WORKING PAPER NO.
EPA ®10=S-7§-101
INVESTIGATIONS OF SEVEN DISPOSAL
LOCATIONS USED BY SEAFOOD
PEOCESSOES AT DUTCH EIAEIOE, ALASK
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
AGENCY
SURVEILLANCE AND)
ANALYSIS DIVISION
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
REGION X
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Investigations of Seven
Disposal Locations Used by
Seafood Processors at Dutch Harbor, Alaska
October 1976
September 1977
Working Paper No.
EPA 910/8-78-101
Prepared by
Duane W. Kama
Aquatic Biologist
Enforcement Division
Region X, Environmental Protection Agency
February 1978
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paae
Introduction 1
Summary 5
Survey Methods 11
Survey Results 14
Universal Seafoods and Dutch Harbor Seafoods
Disposal Locations 16
Vita Food Products Disposal Locations 24
Pan-Alaska Fisheries Disposal Location 29
Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods Disposal Location 32
Queen Fisheries Disposal Location 36
Hydrogen Sulfide Analyses 36
References 39
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LIST OF FIGURES
Page
1. Location of Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
2. Location of the seafood companies ( ~ ) in Iliuliuk
Harbor and their nearshore disposal locations ( • ).
3. The main deposit of shellfish wastes, which consists
mostly of shell, located in the old disposal location
used by Vita Food Products.
4. The perimeter deposit, which consists of the less
dense waste material, located on the south side of the
old disposal location used by Vita Food Products.
5. Dead and dying clams located under a 1-2 cm deep layer
of shellfish wastes on the north side of the disposal
location used by Pan-Alaska Fisheries.
6. Old sludge bed of shellfish wastes covered by a
whitish mat of what appears to be bacteria at the
old disposal location for Universal Seafoods.
Old discharge pipe enters the wastes on the left.
7. Universal Seafoods: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the disposal
location as observed on October 20 and 21, 1976.
8. Universal Seafoods: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the 1976 disposal
location as observed on September 25 and 26, 1977.
9. Universal and Dutch Harbor Seafoods: Plan and
elevation view drawings of shellfish wastes at
the new disposal location on September 26, 1977.
10. An unidentified rusty-red colored liquor
contained in a depression in the sludge bed in
the old disposal location used by Universal
Seafoods.
11. One of several dead sculpins found in a
depression in the sludge bed in the old disposal
location used by Universal Seafoods.
2
3
8
9
10
15
18
19
20
22
23
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Figure Page
12. Vita Food Products: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the disposal
location on October 22, 1976. 25
13. Vita Food Products: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the 1976 disposal
location as observed on September 25 and 26, 1977. 26
14. Vita Food Products: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the new disposal
location on September 25, 1977. 28
15. Pan-Alaska Fisheries: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the disposal
location on October 22, 1976. 30
16. Pan-Alaska Fisheries: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the disposal
location on September 26, 1977. 31
17. Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods: Plan and elevation
view drawings of shellfish wastes at the disposal
location on October 22, 1976. 33
18. Whitne.y-Fidalqo Seafoods: Plan and elevation
view drawings of shellfish wastes at the disposal
location on September 25, 1977. 34
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LIST TABLES
Table Page
1. Estimated Hydrogen Sulfide (HpS) concentrations
in sludge and water samples from new and old dispos-
al locations. 38
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The technical assistance and contributions of the following divers are
gratefully acknowledged: Mr. Robert Ralston of EPA, Region X; Messrs
John Ellison and Larry Walz of EPA's National Enforcement Investigations
Center in Denver, Colorado; and Messrs James McMahan and Larry Stessin,
private contract divers from Seattle. Also, Mr. Keith Stewart of EPA's
Alaska Operations Office provided valuable support during the surface
operations of this study.
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INTRODUCTION
The seafood industry in the Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, Alaska, area (Fig-
ures 1 and 2) has processed mainly shellfish. At this time, king
crab is the most important species; however, tanner crab (marketed as
snow crab), dungeness crab and shrimp have also been processed.
During the 1976 season over 70 million pounds of shellfish were pro-
cessed, of which approximately two-thirds or 47 million pounds were
not utilized and were disposed of as wastes. The total shellfish
production by this industry between 1970 and 1976 is estimated to be
310 million pounds, of which roughly 200 million pounds was dis-
charged as wastes to the waters adjacent to Amaknak and Unalaska
Islands. In evaluating some of the impacts of these large quanti-
ties of shell wastes, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted
water quality investigations in this area in 1975 and 1976 (Stewart
and Tangarone 1977).
Two methods have been used by the Dutch Harbor processors to dispose
of the unutilized shellfish parts (shell and viscera). The most
common method is to grind this material and discharge it through a
pipe that is submerged in seven or more fathoms of water. In the
second method, the ground shell and soft body parts are screened and
collected for disposal in a landfill or dumping at an approved deep
water disposal site. In the Dutch Harbor area, only one processor
uses the second disposal method.
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Figure 1. Location of Dutch Harbor, Alaska
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Figure 2. Location of the seafood companies (A) in Iliuliuk Harbor and their
nearshore disposal locations (•).
Legend: ~ 1. Dutch Harbor Seafoods, 2. Universal Seafoods,
3. Vita Food Products, 4. Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods, 5. Queen
Fisheries, 6. Pan-Alaska Fisheries.
• A. Universal and Dutch Harbor Seafoods, B. Universal Seafoods
(old), C. Vita Food Products, 0. Vita Food Products (old), E.
Pan-Alaska Fisheries, F. Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods, G. Queen
Fisheries (old). 0
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In several other areas of Alaska (Kodiak, Petersburg and Seward),
seafood wastes are collected for by-products recovery and reduction.
In 1976 the disposal locations of all processors in the Dutch Harbor
area were surveyed. During that survey divers found shellfish wastes
which appeared to be from pre-1976 processing seasons. The main pur-
pose of the 1977 survey was to gain more information on the accumula-
tion of old shellfish wastes in some of the disposal locations from
one processing season to the next. The survey was primarily focused
on the discharges located on the west side of Amaknak Island.
This report is intended to supplement the water quality investiga-
tions conducted at Dutch Harbor which were reported in Working Paper
No. E.P.A.-910-8-77-100.
The specific objectives of the 1977 survey were to determine (1) the
extent of old (pre-1977) and new deposits of shellfish wastes at the
disposal locations on the west side of Amaknak Island, (2) the extent
of old and new deposits of shellfish wastes on the northeast side of
Iliuliuk Harbor at its confluence with Iliuliuk Bay (near Queen
Fisheries' M/V East Point), and (3) the hydrogen sulfide levels in
recently discharged and old shellfish deposits.
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SUMMARY
There were definite accumulations of old (pre-1977) shellfish wastes
at each of the four disposal locations observed in 1976 on the west
side of Amaknak Island. At two of these locations (Points E and F
on Figure 2), the point of discharge appeared to be at the same loca-
tion as was observed during EPA's 1976 survey. In each of these
cases, fresh crab shell and viscera were being deposited directly on
top of old shellfish deposits. However, at the other two disposal
locations used in 1976 (Points B and.D on Figure 2), fresh shellfish
wastes were not being discharged because the respective seafood
companies had constructed new discharge pipes that were located to
the south of the former pipes. In both of these cases, the old
deposits were very extensive and new shellfish waste deposits were
being created on the bottom (Points A and C on Figure 2).
In an attempt to quantify the accumulations of old and new shellfish
wastes at these disposal locations, plan and elevation view drawings
of the conditions observed in 1976. and 1977 are used. Some of the
shellfish wastes are dispersed by water movement associated with
tides, wave surges, and longshore currents. Also, some of the
wastes are fed on by aquatic organisms, particularly the visceral
organs and tissues that are partially suspended or slowly falling
through the water column. However, the reduction of the waste
material by these means and by decomposition is not as great as the
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rate of waste accumulation from the discharges. The result is that
at the present level of shellfish processing the sludge beds will
continue to increase in size on the west side of Amaknak Island.
No significant accumulations of old or new shellfish wastes were ob-
served on the bottom on the northeast side of Iliuliuk Harbor near
the processor M/V East Point. The divers observed only shallow,
remnant deposits of the ground shellfish wastes that were discharged
to this area in 1976. Several factors probably account for the
comparatively fast recovery of this former disposal location. It is
believed that the quantity of waste material discharged was compara-
tively less than those quantities discharged on the west side of the
island. Also, the former discharge line was movable, so the wastes
were spread in shallow deposits over a wide area. Water depth in
the disposal location varied from 4 to 8 m (13 to 30 ft), so the
waste material may have been more exposed to water movement due to
tides and wave surges at this natural constriction between the
harbor and the bay. Also during both years the divers observed
greater concentrations of aquatic organisms (crabs, shrimp and fish)
in this area as compared to the disposal locations on the west side
of Amaknak Island.
The concentration of hydrogen sulfide (f^S) was estimated in
sludge and water samples. These concentrations, which ranged from
0.1 to 5.9 mg/1, greatly exceeded the 0.002 mg/1 concentration that
is reported to constitute a long-term hazard for marine aquatic life
(EPA 1976).
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The adverse impact of the sludge beds on the benthic environment on
the west side of Amaknak Island is obvious. The shellfish waste
covers the bottom and physicalTy smothers aTT immobile organisms.
The main deposits, which are mostly shell (Figure 3) usually are
located within a 30 m radius from the point of discharge. The
perimeter deposits (Figure 4), where the less dense waste material
settles, covers a larger area that extends well beyond the 30 m
radius. The perimeter deposits also extend into deep water areas
located on the west side of each disposal location. Due to time and
safety limitations, the divers were unable to determine the amount
or the western edge of these deposits. Limited observations in 1976
in deep water west of the old disposal location for Universal Sea-
foods indicate that the sludge beds very likely extend into these
areas.
The perimeter deposits apparently do not have to be very deep to
impact the benthos. At several locations, dead, dying and what
appeared to be stressed clams (Figure 5) were observed under a layer
of this material that was only 1-2 cm deep. Also, the benthic com-
munities on the natural substrate fn the areas adjacent to the dispo-
sal locations had significantly fewer organisms than were present in
a "control area" on the same side of the island.
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Figure 3. The main deposit of shellfish wastes, which consists mostly
of shell, located in the old disposal location used by Vita
Food Products.
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Figure 4. The perimeter deposit, which consists of the less dense waste
material, located on the south side of the old disposal location
used by Vita Food Products.
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Figure 5. Dead and dying clams located under a 1-2 cm deep layer of shellfish
wastes on the north side of the disposal location used by Pan-
Alaska Fisheries.
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SURVEY METHODS
The accumulation of shellfish wastes at each disposal location on
the west side of Amaknak Island was measured during the period of
September 25, 26 and 27, 1977 and compared to the bottom conditions
observed on October 20, ?1 and 22, 1976. In this report the term
shellfish is intended to include king and tanner crab and shrimp.
However, it appears that most of the waste material comes from pro-
cessing crab. Some fish wastes and other material may also be
discharged by some of the processors.
SCUBA Observations
Two dive teams (4 divers) were used during the survey, which was
conducted from a 10 m fishing vessel. While one team surveyed the
bottom, the other team tended and obtained any surface time that was
required during the repetitive diving. Two additional personnel
were aboard to navigate the boat, conduct sulfide analysis, or
assist the divers.
Length, width and depth measurements of shellfish deposits were
obtained with a 30 m (98ft) line and a 60 cm (2ft) staff. Distances
other than 30 meters were estimated by counting diver body lengths
or for longer distances the kick (pace) of the swimmer. Depth
estimates on the perimeter area between measuring stations
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were obtained by projecting the divers arm down into the deposits.
For greater depths, estimates were based on evaluating the physical
characteristics of the pile, depth gage readings, and comparison
with observations taken during the 1976 survey.
Bottom conditions at each of the areas surveyed are presented by dis-
posal location. Approximate plan and elevation views have been
sketched from evaluating all the information obtained by the divers.
The lines in each plan view of the waste deposits have been drawn to
show the general pattern and topography of the accumulations and do
not necessarily represent lines of equal waste depth. Also, shell-
fish wastes deposits were usually present beyond the perimeter
(outside) line of the plan view drawing.
An area on the west side of Amaknak Island about one-half mile north
of the northern most outfall was chosen to evaluate the benthic flora
and fauna in an area not directly influenced by the disposal of
shellfish wastes.
Hydrogen Sulfide Analyses
The divers obtained samples of old and new shellfish deposits with a
500 ml glass jar. These samples were brought to the surface and
analyzed immediately for total and dissolved sulfide with a LaMotte-.
Pomeroy Sulfide Testing Set. Hydrogen sulfide (H^S) in solution
is calculated by multiplying the dissolved sulfide concentration by
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a H^S factor, which is dependent on the pH of the sample. The
sensitivity of this testing procedure for measuring total and dis-
solved sulfide is reported to be 0.1 mg/1 with an upper limit of
detection of 18 mg/1. Samples containing more than 18 mg/1 of sul-
fide must be diluted before testing.
At the time the dissolved sulfide concentrations were measured in
samples of new and old shellfish wastes, a pH measuring device was
not available. Therefore, the concentrations of H^S in solution
in these samples was not acquired directly for each sample. However,
estimates of the respective maximum and minimum H^S concentrations
were obtained by using pH values of 7.0 and 8.5, which was the pH
range measured in shellfish waste discharges at Dutch Harbor in 1975.
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SURVEY RESULTS
At the time of this survey the processors were discharging fresh
king crab wastes, which were easily recognized by their light color
and identifiable viscera (e.g., gills) and meat. In older deposits,
the surface was usually gray to gray-black in color, covered some-
what by the whitish mat of what appeared to be bacteria (Figure 6)
and contained no identifiable soft crab tissues or internal organs.
The bottom deposits, particularly the older material, can be easily
suspended in the water column producing near zero visibility condi-
tions.
The main piles of shellfish wastes at each disposal location were
composed mostly of shell material, which decreased in occurrence with
increasing distance away from the point of discharge. The perimeter
area around the main deposits appeared to be composed mostly of
visceral tissues that were less dense than the shell material.
At this time, five seafood companies grind their wastes and
discharge through four pipes that are submerged on the west side of
Amaknak Island. The companies with the type of processor(s) in
parenthesis are: Universal Seafoods, Ltd. (M/V Unisea); Dutch Harbor
Seafoods, Ltd. (M/V Galaxy); Vita Food Products, Inc. (Barge Vita I
and M/V Viceroy); Pan-Alaska Fisheries, Inc. (M/V Royal Alaskan and
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Figure 6. Old sludge bed of shellfish wastes covered by a whitish mat
of what appears to be bacteria at the old disposal location
for Universal Seafoods. Old discharge pipe enters the wastes
on the left.
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a shore plant); and Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods, Inc. (Barge Whitney).
Universal and Dutch Harbor Seafoods use the same discharge pipe and
presently discharge at point A in Figure 2. Vita Food Products,
Pan-Alaska Fisheries and Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods each have separate
discharge pipes and presently dispose of their wastes at points C, E
and F, respectively, in Figure 2. Points B and D in Figure 2
represent disposal locations previously used by Universal Seafoods
and Vita Food Products, respectively. The 7ocation of these
seafood companies in Iliuliuk Harbor is also shown in Figure 2.
Queen Fisheries, Inc. (M/V East Point), which is also located in
Iliuliuk Harbor, was screening their discharge and disposing of the
shellfish wastes in a landfill at the time of our inspection. How-
ever, during the 1976 processing season this company discharged
ground wastes to a shallow water area on the northeastern side of
Iliuliuk Harbor (Point G on Figure 2).
Universal Seafoods and Dutch Harbor Seafoods Disposal Locations
At the time of this survey, this was the southern most disposal loca-
tion on the west side of the island. However, a new discharge pipe
from a shore plant being constructed for Pacific Pearl Seafoods, Inc.
will apparently be located just south of this outfall.
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On October 20 and 21, 1976, the main deposit of shellfish wastes in
the disposal location was 12 m (40 ft) long, 7.5 m (25 ft) wide and
4 m (12 ft) high (Figure 7). The depth of the waste material ranged
from 10 to 38 cm (4 to 15 in) at the 30 m radius on the west and
north sides of the main deposit. Older (pre-1976) sludge deposits of
shellfish wastes 23 cm (9 in) deep were observed by the divers in
deep water west of the 30 m radius. The observed accumulation pat-
tern on the bottom indicated that the water currents were carrying
most of the light, less dense crab waste in a northerly direction.
At the time of the 1976 survey, Dutch Harbor Seafoods' processor M/V
Galaxy was not connected to this discharge pipe.
On September 25 and 26, 1977, Universal Seafoods' processor M/V
Unisea was not discharging wastes at the same point as was observed
in 1976. A new pipe, to which the processor M/V Galaxy was connec-
ted, had been placed on the south side of the pipe used in 1976
(Figure 8). The new point of discharge was about 40 m (130 ft) to
the southwest and in deeper water than the former point of discharge
(Figure 9). It was also noted that more crab wastes were present in
the former disposal area in comparison to its condition during the
1976 survey (compare Figures 7 and 8). Undoubtedly, this additional
material came from shellfish wastes discharged after EPA's October
1976 survey.
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Figure 7. Universal Seafoods: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the disposal location as observed on October 20 and 21,
1976.
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HORIZONTAL SCALE
NEW DISCHARGE PIPE
PLAN VIEW
i:
Figure 8. Universal Seafoods: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the 1976 disposal location as observed on September 25
and 26, 1977.
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VERTICAL SCALt
WATER DEPTH AT
POINT OF DISCHARGE
ELEVATION VIEW
Figure 9. Universal and Dutch Harbor Seafoods: Plan and elevation view
drawings of shellfish wastes at the new disposal location on
September 26, 1977.
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The profile of the old shellfish deposits was generally rounded, ex-
cept for an occasional narrow crevice or shallow depression. These
irregular lower areas commonly contained an unidentified rusty-red
colored liquor which had a density greater than water (Figure 10).
Dead sculpins about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) in length were also
found in some of the depressions (Figure 11).
The new discharge point is at a water depth of approximately - 29 m
(-95 ft) (Figure 9). Fresh crab wastes were accumulating immedi-
ately adjacent to the sludge beds created by discharge from previous
years. Some of the light, less dense wastes were being carried by
the water currents onto the south side of the old (pre-1977) depos-
its. These older deposits are estimated to be at least 6 m (20 ft)
deep throughout much of the northern one-half of the 30 m radius
from the present point of discharge.
Dense schools of baitfish and several cabezons and starry flounders
were present in the new discharge area and appeared to be feeding on
fresh crab wastes. However, these fish were not observed feeding on
old shellfish wastes. No large invertebrates (such as crabs, shrimp,
urchins, starfish, snails, etc.) were observed on or near the new or
old wastes.
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Fiaure 10 An unidentified rusty-red colored liquor contained in a
' depression in the sludge bed in the old disposal location
used by Universal Seafoods.
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Figure 11. One of several dead sculpins found in a depression in the
sludge bed in the old disposal location used by Universal
Seafoods.
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The native substrate on the north, shoreward and south sides of these
wastes deposits is a mixture of about 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in) cobble,
smaller rock, sand and silt.
Vita Food Products Disposal Locations
On October 22, 1976 the shellfish wastes in the disposal location
were approximately 12 m (40 ft) long, 6 m (20 ft) wide, and 4 m
(12 ft) high in the main deposit off the end of the discharge pipe
(Figure 12). However, the discharge pipe was broken about 23 m
(75 ft) from the end, which resulted in a secondary deposit 2 m
(6 ft) high by 12 m (40 ft) long on the shoreward side of the main
pile. The wastes from each pile were overlapping at that time. The
less dense crab wastes had been deposited by the water currents on
the south side of the main pile.
On September 25 and 26, 1977, it was noted that this outfall had
been moved approximately 100 m (330 ft) to the south of the 1976
location, and the water depth was about -23 m (-75 ft) at the new
discharge point. According to a representative from this company,
the pipe was moved a few weeks prior to our arrival.
This year there was considerably more material in the old disposal
area than was present in 1976 (compare Figures 12 and 13). The
former discharge pipe could not be located so a large 6 m (20ft)
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30M RADIUS
110
6
VERTICAL SCALE
Figure 12. Vita Food Products: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the disposal location on October 22, 1976.
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30M RADIUS
LOCATION OF OLD PIPE
OXIMATELY 6M (20 FT) HIGH
METERS
2 4 6 8 10 1214 16 1820
HORIZONTAL SCALE
PLAN VIEW
27CM
VERTICAL SCALE
•j"
o
1 . O
ELEVATION VIEW
Fiqure 13. Vita Food Products: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the 1976 disDOsal location as observed on September 25 and
26, 1977.
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high rock, which was nearly buried in the wastes, was used for
reference. During the 1976 survey no wastes were observed south of
this rock. This year the entire area south of the rock was covered
up to a depth of about 1 m with light, ground crab wastes (Figures 4
and 13).
As shown in Figure 13, the main pile at the old disposal location is
quite large. The length, width and depth of the main deposit are
estimated to exceed 36 m (120 ft), 15 m (50 ft) and 6 m (20 ft),
respectively. Some of the shells on top of the pile appeared to be
more recent than the waste deposits in the perimeter area. The main
deposit was surrounded by an extensive, relatively shallow, covering
of shellfish wastes which appeared to consist mainly of decomposing
crab viscera and other tissues with densities less than the compara-
tively thick leg and carapace crab shell. These less dense wastes
were present in depths up to 7 cm (2.5 in) on the -23 m (-75 ft)
water depth contour between the old and new disposal locations. At
a point 30 m north of the new disposal area, this shallow layer
consisted of new and old wastes (Figure 14).
Since the new discharge line had apparently been in operation only a
few days, only a small amount of crab shell and wastes was present
at the new disposal location (Figure 14). On the south side of this
deposit, a patchy, 1-2 cm deep layer of the light, less dense wastes
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LIGHT COVERING
Figure 14. Vita Food Products: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the new disposal location on September 25, 1977.
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extended from the main pile to the 30 m radius. Many clams, which
appeared to be stressed, were moving up to the surface under this
1ayer.
Many small schools of baitfish were present at both the old and new
disposal areas. Sculpins, blennies, starry flounders, and other
flatfish were also present. The only large invertebrates observed
in both new and old disposal locations were urchins and small crabs.
The bottom on the north side of the old disposal location was mostly
large cobble with some areas of small, sand and silt. However, some
large rocks were protruding from the wastes along the south margin
of the old deposit. A cobble, sand and silt substrate was observed
between the old and new disposal areas and south of the new one.
Pan-Alaska Fisheries Disposal Location
On October 22, 1976, the deposit of shellfish wastes was somewhat
long and narrow as compared to the accumulation patterns previously
discussed. The main pile was approximately 18 m (60 ft) long, 6 m
(20 ft) wide, and 2.5 m (8 ft) high (Figure 15). Also, as observed
at the other disposal areas, the perimeter area was covered by a
shallow layer of less dense crab viscera and soft body tissues. On
the north side of the main pile, 20 to 30 dead and dying clams were
observed in an area covered by wastes only 1-2 cm in depth (Figure
5).
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30M RADIUS
H
h
4
'J
VERTICAL SCALE
Figure 15. Pan-Alaska Fisheries: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the disposal location on October 22, 1976.
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30M RADIUS
Figure 16. Pan-Alaska Fisheries: Plan and elevation view drawings of shellfish
wastes at the disposal location on September 26, 1977.
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On September 26, 1977, the point of discharge appeared to be in the
same location as was observed in October 1976. However, the end of
the pipe was directed upward and slanted to the north as shown in
Figure 16. At the time of the inspection, fresh crab wastes were
being discharged and were accumulating on top of older (pre-1977)
waste material. About 6 m (20 ft) west of the end of the pipe there
was a clear line between the old and new wastes on the pile. Further
west and south on the 30 m radius, accumulations of old shellfish
wastes ranged from 9 to 18 cm (3.5 to 7 in).
As was observed at Universal Seafoods' old disposal area, some of
the depressions in the older deposits contained an unidentified
rusty-red colored liquor which was denser than water. The divers
also observed that the wastes appeared to be accumulating more in
the southern sector than was noted during the 1976 survey.
The native substrate around the disposal area was mostly sand, with
some small rock, shell and silt. Organisms present were baitfish,
flatfish, and sculpins.
Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods Disposal Location
This processor had been in operation for only a few days prior to
our October 22, 1976, inspection, so a small deposit of shellfish
wastes was in the disposal area (Figure 17).
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30M RADIUS
2-3CM
METERS
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 1820
h^^T^Te
PLAN VIEW
nlO
n8
Sir 6
VERTICAL SCALE
WATER DEPTH AT
POINT OF DISCHARGE
-I2M (-40FT)
ELEVATION VIEW
Figure 17. Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods: Plan and elevation view drawings of
shellfish wastes at the disposal location on October 22, 1976.
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OLD WASTES
SOME BARE SPOTS
IN THIS AREA
DISCHARGE PIPE
ROCKS
4-6M HIGH
40CM
30M RADIUS
METERS
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 1820
HORIZONTAL SCALE
PLAN VIEW
45CM
VERTICAL SCALE
Figure 18. Whitney-Fidalgo Seafoods: Plan and elevation view drawings of
shellfish wastes at the disposal location on September 25, 1977.
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On September 25, 1977, however, there was considerably more material
in the disposal area. The main pile was about 20 m (65 ft) long, 6 m
(20 ft) wide and 2 m (6-7 ft) deep (Figure 18). At the 30 m radius
on the the west side, the wastes were 40 cm (16 in) deep, and the
sludge bed extended well beyond that distance. As was observed at
the Pan-Alaska Fisheries disposal area, which is located nearby (see
Figure 2), the less dense waste material appears to be accumulating
at a faster rate on the south side of the outfall area.
The fresh crab wastes discharged at this location during the inspec-
tion appeared to be evenly covering the older (pre-1977) wastes. At
many locations, particularly near the 30 m radius, the grayish black
layer of old wastes could be easily recognized under the light
colored fresh material. For example, the new material represented
less than 2.5 cm (1 in) of the 40 cm waste depth measured at 30 m
west of the point of discharge.
The native substrate around this disposal location is mostly sand,
with some rocks, shell and silt. However, some large rocks up to 6 m
(20 ft) high were scattered on the southern side of the disposal
area. Baitfish, flatfish and sculpins were observed in the outfall
area.
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Queen Fisheries Disposal Location
The bottom was surveyed for shellfish wastes on the north side of
Iliuliuk Harbor in the areas west, under and east of Queen Fisheries'
processor M/V East Point. No significant deposits of fresh or old
shellfish wastes were observed in these areas. However, there was a
light (less than 1 cm deep) deposit of crab meat and other tissues
on the bottom approximately under the processing vessel. Consider-
able numbers of tanner crabs, shrimp, sculpins, flatfish, and other
species were observed in the immediate area of this deposit.
Intermittent patches of nearly decomposed crab wastes were present
in the area east of the processor that was used for disposal in 1976.
The irregular patches were roughly 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, 3 to 6 m (10 to
20 ft) long, and appeared as shallow surface deposits. Epifaunal and
floral organisms were attached to solid substratum throughout this
area.
Hydrogen Sulfide Analyses
The measured dissolved sulfide and estimated minimum and maximum
H^S concentrations in samples taken from new and old disposal loca-
tions are contained in Table 1. It is apparent that the decay of
the massive accumulations of shellfish wastes in the disposal loca-
tions on the west side of Amaknak Island is under anaerobic condi-
tions. These conditions cause the formation of extremely high
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concentrations of dissolved sulfides, part of which is ^S. It
was noted that H^S was sufficiently abundant to form bubbles,
which were observed raising to the surface by both diving and
surface personnel. In some areas the divers also experienced skin
and eye irritation and could smell the sulfides in the water.
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Table 1. Estimated hydrogen sulfide (hLS) concentrations in sludge and water
samples from new and old disposal locations.
Date
Disposal
Location
Total Dissolved
Sulfide
Type mg/1
H?S Concentration
(estimated range)*
mg/1
9/25/77
Universal
Seafoods
(old area)
Old sludge
& water mix
15
0.3 - 4.9
9/25/77
Vita Food
Products
(old area)
Old sludge
& water mix
18
(est.
50)
0.4 - 5.9
9/26/77
Pan-Alaska
Fisheries
Old sludge
& water mix
Water column
30 cm above
sludge bed
9
7
0.2 - 3.0
0.1 - 2.3
9/26/77
Universal
& Dutch
Harbor Sea-
foods (new
area)
New shellfish
wastes & water
mix
8
0.2 - 2.6
9/26/77
Universal
Seafoods
(old area)
Water column
30 cm above
sludge bed
18
(est.
20)
0.4 - 5.9
9/27/77
Pan Alaska
Fisheries
(under dock
in Iliuliuk
Harbor)
Old sludge
& water mix
Water column
30 cm above
sludge bed
0
0
0
0
* The minimum and maximum HpS values given were calculated from pH values
of 8.5 and 7.0, respectively.
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REFERENCES
Environmental Protection Agency. 1976. Quality Criteria for
Water. E. P. A., Washington D.C. No. E.P.A.-440/9-76-023.
Stewart, R. K. and D. R. Tangarone. 1977. Water Ouality
Investigations Related to Seafood Processing Wastewater
Discharges at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. October 75 - October 76,
Environmental Protection Agency, Region X, Working Paper No. EPA
- 910-8-77-100.
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