge Sites combined (half of the total at each site).
However, due to the larger average daily volume of dredged material, these
values suggest that sewage sludge is more highly contaminated with mercury.
Mass loading estimates of iron at these sites were not calculated by
Mueller and his co-workers, but an estimate of loading from all dumping
activities (including the Acid Site, which is the most significant source of
iron) is given as 180 tonnes/day. MESA (2975) estimated that the Acid Site
and outflow from the Transect Zone contained about equal amounts of iron.
MESA (1975) concluded that the three most important sources of metals are the
Dredged Material Site, the Sewage Sludge Site, and the Transect Zone.
ATMOSPHERE
The potential atmospheric transport of trace metals into the water of the
Bight has only recently been examined. Duce et al. (1976) measured
2
atmospheric metal concentrations from samples taken over a 10,000 km area of
the Bight. It was found that atmospheric concentrations were generally 10 to
20% of the mean concentrations observed at several locations in New York City
over a 2-year period.
C-13
-------
Samples collected by Duce et al. (1976) indicated that the quantities of
metals entering the Apex from the atmosphere are considerably less than those
from all other sources {see Table C-l). Lead, for example, is 102 of the
total from the previous two sources but cadmium is only 1Z of the total. Dry
fallout values are based on sample observations. Wet fallout values
(primarily rain) are based on an estimate of 67Z removal factor, thus wet
fallout is given as double the dry fallout. Duce and his co-workers
emphasized that these estimates of atmospheric transport may be high, by a
factor of five or more. Long-term studies are required to produce reasonably
accurate values. However, since the absolute input is low, these are
sufficient data for this EIS.
Mueller et al. (1976) calculated input values for airborne metals using
measured data collected in a one-year study from the Upper Great Lakes (Table
C-7). They considered the entire Bight, approximately 39,000 km , for
estimation purposes. Thus, their inpiit estimates consider an area four times
the size sampled by Duce et al. (1976). Comparing Mueller's estimates to
Duce's estimates does not show a consistent trend (Table C-7), emphasizing the
approximate nature of these values.
Estimates reported by Duce et al. (1976) are used in this report since
these data represent direct source measurement from the area of interest. The
primary factor limiting the use of these data is the fact that they represent
a Bmall sample from a short sampling period and are, at best, rough estimates.
The sources of the metals are both natural and anthropogenic. North-
easterly and southeasterly winds blowing across the mainland accumulate large
quantities of iron in soil, smoke, and ash. Iron is the most abundant metal
present. Levels of zinc may be the result of a similar accumulation process.
Atmospheric lead is derived from the combustion of leaded gasoline in
internal combustion engines (Zoller et al., 1973) and would therefore be
expected in significant quantities.
C-l 4
-------
TABLE C-7
CONTAMINANT INPUTS FROM ATMOSPHERIC FALLOUT
(Tonnes/Day)
Input
Cadmium
Iron
Lead
Zinc
Dry Fallout
0.01
3.40
0.55
0.74
Wet Fallout
0.02
6.80
1.10
1.98
Total (Duce
et al., 1976)
0.03
10.20
1.65
2.72
Total (Mueller
et al., 1976)
0.054
6.10
1.20
5.90
Atmospheric cadmium (for example, from the wear of automobile tireg) is
present in minute quantities. The source of contamination is not apparent, it
may be either natural; anthropogenic, or a result of combined sources.
SEW JERSEY COASTLINE
Contaminant sources from the New Jersey coastline are restricted to two
major categories: municipal and industrial wastewater, and surface runoff. In
terms of volumes, surface runoff contributes more than 30 times the average
amount of municipal and industrial wastewater. However, municipal and
industrial waters often contain more concentrated amounts of specific
contaminants (Table C-2).
Suspended solids are about equally divided between the two sources.
Municipal and industrial wastewaters contain approximately 41Z of the average
daily total. Surface runoff contains about 79 tonnes/day, or 59% of the
total. Oil and grease is primarily from the surface runoff <91% of the
total).
In metals derived from surface runoff the results are: cadmium (70% of the
total), copper (53%) iron (96%), and sine (80%); but primarily found in
municipal and industrial wastewater are: chromium (80%), mercury (100%), and
lead (82%).
C-15
-------
Iron is found almost exclusively in surface runoff. The amount represents
about 96% of the average daily total. This implies that the sources of iron
are primarily natural, and man's activities contribute little iron. Mercury
is found exclusively in municipal and industrial wastewater. This implies
that the mercury contamination is entirely from anthropogenic sources along
the New Jersey coastline.
These mass load estimates are provided for comparative purposes only,
because these data from the New Jersey coastal region are outside the Apex
region and the contaminants are transported to, or deposited in, other areas
of the Bight.
LONG ISLAND COASTLINE
Contaminants introduced into the Bight from the Long Island coastal area
are mainly from municipal and industrial wastewater discharge (Table C-3).
Surface runoff and groundwater sources contribute minor amounts of most
*
contaminants. The total volume of discharge averages approximately 2,248 m
(593 MGD). Of this volume, approximately 15% is of municipal and industrial
3
origin. About 38% is surface runoff, and 47% (1,056 m ) is ground water.
Included are 68% of suspended solids from municipal and industrial
wastewater; the remainder is discharged with surface runoff. Groundwater does
not contribute to the suspended solids load, and 90% of the oil and grease is
carried by wastewater and the remainder in the surface runoff.
The levels of metal contaminants are low; the majority of the metals are
found in the wastewater discharges. Surface runoff contributes an appreciable
amount of cadmium (41%) iron (69%) and lead (27%). Groundwater discharge to
the Bight contains low levels of all metals and it contributes only slightly
to the iron load (6% of the total amount). Natural sources of iron are the
most important inputs (69% of the total).
C-16
-------
TOTAL MASS LOADING OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT APEX
This section evaluates the total mass loading of contaminants entering the
Apex. Virtually all potentially contaminated material entering the Bight
passes through the Transect Zone. Ocean disposal operations are low in volume
(less than 0.5% of the total), but contribute a higher proportionate
contaminant load. Dredged material disposal contributes most of the suspended
solids. The fate of suspended solids in the Bight is complex and still not
well understood. They are important because trace metals and other contami-
nants are adsorbed by them; these "secondary" contaminants may enter the food
chain, either directly via filter feeding shellfish, or indirectly via the
plankton.
Monitoring of trace metal contamination is important because of known toxic
effects on humans and on the normal biota of the area. Ocean disposal of
dredged material and sewage sludge is, in general, the predominant source of
metals, and the Transect Zone source is almost equal. Dredged material is
contaminated by the settling of riverborne particles carried into the harbor,
therefore the problem of reducing the oceanic loading cannot be separated from
reducing the river load. The Acid Site contributes minor amounts of all trace
metals except iron (see Appendix D). In the same manner most oil and grease
is released at the Dredged Material Site or is part of the outflow through the
Transect Zone.
VOLUME
The following estimates of the contaminant volumes entering the Bight are
based primarily on reports by Mueller et al. (1976) and Duce et al. (1976).
Some sources, such as municipal and industrial wastewater, surface runoff, and
ocean dumping are well documented through EPA and CE regulatory and monitoring
programs. The least reliable estimates are atmospheric inputs, urban runoff,
and groundwater discharge, either because of the difficulty in measurement or
simply a lack of sufficient data (Mueller et al., 1976).
C-17
-------
The Transect Zone contributes almost all the potentially contaminated
water, over 99% (Table C-4). However, not all the contaminants which enter
the harbor complex are eventually transported to the Apex region. Some of
this material probably settles within the harbor where it remains until
disturbed and resuspended. Greig and McGrath (1977) concluded that three
"metal regimes" existed within Raritan Bay. Western Raritan Bay is an area of
high metal concentrations. Concentrations diminish towards the lower New York
Harbor area and reach their lowest values (near background levels) at the
Harbor entrance (the Transect). However, much of the contamination from the
Hudson River is transported to the Dredged Material Site in the Bight when the
harbor and channels are dredged.
The Long Island coastline contributes the second largest volume of
discharge (Table C-4). The data collected by Mueller et al. (1976) for the
Long Island and New Jersey coastlines include areas welL beyond the Apex
region. Consequently, a large portion of the contaminant inputs from these
sources enters the Bight outside the Apex. Data reported by Mueller's group
have been modified in Tables C-l and C-4 based on the assumption that there is
a linear relationship between the amount of a given contaminant and the length
of the coastline. Thus, since approximately one-seventh of Long Island's
coastline lies within the Apex, the contaminant input values for Long Island
are divided by seven. This may result in a somewhat low estimate of the mass
loading occurring in the Apex from the Long Island coastline. Except for
Shark River (at the edge), the rest of New Jersey's coastline considered by
Mueller's group is outside the Apex. Accordingly, contaminant inputs from New
Jersey are not included in total mass loading estimates of the Apex. Another
assumption is that water motion is directed away from the Apex region along
the coastlines. For New Jersey, this assumption is valid; surface waters tend
to move south along the coast. Long Island coastal waters may move westerly
into the Apex. However, most of the surface runoff and wastewater discharges
are into Great South Bay and thus, most contaminants settle to the bottom and
are not transported into the Apex.
C-l 8
-------
Ocean dumping provides the smallest volume of all Bources, although it is
an important contaminant source, particularly for trace metals. Ocean
disposal ranks first or second in percentage contribution for all the
parameters examined.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
Suspended solids are organic and inorganic particulate matter in water
(EPA, 1976), which may contain both biogenic and non-biogenic debris (Biscaye
and Olsen, 1976).
Table C-4 and Figure C-l illustrate the relative contributions of suspended
solid contaminant sources. Ocean disposal (principally dredged material and
cellar dirt) is the largest source of suspended solids, approximately two
thirds of the daily average. This estimate is high because the value used by
Mueller'b group in estimating cellar dirt contribution (Table C-4) assumed
that all material released at the Cellar Dirt Site was suspended solid
material. In 1974, approximately half of the cellar dirt was material six
inches or larger; the estimate by Mueller's group is at least 50% too high.
Interstate Electronics Corp. (1978) estimated that suspended solids amounted
to only about 300 tonnes/day from 1973 to 1977 at the Cellar Dirt Site. Even
if Interstate's estimate is more accurate, the total daily loading of
suspended solids by ocean disposal will be reduced by less than 10Z. This
correction still leaves ocean disposal as the single largest contributor of
suspended solids.
The Transect Zone provides the second largest source of suspended solids,
or about a third of the daily average. Atmospheric fallout contributes the
remaining amount; the Long Island coastline contribution is insignificant.
DREDGED MATERIAL AND THE TRANSECT ZONE
Cross (1970, 1976a) examined New York Harbor sediments. Metals and other
contaminants are adsorbed by particles which, as they settle in the harbor
complex, remove these contaminants from the water column (Biscaye and Olsen,
1976). Since material released at the Dredged Material Site originates in the
C-l 9
-------
New York Harbor complex area, contaminants contained in dredged material are
originally introduced to the harbor water from the Hudson River and other
tributary rivers.
2
Gross (1972) reported that approximately 160 km (41% of the harbor area)
were covered by fine carbon-rich deposits, derived from suspended solids
entering the harbor from the Hudson River, waste discharges, and surface
runoff.
TRANSPORT
NOAA-MESA (1975) indicated that surface runoff of the Hudson River and the
denser saline bottom water each flow in opposite directions across the
Transect. In this model suspended sediments move out to sea across the
Transect, then most of the material moves southward along the New Jersey
coastline of the Apex, while some moves eastward along the Long Island
coastline of the Apex. As these solids would settle into subsurface waters,
they could return with the more saline flow into the harbor. Subsurface
currents may also move waste materials deposited in the Bight into the harbor.
Within the Bight, suspended solids stratify during periods of seasonal sea
density stratification. A three-layer system is typically present year-round,
but is most pronounced in the spring and summer. It consists of a turbid
surface layer, a relatively clear mid-depth layer, and a turbid bottom layer.
This turbid lower layer appears to be a permanent feature of the entire Apex
(NOAA-MESA, 1975), and is thought to be a result of agitation and resuspension
of bottom sediments caused by bottom currents.
Biscaye and Olsen (1976) suggest that strong seasonal thermoclines restrict
the vertical movement and settlement of suspended solids in surface waters.
While organic particles (suspended solids) containing detectable quantities of
trace metals are generally most abundant in the Apex, they are only
occasionally observed in upper and intermediate outer Shelf Waters. Biscaye
and Olsen suggest that the most likely sources for trace metals bearing
suspended solids are sewage sludge and dredged material deposited in the Apex.
C-20
-------
Accumulation and resuspension also affect the movement and fate of
suspended solids in the Bight. NOAA-MESA (1975) reported results of sediment
sampling over the Apex. Shelf sediments are generally enriched in organic
matter and clay particles, and the Apex region has a thin layer of ferrous
oxide (Fe^O^). Comparing autumnal suspended-solid concentrations with samples
after a November storm showed that resuspending bottom sediments resulted in a
suspended-solid concentration equivalent to 12 days of sewage sludge dumping.
In deeper areas (e.g., the Hudson Channel), muds accumulate due to reduced
bottom turbulence. These muds are invariably rich in organic matter (NOAA-
MESA, 1975) with measurable amounts of trace metals (Biscaye and Olsen, 1976).
TRACE METALS
Trace metals occur naturally in the marine environment; however, most
metals exist only in minute quantities and accumulate slowly in sediments over
long periods. The population density and industrialization of the coastal
areas of the Bight have caused accelerated introduction of trace metals into
the Bight. There are four sources of trace metals into the Apex: (1) New
York Harbor and the Lower Bay (the Transect Zone), (2) ocean dumping, (3)
atmospheric fallout, and (4) runoff from Long Island. Metal sources can be
estimated from data by Mueller et al. (1976) and Duce et al. (1976). Table
C-l lists these sources and estimated average daily mass loads. Figure C-l
shows the relative importance of each source graphically.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Metals may be found in a number of chemical forms. The chemical form of
hazardous trace metals is important since this determines the metal's
bioavailability and toxicity. Metals can be simple or complex inorganic
species, metallo-organic complexes, inorganic and organic colloids, and
macro-solid particles, which differ in chemical and biological sorptive
properties. Unfortunately, these reactions are poorly understood (Segar and
Cantillo, 1976). However, organic complexing reduces the biological
availability of many trace metals (Jeune and Luoma, 1977).
C-21
-------
Once metals have been deposited in the sediment, several possible migration
mechanisms between the sediment-water interface may occur: bio-oxidation,
sorption, dissolution, precipitation, complexation, and diffusion. Iron is
released under reducing conditions, and cadmium, copper, lead and zinc are
precipitated under reducing conditions. In the oxidizing environment of the
Bight, the opposite reactions occur.
Seven metals, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, and zinc, are
either highly toxic or highly concentrated in acid waste (Appendix D).
Cadmium has no known useful biological function, but acute and chronic
toxic effects have been demonstrated. It exists in solution as a free ion and
in complex form (Sarsfield and Marcy, 1977). The redox potential (Eh) of the
environment significantly influences the availability of the metal. In
oxidizing environments, cadmium is generally found as a carbonate, and its
toxicity to three marine decapod crustaceans ranged between 320 and 420 pg/1
(EPA, 1976). Reducing environments generally contain a low solubility cadmium
sulfate form (Lu and Chen, 1977).
Chromium is an essential trace element for many living organisms, and is
usually present in the reduced hydroxide state. Jeune and Luoma (1977)
reported that certain organic chromium compounds may increase the metal's
bioavailability by forming more kinetically active species of the metal.
Toxic susceptibilities of different animals are highly variable: extremes of
1.0 ng/1 (the polychaete Nereis virens) to 200 /xg/1 (the mummichog, Fundulus
heteroclitus) have been observed (EPA, 1976). Hexavalent chromium is more
toxic than trivalent chromium; EPA (1976) recommends a maximum concentration
of 0.10 pg/1 in marine water.
Copper is important biologically because it is essential for synthesizing
chlorophyll; it is required in animal metabolism, and is the respiratory
pigment used for oxygen transport in some invertebrates. Organic complexing
and precipitation decrease copper toxicity (EPA, 1976). At high concen-
trations (50 to 100 ^g/1), photosynthesis is inhibited and marine animals are
acutely affected.
C-22
-------
Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust, and is
required by plants and animals in all habitats (EPA, 1976). In hemoglobin, it
is the oxygen transport pigment in the blood of all vertebrates and some
invertebrates. In marine environments, iron rapidly forms a floe which may
coat gills of fish or invertebrates, and bury or smother eggs (EPA, 1976).
Kinniburgh et al. (1977), and Krauskopf (1956) showed that iron hydroxide
significantly affects other metals (e.g., copper, zinc, and lead). Zinc and
cadmium are adsorbed more strongly on iron gels as pH increases.
Lead has no known beneficial biological function. It is a toxic metal
which accumulates in the tissues of organisms (EPA, 1976). The toxicity of
lead in an aqueous environment depends upon pH, organic materials, and other
metals. Low pH increases its. solubility, whereas organic or inorganic
complexing changes its bioavailabilty. Toxicity in sea water is not well
known, but concentrations of 100 to 200 fig/1 caused severe abnormalities in
the oyster Crassostrea virginica (Pringle, 1968).
Mercury has no known useful biological function, and several forms, from
elemental to inorganic and organic compounds, occur in nature (EPA, 1976).
The most toxic form is methyl mercury accumulated in animals, which can
threaten humans. Jeune and Luoma (1977) reported that organic complexing with
naturally occurring materials in the marine environment reduces the potential
toxicity of mercury.
Zinc is an essential element for all living organisms (Berry, 1977).
Excessive levels cause either acute or chronic toxic responses in marine
organisms. Acutely toxic concentrations in fish may cause gill breakdowns,
and chronic concentrations may inhibit growth and maturation in juvenile fish,
or cause general lethargy and histological damage to mature individuals (EPA,
1976). Zinc toxicity is reduced by complexing with organic materials.
SOURCE INPUTS
Table C-l lists trace metals from the four primary sources. Ocean waste
disposal (excluding acid waste) is the most significant contributor of metals
except lead and zinc.
C-23
-------
Dredged material (Table C-6) is the largest source of cadmium, copper,
chromium, lead, and iron; dredged material and sewage sludge contain
approximately equal quantities of mercury.
Sewage sludge is the second largest source of trace metals (see Table C-6)
and contributes about 50X of the daily input of mercury, with chromium (24%),
lead (13%) and zinc (20%) also high.
Inputs from the Cellar Dirt Site have not been estimated, but are probably
insignificant sources of trace metals (Interstate Electronics Corp., 1978).
Passing through the Transect Zone are contaminated water and surface runoff
from New York Harbor and Raritan Bay estuary (Table C-l). Many contaminants
entering the harbor settle in quiet water areas and remain trapped in bottom
sediments. They may be introduced into the Apex after dredging and released
at the Dredged Material Disposal Site. The Transect Zone contributes the
largest volume of wastewater, with the largest average daily quantities of
lead (472), zinc (53%), and the second largest quantities of cadmium (15%),
chromium (42%), copper (47%) and iron (16%).
The Long Island coastline contributes only minute quantities of trace
metals to the Apex. Of the seven metals examined, the Long Island coastline
contributes less than one percent of the daily total in all cases.
IRON
Redfield and Ualford (1951) examined iron accumulation in waste discharges
at Raritan Bay and the Apex. The iron concentration at the mouth of the Lower
Bay was four to six times that of the offshore water concentrations. The high
concentrations were associated with low salinity surface outflows from the
Lower Bay. In 1951, the Raritan River contributed approximately 45 tonnes/day
of iron to the Apex. It was estimated that an equal quantity of iron (45
tonnes/day) was disposed at the "acid grounds".
C-24
-------
Segar and Cantillo (1976) reported that most iron is associated with
suspended sediments in the lower New York Bay with maximal concentrations
occurring just after maximum ebb tide (NOAA-MESA, 1975). This implies that a
significant "pool" of particulate iron exists within the harbor complex. The
bulk of this iron is precipitated or dispersed within a short period upon
entering the Bight. In addition, Segar and Cantillo (1976) reported a widely
distributed nephloid layer containing a high concentration of fine particulate
matter, including iron, at the sediment-water interface within the Apex.
New York Harbor sediments showed iron as 1.8Z of the total dry weight.
Samples from the Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Sites averaged 1.05X of
the total dried sediment weight, which was not greatly different (Gross,
1970).
It is not possible to estimate the iron concentrations at each disposal
site, because dredged material and sewage sludge are not analyzed for iron
concentrations. In 1977, NL Industries began to report iron concentrations in
its waste. Based on these values and the volumes discharged, Table C-8 shows
the approximate amounts of iron released by NL Industries compared to other
inputs. Initially, NL Industries contributed about three quarters of the
total input of iron. In more recent years, their contribution has decreased
to two thirds of the total (Appendix D).
OTHER TRACE METALS
Toxic trace metals have been examined by numerous researchers. Within the
harbor waters, MESA (1975) reported that cadmium, lead, and mercury were below
detection limits in waters of the Transect Zone. Particulate and soluble
copper varied with the tide and sampling location. Copper was found primarily
in the soluble form. Alexander and Alexander (1977) reported that particulate
lead and cadmium were always less than 0.5 jig/l and 0.1 fig/1, respectively.
Segar and Cantillo (1976) examined trace metals in Apex waters. Copper and
cadmium were uniformly distributed during spring, except for isolated areas of
increased concentration.
C-25
-------
TABLE C-8
AMOUNTS OF IRON RELEASED INTO THE NEW YORK BIGHT APEX
(Tonnes/Day)
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977*
1978*
**
NL Industries
182.2
157.1
145.6
111.9
62.5
100.5
Other Sources^
51.0
51.0
51.0
51.0
51.0
51.0
Totals
233.2
208.1
196.6
162.9
113.5
151.5
Percent NL
Industries
78
75
74
69
55
66
* Calculated only for the months NL Industries released waste
at the Acid Site,
t Estimated from eight separate months of data.
** Data from EPA Region II files.
tt Data from Mueller et al., 1976. Sources include the
Transect Zone, atmospheric fallout, and the New Jersey and
Long Island coastlines.
Discharge from New York Harbor contains low concentrations of cadmium and
copper. During summer, copper concentrations remain uniform, between 2 and
4 pg/1. Levels north of the Acid Site were usually higher than other regions
of the Apex. Cadmium concentrations over the Apex varied slightly, but
estuarine and near-bottom samples contained higher concentrations of these
metals.
Segar and Cantillo (1976) concluded that summer and mid-winter metal
concentrations were higher than spring and autumnal concentrations. During
summer, the water column is stratified and restricted circulation increases
the water's residence time which leads to higher equilibrium constants. In
winter, current and wave energy increase sediment movements, thus releasing
metals from resuspended sediments. Iron appears to be found predominantly in
the suspended phase while copper, cadmium, and zinc are found predominantly in
the dissolved phase. Therefore, copper, cadmium, and zinc are present only in
small quantities.
C-26
-------
Gross (1976a) found that high concentrations of trace metals were widely
distributed within New York Harbor sediments. Chromium concentrations were
approximately 300 g/tonne in lower harbor sediments. Copper was estimated at
200 g/tonne and lead was estimated at 700 g/tonne of sediment. In comparison,
sediment samples from the Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Sites had
concentrations of about 150 g/tonne chromium, 90 g/tonne copper, and
150 g/tonne lead. The dredged material is an important source of contaminants
to the Apex, but the ultimate sources of these metals are the contaminated
waters flowing into New York Harbor.
Segar and Cantillo (1976) state that many of the solid wastes dumped into
the Apex are rapidly dispersed and transported, so that flushing of the Apex
must be an efficient process. The wastes may move seaward or possibly back
towards shore. Freeland et al. (1976) and Freeland and Merrill (1977),
however, concluded that most of the dredged material released into the Apex
remains in place. Comparing a 1936 bathymetric survey with a 1973 survey,
approximately 87% of the material released at the Dredged Material Site was
still in the vicinity of the site. Earlier, Pararas-Carayannis (1973, 1975)
had reached similar conclusions. Apparently, those metals which are loosely
bound to the sediment are mobilized and quickly carried out of the Apex. The
remainder are tightly bound to the sediments and hence have a low bio-
availability, but metal bioconcentration can still occur. Gross (1976a)
reported that deposits from the Hudson Shelf Valley south of the disposal
sites contain metal-rich sediments and that metal build-up in bottom-dwelling
organisms may be occurring.
OIL AND GREASE
Oil and grease is a general category which includes thousands of organic
compounds. These contaminants may have either anthropogenic or natural
origins, and produce both acute and chronic toxic responses in marine
organisms (EPA, 1976). Larval and juvenile stages of marine organism life
cycles may be especially sensitive to increased levels of these contaminants.
Oil and grease are present in all contaminant sources except the atmosphere
and cellar dirt, and enter the Apex at a rate of approximately 780 tonnes/ day
(Table C-4), constituting the second largest quantity of all contaminants
examined (Mueller et al., 1976).
C-27
-------
Mueller et al. (1976) estimated that the Transect Zone contributed approxi-
mately 460 tonnes/day (572). Ocean dumping contributed approximately
322 tonnes/day, of which 93Z (300 tonnes) is from dredged material, and 7Z
(22 tonnes) from sewage sludge. The Long Island coastline contributes only
about 0.7 tonnes/day, less than 1Z of the daily total.
Examinations of the sources of oil and grease indicate that they are
entirely of anthropogenic origin. Within the Transect Zone (Table C-5) two
primary sources of oil and grease can be identified: (1) municipal and
industrial wastewaters, and (2) urban discharge. Each contributes about
200 tonnes/day to the harbor area. By comparison, dredged material
(Table C-6) contributes an average of 300 tonnes/day, indicating that much of
the oil and grease reaching the harbor is trapped and retained in harbor
sediments, and later removed by dredging activity. Coastal discharges (Tables
C-2 and C-3) are from municipal and industrial wastes and surface runoff, New
Jersey, which is highly industrialized, discharges about 75 tonnes/day along
its coast. Presumably, little of this contamination ever reaches the Apex
because of prevailing currents moving southerly along the coast. About 90% of
the oil and grease from New Jersey is from surface runoff. The remaining 10X
is from municipal and industrial wastewater. Long Island, which is much less
industrialized, discharges only about 5 tonnes of oil and grease per day, and
of this only about 15% (0.7 tonnes) enters the Apex. About 90Z of the Long
Island discharge is from municipal and industrial waste water. The remaining
102 is from surface runoff.
C-28
-------
Appendix D
CONTAMINANT INPUTS
TO THE NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
-------
CONTENTS
Page
PERMITS AND WASTE VOLUMES D-l
Years 1973 to 1979 D-l
Projected Inputs ......... . . . D-3
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS D-4
NL Industries D-4
Allied Chemical D-l2
Du Pont-Grasselli D-16
COMPARISON OF CONTAMINANT INPUTS D-l 7
ILLUSTRATION
Figure
D-l Reported Dumping Volumes at the Acid Site D-3
TABLES
Number
D-l Disposal Quantities at the Acid Site D-2
D-2 Waste Characteristic - NL Industries D-7
D-3 Waste Characteristics - Allied Chemical D-14
D-4 Mass Loading - New York Bight Apex D-l8
D-i
-------
Appendix D
CONTAMINANT INPUTS TO THE
NEW YORK BIGHT ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
PERMITS AND WASTE VOLUMES
YEARS 1973 TO 1979
When the Acid Site came under EPA regulations in 1973, three New Jersey
companies (Du Pont-Grasselli in Linden, Allied Chemical in Elizabeth, and NL
Industries in Sayreville) were using the site for disposal purposes. In 1974,
Du Pont-Grasselli moved its entire waste disposal operation to the 106-Mile
Site, as required by EPA. In 1980, only Allied Chemical and NL Industries are
disposing of wastes at the Acid Site.
Records of NL Industries waste disposal activities have been maintained
since the late 1950's. However, when the EPA began to regulate and monitor
ocean disposal activities in 1973, more detailed analyses were required. NL
Industries disposes of waste on a nearly daily basis, occasionally barging
wastes twice a day to the site.
NL Industries is the largest waste contributor to the Acid Site in terms of
amount of waste. Annual quantities (Table D-l) fluctuated considerably
between 1973 and 1978, although the long-term average from 1958 is fairly
stable (Figure D-l). The recent fluctuation was caused by a plant shutdown in
mid-1976 and start-up again in mid-1977. For approximately nine months, all
plant production was halted. The mean annual quantity of waste material
dumped between 1973 to 1979, was 1.6 million tonnes, ranging from 0.605
million tonnes in 1977 to 2.3 million tonnes in 1973. Since 1958, NL
Industries has contributed over 902 of the total volume of waste material
dumped at the Acid Site.
D-l
-------
TABLE D-l
DISPOSAL QUANTITIES AT THE ACID SITE
(Tonnes/Year)
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
TOTAL
NL Industries
2,304,250
1,986,735
1,841,586
1,233,722
604,733
1,233,792
1,365,940
10,570,758
X Contribution
92.0
93.5
97.5
96.5
95.4
97.9
97.9
Allied Chemical
58,967
56,245
48,081
47,174
29,030
26,259
29,930
295,686
X Contribution
2.3
2.6
2.5
3.6
4.6
2.1
2.1
Du Pont-
Graaaelli
142,428
78,018
—
220,446
X Contribution
5.7
3.7
TOTALS
2.505,645
2,120,998
1,889,667
1,280,846
633,763
1,260,101
1,395,870
11,086,890
Records of Allied Chemical waste disposal activities have been maintained
since the EPA began regulating and monitoring waste disposal at the Acid Site
in mid-1973. Since 1973, Allied Chemical has disposed of approximately
295,000 tonnes of waste material, averaging about 42,300 tonnes/year (data
from 1973 to 1979).
Allied Chemical wastes are less than 5% of all waste material released at
the Acid Site. Unlike NL Industries, Allied Chemical disposes of waste
material intermittently, only once or twice a month. The total volume of
Allied Chemical waste barged to the Acid Site has dropped 51% since 1973.
Du Pont-Grasselli discontinued disposal activity at the Acid Site in 1974.
At that time, they transferred their entire disposal operations to the
106-Mile Site. During 1973-74, in which Du Pont dumped at the Acid Site, they
disposed of approximately 220,000 tonnes of waste material, or about 5% of the
annual input.
PROJECTED INPUTS
NL Industries' permit, which expires 9 April 1981, allows them to dispose
of 2.7 million tonnes of acid wastes during the 2-year permit term, or about
1.4 nil Hon tonnes per year. Ihis is lower than the previous 7-year average
(1.5 million tonnes). The maximum amount permitted in a year under this
D-2
-------
1 "1—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—1—1—I—I—I—I—I—I—I
U5I 1960 1962 19*4 19M 19M 1970 1972 1974 1 976 1978
Figure D-l. Reported Dumping Volume* at the Acid Site
(Adapted from EPA, 1978a)
permit is 2.3 million tonnes, which is about equal to the long-term average of
2.2 million tonnes.
Allied Chemical's permit, which expires 14 January 1982, allows them to
dispose of 52,000 tonnes of acid wastes per year, which is higher than the
previous 7 year average annual input (42,250 tonnes). However, Allied
Chemical anticipated that 1979 discharge volumes would be about the same as
the 1978 volume (26,000 tonnes), which is about half of the permitted amount
(Pitta, 1979). The actual amount dumped (30,000 tonnes) was slightly higher
than this estimate.
Consequently, the two permittees are authorised to release approximately
1.4 million tonnes per year, which is 10Z less than the previous 7-year
average.
D-3
-------
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS
Each barge sample analysis (for the Acid Site) since 1973 has "been reviewed
to eetimate the total constituent loading. Interstate Electronics Corporation
has develope'd an automated data handling and analysis system; the Oceano-
graphic Data Environmental Evaluation Program (ODEEP). ODEEP was used to
evaluate the wastes dumped at the Acid Site. The results of the analyses of
NL Industries and Allied Chemical's wastes are presented in this section.
Only yearly means and ranges are presented. There were no significant
differences in waste characteristics during different seasons; consequently,
the yearly values adequately represent the dumps at the site. Approximately
3,600 data points were used for these analyses. When evaluating this loading,
two factors are important:
• The liquid waste does not appear to affect the bottom.
• The waste is neutralized rapidly (in minutes) and environmental
effects have been associated only with unneutralized waste.
Waste constituents do not accumulate in the water column, thus the
materials do not remain at the site, but are carried out of the Apex. The
amounts per day of waste constituents are most relevant, since these represent
roughly the inputs from a single barge load.
NL INDUSTRIES
NL Industries disposes of wastes produced in the manufacture of titanium
dioxide, an inert, nontoxic white pigment used in paper, paint, plastic,
drugs, and ceramics. Waste material consists of approximately 10.0% (by
weight) ferrous sulfate (FeSO^), 8.5% (by weight) sulfuric acid (l^SO^), and
1.5 - 2.0 g/1 titanium. Other trace metals, and oil and grease are present in
minute quantities.
D-4
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The waste is released below the surface of the water through 30-cm diameter
pipes in the wake of a barge. The barge is moving at 5 to 6 kn. The maximum
permissible disposal rate is 376,000 liters (100,000 gal) per rani. Using this
discharge rate, an average barge load of 3.7 million liters of waste can be
released in approximately 90 minutes, over a distance of about 9 nmi. As the
waste is released into the seawater, the acid is neutralized, and the ferrous
sulfate stains the water a characteristic green color. The ferrous iron is
rapidly oxidized to ferric hydroxide (rust) and this gives the water a
"muddy," red-brown color.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Specific gravity of NL Industries waste has, with one exception, ranged
between 1.082 and 1.197 (a single value of 1.426 was reported in August 1976).
The average specific gravity is 1.132. These densities are greater than
seawater (1.025), therefore the waste sinks and disperses through the water
column during periods of homogeneous water column density (winter). During
summer, months., when distinct thermocline and pycnocline stratifications occur,
sinking and dispersion are restricted to the upper mixed layer, which is
typically 10 to 15 m in depth.
The speed of the mixing of waste with seawater is a function of prevailing
meteorological and oceanographic conditions. After discharge from the barge,
mixing occurs rapidly (within the first 15 minutes), primarily as a result of
barge generated turbulence. Later the wind, waves, currents, and density
stratification determine the rate and direction of dispersion and dilution.
The most recent dispersion study of NL Industries waste was performed by EG&G
(1977a) in August 1977. Waste material sank to a depth of 10 m and rapidly
dispersed laterally under conditions of high winds and moderate seas.
EG&G (1977a) recorded seawater iron concentrations and pH values to track
the waste plume. A concentration of 2 fig/1 (acid-waste) of seawater was
equivalent to the ambient seawater iron level and a value of 5 jig/1 indicated
the presence of the waste plume. Before the disposal operation, iron
D-5
-------
concentrations in the upper mixed layer and below the theraocline were
measured at reference stations. The mean iron concentration of upper mixed
layer water was 0.05 pg/1 and the mean iron concentration of subsurface layer
water was 0.02 fig/1. Immediately following discharge, the surface iron
concentration was 25,500 ag/1. The concentration dropped rapidly and 14
minutes after discharge the maximum surface iron concentration was 1.9 mg/1.
By monitoring iron concentration, the dilution factor can be determined.
Forty minutes after discharge, the waste was diluted to 9,400:1. After four
hours the minimum waste dilution was 90,000:1, and after 18 hours one sample
showed a minimal dilution of 116,000:1.
Federal environmental standards require that wastes do not change the
ambient pH level more than 0.2 pH units beyond accepted limits of 6.5 to 8.5
(EPA, 1976). The EG&G (1977a) study had only one station with a pH change
greater than 0.2 pH units below the previously observed ambient value. In
that case, two 1-m samples had pH's of 7.95 and 7.99, reduced 0.25 and 0.21 pH
units, respectively, from the mean ambient surface value of 8.2. The reduced
values occurred about 15 and 35 minutes after discharge and were well within
the normal pH range for this area of 7.9 to 8.2 (Hazelworth, 1974).
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Table D-2 summarizes the characteristics of various waste constituents and
the inputs into the Apex. For convenience, the total input from all sources
of each constituent are shown for comparison. Obviously, the contaminants
present in NL Industries waste are trivial (<1X) sources of total contaminant
loading in the Bight. Comments about specific waste characteristics follow.
2M
The extremly low pH of NL Industries waste is rapidly neutralized by the
buffering action of sea water. The time to reestablish ambient pH values has
D-6
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TABLE D-2
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS — NL INDUSTRIES
Ch aaical
Piiutira
Kange
(w*/n
Mean
(ug/l)
Average Yeerly
Input
(tonnea)
Averege Daily
Input
(tonnes/day)
Average Daily
Input-other aourcea
(tonnea/day)
Percent
Acid Waate
Input
Suspended
Solid! (ag/1)
2.0 - 20,500
3,760
2.980
12.6
23,580
0.05
Organic,
190 - 50*600
5,440
6.0
0.02
783
0.014
Fetroleun
Hydrocarbon*
200 - 48,200
4,650
3.7
0.01
no data
.
Cadaiua
10 - 500
200
0.3
*
2.4]
*
ChroniuM
2,000 - 16,900
10,900
14.2
0.04
5.26
0.8
Copper
123 - 140,200
4,100
4.8
0.01
13.2
0.08
Lead
270 - a«>
1,670
2.1
<0.01
12.4
0.08
Mercury
0.5 - 8
4.7
0.005
•
0.52
•
Zinc
480 - 36,100
2030
26.4
0.07
32.1
0.2
Hijteicel
hriHUri
Specific Gravity
1.082 - 1.197
1.132
pH
0.10 - 1.09
-
*
¦ Nat aetningful*
ranged from minutes (RedfieId and Walfotd, 1951) to 2.5 hours (EG&G, 1977a).
Ambient pH levels are never depressed outside the site boundaries during the
4-hour period of initial mixing (ERCO, 1978a). The extremely low pH values
which cause harmful effects to the plankton are present for only a brief
period (less than 30 seconds; Redfield & Walford, 1951), and only around the
barge discharge port.
Suspended Solids
Some inert materials, gangue and uncombined titanium ore, are present in
the waste, and then are suspended solids reported in Table D-2. The iron floe
which forms after waste release is not part of the values. However, even with
this additional suspended material, there is no danger that waste constituents
could reach the shoreline in measurable amounts. ERCO (1978a) calculated that
minimum dilution of the waste, if it moved in a straight line directly to the
beach, would be 2,000,000:1. The concentration of iron, the most abundant
waste component, would be about half of the normal, ambient value.
D-7
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Trace Metals
Four metals (arsenic, nickel, titanium and iron), in addition to the six in
Table D-2, are measured in NL Industries' waste. Although toxic, arsenic
forms compounds after release and the organometallic complexes do not appear
to accumulate in the food chain, and are not highly toxic (EPA, 1976). This
conclusion is supported by bioassay results which have shown low toxicity in
neutralized acid wastes (see Bioassay Section). Nickel, titanium, and iron in
these amounts are considered to be nontoxic to man (EPA, 1976).
Titanium and iron are present in high concentrations in NL Industries'
waste; 1.9 g/1 and 27.6 g/1, respectively. Daily inputs average 8.6 and
148 tonnes/day, and represent a major source of the metals at the Apex. Field
observations and bioassay results have shown no adverse effects on the
plankton from the metals (Appendix B).
TOXICITY
As outlined above, waste from NL Industries is an insignificant source of
contaminants to the Apex. Iron and titanium, which are significant inputs,
are nontoxic. However, the waste is released in a small area over a short
time and localized effects may occur in the site region. Therefore, the EPA
requires bioassays and field studies to evaluate the toxicity of the wastes.
This work has demonstrated that wastes are toxic only for a few minutes after
discharge; long-term, chronic effects have not been observed.
Bioassays
Bioassays of NL Industries' wastes must include analyses of the effects of
various waste concentrations upon organisms indigenous to the disposal site.
Bioassays are now conducted under procedures required by Federal standards
(EPA, 1978b).
D-8
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Bioassays have been performed upon waste samples since the permit program
started. Representative species in these studies include the phytoplankter,
Skeletonema costatum, and fish, Menidia menidia. Artemia salina (an estuarine
copepod) was used extensively in the past, but the latest bioassay standards
require the use of more representative marine organisms.
Phytoplankton test organisms are to be examined for the effective
concentration (EC^q) which causes a SOX reduction in cell numbers (compared to
a control group) after 48 or 96 hours. Zooplankton and nekton are examined
for the lethal concentration (LC^q) at which 50% of the test organisms die
after 48 or 96 hours.
Results of bioassay tests, conducted since 1973, show that the toxicity to
Artemia salina varies between values of 100,000 mg/1 to 1,155 mg/1.
Variations are due primarily to changes in the Federal mandates for tests
(before 1977, unneutralized wastes were used) and test organisms, and not
because of radical changes in the toxicities of the material. The annual mean
LC50 values *or Menidia menidia bioassays ranged from 92.4 mg/1 to 302 ng/1 in
non-aerated, -96-hour tests. Simultaneous bioassays on M. menidia in 96-hour,
aerated tests, had mean values of 101 mg/1 (1977) and 282 mg/1 (1978).
Bioassays on Skeletonema costatum had mean 96-hour LC^q values of 174 mg/1
(1976), 241 mg/1 (1977) and 106 mg/1 (1978).
Tests demonstrate that waste materials dispersed by NL Industries will be
acutely toxic to planktonic organisms for only a few minutes. The dilution of
waste occurring immediately after discharge reduces concentrations to values
below the levels known to be toxic to representative organisms. The
concentration of iron, the most abundant waste contaminant, was 1.9 mg/1
fourteen minutes after discharge (EG&G, 1977a). The tests do not, however,
evaluate chronic effects which may impair reproductive or behavioral aspects
of species at the individual or population levels. Field observations (see
below) confirm the low toxicity of waste in the barge wake.
D-9
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Field Studies
The first biological observations of effects due to acid waste disposal
(Redfield and Walford, 1951), showed that fish or benthic populations were not
being damaged or excluded from the area. Zooplankton entrained in contami-
nated wake water were temporarily immobilized but recovered when the
contaminated water was diluted, which occurs rapidly in the barge wake.
Ketchum et al. (1958a) reported that plankton tows, taken shortly after
acid-iron waste disposal, were clogged by flocculent iron precipitate ranging
from 5 to 70 microns in diameter. Zooplankton (which normally feed on
phytoplankton in that size range) captured in the wake did contain large
quantities of "brownish material" which was "presumably the iron precipitate."
The zooplankton appeared normal and it was stated that the "studies have
failed to demonstrate any deleterious effect of this waste disposal on the
plankton populations of the area."
The most recent comprehensive study of the effects of acid-iron wastes was
reported by Vaccaro et al. (1972). A waste concentration four times greater
than values observed in the field produced no adverse effect on phytoplankton
growth or diversity. Only the zooplankton showed chronic effects. After
eighteen days of exposure, reproduction and growth were affected by a
concentration of 1:10,000 waste, showing a "failure of the organisms
[zooplankton] to reproduce, or a delay in the time required to transform eggs
into adults." The results, however, are not biologically significant, since
this waste concentration occurs for only a few minutes after disposal.
Field studies discovered dissimilarities in zooplankton communities at the
Acid Site and at control areas. The mean zooplankton abundance was greater in
control areas but the ranges of abundance values were similar at the site* It
was concluded that differences were due to a transitory, large-scale
patchiness and not acid-iron waste toxicity.
Levels of eight trace metals in zooplankton, benthos, and sediments were
examined. Concentrations in the Acid Site area were significantly higher than
in the control area. However, samples from the Hudson Shelf Valley had the
D-10
-------
highest assimilations of lead and chromium in benthos and the highest amounts
of all eight metals in sediments, suggesting that Valley sediments may be the
area of greatest heavy metal enrichment. The control area was located outside
of the Apex, thus the results may only show that, in general, metal
concentrations inside the Apex are higher than thoBe outside.
Grice et al. (1973) concluded that short-term effects of acid waste
disposal are due to short-term acidity fluctuations rather than toxic
components of waste material. Mortality during short-term exposure to high
concentrations of the waste material is small; it is notable that adults and
larvae are not appreciably affected by heavy concentrations. It was noted
that reproductive inhibition of adults and reduced survival of young copepods
occurred only after 18 days of exposure. The pH was held below 6.5, but these
levels occur for only minutes after actual discharges. No mortality was
observed when the animals were passed through acid waste dilutions at pH
levels and periods comparable to barge dumps. Gibson (1973) confirmed earlier
experiments that the acidity of the waste is the toxic factor. Animals held
in neutralized acid waste showed no mortality, whereas others kept in sulfuric
acid solutions, simulating acid waBte, showed high mortality at pH levels less
than 5.5.
Some work on biological assimilation of trace metals was performed at the
former Delaware Bay Acid Site, Until 1978, Du Pont-Edge Moor discharged an
acid-iron waste at this site similar to wastes released by NL Industries.
Fesch et al. (1977) investigated trace metals in scallops at two disposal
sites offshore Delaware Bay: the Acid and Sewage Sludge Sites. The input of
four metals (iron, manganese, vanadium, and titanium) were primarily due to
the acid wastes, not the sewage sludge. Consequently, these four metals could
be used as tracers of acid waste accumulations in an area which is isolated
from other anthropogenic pollutant sources. Pesch et al. (1977) found an area
of high vanadium concentrations in scallops south of the site, in the
direction of projected plume transport. Examinations of the other three
metals, however, did not follow the same trends; when all four metals were
considered, "high" stations existed to the south and north of the site,
occasionally near a "low" station. The findings, although indicating possible
effects of acid-iron waste upon benthic organisms, require more confirmatory
D-ll
-------
evidence. Additional work (Reynolds, 1979) indicated that this method of
"tagging" the acid wastes is unfeasible. (See Appendix F, Comment 23-14.) In
the Apex, such effects would not be observable because of the high inputs of
contaminants from sewage sludge and other sources.
ALLIED CHEMICAL
Allied Chemical Corporation disposes of wastes resulting from the
manufacture of refrigerants. Waste materials consist of approximately 30%
(weight) hydrochloric acid, 2% (weight) hydrofluoric acid, and trace
constituents in aqueous solution. Trace metals and oil and grease are present
in minute quantities.
Wastes are released below the ocean surface through 30 cm diameter pipes
into the wake of a barge moving at 5 to 6 knots. The maximum permissible
disposal rate is 45,400 liters (12,000 gal) per nmi. Therefore an average
waste load of 1.6 million liters can be emptied in approximately six hours,
over a distance of about 35 nmi. Allied Chemical waste does not discolor the
receiving water.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Specific gravity (density) of Allied Chemical waste, with two exceptions,
has ranged between 1.116 and 1.200 (values of 1.57 and 1.60 were reported
March and April 1976). The mean value is 1.170 which is greater than seawater
(1.025); thus waste sinks and disperses through the water column during
periods of homogeneous water column density. In summer months, when
the water column is stratified, sinking and dispersion are restricted to the
upper mixed layer stratum, usually about 10 to 15 m deep.
Dispersion studies of Allied Chemical waste were conducted by EG&G,
Environmental Consultants (EG&G, 1977b). Waste material sank rapidly to the
bottom of the surface mixed layer and remained there. After several hours, no
significant penetration of the thermocline was observed. The wastes were
tracked by monitoring dye concentration and pH changes.
D-12
-------
Waste concentration diminished uniformly with depth during the first few
hours of dispersion. The maximum waste concentration was 360 mg/1 one minute
after discharge, and about 36 mg/1 45 minutes later. After about two hours,
vertical waste distribution began to exhibit patchiness, with localized areas
of high concentrations above the thermocline and near the surface. After
three hours, maximum concentrations were found near the thermocline. Four
hours after discharge, maximal waste concentration was 18 mg/1 at 5 m.
One minute after discharge, the dilution ratio was approximately 2,700:1,
increasing to 15,000:1 in 4 minutes. Three hours after discharge, the
dilution ratio was 83,000:1, and 143,000:1 after four hours.
Current shear was a noticeable factor in waste dispersion. The upper 10 m
(mixed layer) appeared to move eastward relative to the subsurface core at
10 m. The entire plume moved with tidal currents approximately 2 ami (3.7 km)
west of the original position.
Marine water quality criteria specify that pH must be maintained between
6.5 and 8.5, and may not be affected by more than ^0.2 pH unit. Ambient pH
values decreased 0.7 unit immediately after discharge, but, as natural
neutralizing and dilution continued, the pH within the plume steadily returned
to ambient values. Four hours after discharge, pH values had returned to
within 0.2 pH unit of normal ambient levels.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Table D-3 summarizes characteristics of various waste constituents in
Allied Chemical waste and inputs to the Apex. Inputs from all sources are
shown for comparisons. Obviously, the contaminants present in Allied Chemical
waste are trivial sources (<0.01Z) of total contaminant loading in the Bight.
Comments about specific waste characteristics follow.
D-13
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TABLE D-3
WASTE CHARACTERISTICS — ALLIED CHEMICAL
Cbnical
Paraaetera
Range
(jig/1)
Mean
(in/1)
Average Yearly
Input
(tonnea)
Input per
Barge *
(tonnea)
Average Daily
Input-other aourcea
(tonnea)
Acid Haate
Input (X)
Suapended
So lid a (og/1)
10 - 246
25 mg/1
0.7
0.06
23,580
**
Oil 4 Create
100 - 20,000
4,450
0.2
0.02
783
<0.01
Pecroleua
Hydrocarbon!
100 - 13,000
1,560
0.07
0.01
No data
-
Cadmium
1 - 200
16
0.01
**
2.4
**
Chromiuai
10 - 3,040
199
0.04
<0.01
5.3
0.2
Copper
10 - 2,400
124
0.03
<0.01
13.2
0.08
La ad
10 - 480
102
0.02
<0.01
12.4
0.08
Mercury
0.02 - 170
12.5
0.01
**
0.5
*»
Zinc
1 - 1,200
156
0.03
<0\01
32.1
0.03
Pbyaical
Parametera
Specific
Gravity
1,116 - 1.200
1.170
pH
0.10 - 2.20
-
* Aasuma 12 barges/year.
** Mot meaningful.
The extremely low pH of Allied Chemical waste is neutralized by buffering
action of seawater well within the 4-hour period of initial mixing mandated by
the Ocean Dumping Regulations. The initial pH value is 7.5 after waste
release (EG&G, 1977b), which is 0.7 unit less than ambient values and lower
-than the normal pH range of the site, ftie pH values rapidly return to ambient
levels. Minimal pH values after initial mixing were: 8.07 at 1 m; 7.90 at
5 m; and 8.03 at 10 m. Normal ambient pH range for this area is 7.9 to 8.2
(Hazelworth, 1974).
Suspended Solids
Allied Chemical waste does not contain insoluble materials, and does not
react with seawater to form precipitates. There is no danger of waste
constituents reaching the shoreline in measurable amounts. ERCO (1978b)
D-14
-------
calculated that minimum dilution of the waste, traveling directly to the
beach, would be one million to one. The concentration of fluoride, the most
abundant waste component, would be about 2Z of the normal ambient value.
Trace Metals
Two metals, arsenic and nickel in addition to the six in Table D-3, are
measured in Allied Chemical waste. Comments applied to NL Industries wastes
are equally applicable to those from Allied. The nontoxic nature of
neutralized acid waste is convincingly proven by bioassay results, from which
conventional LC^q values cannot be derived (ERCO, 1978b) .
TOXICITY
Bioassays
Allied Chemical does not dispose of waste daily, unlike NL Industries;
Allied Chemical introduces waste in a pulsate manner. Wastes may accumulate
for several weeks, and are barged to the site once or twice per month.
Redfield and Walford (1951) concluded that total flushing of the entire Apex
takes from 8 to 14 days. Therefore, AlLied Chemical waste is extensively
diluted and, in all probability, flushed from the Apex before any subsequent
disposal occurs, thus eliminating the potential for compounds to accumulate in
sediment8 or biota of the Apex.
Results of bioassay tests show annual mean 96-hour values in Artemia
salina (copepod) ranging from 52,833 mg/1 to 97,429 mg/1. Similarly, 48 hour
LCjq yearly mean values for A. salina range from 123 mg/1 to 235 mg/1. The
differences in lethal concentrations do not suggest extreme toxicological
effects, but are rather due to differences in test procedures.
Skeletonema costatum (phytoplankton) have mean 96-hour values ranging
from 106 mg/1 to 350 mg/1 with respective standard deviations of 22 and
342 mg/1.
D-15
-------
Menidia menidia (fish) have annual mean TL^g values for 96-hour aerated
samples ranging from 203 mg/1 to 278 mg/1. ^50 Vfllues fr°® 48-hour tests
have annual mean values ranging from 233 mg/1 to 280 mg/1. Non-aerated tests
produce approximately equal TL^q values for the same waste samples.
Acartia tonsa (an estuarine copepod) had a mean 96-hour value of
72 mg/1 in 1975, and a mean 96-hour TLjq value of 89 mg/1 in 1976.
All tests demonstrated that waste materials disposed by Allied Chemical
have only short-term acute effects upon, marine organisms. The highest waste
concentration was 360 ug/1 one minute after discharge, but only 36 ug/1 45
minutes after discharge. tfaste dilution several minutes after discharge
reduces concentrations to values below the toxic levels of representative
organisms.
Field Studies
Allied Chemical does not dispose of acid waste material as frequently as NL
Industries, nor are waste volumes as great as NL in single disposal
operations. However, Allied Chemical waste is more acidic, thus necessitating
a slower release into receiving waters in order to minimize short-term impacts
upon biota.
Chemical analyses have confirmed that the compositions of NL and Allied
wastes are similar (except for iron and titanium content), and bioassay
studies show similarities in toxicity. Therefore, impacts of the two wastes
are assumed to be similar in the dump area.
DU PONT-GRASSELLI
Du Pont-Grasselli produces production wastes from DMHA (N,0-dimethyl
hydroxylamine) and Anisole. During 1973 and 1974 when Du Pont-Grasselli was
dumping in the Acid Site, the contribution was approximately 5Z of the annual
input (Table 0-1). Since 1975, however, all Du Pont wastes have been released
at the 106-Mile Site.
D-16
-------
The primary constituent of Du Pont-Grasselli waste is sodium sulfate
(Na2S04), with numerous trace metals, suspended solids, and various organic
substances.
Specific gravity of Du Pont waste averaged 1,089, slightly greater than sea
water, but less than KL Industries and Allied Chemical wastes.
Du Pont-Grasselli waste was alkaline, with a pH range from 12.5 to 13.3,
during two years of waste disposal at the Acid Site. Mass loadings of the
inputs are equivalent to those of Allied Chemical, i.e., insignificant
compared to the total inputs. No adverse effects from Du Pont-Grasselli
wastes were ever noted at the Site or in the Apex.
In the same manner as NL Industries and Allied Chemical wastes, releases
would have been rapidly diluted, dispersed, and transported by currents to
other Bight regions. Since Du Pont liquid waste was diluted, and transported
out of the Apex, contaminants did not accumulate in the water; thus Du Pont-
Grasselli dumping is important in a historical sense, but is not relevant to
current mass loadings.
COMPARISON OF CONTAMINANT INPUTS
Table D-4 compares total inputs of selected contaminants into the Apex with
total inputs of the two permittees presently (1980) using the Acid Site. All
acid waste contaminants are less than 1% of the total (column 7). The
materials now being released at the Acid Site do not represent significant
sources of contaminants in the receiving waters.
D-17
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TABLE D-4
MASS LOADING - NEW YORK BIGHT APEX
(Tonnes/Day)
Suspended
Solid*
Oil and
Grease
Cadmiia
Chroaiun
Copper
Mercury
Lead
Zinc
Total Inputs
to Apex
23,580
783
2.41
5.3
13.2
0*5
12.4
32.1
Total Input*
to Acid Site
NL Industrie*
12.6
0.02
*
0.04
0.01
*
<0.01
0.07
Allied
Chenical
0.06
0.02
*
<0.005
<0.005
*
<0.005
0.00
Total
12.7
0-04
*
0.04
0.01
w
0.07
Percentage of
Apex Total
due to Acid
Waste*
0.05
<0.01
*
0.8
0.08
*
*
0.2
* - Not neaningful •
D-18
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Appendix E
MONITORING
-------
CONTENTS
Page
SHORT-TERM MONITORING E-2
LONG-TERM MONITORING E-5
ILLUSTRATION
Figure
E-l Monitoring Stations at and Adjacent to the New York Acid
Waste Disposal Site E-3
TABLE
Table
E-l Physical and Chemical Oceanographic Monitoring Program
at and Adjacent to the New York Acid Haste Disposal Site .... E-4
E-i
-------
Appendix E
MONITORING
The FinaL EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations and Criteria (40 CFR 220 to 229)
established the following monitoring requirements (Part 228.9):
(a) The monitoring program, if deemed necessary by the
Regional Administrator or the District Engineer, as
appropriate, may include baseline or trend
assessment surveys by EPA, NOAA, other Federal
agencies, or contractors, special studies by
permittees, and the analysis and interpretation of
data from remote or automatic sampling and/or
sensing devices. The primary purpose of the
monitoring program is to evaluate the impact of
disposal on the marine environment by referencing
the monitoring results to a set of baseline
conditions. When disposal sites are being used on
a continuing basis, such programs may consist of
the following components;
(1) Trend assessment surveys conducted at
intervals frequent enough to assess the extent
and trends of environmental impact. Until
survey data or other information are adequate
to show that changes in frequency or scope are
necessary or desirable, trend assessment and
baseline surveys should generally conform to
the applicable requirements of 228.13. These
surveys shall be the responsibility of the
Federal government.
(2) Special studies conducted by the permittee to
identify immediate and short-term impacts of
disposal operations.
(b) These surveys may be supplemented, where feasible
and useful, by data collected from the use of
automatic sampling buoys, satellites or in situ
platforms, and from experimental programs.
E-l
-------
(c) EPA will require the full participation of other
Federal and State and local agencies in the
development and implementation of disposal site
monitoring programs. The monitoring and research
programs presently supported by permittees may be
incorporated into the overall monitoring program
insofar as feasible.
SHORT-TERM MONITORING
Short-term monitoring surveys are the responsibility of the permittee, and
are designed to assess the immediately observable effects of the waste (a
"special study," as defined in the Ocean Dumping Regulations).
Special Condition No. 6 of the ocean disposal permits issued to Allied
Chemical Corporation (Permit No. II-NJ-004) and NL Industries, Inc. (Permit
No. 1I-NJ-014) requires these companies to "continue to implement [their] EPA
approved monitoring program as a means of determining the short term
environmental impacts of ocean dumping of [their] waste(s)," Applicants will
be required to continue an EPA-approved monitoring plan as a condition of any
future permit. The permittee's program will evaluate the short-term effects
of the waste.
In May 1977, the companies submitted a site monitoring proposal (including
quality assurance and quality control programs) prepared by EG&G, Environ-
mental Consultants, to fulfill the site monitoring requirements. Four
monitoring cruises have been completed at the site (EG&G, 1977c, 1978a, 1978b,
1978c; ERCO, 1978c). The information from these cruises provides a sufficient
data base to detect any longer term changes at the site due to acid waste
disposal.
Initially, surveys were made during the summer (strong thermocline) and
winter (no thermocline) seasons. Nine stations were originally established:
two (now one) permanent reference stations northeast of the site, five
permanent stations within the site (a center and four corner stations), and
two "waste transport" stations, which are established in a waste plume on each
cruise (Figure E-l). Two changes were approved in July 1978 (between the
E-2
-------
xP1
I**0
\S^-
NEW
JERSEY
&
IF SURFACE CURRENT
IS TO NORTH
O +&&-/
>T, V.)
I
r>
DS - DISPOSAL SITE STATIONS
WT - WASTE TRANSPORT STATIONS
R - REFERENCE (CONTROL) STATIONS
ACID WASTE
DISPOSAL
SITE
; WT
i / WTi
d a
DS2 DSi 0S3
o
DS.
DS,
A - ALL HEAVY METALS MONITORED
IN WATER COLUMN m
• - HEAVY METALS MONITORED 2/-.
IN BENTHIC REGION /
Q O
SURFACE CURRENT
IS TO SOUTHWEST
/
40'20'N
40'16'N
J 40'10'W
LIMITS OF BIGHT APEX
NO LONGER REQUIRED
73*40^
73'36'W
73"30W
Figure B-l. Monitoring Stations at and Adjacent
to the Acid Waste Disposal Site
E-3
-------
TABLE E-l
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL OCEAMOGBAPHIC
MONITORING PROGRAM AT AND ADJACENT TO THE
NEW YORK ACID HASTE DISPOSAL SITE
Water column sampling
• Winter - 3 depths (subsurface, mid, bottom) no longer required
• Summer - 4 depths (subsurface, above pycnocline, below
pycnocline, bottom)
Parameter
Unit of Measure
Stations
No. of Samples
Temperature
°c
n .
All
Profile
Salinity
/oo
All
Profile
pH
All
2
Dissolved oxygen
ml/liter
All
2
Alkalinity
meq/liter
All
2
Fluoride
mg/liter
All
2
Suspended
Particulate Matter
fig/liter
All
2
Chlorophyll a
mg/m^
AIL
2
Iron-dissolved
jig/Liter
All
2
-particulate
^g/Liter
All
2
Nonferric trace
metals - arsenic,
cadmium, chromium
Center of site
copper, lead, mercury,
and reference
nickel, titamium,
zinc
Dissolved
Hg/liter
2
Particulate
pg/liter
2
Benthic Sampling (Surficial Sediment)
Color
Qualitative
3-Site center,
2
Texture
Description
Reference,
2
Trace metals -
iron, arsenic
mg/kg dry weight
Haste transport
2
cadmium, chromium
copper, lead,
mercury, nickel,
titanium, sine
third and fourth survey). One reference station was eliminated and vanadium
analyses in the water column and sediments were eliminated (Anderson, 1978).
Since 1979, only the summer survey is required. Table E-l summarises the
parameters measured for the monitoring plan.
E-4
-------
This sampling program is the minimal design sufficient to detect changes
resulting from acid waste disposal. The effects documented at the site are
transitory (Appendix B) and have not caused long-term, measurable damage to
populations of organisms indigenous to the site or adjacent areas. Chemical
changes in the water column caused by disposal are brief, and all values
return to ambient levels well within the 4 hour mixing period (ERCO, 1978a,
1978b). Harmful effects to the plankton have been shown but only last for a
few minutes. Effects on the bottom have not been documented, although waste
contaminants may reach the sediments during the winter, when the water column
is well mixed.
The physical and chemical variables presently monitored were chosen based
upon the composition of the wastes and the possible effects of waste
discharge. The water column sampling is sufficiently adequate to detect
unusual adverse effects of disposal, while the benthic sample analyses can
show if waste constituents are accumulating in the sediments. Therefore, no
changes in the present monitoring program are proposed.
LONG-TERM MONITORING
Long-term monitoring surveys are the responsibility of the Federal
government, and are designed to assess progressive changes caused by waste
disposal, which may be indicated only by subtle changes in selected character-
istics over time. NOAA-MESA is involved in developing an overall program for
monitoring the conditions in the Apex. One goal of the "MESA Project is to
"determine the requirements for an efficient monitoring program that will
detect environmental change (NOAA-MESA, 1978)". The "Ocean Pulse1' program
being developed by the NMFS-Sandy Hook Laboratory, will further provide
valuable monitoring data.
Impetus to the formal monitoring programs was provided by the passage of
the National Ocean Pollution Research and Development and Monitoring Planning
Act of 1978 (PL 95-273), which requires NOAA to develop a 5-year plan for
ocean pollution research and monitoring. Long range studies and trend
assessment of waste disposal in a complex oceanographic area such as the
Bight, with its multiple contaminant sources, are feasible only by the
combined resources of several agencies under the NOAA five-year plan.
E-5
-------
Appendix F
RESPONSES TO WRITTEN COMMENTS
ON THE DRAFT EIS
The Draft EIS (DEIS) was issued on 6 December 1979. The public was
encouraged to submit written comments. This Appendix contains copies of
written comments received by EPA on the DEIS. There was a great variety of
comments received; thus, EPA presents two levels of response:
• Comments correcting facts 'presented in the EIS, or providing
additional information, which have been incorporated into the text
and noted in this section.
• Specific comments, which were not appropriately treated as text
changes, have been numbered in the margins of the letters, and
responses have been prepared for each numbered item.
Some written comments were received after the end of the comment period.
In order to give every consideration to public concerns, the Agency took under
advisement all comments received up to the date of Final EIS production.
The EPA sincerely thanks all those who commented on the DEIS, especially
those who submitted detailed criticisms which reflected a thorough analysis of
the EIS. A list of the commenters by name and agency is presented in
Chapter 5.
F-l
-------
COMMMENTS
Fabruary 20, 910
ICtt Haw folk Bi£it fnj*ct
Old Slology Building, SWT
Stony Brook, tow York 11794
DM: January 30, 19S0
1 - Bldard L. T iihman
Mr. Henry Longest, II
Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Mater Program Operations
0.8. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Mr. Ioo9«itt
nils is la reference to your draft environmental impact statement
entitled, "For Mew York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site Designation.
The enclosed comments frosi the National Oceanic and Ataospheric
Administration and the Maritime Administration are forwarded for
yoor consideration.
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to provide these coenents,
which we hope will be of assistance to you. We would appreciate
receiving sight (8) copies of the final environmental impact
Sincerely,
idney'ft. Gaoler
Deputy Assnt&nt Secretary
for Environmental Affairs
2-1
2-2
Enclosures
Memos from:
Mr. Robert B. Rollins
National Ocean Survey - NOAA
Mr. Garry F.
RPx51
Mayer
NOAA
Capt. George S. Steinaan
Chief, Division of Environmental
Activities
Office of Shipbuilding Costs - HarAd
nONt RPxSl
SUBJ: Review of 0SIS 7912.25 - Sew Yoxk Bitfit
Acid Waste Disposal Site Designation
Dr. Joel^p'Connor has requested that I respond for the IBSA New York
Bight Project to your mo of 26 Decanter 1979 regarding the review
of subject DEIS.
I have reviewed the docimmnt and find no major problems. As the OBIS
indicates, the existing site has been used for many years without
apparent problems. So new evidence is presented that would speak against
the final designation of the Acid Haste Site for continued Industrial
weste disposal. On the basis of existing knowledge and current waste
disposal practices, the choice to use the existing site over the
alternatives is a correct one. However, if loadings contributed by other
sources, such as sewage sludge during or dredged materials disposal,
are markedly reduced in the future, the continued use of the Acid Waste
Site will have to be reeT—1 ned. As is suggested in the DEIS, acid
waste disposal in coastal waters (no matter how sinor) has undesirable
effects on the benthic environment. Ultimately, the most desirable alternative
would be to eliminate the ocean disposal of such wastes, which is consistent
with current NOAA policy, and to perhaps substitute a strategy of recycling.
On the attached pages I have listed a mrntoer of minor problems that should
be addressed in the preparation of a revised DEIS and/or final EIS.
Among these are overestimates of the value of past and present NOAA
field activities for monitoring environmental change at the Acid Haste
Site, and minor misstatements of N0AA/MESA New York Bight Project findings.
Please do not hesitate to call upon me if I can be of further assistance.
Enclosure
-------
Coaaaents on DEIS
f.xv. para. 1 > lines S-4: I <|uHtion the value of including the
2-3
syncrw argewnt.
Acre Mould be synergy
anyidterv in the apes* this would tend to
apMk Che «M of tte pwpawd »i*»-
Table 5-1 (p.xvi): *j the 104 aile tiu — the antiy pertainLng
2*4 M MvifitiMal hasardsL* one leer and should ta
2p Mi northern sit* — do water aaaaas sows
"3 ofMnrt? MESA studies Mm that otRwt flow
is generally to tli» southwest Weft variations
in tki» flow «r—11— ¦bowleg as oeehora
*•' Southern site ahonwd soveeant
v of wuUs should be nentioated as a negative
factor.
r.xv, para. 3, lists 4-Sj Effects last only a few minutes. Table S-l
2 y indloatee the affects nay lost op to several
P.xviii, pars. 3, lines 4-5: I quest loo whether the 106 nils sits is inherently
¦ore oespln. It would seem that both the
2*3 six pollutants and the large waber of factors
affecting the novesant of coastal voters
(e.g., topography, winds, tides) would saka
the existing site sore couples.
P.2-4, lins 28s hsplece "aesthetic" with "visual."
line )0: ttt Msii smii reference is incorrectly cited.
2mQ bibliography iMi ram the paper was never
ptrf>lished; hence, the reference should road
"Oaalsaii (unpublished as.)." This and similar
errors occur on other pages of the OBIS.
2-5, lines 2-3: The charter boatman are very edaaant about the
detrimental offset of the acid duping on
2- | Q fishing. Ths text does pot adequately ccavay
the in tensity of their assertions. Also, these
assertion* were voiced prior to 1979.
P.2-6, line 17: a The word "irretrievable" is inappropriate and
t" 1 1 mtotSMzy and should be reaoved.
>.W, linos 22-24: The sent as oa beqianing "Although effects of
acid westa disposal..." is vary Misleading.
Mhile it Is true that considerable isessrcti
2*t *\ has been done oa the ti^t, it ttlll would be
" I u irtieaily difficult to detect all but the nost
obvious eevirooaastal changes. This is psrticutarly
tn^fiisn the limited lueeurcea available tor
¦onitoring activities.
9.2-7, pass. )i The point being nade in this paragraph is not clesr.
Mby is timing ispoetantT Are than a Unit-mi
or of vessels that have to be shuttled badt
and forth if then is to bs no bacfc tp of
westnsT
pen. 4j The MM sanpling grid was set ^ to ubssrvs
conditions in the entire Bi^t and not to
nsnitor any specific d^ sits. Hdla
sailing nsy provide seen lialcsd Inalghf
en the Add Waste fits, it basically it
inadequate to serve as a tool fear ¦onitoring
oceanic acid wuste disposal, anithar ths
frequsncy of sailing, the density of aasyllng
points, nor ths parameters meaeurod are
tailored for ths needs of the Acid Hants Site.
2-13
2-14
9.2-9, first bullet: 2-1 5 *** discussion presented for p.xv, para. 1.
lots
2-16
#.2-11, second bullets This argusMut would appear to spsak against
uss of ths current site. Certainly,
traffic is Much heavier (end hence the likelihood
of navigational hasards are greater) at the
qui aits than at the 106 nile site.
P. 2-12/ para. 4: The ascend sentence is Misleading. Mhllt there
say be no long-tern effects at the 106-site,
2» ]/ th* possibility for such effects cannot be
ruled out by past research, which has been
contacted over a relatively short period of tins.
P. 3-1, sentence 3: hot quite true. Mhile the biota outside the
_ _ _ Christiaensen Basin and upper portions of the
2-18 HudBO® Shelf Valley is reminiscent of that of
the middle-Atlantic Bight, benthos fron the
Basin and upper Shelf Valley are very atypical.
P. 3-3, para. 2, sentence 1» The slow flow to the souttwest is not only
2
-------
Ufhar iron levels? Cwld tlMM h*«t orlgleated
it Acid Site? If Mi till* Hwid contradict
at aod of pan. 1.
para. 4i a I doubt that ti» first —atwet of this paragraph
is correct i pliin cite reference.
P.y~h Pifin Ws O OA Tha am shown u being doeed to abelf fishing
^ ' ia iacatract. n iu^ar uu is cloud.
P. 3*9, Figure 3-2i 9-25 ^ dM* not show the atypical faanal estallages
found oa anddy aediaants ia the apex.
f. 3-1®, para. 2, lines Wi lha araa rafarrad to by saako ia not in tha
Bights it ia ia tha Hndaon estuary. The text
should ba reeiaed to read: "Although this ia
" tO tna only uriM snrirmiTt in tha Maw York
araa la ehich sand la sdned *
>.3-41, put. 3# aantanca 3i ibis sentence eoatradicta statement* aede oa
pp. 1*W - about tha value of shellfiah
wbbtw ia tha sonthern araa *tta sita
2-27 an important and established fiahaiy
f.4'2, pan. 1, Uaa 1* Change to "van." 4
first balleti Tha H> |gg|| entry Is aisleeding and should
ba revised to ladlcata that oar stadias
2 OQ addressed tha bight aa a «hola» rathar than
joet tha Acid Sita. Virtually aoaa of oor
interpretations specifically sddyesssd tha
held Bit*.
P-4-4, para. 4, lias 3s laagwll (19T6) did not Indioata that tha obaai'vad
affacts Mara tha raaolt of add mate disposal,
ffotsnllal Mutagens could have been provided
by a nabar of aoereee is addition to acid
waataa (a.9., Ma dean Rim' discharge, etnoapfcaxlc
2«29 inputs, aewege sludge dusping aad dredged
aatarlala disposal). K>en if tha effecta
wan canned by acid waetes, tha importance of
soeh affacta would ba inpossible to evaluate, alnca
tha oootributlon of eggs developing lit tha spaa
to tba regional aacfcerel stock ia not known.
r.4-15, para. 5, line 2s Should read "la aediwnta •
2-30
n
uaarco mm oepamtmeht of cowrwrr
Wadena! Ociasiiic ead *fnap>iai Ti Mmliiini alias
MATVMM. OCEAN SURVfT
«/C52k6:JIR
1980
TO: ft ¦ Joyc, H. Hood
FROM: 'jt*bA/C5 - Robert B. Rollins A'
SUBJECT: KIS #7912.25 - New York Bight Acid Waste Oisposal
Site Designation
The subject statewnt has been reviewed wltMfi the trees of the
National Ocean Survey's (NOS) responsibility and expertise* and In
terns of the tapact of the proposed action on 90S activities and
projects.
Our substantive consents are attached.
Attachment
-------
*¦ Ml. pr. t
3-i ssnisr.—
~. arti. far. $
¦t 1i ium tM acta wk ke> m eelw nw. m ¦
m *-*. pr. I. It l« UrmiHI ttat tka aaata H M pnM Fa»»
tr ¦!<». %ea atrial «1tk aeeaetei tta tree 1* hMM ea* fre-
0 « ctMtataa ea a flac af h(Mh, tket «*. nt. TWa aeaM |MM H «
i~C af M«0] trill far liter «r wh. Ik* Mil eelw ft n il illy
Mfv tin t»* ftae trfll ta likilri. tat *kt»in «ht,
tk* tan* h effectively ¦ peroeet nlM. Hat* 1« i Mf*r mm af
MtM tkM mrnm iWv ahMk H Mll/sn tkae « I»l1 etasr.
MM raekthi ta • aeter ma is Wwlnl * «e*t*| mat
3« M fra*a*acy nMta ta tk* flaeMag rete at tta taaptlta. **e*aeta
"J Htparttaa .'
2-11, left far.
„ - If tfta acW aeste tit* aere clatal ata MrW aa* kalaa Aeap1 tkart
3-4 *• ** tapal at tfea lM-artla alta. 1ta tMs It tartly ea ar*aeat efelast asa
af tta HMh tlte. It It aat tfnai In tta 0£!S Hut tfea acaeee
traaktc ckeaactarittfc* at tta km aeste site are Ian ceealex ttaa
tkaaa at tka Mt-a«1a ttta. tart laparteatly, aa pafe* M, par. It
4-11. par- *• <-t), par. 1; eta t-is. fir. } ft H ttatta (atfag tka
mm *11 ae «-11. par. fl ttat: Hay effects fwm acta waste disposal
o 7 (at tka acM aatta site] Mil prekebly ta a ai Itiaanal |p effects
J" » frea tta a—rem ether aeaftaaalaaatt latralaca* te tta Naa tar* Upat.
parttcalarly Ike laiiepa slafft eta iiedjai aatariel pita*. Tkls eetalax
lateral*? ketaaaa eetanl earfaktllty ata caataalaeaatp latredacat by
attar taarcas aatat It eirtrtaety Hffioilt ta Isolate eta aaatliy
affect* at tta tlte sal el y fat te tta tfttfaul af acta aatta."
a. t-li
3q teat laia a*»arsa effects are l*pi ekatla*" ptaald ta ckaafed te "Ua«-
tela alearpt effects keee eat yet taaa ikaaa . .
P. 2-30. par. 1
3_9 Spalllaf errer. Itae S. kaaaa te taea.
P. 2-J3, far. I
Etaa If pkart-tan taaaapart ef aatta* aeall ka «fftcalt. a aat la*t-
3 1 n taaa airactiae af tta aestas afeaaia fee fra«lctakle. Itara itaald ta
"lv «aaa|k *ete aaallakl* aa aatar tiaufart 1a ttat tta taaata aa
atacpta* praMctlaa.
a. J-J. per. 1
Hat ma taaa ef tlape aatar at tka afax acM tfta aeall ka rare letaad.
•3 —tat ealy sterae treat aa tta tkenailla* tta re 1* ataaiftarfc ceelleg
J" II fa tta fall akk ceal* tfea sarfeca aatar* akfcfe prefacei fall aeartara
aMck tattragn tfea tfeenaclta.
P. 3-4. far. 3
3_12 TjfUiafktcal errer, llaa «. a tal ta aetal.
p. S-§. far. I
naaklai tta* far tta I1#t t* V-l» lay* ata ante* an trtatparta*
3_ I 9 (M tka i eflea. State tare: taaa* aa camaat (aatar) fataaaatlaa
1 J taara tfea aaata* frakakly fa.
-------
3-16
P. J-2*. par. I
First Hat poorly stiM. It iaplles thet tlM Gulf Straoa Itself Is
3 adjacent U tkt sit*—«et ». Self Straw ring* do periodically cross
-14 letter stated: "The site Is located Just off the Continental
SIM If In slay* Htir with latraslaas of shelf water 1a tin upper 200 ¦
and lutmlm of it—lc woter la the fans tff Gulf Stroea rings. Each
has distinctive physical, duaical. and biological characteristics."
P. 3-26, par. 3
3 _ Mxt "entrains" Self Straw water? The eddy Is Self Straaa water
— 1 J) ssrrauadtng Sargasso Set water—the who)* thing 1s entrained In the
sl*»a eeter region after breaking away fraai the Calf Streaa.
P. 3-27. last par.
Poorly written. letter: 'As sarface Haters warn 1m late spring a
thernocline fonas 1* the upper SO a. The theraocline persists until
Septaafeer/Octoher until winter cooling destroys 1t. This theraocline
disappears la winter where the Kater becaaes nearly isotherael to
apprexiaataly 1SO-200 ¦ which Is the beginning of the prnmiiot
•4 theraocllna. These seasonal changes are laportaat because they affect
I the density gradients which affects the fate of the discharge of
-J tastes." —The stataaeat "Deeper water always has a lower te^eratare."
Is uaaecessary.
P. 3-28. last par.
3_17 Aranslon ef the fate of waste on the bottoa at the 106-aile site
1 ' Is Irrelevant.
P. 3-2*. first par.
Under " Cheat cat Conditions"
1 lO Dissolved oxygen does not necessarily follow laapuature gradleats.
" " ° Oxygen concentration changes with seasons In the vper layers. As the
water aaras there 1s Mologicel activity which changes the oxygen
concentration.
P. 3-28, first per.
Poorly written, letter: "Although . . . site, the literature indicates
a lamial net flea to the southwest along the aarglas of the Continental
_ , _ Shelf. la addition to this, there Is always a general surface flaw
3» 1J seaward and a lehmfna flea shoreward in the upper 200 a. This is
usually ainor except ia sprlag when there nay be a larger Influx of
shelf water over the continental slopes. In deeper we tor (below 200 n)
the net direction of the currents Is also to the southwest. When
eddies traverse the area, the flat within the eddy is antlcyclonic
(clockwise)."
—The "paiaeeaat stratification level" Is peer wording. Hhat yea are
talklag ihawt is the beginning ef the petaenoet theraacllea idtich
ranges between 200 a - 100 a far the deep ocaan. At the lM-aile
site It ranges bataaan 150-200 a to S00 a. It is aot a sharp gradieat,
3 aad the layers ere aot distinctly different. Miring dees occar across
¦ 70 these boundaries, gaaerolly as a slew, saall-scale process. This entire
paregreph sheald be rewritten.
P. 3-W. per. 3
3-21 IM m ,tna ¦*u1 carrents?"
P. 3-30. last line
3-22 ¦« "other factors" are iaportant?
P. 4-12, wder 10£slll_Il$t
3-23 flainate "nan addy conditions have not bean studied."
P. A-2. per. 1
3-24 happened to spring and All? —Line 3, leave oat "breezes."
P. A-4, par. 2
3_OC Again, "Intrusions of slope water" would be rare, if ever at the
43 acid site.
P. A-4, par. 3
3-26 Tan>eraturt and salinity are variables; density is a parnaeter.
P. A-5, first par.. Hue 3
3-27 t*11*** ** aeant that the weter is Isotberael In winter, end with
Increased verael warming, a strong theraocline develops foialng a
highly stratified 2-leyered systaa.
Last line
_ _ _ Ataespherlc cooling along with stora activity will destroy the theraocllne.
3—28 stratified systen sach es the tight Is daring the sanaer, a
passing store will only teworerily destroy or dtpress the thetaocline.
P. A-S, last par., lint 6
3-29 "T*1« river flea . . .* change to:
"The plane persists thronghoot the year la the tight; the extent and depth
are M0ily dependent ee the flat rates froa the Hudson end larltaa Wvers."
-------
s
3-30
p. *-(. par. 2. llat t
fit ¦ cmm after
Lint 3
Change to: "With « decrease In winds and an Increase 1«i solar radiation*
3*31 *** $MS0N^ thermocllne begins to develop forming a strong two-layered
* 1 system reaching maxlmias strength by August."
3-32
Last line
What about winter idien taeperatures are low* and salinity 1s moderate?
Isn't this still surface shelf water?
P. JU6. line 4
"Cool pool" 1s Introduced without any lead-In explanation. A "core* of
a water Is formed which remslns below 8° C 1n the sumaer surrounded by
0~33 uarmer temperature. Sone people call this residual winter water. This
"cold pool" persists throughout the suner norths.
t*j P. B-9. ftrst line
I
OD <3 What 1s the reference for the canyon being a "trap" for wastes froai the
dredged material or sewage sludge sites?
P. D-12, par. 3, line 6
Change . . and pycnocllne stratifications" to *. . . hence pycnocllne
stratification ..."
3-34
3-35
February 6, 1980
MBMORANDOM FOR: Dr. Sidney R. Galler
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environmental Affaire
(Attention: Mr. Cox)
Subject: Environmental Protection Agency - Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS) for the New York Bight Acid
Haste Disposal Site Designation
The subject DEIS has been reviewed as requested by your mesK>randuB
of December 21, 1979. He concur with the analyses and conclusions
contained in the subject document and submit the following constant
for your consideration.
Ocean Dumping Surveillance, pages 1-6 and 7
The Coast Guard recently proposed in the Federal Register of
December 13, 1979, the issuance of regulations (33 CFR Part 158)
requiring waste transporters to install electronic surveillance
equipment on vessels engaged in ocean duaping. Present surveillance
methods are labor intensive and do not provide 100 percent coverage
of all dumping activities. Installation of surveillance equipsient
would result in increased surveillance, while reducing overall
costs. Although the cost to the dumping industry would increase
because of equipment requirements, the total cost of surveillance
of ocean dumping operations would decrease. The proposed system
would provide a record of an ocean dunging mission on cassette
tape furnished by the Coast Guard by periodically recording geographic
movements of the vessel# the times when the mechanisms for dusking cargo
/ate activated, and data identifying the mission.
Chief, Division of Environmental Activities
Office of Shipbuilding Costs
-------
vmrm st* vts Dmmnr sr commkacc
ftt »wm>| ¦ {imi —< Tiriiiiln)
Harch 6, 1980
Mr. Henry L. Longest, II
Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Hater Program Operations
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D. C. 20460
Dear Mr. Longestt
The Department of Cosnerce reviewed the draft environmental
i*?T>acV SXfttewe-fct by the &wironme*t*l ?TC\«ctioc\ Agency relative,
to the "For New York Bight Acid Haste Disposal Site Designation",
and forwarded cosnenta to you in our letter of February 20, 1980.
Since that tine, additional inlui*ra$r
wawjn*. mmm raaswes vtmcc
Pederal Building* 14 Bin Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
February 11, 1980
TO:
PROM:
PP/EC - Joyce N. Hood
jr F/KER - Allen E. Peterson, Jr. IMMwk f ¦
SUBJECT: Draft Environmental Impact Statement — New York Bight
Acid tfaste Disposal Site Designation — EPA — DEIS 17912.25
General Comments
Based on the information provided in this document, research
performed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
and the realization that land-based waste treatment methodologies
are not presently available, it is our opinion that, of the open-water
sites discussed, disposal of authorized wastes is best continued at
the interim site. However, we continue to believe it inappropriate
to use our nation's waters for disposal of toxic wastes and encourage
the search for suitable alternatives.
CLEARANCE:
F/HP:JRote
J ¦
V V-
SIGNATURE AND DATE:
-------
MPAHIMCHT OF THE AftMT
ra
ifmav. NW
3 March 1980
Mr. T. A. ttastler
Chief, Marine Protection trench
Environmental Protection Agency
Uaebington. DC 20460
Dear Mr. Hastier:
This la In response to your request to the North Atlantic Division, Corps
o£ Engineers for cesaeats on the Draft Esviromencal It^wc Statement for
Mew York Sight Acid Vaste Disposal dated 18 December 1979.
He are not snare of any plans to dispose of dredged material off the
continental shelf and therefore It would see* that New York District's
ocean dusplng activities would not directly Interact with disposal of
acid waste at the 104 wile site.
Sincerely,
" - * 1'''
P. A. 0E9CENZA
Chief, Engineering Division
DEPARTMENT OF THE AflMY
MONTH ATLANTIC DrVtSION. CORPS OF ENGINEERS
•O CHURCH STREET
NCW VORK. N. r. IO0O7
KADPL-* )] December 1979
SUBJECT: Draft Environmental Impact Statement for New York Bight
Aeld Waste Disposal
District Engineer, New York
Attached for your review and consent is a copy of the subject CIS- - Your
concents or a negative response on this doctinent should be furnished directly
to Mr. T. A* Vastier, Chief, Marine Protection Branch (VH-54S) Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460. with a copy to this
office.
FOR THE DIVISION ESGIXEERs
'
Herbert Howard
tiE SHE
Chief, PUcmlns Division
-------
OCPAATWEMT Qf HEALTH. EDUCATION. ANO WELFARE
try S„ 1M0
"•r* T. A* Uutltf
ChUf, Marios ProMettM Irwel («-Mt)
farlriifl hr*uctU« *#Mcy
*a«hfa«tM, ».C. HMO
Iwr ». lutlw
Ma tan ml—I tha Bnlt hwlriwrgl Ifict fft——t (BIS) far cha
Mm letfc K|tr Icll tuM Mfpwl -rtfMrhi Ma m rn>iw<1^ «t
bahalf *1 thi Mile teltl krttn u« offerl* tte (*U«^
Mb salirataarf Ate tta i«ri|iirlwi la br da nwlmi tfispeeel
at acU wtM UtkalM Mk Kgbt kU VmM Hi>m1 Sic*. Maori m
tha UtemtiM inuflil la tkt Ul, tfta pnpml aetlM loss «c ifftic
tta It «ill «»lt ii ht *l|>irieaM ihrt fw ^llc health
fcwwr, lc la lope f fat Chit a iwitllw my k twhtai lot I as
Ml «ltM <1 ¦>¦¦¦! to IIWI MtllfMCKT fWfllBTI «ltk D*'< H —
*M|IH olMtla ami u Mlitr say Uyu« tJ»un «fl«cU
IMctlnUrlr la food (lob oi MlfM. llact *1i— I aw '- :B t* tha
raaaarcaa raadtlag fM idi Mote
-------
10
-71/1170
United States Department of the Interior
OFFICE or TW SKftBTAftY
¦nrtlwi 1||Im
15 State ttrwc
02109
Mnny U, 1980
Mr. T. k. fcwltr
Qdaf, Merlae hotaetln Branch (B-S4I)
fci Iii—mul Frotactiae If cy
»aM«grim, dc toMo
Dmi Kr. VMtiar:
Thla w>wd« to Nr. taury I. lumit'i reqaaat for ecanca « the
draft wyf rnwuU atitm for tha tar Tent tight Acid Hmm Dlspoeal
Site DnliutlM, Haw Jtnty nd How York. The flapigft of the
Interior ooialte the follovU^ nvl«r osaaett oa tha itteMat for your
ooMUmtln.
**
I r—»rii Co—nta
M la oar view the draft etateaeet la inadequate la It* dlacuaaloa of
iltamtliM other than ocaaa dialing Ac atatoaanta "laed-baaad
•ltccMtlw dlapoaal aethoda ara cormtlj lata aiialiiw—nallji
acceptable..." (paga xlll), ..aaataa...taannf. ba craatai oa land for
enviroaaeatal or acwicaic reaeoaa" (pa#* L-2), and "...technically
(ataibli alternative dlapoaal aathoda ara anrlronaantally laaa
preferable(pate 1-2) ara not aupported within the draft atataaent.
Several alternative aethoda have baaa edveacad by tha producers of
theee aaataa aa a raqalraaant of flpacial CoaMlltloo 7 (page 2-17), but
tliara appoara to ba no hard Incentive to avltch to land-baa ad dlapoaal.
Install acid neutralisation, lapleaent mv by-produet recovery, or
Institute other alternative aathoda ooca tha ocaaa duaplnf. alta haa
baaa approved. Tha permit applicant need only ahov no other "reasonable"
alternative to ocaaa dialing exlste (page 1-12).
Ha farther note that cha draft atateaeat doaa not adequately dlacuea
project-cauoed chronic affacta oa flah and wildlife resources nor
cuaulatiwe I^iecte on thoaa raaoareaa vhlch reanlt froa this and other
designated failing (traadi within cha Haa Torfc Bight.
Tha draft etateaent doaa not adequately doctawnt the ci—ilatlve lay acta
(If cay) of anticipated OCS oil and gae leaaea in tha involved araa.
Paga 3-18 atataa that: **So ex la tins or planned oil and gas leaee tracta
arc located In any interla or designated ocaaa dlapoaal alta." Farther
10-1
10-2
10-3
10-4
aaatlaa la tbaa aada of pest and future aalaa la the region with aa
acco^ paying aap, however, chare la ao aeatlea or reference of the
aptclal relationship of thaaa tracta to the four dlapoaal altea. There
la ao aaaitlea of racaat coaaanlcaelon nor eynopela of the kreaa of land
Managaaeat'e envlroaaontal aerk regard inn laaaa aalaa.
Ait aakaa thla oadaaloa even aore blatant la that ao aantlee of oil and
gas and reqaired/increased navigation la addreeeed la Chapter Four*
Ipeti nawn al Qsneequcaeaa.
Detailed Co—ata
Tha final amtronaantal atataaent ahoold Include Intonation on tha net
|Q«5 affects, beneficial or adveree, concerning the ferric hydro^dc waste
pine foraad ^aa eeid-iron aaataa are ralaaaad (pagee 2-4 aad 2-5).
One of the ptrpoaaa of thla draft atataaent la to dlacuaa the anrlroiaraUl
coneetiuencaa aaaaelated with the daalgnation of an ocean dwap alta for
acid aaataa. Tha atataaant la aade la Chapter Four: "Host i^ortaatly,
30 yaara of etudy at the existing Mew York Bight Acid Vaata Dlapoaal
Site have not doaonetrated any adveree effect* resulting froa the dlapoaal
of thaaa waeces".
However, In the Saaary aectlon (page srlll) it atatea: "The affecta of
acid aaate In the Southern Area could be aore eevere thai at tha axlatlng
elte. Since aaetea have never bean released In the area, detectable
accuaulatlona aay occur and advaraaly affect the eeosyatea." It goes on
to atate: "If weatee were relaeaed In the northern Area, affecta on the
ecoayetea would parallel thoee In tha Southern Araa. Such affacte are
potentially aore eevere than thoee resulting froa continued use of the
axlatlng alta."
Thaaa two atateaanta In the Suaaary aectlon lead tha reader to belleva
that there are aaaaurable laaacta at the lev Tort Bight Acid waste
Dlapoaal Site, while the atataaent in Chapter Four leads the raader to
believe otherwise. In addition, the natter la further confueed by the
atataaent which appears on page 4.1: "...effects (if present) at the
_ Acid Site are obscured fcy the aultiple contaadnant eources...." This
|QwQ atataaant lndlcetea that tha inpacta at the site cannot be properly
assaased and refutes all previous contradictory atateaanta. This
confusion should be claered up In the final enrlronaental atataawnt.
St—ary Coswents
Thla draft atatenent offars no substantiation that other reasonable
alternatives do not exist such as land-based disposal, recycling,
reproceaetng, etc. It would appear that this would be et the very heart
-------
-V
10-7
6t eh* posit KNM u wall m tela* ¦ launial part of the UFA
ptM*N. A Ittilltd jiie—low of altmatlnak edter than eea
¦hMld be Iac1erta4 la tha final — Irni— ril atataaaat.
ft hutto limit chat da flaal atauaaat laclric aa — alyta of tha
• A 0 ceriatlw f^acta m fish «d vlldllfe, thsir aatf the pafrllc'a
|U»0 vat thtnef, afedck reaalt ftaa aeaaa ia|fa| of watM at this Acid Igf
Site «ad all otter la>1|pifri la* attaa vltfcla the lat tort B10*.
Hth taapeet t» f«rthtr enaUcntlai «f all i
aeaaa 4lepoae1 eltes, it la 1
with Kr. fnafc Saalla, Mwjir. (M«r ftaHaTU Chalf Of flea, Boreas
of LmJ taupaat, Metal Mldlatr, Mtt M-l», 26 Ndaral Plasa.
Is* Totk, fcv favfc 1(1007.
flaceraly pasta.
~->s
VUlftaa Ntteran
I
»—
U
n
MMffTMfNT or fTATT
BUREAU OP OCSAftS MID KMTBSMKT10HAL
EMVZIOHISIITM. A*0 SCIENTIFIC APPAIXS
February 7, 19B0
11-1
11-2
Mr. T. A. Vastier
Chief Marina Protection
Branch (HH-S48)
environmental Protection Agency
Wellington, D.C. 204(0
Dear Nr. Mastier:
Officials of tha Departaent of State have reviewed
CPA's Draft EIS for th* Hen York Bight Acid Waste Disposal
Site Designation and have the following coaaents on the
docuaentz
1. The Ocean Duaping Convention, Annex III (c)(4)
states that aaong "general considerations and conditions*
to be taken into account in estaolishiag criteria govern-
ing perait issuance auat be "the practical availability of
alternative land based Methods of treatment, disposal or
elimination, or of treataent to render the aatter less
haraful for duaping at sea*, in view of this, we believe
that the 0615 should give soaewhat aore discussion as to
why land disposal alternatives are not feasible. Also, we
believe that additional discussion of the existing research
findings pertaining to alternative disposal aethods Bight
be included.
*
2. In light of the Ocean Soaping Conventions Annex
III, lAich provides for establishing criteria governing
the issuance of peraits for duaping aatter at sea, includ-
ing "accuaulation and biotransfornation in biological
Materials or seoiaents," *e believe additional discussion
of the potential effects of acid iron wastes and toxic
heavy Metal contaninants in the acid iron wastes as well
as iron waste floz would i*e useful.
3. Annex ill of tAe Ocean Dumping Convention stipulates
as well that "possible effects on Marine life, fish and
shellfish culture, fish stocks and fisheries, seaweed
harvesting and culture" should be considered in penait
-------
- 2 -
isauance criteria. Id this respect, it is not clear If
there is a relationship between the D6IS conclusion that
duping operations do not have any significant impact on
biota and later statements in the document that the waste
plume which drifts outside the site harms fishery, accord-
ing to fishermen, and that chroaosome abnormalities in
mackerel eggs in the site are greater than in the control
area.
Think you for the opportunity to coonertt on the deaft
iapact statement.
t you*a« j
Donald R, King ^
Director
Office of Environaent & Health
i
H-»
12
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WASHlNtTTOK, D.C. 20W0
February 7, 1980
Nr. T. A. Hastier
Chief, ferine Protection Branch (HHS48)
Environaental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Mr. Vastier:
The Draft Environmental Ispact Statement for New York Bight Acid Waste
Disposal Site Designation was circulated to relevant areas 1n the
Foundation for review. Their cements follow:
' Given the limitations of oceanic sampling, the factual results
presented are probably accurate. The only major point of concern that arises
is the differences between conclusions in the suamary and those In the actual
body of the report. The report seems to stress thaX 1t 1s very difficult
to assess my possible Impact of additional acid dialing for two reasons:
(1) the area 1s already heavily impacted; (2) the biota are so patchy that
pollution effects cannot be separated from natural variation. The con-
clusion In the sunury seems to stress that there Is little ispact or
that Impact 1s unlikely. It cannot be concluded that there ts no 1*>act
just because none can be found when working 1n this highly variable natural
• — . environment. It would be highly desirable if support were made available
| i—\ for innovative methods of assessing environaental impact in naturally
variable environments. Such research could be made part of continuing
monitoring efforts."
"Generally, the DEIS 1s very repetitious. As one express function of the
*1 9.0 CEQ Regulations for I^leaentlng JEPA is to eliminate repetition, the
1 fc *" dorifnt can be shortened considerably by eliminating repetition.,.." "For
exuq>le:
1. The Acid Site 1s described not only on page 2-3, but also on pages
2-27 and 3-8.
2. Impacts are described not only In the Environmental Consequences Chapter,
but also in Chapter 2—Alternatives Including the Proposed Action (e.g.,
h*11c Health md Water Quality, pages 2*4 and 2-12). Chapter 2 should
be designed to discuss the dipping process, transit time, potential
sites fir during and what is being doped. A 11st of the acids being
dmped and the volume of material was not even presented until page 3-8.
3. The Iron "hydroxide floe is discussed on many separate occasions Including
pages 2-4. 2-30, and 3-4. Tbe flee is an environmental consequence of
the action and, as such, should be discussed in Chapter 4."
-------
Nr. T. A. testier
2
pjg.
Para
xiii
3
*iii
4
"Specific en
12—3 3 Uho corroborates the data submitted by M. Industries
, and Allied Chmaical?
17*4 * *^e Mount of pollution Introduced by acid waste Is
st10tt when compered with other sources I find
this an illogical statement as pollution refers generally
to an Increase over the typical background levels. Ho
information for tl»e Acid Site prior to 1946 is presented,
and "normal" concentrations of trace metals 1n Table A-4
suggest that pollution has been significant.
19_C xv 3 'Mhen compared with waste inputs fn» all sources...'
*' *; the argument under xlii 4, above, holds.
1 2-q xv11 (1) How do you know aqueous wastes will not Measurably affect
benthos at deep sites? I find no evidence to support
this contention.
12—/ xvii (2) This is a qualified statement based on release rate.
The stateMnt suggests that effects nay be otherwise, given
high release rates.
12-8 xv** O) * subjective statement not corroborated by any evidence.
¦ 14 Q xvlli 2 'Since wastes have never been released In the area,
I detectable accumulations nay occur...1 This is an illogical
* «0 .. statement 1f your statement on pg. xvii (3) were acceptable.
^ 12*10 *lx 2 T9t)t D*3 dots Mt suggest low concentrations of solids.
in ii xix 8 Should read 'Each barge load should be sufficiently snail
I fc" I I and release rate sufficiently slow to pemlt
1 9.1 0 2 Last sentence. Reference should be cited to 40 CFR 227 8,
' ' J" 0. and E or a 11st given 1 f Indeed this is what you nean.
1 1 3 Summry Wty would monitoring costs tc the Federal Government Increase
if Site 106 is already being monitored (Excluding shiprider
<10 14 COSts)?
12-14 2-13 4 2-1* Extra pages.
1C 2-15 2 Last sentence. .shlprlders are not normally used.' But
It" 19 then the disposal operation is not observed as is the am
of C.l. 16470. 2B.
2-16 2 The probability of short dumping should be calculated.
2-* 3 'Sanp les are taken monthly for analyses.1 Considering
the frequency of damping, weekly or biweekly sampling
- _ . _ procedures would be no re appropriate.
]/« In -*-21 2 'Barnegat Lane' should read 'Hudson lane' (according to
Figure 3-10).
12—19 2
-------
9TATC or OCLAWMI
CHCCUTTVC OCPANfTMCMT
Office of Manago*ent. Budget, and Panning
OmcCOTTMC oavf* DFl« «*ac IMOI Fmi>s4 003> *31'
January J7, 1980
nr. T. A. Mistier
Chief
ferine Protection Branch (HH-548)
Cnvlrnnma nUl Protection Agency
Washington, DC 204€Q
tear Mr. Mastier:
The Drift Environmental Impact Statement for Mew York Bight Acid
I Waste Disposal Site Designation has been reviewed by this Office
by reason of Its responsibility for implementation of Delaware's
coastal management program under tenas of the Federal Coastal Zone
Management Act.
The Oraft EIS contains several key statements which the l?k apparently
expects the reader to take at face value with little or no evidence
given to support the statements.
On page 1-2, there 1s a statement that technically feasible alternative
acid waste disposal methods are environmentally less preferable than
continued use of the site (the K.Y. Sight sitej. No evidence is
mentioned to support this conclusion. What alternative disposal methods •
were examined and tdiat is the basis for the conclusion that alternative
methods are environmentally less preferable?
Also, on page 1-2, there 1s a statement that NL Industries and Allied
Chemical tcld wastes cannot be disposed of by land-based methods. What
Is the basis for this statement? Has any attempt made by the CPA or
anyone else to examine alternative land-based disposal methods?
It is strongly rtcowmndtd that the Final CIS provide supporting in-
formation, if there is any, for these Important statements and conclusions.
Thank you for the opportunity to concent on this Oraft CIS. I look
forward to receiving a copy of the Final EIS on this subject.
13-1
Sincerely.
v */*/*
Oavid S. H»9g, MI
OSH/JS/jad
14
MAftYLANO
DEPARTMENT OF STATE PLANNING
901 W PftCSTO* STHtET
BALTtMORC. MARYLAND 2 1 201
HAimrr hughcs constance licocr
OOrf*** itCNITm
February 15, 1980
Mr. T.A. Vastier
Chief* Marine Protection Branch (WH-548)
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
SUBJECT: PROJECT NOTIFICATION AND REVIEW
Applicant: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Project: Draft EIS - New York Bight Acid Waste
Disposal Ocean Site Designation
State Clearinghouse Control Number: 60-12-677
State Clearinghouse Contact: Janes McConnaughhay (383-2467)
Dear Mr. Wastler:
The State Clearinghouse has reviewed the above statement. In accord-
ance with the procedures established by the Office of Management and
Budget Circular A-95( the State Clearinghouse received comments from
the following:
Department of Transportation. Department of Economic and Comcunity
Development, including their Historical Trust section. Environmental
— I Health Administration. University of Etarvland Center for Environmental
and Eatuarine Studies noted that the statement appears to adequately
cover those areas of interest to their agencies.
Department of Natural Resources provided comments (copy attached)
suggesting that basic information e.g. pH of acid waste be included
even though the report Is a summary. The Department also recoamended
that monitoring of disposal activities be initiated or continued to
reduce the frequency of unnecessary "short" dumping.
Worcester County and Oceyi City have not responded to inquiries as
of this date; however, if consents are received they will be forwarded.
We hope these comments will be useful in your agency's continuing
evaluation of this project and appreciate your attention to the A-95
review process.
Sincerely*
/James W. McConnaughhay1
Director, State Clearinghouse
JMc:SB:pv
t&chom »im mii cc: Frederick/M. Eisenberg/H. Silbermann/C. Pyers/
offce or stcftfTAftv J. Yankus/Hayor Kelley/P, Wagner
-------
7
yland Department of State Planning
ate Oil ice Building
01 Vest Preston Street 4 rw,
lti»ore# Maryland 21201 Date: •
SUBJECT: ENVIRONHEKTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OR ZRVIROIKEfrrAZ.
Applicant: U.S. Bxvirooaental Protection Agency
Project1 -g^Tor* Bight Acid Haste
State Cleeringtxxue Control Kaber: 80-12-677
We have reviewed the above draft enviroiaMntal iapact statement and our
consents aa to the adequacy of treatment of physical, ecological, and
sociological effects of concern are shown below:
Check
(X) for ead
i
a
0
1
1.
Additional specific effect* which
should be assessed:
2.
Additional alternatives which should
be considered:
~
3.
Better or Bore appropriate aessures and
standards which snould.be used to
evaluate eiiuli ounentsl effects J
K
h.
Additional control aeasures Wiich
should be amlled to reduce adverse
environaantal effects or to amid
or ainlaire tk» irreversible of
Irretrievable i/nanltaen* of resources:
V
5.
Asaessaent of seriousness of the
environmental rtaaagt from thla
project, using the best alternative
and control aaeuares:
/
6.
Activities which appear to be Inconsistent
vlth the State approved Coastal Zone ^
Kansgeaeat Progrsa.
*
7.
Issues rtiich require further dis-
cussion of resolution as shown:
V
f ¦ ——
Title.
Agency_
> At VJC-.
Address.
15
STATl Of MAOTIAMO
OVMtMWT Of NATUUL RfKUKa
Tturn STATl omcc MUM
*ry 24, 1930
btllHi Mgat
fnak L. lame. Jr.
•0-12-677 - Cm Tort lljht Acid Bute Blspoeal
lite Designation
This Is to advise yw tfcst th< above nfcroead Clearinghouse Fro J act has
beta iwtwrf by BUI von Sdailt of th» Planning Dlvlslw.
He flod tfils project Is not inconsistent vitk tbis agency's pleas* pcogtsw*
or abjsetlm.
It epHus thst Che tupiiii sctloa will kxvt no direct effect « Mazylttd's
co—til eaters. However:
Zvon tboogh tb» report Is s sewry, k»lc Information, q.
pK of acid vaeta, should have bees included.
15-1 »
15-2
15-3
15-4
15-5
2) The report atatea that alternative disposal technlqnes are not
yet available. If this acid la ao eaaily diluted vlth sesvater,
vhjr can't aeae (oia of pre-treatamt (or dilation) occur before
eceen. disposal of scldf
3) Tsrt of the rational* for continued duaping is that tha flight
ares is already degraded froa other wastes. Thla type of logic
often preclude* adequate consideration of other slternatlvea.
4) The report states that "combination of different vasts types
st s single alts i» generally undesirable..." Tat Is is alao
ststed that the Bight are* receive* other types of waste*. Why
continue ao undealrable prsctlce?
5) The Intent (and apirlt) of regulating ocean disposal si tea ahould
be to reduce coDtssinsnt Input; not to oalntain itscus fuc.
-------
2
1 5"6 Heelterlee ~' Oifwil tctlviilM ehooH It bitlital or
contlMMd t* wfcci the freqeeecy of wMManqi "abet"
f* view af «ll«f thl*, however, the report cMm tfcee KM erleerie
•n W*M Am eawinM— lei «(f«cta «rt ¦toxt-U**4 m! rtwdbl*.
eM bit tfea March for alttraitlw ywil leilwrfj— «U1 rnoM—
Harry Hughes
MAHVLAMD
MM.TWM1. tfAMtMlft lltll
Constance Liedor
December 26, 1979
Mr. T.l. Vutlir , ,
Chief, Karine Protection Branch (W*M)
¦ Enviroo»ental Protection Agency
Washington, fi.C. 20460
16-1
RE: State Clearinghouse Project - Dr*~ft BX3 - Sew York
Bight Acid Vaste Disposal Oeean Site Designation
80-12-477
D*«* Kr. Wastler:
The State Clearinghouse has received the above project. The r /tew of
this project haa now been initiated end you nay expect a reply fro» us
by »»bwiary 11. IQQp . If you have any question* coacir&lai this
review, oleeae contact Bryan Cotch (563-2ftaal of this Clearinghouse.
We are Interested in your project sod will aake every effort to ensure
proapt action. Thank you for your cooperation with the Clearinghouse
progru,
ea V. HcConnaughbay
Director, State Clearinghouse
BCipw
-------
17
t
17-1
T.A. HutUr
Chief, Marin* Protection Branch (Wit* 54 8)
Bnvlrnnma ati 1 Protection Agency
Washington, DC 204(0
ftss New York Bight Acid Waste
Disposal Site Designation
Dear .Mr. Waetler t
Tbe Mw Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
^ ®*Plet«d it* review of the Draft toviroi—ntal Impact
Staf-unt for Msw York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site
Designation.
We Department concurs that disposal at this sits,
a* opposed to other oceanic sites# is the most acceptable
alternative. Bowever, it is our position that the OBIS
has failed to give a coe^lete evaluation of the land based
disposal alternatives and the recycle and reuse alternatives
available. Without an evaluation of these alternatives
it is not possible to make a decision on the aost environmentally
eotmd method for disposing of this waste. Ms suggest that
a discussion of non-oceanic disposal options should include
the methods of neutralisation and upland disposal, the
technology presently available for recycling of acid wastes
or conversion of the wastes into useable by-products, the
costs and c mm 1 taunt of resources re^uirod for these alter-
natives, and an evaluation of the environmental impacts
associated with their Implementation. In light of the
stated potential for heavy metal input into the Bight Apex
sad the possible long-term or chronic effects on the Bight
Apex biota, land based acid disposal alternatives may be the
more acceptable method of protecting aquatic resources.
The Department would also like to provide the following
technical rn—ants on the DEIS. Responses to these comments
are required to aid in selecting the most environmentally
sound disposal alternative.
N
-------
-3-
%, On page the DB1S atatei that, "Evidence of
ehrontoMl fismegw in Mck*r«l collected in the
vicinity of the eite has btn reported (Longvell, 1976),
bat the etnte of the iflsmsge cannot be definetly linked
to the disposal of acid wastes." Test procedures should
1be isplemented to determine If the constituents in the
1 * acid wastes ere responsible for this damage end which
concentration* produce significant mutagens!*.
Thank you for giving the Department of Environmental
protection the opportunity to review the OBIS. Z
bslieve that the cosnenta in total will assist the
environmental Protection Agency In its preparation of
the Pinal BI®,
4) The office ot 'Bnvironmsntal fteview coordinates
| cepartnental reviews of all environmental it^act
|s) statements issued pursuant to REPA. Therefore, both
O with final El8 for the Hew York Bight Acid Haste Disposal
Site Designation and future environmental inpact state-
ments generated by your office, copies should be
forwarded to my office for review. Six copies of
each draft BIS and three copies of each Pinal EIS are
required for distribution. I trust that you will under-
stand that this coordinating mechanism provides for the
best possible Depertmental response.
Sim
i con
omsiQM ot w*nn essouacss
Arnold Schifficaii
Director
JAN • 4 lieu
Mr, T.- Wattles
Chief, Marine Protection Branch (WH-S4I)
Environmsntal Protection Agency
Washington* DC 2Q460
Re: Ocean Dumping Sites/W.Y. Bight Acid Waste
Dear Mr* Vastier:
We have reviewed the Draft Environmental Isqpect Statement for
designation of the new York Bight Acid Waste disposal Site*
We concur with the PSBPA's proposed action to designate the
. site for continued use in the disposal of wastes which comply
|3~1 *ith the criteria for ocean disposal.
Very truly yours*
Or* Harwan N. Sadatr P.£.
Assistant Director
Water Quality Management
OSIinjf
-------
19
ftalr of Htm Jrrarif
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
JOSEPH A LrrMtTE *• STATE STOUT
commissioner OtcMter 20, 1979 WTornawtmi
T»P»TOM. KJ. Mtl
Hr. Henry L. Longest, IJ
Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Water Progra* Operations
United States Environ—intaI Protection
Agency
Washington, D.C. 20406
M: OS*C-F*-eo-778 EI5 for Ncm York Bfght Actd Waste Disposal
Site Designation
Oear Hr. Longest:
The New Jersey State Clearinghouse has received end is processing your
Project Notification as required by the provisions of the U. S. Office of
Management and Budget Circular *-95 Revised and Chapter 85, Net* Jersey Laws
of 19W». This project has been designated 05HC-FY- 50-778.
*30 The State Clearinghouse has assigned a 30day review period effective
I with the dale of this letter. This review period is consistent with our
M internal procedures end federal regulations relevant to your program. The
appropriate state agencies have been requested to coauwnt on your application
whfle the State Clearinghouse will perform Us own review. If coMents are
received and any conflicts or issues arise, the Clearinghouse wilt notify you.
10.1 It may be necessary to request additional information and/or to schedule a
conference in order to resolve the issues prior to clearance; otherwise you
are cleared at the end of the review period to forward your final application
to the federal funding agency, accompanied by a copy of this letter. It i»
the responsibility of the applicant to attach any comments to the application
forwarded to the federal agency.
Please feel free to call upon the State Clearinghouse et any time to
assist you with any problems or questions you may have with the A-95 review
procedure.
Very truly yours.
Nrr Jrrttr h Am £+mt OffmrtmUt Cwpfcju
20
H—Y««*Mlll Hi,
M MT kai Atanr. Mm ta* 12213
Division of Regulatory Affairs
wMCo
torch 4, 1980
CommJuiomr
Robert f. Hacke
Mr. T. D. Eastler, Project Officer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
011 and Special Materials Central Division
Marine Protection Branch
Washington, D.C. 20460
Re: DEIS, the New York Bight Acid
Uaste Disposal Site Designation
DEC No. 012-003
Dear Mr. Wastler:
The. Department of Environmental Conservation has completed Its
review of the above subject docuwit. This Department has the respon-
sibility for managing the anadroaous species of New York State. Of
particular note, the following anadromous species of the Hudson River;
shad, striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon (an endangered
species)* blueback herring and alewtfe, are known to utilize the apex
of the New York Bight, the proposed site for continued dwplng of acid
chemical wastes.
The Department brings to attention contamination of the State's
fish and wildlife resources by Improper disposal of chemical wastes.
The Improper disposal of mirex by Hooker Chemicals has led to the con-
tamination of great amounts of Lake Ontarfo fish necessitating health
advisories warning individuals to Halt their eon suction. On the Hud-
son River, polychlorlnated Mphenyls (PCB's) discharged by General
Electric led to the closure of conMrclal fishing for most Hudson River
species and advisories on conswptlon of fish caught 1n the recreational
fishery.
The above two Incidents are not the only contaminant problems in
New York State, but do serve to show how untreated or Improperly dis-
charged wastes can permeate through entire ecosystems. Continued diap*
lug of acid wastes, at the acid site, as proposed by EPA Is considered
by this Department as improper. The EIS clearly acknowledges that the
add wastes are unsafe for land disposal without treatment, end that
the wastes contain, at a minimum, suspended solids; of) and grease;
petrolew hydrocarbons; zinc; copper; caArfym; lead and mercury. The
last four heavy metals are known to bloacctmwlate 1n aquatic ecosystems
and depending on Its composition, the pet relets hydrocarbon fraction
can bloacamnlate also.
-------
¦r. T. 0. Eastler, Project Officer
Pafe Z
4, M
Dk Papai ImiiL iqnti Hat EM has the Mrninlta that
lt» acid MStd are too huankns to be dsposltad l> • Kctn M
ctwrinl Ttpotl tory wltimt tmatwent and. ttmltw, ant ba dvprt
at set it a site that appears to be itmiri as ladfutW by * Ugh
lacMaaca of f1a rot la winter flowder, tha lack of surf clMs and
the kW wioaitntlM af tuq aetali 1a tha sadleant. The Depart-
aaat araa disagrees with CM's jastlffcatlpn af cantlauad dating of
the tcM wastes an tka baits that these otto it only a salt per-
eaatage «f tha ttttl tatt aatart all Itlq disposed of la the tight
•pel reftca. la this rqiN, 1t sheuld ba noted IM the swan tlidge
daplag re failed to h* EM 1s scheduled to and la IM1. Ceatlmied
pollution showld not be Jestlfted because there eitsts another polluter
af greater aaaaitwda.
Ike Department myili that the proposed pemtt far continued
taping at the acid site aet be issued. mi that tha Mites be detoxi-
fied mi aecared In a chaatcal lead stti. If laad disposal Is still
daaaad unfeasible, thea the Dapartaant that tha duping be
permitted oaly at the alternative 106-artl* site ahlch has a aych loner
biological activity thaa the curreat acid <1te and, therefore, lower
I 20-] probability of haia to tha ecosystaa. The IIMla site Is also aore
W * favorable ahaa the theory Is 'dilation Is the solution to pollution"
KJ because the Itaoua tvrbulence of this site Is greater thaa the current
acid site.
It should he noted that the 106-a1)e »1te Is aore 1a line with
Section 228.5 af tha EM Ocean Dwplng Deftflatloes, general site
selection criteria, thaa tha currant acid 4uap site. Of tha criteria
a through e stated oa p. 1-i of the EIS. the ll*-«1la site fits the
criteria (a), (b). (c), aad (e) better thaa the current 15-alte acid
site. Neither site fits criteria (d) since the wastes are aqueous and
caald extand beyond the artltrary borders EM could create.
Attached Is a (1st af specific coaaants ea a paiK-by-paqe basis
of the EIS. Thank jou for tile opportunity for review and caaaant. He
request review of the final da mint whan available.
Sincerely.
JU:EM:ta*
Uttadaait
cc: \L Hlch
C. Calvin
File DEC ho. 01J-003
Specific rinm « tbc Draft Eaviri— mil fapnet (Ulawt (EIS)
for Hw York Bight Aeli Kastt Piiyowl Slt« Bcaiiaitiett.
Fi|t X8. It is stated „ shea eapifad via Mtt frcn all sources, the
eoatalMtad acid Mitu axe iul|oiilc
-------
-2-
faga Will. atttaa that «M «f Eh* racaiaa act ta llapaae ¦( acU mea i* tht
aaalhan bh la >n— aara wt rfficta ara niittli at thla alta.
Oa tha nnlwi M*< n haa statal that Uau Is m Iimwii in of
b«-tai itaaa affacta fraa tka aaata. ¦amiai, « tUa pa(a, m
KUM tkat wall ralaaaal la tka aaathara araa aar alraraely affect
tka aoaajaca aal that tatactakla aiMaltlf wmy accar. EM la
Uantaia, laiaaalataat la latanafaiai tka |—tilli efface a cf the acli
taatc. BT* la marlaJln that aa am hlalattcal Iwni will ha taa
«c tka caraat acil slta. Imi», ktolafical laa|a eaali occmr at
aar, aaaaal altaa each aa tka nafhara araa. Tka Watatai af riak aal
2Q-2 Villi If a llaafraaa ilU IM'a latlnaala that tka caatlaaaclaa af laaflac
at aa aita«la» alta la aa ati arable icactlca. If tka adl aaataa ua
triable af part art lag tka hlata af tka euarhara area tka} ara alaa
Capable af fartarkiat tka aaa Uau la tka carraat acid la* alta.
Oaarrlat partarhetloaa ta tka aatlaa Mata af tha carraat lav alta,
*eaM t* llfflcalt karaaai thoaa Urn that kan uUkllM tl—aaliaa
*t tkla alta ara tkaaa Mata chat ara i apahla af althettaHai tlaa
atraaaaa *a ta rnarloaol iM|la|.
rife Will- U atataa that tka dlayaaal of acU aaata at tka tli alia alta aoaU
(fcra akllar affacta ta tkaaa at tka aiUHl 15 alia alta aal that
tkaaa affacta aaaU ka aar a llfflcalt ta ahaaraa hecaeaa af tka lakaraat
M c^tai iiLaaayi)hfr rkarai fariatlc* at the tic*. IKf dtk i# apt
7 Jwtlflad aa 0a tallrataa latar aala lk> JaaaaK. Tka 1M alia alta
J, ta aara ndalaat, la laapar aal kaa alalaal aaaM of hleta. It la.
w tkaafan, hlckly aallkaly chat tka affacta at tka 10* alia alta will
Va»
ka elallar ta that af tka carraat alta with its laaa tarhalaat
•ariraaan, rtallaw vat ara mt riaalut Mata. IM alaa atataa that
tha rllt af ¦¦laan sheet Taa la falhg lamaail ax tka 101 alia
20-3 «ta. I tkara U aa pc a i aat at lee af tha probability af atart
laalai ar tha aaakar af tteaa ahert «aft« haa accarrel la tka |aat aa
a raaalt af aa wertaacy. Pattkaiaar*, aar ¦agar; akaat aaatxally ta aafal Inly haepaat la aaa
Hater. 3) caatalaa ha aatarlala prahlbltal kjr ML *) laaaaetrata
Xaw taalclty af aaatrattaal aaataa ta ryawtiilw plaehraali aal
Hattawlc aarlaa atgaalaaa aai. >] i aat a la aa caaatltaaata la caacaatratlai
4it«etakl« eataMe tka alta ar ahaaa aaiaal llaat larala aara thaa t
haare aftar Herbaria. If tha await la laaaal, tkaaa charactarlatlea
OA C bhialf hacaaa fan af tka paralt 1 aaa"t' Dk lailcatee latar la tka
J l. J) auft ta aaartaacy altaatlaaa aaljr aaa karsa
ahnalrf ha fanlnal wlthla tha alta far llapoal oyaratloau altkla tha
t haar parlol far laltlal aixlat. Tkaaa racoaaalatlaaa rtcall ka ladadad
la tha icaiinl paralt laafaaga. Tka jatalt akaall claarly laf laa ahat aa
aatiaacjr altaatlaa la caaaUarai to ka.
rata 1-1. in atataa that aaaaa lalaal ilaa aal aaalrjyal aaata traataaat facllltlaa
prtJata aaataa which eaaaat u% yraaaat lay tatMagi, ka traatw ar
Jlaparaal aafaiy ar acoaaalcally aa bal, hot caa ka acaaa Im| tl wlthcwt
aKlaaaly la(ralla( tha aarlaa *rlxo*aat. Tha SiaUlsa af Flak aal
wuilfa laaa aat kalian tkat tka kaat aaaaar af llapeala« af tka acid
aaata la by acaaa taplaf. Tkaaa aaataa caattala liaaaj aara la which ara
haaaa ta hlaaccvalata. IM la ralylac oa lllatloa aa tha aalatlaa to
lataalfylag tkaaa Mataa. liHaaiai, hlaarinTatlaa hj orcaalaaa aay
•mlr tttllmt* IgfMtKit,
ra(a 1-2. OA atataa tkat all raaaarch aarh laaa at tha acU alta (lata haa
aat aacararal alfalflcaat alraraa affacta caaaal hy acid aaata liayoaal.
Latar la tka luam IPJI larilcataa tkat tka Kaa Tork U(kt U kl|kly
favactal, kaaarar, tka arltla af thla ta*act caaaot ka plafalatal to
tha acll aaata hat aa a raaalt of all la|t^ laelallai acU aaata at
this alta.
rata 1-2. SFA atataa that *. lalaatrlaa aal Alllal Ckaalol kara Iweatratel that
thalr aaataa caafly with m'a amrlraaaaatal tafarl cr It aria aal
that tacheically faaalhla altaraaclwa liapaaal aathala ara aawiroaaaatally
laaa prafarahla thaa coatlaaad aaa af thla alta, tharafara a praaaat
aal fatara aaal arista far tha coatlawal aaa af thla alta. Tkla data
hy IM kaa aat kaaa aahataatlatai la thla iliniaait kacaaaa tha aaalrowatal
laracta of athar tachalcally faaalfcla altaraatlwa ilapaaal aathala hawa
aat haaa llacwaaal. EFa oaly llacuaaaa aanrlru a nilal caaaa^aaacaa af
chaaglac tha carraat acaaa taf alta to other acaaa dia^ a It aa. It laaa aat
llacwaa aawlraaMatal caaaa«aaacaa of athar llayoaal aathala. It doaa
7Q>h heaaavar** aaatlaa that athar llipoaal aathala ara laaa acoaaalcal. ETA ahaalrf
laclala apaflflca akaat faaalhllicy aal aarlraaaaatal accartahlllty af laad
kaaal disposal aathala, ao tkat EI5 rawlawcra can aaka caaparlaana aaoaiat
llapoaal aathala.
fata 1-8
aal
Fata l-». ET* haa aatahllahal criteria for laaltaatlat acaaa Imp altaa la Fart 22S
ol tha Ocaaa Tlaatlag Katalatlaaa. Caaaral alta aalcctlaa criteria ara
llatal la Sectlaa 228.5. Tha foiiavlw are alta Mltctton criteria:
a) tha iat|ilm of aatarlala lata tha ocaaa will be peraltted aaly at altaa
or la areae aelectal ta alalalaa the latarfaraaca af llapoaal actlaltlaa with
-------
otter activities la the marine environment. Particularly, avoiding
areas of existing fisheries or shell fisheries la rcolons of hmavy
coHctdil or recreational navigation. b} location* ud boundaries of
disposal sites *111 be so chosen that temporary perturbations 1a water
quality or other environmental conditions daring Initial sizing caused
by disposal operatlone anywhere within tbe site can be expected to be
seduced to aonal ambient aea water levels or to undetectable contms insnr
concentrations or effects before reaching any beach, shoreline* marine
sanctuary or known geographically Halted fishery or shell fishery,
c) if st any time during or after diepoael alte evaluation atudlee, It
is determined that existix^ disposal site* presently approved oe an
Inter la besls do not msec the criteria for site selection set forth in
Section 22B.5 sod 228.6 the nee of each site will bs terminated aa soon
as suitable alternate disposal sites can be designated, d) the sices of
ocean disposal sltee will be limited la order to loca.Hi* I or ideattf ication
and control any laeedlate adverse impacts end peialt the implementation of
effective monitoring and surveillance programs to prevent adverse long-
ten impacts, tbe sise con! iguratlon and location of any disposal sites will
be determined es s part of a disposal site evaluation or designation study*
a) EPA will wherever feasible designate ocean diaiplng sites beyond the
edge of the continental shelf and other such sltee that have been historically
used. Tbe current acid site does not satisfy criteria a. It la surrounded
by a shell fishery, a recreational fishery and a commercial flehery sod is
in a region of heavy coaserclsl or recreational navigation. The southern
and northers areas are Intermediate in their Impacts In this respect. The
106 mile site 1b by far, the most -preferable in satisfying this criteria.
There is no existing shell fishery and no potential for such a fishery. Any
fishery for fin fish is minims! sad the site is too far frcm shore to
interfere with recreetlonsl navigation and Is outside norsal comercial
navigation channels. The current acid elte is less likely to fulfill
criteria "b" of say of the ocean dump sites suggested by EPA. The current
acid alte is closest to any beach or shoreline end is within e recreational
end coasterclal fin fishery end surrounded by en active shell fishery. The
northern and southern sites better meet criteria nb". However, tbe 106 mile
site meets criteria "b** best. This site Is 106 miles from the cloeest
beech or shoreline. Is in water too deep for s shell flehery sod the fin
fish that Inhibit the area are extremely transient and not that abundant.
Section 226.5(c) provides for the moving of an existing disposal site to
another site when the criteria for elte selection ere not met, the current
acid site clearly does not meet the general site select loo criteria and
therefore should be moved* The 106 mile oceea damp site meete the criteria
beet and should be the location for an ocean dissp site should continued
ocean dtaplng be needed. The current site and the 106 mile ocean dt*p site
have been defined on nnutlcel charts end In this respect would fulfill the
criteria of Section 228.5(4). Though EPA has defined the borders of both
these sites the acid waste do not respect thess boundaries. The acid waetee
ere capable of traveling in ocean currents which pass beyond the boundaries
as defined by EPA. It is, therefore* very difficult for monitoring and
surveillance at either the 15 mile current dump site or tbe 106 mile dump site
or any other ocesa dimrp site for that matter. The only means for containing
the acid wastes within the configurations of tbe boundaries defined by EPA
would be to pleee the acid waatee in containers end dispose of them at these
slees. This, however, la not the proposed action. Tbe Division of Fish sad
-5-
Wiiiilife concludes that no ocean dunp site considered by EPA meets the
criteria of Section 226.5(d) with the disposal methods proposed. The
106 mile dump, site is the only dump site considered by EPA that would
meet the criteria la Section 228.5(e). This site is beyond the edge
of the continental shelf and has been historically used. The other
three sites considered by EPA are all veil within the continental shelf.
Two have not been historically used and the other has. Tbe Division of
Fish and Wildlife considers the 106 mile site tbe best site according
to EPA's criteria in Section 228 of the Ocean Ihnplng Regulations.
;e 1-9. The Ocean Dtaplng Regulations have specific criteria for site selection
in Section 228.6. The following 11 factors were considered: 1) the
geographical position, depth of vater, bottom topography and distance
from coast. Tbe 106 mile site meets these criteria better than any other
site propoeed by ZPA. It 1b 106 miles from shore and in nore than 1500
meters of water. The current acid site meets these criteria the least,
it Is 15 miles ftcm shore and in 22 to 28 meters sf vater. Furthermore,
this site lies In line with the Hudson Csnyon making It a leea desirable
elte because of the known migratory habits of fish la this region. 2) the
location in relation to breeding, spawning, nursery, feeding or passage
areas of living Teaources and adult or Juvenile phase*. The 106 mile
site is acre favorable than any site considered by EPA and by far better
than the 15 sile site currently used with respect to these criteria. The
15 mile site is in a atrateglc position for spawning, nursery, feeding end
paesage of living organieme in adult and Juvenile stages. Oceanic fish
which use the Hudson estusry must pass through the 15 mile site. Such
fishes as the striped bass, shad, Atlantic sturgeon, sbortnose sturgeon,
blueflah, whiting, yellowteil flounder, winter flounder, alewlfe and
blueback herring utilise this 15 mile site region. Host of these fish
utilise tbe Hudson estuary during part of their life cycle. If is,
therefore, advisable not to subject thte fish to possible stress ox
contamination from continued acid dtaplmg. The 106 mile elte would be
much more favorable for dipping since very few fleh occur in this erea
and those that do are higbly pelagic therefore, having only a limited
exposure time to the acid wastes. 3) tbe location in relation to beacbea
and other amenity areas. Tbe 15 aile site is least suitable frem this
criteria sad the 106 mile alte Is ths beet. The 15 alle site Is
obviously closer to beeches and In addition Is much sore scceeslble to
recreational fishermen and comerclal fishermen ss well. The 15 mile
sits is less desirable because Its location Is In e highly trafficked
navigational region. 4) the types and quantities of waete proposed to
be dlepoeed of sad propoeed methods of releese including methods of
packing the waste If any. Of the four ocean dump sltee considered, none
of them have en sdvsntege over sny other with regards to this criteria.
5) the feasibility of surveillance ami monitoring. EPA-maintains that the
current acid site Is the most feasible from the standpoint of surveillance
sad monitoring end that the 106 mile site Is the lesst feasible. However,
In this regards, both tbe 15 alle elte and the 106 mile site have been
surveyed and monitored, and the northern azri southern regions that EPA
has considered, have not, EPA contends the 106 mile site is the hardest
to survey mad monitor because of lte distance froe shore and beceuee of the
dlepereal mad transport characteristics within tbe 106 mile elte. Though
that rmasoning may b« correct EPA's own criteria suggest that the elte should
-------
he aa far fr« abate as poeelbla aad thit the vaati dispersed aa rapidly
M powlbl*. Tha wrt rapU tha dlqperssl the wrt difficult the
aoaltorlag pr«e«teM lift sad the more difficult it la to sccsss ths
wrirowMtal tapicti. Since EPA li r«ljla| en rapid dilation of tba
tale MtM to ¦lifalit aavlrM«BUl lajaeti, It Mat accept tha
difficulty of Mtitorlni these ceadltlou. 6) tha dUpcraal, horizontal
trsasport, vertical rtrttt character 1st ice of the area lac lad lag
prmillai nrr«C direction sad valoeity if ay. The 106 silo lite
la fry far tha boat alt* for aeaflai tbeee criteria. It hat tha Mat
rapid dleporeal, tha graatatt horiMBUl trail apart aid tha largest
Mat af vertical alslai character 1st lea of any of the altea considered
by SPA. 7) tha atlMMct «ad affects of nrrm and prtrlou disc hart ea
and dapiag 1* tha ««i lacladlag scoaeulstive affects. Tha 13 alia aad
tha 14i alia sitaa are tha only altas rim pctvlou discharges or
dMplag has occurred. Tbara hare ban so reported sccMslstlva effecta
at tha 106 alia site. Whoraae at the axletlag 15 aila alte, accanletlve
affacta have occerrad though possibly sot due to acid weete daaplsg. The
light via la tha vicinity ef the 15 alia alta las beaa cloead to
ahaU flaking by tha health bepertaeat, aad tha aalstaace ef fish with fin
roc haa occartad. It Is lihaly that asM of thase effecta are chroaic.
I) tha l«aiar«ee vith ahlpplag, flehiag, recreetloe, alaeral axtrectloe,
dooaMalearloa, flak cad ehalUtah culture* areaa gf apeclal eclaatlfic
m bagiiilaara aad other Isgltlaete asM of tha ocem. Vith reap act to this
| criteria, tha 106 aila alta Is by far the beat site of the fear that SPA
yg haa cemelderad aad the 15 alle i ai i aal add site la the worst. The earraat
acid eice is la a raglsa ahlch is highly trafficked foe shipping parpeaea
to Vaw York Barter aad la a taoaa i iiMirclal aad racraatioaal f lahlag area.
20—7 Oradglag af aaad la doM la aserby areaa to the IS alle site. There are
as exist lag flab aad ahellflsh celtwrss or areas of aparlal eelaatlf ic
lap an as r a at say of the fear ecaat dap eltaa caaaiderad by KM. 9) the
ealotlag aatar qsellty aad ecology of tha site ee d eternised by svsllsble
data or by traad aassaMaat or haaaltaa earveye. Tha existing aatar quality
at the 15 alia acid alta la la a stressed caadltloa dee to the earraat ocaaa
lllag oeeerriag la tha ef tha tight. Tha eeolagy at the 15 aila site
la lata diver as than that at tha lOf alia alta. however, tba scolagy at
this site la beginning to a how alfaa of ecreee with eertais apeclsa of
flab i.e. yellowtall flsaader aad via tar fleaadar developlag fla rot. Alas,
the bight apaa la the area of the acid alto la devoid of eerf claM wtareaa
Is the eariseadlag eraea serf claM are abaadaat. Tread aaaaaaaeat aad
base Ilea aareaje have beaa psrfscaed at tha 104 aila ead 13 alia altea.
The 10* aila site is a better choice for e 4af eite hecaeee of the peeclty
. of tha biota. 10) tha potential for the dove la pa it of recrsltaemt of
2Q»0 aslasoca apaciaa la a dlapaaal eite. The 106 alle alte ie least likely to
develop aaiaaaca apaciaa la tha dlapoeel area vharasa tba earraat 15 alia
alte la the Beet likely. Tbie reeeeaiag la baaed ea the feet thet the ecld
wsetea are eere rapidly diaper aad at tha 1M alia alta aad that tha graatar
depths ptwaat tha accMalatlaa of acid weetea oa the bott«aa. Tha earraat
15 alio eite la aoet likely to develop aaloance apeclee beceaee of Ita
laaeer depthe aad laser traaaport velocltlee. The sorthara ami easthera
altee are laieiaadleie la their probability of develeplag aulaeace species
baconee of the lataiiadiete depthe ad transport velocltlee. 11) tha
aaiataaee at or In eleee praafelty to tha alta of aay algnlfleant aataral
oc celterel faetaree of hiaterical importance fee all eceee tap altea la
1
-7-
approxfeataly aqalvalaat with reap act to thla criteria*
Tha general criteria la Section 228.6 of the ocaaa dtaping ragelatlooe
ere acre folly act by tha 106 alle dtap alte. The Dlvlsloa of Flab
aad Wildlife, therefore, reccaaende use of the 106 alia dap if ocaaa
iliap lug la to be permitted aad that tha enrreet use of tbe 15 alle
dtap alta dlacoatiaaad.
Pagea 1-10. Oace IPA eatabliahaa aa oceen dtap alta, tbe alte anst be aoaltorad
for adverse lapects of tha vsste dlapoeel. EPA aoaltora; 1) tba
afrraaant of aateriala Into eatuarlea or marine ssactusriss or onto
ocaaa froat baacbaa or aborelinea. 2) tbe aovaeat of aateriala toward
productive fishery or shell fishery areaa. 3) the absence free tbe
dlapoeel alte of pollatloa eaaaltlve blote characterlatic of tha geaeral
sree. 4) tha pragraaalve oon-asaeonal phangea in water quality or
aadiaaat coapoeition at tha dlapoeel alte vhaa tbeee cbengee ere
at tribe ted to tha aateriala dlapoead of et tha alte. 5) progreaalve
noa aaaaoaal changes in esaposltloa or nabara af pelagic, daaeraal
or baathlr biota at or near the dlapoaal alte vhaa theaa chaagea can
be attrlbeted to tbe effeeta of aateriala dlapoaad of at thla tiae.
6) the ecCMnlatisn of utelil coastltueets Including without limitation
bata pethogsas la aarlna blots at or aaaz tba site. Tbe 106 alle site
la tbe aoet difficult to monitor for theaa effecta because of Its distance
from lead • Bowever, this distance frta land acta aa a buffer som to
preraat theee ef facta froa occurrlag. The 15 alia alta la aoet likely
to heve tbeee effecta bocaaee of the proalalty of thla alte to ea tear lea,
ocooa froata aad aboreliaM end bscsuse of the aaaraaaa of productive
fla her lea ead ehell fiaherlea to tbie alte. The IS alle site la more
likely to later face with pollatloa aaaaltlva biota bacaaea there ara acre
blots la tbe apaa ef tba lew York Bight than ax let et the 106 alle alte.
It is also mors likely thet tbe 15 mile alte will have marine blots thet
will scciMtlate toxic eebstsaess the* the 106 alle eite. Cvrreatly the
13 alio eite bee heavy aeta.ls >i rinlaC lig. ia tha aad la eats. Tbeee
aeciaaalatioM have the potential for being incorporated into tba aarlna
blote.
Page 1-11. EPA haa aetabllahad Impart categories Ssctloa 224.10(c) la lta oceen
ifiaplng regulstloaa Alch specify lapecta detected by site monitor lag
which dictates modlf lestioaa ssd nse of a dlapoaal alta. EPA haa
categorised the current 15 alle acid sits iato Iapact Category II.
Tbe Dlvlsloa ef Fish ead Wildlife dlaagreea vltb thla cleeelf Icatloe
end believes that the 15 alle acid alte beleage la aa Iapact Category
I. An ocean daap site should be ia ea Iapact Cstegory I If tbe biota
aad la ante or water coIum of the dlspossl alte, or eay erea outside
the dlapoeel site where any vests or wsste constituents from tba disposal
•its ia present la detectable concent rat lone above the noraal aableat
velsas ars sdvsrsely effected by the toxicity of sue fa wsste or wsste
constltueate to the extent that there ere atatletically slgnlflcsnt
dacrosses la tbe populations of vsluabla caaerdel or recreational
speclea sr of specific epeclee of biota eeaentlal to the propagation
of aach apeclea within the dlapoaal sits ssd such other sres aa coapsred
to populations of tbe sen* organlaaa la comparable lout lone outaide such
2Q«9 "lc* **••• Ih« surf clea, ea laportsot, valunble, coMsrcial species
-------
*»a
Is ebaent from the acid site bettibos. Vftuseas surrounding areas have
abundant populations of this clam. EPA has Identified accumulations
of heavy vat all In the benthos at the acid di*p site. For this reckon,
tbe Division of Flat and Wildlife believes that the current acid dump
site belongs la an Impact Category I.
Page 1-12. EPAra envlromeatal impact criteria state that trace contaminants In
the liquid fraction mat neither exceed the marine water quality
criteria (EPA 1976) nor exist lag toxic and bioeccwlat Ive forma. On
Page D-7 of this docont„ EPA Hats siae of the constituent* of tbe
waste llqudds of BL Industrie*. Amongst these wastes, are listed
eadlm, chrealiat, laid, and mercury. All these compounds axe fa»w
to Mnsrnmiilsle In addition, 1PA lists petroleimi and organlce.
Depending upon specific composition, these materlsls may also be
capable of bioecctmilatlon. EPA criteria also requires bloessays
20-10 Kltt d«^jed wastes. This document does got present the results
of biossssys oo any marine form. Bloassays on marine fauna should be
performed using the scld wastes. Benthle fauna ¦ bow Id be utilized
for bloaccwulatlon and toxicity aaeays and the results presented in the
ELS.
# Page 2-5. EPA ststes that the effecte of acid wastes on the ecosystem sre
|J undetectable. It presents Che following evidence to support its
praise. Although the standing crop of xooplanktoa and numbers of
^ benthle animals were lees on the acid ground than the control erea,
we have been unable to sttrlbute these differences to acid waste. Is
any scientific InvestIgstlon, say difference which is deternlned
_ between tbe treatment end control is considered to be doe to the
20~1 1 treatment. If this were not the case, then there would be little
purpose is doing the experiment. It is, tho-efore, illoglcel for EPA
to conclude that acid wastes were sot the cause of the differences la
the standing crop of sooplankton and numbers of benthle animals.
Page 2-5
and
Page 2«6, EPA cites laboratory experiment a by Grlce have shown that the mortsllty
of adult copepod populations occur mainly due to the low pB of tbe waste
sad that the mortality of adalt copepod populations behind the barge are
mialaml because tbe low pB ex lets for a vary f«* elnutes only. EPA
further cites a study by tflebe which was performed la tbe laboratory and
determined that the aortallty af copepods appsar to be due to the acidity
of the mate product Tether than scae toxic component In the mater Lai.
Wlsbe'i studies concluded: that the mortality of sooplaakton resulting
from acid waste discharge Is negligible bee suae potentially lethal
comcemtratloms of low pB do mot persist fox sufficient time to produce a
wtlfiMiUi affect in the field. 9k Vat net pmxfetmat ti died experiments
thst haws been performed which measured percent moribund sooplankters
after waatea have been discharged and compared them to the percent moribund
_ sooplaaktara prior to discharge of mastes. Such field emperimante would
I 2 *TPQ>r to be necesssry to establish the effecta of tbe acid waatea under
actual field coodltions. Should EPA issue s permit for continued scld
waate diplng this should then be made a permit comdltioe.
-9-
Page 2-7. EPA does some very sketchy economic calculations on this page. KL
Industries is'reported as speeding 1.84 million for disposal of its
wastes. Allied Chalcal spends approximately $170,000 per year for
the disposal of its waste. EPA offers no explanation why tbe per trip
_ _ costs for Allied Chemical is nearly 5 times the cost on a per trip basis
I 3 aB t**at of ^ industries. EFA also appears to be lax in the record
keeping required for barge dumping since KL Industries estimates that
640 trips were made in the year proceeding October 1977. A record
should be xequlred to be kept of each trip that is aade, and tbe
quantity end content of the waste. EPA suggests that the aonitoring
costs are difficult to estimate for the current site but says the
coets to the Federal Govermetft is low since monitoring programs are
required for the other ocean disposal sites In the apex. EPA should
have presented, in dollsT value the costs for aonltorlng at esch of
the dlepoeal sites, so that a fair comparison can be made. It should
be pointed out that EFA already monitors tbe existing 106 mile site so
that the additional cost of aonltoring the acid wastes may possibly be
minimal. EFA states tbe permittees are required to conduct e susaer
Mirvey each year to evaluste the short-term effects of the waste. These
surveys cost approalmately $17,000 each. EFA further states thst the
cost Is lower for this neer shore shallow site them It would be for a site
further off shore In deeper water. The dollar value is not presented,
howvfec, for this oif store monitoring. Sucb a value should be presented
for cos^arison.
Page 2-6. EFA ststes there ere no documented lossss of blologlcel or mineral
resourcss in the apex of the Bight due to the scld waste discharges.
While tbe ebeeace of the surf clsm from the acid waste sits may not
be caused by the acid waste specifically. This ebeeace must be
attributed co the generally degraded condition In tbe New York Bight
epex. The actual monetary value which would be lost due to the absence
of the surf clsm will be herd to calculete. However, e rough idea of the
loea could be estlmeted by the srea which contains no surf clams comparing
it to tbe aree aurrounding the dlepoeel sltee end proportionately
lncreeslng tbe ao&etary value of the aurf clam catch*
Pege 2-8. EPA mekee e claim that except for whiting, ImpoTtent species sre either
not present at the aite, not effected by acid wastes or become contaminated
by other sources such ee image sludge. If tble claim la true, then the
coBcXualom muse be drawn that the acid wastes sre affecting biota la this
region because Id the surrounding areas In the few Tort Bight apex there
_ ace memy Important species which are presett such as strlpmd bass, bliMf lsh<
20*14 Atlamtlc and shortoose sturgeon*f blue beck herring, slewlfe. veakf Jsh,
swrf cXam sol shad.
Page 2-13. EPA arguee that tbe monitoring of tbe elte off the continental ebelf is
much more difficult than at the shallower, in-shore site. EPA statee
that la the esse at the 106 mile altet tbe difficulty of measuring aad
predicting the effects of waste dlepoeel is further coepllcated by the
Intsrectlous of major water masses, ahelf water, slope water aad gulf
strums addles. Ths site la a coolest, ocssmofrsphlc area In which to
assess natural aad emvlroememtal coadltloma aad the Impact of mam's
activities upom those conditions. If SPA la to rely upon these conditions
-------
-10-
for rapid dispersal of the toalc «4«t«icu, then It hti to aceept Cbc
¦ore difficult monitoring regime aetWMty at • alt* off the continental
¦half., tapld diaper sal and masy monitoring arc mutually exclualve for
Che proposed action that E?A describes.
Page 2-13. EPA arguaa that a distant off ahora site la lea* desirable b«caute tha
risk of emargeaciaa and abort dtap 1st Increased. EPA does not however
Indicate la this dociaent bow often meergenciea aad abort" dialing haa
occurred la the peat at the curroit IS mile alte. It alao does tx>t
2Q-1 S P****** th* Increase in probability that Wild be had ahould the ocean
taplai he permitted at tha 106 alia alte. EPA says that should
¦trgtncy disposal be necessary during inclement weather the effects
woold be mitigated by the rapid dilution cauaed by atorn turbulence.
Thla suggests that a poaalble permit condition would be that diapoaal of
acid waatas would not occur when certain weather pact erne are smlnent.
Thus, minimising the need for siargency diapoaal of acid waste.
Page 2-13. In lta economic discussion, EPA Bays ML Industries haa estimated operating
coats to barge to the 106 nil* alte at 9.4 Billion per yeer. Thla le
. about 5 tines aore expensive than the present coat at Che 15 mile alte.
20*" ID T^i€re l* no preaentatlon of how thla figure waa arrived at. On the aurface
It does not appear that Increasing the distance approximately 7 tinea *111
lacrease the coat 5 times. EPA should provide s aore detailed accounting
I of the economics associated with the 15 alle site and the 106 mile alte
K) so a caaparieon can be made.
Page 2-14. EPA atatea that moving to the 106 nils site has loglatlc problems because
the round trip transit tins would Increase from 12 to 38 hours, the present
loedlng deck et ML Industries would be unfeasible, there would be a
higher probability of weather delays* the requirement to pass through 2
draw bridges during cextaln tidal conditions and a need for Increased
20-17 twporary land storage facilities. EPA should Include In this SIS a
table which Is capable of quantifying these parameters of tbe 15 alia
versus the 106 mile site. The detelle which EPA haa given about loglatlc
probl^s is sketchy and the analyser of thla dociment haa no Indication
why tbe original doc he cannot be used, what the Increase of probability
due to weather delays would be, how the 2 draw bridges will Interfere
with tbe diapoaal operations aad why there la a need for Increased
twporary land storage facilities. EPA should provide this Information.
Page 2-14. EPA etates the coet of monitoring the 106 mile alte la high compared to
ether areas due to the complexity of the envlrosent and distance from
shore. EPA should present a table comparing all four aites outlining
the cost for monitoring each alte. The Division of Pleh and Wildlife
would like to point out that the 106 alle alte Is already being monitored
and the additional coata would be those due to tbe specific nature of tbe
acid waetee.
Page 2-15. Por the purpoaea of calculating surveillance at tha 106 nlle alte* EPA
haa aaaumad thet ML Induatrlee will be making 400 tripe per year. On
20-18 '*** 2-17, ML Induatrlee eatlmated It made 640 tripe per year. EPA
ebould be conaietent in the number of trlpe per year made to the site
throughout lta Impact analysis unleae It can juatify tU need for different
-11-
eatlaetea. It la very difficult for the reader sot to use uniform
assumptions throughout the dooswnt. Thla deficiency ebould be corrected.
Page 2-15. EPA and tha Division of Plah and Wildlife recognises thet the 106 mile site
Is not a uniquely productive location for fiahermeo aad doea not
obstruct migration routes of commercially l^ortant spec lea. Therefore,
the probability.of fish stocks acctaulatlag toxic levela of waate
coaatltuanta is mxtrwely low. The 106 mile site is far superior to
any other alte i ai iMimleil by EPA from thla aspect.
Page 2-16
to
Page 2-23. The Divlaion of Fish smd Wildlife supports EPA In its position that
new altee ebould not be eetebliebed on the continental shelf. The use
of the northern and eouthern arena ehould be avoided. Theee altea have
potentially exploitable resources and ahould remain free from contamination.
Exletlng sites such aa tbe 106 mile site which already have contamination
ahould be utilized If poaalble.
Page 2-23. EPA preaeata a st^mary evaluation of alternative locatlone on and off the
continental a half aa potential diapoaal altas. The following reasons are
offered by EPA in support of its eholce of tbe acid waste alte as the most
desirable location on all alternetlvea examined. 1) It conforms to the
ocean dimping regulation* recoHiendatlon to uae either hlatorlcal eltes
or altea off the continental shelf whenever feaalble. While it la true
that the current acid alte le a hlatorlcal alte It le alao true that
the current acid elte is not off the continental ahelf. Using thla
reasoning the 106 nlle alte la a better alte becauee It la a historical
alte and It la alao off the continental ahelf. 2) It hea been studied
extensively for more than 30 years. It is probably true that the acid
site hes been studied for aor« than 30 yeara, however, the reaaon for
thla la likely to be releted to the general degraded condition of the
20-19 Ncw York Bight apes. The 106 nlle elte haa alao beea studied for a long
period of time. Data having been collected for epprovlmstely 2G years.
3) Only minor, short-term adverse envixoimental changes and no long-term
effects caused by acid waste dleposal have been demonstrated at this site.
Though, no short-term or long-term adverse environmental effects can be
attributed to acid vaatea specifically there is no doubt that heavy metals
have built up in the aedlaents end thet eurf clams are abaent from the
acid waate site. The most likely reason for these effects is the continued
dumping in the general New York Eight apex region. It is Highly unlikely
that the 106 mile site would present any short-term or long-term effects
relative to the acid waste site because of the high turbulence of the waters
in this region and becauee of the low biological activity. The 106 mile
site haa not shown any short-term or long-term effects accept for abernatlcna
in mackerel eggs* 4) Moving the acid waste disposal from the New York Bight
c(er would not create a measurable enviromental benefit nor would the area
closed to shellflshing be re-opened. Though this may be true at the present
time, this situation is not expected to continue since ocean dimplng of
sewage sludge will end in 1981. The presence of pathogens at some future
time shall be removed free the voter and the of re-opening the
shellfish grounds exists. S) The site is convenient to New York Harbor.
-------
The 106 ail* fit* Is rnwliaf to Saw Ttrk B arbor thn|b tltt distance
froa tha hM'linT bM hw licrMMd.
r«|« 2-23-. m natM cbt tftw eoaaldariaf all r—naalila altaMtlw the firopaaed
•ctin, tk* of the Iw Tort. N|bt «cU east* disposal alta
rinrfaad «Mj 1< the kk fcverjU* tltraclv*. Tha Blvltloo of F1A
aad VilAllfe jlaigiaai Tith lMa eaaelaalna. Jlah cad midlife believe*
20-20 a l® laad dlapoaal ahnald be matllshad «rf If tfaa datliloft
U Mi* tk*t ocaaa i«|la| la McMtary that tfaa 10ft all* 4ap du la
the aaat prefarabla for r«uou * tat ad la other coanti prcvlmrtly,
la eepp act of lt» rwcliitwi, Bi Myt that although tea are risia
larrolvad 1a thla action, environaaatal riaka of waste dlapoaal at thin
alta la coaaldarad to to laaa aarloaa thaa tfaa rlak of dlapoadag of
ww at a d if far eat location on or pff the i ml In—i gl ehelf. EPA. doaa
¦« of far collar tag miami explaining tfaa fiaca tfaa aarlroMaacal
20-21 rlaks *¦ lMI ,E cha 15 ¦!!« alt« tfaaa tfaa 106 aUa alta. And la fact,
tfaa 15 alia alta doaa not fill tfce gaaaral aad apaclflc criteria of the
octal dnaplag rapilitloM aa «*U u tfaa 106 alia alta.
fag a 2-28. Vl atataa tfaa ream liaplac reguLatione aad crltarla Part 227 sub' part
(c) tayirii that a aaad for ocaas dlapoaal aut be daaoaatratad bafoTa
¦feasance of a pvalt. ETA should iocleda la the EIS tfaa dwmatratlaa
20-22 "Uct "•* adalttad by Cfaa tw paraltteaa «Ueh ahova tba u«d far
^ ocaaa dlapoaal. Without tfaa opacifies of thia iamitratlM, It la
I *«? difficult f«* reviewers of thla dsaaaat to accept tba need fcxr
M ocaaa dlapoaal.
CO
Page 2-24. OA atataa that waataa froa both pern ltt tea axa Alia tad aul dispersed vail
within tha allowable tlw far mlalat.. Thla, hawavar, la not trua. As
EPA recognizee that tha color ad waste pliaa la detectable op to 4ft hoar*
aftar a disposal c^acattoa. Though ETA consider a thla color ad plate dua
to raat MC a toxic altoatloa, thla piaa la certainly ladlcatlva that
O/t ni waata aatarlala raaela la detectable qaantltlea for parloda loagar than tba
kUHZj * hoar alxiflg period. Bby han't EPA conaldared color aa part of tfaa
crltarla la atfrtl fihtai aa allowable alirlai period?
fat ha atttlfaatad to atli waata
aloea. Loa| tan, aab-lcthal, toxic affaeti od argaalaaa at aad aear
tha apatx alta barr« aot baaa Investigated*
Cosallarlag tha ahtfva^ It ahould faa pointed out that respiration la
flah ptocaada orar tha gUla and that tha reaplratory procasa la a
aaahrana transport function. Diacovarii^ any advara« «ff*ct on tha
raaflxatory procaaa oE flah wvald ba vary difficult vlthout
¦laultaikooual^ trevllng behind tfaa d la charting bar|ar Without »uch a
supportive trawling effort, claiaa about tba adversity of tba hydratad
Iron oxide praclfltataa ara aablvalaat. Aa Mai pointed out la tha
previous rraaant, Tefcrrln| t« Fege 2-29. edvexae effects bad been
ohaexved at tha acid iimp alta. 1t« Eivlaloa of flah and Vlldltfa,
racogalilag tha poaalblllty that tha adverse affacta obaarvad at the
acid site aty be fisa other wattta at other altaa-, la for tha
purpose af rcrlavlag this docuaeat, ceaaLiarlac tba edveraa affacta due
t« «cU vest* dieplac *lwt cbls ia c)b oitly d«plog peraleted at this
c£ae.
EPA atacee tba acid mates do not cootala cooatltuaate which fToaota
pfaytoflaahtoa growth. EPA. baa aot praaaotad a table Hating all tha
aataxlale preaeat la cha acid mate aad giving tha qaaatltlaa of each.
Tfaa aoat collate list of tha aatarLale praaaat la tha vaate arc on
pages h-7 «ad &-U, The teratsolegy utilised la tba«e tablea la a tetchy.
Balag tha tara orgaalca aad patrelaa hydrocarhoaa, doaa not allow tha
raviaaar of tfaa EIS to mils a dec is loo about toxicity at these eeaponenta.
Other aatarlala each aa Iron and fluorides ara faiow to ba praaaat In tha
waata and yet ara not included in tha llat oe these pagea. Tba SI& should
contain a llat of all aatarlala, ralatlve coocantratloaa of each, aad tha
abeolute quaotlt las la the waata dlacbarged. Thla llat la a pTaraqulelta
to tha Dlvlaloo of flah end Wildlife drawing eny cooclualon about KPA'a
claia that tha wtara do aot coetala cooatltuaats which proaota phytoplaaitoo
growth.
EPA states "aaaantlally thaaa ara liquid waataa which coaply with the ocaaa
dmplng ragulatlon* ccacarnlag eavlroiMental lapact need for ocaaa dlapoaal,
aad l^acC on sat hat ic racraatloaal, acoacalc and otber uaae of the oceaon.
Whjr doaa EPA use tha qualifying word, "eaaeattally"? Tfaa waataa auat aaat
tha ocaaa dtaping regulatloaa not "assentially" aeet the regulations.
EPA dlacusaas special condltloaa for tba currant and for futuxs paraits
for waata dlapoaal at tha acid alta. Tlasa special condltloaa aacaa to he
a vary afcatcby deacrlptloo ef future waata dlapoaal peralta. EPA abould
harve reproduced in thla EIS tba paralt laeuad to XL X^uatriaa aad Allied
Choi leal no that tba paraits could ba referred to by the reviewer of tha EIS.
EPA baa taqulred special condition f2, that the penlttaes report tha volwaa
of waate delivered or transported. Importing the vcliaaa oi aaterials be be
-------
-14-
Crauportad for ocean dueling Is a poor daacriptlvt of the material
ia the waste. The quantities of the constituents of the waste should
be reported for each barge load aa wall as the voluac discharged. The
Division of Pish and Wildlife recoamMode that special condition #3
specify the disposal site to be the 106 vile chalcal site. Special
condition #4 specifies the discharge rates for ML Industries and Allied
Chemical. ML Industries la allowed to discharge 100,000 gallons per
nautical nlle and Allied Chemical 12,000 gallons per nautical mile. What
Is CPA's justification for allowing KL Industries the high rate of discharge?
_A Considering that, KL Industries wastes are sore concentrated for every
20*25 constituent listed on pages D-7 and D-14 except for mercury, It would seen
that the more concentrated the waste and the sore wastes that are discharged,
the greeter the dilution fector would have to be. Why Is it that CPA's
permitted discharge ratea do not reflect this rationale. EPA's special
condition #5 specifies the vasts conditions to be monitored. EPA has not
20*26 presented ia the CIS a list of the waste constituents to be monitored.
Such s listing should bs Included la tha document. Special condition #5
specifies that s^^les need to be taken monthly for analysis. The Division
of Pish auJ Wildlife recoMends that samples should be taken on each barge
load and that the umber of replicates be specified la this condition.
EPA's special condition >6 requires continuation of the EPA approved
monitoring progrm to be determined as short-tern environmental impacts
. of the ocean disposal of acid wastes. EPA should also require a study plan
20-27 ^ long-tern environmental Impacts of the ocean disposal of wastes.
The Division of Pish end Wildlife recognises that such a program la more
difficult to specify but knowledge of the constituents of the acid wastes
aa presented on Pages D-7 and D-14 shows constituents which are known to
b lose ctasu late. Such effects cannot be detainined by a short-term
monitoring program. EPA special condition 17 pertains to the lsplnaemtatloa
of alternative disposal methods. EPA mentions several alternative disposal
methods which have bean or will be investigated by the permittees. These
- . _ conditions aa deacrlbad by EPA in tha E1S do not opacify the time by which
Z0-Z8 permittee should establish safe land based disposal methods on changing
their manufacturing procesa so that ocean dtaplng may cease. Such time
limits should be epeclfled la each Industry's permit.
Ia stamsry. the Division of Pish and Wildlife was not able to give eufflclent
consideration to the special conditions of the permits. Presentation of
the permits in the appendix of the EIS would have allowed for a mors
meaningful review of the waste dlspossl operatlona.
Pate 3-1. EPA recommend* that the current acid site be preferred for designation because
of the lack of adverse effects at the proposed Mew York Bight acid waate
disposal site. The following evidence indicates that adverae effects have
beea observed at the New York light acid waste disposal site. 1) The niabera
of large surf clasu taken in 4 to 6 minute tows by hydraulic clam dradgea
have Indicated the absence of clame at the acid waste dlepoeal sltefl].
2) Twenty-two species of flsbee In the Bight have been identified vltli fir
rot. Pis rot disease in several species of fishes in the Bight is a
manifestation of «g*lro«Btal atreas. Of the species observed, the winter
flounder le much mere susceptible then sny other species. Of 1,449 winter
flounder from 435 off-ebore trewl hauls were eanaalned for fin rot. Of
these flounder, 142 from the apex had fin rot where aa only 1.92 of thw
-15-
fr«m other arena have tha disaaeeI2j. 3) leslstence to toxic heavy
metals has developed la acme bacteria la the Bight. The realatence
20s 29 established la one epecles can be tramaltted to different gen ere and
species of bacteria. Collfom bacteria having realstemce to heavy metals
have been found in lev York Bight {3].
Page 3-3. A major disadvantage to using the 15 alle acid waste site is that the
Bight circulation Is a slow flow to the southwest over most of the
continental shelf. This aati-cyclcn±c edd7 la often present in the
Bight. This pettern of circulation has a tendency to blow any acid
wastes which have been disposed of at this site towards the lev Jersey
ahore or the Maw York shore. Moving to the 106 alle elte ninlmlzea
amy chance of waatea reaching to ahore. The poealblllty of waatee
reaching the shore should alwaya be considered aa is evidenced by thin
20-30 ^tra black modi reaching within lfc nautical miles of Long Island
beaches. These black mode have a total organic carbon concentration that
ia similar to those found at the actual duap alts. Though this la not
conclusive proof that sewage sludge or toxic acid wastes will reach the
ahore it certainly suggests la Is s possibility.
Page 3-5. EPA states although some material may reach the bottom during unatratlfled
winter cond it ions there is no indication of build up of contaminants from
acid waste in the sediments. While this statement may be true, If evidence
la looked for to explain the build-up of conf inanta from acid waate
speciflcslly. It is also true that high concemtrationa of mercury, cadmium,
arsenic, lead, copper, sine and chromita were found in the sediments of the
ocean dtaping grounds. Each of theae elemente Is more abundant in the
waste sadlmants by a factor of at least 2 to as much as 20 timet the
typical concentrations observed in shales[5].
Psge 3-5. EPA statea there Is no indication of abnormally depreaeed oxygen levels
_ _ near the acid site* Are there any indications of depreaeed levela of
20—32 oxyfea et the acid site?
Page 3-6. EPA atatea that even though plankton have been studied for about 75 years,
the data are inaufficient to asseaa the effects of man's actlvltlea on
plankton populations in the Bight. In light of this feet, hew doee EPA
20—33 °Pcct t0 shov *°y effects of acid waate dumping on plankton populationa
with short-tsrm monitoring program?
Page 3-6. EPA states many fin fish of commercial and recreational importance are found
in the New York Bight. Their diversity and sbundence ere due to the
geogrsphicsl location of the Bight which is the northern limit of tropical
and sub-troplcsl migrations. Some species are found in shore and others
off-short and some migrate from in shore to off shore. However, because of
wide sessonal fluctuations in the Bight, the important fish species are
migratory and not unique to the apex of the Bight. EPA is implying that
because laportant fish species are nigratory or cosmopolitan they do not
20—34 h*vc to be protected to the same degree aa species that are not. The
Division of Fish »nd midlife disagrees with this Implication, in fsct,
EPA and its guidelines for the implementation of Section 316a recognizes
the Importance of nigratory routes snd destands that such routes be paid
special attention. It should be pointed out that the 106 nile site does
20-31
-------
-u-
I
w
o
"» km tk* ttwilti al illilnn Utt aim ta tkt to Tack tick*
«r«B, k Iw U lam tha I ¦—HI til ami nnailail flakarlaa that
«1K la tla U(hC a^aa.
rata M. w atacaa an*, taraal ata*aa aal ^11 m i fana aaa W laal all yaar
-a | apaaa lag aai 1ml ywdi ¦—Ily apraaie
i aai tkit It U ilfflcalt ta
The wi far awNMM af aat'i tffieti «» tha
taaaary ai tta 101 alia «lu, llact tha lawr
iiveralty Mi Mm of *11 iU|a rf Uito atthtlM ail* lit* aate
tha M aftia aiu Mk am prtfmU* tte tha Hgk a^i.
HH H. KM atcui tlat ikara m aiaer flahtai aetlvttlas af I tha actf atta
aal tlat tha ana U iliail ta akaU (MAg. tt dnU W palatal eat
that aiata MM, tla «« elaaai ta alttU fftafc£j« tea laatMaal Sa aiu
hacaaaa af the tfcaeit ta taaaaa With. Tha iacreaae la tha alaa af tha
^ _ __ araa ilaaal ta a hall fhelag eaa aalj ha ha ta tha fainaaal lagialei laa
20-35 •* tha Maa lark Bight apat. CaaHaaal aaaaf tka aall atta caa aaly
aggravate thla altaatlaa.
N|a 3-10. 0ft atataa ia lta eacttoa aa tha affact af aaata aa aapaalaaa that
ehaariatlaaa aa afaar affaeta «aa ia»evt«ri hy a aakar af aaihaia aad tht
•ware affaeta aara rafartd by tha laffiaal War laa Flaharlaa larrka,
laaiji Beefc lafcaiaiaaj. KM ahaall atata ahat affaeta aara ilaaaiai hy
tha aat hate. Mthaat rapaai tag tha facta afceat tha affaeta tha raate
af tha in la aat la paaltlea ta Jaige ahathar IM'e claaalflcatlaa af
affaeta aa afaar la cart act a
Page >-10. DA atataa that a variety af phjiepleallea aad aeeplaafctaa haa haaa
rallactel la tha waha af aa aeU aaata ilaihutt. lalaala aaf ha
hail mail IwaHaialy after 41 ay aal hat raaaw jaicfcly ahea tha Mac*
^ la Hiatal hy aa agaal laliaa af aaa «at«r. IM aheali here rapertai haa
20-35 illate tha aaata aaat ha ta arlar that phjiaptaahMa aaI aaaptaairaa
aanhal. It ahaali alaa atata haa leag It tafcaa far tha aaataa that ara
Hafiaal af at aaa ta taaeh aaeh a caaweatratlaa. Tha ralcalatai valaa
•war which aertelfty eeailtlaae aatiat ahaall ha etatai.
M atataa that laharateej «aik faileatei that |h|ia>laaliaa aara mffaetal
hy a rianatratlaa af aeU ««ta fear thaa hlgtaar thaa laaraawrat taaa
>la»iai la tha flail aa* that ¦ uplaaliit wra ehraaicaUy affactai hy
raaceatrcilcae af aaa part aaata far U,M pans aaa aater. lava
lal aalaai laaa haaa aaie aa f|lw0laa at ccaccatratlaaa laaa thaa aaa pert
par 10,000 ta lawalai chraak affaeta?
Page 3-12. EPA atataa that ML Talaatrlaa rnaiaatai i ^nliiailiii etaiiaa n tha affaeta
af tell Ixaa aaata which caaelaiai that tea aara aa caafllck hataaaa tha
aaata ilapaeal eperatlaM aal apart flahlag art i» it lee la tha Bight apes.
BO iaaa sat |fva aay part leal at aa ahaat tha ataiy. Ia what raapatt aara
thara aa eaafllettf Mara thara at caafllcta iaaa ta tha aetaal aaaaaiai lag
_ ^ tha lam ar aa caafllcta iaa ta tha aartallty caaaai hy actf aaata ar aa
20*3S laaflltla hataaaa apart flat aara aara act laa la tha araa hacaaaa ether
w craataraa hai aaffarai aaaa aartallty iaa ta praflaaa acli ilapaaair
-17-
Page 3-12. BFA rltaa « ataiy that caaclaiai that hlaafleh aai yallav fla taaa aara
attraetai ta the alta aai that a Mahai j far thaaa aparlaa hai hagaa la
tha araa. Bai atailaa haaa ieaa at a yratioaa iata ta aatahllah ahathar
thara hai haaa the aaaw fiahary prier ta thla ataOyt Ia it aat poaalhla
AA _ that hlaeflah aai yallav fla taaa ara attraetai ta tha araa hacaaaa tha
20-39 tarlaa that they prey aa haaa haaa aade aaay fray iaa ta the ecH aaatc
Iwplagf Waataaa, the aatha* af thla ataiy ili aat ahaerve aivaree
affaeta eaaaai hy tha aaata ilapaeal. la thla a caaaai aheervatlaa aaia
•t tha aarfaea ar aaa thla a aara iaflaltlve ataiy aalag aaple gaer
that aaa apprapriata ta iraa thla caaclaeleat
Page 3-12. IM atataa that tha aaata iaar aat iff aar ta ha taatle ta hattaa iaalllag
aalaala, tha haathaa, aai the alta aapparta a typical aaai hateaa eaaaalty.
IM farther atataa that hlaaaaa mi apaclaa ilwaralty ara map arable ta
aaatral araaa althaagh tha aia*er af aalaala la algalfIcaatly laea thaa
20*40 other iaaaaa Igatara havt rapart ai fee fcaathlt caaiitiaaa at tha alta. SPA
—caaclaiaa that the aeli aaataa ara aat taalc ta nrgealaa araa theagh
ara iiffaraaeaa hacaaaa tha acii aita al tha eeatrol araaa. Thia
la llaa aith gaai aclaatlflc pracaiare that aaye that the iiffaraaeaa
i laanala aai the traetaeata aill ha aaaaal ta ha iaa ta tha
Paga 3-13. KM hagiaa 11 rtfilzta paralttaaa ta aaaitar tha raapactlva altaa aai
lalaialae if the Ilapaeal aparatlaaa lava ehert-texa a*raraa lap act.
Wnalrarlag aara ay a ara aaia at tha aeli alta aaea a year aai at tha
aaaaaga alaiga alta ially iarlag tha aaaar. Thiagl XPA iaaa aat atata
la tha US tha apacif lea af aaaitar lag aarvaya, it la heri ta eaacaiva
that aay aaaitar lag pragra which raqairaa eapliag aaea a yaar caa
praiait aagr aaahla raaalta. Thla raplraat appaara ta ha a tahaa
aaaitar lag raqalraaaaat aa that IM eaa Jaatlfy lta fallaviag the aeaaa
20-41 laa^ lag ragalaciaaa. Tha phyeleal, pheairal m* hialagleal aauitlaa
la tha light ara highly varlahla aal tha i aapnelt tea af the aaata aa
lailcatei aa Pagaa P-7 aad fr-14 ara alaa highly varlahla. Oae caa
aaly walir ahat atility thara aaali ha la aaapHag aawe a yaar at thia
alta. Thara la alaa aa lailcatiaa that thla aaea a yaar teal aviate
aaaitar lag pragraa ia iaaa at the aaaa tlaa Ilapaeal eparatieaa ara takiag
place ar la iaaa at aaaa tlaa tharaaftar.
Paga 3-11. KM raragaliaa the aajarlty af racraatleMl fiahlag la the Baa Talk
Bight la raaflaai ta tha laaer ahalf aatara which la aara accaaalhle
ta tha pahlic, aal aara aparta apaclaa ara faaai thara, thaa la tha aatar
Bight. DO alaa racagalaaa tha apart catch oftea apiala or aaipaaaaa
tha aaaaMrclal catch far eartala apaclaa aai algalf Icaatly ceattrlhatee
ta tha aiaaaalra af aaaaral taaatal araaa. AcII aaata ilapaeal at tha 13
alia alta haa a greater pateatial far effectlag raereatlaaal flaharlaa
thaa Ilapaeal at tha 100 alia alta. Vary faa raereatlaaal fieheraea ara
lihaly ta flah at the 100 alia alta.
Paga 3-34. IM atataa the aatharliei Haihwga rataa af the acli aaata at the alta
haaa haea aetahllahal hy KM Baglaa 11 ta pravaat laag taca aiaaraa affaeta
raaaal hy tha atata iiaehargaa. Nhat tr it aria mm aaai ta latatalaa tha
20-42 apprapriata ilacharga rataa? Ara thaaa aaaa criteria aaai ta iatacalaa
-------
¦ifmUMi ilaekana nui tor cka acli MM « tka acli dtd
i at ** *ta 43 >"'¦ IMai »i|mIm Thii auuM is mmllM ilati tkara ara
UflMt nmim at tka mUni, Hiimn id IK alia ana M n
kaa aalai Ib nwton dafUlt.
hn 4-1. n atataa tkat aa atfacta ara afvul at «ta 1W aUi alta aUA la
latatd la aatar iaftka at (raacar ttaa |]M aatara. Tka Mrlalaa at
II* aal Wlllfa «ma «Uh tkla raatlafl— aai rannala ttal acU
i (m tka camat acll alta uiklM alia alta.
far acli aaara llajiaal atara a aalat a( ia»lr lam q I
eanaa attk eta bat bak Htft aeU aaata ilafaaal alta. a*ca»t tkat
tkay an 4aa*ar. lUpaaal at acli aaata at tkaaa attaa «1U fiakafcly
> attact aa «at« cfcHai i) We tt» > aalka a 1
a iiM M Jaatltr frariaaa eaaailaaiaaa ttal acU aaawa will
¦¦¦¦¦¦I affact aa da t mt la itOalar Taat Uckt acU aaara
/T}-44 ll^a aal alw, rat It HaUaa at li^ ir ailaa aaat aa Da aaa tkara
aal ii ilm araaa, «U1 ka iflaoal.
hp Hl< H acacaa tkat U tal U jaaalkla lialattfaa at )—It i agaliilaaa
aadkiat (a caaaa tallaaa a> actlaaa kataaaa l«l aat Iff). Ikraa
at tkaaa alalatlaaw an tar tka atU alts aai 7 aara tar tka IB* alia
20.45 alta. Ikla antar 1aai taial Hataaal carta Uaaa aal
chat laai Han aal akaall ta tk Fk"l afcjacttaa far M.
rata *-12. M atataa tkat tka iHkaUUtr at aa ¦¦«aary t(aaa aa (ta raaal trl»
caaaact Uh «r aai i«ata tka larlafaa ta lac ata a atta tar
„ . , te akara oarrlaa altt U tka laaraaaai tlak at aaaraaaciaa raailrlat
9ft—46 ta akart <«««. n akinll praaaat a akart takte at tmf at Ha aaar
tka akm I 11 I Ma aauarrai la tka paat aai ra^aia tkla ta tka
^mai atart taptai Aat II aaar akaaU tka alta ta tkaa»ai ta
¦a lafTii an wnnttla tkajr It aat regain
aaaraa. na UrlrUa at Flak aai •Uiltta *—m
mis.
-I*-
B1 kaa caarfai ai tkat da* lat tart U«kt acU aaa
tkat U U aatraat aaa ataaOl W caatlan 11 u a liaMaarai alta Car acM
aaata iuiaaal. Ika UaWaa at Kak aai BlUlla llupaaa attk tkla
Laaelaalaa Ika MMafaa aaila*' that tka uataaal ri*a ta tka aaarat
alta at all altaa nuaMaal tar adl aaata lla>aaal aai akaaU ¦ araaa
aaata alta ka aaaiai. tkat tka 1®* alia alta la tka taat at tka
altaraatiraa laartlarai k? M. D> 13 alia alta kaa alualaal kanil 11.
a, 1* ta la acttn akl»yla» laaa aai 1a aaat
. tlak ata aa. hrtkanara, tka U alia alta
kaa kaaa alaa ta ka la a aararaly luialil atata rtU 11 inlriUi
at kaa*T aataia la tka aat lam a. (la rat fraaaat la flak, alaaara at
aarf tlaaa at tka ila*aaal alta aai kactarta tkat ara raafaraar ta
haaij aataia. Ika 1J alia alta aaata (aaar at tka crltarla at tla aeaaa
ia^lac ta^alal laaa tkaa wmff at tka altaa oaaal^arai. Tka IM alia alta
la tka laaat acttaa va-a-gi— nf aai ataali ka cka flrat ckalaa tar aa
adl aaata ilaraaal alta. Im aiiltlaa. tka Mt alia alta fita aU tka
crltarla at tka aeaaa kafl« lajalaHaaa. Ika Marlalaa at flak aai
BlUUta Ii tkat aa ocaaa la*la| ka raradttat kaeaaaa^af tka
aaata. ¦aa—at. aim laaa I at tatate ta »taaaai. tka IB« alia
alta la eta taat ckatca. A aata laai H^aaal aatkai itaall ka tka
prlaarj akjaetlaa -at m.
r. Vlek
BWlalaa at TUk aai KlUllta
• • >
'• *t I»tr1aa lasoarxas
-------
1. HOAX Techafeal Import EXL 321-MKA. 2 Ocmb Dc*pleg la the Hew Tort
tight. Boulder, Colorado. March 1975 r. 55.
2. IbU. p. 56.
3* IbU. p. 64
4. lb14. p. 42.
5. Abstracts Special Sjapoalia. Tha Mid41« Atlantic Coot In total Shelf
and Hear Tork ll«bt, 3-4-5 Movoiber 1975 Americas Museum of Natural
History, >su Terk City p. 52.
U
K)
-------
Cosewnts on "Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for New York Bight
Acid Waste Disposal Site Designation"
by
Allied Chemical Corporation
Morristown. New Jersey
Page xix, paragraph 6 - Me believe that the statement regarding
the characteristics of the waste material may be misleading
(i.e., "contain no constituents in concentrations detectable
outside the site or above - normal ambient levels more than
4 hours after discharge.") It has been well documented that
acid-iron wastes can be detected visually well beyond the
disposal site (i.e., page 2-4, paragraph 4). Me recommend
that this paragraph be modified to be consistent with the
requirements of 40 CFR Part 227, Subpart 6 (Section 227.29(a))
of the ocean dumping regulations. The suggested change is:
•Contain no constituents in concentrations greater than
the Limiting Permissible Concentration (LPC) outside
the site or inside the site after initial mixing (i.e.,
four hours).
Page 1-12, paragraph 2 - The summary section of the USEPA'S
ocean damping environmental impact criteria (40 CFR Part
227, Subpart B) are misleading and technically incorrect.
•"Trace Contaminants in the liquid fraction must neither
exceed the marini2~water quality criteria (EPA, 1976)
nor exist in toxic and bioaccumulative forms."
0 We believe nor should be replaced with or to be consistent
-2 with the requirements of the regulations (40 CFR, Part
227, Section 227.6).
Our interpretation of the regulations also indicates
that trace contaminants in the liquid fraction can be
either determined by bioasssys or by comparison to
water quality criteria (NQC) after initial mixing. By
definition, comparison to the specific marine water
quality criteria should provide adequate protection for
health effects. We also note that no bioaccumulation
tests are required for wastes that only possess a
liquid phase.
•4
I
U>
u
21-1
Allied Chemical Corporation's
CoMents on Draft BIS
-2-
21-3
e"Bioassays on the suspended particulates or solid
fractions must not indicate occurrence of significant
mortality or significant adverse sublethal effects, including
bioaccumulation due to waste dumping."
Our interpretation of the regulations indicate that
significant mortality is allowed to exist in bioassay
laboratory tests with the suspended particulate phase.
The regulations permit extrapolation of the laboratory
results to the dumpsite environment and comparison to
the LPC for that particular constituent.
We also note that bioassays must also be conducted on
both the suspended particulates and solid fractions to
comply with the provisions of Section 227.27(b).
The statestent "Allied Chemical has
Page 2-7, paragraph 2 - .me s
estimated costs at about five
21-4
what misleading. Allied's costs involve dedicated use
of one specific barge (AC-5) for ocean dumping by-product
hydrochloric acid. There are only about 12-14 trips per
year to the "acid grounds." Thus, barge depreciation and
maintenance are amortized over only 12-14 dumps per year.
When wastes are not being dusked, the barge is not used to
transport other suiterials.
In view of the lieited quantity of acid being dumped and use
of a dedicated barge, our costs per ton of acid dumped may
be higher than those of the other permittee.
P*ga 2-7, paragraph 4 - Allied Chemical and NL Industries
__ _ jointly participate in the required annual site monitoring
2 | crui®e At the "acid grounds." Total monitoring program
costs for both permittees are approximately $45,000-$SO,000
annually, not $17,000 each as stated in the report.
Page 2-24, paragraph 3, subparagraph 2, lines 3 k 4 - Based
_ on our interpretation of the regulations (Section 227.8), we
21 "Q believe that this sentence should read "can be expected to
be reduced to the Limiting Permissible Concentration"...rather
than "to normal asfeient seawater levels."
Page 2-29, paragraph 4 - Reference is made to "30 years of
operations at the site." On page 2-31, paragraph 2, reference
21—7 i# made to "31 years of disposal." This discrepancy should
be resolved.
-------
Allied Chemical Corporation's
Comments on Draft Els
-3-
Page 3-33, paragraph 3 - While the statement "pH changes are
detected only occasionally behind the barge and rarely
exceed 0.2 pH units below ambient conditions, even a few
minutes after discharge," favorably represents the effect of
2| -q ocean disposal of acidic wastes, it is misleading. It would
be more appropriate to state that "In all cases, pH changes
in the seawater behind the barge rarely exceed 0.2 pH units
below ambient conditions after initial mixing."
This modified paragraph is consistent with subsequent statements
regarding pH values on page D-13 (i.e., "Pour hours after
discharge, pH values had returned to within 0.2 pH units of
normal ambient levels'1).
^ Page 2-34, paragraph 2 - The term of Allied Chemical Corporation'
t Ipermit is January 15, 1979 to January 14, 1982, not the
period specified (April 10, 1979 to April 9, 1981).
I Page 3-8, paragraph 2 - Background information covering
studies and the technical basis for initial selection of the
21-10 acid site should be included in the EIS. This information
will provide the public with continuity between the initial
basis for site selection and the current criteria.
Page 3-8, paragraph 4 - Allied's waste composition is reported
on a weight percent basis, not volume percent as stated in
__ this section of the report. The first sentence should read
21-1 ] "-...30% by weight hydrochloric acid (HC1) , 21 by wight
hydrochloric acid (HP),...." Correct units are used on page
D-12 to describe the waste.
Page <-16r paragraph 3 - As noted in a previous comment, it
has been well documented that acid iron wastes can be detected
y 1_12 visually beyond the disposal site (i.e., page 2-4, paragraph
4} .
It is also appropriate to note that -the joint site monitoring
program was designed to measure the dispersion of the waste
materials by selecting waste transport stations beyond the
dumpsite boundaries. The Limiting Permissible Concentration
(LPc) Is the proper criteria to measure the effect of the
waste material beyond the site boundaries, not "ambient
concentration."
Allied Chemical Corporation's
Comments on Draft EIS
-4-
OV] O Definitions - The following changes in the listed definitions
^ ' ** are recommended:
Page 6-3 - Bioassay: Determination of the toxicity of
a substance.... [delete strength (potency)].
Page 6-9 - LC^Q (Median Lethal Concentration): In
bioassay stuclies^ the concentration of a substance
which causes 50 percent mortality of the test organisms
during a given time (usually 96 hours).
Page 6-9 - Limiting Permissible Concentration (LPC):
Add to the existing definition: "....or cause other
sublethal effects or cause bioaccumilation" to make the
definition consistent with 40 CFR Part 227, Subpart G,
Section 227.27.
— £ Page D-3, paragraph 2 - Allied Chemical's ocean dumping
£l 1^ permit expires January 14, 19S2 not April 9, 1981.
Page D-14, paragraph 2 - Line 5 specifies "conventional LD_-
IK values. .. . This is technically incorrect and should be
*" 1 1 ^ reported as LCjq-
21-16 General - Typographical Errors
page 1-3, paragraph 1, line 1: decision-making.
page 2-28, paragraph 1, line 5: companies.
page 4-15,
paragraph S,
line 2:
sediment.
-------
E. \. do Pont oc Nemours & Company
Wilmimgtom. Delaware 19BM
cwifonw ocmtTwcuT
UWVtm tUILCHM
January 28, 1980
Kr. T. A. Hastier
Chief, Marine Protection Branch (WH-54BJ
environmental Protection Agency
Washington, oc 204 60
Dear Mr. Hastier:
This is in response to a request for cojments on "Draft Environ-
mental lapact Draft Statement (EIS) for New York Bight Acid Haste
Disposal. Site Designation." While the Pu Pont Company doe£ not
the Acid Waste Disposal Site, \»e suSHkit contents primarily
to point out sosms inaccuracies relative to the Industrial Waste
(106-Kile) Site, one of the sites considered in the EIS as an
alternate to the Acid site.
Me are encouraged to note the conclusion, similar to that in
BfA's draft EIS of the 106-Mile site, that no significant adverse
effects have been demonstrated because of acid waste disposal.
Our consents are attAched herewith. Me appreciate the opportunity
to consent on the drftft EIS. We would *lso appreciate receiving
a copy of the final SIS for the Acid Wa*te Disposal site a.$ well
as that for the 106-f*ile site.
Very truly yours,
engineering SERVICE DIVISION
A
L. L. Falk
LU :mes
atch
cc; Vr. P. K. Ande-rson - EPA - Reg-ion 11
-Dr. W_ K. Suns-tan - Interstate Electrcnics C&iporation
¦Mr. Marshall Bolstron - Interstate Electronics Corporation
COfMEHTS OF E. 1. DU PONT DE NEMOURS 6 CO.
ON DRAFT QJVlfWWtHPTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT (EIS) FOR MEN YORK BIGHT
ACID WASTE DISPOSAL SITE DESIGNATION
The following are submitted primarily to cooment of the 106-Mile
Industrial waste Disposal Site which vas considered in the EIS
as an alternative to the Acid Waste Disposal Site. Du Pont
does not dispose of wastewaters in the latter site* Most of
the following consents were nade relative to the dfaft EIS on
the 106-Mile site {reference letter l. L. Falk to f» A. Vastier,
September 26, 1979}.
Sag* Ccinitnts
2-11 The text indicates the 106-Mile site is located 167 km
{9# ti. mi) east of Cape Henlopen, Delaware. Scaling
the western boundary Of the site on Figure 2-1 shows
1 it is 232 km <126 n. *i) east of Cape Henlopen. The
1 site is farther from Cape Benlopen than it is from
AsProse Light.
3-36 TaPle 3-7 contains so*>e incorrect values;
1. The range for copper concentrations of Ou Pont-
Grasse}li wastewater is given as 25 - 154,700 ug/1
The maximum value is in error because of a faulty
_ _ analysis. EPA-Region II had been provided a
22~2 correct value. Therefore, the maximum value
(observed since 1974) should be shown as 1470 ug/1
Consequently, the mean value should be changed
from 3150 to 330 tfg/1 (1974-1978 analyses).
2. Arsenic analyses vere not performed c?n Grasselli
wastewater prior to 1977. Since then* concentra-
tions have not been measured higher than 21 ug/1,
and have averaged less than 6.
3-37 In Table 3-8, the range of aerated 96-hoi>r TL50 values
for Grasselli wastewater to the Atlantic silversides
(M. menidia) is given as 1.8 to 6950 (no units are
gTven in Table 3-8). Data submitted to EPA-Region II
beginning with monthly wastewater samples taken in
January, 1976, through December, 1978, show that the
range for aerated M. penidia 96-hour TL50 was 750 to
6950 microliters/liter (ul/1) .
22-3
-------
- 2 -
Correspondingly, the range of unaerated 96-hour TL50
values for GruMlli is given in Table 3-1 as 1.7 to
6170 for M. menidia. For the saw period when the
aerated tests were conducted, the unaerated TL50
values ranged from 730 to (170 ul/1-
He believe the 1.8 and 1.7 values reported as the
lowest values in Table 3-S My have cone about because
bioassay data for a standard toxicant was incorrectly
taken as wastewater toxicity. The toxicity of sodium
lauryl sulfate was determined each time a test was
run. Its toxicity to K. menidia is in the range of
0.87-3.SO mg/1, averaging 1.6.
The range in Table 3-8 of 96-hour EC50 values for the
diatoa Skeleton—a costaturn for Grasselli is shown as
29 to • Ibb. Our review ot the data beginning in 1976
show the range to be 160 to 0600 ul/1.
4-18 In Table 4-3* the volume of a quadrant of the 106-Mile
site (down to 15-m depth) is ahown as "3.1 x 109 liters
A_ . (row 2, left column). What is the value of "g"? In
22-4 tb* D?**1 EIS for the 106-Mile site (June, 1979). the
| corresponding value in its Table 4*1 is 3.1 x 1013
OJ liters for the entire site. These numbers need to
On be reconciled and' put on an entire-site basis.
As in the case of EPA's Draft EIS on the 106-Mile site, the Acid
Haste Site draft makes several recoammndations on characteristics
industrial wastes should have for disposal. Because the recommenda-
tions on the 106-Mile site are sisdlar to those for the Acid Waste
Site, we believe it may be helpful to coeeent on them.
The fourth recommendation on page xix (also the third on page 2-32)
is that the wastewater characteristics "demonstrate low toxicity
of neutralised wastes to representative planktonic and nektonic
marine organisms." The toxic effect of a wastewater is a function
of its concentration. Therefore, the toxic effect of wastewater
disposed of in the ocean dependa on the dilution achieved, a
function of the rate of release and barge speed (ie, tons released
per unit of distance traveled). Falk and Gibson (1977) and Falk
end Phillips (1977) demonstrated, for both Da Pont-Grasselli and
Du Pont-Edge Moor wastes, that a time-concentration curve can be
developed by proper release rate such that concentrations at any
time after release can be kept below the corresponding toxic
effects concentration for the same time. (See EIS page 3-38.>
The same concept can be applied to any wastewater of almost any
toxicity by use of an appropriate release rate. The higher the
toxicity, the lower the release rate. Therefore, the logistics
and econoari.cs of ocean disposal become the determinants. The
i in i — mill inn that the wastes have low toxicity is not relevant.
What is relevant is that the toxicity be mitigated by proper
- 3 -
dispersion practices. Therefore, we suggest that the recommenda-
tion be modified to provide for demonstrating low toxicity to
representative planktonic and nektonic marine organisms at
wastewater concentrations achieved after dispersion (see EPA
regulations, 40 CFR Part 227, Subpart B).
The fifth reoonncndation on page 2-32 is vastly different in
phraseology than the fifth one on page xix. The latter is too
vague (it could exclude wastes with sodium chloride). The version
22-6 on P*9* 2-32 is preferable except for the phrase "nor will it
be exceeded anywhere in the environment after initial mixing."
We suggest: "nor will it be exceeded within the disposal site
after initial mixing."
LLF:mes
1/28/80
-------
National Wildlife Federation
Uti WW ST„ M W- WASNMCTON, DC 20BM 309—797
February 12, 1900
Hr. f.A. Wastier
Chiefi Murine Protection Branch (WH-548)
BnrUooMntal Protection Agency
401 K Street S.W.
Washington, D.C* 20460
Re: Cement* on Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for Hor fork Bight Acid Haste Disposal Site
Designation
Dear Nr. Vastier:
The National midlife Federation has carefully
reviewed the referenced draft environmental impact statement
("DBIS") and wishes to offer the consents which follow. Our
major criticises of the OBIS can be grouped into the following
m categories: (1) failure to adequately discuss non-ocean dumping
I alternatives to the proposed site designation; (2) failure to
^ adequately consider the role of the persistent ferric hydroxide
floe as a concentrator of toxic chemicals (derived both from
dosp» of acid wastes and from other sources of contamination of
the tf.Y. Bight); (3) failure to adequately consider the active
attraction of certain fish species to the floe as a means of
potentially enhancing the bioavailability of toxic contaminants;
and (4) excessive tendency to equate the lack of demonstrated
harm with acceptable assurance of safety.
While HWF does not at this tine oppose formal designation
of the acid waste for continued ocean dvosping use, we believe
that continued use of the site should be subject to satisfactory
accosfilishment of two prerequisites: (a) a des»nstration that
unacceptable bioaccumulstion does not occur (based on suitable
23-1 field and/or laboratory bioaccwulation assessment studies; these
studies should emphasize potential bioaccumulation of contaninants
associated with HL industries* ferric hydroxide floe); and (b)
23-? a detailed evaluation (and, if possible, implementation) of
measures to minimize floe formation and/or floe persistence
(e.g.* total or partial neutralization of barged vastes; recycle
of iron sulfate; etc.).
Our detailed canapents follow:
I. FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY DISCUSS NOff-OCEAN DUHPIWG ALTERATIVES
The present DEIS "goes further than the previous site
designation. £15' s prepared by Interstate Electronics in at least
listing the alternatives to ocean disposal which have been
Mr. T.A. Hastier
February 12, 1980
Page 2
considered (at least by the permittees). DFIS, at 2-17.
Unfortunately# the DEIS does not go far enough. Apart from
the bald statement that, "to date," land-based alternatives
"have not been economically and/or technically feasible," no
information is provided on the actual economics or feasibility—
so that the reader cannot judge for himself (or herself)
whether, in fact, ocean dumping is the only feasible alternative.
Indeed, the very fact that EPA has imposed a Special
Permit Condition (i.e.. No. 7) on both acid waste site dumpers,
requiring the* to further explore (and, in some cases, implement}
certain process change and disposal technique alternatives,
suggests that EPA Region II itself regards land-based alterna-
tives as at least potentially feasible. See, DEIS, at 2-36 -
2-37.
We recognize that the Marine Protection Branch has taken
the position (and has so instructed Interstate Electronics Corp.)
that site designation EIS's are to consider only ocean-based, and
not land-based alternatives. However, we firmly believe that
this position is logically and legally untenable. As a matter of
logic, we cannot imagine hov the need to designate an ocean
duj^>site can be evaluated without careful consideration (in the
site-designation context} of the availability of non-ocean
alternatives. As a matter of law# Article IV(2) of the London
Dumping Convention requires dunpsite studies to consider Annex III
factors including "[tjhe practical availability of alternative
land-based Methods of treatment, disposal or elimination ...."
(Emphasis added). Similarly, Section 102(c) of the Marine
Protection, Researchrand Sanctuaries Act <"MPRSA") requires the
EPA Administrator, before designating "recommended sites or
times for dumping," to consider factors under Section 102(a)
including "[ajppropriate locations and methods of disposal or
recycling, including land-based alternatives .(Emphasis added).
The consideration of land~based alternatives is siraply
not a matter that can properly be left solely to project-specific
review in the context of permit-issuance.
II. FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY CONSIDER THE ROLE OF THE FLOC
The DEIS makes passing reference several times to the fact
that ¦Iclombinations of different waste types at a single site
is generally undesirable because synergistic interactions may
occur between the wastes." DEIS, at xv, 2-9. It states repeatedly
that "adverse effects" due to the dumping of acid -wastes "last
only a few minutes following disposal," DEIS at kv, 2-4,"do not
accumulate,* DEIS at 2-33, and that " (vr|hen compared with waste
inputs from all sources, the contaminants in acid wastes are
insignificant," "DEIS, at xv, xvii, 3-10, D-6. At the same time.,
-------
Mr. T.A. Hastier
February 12, 1980
Page 1
Nr. T.A. Hastier
February 12, 1980
Page 4
I
o>
00
23-4
23-5
the OBtS points eat that "(a|cid-iron wastes fora a visible plms
of ferric hydroxide (rut) which is persistant, <48 hours)," OCXS
at xvi, 2-4, 2*29, 3*4# 4-11, and that the ferric hydroxide plume
attracts bluefish, yellowfin tana (and other species), DEIS at
2-4# 2-t, 2*30, 3*12, 4-4. It also points out that suspended
particulate Bitter (•»«•] 'can be toxic or eaa bind or adsorb
toxic materials which are eventually carried to the bottom" where
"the toxic Material eaa be oonnsad by Marine organisms," KX8 at
3-4, but makes only elliptical reference to the fact that the
ferric hydroxide floe shares this property with SPH (the OBIS
states only that "(a|cid-iron waste does contribute to the elevated
levels of SPM in the Apex," OCXS at 3-4). (The fact that "there
is no indication of a buildup of contaminants (roa acid waste in
the sediments" at the acid waste site, OCXS et 3*5, is of course
no reason to rule out localised build-ups within the extensive
zone of influence (but outside of the site per se) of the persistent
ferric hydroxide floe).
As the OBIS states* "Many finfish of coMsrcial and recrea-
tional importance are found in the New York Bight ...," DEIS at 3-6,
3-3. So, although " (c)oamsrcial fishing activities are alitor around
the Acid Site" itself, id., and although "(tfhe site location was
specifically chosen to avoid conflict with fisheries .DEIS at
3-8, 4-4, these facts alone do not eliminate the potential for food-
chain font—ination. this is not a hypothetical concern. As the
DEIS reports: "The gastrointestinal tracts of cope pods and ctenophores
collected at the site after a discharge were full of iron particles
from the waste DEIS at 3-10, A-22, B-14, B-15. The sere fact
that "the animals did not appear to show ill effects," id., does not
of course aein that they did not b ioaccuau late floe-associated toxic
contaminants (which were undoubtedly ingested along with the iron
particles), which could then be bioswgnlfled through the food-chain
to the potential detriment of higher predators, including man.
In short, the DEIS consistently paints a selective and Bis-
leading picture of the potential for adverse inpacts associated with
ocean dumping at the acid waste site. Among the Draft's omissions
or distortions are the following!
—Failure to discuss the role and significance of the ferric
hydroxide floe as an active scavenger and concentrator of toxic
heavy Metals (c£.«DCI8 at C-l) and other toxic chenicals {whether
these toxicants are derived fron ocean-dipped acid wastes or from
other New fork Bight contaminant sources).
—Failure to discuss the potential negative consequences
of fish attraction to the ferric hydroxide plea (i.e., enhanced
opportunities for contaainant bioaccumulatioti) j instead, the Draft
dutifully spouts the industry "party line" that the ploms attracts
fish, so it aust be good. See, e.g., DEIS at 4-1, B-16. Completely
unaddxessed is the possibility (or probability) that fish attracted
to the plvuse will bioaccuaulate undesirable contaminants which—
although they aay not immediately injure the fish theaselves—nay
cause probleas for higher level predators, including sun.
23-6 —Failure to consider the tone of influence of the pluae
(i.e., how far can a ferric hydroxide floe travel in 2 - 4 days?),
the fisheries present within this sone (not just at the dumpsite
itself), and potential iapacts on these fisheries.
23.7 —Failure to consider synergistic interactions between acid-
* iron wastes (notably the floe) and other contaainants introduced
into the Mew York Bight. The scavenging of contaminants by the floe
is one aspect of this. Another aight be the fact that low pH increases
the aobility and bioavailability of heavy aetals (i.e., is there a
potential for interacting with nearby (See, D6IS at 4-4)dredge spoil
and sswage sludge duaping activities?).
23-8 . —Failure to acknowledge the fact that toxicity or contasu.na-
tion associated with acid-waste ocean duaping may be more a function
of localised buildups than of pervasive buildups throughout the
New York Bight. The repeated comparison of contaminants introduced
with acid-iron waste to overall contaainant loadings in the Bight
from all sources is Misleading and disingenuous. Harmful effects can
occur without elevating aabient levels of heavy aetals throughout
the entire Bight (or even throughout the acid-waste duapsite).
23-9 . — Repeated references to the floe persisting for up to 48
hours, OBIS at xvi, 2-4, 2-29, 3-4, whereas in fact the floe has
been reported to persist for "several days." DEIS, at 4-16.
Although the Draft recognises at one fleeting point that
"subtle adverse impacts can acciaaalate and coafcine, to cause long-
tera consequences which are as serious as any readily observed
iapacts" (OBIS at 4-8), with the exaaple given that "an organin
aay acciaaalate waste constituents in its tissues at concentrations
that do not cause its death immediately, but instead act at a sub-
lethal or chronic level" (id.), the authors of the DEIS never
discuss the relevance of this truiaa to the ocean duaping and
potential iapacts of acid-iron wastes.
III. FAILOBg TO CONSIDER TfB NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF FISH ATTKACTIOK
As previously discussed, the Draft consistently equates
the attraction of bluefish, yellowfin tuna, and other spec lee. and
the associated "enhancement" of reereational fishing, as beneficial
consequences of acid-iron waste ocean duaping. DBIS at 2-4, 2-8,
2-30, 3-12, 4-4, 4-1, l-l(- Nor do the authors of the DEIS find
-------
Nr. T.A. Waatler
February 12, 1M0
Page *
any iacopcittnqr la also hnaldiiif as a significant Mfegoard
the fact that tha location of tht acid mt« dompsite was chosen
to avoid conflict with fisher las,. OBIS at 3-t, and to avoid points
of ooocoAtratioa for fiah or fishing, nsis at 4-4. (At least the
Deis is ooasistant in classifying 'fpjossible avoidance of the
(dumping) araaa by fish" aa am "important abort-term adverse impact";
~SIS at 4-22) -
23-10 It* Draft's total disregard of even the possibility that fish
attraction to the floe (particularly attraction of fish that are
actively caught by recreational f 1 shiiiaim and presumably satan by
thsm) might have negative aspects to it—such as enhancing tha bio-
availability and bioeccumolation of floe eonttfi newts—is a serious
defect. Ma trust that tha final SIS will give this concern the
promiaect attention it deserves.
iv. rjwun Assowiotf mt iack or ommmato harm tmnts acceptable
ASSgMTR Or SAPBTT • •
The DHS is replete with statements such as the foil owing:
*4 —"no adverse lomg-term effect* attributed to the wastes
' have been detected or documented* (at 2-5}.
u)
—'Although the standing crop of sooplatfkton and maber of
bamthic inlaila vara less on the acid grounda than tha control area,
we have tie an unable to attribute these differences to acid waste"
rat 2-si,
—"Only minor, abort-term, adverse environmental changea and
no long-term effects caused by acid waste disposal have been ilnenn
strated «t the site" (at 2-23).
—-"we have bo evidence to suggest that waste Materials froai
the Apex Acid Waste Dumpeite have reached shore" (at 2-27).
—•"Adverse effects resulting tram acid tf*st« disposal have
not bean documented" (at 2-30).
—"any insets (at tha acid waste lite] would be tha sua of
all activities affecting the site, aad ooold not be attributed to
acid wastes alone* (2-30).
—'"bang-term, sublethal, toxic affects oa ttfialaH at ud
near the Ape* site have not bean investigated" (at 2-30).
—"It is certain that historical average volumes (of acid-
iron waste) are aeoiptable ..." (at 2-32).
Rr. T.A. vastier
February ±2*
Page (
—"Since the current pattern¦ in tha Bight are highly coaplex
and have large, unpredictable variations, evea the short-term (days)
transport of the vesta cannot be predicted* (at 2-S3).
—Ttie proposed site ... hat been used since 1941 with no
adverse effects on tha envirozment ..," {at 3-1).
—effecta (if present) at the Acid Site are obacured by
the multiple contaminant eourcea ..." (at 4-1).
—"Important spawning ground* and nureery areas lie within
the Bight, but critical assessments of the effects of nan-induced
contamination on fiah and shellfish populations are lacking"
(at 4-3).
—"asaeaaing the effects of ocean diaposal includes
uncertainties due to the weaknesses of existing fisheries
information* (at 4-3).
—'Although adverse effects have been observed in mackerel
eggs exposed to moderately high concentrations of acid waate .. ~,
tainting or harmful accumulations of waste components in the flesh
of fish taken from the area have not been reported" (at 4-4).
—"Many contaminant input* to the Bight Apex, other than
those at the Acid Site, make it unlikely that any deterioration
of fiah health or populations could ever be proven as caused by
acid waste disposal* (at 4-11}.
—"Any effects from acid waste disposal would probably be
overshadowed by effects from the numerous other contaminants
introduced to the Mew York. Bight .... This ooaplex interplay
between natural variability and contaminants introduced by other
sources makes it extremely difficult to isolate and quantify effects
et the.site solely due to the di*poeal of acid waate" (at 4-13).
—*no changes in the water or sediment chemistry have been
poaitively linked to acid wests disposal .... The far York Bight
Apex is a difficult region in which to assess inpacta ..." (at 4-15).
—"There ia one noticeable harmless change in the water
quality at the aite" (i.e., formation of a ferric hydroxide floe)
(at 4-1C).
—"The magnitude of the contaminant inputs from acid
waate must be kept in perspective; they are generally leas than
the inputs from the atmosphere* (at 4-24) ,
—"the precision of each survey [of pelagic and demersal
fish) is low and only major changes in the fiah populations are
detectable" (at A-26).
-------
Mr. T.A. Washier
February 12, 19B0
Page 7
—"Sine* mite constituents do not accumulate in the water
colun, the wtcritl does not nwln «t th* mite bat ie carried
out of the Bight* {at D-4K
—"there ie no danger that vute constituent* could reach
the shoreline in measurable aaMnti1 (at D~l).
23.11 fhnif although the DEIS acknowledges in effect that only the
1 mt widespread and catastrophic iapects would be capable of being
¦easured and attributed to acid waste dumping, the DEIS Is willing
to make the flat statements that "no adverse effects on the
environment" have occurred since draping began in 1948 (at 3*1)
and that "it is certain" that as long as historical dueping levels
are not exceeded, the dashing effects vill be "acceptable" (at 2-32).
These efforts to minimi** the harm potential of acid waste
dumping in the face of overwhelming uncertainty is regrettable
enough given the MfrSA's mandate that ocean dumping be permitted
only where the EPA Administrator is able to determine that there
"will not" be unreasonable degradation or endangerment-^a showing
which lesis, by the Draft's own admissions, to be impossible in
this case. The dismissal of the potential for harm is even more
I unfortunate In this case because it also requires inconsistent
«P" evidence to be disregarded.
O
Among the -evidence of harmful effects downplayed by the
DEIS 1st
90, 1 0 —Evidence of a significant increase in the number of
' chromosomal aberrations in eggs and larvae of the Atlantic
mackerel near the Acid Site, with a lower percentage of abnormali-
ties observed away from the dumpsite in the general area of the
apex, Loagwell (1476). DEIS at A-22, B-16, 4-4, 4-9, 4-11. As
noted in the DBXS, "lejggs, larval stages, and iamature forms can
be found all year round throughout the area," DEIS at 3-6.
OT 1 O —Evidence of impaired reproduction and growth of cooplankton
exposed to Is 10,000 concentration of acid waste (after IB days of
exposure}; specifically, a "failure of the organisms [xooplaskton]
to reproduce, or a delay in the time required to transform eggs
into adults Veccaro, et el. (1972). DEIS at D-10, The DEIS
dismisses these results as "not biologically aignificant since this
waste concentration occurs for only a few minutes after disposal*
—although the concentration Involved is only "four times greater
than values observed in the field.* Nhen one considers* however,
that the ferric hydroxide floe (along with adsorbed and entrained
contaminants) persists for upwards of 4B hours following each dump
and that ML Industries ocean-diap* a new load of wastes once or
twice every 24 hours (DEIS at 2-34), the potential for cumulative
Mr. T«A. Vastier
February 12, 19*0
Page I
buildups in aasociation with floating floe becomes particularly
significant. Itiis potential is particularly important if Dr. Longwell
(1976) is correct that the mackerel egg abnormalities she observed
near the Acid Waste site "were due to the mutagenic properties of
heavy metals" (DEIS at B-16) —because it is heavy metals that are
most likely to be scavenged by the ferric hydroxide floe.
—Evidence of bioaccumulation of high vanadium concentrations
in scallops south of the former bu Pont-Edgemoor Industrial Haste
Sit* (which received titanium dioxide acid-iron wastes quite sixdl&r
to those dtaped at the Acid site by NL Industries), in the direction
of projected plume transport, Peach, et al. (1977). DEIS at D-ll.
Hot only does the DEIS dismiss this evidence as requiring "more
confirmatory evidence" (despite the fact that it served aa the
basis for EPA's decision to transfer Du Pont's dumping to the 106-
Mile Site), and as being inapplicable to the New York Bight because
¦ |i|n the Kew York Bight such effects would not be observable
because of the high inputs of contaminants from other sources"
(as though something that cannot be observed can therefore not be
harmful) DEIS at D-ll, but it compounds the problem by failing to
provide any information whatsoever on the vanadium content of NL
Industries' acid wastes. This is particularly disconcerting in
light of the Draft's statement that "folne toxic^aetal, vanadium,
is present in high concentrations in the [acid-iron] waste" (DEIS
at B-ll] . The Draffs attempt* to minimize the significance of this
vanadium by asserting that it complexes with other matexitl "and
becomes biologically unavailable" is unconscionable in light of the
contrary evidence reported by Peach, et al. (19711.
In short, the Pinal EIS needs to do a more candid and objective
job of identifying the potential risks associated with continued
ocean dumping at the Acid Waste disposal site.
V. MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS
1. Although 40 C.F.R. {227.5(d) prohibits "under any
circumstances" the ocean dumping of "fpjexsistent inert synthetic
or natural materials which may float or remain in suspension in
the ocean in such a manner that they suy interfere materially
23—navigation, or other legitimate uses of the ocean...,'
1 the DEls never so euch as mentions this porvision or its potential
applicability to the ferric hydroxide floe formed by the dumping
of ML Industries' acid-iron wastes. The Pinal EIS should discuss
this question in detail, along with the feasibility of alternatives
to reduce the potential for formation and/or persistence of a floe.
2. The DEIS makes the flat statement that "(alcid wastes
_ do not contain constituents which, promote phy topiankton growth*
23~l0 t** 2-31). In fact, is it not the case, that iron—present in the
acid wastes in great abundance—Is an important micronutrient for
many phytoplankton species? See also, DEIS at A-19.
-------
Mr. t.X. «utler
February 12, 19t0
P«9« »
23-17
t 23-18
H*
3. Although the DC IS indicates that arsenic it present
la both n> Industrie*' end Allied's wastes, no information is
provided on the actual levels presents OBIS,, at D*4, D-14.
4. 11»e OBIS states at. the outset that: "KL Industries
and Allied Chemical have demonstrated that their wastes comply
with CPA's nriioeeenUl i^paet criteria and that technically
feasible alternative disposal methods are eavirinwntally less
preferable than continued vse of the site; therefore,, a present
end furore need, exists fox the continued me of this site."
DC IS at 1-2. Unfortunately, this is the foregone conclusion
which persMlai the entire BIS. An BIS is supposed to discuss
impacts and alternatives, not affirmatively advocate a particular
proposed action. The Final BI6 thould be modified accordingly.
Sincerely,
Kenneth 8. Xamlet
Assistant Director for
Pollution f Toxic Substances
KSK/jl
eei Kenry Longest
Dr. Pete Anderson
Ed Mainland
-------
RESPONSES TO WRITTEN COMMENTS
1-1 The EPA appreciates the careful review given to the EIS by several NOAA
agencies.
2-1 As stated in the DEIS, use of the site will be reexamined whenever monitoring
indicates that the acid wastes are having significant adverse effects on the
marine environment. See Response 23-14 for a discussion of the probable
effects (slight, if any) of acid waste on the benthos at any site.
2-2 As stated in the DEIS, the permittees are required by EPA to continue to
examine land-based alternatives.
^ 2-3 This statement refers to different wastes being released at the same site
£ within hours of, and in close proximity to each other. As noted in Response
23-7, interactions between the acid waste and other contaminants in the Apex
are unlikely.
2-4 Change made.
2-5 The text and table have been changed slightly. The currents in the Bight are
complex and variable. The FEIS on the Sewage Sludge Site (EPA, 1978a) used the
current patterns at the Northern Site, described in this EIS, as one of the
justifications for designating the Alternate Sewage Sludge Site in the Northern
Area, rather than in the Southern Area.
2-6
Change made.
-------
2-7 The most significant adverse effects last only a few minutes, until the acid
wastes are neutralized by the buffering action of sea water. The floe which
forms, when acid-iron wastes are released, may persist as a distinct entity for
one or two days, but unreasonable adverse effects have not been reported for
this material.
2-8 The 106-Mile Site is influenced by several water masses, each with charac-
teristic chemical and biological properties. The combination of natural
variability and changing water types results in a complex environment. The
proposed site is in a complex environment, however, more is known about the
•4 Apex than the 106-Mile Site. The probability of detecting change is higher at
£ a site with better known characteristics.
2-9 There are numerous sources used in preparation of this EIS which are not part
of the "conventional" scientific literature (e.g., letters, company reports,
[scientific] consultant reports submitted to the companies, and data reports).
In order to make the EIS uniform, and to indicate the date of this unpublished
work, the author-date system of referencing was used for all material. The
"References Cited" section in Chapter 6 clearly indicates which documents are
unpublished.
2-10 The feelings of the charter boatman are well known; the DEIS has been changed
to reflect the intensity of their feelings.
2-11 Change made.
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2-12 It may be difficult to detect the more subtle environmental changes. However,
the site has a long history of site-specific studies conducted by scientists
fron research institutions (e.g., WHOI), and private firms for the required
monitoring of the permittee. the MESA project collected some site-specific
data and has provided an extensive data base for the entire Apex. Combination
of these information sources yields an excellent data base for detecting
changes.
2-13 See Responses 20-16 and 20-17.
2-14 The comment is valid; however, the project did provide considerable information
and data about background variation in the Apex, as well as limited data about
anthropogenic effects. The probability of detecting changes due to acid waste
disposal is best at the Proposed Site where the background characteristics are
well known.
2-15 See Response 2-3.
2-16 This EIS stated that increased traffic would be one of several problems
resulting from designation of one of the alternate sites. Irrespective of the
designated site, disposal barges will pass through the Apex. However, the
possibility of an accident or other emergency (e.g., deteriorating weather)
increases proportionately with the transit time and distance.
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2-17 This sentence refers to long-term effects of acid waste at the 106-Mile Site.
Research at the 106-Mile Site has been conducted only for a short tiae, but the
effects of acid waste disposal have been investigated for more than thirty
years. Hastes affect the water column; consequently, long-term effects in the
water at the 106-Mile Site would not be expected.
2-18 EPA agrees with this comment. However, in the general case the statement in
the EIS is correct for the entire mid—Atlantic Bight. Where appropriate,
exceptions are noted in the text.
•4 2-19 Change made.
2-20 Change made.
2-21 See Responses 23-4 and 23-7.
2-22 Reference provided. The conclusion of the investigators (Vaccaro et al., 1972)
was that the elevated iron levels in the Hudson Shelf Valley were due to all
inputs, and not strictly acid-iron waste inputs.
2-23 Paragraph revised -
2-24 Figure changed. Figure A-4 shows the correct closure area.
2-25 The scale of the figure is too small to show the small areas. In general, the
figure is correct. The presence of muddy bottom assemblages is noted, where
appropriate, in the text.
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2-26 Change Bade.
2-27 The NQAA study did not evaluate the commercial potential of the areas, but did
report the presence of commercially important species. Fishing does occur in
the area.
2-28 Although not specifically addressing the Acid Site, seven stations (one water,
six benthic) of the standard MESA sampling grid are located within the Acid
Site. See Response 2-8.
2-29 EPA agrees with this statement of Longwell's results and the text has been
modified. See Response 23-12 for additional information.
2-30 Change made.
3-1 EPA agrees; this is the reason that EPA supports the continuation of
site-specific monitoring programs by NOAA and the permittees.
3-2 Laboratory studies performed on acid waste and reported by Ketchum et al.
(1958a) listed settling rates for a complete spectrum of particle sizes. The
fastest settling rate recorded was 1.7 cm/min. The average depth of the site
is approximately 26 m, therefore the minimum time for the first acid waste
particles to reach the bottom is 25 hours. Only 8Z of the acid waste had this
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settling rate. Furthermore, 85 hours are required for half of the waste to
reach the bottom. Thus, although the acid waste has a significant solid phase,
the material will be widely dispersed and diluted, greatly minimizing effects
on the bottom.
3~3 The permitted draping rate is derived from the desired dispersion values, not
the reverse. If there were data showing the accummulation of harmful waste
constituents in the water column, the dumping rate would be decreased.
3-4 EPA agrees.
3-5 No matter what amount of change, the cost of permittee monitoring would
^ increase if the 106-Mile Site were used.
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3-6 The Coast Guard would not be able to maintain its desired surveillance level
without assigning additional personnel as shipriders. The "expense" may be
direct, if the needed people were assigned to the District; or, it may be
indirect, if different tasks performed by the Coast Guard cannot be completed.
Additional information about the ODSS has been incorporated into Chapter 1 of
the EIS.
3-7 The Limited and transient effects caused by acid waste make it difficult to
detect Long-term or chronic effects anywhere in tbe ocean. The environmental
characteristics of the 106-Mile Site are not as well known as in the Apex.
Changes due to acid waste disposal would be more difficult to detect against a
lesser studied background.
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3-8 Change made.
3-9 Change made.
3-10 Some evidence of a semi-permanent anti-cyclonic eddy in the Apex exists, but
the direction of average flow in the area may change by 90° or 180° with depth
(Hansen* 1977). Some monitoring cruises have observed the waste plume moving
in different directions at depth (e.g., EG&G, 1977a). The overgeneralization
is that bentbic effects would be expected to be most observable south-southwest
of the site. However, this location is within the Hudson Shelf Valley, a
natural "sink" for the wide variety of contaminants introduced into the Bight.
3-11 Text modified.
3-12 Corrected.
3-13 As stated in the DEIS, the currents in the Apex are so variable that
predictions of net transport are not reliable.
3-14 Change made.
3-15 Change made.
3-16 Change made.
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Acid-iron waste contains settleable materials and it is appropriate to discuss
the probable effect on the benthos if wastes were released at the 106-Mile
Site. Other commenters have expressed concern with possible benthic effects
even at deep sites.
i
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3-18 Change made.
3-19 Change made.
3-20 Change made.
3-21 Typographical error corrected. "Trace metal currents" has been changed to
"trace metal contents.1
II
3-22 The statement has been expanded. Other factors include the numerous
anthropogenic inputs to the Bight and the transport of the contaminants away
from the source.
3-23 Change made.
3-24 Change made. The oceanographic seasons in the Apex are dominated by summer and
winter with short transition periods.
3-25 Agreed, but Slope Water intrusion could effect some alternative locations,
especially the 106-Mile Site.
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I
3-26 Change made.
3-27 The initial vernal stratification is haline, which is transformed into a
theraocline with increased warming*
3-28 Change aade.
3-29 Change made.
3-30 A coaaa is not required here.
J-31 Change is not required.
3-32 Change aade.
3-33 The explanation of the "cool pool" follows its first aention. The EPA agrees
with the remainder of this coon ent.
3-34 Phrase aodified.
3-35 Change aade.
4-1 This conaent bas been incorporated into the FE1S.
5-1 The EPA thanks NOAA for their continuing review of the DEIS.
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6-1 The EPA is pleased that the National Marine Fisheries Service concurs with the
conclusions reached in the DEIS. As stated in the DEIS, the permittees are
required by EPA to continue to examine alternative disposal methods for their
wastes.
7-1 Acid waste disposal should not interfere vith dredged material disposal at any
site, on or off the Continental Shelf.
9-1 Surveillance- of the disposal operations and monitoring the short-term and
long-term effects of the waste material will continue as required by the MPRSA
and EPA Ocean Dumping Regulations.
7
9-2 Figure 3-2 has been corrected. The proposed site is not in the shellfish
closure area, which is based on the sanitary quality (i.e., bacterial
contamination) of the sediments and overlying water. As discussed in
Response 23-14, the acid wastes do not create a potential human health hazard
in shellfish. The site does contain ocean quahogs, but there are no
shellfishing activities and abundances are not high. Any emergency dumping
operation which could hazard shellfish populations would, most probably, occur
in transit to the 106-Mile Site, and would not adversely affect shellfish
populations in the Apex.
9-3
Long-term studies (beginning in 1948) have not yet demonstrated potential
adverse health effects from use of the Proposed Site. The Proposed Site is
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closest to shore and its use will conserve energy. As required by EPA, the
waste material is reused or recycled to the maximum feasible extent.
Additional information about alternatives evaluated by the permittees has been
added to Chapter 2.
10-1 See Response 23-3.
10-2 The DEIS discussed acute and chronic effects on fish and wildlife resources in:
Chapter 2 - Continued Use of the Proposed Site
f Chapter 3 - Waste Disposal at the New York Bight Acid Waste Disposal Site
ui
w Chapter 4 - Effects on Public Health and Safety
- Effects on the Ecosystem
Appendix B - Chemical Characteristics
- Biological Characteristics
Appendix D - Waste Components - Chemical Characteristics and Toxicity
The DEIS evaluated the contribution of acid waste to the overall generally
degraded condition of the Apex described in the above Chapters and Appendices.
The amount of pollution introduced by acid wastes is slight.
10-3 OCS oil and lease tracts are not within any of the alternative dumpsites, thus
cumulative effects are not expected. (See Response 23-7.) As stated in the
DEIS, the only interaction between resource development and acid waste dumping
is in the field of navigation. Navigational requirements, for developing and
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producing any resources found, cannot be reliably estimated until the sizes of
resources are known. Results to date have not been encouraging, and
exploitable reserves have not been discovered (Kerr, 1979).
10-4 Bureau of Land Management data in the area of any of the alternative sites
(e.g., Southern Area) were used to describe the environment in these areas and
predict the effects of waste disposal at those locations.
10-5 See Responses 23-4, 23-5, and 23-6.
i 10-6 Significant adverse impacts have not been demonstrated at the Acid Site due to
Ut
*
the nature of the waste (aqueous, only short-term toxicity) and the multiple
contaminant imputs to the area. Impacts might be demonstrable in an area
without other anthropogenic inputs, although field and laboratory work
indicates that such is unlikely. The EIS takes the environmentally protective
position that the Site should not be moved until adverse effects are clearly
demonstrated at the present Site. See Responses 23-11 and 23-14 for additional
information.
10-7 See Response 23-3.
10-8 The EIS is concerned with assessing the effects of acid waste disposal and the
adverse impacts which have been demonstrated. An analysis of the cumulative
effects from all ocean dump sites and other contaminant sources, is beyond the
scope of the EIS.
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11-1 See Response 23-3.
11-2 See Responses 23-4, 23-5, and 23-6.
11-3 See Responses 12-1, 23-4, 23-5, 23-8, 23-12, 23-13, and 23-14.
12-1 The DEIS concluded that the probability of impact was low at the Acid Site,
based on: (1) periodic studies especially investigating the effects of acid
waste in the Apex, (2) studies of a similar waste-type dumped offshore Delaware
Bay, and (3) laboratory work on the biological effects of the waste.
Fundamental investigations for the purpose of assessing environmental impact in
naturally variable environments will continue to be of scientific interest.
Future work of this nature at the Acid Site should be addressed in NOAA's ocean
monitoring plan. See also Response 10-6.
12-2 The E1S was prepared in accordance with the CEQ Regulations. Chapter 2
summarizes the affected environment and environmental consequences of the
proposed action. Some material is repeated in different sections of the EIS;
however, excessive repetition has been avoided in the document. Chapter 2
discusses alternatives, including the proposed action, as required by the CEQ
regulat ions.
12-3 EPA-Region 11 requires that the testing laboratories incorporate quality
control and quality assurance factors into the analytical procedures. All
analytical procedures are approved by EPA.
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12-4 Data on concentrations of trace metals in waters at the Acid Site prior to 1948
are not available. However, considering advances in analytical techniques and
water movements, such data would have little meaning. Waters in the Apex do
have higher levels of trace metals than in some other coastal locations, due to
all inputs in the area — New York Harbor outflow, atmospheric fallout, and
ocean dumping. When comparing acid waste to the total amount of pollution
introduced from other sources, the amounts of contaminants in acid waste are
miniscule. (See Response 20-1.)
12-5 See Response 12-4.
12-6 The fastest falling particles in the waste (including the floe) settle in an
undisturbed tube at 1.7 cm/min, or 1.02 m/hr. The shallowest depth at the
106-Mile Site is about 1400 m; thus, it would take appproximately 2 months for
the first particle to reach the bottom. The waste would be spread over a
tremendous area, and, since effects are barely detectable at a site (offshore
Delaware Bay) about 25 m deep, effects are unlikely to be detectable at deep
sites. Aqueous wastes have been dumped at the 106-Mile Site since 1965 with no
detectable benthic effects (E1S, Chapter 4).
12-7 The effects of waste disposal would be more severe if the release rates were
higher. The EPA established the release rates from bioassay tests on the
waste's toxicity. Surveillance by the USCG ensures that the permitted rates
are not exceeded.
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12-8 Bioaccumulation of contaminants by water column biota is unlikely, since the
wastes are rapidly diluted and the same organisms are not exposed to repeated
contaminant inputs. If some metais were bioaccumulated by pelagic organisms,
the metal levels would be reduced in the organisms after levels in the
surrounding water dropped.
12-9 This statement refers to accumulations in sediments, which are undetectable at
the Acid Site due to (1) the nature of the waste, and (2) large inputs from
other sources. Accumulation of waste constituents in the water column at any
site is unlikely. (See Response 23-8.)
12-10 Agreed. See Response 3-2 for a discussion of the fate of the solid fraction of
7 the waste.
12-11 EPA will continue to require that the discharge rates be sufficiently slow to
prevent the limiting permissible concentration to be exceeded anywhere in the
marine environment after initial mixing.
12-12 The Regulations are fully discussed in Chapter 1 of the EIS in the sections:
Ocean Disposal Site Designation and Ocean Dumping Permit Program.
12-13 Monitoring costs would increase slightly, because wastes with different
characterisitcs (e.g., fluoride) would be dumped at the 106-Mile Site. When Du
Pont-Edge Moor ends ocean disposal, characteristics specific to NL Industries
waste (e.g., iron) will still need to be monitored.
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12-14 Deleted.
12-15 Surveillance, as described in the DEIS and the Coast Guard Commandant
Instruction 16470.2B, consists of "...checking for valid permits, obtaining
samples of materials to be dumped, verification of vessel logs and reports,
obtaining radio reports of dump vessel position and activity, surveillance over
transportation routes and disposal sites, escorting or riding of the dump
vessels, monitoring of actual dumps, and utilization of electronic methods such
as radar and Ocean Dumping Surveillance System (ODSS) monitoring."
12-16 See Response 20-3.
»T)
^ 12-17 The EPA has determined that monthly samples are adequate to characterize the
00
wastes being released at the Site.
12-18 Change made.
12-19 Change made.
12-20 Change made.
12-21 Change made.
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12-22 This table compares the input of various metals in the waste to the levels of
dissolved metal normally present in the water column. The total amount (line
2) is the metal naturally present and the estimated input (line 4) is the
amount added by waste disposal. The last line shows the percentage increase in
metal due to the waste disposal operations, which, for cadmium is 0.1Z.
12-23 The alternative analysis was based on environmental considerations. After
considering the demonstrated environmental effects at the existing Acid Site,
it does not appear that moving disposal to the 106-Mile Site would offer any
environmental benefits.
i
13-1 See Response 23-3.
14-1 The EPA is pleased to note that the EIS satisfied the requirements of several
state agencies.
15-1 Details of the composition of the wastes currently released at the Acid Site,
including pH, are presented in Appendix D of the DEIS.
15-2 See Response 23-3.
15-3 Alternative dumpsites were given equal consideration in the DEIS. Part of the
rationale, in proposing designation of the Acid Site, is the fact that wastes
might degrade an area where materials have not been previously dumped, and
moving the disposal operation away from the Apex would not result in measurably
improved water quality.
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15-4 See Response 2-3.
15-5 EPA-Region II is moving to reduce contaminant input; the most recent permits
issued were for maximum volumes lower than the historical average. As shown in
Appendix D of the DEIS, the volumes of waste dumped at the Acid Site have
declined markedly since passage of the MPRSA in 1972. Information about the
phasing out of NL Industries ocean dumping operations is in Chapter 2.
15-6 As stated in the EISt surveillance of dunping operations by the Coast Guard
will continue. Additional information about the Ocean Dumping Surveillance
System (ODSS), which will provide surveillance of 100Z of dumping activities
(the current objective is 10Z), has been added to Chapter 1.
16-1 Transmittal noted.
17-1 See Response 23-3.
17-2 The ferric hydroxide floe will settle slowly to the bottom. However, most of
the floe will be transported out of the site before impact. Benthic sediment
sampling to date has shown no accumulation of the iron floe and no measurable
increase in the iron content of the bottom deposits (Redfield and Halford,
1951; Vaccaro et al., 1972). Tests with zooplankton showed that ingestion and
defecation of the floe does not appreciably increase the floe settling rate.
Results from chronic bioassay tests are presented in Chapter 4 and Appendix D
of the EIS.
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13
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The information cited by this commenter, from Quality Criteria for Hater (EPA,
1976), pertains to fresh water and fresh water organisms. There is no evidence
to suggest that the ferric hydroxide floe has coated fish gills, or has been
detrimental to fish eggs at the Acid Site. As stated above, benthic sediment
samples have shown no accumulation of the iron floe, thus consolidation of the
bottom sediments into "pavement-like areas" is unlikely. Monitoring and
sampling of the ferric hydroxide floe, for trace metal adsorption and
biological effects, are efforts best handled by NOAA1s ocean dumping research
program. (See Responses 23-4 to 23-9.)
17-3 See Responses 23-5 and 23-10. Ctenophores are not prey species for bluefish,
which are higher-level predators.
17-4 Text has been changed to state that the wastes are diluted below the limiting
permissible concentration (LPC) within the time for initial mixing.
17-5 Change made.
17-6 See Response 23-12.
lb-1 The EPA is pleased to note that the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, Division of Water Resources, concurs with the conclusions of the
DEIS.
19-1 Transmittal noted.
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This coomenter disagrees with EPA's proposed action of designating the existing
Acid Site for continued use, and recommends instead that the dumping operation
be transferred to the 106-Mile Site. EPA believes that the numerous studies
which have failed to document dosage to the receiving waters or the benthos,
and the low volumes of contaminants present in the waste, are sufficient to
demonstrate that the probability of damage due to continued site usage is low.
KPA agrees that pollution cannot be justified because a larger polluter is
present in the area. The fact that contaminants introduced by acid wastes are
slight when compared with other sources does not mean that dumping should be
allowed. The fact that dumping introduces small amounts of contaminants is the
reason that it is permitted. As deaoostrated in the E1S, the acid wastes have
not had a measurable effect on the biota of the Apex during the past 32 years.
In evaluation of the probable contribution from acid waste dumping to the
overall degradation of the Apex, it is important to remember that the
contributions of acid waste dumping are about the same as those from the
atmosphere.
The wastes have been shown to be in compliance with EPA strict criteria to
prevent environmental damage (40 CFR 227), therefore there would not be a
significant environsttntal benefit in moving the disposal site to a more distant
location (e.g., the 106-Mile Site). Conditions within the Apex would not
improve measureably if the dumping were relocated. A similar conclusion was
reached earlier when the decision was made not to relocate the Sewage Sludge
Site (EPA, 1978a).
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The EPA recognises that the Apex is environmentally stressed by anthropogenic
activities. However, several of the exaaples suggested by the commenter would
never be affected by acid waste disposal* Moving the site location would not:
• Reduce the incidence of fin rot disease >
• Seduce the distribution or numbers of pathogenic organisms.
• Increase the quantity of benthic organisms (e.g., surf class).
• Open the area presently closed to shellfishing.
• Reduce the levels of heavy metals in the sediments.
Acid wastes do not contain pathogenic organisas or other contaainants which may
cause fin rot. Acid wastes do not aeasurably affect the benthos at the site.
(See Responses 3-1, 12-5, sod 23-4.)
The wastes remain in the water colusm for at least a day, and most of the
material is carried out of the Apex before settling to the bottom. Bio«ccumu-
lation of toxic waste constituents froa the water column are unlikely since
organisms reaain in contact with the waste for short time periods and, if some
contaainants were adsorbed, the contaainant levels would be reduced when the
animal returned to "uncontaminated" water.
EPA believes that most of the points raised by the commenter have been
adequately addressed in the ISIS. The existing site complies with all of the
site selection criteria of the Ocean Dumping Regulations and the wastes do not
cause unreasonable adverse effects on the marine environment. Environmentally,
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there is little difference between use of the Acid Site and the 106-Mile Site.
Hence, moving the site would have little, if any, environmental benefit, and
would incur a great economic cost.
The subject of this E1S is designation of an ocean disposal site for acid
wastes, not for issuing a permit for the waste. As stated in the E1S, two
companies hold currently effective permits for waste disposal at the Acid Site.
The permit application and issuance processes are separate from the site
designation process. Comments about issuing permits should be made at the time
of permit applications and public hearings. The State of New York has not
7 objected to permit issuance in the past,
o*
Specific responses on other points raised by this commenter follow:
20-2 The work at the Delaware Bay Acid Site did not report "perturbations" of the
benthos; the investigators used vanadium as a "tag" to trace the movement of
the waste. The first survey indicated a possible valid approach, but further
work showed only one or two stations on each survey with elevated vanadium
levels, and there was no pattern following the predicted direction of waste
movement. (See Response 23-14.)
20-3 The probability of short dumping cannot be quantified, because it occurs in
emergency situations. The 106-Mile Site is further from shore and the
possibility of an accident or a sudden storm is greater due to the increased
transit time. Only one short dumping episode is documented (EIS, Chapter 2)
for barges traveling to the 106-Mile Site during the period 1973-1980. Each
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incident, however, must; be reported to the Coast Guard and EPA-Region II, who
evaluate the nature of the emergency and the need for short dumping.
Administrative or civil action is possible if an emergency did not truly exist.
20-4 Chapter 2 of the EIS summarizes the relevant features of the current permits.
20-5 The waste plume does remain visible for many hours after a dump, but the waste
concentration in the water is always less than the limiting permissible
concentration and, hence, is in compliance with the permit.
20-6 See Response 23-3.
^ 20-7 Some sand dredging occurs off the Long Island barrier beaches for beach
w
nourishment. The marine sand mining which occurs in the New York area is
restricted to the Lower Bay. The EPA is not aware of any existing or planned
sand mining activities in the vicinity of the Acid Site.
20-8 As stated in the EIS, acid wastes do not contain constituents which would
attract nuisance species, irrespective of the location of the site.
20-9 Surf clams are present in the Apex, but appear to be more abundant inshore than
offshore (Franz, 1976), and were only infrequently collected during a series of
five quarterly cruises covering the Apex (Pearce 1977). Acid wastes do not
appear to affect the benthos, therefore it is unlikely that the distribution of
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surf clams is affected by the wastes. The EPA has placed the site in Impact
Category I, and mitigating measures are being taken by NL Industries to reduce
the amount of iron (a nontoxic metal) in the water.
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20-10 Information about waste toxicity, including bioassay results, is presented in
Appendix D of the EIS.
20-11 This was a field study and not a laboratory experiment, so there is not a true
"treatment" or "control" area. The investigators concluded that the observed
differences were not due to acid wastes, but resulted from the natural
variabilities found in the marine environment.
20-12 Field observations on waste disposal are summarized in Chapter 4 of the EIS;
additional details are in Appendices B and D.
20-13 See comments by Allied Chemical which present further discussion on barging and
monitoring costs (Comment 21 and Response 20-17).
20-14 The species, including whiting, are either not affected by the wastes or merely
temporarily and reversibly affected by the wastes.
20-15 See Response 20-3.
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20-16 The exact dollar values of the barging cost for ML Industries is company
proprietary information. The added costs of barging to the 106-Mile Site are
because of (1) requirements for a new barge in addition to the existing one,
(2) additional, temporary storage tanks, and (3) a new dock facility downriver
from the existing facility. (See Response 20-17.)
20-17 NL Industries, Inc., submitted, at the request of EPA, the "Report on Estimated
Costs and Other Factors Involved in Barging to Site 106 Instead of 12-Mile
Site" (Rodman, 1977a). The information requested in the comment is contained
in the Report and is duplicated below:
i
5 If the barging were to be carried out at the 106-Mile Site,
the barge round-trip time increases from 12 to 38 hours.
Onder this condition, the compounding effects of increased
barge trip time, the increased probability of weather
delays, and the requirement to navigate the two drawbridges
under specified tide conditions means that an inordinate
number of barges is required, together with a large
increase in land-based waste storage facilities. It is
considered that the barge operation under these conditions
is entirely impractical and unfeasible.
In order to minimize this compound effect of weather-
drawbridges-tides, a study has been made of the costs and
other factors involved if a new dock and loading facilities
were built on Raritan Bay on the seaward side of the
drawbridges, with the waste liquor and mud slurry pumped
from the plant site to this new facility by new pipelines.
This new facility and operation, which were planned in
consultation with Moran Towing Corporation, would consist
of the following elements:
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a new barge, in addition to the existing barge,
of approximately twice the size of the existing
barge.
additional storage tanks, at the plant site and
at the remote dock site.
- a new dock.
two new pipelines, one 24 inches in diaaeter and
one 10 inches in diaaeter, froa the plant site to
the new dock site, assuaed to be three ailes
distant.
auxiliary facilities such as puaps, electrical
installation, roads, etc.
The estiaated capital cost for the required facility and
equipaent to barge to Site 106, shown in detail in the
attached Table 1, is $30,120,000. The estiaated operating
cost given in the attached Table II is $9,248,325 per year.
There are other important factors involved in the proposed
barging to Site 106. The new shore-based facilities
(piping, storage, and dock) would be located on Raritan Bay
in the South Aaboy area. The site would most likely be
located in a Wetlands area. Obtaining the necessary
approvals and permits from the appropriate regulatory
agencies could be very difficult. State of Mew Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection approval for
construction would be required, involving the Office of
Marine Services (Riparian Lands Management) and the Solid
Haste Administration, since transport and storage of a
waste is involved. Federal approval would be required from
the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. EPA. It is most
probable that an environmental impact statement would be
required. Rights-of-way would be required for the piping
froa the plant site to the new dock site. There would
undoubtedly be concern expressed, and probably objections
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TABLE 1
ESTIMATED CAPITAL COSTS TO
BARGE TO SITE 106
1. New barge in operation, in addition to $11,250,000
existing Moran 108
2. Additional storage at present plant site
2, 100-ft dia. acid tanks 2,500,000
18, 19-ft dia. mud tanks 3,000,000
3. Storage at remote dock location
1, 100-ft dia. acid tank 1,250,000
6, 19-ft dia. mud tanks 1,000,000
4. New loading piping 600,000
S 5. New dock at remote site 1,350,000
6. Property rights, leasing fees 1,000,000
(including those for piping)
7. Acid piping, 3 miles, 24" dia. 1,971,000
8. Mud piping, 3 miles, 10" dia. 821,000
9. Transfer pumps 250,000
10. Access roads 100,000
11. Electrical 100,000
Subtotal $25,100,000 [sic]
Contingency, 202 5,020,000
TOTAL $30,120,000
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TABLE II
ESTIMATED OPERATING COSTS TO
BABGE TO SITE 106
Tugs
4,700-hp Class, $12,000/day, 330 days,
including fuel
Store Haste Disposal Operation
Annual Dry Docking Expense, including
Maintenance
Large Barge, $100,000
Saall barge, $ 50,000
Maintenance of Shore Facilities
Barge Insurance
Electrical Power
Dredging at Dock
Depreciation
Taxes, Property, and Equipment
Insurance, Shore-based Facilities
TOTAL
$3,960,000/yr
160,000
150,000
2,410,000
430,000
17,000
100,000
1,957,800
21,975
41,550
$9,248,325/yr
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raised, at the local level. In view of these circum-
stances, it is our opinion that construction and operation
of the required new facilities would not be permitted.
Other adverse impacts of the proposal include increased
energy consumption mainly for the increased barging, and
increased barge traffic.
Barging of the wastes to Site 106 is not feasible because
of the excessive capital and operating costs involved, the
high probability that the construction and operation of the
necessary facilities would not be permitted, and the fact
that no environmental benefit would be achieved compared to
the existing disposal operation which has been shown to
have minimal, or no, impact on the marine environment.
20-18
i
20-19
20-20
When the volume of waste authorized for disposal decreases, fewer barge trips
will be required. That is partly the reason for the variation in the number of
barge trips required each year. If the 106-Mile Site were used, NL Industries
would purchase a barge with twice the capacity, which would thus reduce the
number of trips.
Studies of the effects of waste disposal at the 106-Mile Site began in the
early 1970's (EPA, 1980). Another coomenter (N0AA-MESA) has stated that there
are insufficient data to predict long-term trends at the 106-Mile Site.
See Response 23-3.
20-21
See Response 20-1
-------
20-22 These documents are part of the individual permit applications and are on file
at EPA-Region II. This E1S deals with site designation; proving the need for
ocean disposal is a part of the permit process. See Response 23-3 and Chapter
2 for additional information.
20-23 As stated in the EIS and in earlier responses, the waste constituents are less
than the limiting permissible concentrations (LPC) after the period of initial
mixing. Color is not a toxic component of the waste and does not have an LPC.
20-24 Tables D-2 and D-3 (Appendix D) of the EIS define the waste constituents which
present possible adverse effects to the marine environment. The tables are
summaries of laboratory analyses submitted by the permittees to EPA-Region II,
as part of the permit process. Additional specific information concerning the
acid waste is available in EPA-Region II permit files. (See Responses 23-16
and 20-26.)
20-25 The discharge rate is determined from bioassay toxicity (after neutralization)
data. Wastes from both permittees are below the limiting permissible
concentrations after initial mixing, which indicates that the allowable
discharge rates are not excessive.
20-26 The complete list of measured parameters is in the disposal permit, which is on
tile at EPA-Region II. The EIS summarized data for those parameters of
environmental concern (e.g., metals) or characteristic of the waste (e.g., pH).
See Response 23-13 for additional information.
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20-27
Under the MPRSA, NOAA is charged with research on the long-term effects of
ocean dumping. As stated in the EIS, NOAA-MESA has conducted such research in
the Apex since 1973.
20-28 The time limits for permittees to develop alternative disposal plans were given
in Chapter 2 of the DEIS. (See Response 23-3 for more information on
land-based alternatives.)
20-29 None of the cited conditions are affected or caused by acid waste disposal.
(See Response 20-1.)
*"J 20-30 See Response 20-1 and 20-29.
w
20-31 These elevated concentrations have not been reported from the acid waste
dumping grounds. (See EIS Chapter 3 [Waste Disposal at the New York Bight Acid
Waste Disposal Site] and Appendix B [Chemical Characteristics].)
20-32 Oxygen levels in water are naturally depressed during certain seasons
throughout the Apex. There is no indication of additional oxygen depletion of
waters at or near the site affected by the waste dumping.
20-33 Studies on plankton populations are not part of the short-term monitoring
program. The question of the waste effects on plankton is best answered via
NOAA1 s research program.
-------
EPA is not implying that migratory or cosmopolitan fish species do not need
protection. However, the fish are able to leave the plume or to avoid it. No
field study has observed dead or stunned fish in the barge wake or in the waste
plume. Westman (1958) reported that mackerel were actively feeding in the
plume and that their behavior was normal.
As noted in Response 20-1, acid wastes do not create a public health hazard
because the wastes do not contaminate shellfish. It should be noted that the
Acid Site has never been closed to shellfishing by the FDA.
Redfield and Walford (1951) estimated that the maximum volume of water showing
3
an acid reaction was about 112,500 m . The entire area of sea surface made
2
temporarily acidic is less than 0.25 mi ¦ This reaction only lasts 3.5 min
after passage of the barge.
Chronic effects were not observed at waste dilutions greater than 1:10,000.
As stated in the E1S, the site location was originally chosen in an unpro-
ductive fishing area where there were no existing fisheries. Bluefish and tuna
prey species are not affected by the dumping.
As stated in the EIS, the site location was originally chosen in an
unproductive fishing area so that conflicts would not occur. Bluefish and tuna
appear to be attracted by the "shadow" effects of the waste plume. No one has
observed dead or moribund baitfish, the food of predators, in the barge wake.
-------
20-40 See Response 20-11.
20-41 Monitoring was conducted more frequently in the past. However, as the results
were analyzed, and additional information about the behavior and toxicity of
the waste became available, the EPA decided that a single monitoring survey,
during the season with restricted mixing (summer), would be adequate to
ascertain short-term effects of the dumping activities.
i
cn
20-42 See Response 20-25.
20-43 Although the actual organisms affected would be different, the effects of the
waste would be the same — short-term effects on the plankton and, possibly,
accumulation of some waste constituents in the sediments. (See Response
23-14.)
20-44 Work at the Delaware Bay Acid Site (see Response 23-14) indicated that slight
effects of acid-iron waste might be detectable in an area having sewage sludge
dumping 5 nmi southeast but without other anthropogenic inputs. In the Apex,
with inputs of sewage sludge, outflow from the Lower Bay, nearshore atmospheric
fallout, and other factors, such slight changes would not be detectable even if
they did occur. At other Continental Shelf sites, if slight changes did occur,
the changes would be detectable
20-45
During this 5-year period, thousands of barge trips were made to sites managed
by EPA. Ten possible violations were reported for the Acid and 106-Mile Sites;
however, only five were upheld. Considering the miniscule percentage of
-------
barging operations reported and found to be in violation, and the fact that no
citations were issued to permittees at either site in 1978 or 1979, the EPA
feels that the ocean disposal program is quite effectively regulated and that
the companies are dumping in compliance with the permits.
20-46 See Response 20-3.
7
•^4
20-47 The EPA agrees that mitigation measures are necessary for reversible impacts.
However, the effects of the acid waste dumping are so short that additional
mitigating measures are not required.
21-1 Change made.
21-2 Phrase, as stated, is grammatically correct.
21-3 The cited phrase was quoted from the Ocean Dumping Regulations.
21-4 Comment noted. The estimated cost was made on total annual operating costs,
not cost per ton of wastes dumped.
21-5 Change made.
21-6 The cited section is quoted from the Ocean Dumping Regulations, 40 CFR 228.5b.
21-7 Change made to show that disposal of acid wastes began 32 years ago
(1948-1980).
-------
21-8 Change made.
21-9 Change made.
21-10 The site has been moved several times since acid waste was first dumped in
.2
1948. The first location was 2 nmi centered on 40°15'24"N and 73°46'24"W,
over the axis of the Hudson Shelf Valley, about 5 nmi west of the present site.
After complaints from fishermen, in March 1949, the site was moved to the area
south of 40°20'N and east of 73°40'W. The site has been in this general area
since 1949. This information is in Appendix B of the EIS.
i
21-11 Change made.
21-12 Changes were made to indicate that the wastes must not exceed the limiting
permissible concentration after the period of initial mixing.
21-13 Change made.
21-14 Cnange made.
21-15 Change made.
21-16 Typographical errors corrected.
22-1 Text corrected.
-------
22-2 Values in Table 3-7 have been corrected.
22-3 Values in Table 3-8 have been corrected.
22-4 Values in Table 4-3 have been corrected.
22-5 This recommendation has been rephrased.
22-6 The phrasing of the recommendations commented upon has been modified so that
recommendations are consistent in the Summary and in Chapter 2. The
recommendation has not been accepted because the Ocean Dumping Regulations do
not restrict the limiting permissible concentration to the dumpsite after
00 initial mixing, but state that it will not be exceeded "anywhere in the marine
environment" after initial mixing (40 CFR 227.29).
23-1 The possibilities of pelagic or planktonic organisms accumulating toxic waste
constituents from the water column are questions of continuing research
interest to EPA, NOAA, and other scientists. For example, EPA has sponsored
the use of Biotal Ocean Monitors (BOMs) in the Bight to test acute and chronic
effects at the Dredged Material and Sewage Sludge Dump Sites (Pequegnat et al.,
1978). Few studies have investigated the Acid Site; however Grieg et al.
(1977) reported data showing that only lead was high in zooplankton collected
near the Acid Site. Two other stations also had anomalously high values — one
15 nmi northeast of the site and the other 8 nmi to the west. Laboratory
-------
observations showed that adult copepods ingest the floe and pass it through the
gut, without experiencing any apparent effects after 18 days exposure.
Chemical considerations (see Responses 23-4 and 23-7) suggest that metals or
other contaminants adsorbing to the floe are tightly bound and not absorbed by
the organisms.
23-2 NL Industries has evaluated various measures to neutralize the waste acidity
before dumping, which would result in increased levels of floe or other
suspended solids. NL Industries is- in compliance with the permit conditions to
reduce, and eventually eliminate, the insoluble gangue presently ocean dumped
(DEIS, Chapter 2). This will not reduce formation of the floe or its
persistence, but will reduce the overall suspended solid load to the Apex
contributed by the Acid Site. Additional information has been added to the
7 beginning of Chapter 2 and the complete reports are available in EPA-Region II
Si
X>
permit files.
23-3 An applicant must demonstrate a need for ocean dumping and evaluate
alternatives to ocean dumping before a permit for ocean disposal can be granted
(40 CFR 227 Subpart C). Four factors are considered when evaluating the need
for dumping:
• Degree of treatment useful and feasible for the waste.
• Saw materials and manufacturing processes used, and whether less
polluting materials or processes could be used.
Relative environmental risks, impact, and cost for ocean dumping as
opposed to other feasible alternatives including:
-------
land fill
well injection
incineration
- spread of material over open ground
storage.
• Irreversible or irretrievable consequences of the use of alternatives
to ocean dumping.
A need for ocean dumping has been demonstrated when the above factors have been
evaluated and the following conditions exist:
• There are no practicable improvements which can be made in process
technology or waste treatment.
• There are no practicable alternative locations and methods of
disposal or recycling available, which have less environmental risk
than ocean dumping.
Therefore, when an ocean dumping permit is issued, the need has been estab-
lished after evaluating all reasonable alternatives to ocean dumping, including
land-based alternatives. Even after the need has been established, the
Regional Administrator may require the permittees "to continue research and
development of alternative methods of disposal and make periodic reports of
-------
such research and development in order to provide additional information for
periodic review of the need for and alternatives to ocean dumping..." (40 CFR
227.16c). The Ocean Dumping Regulations (40 CFR 227.16b) are quite clear:
"...waste treatment or improvements in processes and alternative methods of
disposal are practicable when they are available at reasonable incremental cost
and energy expenditure, which need not be competitive with the costs of ocean
dumping...."
The Summary and Chapter 1 have been changed to reflect such considerations.
The alternatives which have been evaluated by the current permittees are listed
in Chapter 2 of the FE1S. The primary adverse effects associated with each
alternative are described. The alternatives are only the most technically
feasible and economically reasonable ones which have been examined. Other
alternatives were examined and rejected as being technically unfeasible or
environmentally unacceptable, including landfill, containerization, long-term
storage, deep-well injection, incineration, and some manufacturing process
changes. The permittees are continuing to evaluate various alternatives to
ocean dumping.
The evaluations were submitted in reports with the permit application and have
been sumarized in public hearings held before issuing a permit. The reports
are public information, and are on file in the EPA-Region II offices.
By issuance of an ocean dumping permit, the need for the ocean dumping
alternative has been proven. The next step is to determine the suitable ocean
site in which to dump the wastes.
-------
Trie proposed action of this EIS is to designate a suitable site. Therefore,
only the proposed Acid Site location and its alternative sites are evaluated.
Land-disposal alternatives for the wastes have been adequately and publicly
addressed in the permit application process.
A study of acid-iron waste dumped at the 106-Mile Site (Kester et al., 1977)
reported that the hydrous ferric oxide floe (i.e., ferric hydroxide) provides
adsorptive surfaces for organic substances and metals, which could be toxic to
marine organisms. The adsorption of toxic materials by the floe probably
renders them unavailable to the biota, thus mitigating the initial toxicity.
However, it is possible that the adsorbed constituents may be desorbed in the
guts of organisms, after ingestion of the floe, and then return to the toxic
forms. However, there is no empirical evidence to support desorption and
return of toxicity. Stomachs of mackerel (herbivorous fish) caught within the
waste plume at the Acid Site did not contain elevated levels of iron or floe
particles (Uestman, 1958).
23-5 The EIS has been modified to reduce the impression that "...the plume attracts
fish, so it must be good." As noted in the EIS, many fishermen believe that
the plume harms fishing, although no investigation has confirmed this.
Bluefish, which are migratory pelagic predators, are unlikely to bioaccumulate
waste constituents from the floe in measurable amounts. Few plankton remain in
contact with the floe for extended periods. Herbivorous fish would have only a
portion of their diet consisting of such zooplankton, and bluefish would ingest
only a few of these herbivorous fish. The possibility of uptake from the floe
by the zooplankton is thus extremely low, and the probability of
23-4
•*j
I
00
to
-------
biomagnification of toxic waste constituents through the food chain is remote.
Mears and Eisler (1977) reported metal levels from bluefish livers (which would
have concentrations higher than edible tissue) to be three, or more, orders of
magnitude below FDA action levels.
23-6 The distance that the floe travels depends upon the physical conditions at the
time. Conditions which would transport floe long distances would naturally
tend to disperse it. Calm conditions, which slow dispersion, would not carry
floe far from the site. Floe is generally reported "close" (probably 5-10 nmi)
to the southwest or west of the site.
i
w 23-7 Upon release into the site, the acid-iron waste has two characteristics which
could have potential synergistic effects with other contaminants present in the
New York Bight: the ferric hydroxide precipitate (floe), and low pH. As
stated in Response 23-4, the ferric hydroxide floe may adsorb metals and
organic substances; however, the significance of adsorption in relation to
bioavailability is unclear. Synergistic effects of the low pH acid waste with
contaminants from other sources, including sewage sludge, is not a problem,
since (as stated in Appendix C of Fgie EIS) the pH values of the barge wake
return to ambient within minutes in^most cases, and the pH levels are never
depressed outside the site boundaries during the 4-hour period of initial
mixing.
-------
Wherever any industrial waste is disposed at sea, the potential for increases
in contaminant concentrations in the receiving water always exists. However,
the increases may be temporary and, therefore, not cause "localized buildups."
Acid wastes can potentially increase acidity, turbidity, trace metal concen-
trations of the site waters, and trace metal concentrations of the site
sediments and biota. No significant differences were observed in water column
pH values between the Acid Site and control samples (EG&G, 1978a), and the
reduced pH values that were observed returned to ambient well within the four
hour initial mixing period. Thus, although temporary acidity increases do
occur, "localized buildups" do not occur at the Acid Site.
Increased turbidity at the Acid Site is due to disposal of acid waste and
formation of ferric hydroxide floe. The floe has been observed to persist, on
occasion, for several days, but is dispersed outside site boundaries in that
time period. Therefore, due to dispersion of floe before the next dump, the
turbidity of the disposal site is a dynamic characteristic and "localized
buildups" of floe do not occur.
Acid wastes contain trace metals, thus the possibility for localized increases
in the water column concentrations of trace metals after dumping does exist.
However, no such increases or "buildups" have ever been observed, which is not
surprising considering: (1) the magnitude of the minimum dilution factors
within the initial mixing period of 4 hours (90,000:1 for NL Industries waste
-------
and 143,000:1 for Allied Chemical waste), (2) increases in trace metal
concentrations due to the inputs of such contaminants into the disposal site
area from othtfr sources, and (3) the dynamic forces within the ocean.
Elevated concentrations of trace metals in Acid Site sediments, relative to
supposedly uncontaminated areas, have been observed; however, the values have
generally been within the range of values from other locations in the Bight.
Thus, the elevated values reflect the overall impact of human activities, and
are not due solely to acid waste disposal. Concentrations of iron in
zooplankton and benthos at the Acid Site were significantly higher than those
at the control site. However, the Acid Site is near other sources high in
metals (i.e., Dredged Material Site, Sewage Sludge Site, and the Hudson Shelf
Valley), thus the relationship between the high values at the site and acid
waste is not definitive. As stated in Response 23-1, bioaccumulation of other,
toxic trace metals do not appear to be due to waste disposal.
Published observations of floe persistence vary from "a few hours" to "several
days." The waste plume usually dissipates and cannot be detected within 4-8
hours after a disposal operation. However, the plume may persist longer under
calm summer conditions, with little turbulence to dissipate it. Reports of
detecting a plume after one day have always been speculative (no one has
visually tracked a single plume for several days); the E1S reported the longest
reasonable period of persistence to be about 48 hours. The EIS has been
changed to indicate that plumes from the majority of dumps are not detectable
24 hours after waste release.
-------
23-10
See Responses 23-4, 23-5, and 23-8
23-11 Several of the quotes from the DEIS are verbatim, or paraphrased conclusions of
many scientists who have studied the effects of acid waste disposal at this
site. The EPA acknowledges that the statement "acid waste dumping may
eventually cause adverse environmental effects" cannot be disproved; this is
the rationale underlying continued monitoring at the site, and other research
on possible environmental effects. However, numerous studies by several
investigators show clearly that there has not been unreasonable degradation at
the site, because laboratory and field studies show minimal or no adverse
environmental effects. If future work shows adverse impacts from acid waste,
•4 use of the site can then be modified or terminated, as provided for in the
CO
o» Ocean Dumping Regulations.
23-12 Longwell (1976) did not attribute increased percentage of abnormalities in
mackerel eggs sampled near the Acid Site to the dumping activities at the site.
The station closest to the Site (1 nmi south of the Sewage Sludge Site and
3 nmi northwest of the Acid Site) was not significantly different from stations
off Long Island and halfway to the edge of the Continental Shelf. A station
4 nmi east of the Acid Site was not significantly different from stations
covering this same broad area. The DEIS did not "downplay" this "harmful
effect" because there is no evidence, nor did Longwell state, that the acid
waste dumping caused the abnormalities or affected the eggs. Further work by
Longwell (personal communication) confirmed that portions of the Apex have a
-------
lower viability of fish eggs. The Acid Site is in an area of high impact, but
so is a large area. In general, the Apex and New Jersey coast show high
effects while the Long Island coast is comparatively "clean."
23-13 Impaired reproduction and growth in zooplankton were not observed at concen-
trations of waste less than four times the maximum concentration observed in
the field. Chronic effects were apparent after an 18-day bioassay, but the
maximum field concentrations persist for less than 15 minutes. Zooplankters
which passed through a series of dilutions, reflecting field conditions, showed
no acute or chronic effects. Adult copepods passed the iron floe through their
intestines without adverse effects, and growth and reproduction were normal
(Grice et al., 1973). As stated in Response 23-8, localized build-ups of the
^ waste or floe are not expected to occur and have never been observed in the
<» field.
23-14 Pescn et al. (1977) did not report any toxicity to the benthos from vanadium.
The vanadium was used solely as a "tag" to trace the fate of the acid wastes
dumped at the Delaware Bay Acid Site. Results from a March 1974 survey were
reported and showed scallop tissue vanadium levels to be significantly higher
at seven stations south of the dumpsite. However, three other metals (iron,
manganese, and titanium), which were present in high concentrations in the acid
waste, did not show a similar pattern.
Further work is reported by Reynolds (1979). Each survey found a single
station with significantly higher metal levels — one each to the southwest
(August 1974), to the east (February 1975), and to the northeast (June 1975).
-------
Analyses of the muscle tissue alone showed consistently low values (generally
below detection limits) which demonstrate that the metal is not readily
assimilated by the adductor muscle (i.e., edible tissue).
Results indicate that, although the acid wastes might affect the benthos at
Continental Shelf sites, the impact is clearly marginal. Iron was not present
in higher levels at the same stations as vanadium, therefore there is no
indication that the floe acts as a "carrier" for toxic constituents of the
waste.
The studies at the Delaware Bay Acid Site showed that there were no repeated
patterns for the distribution of vanadium in scallop tissue. Within a single
survey, the patterns of metal concentrations were not consistent for the
contaminants in acid waste. There is not only no indication of adverse effects
due to acid waste, but there is only limited evidence that the wastes might
affect the benthos. The EPA, however, has taken the environmentally
conservative view in not moving the interim site to the Northern or Southern
Areas because of the possibility (although remote) of benthic effects. The
potential risk of further dumping at the Acid Site is low, since adverse
effects could not be demonstrated at the Delaware Bay Acid Site, an area which
does not have other anthropogenic inputs for the metals discussed. EPA is
unaware that it decided to transfer Du Pont-Edge Moor to the 106-Mile Site
based on vanadium concentrations in scallops. Rather, Du Pont-Edge Moor
requested that the permitted site be changed to the 106-Mile Site. The change
was granted based on EPA's policy that dumping occur off the Continental Shelf,
when feasible.
-------
23-15 The ferric hydroxide floe has not been shown to have toxic or other detrimental
effects on the fish at or near the Acid Site. Sport fishermen have complained
about the floe "ruining" the fishing, but scientific investigations over the
past 32 years have failed to confirm the complaint. Adverse effects from the
floe would be associated with the temporary increase in turbidity. Since the
floe has been demonstrated to cause only increased turbidity, neither
navigation nor other legitimate uses of the ocean would be harmed or impeded by
the floe.
23-16 Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton, and Menzel and Ryther
(1961) showed it to be a limiting nutrient in some tropical and subtropical
oceanic waters (e.g., Sargasso Sea). Ryther and Kramer (1961) showed that
coastal phytoplankton species could not grow in waters with low iron
concentrations; Strickland (1965) showed that growth of oceanic phytoplankton
species could be inhibited in waters with high trace metal concentrations.
The Apex waters typically have high levels of iron, primarily due to the Hudson
River outflow and acid waste dumping. The river plume may contain higher
levels than an acid plume. Ketchum et al. (1958b) reported that a Hudson River
plume station in the Apex (shown by lowered salinity) had higher iron content
than an acid waste plume station (shown by discolored water). Redfield and
Walford (1951) had earlier concluded that "the iron discharged by the barge
would not greatly change the amounts available for growing plants."
-------
Consequently, for the existing site and the Northern and Southern Areas (all
coastal) , the iron contained in the waste would probably not significantly
change any phytoplankton population characteristics. Waste dumped into a
Sargasso Sea Eddy at the 106-Mile Site might cause temporary perturbations to
phytoplankton species composition; but these effects would be temporary,
lasting only until the waste is diluted and dispersed throughout the water
column.
23-17 The only metals reported in the DEIS were those of environmental concern
(mercury, cadmium, lead) or those for which comparative data were available
(chromium, copper, iron, and zinc). Since the toxic component of the waste has
been demonstrated to be lowered pH, and not other waste contaminants (e.g.,
metals), not all metals analyzed by the permittees were detailed in the EIS.
For arsenic, the relevant figures are:
Mean
Average
Average
Range
Concentration
Yearly Input
Daily Input
Permittee
(fig/1)
(ng/1)
(tonnes)
(tonnes)
NL Industries
0.8-202
42
56.0
0.15
Allied Chemical
0.3-9943
395
14.3
0.04
23-16 The EIS strictly follows the CEQ guidelines and gives substantially equal
treatment to each of the alternative dump sites. The benefits and dis-
advantages of possible use of each site are presented in a format to facilitate
decision making. Many of the statements in the EIS, about the lack of adverse
effects of acid waste, are the quoted conclusions of the scientists who have
impartially evaluated the site. The statement on page 1-2 (Chapter 1) has been
changed to show that "a present and future need exists for the continued use of
an ocean dump site."
-------
APPENDIX G
PROPOSED SITE DESIGNATION
AND CRITERIA FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE
-------
Appendix G
5-29-80
Vol. 45 No. 105
Pages 36043-36346
Thursday
May 29, 1980
Highlights
36043 Delegation of Panama Canal Functions Executive
order
36079 Educational Study Programs ED chunges the
regulations for certain programs in order to incrouse
stipend amount which provides for a cost oi living
increase
36110 Grants—Education ED invites applicants for new
awards under the State Posisocond.iry Commissions
Program-Intrastate Planning; apply hv T-T-rtO
36109 Grants—Education ED announces closing d.itn fur
transmittal of applications for continuous projects
under Gifted and Talented Children's Education
Program, apply by 6-27-80
36047 Wage and Price Controls CUTS publishes
questions and answers on ,sross-n:.irsin standard for
gas. electric and water utilities
36049 Petroleum Price Regulations DOE/ERA responds
to comments applicable to retailors of mo'ur
gasoline: effective 5-19-80
36172 Continental Shelf lnterior/GS issues proposed
revision to standards for training *nd qualifications
of personnel in well-control equipment and
techniques for drilling on offshore locations;
comments by T-2H-H0
CONTINUCO INSIOS
G-l
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Federal Register / Vol. 45. No. 105 / Thursday, May 29. 1980 / Proposed Rules
36099
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 228
[FRL 1458-11
Ocean Dumping; Proposed
Designation of Site
agency: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
action: Proposed rule.
summary: EPA today proposes to
designate the existing acid wastes dump
site located in the New York Bight as an
EPA approved Ocean Dumping Site for
the dumping of aqueous acid wastes.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before July 28.1980.
address: Send comments to Mr. T. A.
Wastler, Chief. Marine Protection
Branch (WH-548), Oil and Special
Materials Control Division, EPA,
Washington. DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. T, A. Wastler, 202/472-2836.
supplementary information: Section
102(e) of the Marine Protection.
Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972,
as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.,
(hereafter "the Act") gives the
Administrator of EPA the authority to
designate sites where ocean dumping
may be permitted. The EPA Ocean
Dumping Regulations (40 CFR Chapter I,
Subchapter H, § 228.4) state that ocean
dumping sites will be designated by
publication in thisPart 228. A list of
"Approved Interim and Final Ocean
Dumping Sites" was published on
January 11,1977 (42 FR 2481 et seq.) and
extended on January 16,1980 (45 FR
3053 et seq.).
The purpose of this notice is to
provide the public an opportunity to
comment on the proposed designation,
as an EPA Approved Ocean Dumping
Site, of the existing acid wastes dump
site located in the New York Bight.
The location of the acid site is
approximately 27 kilometers east of
Long Branch, New Jersey, and south of
Long Beach. Long Island, positioned
approximately in a rectangle with
coordinates as follows:
40*16' N. to 40*20' N.: 73'36' VV. to 73"40' W.
The site occupies an area of
approximately 41 square kilometers.
Water depths within this area range
from 2X6 meters to 28.3 meters. The site
was (elected in 1948 and has been used
since for the disposal of aqueous acid
wastes.
Section 102(c) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (hereafter "NEPA").
requires that Federal agencies prepare
Environmental Impact Statements
(ElS's) on proposals for legislation and
other major Federal'actions significantly
affecting the quality of the human
environment. The object of NEPA is to
build into the Agency decision-making
process careful consideration of all
environmental aspects of proposed
actions.
The EPA has prepared a Draft EIS
entitled "Environmental Impact
Statement for New York Bight Acid
Waste Disposal Site Designation." The
Draft EIS was made available to the
EPA Office of Environmental Review on
December 14,1979, and a notice of
availability for public review and
comment was published in the Federal
Register on December 21, 1979 (.44 FR
75713). The public comment period on
this Draft EIS closed February 12.1980.
Based on the information reported in
the Draft EJS, EPA proposes to designate
the site for. (1) continuing use for the
ocean disposal of aqueous acid wastes
where the applicant has demonstrated a
need for ocean dumping, lack of
alternatives to the dumping, and
compliance with EPA's marine
environmental impact criteria: and (2)
use under emergency conditions where
the applicant can demonstrate that there
exists an emergency requiring the
dumping of such materials which poses
an unacceptable risk to human health
and admits of not other feasible
solution.
The designation of the existing New
York Bight acid wastes dump site as an
EPA Approved Ocean Dumping Site is
being published as proposed
rulemaking. Management authority on
this site will be delegated to the
Regional Administrator of EPA Region
H.
Interested persons may participate in
this proposed rulemaking by submitting
written comments within 60 days of the
date of this publication to the address
given above.
Although this proposed site
designation may have substantial local
impacts in the vicinity of the dump site
and to those who use it, we have
determined that this proposed rule is not
a "significant'' regulatory action within
the meaning of Executive Order 12044.
Improving Government Regulations
(March 23,1978).
(33 U.S.C. Sections 1412 and 1413]
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Federal Register / Vol. 45. No. 105 / Thursday. May 29.1980 / Proposed Rules
Dated: May 22.1980.
Douglas M. Costle,
Administrator.
PART 228—CRITERIA FOR THE
MANAGEMENT OF DISPOSAL SITES
FOR OCEAN DUMPING
In consideration of the foregoing,
Subchapter H of Chapter I of Title 40 is
proposed to be amended by adding to
§ 228.12(b) an ocean dumping site for
Region II as follows:
9 228.12 Delegation of management
authority for Interim ocean dumping sites.
ft ft ft ft ft
(b)
(6) Acid Wastes Site—Region IL
Location: Latitude—40MB1 N. to 40*20* N.:
longitude—73*36' W. to 73*40" W.
Size: 41 square kilometers.
Depth: Ranges from 22.8 meters to 28.3
meters.
Primary Use: Acid waste (note restriction
below).
Period of Use: Acid wastes dumped under
Special Permits—continuing use but with
Agency review every 5 years; Emergency
Permit dumping—unlimited.
Restriction: Disposal shall be limited to
aqueous acid wastes except under
Emergency Permit.
|FR Dot J0-1MM Filed 8:44 am)
billing code tseo-oi-M
G- 3
ftU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFtCE:1980 341-082/119 1-3
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