PROCEEDINGS
Es«mbi
FEBRUARY 23-24, 1971
, FLORIDA
Gulf of Mexico
CONFERENCE
IN THE MATTER OF POLLUTION OF THE INTERSTATE
WATERS OF THE ESCAMBIA RIVER BASIN
(ALABAMA-FLORIDA) AND THE INTRASTATE
PORTIONS OF THE ESCAMBIA BASIN WITHIN
THE STATE OF FLORIDA
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SECOND SESSION
OF
CONFERENCE
IN THE MATTER OF
POLLUTION OF THE INTERSTATE WATERS
OF ESCAMBIA RIVER BASIN (ALABAMA-FLORIDA)
AND THE INTRASTATE PORTIONS OF THE" ESCAMBIA BASIN
AND BAY WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
held at
Pensacola, Florida
February 23-24, 1971
TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS
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A
CONTENTS
PAGE
Opening Statement - Mr. White 5
J. A. Little 13
R. W. Davis 103
T. W. Duke 109
W. L. Lynn 136
T. Webb 140
K. K. Huffstutler 146
J. F. deCastro———— . — 171
W. E. Tisdale 188
J. D. Kramer — 198
G. J. Kenngott—— —— 208
J. E. Lipe— —-—— —— 222
E. L. Addison 230
L. P. Currier 235
Dr. R. E. Smith 236
A. R. Richards 247
C. E. Locke 253
Dr. J. A. Edmisten 261
J. L. Crockett, Jr. 292
G. H. Whiteside 309
Conclusions and Recommendations 339
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2
The second session of a conference in the matter of
pollution of the interstate waters of Escambia River Basin
(Alabama-Florida) and the intrastate portions of the Escambia
Basin and Bay within the State of Florida, held at the Munici-
pal Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida, on February 23-24, 1971,
at 9:30 a.m.
PRESIDING:
John C. White, Chairman
Director, Regulatory Programs
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Quality Office, Southeast Region
Atlanta, Georgia
CONFEREES:
Paul J. Traina, Director of Planning
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Quality Office, Southeast Region
Atlanta, Georgia
Nathaniel P. Reed, Chairman
Florida Department of Air & Water
Pollution Control
Tallahassee, Florida
Vincent D. Patton, Executive Director
Florida Department of Air & Water
Pollution Control
Tallahassee, Florida
Arthur N. Beck, Technical Director
Alabama Water Improvement Commission
Montgomery, Alabama
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3
LIST OF SPEAKERS
Federal Speakers
R. W. Davis
Civil Engineer
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
P. 0. Box 2288
Mobile, Alabama
Thomas W. Duke
Laboratory Director
Environmental Protection Agency
Gulf Breeze Laboratory
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Alabama Speakers
J. L. Crockett, Jr.
Director, Technical Staff
Alabama Water Improvement
Commission
State Office Building
Montgomery, Alabama
Florida Speakers
E. L. Addison
Vice President
Gulf Power Company
P. 0, Box 1151
Pensacola, Florida
L. F. Currier
Engineer Structures
L & N Railroad Company
Louisville, Kentucky
J. F. de Castro
Chief Bureau of Enfocement
Florida Department of Air and Water
Pollution
Tallahassee, Florida
Dr. Joe A. Edmisten
Director, Office of Environmental
Studies, U. W. F.
8108 Monticello Drive
Pensacola, Florida
John A. Little
Director, Technical Services Program
Southeast Water Laboratory
Environmental Protection Agency
Athens, Georgia
Woodrow L. Lynn
Head of Engineering Department
Public Works Center (Navy)
Building 1, Naval Air Station
Pensacola, Florida
George H. Whiteside
General Manager
Container Corporation of America
Brewton, Alabama
K. K. Huffstutler
Chief, Bureau of Surveillance
Florida Department of Air &
Water Pollution Control
Tallahassee, Florida
G. J. Kenngott
Manager, Santa Rosa Plant
American Cyanamid Company
Milton, Florida
John D. Kramer
Technical Manager
Escambia Chemical Corporation
P. 0. Box 467
Pensacola, Florida
James E. Lipe
General Supervisor, Manufacturing
and Technology, Monsanto Company
Box 1507
Pens acola, FlorIda
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Florida Speakers . coat..'
C. E. Locke
Private Citizen
1801 E. Mallory Street
Pensacola, Florida
A. Rciy Richards
Executive Vice President
Florida Wildlife Federation
1001 N. 14th Avenue
Avalon Beach, Florida
Dr. Robert E. Smith
Director
State University System of Florida
Institue of Oceanography
830 1st Street S.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Wayne E. Tisdale
Regional Engineer
Florida Division of Health
P„ 0. Box 2666
Pensacola, Florida
Tom Webb
Director of Administration
Department of Transportation
Tallahassee, Florida
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4-A
OTHERS
A T T E N D A
James Abrams
Monsanto
Pensacola, Florida
Joe Addison
Fishery Biologist
Alabama Department of
Conservation
P. 0. Box 504
Fairhope, Alabama
Jo Ann Allen
Star Route
Box 605
Lillian, Alabama
Wade Allen
Area Development
Gulf Power Company
Pensacola, Florida
Bjarne B. Andersen, Jr.
Assistant Attorney General
State of Florida & Department
of Air and Water Pollution
Control
Department of Legal Affairs
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida
F. C. Apel
Route 1
Box 647
Pensacola, Florida
George Apfel
Environmental Engineer
American Cyanamid Company
Berdan Avenue
Wayne, New Jersey
Sam Armour
County Commissioner
Escambia County
P. 0. Box 1111
Pensacola, Florida
John T. Aronson
Engineer
Monsanto
Pensacola, Florida
I N
[ C E
Sherlee M. Aronson
League of Women Voters
State Board - Environmental Quality
850 Woodbine Drive
Pensacola, Florida
Mrs. D. C. BarfieId
Chairman, Garden Club - Native Garden
Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs
181 N. pring Street
Pensacola, Florida
Fred Barloga
Research Coordinator
Florida Coastal Coordinating Council
Larson Building
Tallahassee, Florida
Arthur N. Beck
Technical Coordinator
Alabama Water Improvement Commission
State Office Building
Montgomery, Alabama
H. C. Beers
Membership Committee Chairman
Gulf Atlantic - Oceanograpic Research
Society
623 Sheppard Drive
Warrington, Florida
James T. Bell, Jr.
Chief Chemist
Monsanto
Anniston, Alabama
W. Y. Bennett
Professor of Biology
1000 College Boulevard
Pensacola, Florida
Herbert F. Berger
Regional Engineer
National Council Air &' Stream
Improvement
P. 0. Box 14483
Gainesville, Florida
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Others in Attendance, cont.'
Joe Blanchard
Coordinator, Fish Management
Section
Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish
Commis s ion
Tallahassee, Florida
John M. Bolton
Assistant Director, Technical
Staff
Alabama Water Improvement
Commis s ion
State Office Building
Montgomery, Alabama
E. H. Bomke
Vice President, Electrical
Operations
Gulf Power Company
75 N. Pace Boulevard
Pensacola, Florida
Mrs. Jack Bouffard
United Citizens Against Pollution
206 Dolphin Street
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Diane Bradley
Routte 7, Box 91G
Milton, Florida
LTJG K. A. Braun
Port Security Officer
U. S. Coast Guard
Coast Guard Base
Mobile, Alabama
Ronald Breeden
Student of Biology
University of West Florida
3846 Menendez Drive
Pensacola, Florida
Charles A. Britton
1314 Cypress Street
Pensacola, Florida
J. D. Brown
400 Colbery Avenue
Warrington, Florida
M. R. Chmura
Escambia Chemical
P. 0. Box 467
Pensacola, Florida
Gary H. Cook
Chemistry Teacher
Woodlane High School
Route 3, P. 0. Box 16-2
Pensacola, Florida
Van R. Cooper
USN
BOQ
Naval Air Station
Pensacola, Florida
Gilfford D. Cotton
Gulf Breeze High School
825 Wayne Avenue
Warrington, Florida
Ben T. Christian
Route 7, Box 136
Milton, Florida
John L. Crew
Fishery Biologist
Game & Fish Commission
P. 0. Box 128
DeFuniak Springs, Florida
Brian P. Crowley
Supervisory Auditor
General Accounting Office
3102 N. Adams
Woodbridge, Virginia
B. T. Dean
Supervisor, Waste and Water
Services
Monsanto
21 Janet Street
Pensacola, Florida
P. J. Doherty
Regional Engineer
Florida Department of Air
and Water Pollution Control
1384 Shoreline Drive
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Roy L. Duggan
Environmental Engineer
Escambia Chemical Company
P. 0. Box 467
Pensacola, Florida
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Others in Attendance, cont.
C. L. Ellis
Ellis Pollutant Company
6303 Boea Del Circle
Pensacola, Florida
Pat Emmanuel
American Cyanamid Company
34 West Government
Pensacola, Florida
John C. Fay, Jr.
Technical Division
Container Corporation of
America
Box 709
Brewton, Alabama
Mrs. Robert L. Gade
Subcommittee Chairman
for Sanitation - ACOP
Route 1, Box 791
Pensacola, Florida
Jack T. Garrett
Manager Pollution Abatement
Monsanto Company
800 N. Lindberg Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri
Margaret Glasscock
Department of Air and
Water Pollution Control
1384 Shoulwe Drive
Gulf Breeze, Florida
W. B. Harrison
Vice President
Southern Services, Inc.
P. 0. Box 2625
Birmingham, Alabama
Benton A. Hause
CSC Inter Government Affairs
Fellowship Program
6448 Queen Anne Terrace
Falls Church, Virginia
R. J. Henderson
District Manager
G. L. Simonds Company
P. 0. Box 984
Pensacola, Florida
W. Carroll Hixson
Conservationis t
Bream Fisherman Association
1333 North Spring Street
Pensacola, Florida
Thumas Scott Holden
3025 W. Blount
Pensacola, Florida
Dr. Robert L. Hughes
Pastor, Lakeview Baptist
Church
Lakeview Baptist Church
4707 Marseille Drive
Pensacola, Florida
Mrs. John J. Guice
Conservation Activities Chairman
F. F. G. C.
42 Highpoint Drive
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Keitz Haburay
Associate Professor PJC
Pensacola Jr. College
6000 Keating Road
Pensacola, Florida
L. H. Hargrove
Administrative Assistant
Roy L. Hyatt
Project Director
Environmental Sensitivity
Project
2501 North Hayne Street
Pensacola, Florida
Larry Johnson
Fisheries Biologist
Alabama Department of Conservation
P. 0. Box 504
Fairhope, Alabama
Charles Lambert
Florida Department of Transportation3750 Forest Circle
Tallahassee, Florida Pensacola, Florida
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Others In Attendance, cont.'
Ken Larson
Television News
WEAR - TV
Mobile Highway
Pensacola, Florida
George 0. Layman
Superintendent Production
and Construction
Gulf Power Company
P. 0. Box 1151
Pensacola, Florida
R. C. Lava
Personnel Superintendent
American Cyanamid Company
Milton, Florida
H. C. Levin
Manager Community Relations
American Cyanamid Company
Wayne, New Jersey
Curtis G. Linke
Assistant Managei; Public
Re la t ions
Container Corporation
One First National Plaza
Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Robert Livingston
Consultant
Department of Transportation
Tallahassee, Florida
Lt. Commander George H. Liveakos
Terminal Manager
Leonard Brothers Trucking Company
860 Copley Drive
Pensacola, Florida
Charles A. Lowery
Chairman, ACOP
Escambia County Court
House
Pensacola, Florida
Mrs. George H. Liveakos
860 Copely Drive
Pensacola, Florida
James H. Lynhal
6 Bay Drive, N.E.
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
W. Major
Route 5, Box 58
Covington, Virginia
Allan K, McMillan
Plant Manager-
Escambia Chemical Corporation
P. 0. Box 467
Pensacola, Florida
Roland M. McPherson
Marine Biologist
USPHS/FDA
Shellfish Sanitation Branch
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Donal K. Mitchell
Route 3, Box 243-B
Pensacola, Florida
Edward K. Meier
Secretary and Assistant General
Counsel
Container Corporation of America
One First National Plaza
Chicago, Illinois
A. 0. Merritt
Route 1, Box 615
Pensacola, Florida
Stella Metos
1400 Tallahassee Street
Avalon Beach, Florida
Mrs. E. R. Moffett
Route 7, Boa 446
Pensacola, TJorida
Chuck Monteith
Gulf Breeze Science Club
10 San Carlos Street
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Charles H. Moss, Jr.
Assistant News Director
WC0A Radio
P. 0. Box 1669
Pensacola, Florida
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Others in Attendance, cont.1
Mary Ann Nicholson
Graduate Student
University of Florida
Route 3, Box 312 #J-2
Pensacola, Florida
Del R. Nimmo
Fishery Biologist
EPA
Gulf Breeze Laboratory
Gulf, Breeze, Florida
J. I. Niuen
Bream Fisherman Association
1803 E. Lakeview Avenue
Pensacola, Florida
Joel Norman
Bream Fisherman Association
4508 Guerrain Drive
Pensacola, Florida
John C. Nyhan
Natural Resources Manager
EPA - Water Quality
c/o Mobile Corps of Engineers
Mobile, Alabama
Wiley C. Page
Jr. Planner
Regional Planning Council
803 N. Palafox Street
Pensacola, Florida
P. S. Park
Senior Attorney
Monsanto Company
800 N. Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri
Fred Peel
D. 0. T. - 3rd District - Planning
Chipley, Florida
Bill Penrose
Director, Public Relations
Department of Transportation
Tallahassee, Florida
Clayton W. Perry
Escambia Harbor
Patrolman
Pensacola Port Commissioners
406 Gibbs Road
Warrington, Florida
William E. Perry
Consultant
16 Giltnore Drive
Gulf Breeze, Florida
J. J. Pinke
Maintenance Superintendent
American Cyanamid
Milton, Florida
W. M. Reast
343 Gamarre Road
Gordon A. Richmond
Director, Sanitary Engineering
Hall, Mayo, Sims, & Associates
P. 0. Box 1073
Pa.ce, Florida
Jack C. Rosenau
Hydrologist
U. S. Geological Survey
Room 414, 1309 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida
John A. Sauer
Process Control Supervisory
Monsanto Company
3635 Firestone Boulevard
Pensacola, Florida
Michael Dean Schmitt
Graduate Res. Asst. - UWF
3 Utah Circle
Pensacola, Florida
Schoor
Box 234
Point Clear, Alabama
Ralph Scott
Chief, Paper Forest Ind. Res.
FWQA - PNWL
Corvallis, Oregon
Roy L. Sherman
Assistant General Attorney
L & N Railroad Company
908 West Broadway
Louisville, Kentucky
Mrs. Charles F. Smith, Jr.
Route 4, Box 57
Pensacola, Florida
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Others in Attendance, cont.'
Dr. Robert E. Smith
Director
State University System of Florida
Institute of Oceanography
830 1st Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida
Rick Sprague
Regional Planner
Escambia Santa Rosa
Regional Planning Council
P. 0. Box 486
Medie T. Still, Jr.
Technical Superintendent
St. Regis Paper Company
P. 0. Box 1591
Pensacola, Florida
Maynard Stitt
Senior Public Relations
Manager
St. Regis Paper Company
P. 0. Box 1591
Pensacola, Florida
Mrs. Theo Toner
Conservation Chairman
Federation of Garden Clubs
1001 Pennsylvania Drive
Pensacola, Florida
Paul E. Trout
Director Environmental Control
Container Corporation of America
Oaks, Pennsylvania
Stirling Turner
Governmental & Civic Affairs
Monsanto Company
P. 0. Box 1507
Pensacola, Florida
J. J. Vick
1426 Bayshore Terrace
Gulf Breeze, Florida
R. M. Warren
P. 0. Box 45
Gulf Breeze, Florida
James W. Warr
Assistant Sanitary Engineer
Alabama Water Improvement Commis
870 Karen Road
Montgomery, Alabama
Roger N. Watts
Attorney
Container Corporation of America
One Fist National Plaza
Chicago, Illinois
Bob Watson
Civil Engineer
Corps of Engineer
Airport Boulevard
Mobile, Alabama
Frank H. Wessels
Field Representative
Calgon
Mobile, Alabama
Frank Westmark
District Manager, Public Relatio
St. Regis Paper Company
Pensacola, Florida
Alford J. Wilson, Jr.
Chemis t
EPA
Sabine Island
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Wayne Withers
Attorney
Monsanto Company
800 N. Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri
Arthur J. Zabinski
Waste Water Specialist
4907 Springhill Drive
Pensacola, Florida
Lt. Lewis E. Zangas
Department of Natural Resources
P. 0. Box 168
Pensacola, Florida
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5
Opening Statement - Mr. White
PROCEEDINGS
OPENING STATEMENT
BY
MR. JOHN C. WHITE
MR. WHITE: The conference is open.
This Second Session of the Conference in the Matter of
Pollution of the Interstate Waters of the Escambia River Basin
(Alabama and Florida) and the Intrastate Portions of the
Escambia Basin and Bay within the State of Florida is being
held under the provisions of Section 10 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, as amended.
Under the provisions of the Act, the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency (this authority was formerly
vested in the Secretary of the Interior) is authorized to call a
conference of this type when requested to do so by the Governor
of a State. On the basis of a written request from the Honor-
able Claude R. Kirk, Jr., former Governor of Florida, dated
December 1, 1969, the Secretary of the Interior called a con-
ference to consider the pollution in the interstate and navi-
gable waters of the Escambia River Basin and Bay. The first
conference was held January 20 and 21, 1970, in Gulf Breeze,
Florida.
As specified in Section 10 of the Act, the Florida
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Opening Statement - Mr. White
Department of Air and Water Pollution Control and the Alabama
Water Improvement Commission have been notified of this recon-
vened conference.
Both the State and Federal Governments have responsi-
bilities in dealing with water pollution control problems. The
Federal Water Pollution Control Act declares that the States
have primary rights and responsibilities for taking action to
abate and control pollution. Consistent with this, we are
charged by law to encourage the States in these activities.
At the same time, the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency is charged by law with specific
responsibilities in the field of water pollution control in
connection with pollution of interstate and navigable waters.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act provides that pollution
of interstate or navigable waters which endangers the health
of welfare of any persons shall be subject to abatement. This
applies whether the matter causing or contributing to the pollu,
tion is discharged directly into such waters or reaches such
waters after discharge into a tributary.
The purpose of the conference is to bring together
the State water pollution control agencies, representatives of
the Environmental Protection Agency, and other interested parties
to review the existing situation, and the progress which has
been made, to lay a basis for future action by all parties
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- I
Opening Statement - Mr. White
concerned, and to give the State, localities, and industries an
opportunity to take any indicated remedial action under the
State and local law.
The Florida Department of Air and Water Pollution
Control will be represented by Mr. Nathaniel Reed and his
designee, Mr. Vince Patton.
The Alabama Water Improvement Commission will be
represented by Mr. Arthur Beck and his designee, Mr. Joe
Crockett.
The Federal conferee is Mr. Paul Traina, who is
Director of the Regional Planning Office, Southeast Region,
Water Quality Office, Environmental Protection Agency.
My name is John C. White. I am from the Atlanta
Regional Office of the Water Quality Office of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and the representative of Mr. Ruckels-
haus.
The parties to this conference are the official State
water pollution control agencies and the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency. Participation in the conference will be open to
representatives and invitees of these agencies and such persons
as inform me they wish to present a statement. However, only
the representatives of the Florida Department of Air and Water
Pollution Control and the Alabama Water Improvement Commission
and the Environmental Protection Agency constitute the conferees,
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¦— a,
Opening Statement - Mr. White
At the first conference session, the conferees
unanimously recommended a program of necessary action. The
recommendations of the conferees are as follows:
To reduce or eliminate the accelerated eutrophication
of Escambia Bay and Mulat-Mulatto Bayou, and to provide water
quality suitable for a wide diversity of desirable uses, the
following water quality management and waste abatement program
is recommended to be accomplished, except as otherwise speci-
fied, but not later than December 31, 1972:
1. There shall be reductions of 9^ percent carbon-
aceous, 9^ percent nitrogenous, and 90 percent phosphorus
wastes respectively discharged to Escambia River and Bay from
major sources in Florida, including American Cyanamid, Escambia
Chemical, Monsanto, and the aity of Pensacola northeast sewage
treatment plant. Due to the distance from Escambia Bay of
Container Corporation of America's plant site, a reduction of
90 percent carbonaceous and phosphorus wastes will be required.
The conferees, after evaluation of the material to be presented
for the record during the next 15 minutes following this con-
ference, and after consultation with the parties involved, will
recommend allowable waste discharges for each of the major
sources. All waste sources shall provide complete removal of
settleable solids.
2. An alternative for accomplishing these objectives
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9
Opening Statement - Mr. White
is the construction of a sewer collection system or systems
around the entire bay to intercept wastes from American
Cyanamid, Escambia Chemical, Monsanto, and northwest sewage
treatment plant, as well as future and minor present effluents.
This is consistent with the concept of metropolitan planning
for waste management. All domestic and industrial wastes could
be treated at a central facility with discharge away from
Escambia Bay after the recommended carbon, nitrogen, and phos-
phorus reductions have been accomplished.
3. Color in the Escambia River at the Alabama-
Florida State line as measured at the Highway 4 bridge near
Century, Florida, shall be reduced to levels meeting Alabama,
Florida, and Federal standards.
4. No further construction dredging shall be per-
mitted in Escambia Bay or Mulat-Mulatto Bayou until a plan
for development of the shoreline has been established. At that
time, construction dredging shall be permitted only in accord-
ance with the plan, to be completed within one year by repre-
sentatives of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, the city of
Pensacola, the State of Florida, the U. S. Army Corps of Engi-
neers, and the U. S. Department of the Interior, now known as
the Environmental Protection Agency. Any necessary maintenance
dredging in the interim shall be conducted by diking the dredg-
ing area. Maintenance of existing channels shall be by
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lo
Opening Statement - Mr. White
hydraulic pipeline dredging only. Disposal of all dredged
material shall be to upland spoil sites.
5. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company
bridge across Escambia Bay shall be rebuilt or modified by
not later than January 1, 1973, to eliminate the piling ad-
versely affecting the circulation and exchange of water in
Escambia Bay.
6. The American Cyanamid Company shall immediately
cease discharging acrylonitrile.
7. The Monsanto Company and Gulf Power Company, by
not later than January 1, 1973, shall abate the excessive heat
being discharged in their respectively cooling water effluents.
8. Century, Florida, and East Brewton, Alabama, by
not later than December 31, 1972, shall install secondary waste
abatement facilities acceptable to their respective State water
pollution control agencies.
As noted previously, the conference has been recon-
vened to consider the progress which has been made to abate the
pollution of the Escambia River Basin and to make any further
recommendations or modifications of the previous recommendation^
that the conferees deem necessary.
Now, Just a word about procedures. The conferees
will be called upon to make statements. The conferees, in
addition, may call uppn participants whom they have invited to
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u
Opening Statement - Mr. White
the conference to make statements. In addition, we shall call
upon all other interested individuals who have indicated that
they wish to present statements. At the conclusion of each
statement, the conferees will be given an opportunity to comment
or ask questions. This procedure has proven effective in all
past conferences in reaching equitable solutions.
One point that should be made completely clear is
that the parties to the conference are seated at this head
table. In order to carry on an orderly proceeding, we
do not permit questions or comments from the floor. Please
come forward when you are called and make your comments at that
time and ask any questions that you have and we will attempt to
answer them.
Everyone will be given an opportunity to present any-
thing that is relevant for the consideration of the conferees.
At the end of all the statements, we shall have a
discussion among the conferees and try to arrive at a basis of
agreement on the facts which have been presented. Then we shall
go into executive session. Following this session the conferees
will announce revised conclusions and recommendations which have
been dictated by the facts of the situation as they appear
today.
Under the Federal law, the Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency is required at the conclusion of
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__ ... . —
Opening Statement - Mr. White
the conference to prepare a summary which will be sent to the
conferees. The conclusions and recommendations of the conferees
do not have any basis in law until they are adopted by the
Administrator.
A record and verbatim transcript of the proceedings
is being made by Mrs. Virginia Rankin. This is made for the
purpose of a summary and to assist the conferees in arriving at
a decision. We will publish a transcript of the record and
this takes approximately six months. I think we were possibly a
I
i
j little longer with the first session, I don't know, but we will
try to expedite this and get it out.
If you wish a report before this transcript is pre-
sented, I would suggest that you make arrangements with Mrs.
Rankin independently and I am sure she will be happy to provide
them for you. She is an independent contractor and, of course
you will be forced to make your own arrangements.
I would like to suggest that all speakers and
participants other than conferees making statements come forwaiv^
to the lectern which we provided and identify themselves for
the purpose of the record.
Now I would like to call on the Federal conferee,
Mr. Traina, for the Federal presentation.
MR. TRAINA: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Federal reports, there will be two of them, will
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1:
J. A. Little
be presented by Mr. John A. Little, who is Director of our
Technical Services Program in Athens, Georgia.
Mr. Little.
JOHN A. LITTLE, DIRECTOR
TECHNICAL SERVICES PROGRAM, EPA - WATER
QUALITY OFFICE, SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY, ATHENS, GEORGIA
MR. LITTLE: Mr. Chairman, conferees.
My name is John A. Little. I am Director of the
Technical Services Program, Southeast Region, Water Quality
Office of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Two technical studies have been conducted by staff
of the Southeast Water Laboratory since the January 1970
Escambia River and Bay enforcement conference. One of these
studies was directed toward obtaining additional information on
circulation characteristics of Escambia Bay during a period of
high river flow. At the same time chemical and physical
characteristics of bottom sediments in the bay were restudied.
The second study dealt directly with Recommendation
No. 1 of the 1970 conference which called for a 90 percent
reduction in carbonaceous waste at the Container Corporation
of America paper mill at Brewton, Alabama. A detailed analysis
of carbonaceous waste characteristics at the mill was made in
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J. A. Little
order to arrive at a specific allowable waste discharge loading
Reports have been prepared for both the bay and the mill
studies. Recommendations are contained in each which reflect
the additional information obtained and water quality condition!
observed over the past year.
Titles of the reports are Circulation and Benthic
Characterization Studies Escambia Bay, Florida, February 1971,
and Container Corporation of America, Brewton Plant, Conecuh-
Escambia River Basin Study, February 1971.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to have both of these
reports introduced into the record in their entirety and I will
read the pertinent sections in each at this time.
MR. WHITE: Without objection, they will be,entered
into the record as if read.
(The reports referred to by Mr. Little follow:)
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CIRCULATION AND BENTHIC
CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES
ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA
Environmental Protection Agency
Water Quality Office
Southeast Water Laboratory
Technical Services Program
Athens, Georgia
February 1971
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16
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Page
INTRODUCTION ,
1
FINDINGS 9
L
RECOMMENDATIONS
PHYSIOGRAPHY . r
3
Geomorphology ^
Hydrology 6
Tidal Considerations and Flushing Characteristics . . 7
Climatology ^
CIRCULATION g
Circulation Studies at High Escambia River Discharge 8
Circulation Studies at Low Escambia River Discharge 10
L&N Railroad Bridge
Discussion
BENTHIC CHARACTERIZATION 15
Sediment Organic Carbon Distribution 15
Sediment Total Organic Nitrogen Distribution .... 16
Sediment Total Phosphorus Distribution 17
Sediment Total 0xygen Demand Distribution 18
Discussion
• • • • 18
REFERENCES
20
APPENDICES
21
ii
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
LIST OF FIGURES
Follows
Title Page
Tide Height Escambia Bay, Sept. 23-25, 1969 7
Tide Height Escambia Bay, June 5-10, 1970 7
Escambia Bay Current Patterns, Flooding Tide, June 1970 8
liscambia Bay Current Patterns, Ebbing Tide, June 1970 8
Mean Chloride Profile, Escambia Bay Centerline,
June 8-10, 1970 9
East and West Escambia Bay, Longitudinal Chloride
Profiles, June 8-10, 1970 10
Escambia Bay Current Patterns, Flooding Tide, Sept. 1969 10
Escambia Bay Current Patterns, Ebbing Tide, Sept. 1969 10
Longitudinal Mean Chloride Profiles, Escambia Bay,
September 23-25, 1969 11
Escambia Bay Cross Section, Immediately North of L&N
Railroad Bridge, June 8, 1970 12
Escambia Bay Sediment Depth, June 1970 ' 15
Escambia Bay Sediment, Organic Carbon Distribution,
June 1970 15
Escambia Bay Sediment, Organic Carbon Distribution,
September 1969 16
Escambia Bay Sediment, Total Organic Nitrogen Distribu-
tion, June 1970 17
Escambia Bay Sediment, Total Phosphorus Distribution,
June 1970 17
Escambia Bay Sediment, Total Oxygen Demand Distribution,
June 1970 18
Escambia Bay, Florida, Sampling Locations and Waste
Sources, September 1969-June 1970 32
iii
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18
LIST OF TABLES
Number Title
Escambia River near Century, Florida,
Monthly Mean Discharge, 1951-1966
Water Years
Follows
Page
6
II Escambia River Discharge near Century,
Florida, September 1969 and June l97o
Studies .
6
III Mean Temperature and Rainfall Data, Pensacola
Airport Weather Station .
*•••••• 7
iv
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19
INTRODUCTION
The "Effects of Pollution on Water Quality - Escambia River and Bay,
Florida"(1) were investigated during a period of low Escambia River dis-
charge (1,068 cfs) in September and October, 1969. The tidal circulation
and bottom sediment characteristics of the bay were reported. Further
circulation and more extensive sediment characterization studies were made
in June, 1970, at much higher river flows (59,533 cfs). This report
presents these results and compares them with those of the 1969 study.
1
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20
FINDINGS
Both studies show that Escambia Bay sediments are highly organic and
tidal circulation in Upper Escambia Bay is poor. Because of these con-
ditions, sediment disturbances—such as result from dredging—can cause
severe oxygen depletion. Massive fish kills could result.
Escambia Bay circulation is generally counterclockwise at both low
and high Escambia River flows (1,068 and 59,533 cfs). Water flows out
from the west portion of the bay; saline water intrudes on the eastern
side. Fresh-water flushing is more significant than saline water circu-
lation exchange when river discharge exceeds the mean annual discharge.
The Escambia River flows southeastward into the bay, creating a large
eddy current counterclockwise to the north, which impedes tidal exchange
in Upper Escambia Bay. During low-flow periods, the small creeks in the
extreme northern end of the bay do not discharge a sufficient amount of
fresh water to flush the area, and persistent pollutants are effectively
trapped.
The piling—primarily unused and unnecessary piling—of the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad Company bridge restricts circulation between Upper
and Lower Escambia Bay.
Organic carbon content of bay sediment ranges from 2.3 to 5.0%.
Sediment containing more than 3.0% organic carbon covers 46% of the upper
bay. These results agree with the previous study.
About 40% of the upper bay sediment contains more than 0.2% total
organic nitrogen; 35% of the same area contains more than 0.03% phosphorus.
Total oxygen demand (TOD) of sediments ranged from 25 to 100 g/kg (dry
weight). Thirty percent of upper bay sediment TOD exceeds 100 g/kg.
2
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21
Unconsolidated sediment depth ranged from less than two to greater
than six feet. About one-third of the upper bay is covered with uncon-
solidated sediment greater than six feet deep.
The benthic characterization study also shows counterclockwise bay
circulation. The benthic study suggests that wastes discharged along the
eastern shore of the bay (from American Cyanamid and Escambia Chemical
companies) are generally swept northwestward and deposited along with
wastes from Monsanto and Container Corporation in the central and western
portions of the upper and lower bay.
3
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22
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations Numbers 1 and 2 of the 1970 Federal—State Enforcement
Conference(2) which deal with adequate treatment and/or complete removal
of Escambia Bay waste sources should be implemented at the earliest
date in order to eliminate the continued buildup of organic sediment
deposits in Escambia Bay.
The prohibition on construction and control of maintenance dredging,
Enforcement Conference Recommendation Number A, should be extended
until the artificial buildup of organic sediment deposits ceases and
these deposits stabilize. Spoil from all dredging—now and in the
future—should be deposited on diked upland locations.
Modification of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad trestle,
Enforcement Conference Recommendation Number 5, should include removal
of unused and unnecessary bridge piling and old construction debris.
This should minimize any effect the bridge has on bay circulation.
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23
PHYSIOGRAPHY
Gemorphology
Escambia Bay is one of the northeast branches of Pensacola Bay (see
foldout map). It is a relatively shallow body of water, ranging from one
to 20 feet deep, averaging eight feet at mean low water (M.L.W.). Water
depth increases from the northern end southward to the mouth, a distance
of 11 miles.
The Escambia River enters the bay along the western shore approxi-
mately 2*2 miles south of the head of the bay. Marshy wetlands and small
creeks characterize the north end of the bay. The principal physiographic
features of the eastern shore include Mulatto Bayou, located across the
bay and south of the Escambia River mouth, and Indian and Trout Bayous,
located just south of mid-bay. The bay is approximately two miles wide
from its extreme northern portion to the Escambia River. The bay width
increases to 3h miles just below the Escambia River, decreases to approxi-
mately two miles between Lora and Live Oaks points, then increases
relatively uniformly to its maximum of 5% miles at the mouth. The sur-
face area of the bay is 24,300 acres (1.02 x 10® square feet) and the
volume is 194,400 acre-feet (8.47 x 109 cubic feet), both at M.L.W.
The principal man-made features of the bay include: The U. S. High-
way 90 bridge,which crosses the bay at the extreme northern end; the L&N
Railroad bridge, which crosses the bay between Lora and Live Oaks points;
and the I. S. Highway 10 bridge, which crosses the bay just south of the
L&N Railroad bridge. A 100-foot wide navigation channel, maintained at
a depth of ten feet (M.L.W.), traverses the bay from north to south.
5
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24
For the purpose of this report, the bay will be artifically divided
into Upper Escambia Bay—that portion of the bay north of the L&N Railroad
bridge—and Lower Escambia Bay. Upper Escambia Bay has a surface area of
7,000 acres (3.05 x 108 square feet), a volume of 35,000 acre-feet (1.52 x
10^ cubic feet), and a mean depth of five feet, all at M.L.W. The lower
bay has a surface area of 17,300 acres (7.54 x 10® square feet), a volume
of 159,400 acre-feet (6.94 x 10^ cubic feet), and a mean depth of nine
feet, all at M.L.W.
Hydrology
The principal fresh-water input to Escambia Bay is the Escambia
River. The Escambia River is 91.8 miles long and drains 4,200 square
miles of southeastern Alabama and northwestern Florida. The majority of
the drainage basin in in Alabama and is characterized by hilly terrain
with many perennial streams.
The furthest downstream measurement of discharge is the U. S.
Geological Survey gaging station at river mile 48.8 near Century, Florida.
The drainage basin area above the gage is 3,817 square miles. Based on
a 30-year record at this station, the maximum recorded river flow is
77,200 cfs, and the minimum is 596 cfs. The seven-day minimum flow with
a recurrence interval of ten years is 785 cfs. Table I shows the mean
monthly flows for the water years 1951-1966. The mean annual discharge
for the period of record was 5,460 cfs(3, 4, 5).
The Escambia River discharge during the studies of September, 1969,
and June, 1970, is shown in Table II. Allowing for a four-day time of
travel (1) from Century, Florida, to Escambia Bay, the average discharge
during the study periods was 1,068 cfs and 59,533 cfs respectively.
6
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Table I
ESCAMBIA RIVER NEAR CENTURY, FLORIDA
MONTHLY MEAN DISCHARGE
1951-1966 Water Years
cfs
Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. ANNUAL
Maximum 12,970 21,160 19,630 26,960 16,160 8,910 7,022 6,143 6,037 8,735 6,971 24,600 26,960
Mean 6,045 9,197 10,409 11,420 5,044 3,211 3,187 2,539 2,651 2,743 2,477 5,434 5,460
Minimum 1,895 3,588 1,783 2,995 1,556 1,256 1,365 939 708 666 1,033 1,157 666
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26
Table II
-...W.T, .TVER DISCHARGEJjEAK CENTURY L FLORIDA
September 1969 and June 1970 Studies
date
Sept. 1969
17
18
19
20
21
MEAN DAILY DISCHARGE
Cf 8
932
914
914
1,030
1,260
22 3,960
23 9,130
24 11,600
25 11,500
June 1970
1 18,300
2 26,600
3 37,600
4 56,800
5 65,700
6 56,100
7 51,200
8 49,900
9 51,000
10 52,800
11 49,800
Provisional discharge
NOTE: Data supplied by the USDI, Geolo8lcaI
Survey, Tallahassee, Florida.
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27
Tidal Considerations and Flushing Characteristics
Tides in the Pensacola Bay system are of the mixed type with generally
one high and one low tide daily. Escambia Bay has a tidal range of 1.5
feet at Lora Point, which is larger than the 1.1-foot tidal range at the
entrance to Pensacola Bay(6). During the September, 1969, and June, 1970,
studies, a tide gage was located at McMillan's Fish Camp (see foldout map)
to record relative tide heights, which are shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The tidal prism is one of the flushing parameters of an estuary,
defined as the mass of water exchanged on an average tidal cycle. The
tidal prism of Escambia Bay is 36,450 acre-feet (1.59 x 109 cubic feet),
compared to a total bay volume of 194,400 acre-feet (8.47 x 109 cubic feet).
Therefore, 18.8% of the bay volume is exchanged every tidal cycle due to
tidal considerations only. Another flushing parameter is the displace-
ment time, defined as the time required to fill, or displace completely,
the volume of an estuary with the incoming fresh water. The displacement
time for Escambia Bay as a whole is 18.0 days; for Upper Escambia Bay
alone it is 3.2 days (both based on the mean annual river discharge).
Climatology
The mean annual temperature for the Pensacola area is 68°F, and the
average rainfall is 63 inches. Monthly temperatures and rainfall vari-
ations for Pensacola, which influence circulation patterns in Escambia
Bay, are shown in Table 111(7).
7
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9/23/99 9/24/69 9/29/99
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Table III
MEAN TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL DATA
Pensacola Airport Weather Station
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
ANNUAL
Temp. °F
53.5
\
56.1
61.0
67.9
75.5
81.1
81.7
81.5
78.2
70.4
59.5
54.3
68.4
Rainfall
4.22
4.25
6.04
5.25
4.56
5.43
8.02
6.97
7.69
2.98
3.24
4.22
62.9
(inches)
Mean values represent 30-year average for period 1931-1960.
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31
CIRCULATION
Dispersion and advection of freshwater into an estuary can be
measured through the use of chloride data. The major factors affect-
ing chloride concentrations in an estuary are: advection caused by
freshwater input, and turbulent diffusion caused by tidal and wind
action. The principal source of freshwater to Escambia Bay is the
Escambia River. The effects of Escambia River discharge on the dis-
persion and advection patterns in the bay can be seen from chloride
isopleths traced from synoptic chloride data.
Circulation Studies at High Escambia River Discharge (59,533 cfs)
The predominate circulation patterns in Escambia Bay for high dis-
charge are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. These current patterns were
derived from synoptic sampling at thirty-three sampling stations in
Escambia Bay during the period June 8-10, 1970. Advection during this
study caused by the discharge of the Escambia River (which was near the
historical peak of 77,200 cfs of April 5, 1960) was more important than
dispersive or tidal forces. As a consequence, the waters of Upper
Escambia Bay were essentially fresh (chloride range: 4-143 mg/1) and
distinct chloride gradients necessary for accurate interpretation of
current patterns were not present. However, a general picture of the
upper bay circulation patterns was obtained.
During flood tide some freshwater from the Escambia River spread
over the surface of the upper bay (Figure 3). Most of the freshwater
moved down the bay, west of the bay centerline, approximately paralleling
8
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32
figure;
Surface Currants
Bottom Currents
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS
NOTE1 Escombio River Discharge * 59,533 cfs
ESCAMBIA BAY CURRENT PATTERNS'
FLOODING TIDE ^
JUNE, 1970
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
rFD£RAL JjAlt* AOMlVSTO;.* ON
SOUTHEAST REGION ATlAMTa
G£o
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33
FIGURE 4
• Monsanto
Red Bluff
Northeast S. T P-
Bohemia
Surface Currents
Bottom Currents
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGIA
ESCAMBIA BAY CURRENT PATTERNS
EBBING TIDE
JUNE, 1970
NOTE: Mean Escambia River Discharge * 59,533 cfs
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
FEDERAL rtATEO JjAliTy ADMivSTRi-TiON
SOUTHEAST REGION ATLANTA, GEORGIA
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the navigation channel. The highest chloride values in the upper bay
were found near the eastern shore in the vicinity of Muiatto Bayou
Some saline water moved up the eastern shore, apparently creating the
counterclockwise surface eddy shown in the northeast quadrant of the
upper bay. This eddy and the movement of the unusually large fresh-
water mass down the bay apparently trapped saline water in Mulatto
Bayou. The principal movement of saline water took place on the bottom
moved up the eastern side of the bay as shown, and undoubtedly contributed
to the eddy.
Figure 4 shows the predominate current patterns of the ebb tidal
cycle. The bulk of the freshwater moved down the western half of the
bay more or less parallel to the navigation channel. The highest upper
bay chloride concentrations were found off the mouth of Mulatto Bayou
indicating that circulation near Mulatto Bayou is poor.
The mean centerline chloride profile, Figure 5, illustrates the
extent of the very low chloride concentrations which were present in
the upper bay. Bottom chloride concentrations increased just south
of the L&N railroad bridge. This increase COuld hgve bgen cauged ^
the IAN railroad bridge hindering freshwater flushing, and blocking the
inflow of saline Pensacola Bay water. However, it is just as likely,
that the saline water did not intrude into the upper bay because of
the sheer volume of freshwater being discharged from the Escambia River,
or the chloride increase could have resulted from a combination of both
conditions.
9
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2,800
2/100
2,000
I £00
0)
111
o
z
o
1,200
KEY
•
Bottom Values
o- -O Surfoce Values
800
400
UJ
O
o
ac
m
PENSACOLA
BAY
E-20
o 6-
NORTH
E-17
1
MILES
MEAN CHLORIDE PROFILE
ESCAMBIA BAY CENTERLINE
JUNE 8-10,1970
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36
The lateral chloride profiles for the east and west sides of the
bay. Figure 6, also illustrate the freshwater nature of the upper bay
and the increase in chloride concentration just south of the I &n rail
road bridge. These lateral profiles indicate the intrusion of more
saline water along the eastern shore.
Circulation Studies at Low Escambia River Discharge Q068 cfs)
Chloride samples were collected 12 times synoptically at 28 sampli
stations in Escambia Bay during the period September 23-25, 1969 xh
results of the 1969 study are described in detail in the report on that
study (1) and are summarized below.
During flood tide, freshwater from the Escambia River dispersed
over the upper bay toward the western shoreline (Figure 7). Saline
water from Pensacola Bay moved northward along the eastern shore bntt
^ ^ oin p
impeded freshwater flushing, and pushed the freshwater into the rela-
tively stagnant marshy wetlands that characteri2e the northern part of
the Bay in the vicinity of the U.S. 90 highway bridge, poor circulation
in this area was indicated by little variation in chloride concentration
over tidal cycles.
During ebb tide, freshwater flowed south through a narrow zone on
the surface, generally to the west of the bay centerline, and dispersed
very little (Figure 8). Saline water receded along the bottom, primarlly
along the eastern shore.
The net outflow of water from the bay was generally along the
western portion with intrusion of salt water on the eastern side, in-
dicating a counterclockwise circulation pattern. Very little flushinc
10 8
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100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
2q
10
0
FIGURE 6
37
EAST a WEST ESCAMBIA BAY
LONGITUDINAL CHLORIDE PROFILES
JUNE 8-10,1970
E-21
E-22
KEY
East Surfoc#
Wtvt Surfoc*
Wtsl Bottom
East Bottom
NORTH , j , SOUTH
I 2 3
MILES
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3
FIGURE
Monsanto
Escambia
Red Bluff
Northeast S. T P-
Bohemia
NOTE-' Escambia River Discharge ¦ 1,068 cfs
Surface Currents
Bottom Current*
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORQii
ESCAMBIA BAY CURRENT PATTERNS*
FLOODING TIDE
SEPTEMBER, 1969
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY-
FFDERAl_ WATER JJALITY ADMINISTRATION
SOUTHEAST REGION ATLANTA, QErw
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39
FIGURE 8
-Monsanto
Red Bluff
Northeast S. I P
Bohemia
Surface Currents
Bottom Current*
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGIA
ESCAMBIA BAY CURRENT PATTERNS
EBBING TIDE
SEPTEMBER, 1969
NOTE1 Escambia River Discharge ¦ 1,068 cfs
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CFQER^L Ec JJAL ADMINISTRATION
SOUTHEAST REGION ATLANTA, GEORGIA
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4o
occurred above the mouth of the Escambia River in the northern marsh
flats.
Low chloride concentrations found during the September 1969 study
on the northeast side of the upper bay, north of the L&N railroad bridge
(Figure 9), indicated that freshwater in the upper bay was unable to
disperse to the lower bay at a significant rate. The hypothesis was
proposed that the closely spaced piling of the L&N railroad bridge may
contribute to restricted circulation between Upper and Lower Escambia
Bay. It was postulated, therefore, that the wastes discharged above the
trestle (all sources except the northeast sewage treatment plant) would
remain in this section of the bay and exercise an organic demand for a
long period of time.
L&N Railroad Bridge
To assess more accurately the effect of the L&N trestle on the cir-
culation patterns of the bay, a measurement of the cross-sectional area
of Escambia Bay affected by the trestle was made on June 8, 1970. The
number of visible piles in the cross-section were counted and a fathometer
trace of the bay cross-section immediately adjacent to the trestle was
made.
Piles supporting the trestle were counted in addition to those which
had been replaced but which still remained in the bay. A total of 1,149
piles with an average diameter of 12 inches were observed. This represents
1,149 square feet per foot of water depth lost because of the cross-
sectional area of the piles.
11
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DISTANCE IN MILES
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42
A fathometer trace was made immediately adjacent (within ten fe t)
and parallel to the south side of the trestle, within 0 2 feet of hi h
water slack. The gross cross-sectional area of the bay at this tidal
condition was 77,668 square feet, with a mean depth in the cross
section of 7.2 feet. For these conditions, 10.6% of the bay cross-
section is obstructed by trestle pilings (Figure 10)
The tidal range for the cycle in which the cross-sectional measure-
ments were made was 1.64 feet as monitored by a portable water level
recorder. Tidal ranges for the period June 5-10 varied from 1 47 to
2.08 feet. In order to illustrate the effect of rlaing and falling tidea
on cross-section blockage, an arbitrary tide cycle range of 1 9 feet
picked from the tide chart. For this tidal range, an additional 0.3 feet
of water was present in the bay at high water slack and 1.6 feet Less at
low water slack. Under these conditions, 10.67. of the cross-section wa
blocked for both tidal conditions. Examination of the cross-section re
veals that the relative percentage blocked would not be materially changed
unless water depths in the bay were decreased more than six feet—an
unlikely event except under hurricane conditions.
Since only visible piles were counted, it is possible that piling
and/or obstructions below the water line could significantly affect the
percentage of the cross-section blocked. In view of this fact, the
actual cross-section blockage may be greater than 10 67
Discussion
Both low and high Escambia River discharge circulation studies
indicate a counterclockwise circulation in Escambia Bay. During both
12
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FIGURE 10
ESCAMBIA BAY CROSS SECTION
IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF L8N RAILROAD BRIDGE
JUNE 8,1970
O 450
1,310
2,170 3,030
3,890 4,750
5,610
6,970
7,330 8,190
9,050 9,910 10,785
DISTANCE (FEET)
-------
studies poor circulation was found north of Mulatto Bayou, along the
eastern shore of the upper bay. Poor circulation in the northern end
of the upper bay near the U.S..90 highway bridge occurred during lo^
not high river flows because of the quantity of fresh water discharg®^j
at high flows from the Escambia River and freshwater bleeding from th^
marshy area above the bridge.
The areas of poor tidal exchange in the upper bay are caused by
the geometry of the bay system and the prevailing counterclockwise cij«.
culation. Escambia River discharge flows to the southeast, hindering
the tidal exchange of saline water flowing northward into the upper
during flood tides. This condition creates a shortcircuiting effect
in the upper bay, resulting in poor tidal exchange.
The effect of river discharge on bay circulation may be illustr«t
through a comparision of the tidal prism concept with the physical dl®
placement time of the bay at high and low river discharge. Escambia
Bay normally has one complete tidal cycle per day resulting in tidal
exchange of 18.8% (the tidal prism) of the bay volume. Thus assuming
complete mixing conditions, 5.3 days would be required to completely
flush the bay volume by tidal exchange alone. Physical displacement
time at low river flow (1068 cfs) is 92 days, at mean annual discharge
(5460 cfs) is 18.0 days and at high river discharge (59,533 cfs) ia
1.6 days. Thus as river discharge increases above the mean annual
it becomes increasingly important in exchange of bay waters.
The effect of the L&N railroad bridge on bay circulation is not
clear-cut. Chloride profiles from the circulation studies show that
the L&N railr°ad trestle causes more backwater at high Escambia River
13
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45
discharge than at low discharge. However, with 10.6% of the available
cross-section blocked, it is doubtful that any appreciable increase in
tidal flow would result from the removal of the trestle. The effects
of the trestle would be minimized by removing any unnecessary piling
and old construction debris as recommended by the Federal-State Enforce-
ment Conference (2).
14
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46
BENTHIC CHARACTERIZATION
Eighteen Escambia Bay sediment samples were collected and analyse
for organic carbon, total organic nitrogen, total phosphorus, and tot*i
oxygen demand. A record was kept of how deep sampling station markers
to be driven in the bottom sediment to achieve firm support. This cr
measurement gave depths of unconsolidated sediment from two feet or 1«
to greater than six feet (Figure 11). Approximately one-third of the
upper bay was covered with sediment greater than six feet deep.
Sediment Organic Carbon Distribution
Organic carbon (O.C.) concentrations ranged from a high of 5 OZ
the confluence of the Escambia and East Rivers near the mouth of the
Escambia River (Station E-l), to a low of 2.37. in the southeast section
of the upper bay above the L&N railroad bridge off Mulatto Bayou. (Se%
Figure 12 for detailed data.) Organic carbon decreased southward from
the highest values in and around the mouth of the Escambia River. Most
of the total organic carbon (72.2%) is discharged to Escambia Bay via t||
Escambia River in which Monsanto and Container Corporation discharge
waste. The O.C. content of the upper bay sediment increases southward
to 3.5% from 1.5% at the U.S. 90 highway bridge. This increase is un-
doubtedly caused by the sediment load of the Escambia River and its
associated waste sources and the wastes from the American Cyanamid
Company. The American Cyanamid Company discharges 26 . 37. of the total
organic carbon to the Escambia Bay system along the eastern shore of
upper bay. Another area of high O.C. (2.5% to greater than 4%) extends
15
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^7
FIGURE II
Red Bluff
Northeast S. T P
Bohemia
NOTE: Feet of Sediment
> !
j)
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGIA
ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
DEPTH
JUNE, 1970
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PFDERAL AATER JjALITY ADMINISTRATE
SOUTHEAST REGION ATLANTA, GEORGIA
-------
ORGANIC CARBON AREAl DISTRIBUTION
UPPER ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
Ar«o of UpfXf Boy A(f*ct*d
%
Red Bluff
Northeast S.TP
Bohemia
UNITS' Percent organic carbon, dry weight basil
ATHENS
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATq*,
ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
ORGANIC CARBON DISTRIBUTION -
JUNE, 1970
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SOuTnfc AS* "( O A
-------
^9
along the western shore from an area south of the L&N railroad bridge
to just north of it. The O.C. concentration in this area and in the
pocket along the western shore just below and west of the Escambia River
are probably caused by poor circulation. A table is included at the
top of Figure 12 giving the area of the upper bay covered by various
concentrations of O.C. as a percentage of the upper bay area.
During the September 1969 study, sediment samples were collected
at ten stations for O.C. analysis (Figure 13). The only major dif-
ference in O.C. distributions found in the two studies is that in
September 1969 the highest O.C. concentrations were adjacent to the
eastern shore of the upper bay near the outfalls of the American Cyanamid
and Escambia Chemical companies. Except for this one exception, the two
studies show very similar sediment O.C. distributions. For example,
during the September 1969 study, sediment with O.C. concentrations
greater than 47» was found in 29.5% of the area of the upper bay; during
the June 1970 study 22.67« of this area was covered with the same concen-
tration. It is possible that the sediment in the upper bay was rearranged
during the period of high discharge of the Escambia River in June. The
spatial distribution of O.C. in upper bay sediments in this study are
shown at the top of Figure 13.
Sediment Total Organic Nitrogen Distribution
The highest total organic nitrogen (T.O.N.) sediment concentration,
0.27%, was located at Station E-20 in the channel, just below the L&N
railroad bridge, and at Station E-l at the confluence of the Escambia
and East Rivers. The lowest concentration, 0.057., was located off
16
-------
FIGURE
ORGANIC CARBON AREAL DISTRIBUTION
UPPER ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
Arao of Uptxr Boy Atfactcd
X
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS
ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
ORGANIC CARBON DISTRIBUTION
SEPTEMBER, 1969
UN(TS; percent organic carbon, dry weight baste
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
rpO£CL- W1° ijftL ' » »DMlM5Tl»tTiOf(
SOUTHEAST «6tON ATLANTA.
-------
51
Mulatto Bayour at Station E-18. Sediment total organic nitrogen (Figure 14)
decreased from greater than 0.27. at the mouth of the Escambia River to 0.05%
southeastward; it decreased from 0.15% in the area of the Escambia Chemical
Company to 0.10% northward; and it increased from 0.10% in the area of the
U.S. 90 highway bridge to 0.15% southward. The Escambia River contributes
20.6% of the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (T.K.N.) discharged to the bay system.
The Escambia and American Cyanamid Chemical Companies, located along the
eastern shore of the upper bay, contribute 54.77.. An area of high sediment
T.O.N, exists along the western shore of the bay, above the Northeast
Sewage Treatment plant and extends from just below Devil Point to just
above the L&N railroad bridge. The Northeast Sewage Treatment plant dis-
charges 14.7% of the T.K.N, to the bay system. This area of high sediment
nitrogen is probably the result of the sewage treatment plant discharge
and poor circulation.
Sediment Total Phosphorus Distribution
The spatial distribution of total phosphorus (Figure 15) is very
similar to the O.C. distribution (Figure 12). The highest total phos-
phorus concentration, 0.0857., was located at the confluence of the
Escambia and East rivers at Station E-l; the lowest, 0.005%, was located
at Station E-18, just west of Mulatto Bayou. The concentration gradients
in the sediment are similar to those of O.C. for the same reasons. A
total of 51.7% of the total phosphorus is discharged to the bay via the
Escambia River (Monsanto and Container Corporation discharges), 29.1%
from the American Cyanamid and Escambia Chemical plants along the eastern
17
-------
FIGURE
TOTAL ORGANIC NITROGEN AREAL DISTRIBUTION
UPPER ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
Ar»o of Uppar Say Affected
%
UNITS' p*rcifrt
-------
53
FIGURE 15
TOTAL PHOSPHORUS AREAL DISTRIBUTION
UPPER ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
Arto of Upp«r Bay Afftcttd
%
Escambia
Devil Pt
Red Bluff
Northeast S.T P
Bohemia
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGIA
ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
TOTAL PHOSPHORUS DISTRIBUTION
JUNE ,1970
NOTE: Percent total phosphorus, dry weight basis
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
^Al^y ADMlMSTPi-T
-------
5H
shore, and 19.2% from the Northeast Sewage Treatment plant in the lower
bay along the western shore.
Sediment Total Oxygen Demand Distribution
The spatial distribution of total oxygen demand (T.O.D.) in Escambia
Bay sediment (Figure 16) is almost a carbon copy of the O.C. and T.O.N,
distributions. T.O.D. is based on a theoretical calculation in which the
organic carbon is assumed to be oxidized to carbon dioxide and the organic
nitrogen to nitrate according to the following stochiometric equation:
TOD = 2.67 C + 4.75 N (8). This theoretical calculation may be used as
an indication of the oxygen demanding properties of a waste or sediment
material.
The T.O.D. spatial distribution in the upper bay is shown in a table
at the top of Figure 16. A T.O.D. concentration of lOOg 02/dry KG of
sediment means that theoretically 100 grams of oxygen would be required
to completely oxidize (stabilize) 1 kilogram of sediment material.
Discussion
The ofganic sediment of Escambia Bay serves as a reservoir of
nitrogenous> phosphatic, and carbonaceous material for the aquatic
organisms of the bay. However, the immediate concern is the devastating
effect that: this material in the sediment could have on the oxygen re-
sources of the bay should it become resuspended through dredging, or
other means, and exert its potential oxygen demand.
The sediment of lowest organic carbon content was located along
the eastern sh°re of the upper bay off Mulatto Bayou; the sediment
18
-------
55
FIGURE 16
• Monsanto
TOTAL OXYGEN DEMAND AREAL DISTRIBUTION
UPPER ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
Total Oxygen Dtmond
g/hfl
<25
<90
<75
<100
>100
Ar»o of Upper Boy Aff»ct#d
%
10
27
48
70
30
Rivervie*
Escambia
Red Bluff
Northeast S. T P
Bohemia
Devil Pt
Floridatown
UNITS: g of Oxygen per dry kg of sediment
-Escambia Chemical
,American Cyanamid
SCALE
Statute Mlltt
0 >
Yord»
1,000 MOO
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGIA
ESCAMBIA BAY SEDIMENT
TOTAL OXYGEN DEMAND DISTRIBUTION
JUNE, 1970
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
federal *ater qua y ADMINISTRATION
SOUTHEAST REGION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
-------
5
highest in organic carbon content was located off the mouth of the
Escambia River and west of center of the upper and lower bays. The
location and character of these sediment deposits support the chlori^j^
circulation study conclusions regarding the counter-clockwise nature
of bay circulation. The wastes discharged along the eastern shore
(American Cyanamid and Escambia Chemical) are swept westward and are
deposited along with wastes (primarily those from Monsanto and Con-
tainer Corporation) and the sediment load from the Escambia River in
the central and western portions of the upper and lower bays.
19
-------
57
REFERENCES
1. "Effects of Pollution on Water Quality Escambia River and Bay, Florida,"
U. S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water Quality Administration,
Southeast Water Laboratory, Technical Services Program, Athens, Georgia,
January 1970.
2. "Conclusions and Recommendations of the Federal-State Enforcement Confe-
rence on Pollution of Escambia River and Bay, Florida-Alabama," January
1970.
3. "Compilation of Records of Surface Waters of the United States through
September 1950," Part 2B, Water-Supply Paper 1304, USDI, Geological
Survey, 1960.
4. "Compilation of Records of Surface Waters of the United States, October
1950 to September 1960," Part 2B, Water-Supply Paper 1724, U.S.D.I.,
Geological Survey, 1963.
5. "Water Resources Data for Florida, Part 1, Surface Water Records,"
Vol. 1, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, U.S.D.I., Geological Survey,
1962-66 Editions.
6. "Tide Tables, East Coast of North and South America," 1971, U.S.D.C.,
ESSA, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1970.
7. "Climatological Data," Florida, Annual Summary, 1969, Vol. 73, No. 13,
U.S.D.C., ESSA.
8. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, "Effects of Polluting
Discharges on the Thames Estuary," Water Poll. Res. Tech. Paper No. II,
Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London (1964).
20
-------
58
APPENDICES
2L
-------
59
APPENDICES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appendix
Title
Page No.
I
Southeast Water Laboratory Project Personnel
23
II
Sampling Procedures and Analytical Methods
24
III
Chloride Data Summary
28,29
IV
Sediment Analytical Data Summary
30
V
Sampling Station Locations
31,32
22
-------
60
Name
M. D. Lair
Dennis T. Cafaro
L. W. dinger
P. L. Wagner
T. Bennett
R. T. Wilkerson
R. A. Wiemert
H. C. Vick
M. R. Weldon
C. M. Swinford
T. P. Gallagher
appendix I
protect personnel
Escambia Bay Study
June 8-10, 1970
Title
Sanitary Engineer
Sanitary Engineer
Sanitary Engineer
Sanitary Engineer
Project Chemist
Technician
Technician
Technician
Aquatic Biologist
Technician
Sanitary Engineer
23
-------
61
APPENDIX II
SAMPLING PROCEDURES AND ANALYTICAL METHODS
Escambia Bay Study
June 8-10, 1970
1) PROCEDURES
The Escambia Bay field survey was conducted from noon on June 8 to noon
or. dne 10, 1970. Thirty-five sampling stations were located in the field
by compass-bearing techniques. Twenty-eight of these stations, E-l through
E-28, were used on the previous Escambia Bay study. These sampling stations
are shown on the fold-out map at the rear of this report and the geographic
locations are given in Appendix V.
a) Chloride Circulation Study
Chloride sampling runs were made every four hours around the clock
for a total of 12 complete runs.
Samples were collected with Kemmerer samplers at one foot below
the surface (surface sample), one foot above the bottom (bottom sample)
and at mid-depth according to the following schedule:
Water Depth Sampling Depth
0-3 feet mid-depth
3-6 feet surface and bottom
over 6 feet surface, mid-depth and bottom
Samples were collected in plastic bottles and returned to the Southeast
Water Laboratory for analysis.
24
-------
62
Samples were collected at 33 locations. One station was located
at the confluence of the Escambia and East Rivers (E-l), two in Mulatto
Bayou (M-1 and M-2) , 20 in upper Escambia Bay (E-2 through E-18, E-36 E-59
and E-99) and 10 in the lower Escambia Bay (E-19 through E-28).
b) Sediment Characterization
Eighteen sediment samples were collected from Escambia Bay for
chemical characterization during the study. These samples were collected
on the chloride sampling runs as time permitted. Samples were collected at
the following sample locations: E-l, E-2, E-3, E-6, E-7, E-9, E-10, E-13
E-15, E-16, E-18, E-20, E-22, E-24, E-25, E-27, EB-1, EB-2.
Sediment samples were collected with a Peterson dredge, stored in
plastic containers and returned to the Southeast Water Laboratory for analy
sis. The samples were analyzed for organic carbon, organic nitrogen and
total phosphorus.
2) ANALYTICAL METHODS
a) Circulation Study
Chloride
Reference: Automated Ferricyanide Method, FWQA Methods for
Analysis of Water and Wastes. November 1969.
Thiocyanante ion is liberated from mercuric thiocyanate by sequester
ing mercury with chloride ion to form unionized mercuric chloride. In the
presence of ferric ion, the liberated thiocyanate forms highly colored ferric
thiocyanate, whose concentration (color) is proportional to the original
chloride concentration.
25
-------
63
b) Sediment Characterization Study
• Pre-treatment
All sediment samples were oven dried overnight at 103°C. The samples
were then ground and aliquot portions were used for chemical analysis.
* Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
Reference: Chemical Oxygen Demand Method, FWQA Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Water and Wastes, November 1969.
Organic materials are oxidized by potassium dichromate solution in
507, sulfuric acid. The excess dichromate is titrated with standard ferrous
ammonium sulfate using ferroin indicator. The amount of dichromate used in
the oxidation is proportional to the amount of organic and oxidizable inor-
ganic matter in the sample.
• Total Organic Nitrogen (TON)
References: Bottom Sediments, Chemistry Laboratory Manual, Great
Lakes Region, FWQA, 1969. Automated Alkaline Hypochlorite Dried Procedure
for Phosphorus, FWQA, Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes,
November 1969.
Sediment samples were manually digested by the referenced Great
Lakes procedure and distilled. The ammonia was determined by the automated
alkaline hypochlorite procedure.
* Total Phosphorus
References: Automated Ascorbic Acid Method, FWQA, Methods for
Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, November 1969. Dried sediment
samples were manually digested with acid persulfate.
Phosphorus is reacted with ammonium molybdate complex. This complex
26
-------
6*1
reduced to an intensely blue colored complex by ascorbic acid The
ine coIq^
proportional to the phosphorus concentration.
27
-------
APPENDIX III
CHLORIDE DATA SUMMARY JUNE 8-10, 1970
Date
June
in 1970
Beg.
Time
of Run
End.
Time
of Run
Depth"
E-l
E-2
E-3
E-4
C H
E-5
LOR
E-6
I D
E-7
E C
E-8
0 N
E-9
C E N
E-10
T R A
E-ll
T I
E-12
0 N S
E-13
(mg/1)
E-14 E-15
E-16
e-i;
1 8
1325
1530
S
<10
11
11
14
12
11
12
11
10
11
13
10
23
11
11
13
15
M
<10
-
-
-
-
11
-
-
11
12
-
-
20
11
-
18
16
B
<10
11
15
30
12
14
44
12
45
23
19
28
34
16
20
39
17
2 8
1655
1950
S
10
10
10
23
10
12
21
17
12
11
29
26
18
13
27
19
17
M
10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24
11
-
-
28
17
-
-
-
B
10
10
11
12
12
18
23
26
27
18
48
33
58
20
30
45
18
3 8-9
2140
0105
S
10
10
-
68
-
11
54
21
11
16
-
24
20
30
19
18
16
M
10
-
11
-
12
-
-
-
-
-
36
-
-
12
-
-
-
B
10
12
-
30
-
13
56
22
14
14
-
22
33
14
20
-
16
4 9
0135
0335
S
6
-
-
-
-
11
17
-
10
18
32
24
16
16
-
23
12
M
6
7
7
16
9
-
-
13
-
19
-
-
-
-
22
-
-
B
12
-
-
-
-
12
17
-
12
19
35
28
14
16
-
27
12
5 9
0502
0612
S
5
-
-
-
-
12
18
-
10
13
-
25
12
12
-
22
10
M
5
7
8
15
7
-
-
12
-
-
42
-
-
-
23
-
-
B
9
-
-
-
-
14
19
-
11
14
-
25
12
13
-
23
12
6 9
0835
0949
S
5
-
-
-
-
11
45
-
10
13
-
25
14
9
-
24
10
M
5
7
9
17
8
-
-
14
-
-
47
-
-
-
21
-
13
B
5
-
-
-
-
13
29
-
11
13
-
29
15
13
-
24
14
7 9
1300
1505
S
<10
-
12
23
12
12
25
11
18
11
19
31
16
12
11
27
12
M
10
17
-
-
-
12
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
13
-
-
-
B
10
-
12
25
13
19
101
13
14
13
26
20
37
17
24
26
12
8 9
1645
1815
s
10
-
-
28
-
11
49
13
15
12
32
15
18
12
22
16
14
M
10
12
11
-
10
11
-
-
18
-
-
-
-
13
-
-
-
B
12
-
-
49
-
19
28
16
25
18
68
22
21
52
24
15
15
9 9
2130
2335
S
*10
-
-
-
-
12
-
15
13
14
28
15
24
20
22
14
24
M
<10
10
32
125
15
12
73
-
13
14
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
B
<10
_
-
-
-
12
-
14
12
16
56
26
24
17
22
15
23
10 10
0100
0215
S
5
-
-
-
-
13
43
18
9
45
-
18
13
17
-
12
15
M
5
8
8
85
6
-
-
-
-
-
39
-
-
-
19
-
14
B
5
_
-
-
-
13
16
17
9
16
-
24
15
17
-
28
18
11 10
0505
0618
S
5
-
-
-
-
30
-
18
8
29
-
22
13
11
-
19
11
M
6
7
7
27
16
-
26
-
-
-
33
-
-
-
19
-
11
B
5
-
-
-
-
13
-
12
10
17
-
26
12
12
-
24
12
12 10
0838
1035
S
5
-
-
-
-
10
-
13
9
26
-
25
20
11
-
17
11
M
4
7
7
26
13
-
38
-
-
-
2?
-
-
-
21
-
12
B
5
-
-
-
-
12
-
20
10
18
-
40
19
12
-
17
12
¦-Surface samples verc- taken a: one foot depth - bottom samples one foot from the bottom.
-------
csutm ma simtr m s-io, wo
Date
Beg.
End.
June
Time
Time
C H
LOR
IDE
CON
C E N
T R A T I
0 N
(mg/1)
Run 1970
of Run
of Run
Depth* E-18
E-
19 E-20
E-21
E-22
E-23 E-24
E-25
E-26
E-27
E-28
E-36
E-59 E-99 M-l
M-2
1 8
1325
1530
S
15
74
-
17
28
38
222
19
96
278
218
10
10
10
49
247
M
15
72
83
25
30
81
450
40
330
415
760
12
-
-
.
247
B
20
71
5800
42
31
6100
560
6000
6700
5750
8700
13
10
13
72
234
2 8
1655
1950
S
21
35
72
19
92
88
65
189
135
211
390
11
11
19
153
194
M
-
-
93
-
100
104
-
253
170
243
420
-
-
-
-
•
B
30
35
320
21
84
725
118
4400
5250
4950
4300
12
12
137
240
210
3 8-9
2140
0105
S
23
16
19
224
36
64
66
1?3
88
11
-
-
-
M
-
-
22
-
-
210
-
283
111
149
115
-
12
11
160
B
20
-
62
19
-
300
37
550
1550
258
2300
11
_
_
4 9
0135
0335
S
21
52
10
16
44
19
26
22
73
34
72
11
_
M
-
-
12
-
-
22
-
20
112
35
112
_
7
14
B
22
52
11
16
57
145
26
120
390
690
6650
12
5 9
0502
0612
S
23
58
<10
238
38
12
23
23
93
51
54
11
-
-
•
M
-
-
-
-
-
13
-
20
97
50
5200
-
8
15
•
B
24
58
10
22
39
12
24
44
272
1550
-
11
_
_
6 9
0835
0949
S
22
47
*10
21
31
12
42
21
69
66
66
11
•
M
-
-
14
-
-
12
-
22
130
264
75
-
6
7
-
B
19
128
465
18
42
1550
27
450
1530
4600
6200
12
_
_
7 9
1300
1505
S
16
75
12
15
29
12
24
22
58
157
168
12
10
10
57
151
M
-
-
12
-
30
14
-
34
167
245
310
-
-
-
-
-
B
32
86
16
20
28
655
31
3750
3600
2850
5500
14
11
18
70
149
8 9
1645
1815
S
14
116
16
20
76
16
24
30
28
113
278
14
12
13
76
167
M
-
-
16
-
75
18
-
33
32
112
300
-
-
-
_
B
13
95
15
23
50
42
28
3400
1850
3550
7400
14
13
15
76
180
9 9
2130
2335
S
20
49
14
19
46
28
84
27
47
47
73
10
<10
M
-
-
14
-
-
28
-
27
57
55
82
.
<10
_
_
B
20
47
14
20
46
28
60
46
1090
1490
2450
11
<10
_
10 10
0100
0215
S
47
50
<10
19
42
11
21
26
27
30
98
11
_
M
-
-
<10
-
-
19
-
29
28
33
98
11
33
_
B
28
51
<10
18
42
-
23
10
290
50
4200
11
11 10
0505
0618
S
143
41
10
21
46
10
27
18
74
29
145
9
75
150
M
-
-
10
-
-
<10
-
16
139
26
80
-
7
8
152
B
26
40
11
23
46
10
21
400
300
271
4950
10
_
158
142
12 10
0838
1035
S
43
76
10
22
40
10
24
14
25
144
142
9
_
74
M
-
-
10
-
-
12
-
13
30
96
140
_
7
7
150
170
B
26
67
12
25
22
12
24
36
182
3550
4150
10
75
~Surface s
amples
were taken
at
one foot
depth - bottom samples
one
foot
from
the bottom.
-------
67
APPENDIX IV
SEDIMENT ANALYTICAL DATA SUMMARY
Escambia Bay Study
June 8-10, 1970
Station
Number
Date
(1970)
Chemical
Oxygen
Demand
(me/kg)
Total
Phosphorus
(mg/kg)
Total
Organic
Carboni'
(mg/kg)
Total
Oxygen
Demand^'
(g/ke)
June
E-l
9
32,500
850
49,625
146.4
E-2
10
30,100
85
11,273
32.8
E-3
9
49,000
142
18,352
53.1
E-6
10
105,000
275
39,326
114.6
E-7
9
70,200
288
26,292
76.3
E-9
9
122,500
370
45,880
134.3
E-10
10
88,000
208
32,959
96.4
E-13
10
126,100
388
47,228
138.0
E-15
9
6,200
55
2,322
7.6
E-16
9
65,200
288
24,419
71.6
E-18
9
13,900
50
5,206
15.2
E-20
9
125,700
550
47,079
139.8
E-22
9
110,000
400
41,198
122.8
E-24
9
66,800
215
25,019
73.8
E-25
9
92,500
455
34,644
105.6
E-27
9
89,700
325
33,596
97.8
EB-1
9
82,200
262
30,787
89.1
EB-2
9
89,100
362
33,370
98.5
y Calculated stoichiometrically from the chemical oxygen demand
atialysis from the chemical reaction: C + 0^ * CO2.
1.1 Total Oxygen Demand = 2.67 organic carbon + 4.57 organic nitrogen.
Reference: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research,
"Effects of Polluting Discharges on the lhames Estuary." Water
Poll. Res. Tech. Paper No. II, Her Majesty's Stationery Office,
London (1964).
30
-------
68
APPENDIX V
SAMPLING STATION LOCATIONS
Escambia Bay Study
June 8-10, 1970
Station —Geographic Position —
Dasignat:ion General Location Latitude Longitud^"—»
Confluence of Escambia
and East Rivers
LO
O
0
32'
52"
0
r-.
00
11'
2 S»»
E-2
Upper Escambia Bay
0
o
34'
05"
00
o
10'
5<>»»
E-3
II
30°
34'
29"
o
r^.
CO
10'
OS1*
E-4
11
0
o
ro
34'
33"
o
00
09'
38"
E-5
tl
o
0
33'
28"
o
r-
QO
10'
28**
E-6
II
u>
o
0
33'
52"
O
00
09'
3«>»*
E-7
If
0
o
on
34'
11"
00
0
09'
13»*
E-8
II
0
o
ro
32'
19"
o
r-»
00
U'
io»*
E-9
II
30°
32'
50"
87°
10'
02»t
E-10
It
30°
33'
17"
o
00
09'
17'»
E-ll
II
0
o
C0
33'
42"
00
0
08'
47*«
E-12
If
30°
31'
34"
87°
10'
46m
E-13
II
30°
31'
55"
o
r-
00
10'
05»*
E-14
It
30°
32'
17"
87°
09'
28**
E-15
It
30°
32'
43"
00
o
08*
48**
E-16
II
o
o
CO
31-
25"
00
o
09'
47**
E-17
If
O
o
31'
46"
00
o
09'
78**
E-18
If
OJ
O
O
32'
07"
00
o
08'
2l»t
E-19
Lower Escambia Bay
30°
30'
38"
00
o
09*
35»»
31
-------
69
Station Geographic Position
Designation General Location Latitude Longitude
E-20 Lower Escambia Bay 30° 31' 07" 87° 08' 56"
E-21 " 30° 31' 34" 87° 08' 11"
E-22 " 30° 30' 15" 87° 09' 17"
E-23 " 30° 30' 34" 87° 08' 41"
E-24 " 30° 31" 02" 87° 07' 54"
E-25 " 30° 29' 40" 87° 08' 15"
E-26 " 30° 28' 53" 87° 07' 52"
E-27 " 30° 28* 05" 87° 07' 28"
E-28 " 30° 27' 20" 87° 07' 28"
E-36 Upper Escambia Bay 30° 34' 09" 87° 09' 54"
E-59 " 30° 33' 08" 87° 10' 15"
E-99 11 30° 32' 15" 87° 10' 17"
EB-1 Lower Escambia Bay 30° 30' 25" 87° 07' 58"
EB-2 " 30° 28' 26" 87° 08' 46"
M-l Mulatto Bayou at L&N
Railroad Trestle 30° 32' 54" 87° 07' 38"
M-2 Mulatto Bayou 30° 32' 15" 87° 07' 36"
32
-------
O E-26
ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA
SAMPLING LOCATIONS a WASTE
SEPTEMBER, 1969 - JUNE. ia?K
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
FEDERAL *ATE9 OjAliTy administration
| SOUTHEAST REGION
-------
71
CONTAINER CORPORATION
OF AMERICA, BREWTON PLANT,
CONECUH-ESCAMBIA RIVER BASIN STUDY
Environmental Protection Agency
Water Quality Office
Southeast Water Laboratory
Technical Services Program
Athens, Georgia
February 1971
-------
72
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
Introduction . 1
Summary 2
Conclusions 3
Recommendations 4
Study Area 5
Study Program 7
Study Findings
Appendix A, Acknowledgement 13
Appendix B, Sampling Procedure 14
Appendix C, Analytical Methods 15
Appendix D, Meteorology and Streamflow 16
-------
73
LIST OF FIGURES
NUMBER TITLE FOLLOWS PAGE
1 Location Map 5
2 Average 5-day BOD Load 9
3 Population Equivalent of 5-day BOD 9
4 Average TOC Load 9
5 Average TOC 12
-------
7*
LIST OF TABLES
NUMBER TITLE "PAitsmJ.
••"4*
;;s1%
1 Sampling Station Number and Location » 9
* ** 1
2 Waste Treatment Survey - Brewton Mill |
3 Water Quality Survey I
-------
75
INTRODUCTION
In August 1969, the Southeast Region of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration!./ received a request from the Governor
of Florida, for technical assistance in evaluating interstate and intra-
state pollution in the Escambia Riverl^ and Bay. A water quality study
was conducted during September and October 1969. An evaluation of the data
collected during the study was presented in a January 1970 report entitled
Effects of Pollution on Water Quality, Escambia River and Bay, Florida. The
report was presented as evidence of pollution at a January 1970 enforcement
conference called to consider the matter of pollution of interstate waters
of Escambia River and Bay. The report indicated that waste discharges from
Container Corporation of America's paper mill at Brewton, Alabama was the
major Alabama source of pollution responsible for water quality degradation
occurring in Escambia River and Bay. The Conferees adopted the recommendation
that the mill remove 90% of its carbonaceous waste material. This report
contains an evaluation of waste treatment efficiencies and related stream
conditions and recommends specific acceptable carbonaceous waste loads in
the treated effluent.
The cooperation and contribution of Container Corporation of
America mill management during the study are gratefully appreciated. Particu-
lar acknowledgements are due to personnel of the mill's Technical Engineering
Section.
—^Now the Water Quality Office, Environmental Protection Agency.
^/The Escambia River is known as the Conecuh River in Alabama.
-------
76
2
SUMMARY
Container Corporation of America's (CCA) integrated pulp and paper
mill at Brewton, Alabama is in the process of increasing pulping capacity
from 900 tons per day to 1050 tons per day. Preceding the expansion is the
installation of additional secondary waste treatment facilities. During
August 17-28, 1970, prior to activating additional waste treatment units,
the Southeast Water Laboratory, Technical Services Division, Federal Water
Quality Administration, conducted a 10-day investigation of waste treatment
facilities and related stream quality conditions. The study revealed the
following:
* The wastewater volume was 35.6 mgd.
* The untreated 5-day BOD load presently produced at the mill
averaged 44,500 pounds per day.
* Treatment facilities removed 81% of the 5-day BOD.
* Daily discharged effluent contained 8,500 pounds of 5-day
BOD, which is equivalent to the waste from a population of
49,900.
* Of the 67,500 pounds per day of TOC measured before treatment,
20,800 pounds was discharged daily into the Conecuh River.
* The average TOC reduction was 69%.
* At river stations downstream from the CCA mill, the average
dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 6.4 to 7.4 mg/1,
pH ranged from t>._i to 7.2V and C^ffiperatures varied from 23.5
to 30°C.
-------
77
3
CONCLUSIONS
1. In-plant controls are sufficient to reduce the raw 5-day BOD
load to 44,500 pounds per day. For the amount of pulp and paper produced,
this load is 10,400 pounds per day less than the average 5-day BOD reported
for mills in the southern pulp and paper industry, The volume of waste-
water (35.6 mgd) is 10.2 mgd more than the average from southern Kraft
operations.
2. At the time of the survey, treatment facilities were not
achieving the 90% BOD and TOC reductions recommended by the Conferees.
3. Water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature
were met in the Conecuh-Escambia River downstream from the CCA paper mill.
-^Survey of Water Utilization and Waste Control Practices in the
Southern Pulp and Paper Industry, Water Resources Research Institute,
University of North Carolina, June 1970.
-------
78
4
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Recommendations adopted In the 1970 enforcement conference
called for a reduction of 90% of the carbonaceous waste load at the
Container Corporation mill. The following specific effluent limitations
should be added to these recommendations:
• At the present mill pulping capacity of 900 tons per day,
the 5-day BOD and TOC loads discharged into the Conecuh
River shall not exceed 4,450 and 6,750 pounds per day
respectively.
» The effects of the present expansion of the mill's pulping
capacity on the above recommendations will be evaluated
and reviewed by the Conferees.
2. The investigation revealed that the only treatment the
bleach plant and woodyard wastes receives is in the natural ponding
system. It is recommended that secondary treatment be provided for these
wastes.
-------
79
5
STUDY AREA
CONTAINER CORPORATION PLANT
Container Corporation of America's plant at Brewton, Alabama,
is a 900 ton per day integrated pulp and paper mill. During the August
1970 study period, the mill produced 35.6 mgd of wastewater. Approximately
19.6 mgd resulted from unbleached pulp and paper operations, while bleach
plant and woodyard operations accounted for the remaining 16 mgd. Sur-
face runoff from the small Franklin Mill Creek watershed also contributes
to the total wastewater volume leaving the plant area.
At the mill, pulp process wastes are conveyed to a 300-foot
diameter mechanical clarifler for setteable solids removal. Liquid
oxygen is applied to the clarified pulp process effluent as it flows into
a treatment lagoon system (Figure 1). Wastes are retained in the lagoon for
an estimated eight days of biological degradation and continued settling.
Overflow from the lagoon next mixes with untreated bleach plant and woodyard
wastes where both are conveyed via Franklin Mill Creek to a series of lakes.
Estimated detention time in the lakes is approximately five days. At the
final lake, Brewton Lake, a surface mixer aerates the effluent prior to
discharge into the Conecuh River (at a point approximately one mile upstream
from the Alabama-Florida state line).
Additional secondary treatment facilities to be placed into
operation include a 22-acre lagoon with mechanical aerators. The aerated
lagoon will precede the existing 140-acre lagoon. The new lagoon was
scheduled to become operational in January 1971.
-------
8o
FIGURE |
Contonmtnt
N
t
SCALE IN MILES
o 8 10
PENSACOLA
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGIA
location map
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
rconui. www oumjty mmwmtmtioii
SOUTMMTMMN OTUMIT*.
-------
CONECUH-ESCAMBIA RIVER
The Conecuh-Escambia River rises near Union Springs, Alabama,
and terminates its south-southwestward journey in Escambia Bay at Pensacola,
Florida. Major tributaries in the vicinity of the Alabama-Florida state
line include Little Escambia Creek, Big Escambia Creek and Murder Creek.
Little Escambia and Murder Creeks both receive municipal waste discharges.
The Escambia River at Century, Florida has an average discharge of 5,952 cfs
(37 years of record) with extremes from 596 cfs to 77,200 cfs. The seven-day
10-year low flow is 785 cfs.
The entire river reach is classified for recreation and/or fish
and wildlife propagation. The Florida portion of the river from Escambia Bay
to the Alabama-Florida state line is classified for both recreation and fish
and wildlife uses. All of the river in Alabama is classified for fish and
wildlife uses with the reach from Point A Dam to the head of Gantt Lake
also designated for recreational use.
-------
82
7
STUDY PROGRAM
Following the recommendations of the 1970 enforcement conference
on Escambia River and Bay, it was determined that another survey of waste
discharges at the Brewton mill was needed to supplement data obtained from
the 1969 field studies. The Conferees recommended that Container Corporation
of America remove 90% of their carbonaceous waste material. In addition to
determining allowable waste discharges, the study reported here was designed
to determine the present degree of treatment obtained from existing facili-
ties and to relate waste discharges to existing stream quality.
Eleven sampling stations were established to achieve the study
goals (Table 1 & Figure 1). Four sampling stations were selected to evaluate
CCA's treatment facilities, and the remaining sampling stations were selected
to determine water quality in the Conecuh-Escambia River from a point
immediately upstream from the mill to the river's mouth.
-------
83
TABLE I
SAMPLING STATION NUMBER AND LOCATION
BREWTON PAPER MILL AND
CONECUH-ESCAMBIA RIVER SYSTEM
In-Plant Statiori3
CC-1 Clarifier influent.
CC-2 Lagoon effluent.
CC-3 Bleach plant, woodyard and lagoon effluent at Franklin
Mill Creek Spillway.
CC-4 Brewton Lake discharge approximately 200 yards upstream
from junction with Conecuh River.
Conecuh-Eacambia River System Stations
CO-5 Conecuh River at Alabama Highway 41 near Brewton,
Alabama (R.M. 67.10).
CO-6 Conecuh River one-half mile downstream from Brewton Lake
discharge at Pollard boat landing (R.M. 55.90).
LE-7 Little Escambia Creek at U. S. Highway 31.
BE-8 Big Escambia Creek at Escambia County Highway.
E-9 Escambia River at Florida Highway 4 near Century, Florida
(R.M. 48.80).
E-10 Escambia River at Florida Highway 184 (R.M. 13.50).
M-ll Murder Creek at CCA process water intake.
-------
8U
STUDY FINDINGS
CONTAINER CORPORATION PLANT
The relative change in BOD and TOC as the waste receiv.. different
stages of treatment is reflected in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Existing treatment
reduces the untreated 5-day BOD load of 44.500 pound, per da, by 81X to 8500
pounds per day. The discharged BOD population equivalent l' is 49,900. Total
organic carbon is reduced from 67,500 pounds per day to 20,800 pounds, an
overall reduction of 69?. The IOC reduction of the pulping wastes routed
through the clarifier and the lagoon system alone is 85Z, while the corre-
sponding 5-day BOD reduction is 74*. fl>. 5-d.y BOD reduction across th.
lakes is about four times greater than the correaponding TOC reduction.
Table 2 contains a summary of data from the mill aurvey.
The Water Resources Research Institute at the University of North
Carolina has recently issued a publication which includes a survey of the
amount of waste and wastewater generated per ton of production for different
types of mills in the southern pulp and paper industry. This publication
shows the average volume of wastewater per ton of product is 18,500 gallons
for unbleached product and 38,000 gallons for bleached product. The
Brewton Mill presently produces approximately 900 tons per day of pulp.
Approximately half of this production is bleached. Wastewater flow during
the survey was about 35.6 mgd. The average for southern Kraft operation
is 25.A mgd for a 900 ton plant.
1/One population equivalent - 0.17 pounds per capita per day.
-------
85
FIGURE 2
-------
86
FIGURE 3
49,922 R E.
KEY
I sq- in = 75,000 P E.
Container
Corporation
of America
NOTE- Schematic is not to Scale
SOUTHEAST WATER LABORATORY
ATHENS GEORGE
AVERAGE (5 DAY B.O.D)P.E~
CC A.-CONECUH-ESCAMBIA STUDY
8/17-28/70
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
federal watch quality administration
SOUTHEAST REGION
-------
87
FIGURE 4
-------
10
TABLE 2
Waste Treatment Survey Data - Brewton Mill
Container Corporation of America
August 17-28, 1970
Station No.
& Location
CC-1
Clarifier In-
fluent
CC-2
Lagoon
Effluent
CC-3
Bleach
plant,
lagoon &
woodyard
effluent
CC-4
Brewton Lake
Discharge
Range Flow
(cfs)
Max 30.4
Min 30.4
Mean 30.4
Max 27.9
Min 27.9
Mean 27.9
Max 93
Min 62
Mean
Wt. Avg.—' 77.5
Max
Min
Mean.
103.9
77.5
2/
Wt. Avg90.7
Water
Temp.
(°C)
77.51/
1/
pH Color BOD TOC
(units) (mg/1) (mg/1)
Residue
Non-
Filterable
(mg/1)
42.8
9
400
360
820
700
29.0
7.1
150
90
66
38
41.1
8.0
250
197
312
263
35.0
7.5
250
81
75
120
26.5
6.6
200
34
40
8
29.3
7.2
215
56
52
55
35.5
7.2
500
73
120
50
24.5
5.3
200
23
31
31
29.5
6.3
390
51.2
62
37
29.1
6.4
380
49.5
58.3
37
30.5
7.2
500
28
55
28
24.5
6.0
300
12
22
14
27.8
6.6
417
18.2
46
20
27.1
6.6
409
17.4
42.6
20
1/ Includes unpolluted flow from Franklin Mill Creek.
2/ Flow weighted average.
-------
89
11
The Water Resources Research Institute publication shows average
5-day BOD loads before treatment for unbleached and bleached pulp and paper
mills to be 43 and 79 pounds per ton of production respectively. Using these
values and present mill production figures, the calculated load for the
CCA mill is 54,900 pounds per day of 5-day BOD. The present raw load generated
is 10,400 pounds per day less than the average load from southern Kraft
operations.
CONECUH-ESCAMBIA RIVER QUALITY
Conecuh-Escambia River stream data collected as part of the study
(see Table 3) showed that the average temperature and pH values of 26.9°C
and 6.9 units at Pollard Landing (1/2 mile downstream from plant discharge)
were very close to background values of the Conecuh River upstream from
the CCA mill. Average dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration at all river
stations was greater than or equal to 6.4 mg/1. The minimum DO concentration
observed in the river was 5.8 mg/1 at the Highway 184 bridge (Station E-10).
The TOC concentrations in the river were higher during the second
week of the survey -- probably because of increased runoff. At Pollard
Landing, an average TOC concentration of 8.6 mg/1 was found -- 28% greater
than at station CO-5 (assumed to exemplify background conditions). The
Escambia River near the state line (E-9) had a mean TOC of 9.7 mg/1. Thirty-
five miles downstream -- Florida Highway 184 bridge -- the average TOC was
8.8 mg/1, no significant change. The average TOC concentrations for river
stations are shown in Figure 5.
-------
90
12
TABLE 3
Water Quality Survey Data
Conecuh-Escambia River System
Residue
Station No.
& Location
Range
Flow
(cfs)
DO Water
(mg/1) Temp.
(°C)
pH
(units)
bod5
(mg/1)
T0C Non-
(mg/1) Filterable
(mg/1)
CO-5
Max
8.6
30
7.2
2.7
11
40
Conecuh River
Min
-
7.3
24
6.5
0.2
4
10
@ Ala. Hwy 41
Mean
-
7.9
26.9
6.8
1.5
6.7
23
CO-6
Conecuh River
Max
-
7.8
30
7.2
3.0
15
36
h mi. below
Min
-
7.0
24
6.5
1.5
6
8
Brewton Lake
Mean
-
7.4
26.7
6.8
2.2
8.6
23
at Pollard
Landing
LE-7
Little Escambia
Max
-
8.9
27
6.5
1.3
17
5^
Ck @ U.S. 31
Min
-
6.5
21.5
4.1
0.3
5
5
Mean
-
7.7
23.6
5.1
0.9
10.6
16
BE-8
Big Escambia Cr
Max
-
7.8
28
6.6
1.9
27
24
(3 Escambia Co.
Min
-
6.0
21.5
5.4
0.7
4
9
Road
Mean
-
7.2
24.7
5.7
1.2
9.0
15
E-9
Max
6350
7.6
29
6.9
4.2
14
43
Escambia Rv. @
Min
3170
6.7
23.5
6.1
1.1
6
15
Fla. Hwy 4
Mean
4760
7.2
26.3
6.5
1.6
9.2
22
E-10
Max
6350
7.2
29
6.8
3.9
17
22
Escambia Rv @
Min
3170
5.8
24
6.1
0.8
5
3
Fla. Hwy 184
Mean
4680
6.4
26.5
6.4
1.6
8.8
15
M-ll
Murder Ck @
Max
-
8.2
26
7.1
1.9
14
51
CCA Process
Min
-
7.4
22
6.3
0.3
5
5
Water Intake
Mean
-
7.9
23.5
6.6
1.3
8.9
23
Res id
ue
14
1
5
8
1
4
9
1
4
11
1
6
9
1
4
6
1
3
10
1
5
-------
FIGURE 5
AVERAGE T.O.C. (mg/l)
C.C.A.-CONECUH-ESCAMBIA STUDY
8/17-28/70
5 II 6 7 8 9 10
STATIONS
-------
92
13
APPENDIX A
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The cooperation and resources of the Container Corporation
contributed to a successful study. Sincere thanks are extended to John
Fay, Technical Superintendent; Rudy Yuhasz, Shift Supervisor; William
Brantly, Project Engineer; the remaining members of the technical
section; and to other Brewton plant personnel for their support.
Southeast Water Laboratory's field personnel were:
Dennis Cafaro - Sanitary Engineer
Pat Lawless - Chemist
Tom Sack - Technician
Roy Wiemert - Technician
-------
93
14
APPENDIX B
SAMPLING PROCEDURE
CCA and FWQA personnel cooperated in a 10-day split sampling
schedule from August 17-28, 1970. Composite samples were collected at
station CC-1, while all others were grab samples collected twice per
day -- one set in the morning, the second set in the afternoon. Samples
from stations CC-1, CC-2, CC-3 and CC-4 were routinely analyzed for temperature,
pH, 5-day BOD, and TOC. Station CC-4 samples were also analyzed for DO.
Volatile and total suspended solids were determined only on the morning
set.
All river and tributary station samples were analyzed for DO,
temperature, pH, 5-day BOD and TOC. The morning set was additionally
analyzed for total and volatile suspended solids.
Samples were obtained using a DO dunker sampler at all river and
tributary stations. The DO bottle was removed from the sampler and taken
through the second step of the modified Winkler method in the field. The
remaining excess water was then measured for temperature and poured into a
two-liter container. The container and the fixed DO sample were placed
into an ice chest until the entire sample run was completed. Samples
were then transported to a mobile lab. Samples from in-plant stations
were obtained with a bucket-type sampling device.
Dissolved oxygen, pH and five-day BOD were determined in the mobile
lab. The TOC and total and volatile suspended solids were returned to the
Southeast Water Laboratory, Athens, Georgia for analysis.
-------
94
15
APPENDIX C
ANALYTICAL METHODS
The following analytical methods were used by FWQA personnel:
DO - Modified Winkler with Full-Bottle Technique - "FWPCA
Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes," November 1969.
TOC - Single Channel Instrument, Dow Beckman Carbonaceous Analyzer
"FWPCA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes," November 1969
Five-day BOD - "FWPCA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and
Wastes," November 1969. (Using the Conecuh River water at station C0-5 for
dilution of in-plant samples).
pH - Laboratory Instrument meter.
Solids - Total suspended solids, "FWPCA Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Water and Wastes," November 1969; total volatile suspended
solids, "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,"
12th Edition, 1965.
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16
APPENDIX D
METEOROLOGY AND STREAMFLOW
The average monthly temperature during the survey was 1°F below
normal, but precipitation was 2.09 inches above normal .-i/ The first week
of study was warm and only isolated scattered showers occurred. Three days
of heavy rainfall fell the second week. Average flows in the Escambia River
at the Century, Florida, U.S.G.S. gage were:
August 17-21 3,169 cfs
August 24-28 6,352 cfs
Flow values for in-plant stations were provided by CCA:
Sampling Point Weekl^Average^mgd^
CC-1,
Clarifier Inlet
19.6
19.6
CC-2,
Oxidation Pond Outlet
18.0
18.0
CC-3,
Spillway
40.0
60.0
CC-4,
Brewton Lake
50.0
67.0
•i/u. S. Department of Commerce, GSSA, Climatological Data, Alabama,
August 1970. Vol. 76, No. 8.
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_ 96
J. A, Little
MR. LITTLE: First from the Escambia Bay circulation
study.
The 'Effects of Pollution on Water Quality - Escambia
River and Bay, Florida" were investigated during a period of
low Escambia River discharge (1,068 cfs) in September and
I October 1969. The tidal circulation and bottom sediment
characteristics of the bay were reported. Further circulation
and more extensive sediment characterization studies were made
in June 1970 at much higher river flows (59,533 cfs). This
report presents these results and compares them with those of
the 1969 study.
The findings of this study.
Both studies show that Escambia Bay sediments are
highly organic and tidal circulation in Upper Escambia Bay is
poor. Because of these conditions, sediment disturbances suci^
as result from dredging—can cause severe oxygen depletion.
Massive fish kills could result.
Escambia Bay circulation is generally counterclock-
wise at both low and high Escambia River flows. Water flows
out from the west portion of the bay; saline water intrudes on
the eastern side. Freshwater flushing is more significant th^r
saline water circulation exchange when river discharge exceeds
the mean annual discharge. The Escambia River flows southeast^
ward into the bay, creating a large eddy current counterclockwise
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97
J. A. Little
to the north, which impedes tidal exchange in Upper Escambia
Bay. During low-flow periods, the small creeks in the extreme
northern end of the bay do not discharge a sufficient amount of
freshwater to flush the area, and persistent pollutants are
effectively trapped.
The piling—primarily unused and unnecessary piling—
of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company bridge re-
stricts circulation between Upper and Lower Escambia Bay.
Organic carbon content of bay sediment ranges from
2.3 to 5.0 percent. Sediment containing more than 3.0 percent
organic carbon covers 46 percent of the upper bay. These
results agree with the previous study.
About 40 percent of the upper bay sediment contains
more than 0.2 percent total organic nitrogen; 35 percent of the
same area contains more than 0.03 percent phosphorus. Total
oxygen demand of sediments ranged from 25 to 100 grams per
kilogram on a dry weight basis. Thirty percent of the upper
bay sediment TOD exceeds 100 grams per kilogram.
Unconsolidated sediment depth ranged from less than
two to greater than six feet. About one-third of the upper
bay is covered with unconsolidated sediment greater than six
feet deep.
The benthlc characterization study also shows counter-
clockwise bay circulation. The benthlc study suggest that
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J. A. Little 5
wastes discharged along the eastern shore of the bay (from
American Cyanamid and Escambia Chemical companies) are
generally swept northwestward and deposited along with wastes
from Monsanto and Container Corporation in the central and
western portions of the upper and lower bay.
The recommendations from this second study are as
follows:
1. Recommendations Nos. 1 and 2 of the 1970 Federal
State Enforcement Conference which deal with adequate treatment;
and/or complete removal of Escambia Bay waste sources should be
implemented at the earliest date in order to eliminate the con
tinued buildup of organic sediment deposits in Escambia Bay.
2. The prohibition on construction and control of
maintenance dredging, Enforcement Conference Recommendation No
4, should be extended until the artificial buildup of organic
sediment deposits ceases and these deposits stabilize. Spoil
from all dredging—now and in the future—should be deposited
on diked upland locations.
3. Modification of the Loujsville and Nashville
Railroad trestle, Enforcement Conference Recommendation No. 5^
should include removal of unused and unnecessary bridge piling
and old construction debris. This should minimize any effect
the bridge has on bay circulation.
Mr. Chairman, I will pause here if there are any
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99
J. A. Little
questions. If not, I will proceed on with the second report.
MR. WHITE: Are there any questions by the conferees?
MR. TRAINA: I would like to ask one.
Mr. Little, the study was done in June. Was this
prior to the time the piles were removed from the L & N Bridge?
MR. LITTLE: I think that the time may have been
approximately the same. I am not certain of the time of removal
of some of the unused piling at the L & N Bridge.
MR. TRAINA: Thank you.
MR. WHITE: Proceed.
MR. LITTLE: The second report on the Container
Corporation.
In August 1969, the Southeast Region of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration received a request from
the Governor of Florida for technical assistance in evaluating
interstate and intrastate pollution in the Escambia River and
Bay. A water quality study was conducted during September and
October 1969. An evaluation of the data collected during the
study was presented in a January 1970 report entitled Effects
of Pollution on Water Quality, Escambia River and Bay, Florida.
The report was presented as evidence of pollution at a January
1970 enforcement conference called to consider the matter of
pollution of Interstate waters of Escambia River and Bay. The
report indicated that waste discharges from Container
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__ -3.00
J. A. Little J
Corporation of America's paper mill at Brewton, Alabama, was I
the major Alabama source of pollution responsible for water I
quality degradation occurring in Escambia River and Bay. The I
conferees adopted the recommendation that the mill remove 90 I
percent of its carbonaceous waste material. This report con— I
tains an evaluation of waste treatment efficiencies and relate
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_ 101
J. A. Little
at the mill averaged 44,500 pounds per day.
* Treatment facilities removed 81 percent of the
5-day BOD.
* Daily discharged effluent contained 8,500 pounds of
5-day BOD, which is equivalent to the waste from a population of
49,900.
* Of the 67,500 pounds per day of total organic
carbon, measured before treatment, 20,800 pounds was discharged
daily into the Conecuh River.
* The average TOC reduction was 69 percent.
* At river stations downstream from the Container
mill, the average dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from
6.4 to 7.4 mg/1, pH ranged from 6.1 to 7.2, and temperatures
varied from 23.5 to 30° C.
Conclusion of the study.
1. In-plant controls are sufficient to reduce the
raw 5-day BOD load to 44,500 pounds per day. For the amount of
pulp and paper produced, this load is 10,400 pounds per day less
than the average 5-day BOD reported for mills in the southern
pulp and paper industry. The reference for obtaining this
average was from a publication entitled Survey of Water Utili-
zation and Waste Control Practices in the Southern Pulp and
Paper Industry. Water Resources Research Institute, University
of North Carolina, June 1970. The volume of wastewater, 35.6
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[— lop
J. A. Little ~~
million gallons per day, is 10.2 million gallons per day more
than the average from southern Kraft operations.
2. At the time of the survey, treatment facilities
were not achieving the 90 percent BOD and TOC reductions
recommended by the conferees.
3. Water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, pH
and temperature were met in the Conecuh-Escambia River downstr»eaii
from the Container paper mill.
Recommendations from this study.
1. Recommendations adopted in the 1970 enforcement
conference called for a reduction of 90 percent of the carbon-
aceous waste load at the Container Corporation mill. The fol-
lowing specific effluent limitations should be added to thesG
recommendations:
• At the present mill pulping capacity of 900 tons
per day, the 5-day BOD and TOC loads discharged into the
Conecuh River shall not exceed M,*»50 and 6,750 pounds per day
respectively.
* The effects of the present expansion of the miH»a
pulping capacity on the above recommendations will be evaluates,
and reviewed by the conferees.
2. The investigation revealed that the only treatment
the bleach plant and woodyard wastes receives is in the naturae
ponding system. It is recommended that secondary treatment b«
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103
R. W. Davis
provided for these wastes.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes the presentation.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Little.
Are there any questions or comments at this time?
If not, we will proceed with the rest of the presenta-
tion.
MR. TRAINA: Mr. R. W. Davis with the U. S. Army Corps
of Engineers.
R. W. DAVIS, OPERATIONS DIVISION
MOBILE DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS, MOBILE, ALABAMA
MR. DAVIS: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and
gentlemen.
I am R. W. Davis, Mobile District, Corps of Engineers.
The Corps appreciates this opportunity to make a statement at
this reconvened hearing.
At the original conference held in January of 1970
Colonel Robert E. Snetzer, then District Engineer, presented
the conferees with a description of the activities of the Corps
of Engineers within the Escambia River Basin. The authorized
navigation channel and the maintenance dredging required to
keep the channel to its authorized dimensions were described
and the permit process required by Section 10 of the River and
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R. W. Davis
Harbor Act of 1899 was explained.
At the conclusion of the conference, several recommend
ations were made by the conferees, one of which included certain
restrictions to be placed upon maintenance dredging. In March
1970 the Mobile District Engineer informed the Regional Director
of the then Federal Water Pollution Control Agency of reserva-
tions about the language of those restrictions. It was pointed
out that the wording which required "diking of the dredging
area" needed revision and that the disposal of all dredged
material on upland sites presented very real problems in built-
up areas where such sites are not available or are remote from
the dredging operations. The original language has not been
altered as far as can be determined and again it is suggested
that the language of their recommendation be revised.
A meeting between Corps personnel and FWPCA in April
of 1970 was held for the purpose of discussing the recommenda-
tion for a moratorium on dredging in Escambia Bay and FWPCA
personnel informed the Corps representatives that the moratorium
did not nor was not intended to apply to maintenance of the
project channel. It was further agreed that such work would
continue as necessary.
Maintenance dredging of the Escambia River Channel
was necessary this past December in an area immediately upstream
from the U. S. Highway 90 bridge crossing of the Escambia Rive* I
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105
R. W. Davis
All material dredged from this location was placed in an
approved area on shore. Checking during and since dredging
operations indicates that all material was retained within the
approved spoil area.
Another item of interest I should like to bring to
your attention is a new permit program under the Refuse Act,
Section 13, of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 which Is
being established as directed by Presidential order. Under
this new program, permits will be required for all present and
future discharges into navigable waters or their tributaries.
All firms currently discharging Into navigable waters or their
tributaries without a permit will be required to make permit
application to the Corps of Engineers by 1 July 1971. Under
these new regulations, decision as to issuance of a permit will
be based on an evaluation of the impact of the discharge on
anchorage and navigation, water quality standards, and on fish
and wildlife resources, and no permit will be issued without
certification from the appropriate State or Interstate agency
that such discharges are consistent with applicable water qualit
standards nor will a permit be issued if the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency recommends denial of the permit for water quality
considerations.
After all required regulatory information is received
in conjunction with an application, public notice procedure will
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R. W. Davis
be followed as in the past to determine the views of all
interested parties.
Mr. Chairman, again, thank you for this opportunity
for making this presentation.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Davis.
I would like to confirm the statement you made about
the need for clarifying our diking provision. I think we are
agreed on this, it hasn't been done officially because we hav©n
had a forum again where it could be done. I sun sure the con-
ferees will take this into consideration.
But I think that we are all still very concerned with
any dredging in the bay area now and will continue to be very
concerned with it. I think we are probably going to have to
ask for very close cooperation with your office in planning
these projects, particularly the time of the year, which I
think is very important. If we can keep the maintenance
dredging confined to periods of cool weather, we might be able
to head off any problems.
But also I think we are going to really have to
monitor this disposal of waste to upland sites and ask for it
in practically every case. I know this might be a hardship,
but I think it is going to have to be done.
Are there any other questions or comments?
MR. REED: I have a comment.
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R. W. Davis
MR. WHITE: Mr. Reed.
MR. REED: Mr. Davis, Col. Griffith is the new
District Engineer in Mobile?
MR. DAVIS: That is correct, yes.
MR. REED: Please extend our best wishes to the
Colonel. And I would like to reemphasize from the State's
position the grave apprehension we have toward any dredging
in the Escambia River and Bay. We have received, I think,
concise information of the dangers of stirring up these benthic
deposits and they are going to have to be much more closely
coordinated with State and Federal agencies in the future. I
would like you to personally bring that recommendation from me
as the State's conferee to the Colonel, because I want him to
fully understand the importance of limiting the dredging
activities in the Escambia Bay.
MR. DAVIS: I will do that.
MR. REED: Thank you, sir.
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Davis, does the Corps have presently
before it any applications for construction dredging or do you
anticipate any?
MR. DAVIS: None whatsoever, no.
MR. TRAINA: Has your office looked at possible sites
for spoil deposits for future maintenance dredging works?
MR. DAVIS: Yes, we have, and we are continuing to do so.
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R. W. Davis
MR. TRAINA: I would think if those sites are avail—
able, and perhaps to head off any possible problems we could
have later, I think if those sites were made available to the
conferees it would be very helpful. Could those sites be made
available to us?
MR. DAVIS: Yes, they could.
MR. TRAINA: All right, thank you.
MR. WHITE: Just one other question. Maybe this is
far fetched from your viewpoint, but in situations where you
are dredging in the main channel at a considerable distance fr»on
the shoreline, is it not practical to go ahead and barge this
material somewhere else where it would do less harm?
MR. DAVIS: Yes, it could be practicable. We are
finding that things that seemed impracticable a few years ago
are becoming more practicable, (Laughter.)
MR. WHITE: Well, very good. I just wanted your
observation on that and we appreciate your appearing before us
today.
mental Protection Agency's laboratory here in Gulf Breeze.
MR. DAVIS: Thank you.
MR. TRAINA: Thank you, Mr. Davis.
Mr. Tom Duke, who is the Lab. Director of the Environ
I might say officially welcome to EPA
MR. DUKE: Thank you.
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109
T. W. Duke
THOMAS W. DUKE, LABORATORY DIRECTOR
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
PESTICIDE LABORATORY
GULP BREEZE, FLORIDA
MR. DUKE: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and gentle-
men.
I am Dr. Thomas Duke, Director of the EPA Pesticide
Laboratory at Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Our laboratory has continued to participate in pollu-
tion studies since the last meeting and particularly to monitor
the biota, sediments, and water for pollutant chemicals. As we
reported in the proceedings of the last enforcement conference,
we traced or we located, found, the occurrence of a polychlori-
nated biphenyl, Aroclor 125*», in the sediments and biota of
Escambia Bay and surrounding waters and in the Escambia River.
Today I would like to Just recap this briefly and talk about
what we have done since the last conference.
We located this chemical in oysters in a regular
monitoring program in the summer of 1969 and through sampling
located a source of PCB at the Monsanto Chemical Plant on
Escambia River. When the plant was notified of this, after
cooperation with State agencies and the University of West
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T. W. Duke
Florida, this source was found and the source was found to be a
leak in the heating and air conditioning system in the plant.
Aroclor that was in a heat-exchange fluid had leaked out into
'the effluent ditch and then reached the Escambia River. This
' was stopped, the source was stopped when this company was nofci-
fled of the leak.
Since that time we have been conducting laboratory
experiments on the effect of PCB's on estuarine organisms ana
we have conducted a survey recently to again look at the pro-
file of Aroclor 1251 in the bay.
1 don't have a prepared statement to give you at thia
time. I will shortly. But I did pass out to the conferees
some maps so that we can discuss the data that we found.
We recently conducted a survey on December 11 to
determine the extent of contamination and movement of Aroclor
1254 on the bay system. Figure 1 is a map of Escambia Bay ana
the surrounding area. In this survey we looked particularly at
the water in the sediment. With reference to this map we are
talking about the water.
We established about nine transects across the waters
Of the river and the bay and at each transect we took three
stations. We took water samples from the top and the bottom at
three different places, one on either bank and on. in the cent,*
in this reporting here we lumped together the top sample, and
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111
T. W. Duke
the bottom samples for just one bay.
Our first transect was about two miles above the
Monsanto Plant and we found no Aroclor 125^ in the surface or
bottom water sediments.
At the Monsanto weir in Escambia River we found 0.*1
of a part per billion in the surface water and 0.2 in the
bottom water.
Fifty yards below this point, 0.5 parts per billion
on the surface and it was not detectable in the bottom.
One hundred yards below the weir, the surface 0.1,
not detectable on the bottom.
And Just about the Highway 90 Bridge we got a trace
level at the surface and 0.1 of a part per billion at the
bottom.
We also sampled at areas in Escambia Bay and East
Bay, at the Pensacola Bay Bridge, and at the inlet, and did
not find any traces of Aroclor 125*1 in the water.
The next map, this Figure 2, we have plotted the con-
centration of Aroclor 125*1 in sediments in this survey. We
collected this. This is surface sediment. We collected it in
a pipe-like apparatus that was dragged along the bottom. This
is collected at the same transect as the water sample. Again
we collected at three points, one on either bank and one in the
center of the bay or river.
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^02
T. W. Duke
These are listed in this way on this sheet:
We found no detectable Aroclor 1254 in the transect
two miles above the Monsanto plant.
At the weir on the west side going from west to east
we found 55.0 parts per million in sediment sample, 0.39 in th%
center, and 4.0 in the east side.
MR. TRAINA: Excuse me, Tom, you are talking parts
million now? On Figure 1 it was parts per billion. j
MR. DUKE: We are talking parts per million, in the I
water it is parts per billion and in the sediments parts per I
million. I
MR. TRAINA: It is 55.0 parts per million found in
sediments? |
MR. DUKE: That is right. That is correct. j
At the Highway 90 Bridge we picked up 18.0 parts pex»
million on the west side, 0.21 in the center and 0.42. We J
pick up small amounts in upper and lower Escambia Bay. And th^j
coming around to East Bay we found detectable levels in East I
Bay, and as you notice, we found small or detectable amounts I
up to about the Blackwater Bay area. j
And then the transect at Pensacola Bay Bridge, we I
picked up 0.17 parts per million at one station there and we I
did not find any at the inlet. I
This next figure, we thought would be interesting to I
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U3
T. W. Duke
get a depth profile of the amount of this substance in the
sediment with depth. These figures that I have here we consider
preliminary because we have not run duplicates on them and they
are not statistically representative of the situation in the
bay, but I present them just to show that it does appear from
these first samples that Aroclor is contained in sediments a
little deeper than the surface. Just for example, at the weir—
this core, by the way, was with an aluminum core about two and a
half inches in width, so it is a fairly small core. We went
down approximately 18 inches, but we had a glass liner on the
inside to eliminate contamination. We took these cores and then
after we took the core we extruded the core to determine how
much was at each level.
At zero to 2 inches from the surface we had 78.0
parts per million at the weir, 2 to M inches 30.0 parts per
million, 4 to 6 inches 6.1, and 6 to 8 inches O.U.
MR. REED: Mr. Chairman, may I Interrupt? *
MR. WHITE: Yes, Mr. Reed.
MR. REED: Tom, this doesn't sound like a short-term
leak to me if we are getting stratification levels like this.
This sounds like a long and continued discharge into the bay to
build up. Admitted, these are preliminary figures, but this is
not—this is a stratification that is deep.
MR. DUKE: I think that these preliminary figures
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.——
T. W. Duke
certainly make it worthwhile to make a study of this.
In our report last year we did report levels of Pcb
This is in parts per million in some of the biota from the bay
I will just pass on. That is this Table 1, I will just pass on
by that, that is in last year's report, Just to indicate that
the material does get into the biota.
During the past year in this Figure *1 we have a mont_
toring station in lower Escambia Bay at Devil's Point Light.
We collect on a monthly basis, collect oysters from this area
and bring them back and determine the amount of Aroclor in the
meats of the oyster. Now, this is a composite sample of 1 0
oysters. You can see that in the summer of 1969 we had the
greatest level. When the leak was discovered it stopped, you
will see a drop.
MR. REED: What month was that?
MR. DUKE: The leak was reported and stopped In
August. I cannot explain why it was higher back up in June
and July than it was at that time except that that is just the
way it occurred. Now, this is August 1969 where it was
reported and reached its fairly low level here in October of
1969.
And as you can see, we continue to pick up low levela
of this material In oysters and In our last sample of February
1971 we were picking up 0.48 parts per million in oyster meats.
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115
T. W. Duke
We have run some statistics on this and this is a one standard
deviation plus or minus 10 percent, so I think that these com-
parisons are valid that we have here.
MR. BECK: May I ask, do you have an FDA limit on
oyster meat?
MR. DUKE: Yes, there is an action level as there is
with pesticides. This action level is 5.0 parts per million.
MR. BECK: Five parts?
MR. DUKE: Five parts per million. The oysters did
not exceed that. We are down to O.1*—
MR. REED: Let me Just say, John, we do have a re-
striction in the Florida standards, though, about the release
of any deleterious material or any hazardous material. PCB's
are in that standard. In fact, there should be none in the
water.
MR. DUKE: The next map, indicating that this material
is being picked up in the biota, we have some levels reported of
shrimp that we have collected. We find that this material is
collected in the liver or in the hepatopancreas of the shrimp,
it is concentrated there, as opposed to the muscle, the tail.
This is fortunate, though, in one way. These levels that are
reported here are in the hepatopancreas. We can go in and
sample this indicator organism and get a better reading than we
can by looking at the whole shrimp.
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T. W. Duke
But the whole shrimp, the muscle part of these shrimp
did not exceed 0.3 parts per million. This is in the liver.
MR. REED: What about the total shrimp? If i ate the
whole shrimp, I am not going to eat the pancreas, but what if j
ate the whole shrimp?
MR. DUKE: The whole shrimp, the highest in 1969 was
14.0 parts per million in one sample of shrimp. 1
MR. TRAINA: Tom, on these figures, you have figures
here of 132 and 120. This again indicates there is a buildup or
this material.
MR. DUKE: Yes.
MR. TRAINA: Or doesn't it? I will ask the question
does this indicate that there is a buildup of this material?
MR. DUKE: It does.
MR. TRAINA: It is accumulated over a life cycle?
MR. DUKE: It does, yes.
MR. TRAINA: Let me ask you this, Tom. This
material acts like pesticide, I suspect,in that Just because
you may not succeed in measuring it in the water doesn't mean
it doesnft exist in the fish? There is a recycling of this
kind of material as there is with pesticides?
MR. DUKE: Well, I think one reason I presented the
data on the animals is to illustrate what you are talking
about. The water sample that we showed, the profile we did
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. 111
T. W. Duke
earlier, we see nothing in the water. This is the very worst
type of indicator, the water. But go to the sediments and then
go to the biota and you find that you will see this even though
you don't see it in the water.
MR. TRAINA: Right.
MR. BECK: Did I understand you to say that edible
portion of the shrimp is within limits?
MR. DUKE: That is correct.
MR. REED: But you gave me one figure of 14.
MR. DUKE: That was for head and tail, the whole body
with the shell and all, whole body. When we looked at the
edible portion—
MR. REED: If we shelled him and headed him and
tailed him?
MR. DUKE: 1.3
MR. REED: 1.3.
MR. DUKE: This was the highest level that we ever saw
in the bay and these levels at this time are lower than that.
This was the maximum level.
MR. TRAINA: Does this material change character once
it gets into the body of these animals, something like some of
the pesticides do?
MR. DUKE: We have seen very little degradation or
metabolism, although there is an Indication in some of the
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.118
T. W. Duke
animals that this could be happening. In our gas-chromatograpfc
analysis we see Aroclor 125^ as five peaks on the graph and the
ratio of some of these peaks appear to be changing in some of
the animals, indicating that there might be this degradation
although it is very slow.
MR. BECK: I hate to keep coming back to it, but now
you say 5.0 parts per million is the PDA standards rather than
the 0.5 of a part?
MR. DUKE: It is 5.0 parts.
MR. BECK: Five oh?
MR. DUKE: 5.0 as opposed to 0.5.
MR. BECK: Thank you, sir.
MR. DUKE: I think I will pause here just a minute &
say that we have gone along and determined that these residue^
occur and we, of course, start looking to see what effect thi^
might have on the organisms, and as we went to the literature -i
found that there was no literature on FCB's, so we have been
generating our own. We have been running our own laboratory
tests, and we have been in contact with other EPA laboratories
»
water quality laboratories, that are doing this type of work
and with Pish & Wildlife Service labs to keep up with what is
going on, because we are having to generate our data at this
time.
Our studies to this point have been mainly in the
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119
T. W. Duke
laboratory trying to set limits where we have shown that, for
example, 5.0 parts per billion of Aroclor 1254 in the water and
constantly in the water in solution will kill shrimp in 21 days.
We have worked with oysters and fish and we are getting this
kind of data. The problem now, of course, is to get from the
laboratory and extrapolate to the field, so I think now we are
in a position to move into the field to do some work in the bay
and to perhaps be able to extrapolate from the laboratory to the
field.
MR. TRAINA: Tom, are we going to have the same prob-
lem here as we did with mercury in that the stuff once it gets
in the sediments is going to be there a long time? How fast
will it degrade, in your estimation?
MR. DUKE: Mr. Traina, with the gas-chromatograph
analysis we have not seen degradation in the sediment. Before
I would say this, I would certainly want to ask you people to
look at the mass spec, to see if you are getting degradation.
Unfortunately, it is Just this last December that we
have set up samples, transects, so we can go back to the same
place, pretty near the same place, and get our samples. It
appears that the PCB varies with the type of bottom; that is,
there is more in silt than there is in sand, for example. So
if we get a silt sediment today and analyse it, we can't com-
pare it with a sandy sediment that we got a year ago.
-------
T. W. Duke
But I think now we are in a position to do what you
are saying, to see if we are getting degradation moving out.
We have not done a good statistical analysis. It appears from
our first grab samples that it is less in the sediment now than
it was at the time it was stopped.
MR. TRAINA: I am just thinking out loud here that
perhaps this ban on dredging is more important than we think.
MR. DUKE: I was thinking that myself.
Mr. Chairman, we don't feel that PCB's alone have
caused or are causing the fish kills that we see in Escambia
Bay, but it is a toxic material and it is there. It should be
watched and we should be concerned.
MR. REED: It should not be in the bay, Tom. It is
well covered in the Florida standards and it shouldn't be there
MR. DUKE: One reason we have been concerned is that
there seemed to be an input into the system even though the
leak was stopped, and this presumably is from leaching in the
Escambia River, and—
MR. REED: Our enforcement section will be talking
about that later today.
MR. DUKE: I was going to say that the State of Flori^
will bring this up later, so I will conclude my comments.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Dr. Duke, for a very
good presentation.
-------
121
T. W. Duke
MR. REED: I would like all of Dr. Duke's charts and
tables In the record.
MR. WHITE: Yes, we will enter them in the record.
MR. TRAINA: As a matter of fact, you have a statement
to go along with this, Tom. Do you want that Also in the
record?
MR. DUKE: That is not really the statement. I just
wrote that for your guideline and I would like to get that
statement to you Just shortly.
MR. TRAINA: In other words, you don't want the
written portion in the record now?
MR. DUKE: That is right. The maps I do.
MR. WHITE: You will provide us with a completed
statement?
MR. DUKE: Right.
MR. WHITE: 0. K., thank you.
MR. TRAINA: Dr. Duke, thank you a lot. That was a
very good presentation.
(The statement and charts referred to follow:)
i
-------
122
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
GULF BREEZE LABORATORY
SABINE ISLAND
GULF BREEZE, FLORIDA 32561
Environmental Protection Agency Laboratory at Gulf Breeze,
l;or. continues to monitor the biota, sediment, and water for
the ef:'ect of this polychlorinated biphenyl (PCS) compound on estuarine
or gar. .Isms. As reported in the 1970 Escambia Bay Enforcement Conference
Proceedings, we traced one source of this chemical to an accidental
¦) r ^ iiGflt"Sxchsn§6 system at the Monsanto Chemxcal Plsiii. located
on Escambia River. Aroclor 1254 entered Escambia River at the
-onsi-aco weir, was carried downstream and is now in biota and sediment
of Escambia Bay and contiguous waters. The source of the leak was
- .opied when Monsanto was notified of the problem in August, 1969.
-wever, recent surveys show low levels of Aroclor 1254 (0.5 to 3
itts per billion) still entering the river at the weir. Presumably,
.:.ese low levels are being leached fromr sediment.
Surveys
A survey was conducted on December 14, 1970 by our laboratory, to
ascertain the extent of contamination and movement of Aroclor 1254
*_n the estuary. The results of this survey are shown in Figures 1, 2,
roclor 1254 and to conduct laboratory and field tests to determine
Monsanto Co
-------
123
2
and 3. Evidently, at the time of the survey, the chemical was still
leaching froir. the sediments and entering Escambia River near the weir.
Concentrations in the water directly below the weir ranged from 0.4
part per billion (ppb) on the surface to 0.2 ppb on the bottom
(ligure 1). Aroclor 1254 was detected in surface water 100 yards
oelow the weir and in trace amounts (0.03 - 0.05 ppb) in both surface
and bottom water collected above Highway 90 bridge, and also at
Buoy 16 in upper Escambia Bay. This chemical was not detected in
water collected from any other portion of the estuary in this survey.
Concentrations of Aroclor 1254 in sediments also indicate that
a source of PCB was near the Monsanto weir (Figure 2). Maximum
concentrations of the chemical in sediments taken at the transects
indicated in Figure 2 were 55.0 parts per million (ppm) at the weir,
18.0 ppm at Highway 90 bridge and 7.2 ppm at Buoy 16. However, the
data show that Aroclor has been dispersed to many other areas of the
estuary, including Blackwater, East, and Pensacola Bays. Residues
seem to be higher in silt materials than in sand. Residues in cores
raken in this survey (Figure 3) indicate the material was deposited
in the sediments of the upper (Escambia)'- Bay.
Certainly the biota are concentrating Aroclor 1254 in their tissues.
T^ble 1, submitted at last year's conference, shows the concentrations
of the .chemical in biota of Escambia Bay and River. Concentrations
-------
124
3
are higher in the crustaceans and the highest level of all occur in
the fish -- especially in the liver of flounder. This may indicate
a urend toward accumulation and concentration of Aroclor 1254 in the
higher trophic levels.
Even though the major source of the chemical was halted, residues
continue to be found. Possibly-, leaching of Aroclor 1254 from the
^^^.iments or movement of silt particles with attached Aroclor 1254
molecules result in availability of the chemical to animals living
on the substrates. Figure 4 shows monthly variation in concentration
of Aroclor 1254 in oysters sampled at Devil's Point Light. Residues
in zhese molluscs may be decreasing, but there are indications that
an apparent equilibrium has been reached between accumulation and
loss of the chemical.
The availability of Aroclor 1254 to other animals that live on
seciment substrates is reflected in the concentrations of shrimp
hepatopancreas (Figure 5). These collections from 1969-70 include
individuals of three major commercial species. Whole-body residues
never exceeded 14.0 ppm, but residues in the hepatopancreas (the organ
of greatest concentration) of brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) reached
132.0 ppm. Greater amounts were found in shrimp captured in upper
Escambia Bay, but shrimp in Penscola Bay also had measurable amounts.
This indicates one manner in which Aroclor is dispersed and translocated
in the ecosystem.
-------
125
4
Effects
We are investigating the effects of Aroclor 1254 on organisms
that represent many different trophic levels. Some results that
are available at this time are shown in Tables 2 and 3. Chronic
bioassays conducted on pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarunO (Table 2)
have shown that this commercial species is sensitive to concentrations
from 1 to 20 ppb in the water. Adult shrimp are more resistant to the
chemical than juveniles, the latter showing significant mortality after
15 days when exposed to 1.0 ppb Aroclor 1254 in the water. Two species
of fish showed significant mortality after continuous exposure to 5.0
ppb or less (Table 3).
Most of our studies on effects have been conducted under controlled
conditions in the laboratory. Since it is difficult to extrapolate
data obtained in the laboratory to conditions in the field, we will
be conducting experiments in Escambia Bay and surrounding waters.
These experiments will involve shrimp in sensitive stages of develop-
ment .
Thomas W. Duke
Laboratory Director
-------
Table 1. Residues of Aroclor ^254 in samples from Escambia Bay and River
Sample (shrimp collected Number of animals Date T Residues of
. ijocatxon
live; crab and fish were or organs in collected Aroclor 1254
dead or moibund) * sample (D-M-Y) parts per million
Fish
Flounder liver
1
5-6-69
Mulatto Bayou
76.
Flounder muscle
1
it
tt
4.5
Flounder gills
1
n
it
19.
Croaker
3
it
ti
12.
Menhaden
5
•i
tr
11.
Pinfish
5
ii
rv
10.
Menhaden
5
1-7-69
rf
12.
Speckled trout gills
1
14-8-69
Pensacola Bay
7.5
Speckled trout liver
1
•i
tt
21.
Speckled trout
3
31-8-69
Northern Escambia Bay
20.
Flounder liver
1
ii
tv
184.
Menhaden
6
10-10-69
Mulatto Bayou
5.7
Crustaceans
Shrimp
10
1-7-69
Mulatto Bayou
1.5
Shrimp
5
31-8-69
Northern Escambia Bay
2.5
Blue crab
6
13-8-69
«t
7.0
Blue crab
5
31-8-69
tt
6.3
Blue crab
6
9-9-69
Mulatto Bayou
1.0
Sediment
it
8-7-69
Highway 90
1.7
ii
15-8-69
Garcon Point
<0.03
ft
tl
Monsanto weir
486.
Scientific names: trout (Cy no scion nebulosus), croaker (Micropogon undulatus),
jnenhaden (Brevoortia patronus), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), flounder
(Paralichthys sp.), shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) a:. 1 (Penaeus aztecus), and From:
blue crab (Callinectes sapidus).
Duke, T. W., et al.
Bulletin of Environmental
Contamination and
Toxicology
5: 171-180 (1970)
-------
Table 2. Results of chronic bioassays with Aroclor 1254 and pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum)
(flowing -water)
Shrimp
lengths
ro strum-
telson in
cm
Avg. Avg. No. of Rcpli Days Avg. Jjcvel of
SP/oo temp, test catcs exposed mor- aigni-
desired measured''' C animals to Xity ficance
%
Conor: i-trn lion
(PPb)
•
09
Control
32
29
65
5
15
12
II
0.5
0.57
n
ii
20
2
i»
30
II
1.0
0. 94
i>
ii
45
3
ii
51
II
10.0
9.4
ii
ii
20
2
ii
90
II
20.0
19.0
•i
ii
20
2
ii
100
4.2-7.2
II
II
Control
2.0 2.4
4. 0 3.1
29
It
II
28
II
rr
25
20
25
32
17
32
4
65
80
0.10
U
0. 005
0. 001
0. 001
17
±/
u
0.001
0.001
2/
2/
6.6-9.0 Control
'• 5.0 4.3
29
»»
20
II
43
46
53
53
26
83
0.001"
2/
7. 6-8. 5
tl
Control
5. 0 4.0
31
r»
29
•»
60
it
9.5-12.5 Control
5. 0 3. 5
28
II
20
IT
50
tl
18
18
35
35
9
41
8
50
0. 001
2/
0. 001"
.2J
From: D. R. Nimmo
Environmental Protection Laborator
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
-------
Table 3. Test conditions, mortality of fishes, and uptake of Aroclor 1254 in flowing water bioassays
Aroclor 1254
Mortality **
(ppm) *** in
Water
SL
Number*
Concen-
25%
50%
Terminal
Days
fish after
Temper -
Salinityi
Fish
(mm)
Exposed
tration
Day
Day
Percent
Exposed
exposure
ture, °C
%o
Spot
25
150
1 ppb
..
__
17
33
17
14-16
16-32
Spot
40
150
1 ppb
1
56
27
23-32
10-34
Spot
24
50
5 ppb
12
18
51
20
46
11-18
16-32
Spot
24
300
5 ppb
23
26
53
26
120
8-10
20-32
Spot
74
50
5 ppb
28
38
62
45
152
28-33
23-34
Pinfish
30
50
5 ppb
9
12
66
14
14
16-22
20-32
Pinfish
27
54
5 ppb
17
--
41
35
109
22-32
14-34
An equal number of fish were held in control aquaria. Control mortality never exceeded 7%.
Mortality of spot^exposed to 5 ppb Aroclor was significantly greater in all tests (p<.001) than that
of control fish (X. values were all greater than 10.83).
milligrams per kilogram
Hansen, D. J. . et al.
From: Bulletin of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology
(in press)
-------
Figure 1. Concentrations of Aroclor^l25^ ^ak
i from Pensacola
a\
CM
K^f^ry expressed iu parts pt-r billion (ppb)
Location
A. 2 miles above Monsanto, S-ND, b-ND
B. Monsanto weir, S-0.*4, b-0. 2
C. 50 yd. below weir, S-0. 5, b-ND
D. 100 yd. below weir, S-0.1, b-ND
E. Above Hwy. 90 bridge, S-tr, b-0.1
Date of collection - 12^14/70
ND= <0. 03 ppb
tr- 0.03-0. 05 ppb
S - Surface
b - Bottom
-------
o
rf
Figure z. Concentration? ' / "<:Vor i/b" in 8edimentf from Pervoacola
Estuary expressed in p, •*/ per million ]
MP ND NJD
*55.0 0. 39*4. 0
ND ND ND
ND ND ND
G\3^
Collection dates: 12/14/70 through 1/25/71
* Monsanto weir transect
ND r <0. 01 ppm
-------
(K)
Figure 3. Concentrations of Aroclor^l254 in sediment cores from Pensacola
Estuary ' ssed in p per million (ppra)
Monsanto weir
0-2 in 78. 0
2-4
4-6 "
6-8 "
0-2 in
0.19
2-4 »
0.08
4-6 "
0.02
6-8 "
ND
8-10"
ND
10-12"
ND
12-14"
ND
0-2
in
0.3
2-4
II
0.03
4-6
It
0.06
6-8
tl
ND
8-10
It
ND
10-12
II
ND
12-14
II
ND
Date of collection: 12/14/70
ND - < 0. 01 ppm
GUI*
-------
figure 4. Concentratioits \in parVn >»t;t milUon) A' 14S4 ill oynten> Dtivil' •
Point Light, Escambia Bay, 1969)971
2. 0
1. 0
-------
on
ro
Figure 5. Concentrations of Aroclor®1254 in the hepatopancreas of shrimp
collected from Pensacola Estuary expressed in parts pel million (ppm)
1969-1970 *
* Each sample represents a composite of
at least 5 shrimp.
Maximum concentration in whole body
was 14.0 ppm; in the abdominal muscle,
1. 3 ppm.
-------
Table 2. Results of chronic bioassays with Aroclor 1254 -md pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum)
(flowing - water)
Shrimp
lengths
ro strum-
telson in
cm
Concentra Hon
(ppM
desired measured*
Avg. Avg.
S'/op temp.
C - -
No. of Repli Days Avg. Level of
test cates exposed mor- signi-
animal3 tality ficance
%
2. 5-3.8
Control
32
29
65
5
15
12
ii
0.5
0. 57
ii
ii
20
2
ii
30
0.10
it
1.0
0.94
ii
ii
45
3
-------
Table 3. Test conditions, mortality of fishes, and upta> v of Aroclor 1254 in flowing water bioassays
Aroclor 1254
Mortality **
(ppm) *** in
Water
SL
Number*
Concen-
25%
50%
Terminal
Days
fish after
Temper -
Salinity!
Fish
(mm)
Exposed
tration
Day
Day
Percent
Exposed
exposure
ture, *C
%
Spot
25
150
1 ppb
17
33
17
14-16
16-32
Spot
40
150
1 ppb
--
1
56
27
23-32
10-34
Spot
24
50
5 ppb
12
18
51
20
46
11-18
16-32
Spot
24
300
5 ppb
23
26
53
26
120
8-10
20-32
Spot
74
50
5 ppb
28
38
62
45
152
28-33
23-34
Pinfish
30
50
5 ppb
9
12
66
14
14
16-22
20-32
Pinfish
27
54
5 ppb
17
--
41
35
109
22-32
14-34
* An equal number of fish were held in control aquaria. Control mortality never exceeded 7%.
** Mortality of spot^exposed to 5 ppb Aroclor was significantly greater in ail tests (p<.001) than that
of control fish (X. values were all greater than 10.83).
*** milligrams per kilogram
Hansen, D. J., et al.
From: Bulletin of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology
(in press)
-------
_ia6
W. L. Lynn
MR. TRAINA: We have Mr. Woodrow L. Lynn, Head of
the Engineers Department with the U. S. Navy.
Mr. Lynn.
WOODROW L. LYNN
HEAD OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC WORKS CENTER (NAVY)
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
MR. LYNN: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and gentle-
men .
The Southern Division of Naval Facilities Engineering
Command was invited to the conference. I am here representing
them.
The Navy is not really, I hope, involved in the
Escambia Bay problem. The only installation we had was Naval
Air Station Ellyson, which more than a year ago we tied into
the city's sewage treatment plant and abandoned our sewage
treatment plant at that point.
We have at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, an
effluent going into Pensacola Bay which I suppose by tidal
waters could affect Escambia Bay. In that location we have an
industrial waste treatment plant being constructed which is to
be placed in operation about March 1, next week. This plant
-------
. 137
W. L. Lynn
is designed to take from the bay those wastes of chromium,
cyanide, paint stripping and oils that were produced by the
overhaul of aircraft in our naval air rework facility. As T
say, that plant goes into operation next week.
Under construction we have a secondary treatment plant
for our sanitary sewage which is planned for completion the 1st
of August of 1971, which will bring our sanitary wastes up to
State standards. The effluent for both the industrial wastes
and the sanitary wastes, as X say, do go into Pensacola Bay and
will continue to go into Pensacola Bay when these plants are
completed.
The only other facility we have that may come under
question is that at the Naval Communication Training Center
Corry, where there is a plan to construct a 310-bed hospital.
If and when this hospital is constructed,we will have to either
construct a new sewage treatment plant or tie into the city of
Pensacola. We have in budget planning, our 5-year program, a
plan for constructing a new plant with a budget request for the
funds. If and when that hospital is built, we will either build
a new plant or more desirably negotiate with the city of Pensa-
cola to tie that waste into the city's plant by constructing a
line from Corry into the Pensacola plant.
I believe that covers about all of the facilities
that we have that could affect either one of these bodies of
-------
>3»
W. L. Lynn
,M.......«™ •« «• °"™~
In Charleston.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Mr. Lynn.
Are there any comments or questions?
m Tvnn I do want to reiterate the Statfl
MR. REED: Mr. Lynn,
position on industrial wastes leaving the air field of the Pen-
sacola Naval Air Station. I believe that substantial improve-
in the methods that the Navy is using to
ment has been made in the m
. t flcain wish to recommend that this be
handle these wastes, but X again „
carefully analysed and carefully watched, as this was not on!,
a potential source of pollution, it was a very real source or
pollution principally through sloppy maintenance.
rouch has been done by the Base Commander and by the Executiy.
>,*« crone well towards compl®^
see that this program has gone
Officer to see
+hat work, but an eagle eye should
tlon. We are very happy with that
be kept on it, obviously.
MR. LYNN: I appreciate your remarks. We have a
plant set up to watch it.
MR. TRAINA: Thank you again, Mr. Lynn.
TOat concludes, «r. Chairman, the federal presenta-
i„s there are any other Federal agencies present I
tions, un statement at thi«
aon.t know about who would like
time.
-------
139
J. C. White
MR. REED: Mr. White, I think there is one thing we
might do if we are at the end of the Federal presentation, we
might take a 5-minute break to see if we can find the heating
panel.
MR. WHITE: Very good, Mr. Reed. I think that is a
good idea. We will recess for 5 minutes.
(RECESS)
MR. WHITE: Next I would like to call on Mr. Reed for
the Florida presentation.
Mr. Reed.
MR. REED: As host, I do want to turn it over to
our sister State, Alabama, to proceed.
Would you like that, Arthur, or would you like for us
to proceed? Whatever you like.
MR. BECK: Let's go ahead with the plan, if you don't
mind, Mr. Reed.
MR. REED: Fine. No problem.
I would like to recognise some people in the room.
They won't be speaking, but I would like to recognize their
presence for the record.
County Commissioner Sara Armour Is here.
Mr. Bjarne Andersen, Assistant Attorney General of
the State of Florida, is here.
Lt. Zangas from the Department of Natural Resources
-------
— IMP
T. Webb
is here.
We welcome all three of them.
As our first speaker I will ask Mr. Tom Webb,
Director of Administration, Department of Transportation, to
give a presentation.
TOM WEBB
DIRECTOR OP ADMINISTRATION
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OP TRANSPORTATION
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
MR. WEBB: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and gentle
men.
I am Tom Webb, Director of Administration for the
Department of Transportation, speaking for Mr. Miller, the
Secretary.
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to
determine its responsibility for ecological damage resulting
from dredging operations in Mulat-Mulatto Bayou and steps to
be taken to restore the environment if possible.
In dredging fill for the construction of Interstate
10, bridge material was taken from the Mulat-Mulatto Bayou at
a site which opened a new channel between the bayou and Es-
cambia Bay. The dredged area in some places was as much as 2q
-------
m
T. Webb
feet. This alteration in the topography of the bayou and bay
is thought to have adversely affected the natural flushing and
exchange process of the bayou. Eutrophication is said to have
occurred and may have been the cause of severe and extensive
fish kills. The Department of Transportation has no desire to
avoid any responsibility for its action and every attempt is and
will be made by the agency to determine the extent of that
responsibility.
This past summer, in cooperation with the Air & Water
Pollution Control Board, the Department constructed air screens
across both entrances to this bayou. We plan to provide these
screens again this coming summer if it is desirable to do so.
The Department in this past year also had an engi-
neering study carried out to determine the volume of dirt which
would be necessary to fill the borrow site and the new canal
that was constructed in conjunction with the Interstate. This
volume of material is approximately 500,000 yards, this depend-
ing on its depth. The cost of providing fill to fill up the
borrow site would be from $300,000 to $500,000 if this is a
desirable process.
We are entering into a contractual agreement between
the Department and a marine biologist, Dr. Robert Livingston,
of Florida State University, for a study in cooperation with Dr,
Tom Hopkins of the University of West Florida to determine
-------
T. Webb
scientifically what our pollution liability is and what steps
should be taken to rectify it.
Dr. Livingston and Dr. Hopkins will function as
independent scientific advisers to the Department in this
matter. They will conduct the study without prejudice for
or against the Department and with complete freedom to arrive
at fair and equitable conclusions concerning the degree of
implication of the Department. They anticipate it will take a
year to arrive at a reasonable appraisal.
They will use every means possible to arrive at these
conclusions and will make recommendations for the planning and
execution of any operations necessary to the successful termi-
nation of the project.
The area under study will be monitored separately and
in conjunction with other ongoing studies. Water quality data
will be examined in order to make the proper evaluation for a
future course of action.
This study team will confer with experts in this area
and the data obtained from these sources, together with studies
already made and studies which will be made, will allow a mean-
ingful evaluation of the responsibilities of the Department.
Mr. Chairman.
MR. REED: Tom, I want to thank you publicly and
personally for such a fine report. It has been my pleasure to
-------
142
T. Webb
have been associated with the Department of Transportation,
State of Florida, now for some four years three months, and I
Just want to tell you that during that period the degree of
cooperation that I and the Department have received has increased
by the month. I can with pride say that of all the DOT'S in
the Nation that I am aware of, and I am aware of a lot of them,
I am the proudest of ours.
I am delighted you are going ahead with the study.
I think you will find that the hole is more than 20 feet deep.
I think you are going to find it drops.down to a depth of MO,
50 or perhaps 70 feet.
I want to publicly again thank you for the enormous
amount of work involved in setting up the air barriers last
summer. Had man not interfered with your operation, we would
have minimized the kills in Mulat Bayou. It is practically a
disgrace to consider the wanton vandalism that occurred to your
property when you were attempting to prohibit fish kills in this
part of Florida and it is very discouraging.
I would like to offer to you the assistance of the
regional office of the Department of Air & Water Pollution
Control under our Regional Director, Mr. Phil Doherty, to give
you any assistance with the Livingston-Hopkins team's efforts
In Mulat Bayou. You can call on them for any assistance and
you can count on receiving it. We shall be very pleased to
-------
-iM
T. Webb
hear the results of this survey.
Again, Tom, my thanks for coming and bringing us such
an excellent report.
MR. WEBB: Thank you, sir.
MR. WHITE: I would like to thank you also, Mr. Webb
and ask any of the other conferees if they have any comment oi»
question?
MR. TRAINA: I do.
Mr. Webb, when do you expect to get the results of
the study?
MR. WEBB: In approximately a year from now.
MR. TRAINA: I hate to put deadlines on people, but
is there any way of getting that a little earlier so that maybe
we can make some decisions on this?
MR. REED: If we could get it later next fall, It woul
give us the winter period to determine a course of action before
the critical summer of 1972. Any work we can do in the winter
months of 1972 prior to the summer months would be to our
advantage.
MR. WEBB: Yes, sir.
MR. REED: Or would be to the advantage of the bay.
MR. WEBB: In speaking with Dr. Livingston this
morning, he is of the opinion it will take this long and he
needs a year's cycle.
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T. Webb
MR. REED: All right. Whatever can be done, recog-
nizing that the year cycle is important, I am sure, to give us
an opportunity of doing corrective—if they perceive corrective
measures being conceived of prior to that, I hope they will
consider them, because the key period would be if we can do
work in the winter of 1972 to prevent a massive fish kill again
in 1973.
But I am very heartened by this expression of interest
by the Department.
MR. WEBB: Thank you.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Webb.
MR. REED: Mr. Chairman, I will now turn our presenta-
tion over to Mr. Patton, who will call his two ranking members
of his staff.
MR. PATTON: First I would like to call on Mr.
Huffstutler, Chief of the Bureau of Surveillance, to give a repo
on activities encompassing everything except enforcement.
Mr. Huffstutler.
pt
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K. K. Huffstutler
K. K. HUFFSTUTLER, CHIEF
BUREAU OF SURVEILLANCE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AIR
& WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Mr. Chairman, members of the con-
ference. I am K. K. Huffstutler, Chief of the Bureau of Sur-
veillance, Florida Department of Air & Water Pollution Control
The following information is presented as a progress
report. Emphasis is placed upon the recommendations developed
by the conferees as a result of the January 20, 1970, con-
ference, but comments on satellite activities pertaining to the
conference and Escambia River and Bay will also be included.
As the Department's Enforcement Section will report,
legal action has been taken against American Cyanamid, Escambia
Chemical Corporation, and Monsanto Company. The city of Pensa-
cola was excluded from legal action because they were well into
a pilot study for nutrient removal at the Northeast Sewage
Treatment Plant at the time that legal action seemed appropriate
In addition, consideration was given to the low concentrations
of nutrients in the treated effluent.
Another exemption is that carbonaceous material was
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147
K. K. Huffstutler
not included In the Department's Notice and Order. The primary
reason is that Florida has no laWs or regulations pertaining to
carbons upon which an order could be based. It was also the
consensus of the Department's staff that the present data and
information on carbonaceous material is too limited to utilize
this parameter as a legal tool.
Legal action on the other parameters has adequately
satisfied the intent of Recommendation No. 1.
With respect to the alternate of accomplishing the
removal of nutrient materials via sewage collection systems
surrounding Escambia Bay, it is our opinion this alternative
does not justify detailed investigation at this time. This
conclusion could be modified if consideration were given to an
interceptor system along the Escambia County side alone. The
physical characteristics of the shoreline and adjacent land
areas on the Santa Rosa side of the Bay, together with the prob-
lem of either pumping material to the nofrth end of the Bay and
thus down the Escambia County side, or constructing an underwater
discharge line either south to the mainland of the Santa Rosa
peninsula, or west across the Bay to the Escambia side, Indi-
cates that the cost would be prohibitive, especially when the
quantity of material collected and transported Is considered.
The predicted growth of the Santa Rosa side does not Indicate
that sufficient waste material would be available for collection
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K« K, Huffstutler
to offset enough of the excessive cost involved. In addition
it appears waste characteristics of the two industrial sources
are such that they will not have a mutually compatible solu-
tion .
The physical land characteristics on the Escambia
County side of the Bay are such that the prospects of an inter*
ceptor line on that side are somewhat discouraging. The
planning authority and various consultants in the field seem
to be prone to a collector system further inland in order to
collect waste from existing and future populations. The
important thing to point out is that basic decisions regarding
the wastewater control strategy for the area must be made.
Activities are currently under way both at the State and local
levels to accomplish this purpose.
Recommendation No. 3, having to do with the color of
j Escambia River at State Road #4 near Century, Florida, will
undoubtedly receive comment from the Alabama authorities.
As an experiment in updating Florida's method of
collecting and analyzing data, we have arranged to have the
EPA's monitoring device located at Century, Florida, modified
and interfaced to transmit its data to our office in Tallahas-.
see via telephone lines. This experiment was placed in opera-
tion November 1970. Since that time, Tallahassee has receiver
dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and conductivity on an hourly
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I4f
K. K. Huffstutler
basis with an accumulated average of each parameter starting
at midnight each day. The only abnormal data received thus far
occurs when maintenance personnel clean the probes and other
pertinent apparatus. Unfortunately, the turbidity and color are
not done automatically; therefore, we are unable to comment upor
the acceptability of these parameters at the State line.
Recommendation No. M had to do with the moratorium on
dredging operations and the establishment of a shoreline. Only
one dredging operation has taken place since the January 1970,
conference and this was only after a hearing by our Board, much
investigation by our staff, and the agreement by the permit
holder to comply with certain rigid operation procedures. The
Department and University of West Florida staff continuously
monitored the dredging operation to determine if any rules and
regulations were violated or adverse effects resulted, and if
so, to what degree. All regulations were met. However, the
ultimate after-effects of this operation are still being docu-
mented .
As required by Florida law, it is necessary for the
county or counties Involved in an estuarine body of water to
establish the shoreline as a guide for all dredging and filling
and related construction activities. In response to the con-
ferees1 recommendation, the State Cabinet, sitting as the
Florida Board of Trustees for the Internal Improvement Trust
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K. K. Huffstutler
Fund, adopted a policy of prohibiting construction, dredging,
etc., and placing limits on deposition of dredge material. On
April 28, 1970, the Internal Improvement Board staff requested
the respective Commissions of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties
to establish a shoreline in Escambia Bay. As of February 17
1971, neither County has responded to the request of the
Internal Improvement Board. Therefore, nothing has been done
toward fulfilling this portion of the conferees' recommendation
Recommendation No. 5 had to do with removal of the
pilings and surplus material from the Louisville-Nashville
Railroad Company trestle. Early in January 1971 L&N reported
that a total of 2,052 pilings had been removed. This virtually
completes the removal of excessive pilings from 7^0 of the tota
8M0 spans in the trestle. This is equivalent to the removal of
5,200 square feet of obstructive cross-sectional area. This
project is now complete.
Recommendation No. 6 pertaining to American Cyanamid
and the cessation of the discharge of acrylonitrile will be
discussed by our Enforcement Section and probably the company
Recommendation No. 7 had to do with heat discharges
from Monsanto Company and Gulf Power Company's operations on
the lower Escambia River. Fulfillment of this particular
recommendation has developed some difficulties.
There have been three recent thermal surveys
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151
K. K. Huffstutler
conducted on the lower Escambia River with special emphasis on
Gulf Power. The first was done by the old Federal Water Quality
Administration in October 1969. In this, the temperature pro-
files were evaluated at a point 10 0 yards below the
Gulf Power discharge and again at approximately one mile down-
stream. The second study was done by the Florida Department of
Air & Water Pollution Control in December 1969. In this study,
thermal isopleths were constructed from data collected at 15
stations along the river. The third study was done by Gulf
Power itself, between April and September of 1970. In this
study, the temperature, dissolved oxygen, and chloride concen-
trations were determined for 39 days at 10 points on the river
and at 4 depths at each point. Approximately 20,000 bits of
data have been provided by Gulf Power and the use of a computer
or personnel for an extended length of time is required to
analyze the matter. The conclusions that can be drawn from
these studies are briefly as follows:
The volume of flow through Gulf Power*s cooling
system has Increased 70 percent with the addition of power
generating unit number six.
There has been a rise in effluent temperature, but due
to the greater volume of water being brought up to the usual
effluent temperatures, the overall rise in river water tempera-
ture can be measured at a point much farther downstream.
——
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K. K. Huffstutler
Approximately one mile downstream from Gulf Power's discharge
the temperature rise is presently 9.0 degrees Fahrenheit above
background instead of 5.8 degrees as measured prior to the
installation of unit number six.
j
Reduction and changes in biological species below Qul
Power's point of discharge have been documented, but it cannot
be determined that these effects are related to temperature
a side observation, in the biological study of the Escambia
River in the early 1950's by Dr. Ruth Patrick of the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, she noted that the physio^
characteristics of the river sides and bottom and the fluctua
tion in the length of the salt water tongue caused by seasonal
variations and rainfall prompted a continual transition from
salt to freshwater biota and vice versa. This transition is
as obvious today as it was in the early 1950's; therefore, it
is extremely difficult to assess the degre« of effect on the
biota caused by temperature variations.
In response to a directive from the Department of At*
4 Water Pollution Control and the conference of 1970, Gulf
Power has expedited the purchase and installation of a cooling
tower to serve unit number six. This will not abate the dis-
charge of heat, but will reduce the temperature rise to a pre
number six level. The company is presently "shaking down" the
cooling tower. It should be in full operation in the very nea*»
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153
K. K. Huffstutler
future.
Gulf Power has received a permit to construct generat-
ing unit number seven. Unit number seven will have its own
cooling tower which will be installed as part of the overall
construction and go on-line at the same time that the generator
does. Construction schedule calls for completion of this
installation by February of 1973.
Recommendation number eight has to do with the
domestic waste discharge by Century, Florida, and Brewton,
Alabama. We can report that as of December of 1970 the dis-
charge of raw sewage by Century, Florida, was eliminated as a
result of the construction of a settling chamber, a half acre
stabilization pond and appropriate chlorination facilities.
These new facilities receive the flow from 52 homes, a hospital
and a lumber company, an estimated flow of 20,000 gallons per
day. The stabilization pond has approximately 35 days reten-
tion time. The treated effluent discharges into an unnamed
creek and must flow approximately one and one-half miles before
reaching Escambia River. All in all, Century has fulfilled the
recommendation of the conference approximately two years ahead
of the recommended date.
Additional activities relating to the Escambia Bay
problem include such things as preparation for monitoring and
measuring the success of the abatement programs that are
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K. K. Huffstutler
presently being carried out and the investigation of summer fistj
kills and the activities of Esoambla-Santa Rosa Planning
Council. I
With respect to measuring the success of the abatement
programs, we are pleased to report that the Department has
entered into an agreement with the University of West Florida
for the development of a first order mathematical model and
hopefully should lead to the determination of the assimilation
capacity of the bay. It Is hoped that in the near future ade-
quate information will be available to expand this model so a.
to predict the assimilative capacity with respect to specific
pollutants, primarily the nutrients. The University of West
Florida is ahead of schedule on the development of this model,
in fact, data is already being gathered for the second order
expansion.
Moot of the industrial companies involved in Escambia
Bay are vitally interested in the future monitoring project and
especially the capability to accomplish it. As a result, the
Department was requested to gather information for an automated
monitoring system. Proposals were obtained for five automatic
analyze, and telemeter the results
samplers that would sample, analyze,
often parameter, to the University of West Florida and its com-
puter. This "cloud nine" project had a cost of approximately
to install and operate for a two-year period. The cost
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155
K. K. Huffstutler
being excessive for the small number of parties involved to
share, alternates are being explored, one of which is proving
very interesting. The State University System Institute of
Oceanography has acquired a 62-foot houseboat which, when
equipped with adequate facilities, will be used by universities
for research projects in the estuarine waters around the State.
By cooperating with the Institute, through the load of equip-
ment, we will be able to obtain data of specific interest to us
that will be gathered, in addition to the specific interest of
the academic students and instructors. We envision being able
to monitor, on a non-routine basis, such bodies of water as
Perdido Bay, Escambia Bay, Choctawhatchee Bay, etc. This
cooperative program is well on the way and the industries
Interested in monitoring Escambia Bay will be fully appraised
of its potential.
With respect to the fish kills that took place during
the summer months, we were able to do a detailed investigation
during the incidents of the past summer.
By way of review, 19701s mortalities began in early
June and continued well into October. More than 40 separate
occurrences took place In Mulat, Trout and Indian Bayous on the
east side of Escambia Bay and Bass Role Cove on the north end.
Each incident resulted In anywhere from 50 to 11 million dead
fish. In all cases, 99+ percent of the fish were menhaden of
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i— — — 156
K. K. Huffstutler
1 to 4 inches in length.
Detailed chemical, physical and biological investi-
gation substantiated previous information obtained by short-texm
investigations and further bore out the previous conclusions
and theories as to the cause of these mortalities, In Mulat
Bayou, deep holes have been dredged which act as traps for
organic detritus. During the hot weather, these holes become
anaerobic, thus producing hydrogen sulfide and devoiding the
surrounding waters of their oxygen. The Department of Trans-
portation has been requested to report on the filling of thes®
deep holes.
In an effort to forestall future mass mortalities,
curtains were installed at the mouth of two of the bayous. The
purpose behind these air curtains was to scare and discourage
fish from crossing the screen of rising air bubbles and entering
the bayous whose water quality could not sustain the liveli-
hood of large numbers of fish. This program was highly success
ful in that the curtains virtually eliminated the fish kills
within the bayous under control. The purpose of this program
was not aimed at a solution to the problem, but to reduce the
number of dead fish that were left in the water and on the banks
to decay and consequently render obnoxious odors, promote fly
breeding, et cetera.
Some of the more specific conclusions that were dravn
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157
K. K. Huffstutler
from the intensive study are as follows. Extreme fluctuations
of dissolved oxygen in the water occurred between mid-afternoon
and dawn each day. The afternoon highs and pre-dawn lows were
indicative of active algal propagations. This fact was sub-
stantiated by cell counts which revealed that in the pre-dawn
hours there existed practically no algae, while in the after-
noon concentrations were in the thousands. By algae, we are
speaking of blue-greens and greens. Tests of water samples
collected during the stress period of three major incidents
revealed dissolved oxygen concentrations less than one part per
million.
One plankton sample obtained during a mortality inci-
dent revealed a toxic producer "anacystis canae." The populatic
of this species was so low that it is doubtful it played a
significant part in causing the mortalities. The toxic pro-
duced was cyanide.
The final conclusion Is that the fish deaths were
caused by Insufficient oxygen supplies. Some calculations based
on experimentally determined respiration rates of menhaden and
observed concentrations of menhaden occurring in some of the
incidents indicate that the fish themselves can deplete the
oxygen much faster than reaeration can generate a supply. The
calculations reveal that 1,000 fish per square yard can deplete
the oxygen in the top 6 inches of surface water from 8 to zero
n
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K. K. Huffstutler
parts per million within *5 ^nutes. One count estimated a
fish population in excess of 3,WO per square yard. These
mennaden are virtually chitting suicide in their quest for
ho Treated in a small area with a poor
food that happens to be located
water quality.
insofar as future planning activities are concerned,
as previously mentioned, the important thing to point out Is
that basic decisions regarding the wastewater control strategy
for the area must be made. Activities are currently under way
both at the State and local levels to accomplish this purpose.
1 planning Division of the Department of Air * Water Pollution
Control is in the process of developing basin-wide plans for
pollution control and abatement which will eventually cover the
entire State. As a concurrent activity, local metropolitan or
regional planning councils are responsible for developing slml-
lar comprehensive plans within their areas of Jurisdiction.
Uese basin and metropolitan plans are a pre-condition to obtain.
lng Federal funds for construction of waste collection systems
and treatment facilities as a result of the new Federal requir-
es published in the Federal Register in Jul, 1970.
The planning councils are now working toward these
responsibilities by .»« ™eral ln aCCOmPU»>
lng the necessary related planning. Federal planning fund, for
this purpose ar. .valla", on a 50-50 basis, an* matching funds
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151
K. K. Huffstutler
will have to be made available at the local level to accomplish
the job. It is, therefore, incumbent on the local authorities
to assure that the Regional Planning Council accepts its legal
responsibility and that adequate planning funds are made avail-
able to accomplish the Job.
Our Bureau of Enforcement report will show we are
working to eliminate, or reduce to a minimum, waste discharges
which have helped overfertilize the bay.
Mr. Chairman, that completes my presentation.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Mr. Huffstutler.
Are there any questions or comments by the conferees?
MR. PATTON: I have a couple of comments, John.
One, I think that the Department and the staff like
the idea of the TOC analysis. I think it offers hope as far
as automating the analysis and this is one thing that I think
we all agree needs to be done. I think that the limits of this
analysis as yet have not been worked out where we can accept it,
as Mr. Huffstutler indicated.
I think his comments concerning the lack of action on
the shoreline, and these words were used, I believe, by Mr.
Huffstutler because they were the words that were used in the
previous conference report, and it translates to a bulkhead
line to be established by each of the counties and then this
brought to the trustees, I think that this Is an important
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K. K. Huffstutler
part if we are to avoid future difficulties in both Santa Rosa
and Escambia Counties.
And I would like to emphasize the comments concerning
planning activities under 18 CFR 601. I think that these are
extremely important. We have been attempting to give the
Escambia-Santa Rosa Planning Council all the support that we can
and we hope that they will receive local support so that they
can do the Job and carry their work out properly.
MR. WHITE: Any other comments?
Mr. Reed.
MR. REED: Mr. Chairman, I just want to say to Mr.
Huffstutler, a Job well done. One hard year's work is in that
response.
I am proud of that effort, Mr. Huffstutler, and I
congratulate you and your staff.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Thank you, Mr. Reed.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Traina.
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Huffstutler, let me follow something
that Mr. Patton brought up with regard to this carbonaceous
requirement that the conference came up with. While I recogniZe
the problems of methodology, and we have gone into some of
these, especially, as you indicated earlier, in salt water, in
your opinion there is no problem in removing 90 or 94 percent
of carbonaceous material?
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K. K. Huffstutler
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: I don't see any, Mr. Traina, and I
fully agree with the original conference report and recommenda-
tion and I think it is going to be necessary.
MR. TRAINA: You are just having a problem with
methodology right now in terms of political methodology?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Yes.
MR. TRAINA: Not in terms of the technology of
removal?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: We are not, our Department is not.
(Laughter.)
MR. TRAINA: 0. K.
MR. PATTON: What we are talking about here, one of
the aspects is how do you relate TOC to BOD and then eventually
how do we come down to translating this as part of the rules
and regulations of the State,
MR. TRAINA: I realize your legal administrative
problems. I wanted to get the point across that as far as
treatment, you know, we are there now, I think, in a lot of
other areas in removing carbonaceous material, by that I mean
BOD and TOC.
MR. REED: We are fully agreed—
MR. TRAINA: When you consider this, especially when
we got the Federal report earlier indicating the high levels of
carbonaceous materials, the sediments, the problems that we
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K. K. Huffstutler ¦
have all known about, this kind of thing.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: We fully agree. We would prefer to
have a TOC limit in our regulation, but right now we do not have
the background and sufficient information to go to the Board and
recommend a limit.
MR. TRAINA: Right.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: We are gathering this as hastily as
possible.
MR. TRAINA: Right. Kay, one—
MR. WHITE: Do you have—excuse me. Do you have any
idea of the time frame on that?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: With one piece of equipment I don't
see how we could do it in less than a year. We do have on hand
one piece of equipment to do TOC's. After we purchased it we
were informed that they are experiencing some difficulties with
determining TOC in salt water and we may have to go through a
kind of an experimental program with the manufacturer to see
Just how far into salt water or what concentrations of salt
water we can determine TOC without ruining the equipment.
But in freshwater, we will proceed as rapidly as
possible to determine background for TOC and removal accuracy
et cetera, so we can recommend to our Board some TOC limits.
This has got to be done for both salt and freshwater
on a different basis and I don't anticipate being in a position
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K. K. Huffstutler
to go to our Board In less than a year.
MR. TRAINA: Let me just add, Kay, that we have had
some experience with this in Athens. We will be more than
happy to have our chemists work with you people on this method-
ology. We know it is a problem. We have had some experience
with this.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: We are going to call on you, quite
frequently.
MR. TRAINA: Very good.
MR. WHITE: I would like to observe, too, that the
conference is restricted in the orders that can be issued based
on the local law and regulations of the situation, and because
of this I would urge that we proceed rapidly in developing
technology that is needed so we can get this important require-
ment under regulation and so that we can proceed to get the type
of removals that are needed to preserve the bay. I think the
recommendations that were set forth In the technical report
represented the Federal Government*s best estimate of what is
needed to accomplish the job and I think we have to push forward
to some removals in this order of magnitude.
MR. TRAINA: Just as a comment, It would be nice maybe
If the industries would voluntarily meet a requirement like this,
not have to wait on regulations.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: I was going to say that Informally,
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16M
K. K. Huffstutler
and I say informally being something less than a registered
letter return receipt requested, they have been notified that
we expect them to meet this recommendation even though we
don't have a legal stick to hold over their heads.
MR. WHITE: I would point out that another vehicle is
coming into being, Mr. Davis which the Corps touched on it
briefly before, in the industrial permitting program, it is a
little early yet to say what this will do in all respects, but
effluent guidelines are being developed and this could very
well be the area.
MR. REED: Mr. White and Mr. Traina, let me assure
you that the Board, the Department and the Executive Director
will give this the highest consideration on expedited programs
to see if we can bring this into the State standards as quickly
as humanly possible. I give you my word on that now.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Reed.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Thank you.
MR. TRAINA: One other comment, Kay.
You make the statement that it is good that we might
make some basic decisions now with regard to where we are going
on this strategy for controlling the problems here in the bay
This relates to this question of a pipeline. I know and I
appreciate the fact that you have gone into this in some detail
but if we are going to talk about future development, and I
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K. K. Huffstutler
know again local people may want to comment on this later, we
are going to have to at some point in time think about develop-
ing trunk line or some other thing that is going to pick up not
only what we have now, which admittedly is a small amount of
waste, but for the future. Will the study that you are
engaging in with the University of West Florida look into this
as well?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: No. The Escambia-Santa Rosa
Planning Council and our regional planning concept will look intD
it. And in terms of 10, 15, 20 years this has got to be looked
into in great detail. But in terms of the immediate solution
of the immediate problem, we think that it doesn't justify the
intensive study that is required.
MR. TRAINA: I think the point is that if the local
councils here in their own planning will look at this in terms
of 10 or 15 years. And I think, too, that this should be tied
into the work that you are engaging in with the University of
West Florida in assimilative study. That is just a suggestion.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: All right.
MR. PATTON: Mr. Traina, let me comment on your com-
ment , if X may use that word.
Mr. Brown, who is the Director of Division of Planning,
is not here and he gave certain comments which Mr. Huffstutler
has incorporated in the statement he has just given. I think
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K. K. Huffstutler
that the intent of the Department that has been imparted to
the local planning council by our planning people is that we
are interested in gathering up many of the small sources of
waste, bring them to a point which translates in one sense of
the word to an interceptor or interceptors. However, it may
necessarily not be along the shoreline of Escambia Bay. It
may be inland, it may be far cheaper to do it at this location,
but I think what we are saying here is that we are moving
toward the concept of regionalization, centralization and ade-
quate treatment with proper disposal without limiting our choice
of action here too severely.
MR. TRAINA: I think that is—
MR. PATTON: I think there is one other point that
possibly might be good to bring out at this time. I think one
of the difficulties that we are experiencing in Escambia County
and I can testify that it has been experienced in other areas of
the State, is that we have too many cooks, so to speak, stirring
the pot. And I think if you look back at the last session of
the legislature, a bill was introduced which would have moved
this direction to create one operating agency that would have
provided sewers, sewage treatment and disposal for an entire
county or a multi-county area. My indications are that this
will be looked at very closely in the upcoming session of the
legislature and we hope that something will be coming up there
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K. K. Huffstutler
to expedite it.
Believe me, we have had many long hard meetings, not
behind closed doors J they were open to everybody? but it was
rather difficult sometimes and rather time consuming to come
down to this point in time. I think it is essential that you
have to have this if you are going to get the overall job done.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Mr. Chairman, in preparing this
presentation I have presumed, perhaps mistakenly, that the
Escambia-Santa Rosa Council will probably make a statement to
the conferees and I hope that they do. I am reticent to speak
for them.
MR. WHITE: Of course we were hopeful also, but I
don't believe they have indicated that a statement will be made
at this time.
I think in all probability, and I will ask you for
your advice on this, that it would appear that we will have to
say that the interim plan is no construction dredging will be
permitted until this shoreline plan is developed. Is this a—
MR. REED: Yes. I think also, John, this fits right
in hand with Secretary Rezor's letter to the Governors of the
Southern States saying that he will aocept no more dredging fill
permits on a piecemeal basis. That letter is on file in the
Governor's office and the Trustees' office in Tallahassee.
I will again bring this to the attention of the
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168
r K. K. Huffstutler
t can assure you that no piecemeal
Governor and the cabinet.
4*. will be issued by the State until a master
dredging fill permits will
j buTkhssid line that is &cc6pts.blc to
plan for development and a bulkhead
the Trustees is established. X feel very strongly about that.
„r. TRAINA: Kay, do you know if the counties plan to
respond to the April 28 request?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: No, I don't.
MR. TRAINA: It IS almost a year now.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: This is a good question and we have
been reluctant to ask this question of the H.'folk simply
because they have had an internal rearrangement in the last few
months along with our political structure, and so have the
counties. Evidently it will be brought out in the Perdido con-
ference we have tomorrow.
There is Interest. The interest by the special
Escambia County Commission in pollution and pollution problems
has accelerated quite a bit in recent months and I hope that
they Will stimulate the action and bring Santa Rosa County alorJ
tt Board's request for establishment ofl
with them and answer the IJ.Boara req
a bulkhead or shoreline.
MR. REED: We would like to point out that the
Trustees do have a rule on this. If the bulkhead line has not
been established in a particular bay or estuary, they will not
accept an application for a dredging fill permit, so there is I
* Internal Improvement Board.
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165
K. K. Huffstutler
a stalemate there.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Moratorium will exist until that
shoreline is established.
MR. TRAINA: I guess if the county is happy with that
situation, so b.e it.
MR. REED: Exactly. That is one way of avoiding the
question.
MR. TRAINA: All right.
MR. WHITE: Just one other comment, Mr. Huffstutler.
I think when a municipality or a community or an
industry does a good job that they should be commended. In
this case it would appear that Century has acted expeditiously
and beaten the deadline established by the conferees and I wish
to offer a word of commendation to them.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: We are very proud of them and we
think also that the Division of Health and Rehabilitative
Services deserves a lot of credit.
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
MR. CROCKETT: Mr. White, may I ask a question?
MR. WHITE: Yes, Mr. Crockett.
MR. CROCKETT: Did I understand you correctly, Mr.
Huffstutler, in that you feel that there is technology for
removal of TOC up to the degree specified by the conference a
year ago?
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K. K. Huffstutler
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: No, I said we weren't having that
problem. The industries may have the problem. (Laughter * ) Our
problem is with analyzing the TOC.
I honestly can't answer your question. I don't know
whether technology exists, but if it doesn't it has got to be
developed in the almost immediate future.
MR. PATTON: Art, I think the best answer that we can
give is that this is a good concept; it still has some bugs in
it. We like the concept and perhaps this might be a good place
for some Federal research efforts to help move it along and
answer some of these unanswered questions.
MR. TRAINA: Well, I don't want to pursue tyiis too
much, but, of course, we have participated already in some
demonstration grants.
MR. PATTON: Good.
MR. TRAINA: And I think some of this was document *
in the 1970 report, as I recall, and in the testimony that was
given as a result of those findings and we were getting over 90
percent removal TOC in these grants. I think the technology
an improvement here and we can reissue those.
But that is the record to date.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Past experience has shown that th«
technology will not develop until the limits have been set an
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K. K. Huffstutler
technology be developed.
MR. WHITE: Very good. I think, then, that we are
all agreed that we will let the limits stand under the circum-
stances stated by you earlier.
If there are no other questions or comments, thank
you very much, Mr. Huffstutler.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Thank you.
MR. PATTON: Thank you, Mr. Huffstutler.
The next presentation is by the Chief of the Bureau
of Enforcement, Mr. deCastro.
J. F. DE CASTRO, CHIEF
BUREAU OF ENFORCEMENT
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AIR & WATER
POLLUTION CONTROL, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
MR. DE CASTRO: The following presentation is a prog-
ress report of the status of cases under enforcement in the
Escambia River and Bay.
I shall first recount briefly our Involvement with
American Cyanamid Company prior to the 1970 Federal-interstate
enforcement conference on Escambia River and Bay.
On July 18, 1969, the Florida Department of Air &
Water Pollution Control cited American Cyanamid for discharging
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172
J. p. deCastro
to Escambia Bay industrial waste receiving less than 90 percent
treatment, in violation of State rules. An additional charge
regarding cyanates was later dismissed as it was determined that
the substance detected was not a cyanate as the term was used In
the Florida State rules.
engineering report. Their proposed abatement program and
schedule were finally approved on November 26, 1969. To this
date—and I repeat to this date—American Cyanamld Company has
properly complied with all milestones of their State-enforced
1969 program.
20 and 21, 1970, recommended that American Cyanamid Company
reduce discharges of carbonaceous and nitrogenous wastes in
9H percent, phosphorus wastes in 90 percent and cease discharges
of acrylonitrile.
On May 8, 1970, American Cyanamid was ordered by the
Department of Air & Water Pollution Control to take immediate
interim measures to cease discharges of deleterious, floating
and/or settleable substances while their overall major abatement
program progressed. This they complied with and the correspond
ing Notice and Order was dismissed January 13, 1971.
The Florida Department of Air & Water Pollution Con-
trol Board Order dated August 7, 1970, confirmed approval of
On October 2, 1969, American Cyanamid submitted an
The conferees at the Joint conference held January
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173
J. P. deCastro
American Cyanamid Company's State-enforced abatement program
of October 2, 1969.
Phases I & II, Wastewater Characterization Study &
Treatability Report, have been duly submitted and have been
approved by the Department of Air & Water Pollution Control.
Phase III, Pilot Plant Study, is currently under way and due
for submittal July 31, 1971. Phase IV, Pinal Plans, Specifi-
cations and Construction Schedule, based on results of Phases
I, II & III, is due January 1, 1972. Overall completion is
December 31, 1972.
Our pre-Pederal conference involvement with Escambia
Chemical Corporation also dates back to July 18, 1969, when they
were cited for discharging untreated industrial waste into
classified State waters.
In October of 1969, Escambia Chemical submitted a
report which was approved on December 15, 1969. To this date,
and again I repeat to this date, Escambia Chemical Corporation
has duly complied with all milestones of their State-enforced
1969 program.
The conferees also recommended that Escambia Chemical
Corporation reduce discharges of carbonaceous and nitrogenous
waste in 9^ percent and phosphorus waste in 90 percent.
Florida Department of Air & Water Pollution Control
Board Order dated August 1970 confirmed approval of Escambia
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J. F. deCastro
Chemical Corporation's State-enforced abatement program of
October 1969 • I
Escambia Chemical is currently engaged in a project
intended to locate, identify and control what we call a phantom
stream of highly contaminated water which is seeping into their
retention pond. They are also engaged in a demonstration Irri-
gation project intended to determine the feasibility of appl,i„J
heavily loaded waste the year-round for fertilizing pasture and
crops.
Pursuant to Order dated November 16, 1970, Escambia
Chemical will i^»ent one or more of the five alternate Stat J
approved abatement sub-projects or else a new alternate
substitute project prior approval by the Department of Air &
water Pollution Control, all as required to bring them to com-
pliance with State-enforced discharge levels.
Pinal phase of Escambia Chemical's abatement program,
consisting of plans, specifications, and construction schedule,
is due October 31, 1971. Completion again is December 31, 1973.
Monsanto Chemical Company was cited by the Department
of Air 4 Water Pollution Control on November 21, 1969, for di,_
charging to Escambia River nitrates and substances harmful to
aquatic lif«» I
- ™ Tanuarv 20 and 21 of 1970 recommended
The conferees on January cu m
discharges of carbonaceous and I
that Monsanto reduce the discharge
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115
J. P. deCastro
nitrogenous waste in 9 4 percent and phosphrous waste in 90 per-
cent .
The Florida Department of Air & Water Pollution Con-
trol Board Order dated August 12, 1970, confirmed approval of
Monsanto*s State-enforced abatement project and ordered by
December 31, 1971, the reduction of BOD discharges to values
within the range of 5,000 to 6,000 pounds per day and nitrogen
to about 1,500 pounds a day.
On January 25, 1971, Monsanto was ordered by the
Department to submit plans and schedule of specific corrective
action to eliminate and prevent effluent containing polychlori-
nated biphenyls (PCB) from entering waters of the State.
Monsanto's proposed interim emergency project to
minimize the PCB possibility was approved and ordered by the
Board on February 11th. Also ordered was the submittal to all
pertinent authorities of an appropriate application for permits
to cover a permanent installation to completely eliminate the
PCB possibility. Technical data on the application for a permit
will satisfy Board Order to report dated January 25, 1971.
To this date, Monsanto has also properly complied with
all milestones of their State-enforced abatement programs.
Incidentally, implementation upon the part of Americar
Gyanamid, Escambia and Monsanto Chemical of their State-enforced
abatement projects pursuant to their respective 1969 citations
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j, p. deCastro
will not only bring them to compliance with Florida State rules
but will also result In the reduction of their individual
nutrient discharges to levels recommended after the Federal
_ „ ,conference that followed.
interstate enforcement corner
But all that we have said so far about Cyanamid,
Escambia and Monsanto regarding their compliance with the mile-
stones of their respective enforced programs would be meaning-
less without results obtained.
We are professionals in the art of abating pollution
and abhor the idea of Justifying enforcement with other than
physical abatement. We are after results, not wordy subter-
fUgeS O**
Although the targets for completion of the enforced
abatement projects for the three industries are many months
ahead, we have begun to see results, as the chart indicates.
This chart correlates years elapsed with combined
nitrogen discharges from the three industries expressed in
population equivalent factors. At this point we wish to streBa
wish to emphasise, that some of the data reflected in the chart
requires—
MR. REED: Joe, let me see it. I know everybody in
„t a good look. I want to have a look at
the audience will get a
it.
MR. BECK: Turn it around so they can see it.
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127
J. P. deCastro
MR. DE CASTRO: We wish to stress that some of the
data reflected in the chart requires further clarification by
our regional laboratory.
The highest point in the chart represents the combined
discharges of the three industries expressed in population
equivalent, that is the top one, and shown in the 1970 Federal
report.
The top line represents the downward path of the com-
bined discharges including the contribution from the so-called
phantom stream currently under exhaustive investigation.
The bottom line shows a steeper downward path when the
phantom stream, a nonprocess high contribution of as yet un-
determined origin, is excluded from the picture.
Please note that the reduction in pollution from the
combined discharges, including phantom contributions, represents
25 percent abatement. This is this point here (indicating).
Excluding the phantom stream, the combined abatement approaches
the 61 percent mark, from up there to here (indicating), 71.
The Bureau of Enforcement assures this audience that
the enforced target, as shown in the chart, will be met—and met
ahead of time.
MR. WHITE: If I may interrupt, and Just to keep the
record straight with Mrs. Rankin, we do have a copy of the chart
that was held up and this will be entered into the record for
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178
J. F. deCastro
clarification.
(The chart referred follows:)
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179
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— IBo
J. p. deCastro
MR. DE CASTRO: Gulf Power Company was cited by the
Department on January 29, 1971, for discharging floating debris
fly ash, microscopic glass, et cetera, attributable to industrial
waste in amount sufficient to be unsightly or deleterious and
produced a white mass and other conditions as to create a
nuisance.
Gulf Power proposed temporary measures to trap float-
ing ash has been approved by the Department and implemented by
them.
An engineering report on Gulf Power's project and
schedule to completely eliminate the possibility of a recur-
rence is due March 3, 1971.
Temperature matters were covered in Kay Huffstutler • s
presentation.
Now, not a part of the Federal report, but a case of
enforcement of the Escambia Bay, the city of Pensacola.
The main sewage treatment plant was cited by the
Department on October 5, 1970, for discharging raw sewage from
the Burgess Street Lift Station into Bayou Texar and Carpenter
Creek on September 23 and 24, 1970.
On October 20, 1970, an additional citation was
issued the city of Pensacola Main Street Sewage Treatment Plant
for discharging raw sewage from the Carrolwood Subdivision Lift
Station into Thompson Bayou on October 12, 1970. Ordered was
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181
J. P. deCastro
the submittal to the Department (Copy to the Bureau of Sanitary
Engineering) within three days of an emergency plan of action
to prevent all future discharges of raw sewage into any of the
waters of the State.
On December 7, 1970, our Executive Director, Mr.
Vincent D. Patton, requested our staff to prepare a case
against the city of Pensacola for failing to submit an
appropriate emergency plan pursuant to orders contained in the
October 20, 1970, citation. The case was forwarded to the
Attorney General's Office for action in December 1970.
On January 6, 1971> the city of Pensacola was issued
orders for corrective action requesting it to submit detailed
and specific technical data on the overall system.
On January 20, 1971, a conference was held at Talla-
hassee with a technical representative from the city of Pensa-
cola and members of the Bureau of Enforcement. Matters dis-
cussed were related to the January 6, 1971» order.
On February 9, 1971, the city submitted copious
technical data on the Main Street Sewage Treatment Plant.
This together with the data submitted on November 23, 1970,
are under perusal by our enforcement technical staff. No con-
clusion has been reached as yet.
MR. PATTON: Thank you, Mr. deCastro.
I note that you mentioned in there that one case
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182
1 J. F. deCastro
against the American Cyanamld had been dismissed. Just for the
! purpose of clarification, X want to state that this was a case
1 concerning solids and did not relate to the overall case, the
main case, if you may have put it in that light.
I note that you did not comment on the acrylonitrlle
„ ^ far as the prevention of any further
as to what had happened as far as
discharges of this material.
MR. DE CASTRO: The latest report we have, sir, ia
that the acrylonitrlle is in the minute traces or nondetectable
levels. That has been taken care of, practically taken care of.
MR. WHITE: Are there any other comments or questions?
Mr. Traina.
MR. TRAINA: On the question of acrylonitrlle, is thia
data that the company has given you on them?
MR. DE CASTRO: That was data I obtained through the
regional engineer. I don't exactly know the source of the data.
That was his report.
MR. TRAINA: Maybe this is not a question I should
direct at you, but I notice that Monsanto, at least at the
moment, is not listed here to speak. But could you tell us, lf
you will, what their plans are, this emergency plan to control
PCB's?
MR. DE CASTRO: Yes. It was the feeling of the
Department that most of the discharges of traces of PCB could bj
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18^;
J. P. deCastro
coming from a portion of that outfall channel, the portion of
on-land channel, because the rest of the channel is lined with
cement, and it was felt that first by reducing the flow velocity,
not the volume, the flow velocity that would prevent or reduce
or minimize the act of erosion of the mad, the possible resi-
dues and the mud. That they are doing now. They are building
a dam more or less to reduce the flow, reduce the flow velocity,
and then the next step is to completely condemn that portion of
a line in the channel about six or seven hundred feet, condemn
it and cover it with an inert filling or filler and build a new
channel and a newer flow at a different point, in other words
completely eliminating that area which could be contaminated
with PCB.
MR. PATTON: I might add, Paul, that they can't
complete the last portion of that too expeditiously because
they have to get a permit from the State and they will also have
to get a permit from the Corps of Engineers.
MR. DE CASTRO: That is on the way now.
MR. PATTON: Right.
MR. TRAINA: But this first phase, in other words—
MR. DE CASTRO: The first phase will be completed
within the next, I would say, three or four days.
MR. TRAINA: Within that time, then, PCB's will no
longer be discharged to the bay, at least from this source?
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18it
J. P. deCastro
MR. DE CASTRO: Hoepfully. That is our estimated
target.
MR. WHITE: Any other comments?
I would like to discuss a couple of items with you,
Mr. deCastro.
First I note that we don't have an indication that
the city of Pensacola is going to make a report on its Northeast
Treatment Plant, at least nothing has been handed to me, and I
don't see the status of their pilot study that was to have been
completed by this time. I wonder if you can comment on this?
MR. DE CASTRO: I don't have the case on the enforce-
ment. However, Kay Huffstutler was—
MR. PATTON: If we may, let's ask Mr. Huffstutler to
return to the podium and comment on the status of this case. j
believe he is more familiar with it than Mr. deCastro.
MR. WHITE: If you will stay there, too, Mr. deCastro
we will appreciate it. I have a few other comments.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: The pilot study has been completed
The removal of phosphates is highly successful. They were
using aluminum salts at specific locations throughout the plant
They have run into some difficulty about lowering the
pH of the sewage and this brings a question as to the treat-
ability in the digester, et cetera. But the overall removal of
the phosphates is evidently highly successful. Now they have
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185
J. P. deCastro
got to make up their mind whether they are going this way or
whether they are going to eliminate the northeast plant or use
it as a substation or just what they are going to do.
I think a permit has been issued for them to proceed
with construction, has it not, Phil?
MR. DOHERTY: No.
MR. PATTON: It has not been issued yet.
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: It has not?
MR. WHITE: Is there any chance that we could receive
a schedule of their proposed actions, interim dates to comply
with the recommendations?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: Yes, sir, we can provide you with
these.
MR. WHITE: You will submit that for the record, then?
MR. HUFFSTUTLER: All right.
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
Yes, Mr.deCastro, I assume that American Cyanamid is
going to give a detailed report on the progress to date of their
MR. DE CASTRO: They are going to make their presenta-
tion, and so are Escambia and Monsanto, as far as I know.
MR. WHITE: Well, we have no indication that a repre-
sentative of Monsanto is going tb make a statement.
I need to be refreshed. Possibly I should have
already figured it out from this material, but this loading
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186
J. F. deCastro
that you talk about, five to six thousand pounds per day of BOD
that will be discharged by Monsanto, would you clarify for me
what this is?
MR. DE CASTRO: They were ordered to reduce their
discharges by December 31 of 1971, of this year-
MR. WHITE: Yes. I
MR. DE CASTRO: —to a range of 5,000 pounds per day.
The data we have, that has been confirmed by our regional lab,
is that they are now down below that level, they are down to
about 2,500 to 3,000. As X said, we want to further verify
those values.
1 And in the case of nitrogen, they were ordered to
1 reduce the discharge to 1,500 pounds per day. The data we have
available shows that they are now down below, they are in the
range of about 1,000.
We also want to verify those values. We are talking
large volumes and our lab has only taken spot grab samples. The
regional lab has planned a full scale 24-hour sampling on both
parameters.
But the data we have is that they are below those
values now.
MR. WHITE: Would it be possible for you to submit
this information for the record also or an updated status
report, say9 within 15 days?
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187
J. P. deCastro
MR. DE CASTRO: I will have to check with the
regional engineer.
What is your estimation of the completion of the
sampling of Monsanto?
MR. DOHERTY: Oh, probably about two weeks, I Imagine.
MR. DE CASTRO: Two weeks. The data that we have
available shows that they are below those levels now, subject tc
verification.
MR. WHITE: Well, the conferees were charged with
establishing some load limits. I don't think we have ever really
come to grips with this problem and I think we will probably
have to in our executive session. This is the reason that I am
going into this particular area at this time.
Are there any other questions or comments?
MR. TRAINA: I would just like to make one comment.
I think that chart you presented is rather dramatic proof that
we can reduce these things and I was very Impressed with th&t
chart. It is good to see that we are really moving ahead, it
really is.
MR. DE CASTRO: We are proud of it.
Thank you.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. deCastro.
MR. REED: Well done, Mr. deCastro.
Mr. Wayne Tisdale, Regional Engineer, Florida Division
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[ 188
W. E. Tisdale
of Health.
WAYNE E. TISDALE, REGIONAL ENGINEER
DIVISION OP HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OP
HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
MR. TISDALE: Mr. Chairman, conferees.
I am W. E. Tisdale, Regional Engineer for the Division
of Health, Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative
Services. You see, we all change names now and then.
My comments will concern primarily the operation and
the condition of domestic waste treatment facilities in the
study area and touch briefly on shellfish sanitation.
I feel that while shellfish sanitation did not enter
into the 1970 conference as such, we do have some information
I believe, that is valuable and pertinent to the topic.
First in the matter of quality, during 1970, from
March through August, we collected oyster samples from Escambia
Bay. These were examined in the Gulf Coast Water Hygiene Lab
at Dauphin Island, Alabama, and I am not certain who it belongs
to any more, whether it is the Food and Drug Administration or
EPA.
At any rate—
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189
W. E. Tisdale
MR. TRAINA: It is half and half. (Laughter.)
MR. TISDALE: At any rate, the analysis of the fir6t
five of these samples failed to reveal any mercury content.
Then the analysis of a sample collected on July 15 indicated
a concentration of 0.11 parts per million of mercury. A
follow-up sample collected on August 18 was analyzed and again
the analysis failed to detect mercury.
In another situation at another location over in East
Bay, an oyster sample was collected and was split between the
Dauphin Island lab and Georgia Institute of Technology through
the courtesy of Dr. Duke. The Dauphin Island portion was
analyzed by dithizone extraction, as they usually use, with the
result of less than 0.1 part per million. The portion which
was directed to Georgia Tech. was analyzed by neutron activatior
with a result of 0.13 parts per million.
All of these results are below the concentration of
0.2 parts per million which is considered by the Food and Drug
Administration as background level. These results, along with
those from other agencies on the various forms of marine life
attd on sediments, coupled with the knowledge that oysters do
concentrate heavy metals, tend to indicate that Escambia Bay
is not suffering from mercury contamination.
In deference to Dr. Duke*8 comments, we have kept in
close contact with Mm on the PCB levels in oysters insofar as
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190
W. E. Tlsdale I
the harvesting or the approval of areas for oyster harvesting.
In the realm of sewage treatment plants, the January
1970 conference and the FWPCA report which It included dealt
rather heavily with the city of Pensacola's Northeast Sewage
Treatment Plant. It was indicated at that conference that the
plant was tested and as a result would be issued a citation. A
thorough evaluation of the plant was conducted in February 1970,
which revealed that the efficiency of the plant was within desigr
~. 4-v,ot- time No citation has been Issued,
parameters at that time.
During 1970 the flow through the plant has averaged
1.52,000 gallons per day while the BOD,, removal has averaged 73
percent. The average flow is slightly over 50 percent of design
capacity, while the efficiency Is considerably below that which
should be expected of a well-operated trickling filter plant.
Generally, as the flow has increased, the efficiency has
decreased.
At the present, the bypass weirs at the plant are sestted
SO there can be no bypass of untreated sewage. The city has hM
accomplished a pilot study dealing with utilisation of alum for
nutrient removal. This study assumed the replacement of thetrlok-
ltag filter plant by an activated sludge plant, and the stud, con-
eluded that phosphorus can be reduced by alum coagulation, but
leave, some questions concerning the maximum phosphors removal
and the solids and BOD reduction. This study doe. not appear to
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191
W. E. Tisdale
have brought the city any nearer to a decision on the disposi-
tion of this plant.
There are, without doubt, a number of factors which
reduce the efficiency of the plant. But instead of dwelling
upon these factors, it is the consideration of the Division of
Health that the following conclusions must be drawn:
First, that the Northeast Treatment Plant, by its
Inherent design and as indicated by operating experience, cannot
be relied upon to meet present Plorida water quality standards.
Secondly, this plant is by all present concepts ill-
located. Its contributions to the problems of Escambia Bay
have been clearly indicated. The fact of its presence,
irrespective of the degree of treatment accomplished, prohibits
consideration of oyster harvesting on the west side of Escambia
Bay even though commercially significant oyster beds are
located there. Water recreation in that portion of the bay 1b
alao affected. The plant physically can, without question, have
a general effect upon property values and aesthetics.
It is, therefore, the recommendation of the Division
of Health, which I represent, that the city of Pensacola proceed
with a plan to eliminate the Northeast plant and route the
waste flows to other appropriate treatment locations. This is
In consonance with Recommendation No. 2 of the 1970 conference.
My next comments ,wlfch all respect to Mr. Huffstutler»s
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192
W. E. Tisdale " |
presentation, which I was much interested in and certainly
appreciate the Pollution Control Department's recognition of
the accomplishments at Century, concern at the same time some
facts which must be brought out.
Recommendation No. 8 of the conference of 1970 indi-
cated that the community of Century should install secondary
waste treatment facilities, this to be done by December 31,
1972. Let it be clarified that Century is not a town in a true
sense of the word. There is no charter. It is a community.
But through cooperative efforts of the State and local health
agencies, the cooperation of industry and local government, the
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has installed
temporary treatment facilities which intercept waste flows
which had for many years been discharged without treatment.
Let it be clearly understood that approval of the temporary
facility is limited to a 2-year period, which means that
permanent secondary facilities must be installed prior to
December 31, 1972.
Finally, we would like to offer a comment on Recom-
mendation No. 2, dealing with the interceptor system for Escam-
bia Bay with respect to "future and minor present effluents."
There are definitely domestic waste discharges reaching Escambia
Bay other than those specifically enumerated. Much emphasis
has been placed upon the need for a single body or authority to
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193.
W. E. Tisdale
own and operate water and sewerage utilities.
In 1970 a proposed legislative act to create a water
and sewer authority for Escambia County was not successful. It
is our consideration that until some such body is created or
activated little success will be had with either areawide
nutrient removal from wastes or with a unified waste collection
and disposal system. In like manner, development will continue
to be curtailed and haphazard and public health will suffer due
to the inability or the unwillingness of utilities to provide
needed services.
At the present time, discussions seem to be proceeding
well between the Board of County Commissioners of Escambia
County and the Pensacola City Council toward provision of a
unified utility system. Simultaneously, the Escambia-Santa Rosa
Regional Planning Council is in process of developing a 5-
year sewer plan. Certainly we shall anxiously and hopefully
look toward some beneficial results from these proceedings, for
we feel that either through this method or through legislation
these are the only two ways that this overall problem can be
solved.
MR. REED: Certainly that is pertinent, Mr. Tisdale.
We have just finished an enforcement conference in Dade County,
27 municipalities, one county commission, 28 fiefdoms, 28 king-
doms, repeated in Broward County with 30-some-odd municipalities
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19*
VI. E. Tisdale
t. Palm Beach County with 39 or U municipalitieB
in the county, raxm
ntv and somewhere along the line the people in this
in the county, ana
thls annate, business - — — "
This is absolutely ridiculous. It is expensi
trotting us anywhere.
so I concur with your last recommendation 1,000 per-
» is a good strong one. X think we ought to go further
unless agreement Is rapidly reached between the two
entities , this county, 1 thin, we ought to loo, very serious
into the considerations that we looked into in Dade County.
MR PATTON: Wayne, let me as* you one question. You
mentioned it is your consideration that the Northeast Plant
^ Have you made this con-
cannot be relied upon
elusion and recommendation Known to the city fa ers
MR. TISDALE: Yes, 1 have discussed this in some
detail with consultants to the city.
MR. REED: Who are the consultants?
MR. tisdale: Flood and Associates.
MR. REED: From Jacksonville?
v * In all due respect to Mr. Huff-
MR. TISDALE: *es. In all a
„ .. oharse correctly that he would gt^|
.. »i.„ if I understood the charge c 1
,a i Bure would like to see it. I TJ
you a timetable of Pensacola, I sure w
w»f>rrinft to, but I haven't seen
don't know which °ne he was referrlng^^
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m
W. E. Tisdale
one.
MR. PATTON: I think possibly from what we have seen
in the operation of their main plant that perhaps we need to
incorporate all of these into one order. Perhaps we have a
mechanism that we can use to help expedite this.
MR. REED: It would be foolish, it seems to me, to
put an order against the Northeast one when surely, from the
results of this disastrous last year, we have got to get at the
Main Street Sewage Treatment Plant as well.
MR. TISDALE: I think, Mr. Reed, that the entire
picture is bound up into this matter of overall plan.
MR. REED: Yes, sir.
MR. TISDALE: There is no question. Because when you
discuss a situation outside the city, It ties into some other
picture inside the city, and the Regional Planning Council, I
think perhaps in this plan that is being developed, hopefully
they would come out with a master plan that can and must be
followed by all concerned. How everyone concerned can be made
to follow this plan is a question, but it has to be.
MR. REED: Federal money is the way, that free money.
(Laughter.)
MR. TRAINA: I might add that Federal money also
implies Federal persuasiveness too. It is a two-way street.
MR. REED: We have gone through this in Broward and
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w. E. Tisdale
Palm Beach Counties, we have struggled for two years, and
finally, finally, finally when the threat was realized that the
cutoff of all Federal money, HUD money and every other kind of
money, was realized down there, it is amazing how fast the solu-
tions began to come. Boy, solutions came out of the air, good
solutions which obviously had been well thought out well ahead
of time and had been buried at the bottom of reports in lower
drawers. When the threat of the loss of Federal money came out
bingo, out came the plans that are good plans and sensible plana
and that will work.
MR. TRAINA: I would just like to add, I think the
city of Pensacola—and I don't know whether they are here—they
have indicated no response to this, but I think they should be
made aware of the fact that these conferees are very concerned
about the apparent problems that they are facing, or not facing
I guess is more appropriate.
MR. PATTON: Mr. Chairman, just for the record, in
case—well, let's just say to prevent any misunderstanding, I
would like to have it noted for the record that my office sent
out a letter to approximately 14 people, inviting them to be
present and make presentations at this conference reconvening,
and one of those parties was the representative of the city.
So I think that they have been made aware of it through this
and other means.
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W. E, Tisdale
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Patton.
And I would like to thank you, Mr. Tisdale, for an
excellent presentation, and to echo what Mr. Reed said about
the need for moving into this area with some consolidation where
possible and feasible.
I also take note of your statement concerning Century.
Possibly we were a little premature in praising them. We will
investigate this problem and come out with a revised statement.
Yes, Mr. Reed.
MR. REED: Any of those who are on the list to speak
this afternoon that have a difficult airplane schedule, if they
will see me directly when Mr. White concludes this morning's
session, I will reorganize my list of witnesses for the after-
noon session.
MR. WHITE: Very good.
With that, I believe that we will stand recessed for
lunch until 1:45.
(NOON RECESS)
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— __198
AFTERNOON SESSION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1971
MR. WHITE: Let's reconvene, please.
We will continue with the Florida presentation. Mr.
Reed.
MR. REED: Our next speaker is Mr. John Kramer,
Technical Manager, Escambia Chemical Corporation, Pensacola.
J. D. KRAMER, TECHNICAL MANAGER
ESCAMBIA CHEMICAL CORPORATION
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
MR. KRAMER: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and
gentlemen.
I am Jack Kramer, Technical Manager for Escambia
Chemical Corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air
Products and Chemicals, Inc.
A little over a year ago, Mr. T. L. Carey, President
of our company, made a statement before this conference. He
traced our history of concern over the environment and the
steps which had already been taken to abate pollution at our
local plant. During the past 13 months this concern has con-
tinued and additional positive steps have been taken that are
designed to further reduce the nutrient contribution to Escambia
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w
J. D. Kramer
Bay.
You will remember that the FWQA report Issued last
year noted that Escambia contributes only 1 percent of both the
5-day BOD and TOC discharged in the study area. The report also
noted under the heading "Toxic Wastes" that "No compound in the
Escambia effluent had concentrations greater than 5 mg/liter.
I would like to discuss thfc more important of these
steps which I mentioned above in greater detail with you:
1. Expansion of Facultative Stabilization Ponds.
Scheduled for completion in mid-March is a $400,000
expansion project for our facultative pond system. The present
single, 3-acre pond will be expanded to a system of three ponds
covering 35 acres, increasing our retention capacity about ten-
fold and providing a safety reservoir to contain any inadvertent
plant upset. These expanded ponds will provide significant
reductions of nitrogen and phosphrous.
Dr. James B. Lackey, a retired Professor of Sanitary
Science at the University of Florida at Gainesville, has made
extensive biological studies of the small pond during the last
18 months, during which time he has also studied the effect of
our effluent streams on Escambia Bay. In his study on our
present biological pond, Dr. Lackey found a well balanced biota
to exist year round. On the basis of these findings and his
recommendations, an expansion of the pond was planned, taking
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_____ __ 20f
J . D. Kramer
maximum advantage of the swampy area between our plant site and
Escambia Bay. To quote from Dr. Lackey's conclusions relative
to the expanded pond, he states as follows:
"The enlarged system of three ponds
will provide a longer detention period during
which a heavy biological growth will occur,
involving all levels. There will be a continuing
uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus and incor-
poration into the air as normal nitrogen, into
the pond sediments, and into the bodies of worms,
insects, fishes and frogs."
The present pond has demonstrated its ability to sup-
port abundant fish life and we have every reason to believe that
the expanded system will do even better.
Our present discharge has a minimum dissolved oxygen
level of 3.5 ppm. Generally, it exceeds the levels measured in
Escambia Bay by the FWQA, Also a part of the pond project are
three aeration terraces—one on the discharge of each pond.
expect these to raise the dissolved oxygen level even further
2. Closing of the NPK Production Plant.
Escambia has closed the operation of its $2,500,000
NPK granular fertilizer plant. The decision to close this
fertilizer plant reduced the phosphrous and nitrogen content of
the plant effluent into the bay, but unfortunately did result in
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201
J. D. Kramer
a reduction of 20 employees.
Many studies had been made on the operation of this
plant with respect to the environment. Considerable sums of
money were also spent, which included a total recycle water
system to serve the scrubber system. Further studies led to
the conclusion that nutrients were still escaping and that the
additional capital required to correct the problems would
render continuing operation of this plant economically impos-
sible; therefore,the decision to discontinue its operation.
3. Reduction of Quantity of Effluent to Escambia Bay.
By April 1, we will have completed a project that will
reduce our effluent stream by one million gallons per day. This
will be accomplished by converting from once-through well water
to cooling tower water on a large exchanger in our ammonia plant.
This change will, in effect, allow us to shut down one of our
present freshwater wells for the purpose of water conservation.
In addition, we expect to trim another 500,000 gallons
a day or 10 percent in June because of revisions in the methanol
plant. This particular change will also reduce TOC or BOD from
this plant, and is the result of applying water conservation and
recycle techniques. These two projects alone will result in
1-1/2 mgd effluent reduction.
4. Ammonium Nitrate Plant.
Major work has been done in this plant in acid-proof-
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J. D, Kramer
bricking large areas to confine and recover spills and major
revisions to the reclaim system are under way. This reclaim
system is designed for recovery of ammonium nitrate lost from
process upsets, spills, etc.
5. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Treatment System.
Construction is under way with completion expected
May 1 on a treatment system specific to the PVC plant. This
system will remove 95 percent of the phosphorus discharge from
this plant by magnesium hydroxide treatment. This is the last
remaining source of this nutrient in any of our operating plants
and when completed the phosphorus discharged to the bay will be
essentially nil.
6. Miscellaneous Source-Control Projects.
We have been continually on the alert within each of
our plants where weak waste streams may be collected and re-
cycled to the process. We have done this in a number of cases
and have a number of similar possibilities under consideration
The net effect of all this is a 30 percent reduction
of total nitrogen in our measured in-plant streams.
In addition, we have complied with everything that has
been asked of us by the Florida Department of Air & Water Poliu.»
tion Control. Supplementary data were supplied following last
year's conference. A formal progress report was issued in June
This report gave very complete data on all of our effluent
-------
J. D. Kramer
streams which were collected during an intensive measuring and
sampling program covering a 2-week period. The same report pre
sented a program to be followed and discussed various possible
treatment alternatives. Finally, monthly letters are issued to
the Department giving the data which they had requested. You
may be interested in the fact that we have computerized all of
our effluent data, which gives us very prompt results and a con-
tinuous readout on our progress.
As Mr. deCastro mentioned in his presentation, Escambi
does have an unidentified nutrient loading, and I should say
also water loading, which we have been working very hard to move|
Into the Identified column. Our outfall drains about 2,600
acres of land, upon which some 10 mgd of rain falls within an
average year. In 1970, 67.5 inches of total rainfall was
experienced in Pensacola. At this time, we are not completely
sure of how much "natural" versus "industry-created" nutrients
this contains. Among the positive steps we have taken in this
area are the following:
1. Within the facultative pond expansion discussed
previously, we have initiated collection system Improvements
which will allow us to gain much better insight as to the soured
and characteristics of this unidentified stream.
2. We have installed and routinely analysed some 83
eased test wells to identify underground sources of nutrients.
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— 2D1
J. D. Kramer
3. We have had a hydrological expert in from our
consultants, Black, Crow & Eidsness, out of Gainesville, to
help us define a program, which is now under way, to define
sources of both the water and the nutrient loading.
4. Nitrogen removal from wastewater is one of the
most difficult technical problems. Present technology in this
area is very costly, complex, and does not really provide ade-
quate removal. Nevertheless, we have looked at many treatment
methods, including the following:
a. Anaerobic denitrification.
b. Deepwell disposal.
c. Pish raising and harvesting.
d. Activated carbon.
e. Spray irrigation, or crop raising.
On spray irrigation, we have consulted with Dr. Curtis
Hutton of the University of Florida Experiment Station at
Chmuckla. With his help, a program was defined and we are now
pursuing the first step in this program. This will involve
small test plots which will tell us how fast and how far nitro-
gen will move through our sandy soil, which will in turn be a
measure of the practicality of such a treatment method. This
phase of the study will be completed within the next month.
Because all of these methods are fraught with diffi
cultles technically, we were very interested to hear of the
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203
J. D. Kramer
development of an ion-exchange technique for nitrogen removal.
We learned of this only last week. Research has been done on
this technique and the research was partially funded by an FWQA
grant. We immediately sent two of our technical people to
examine this work for applicability to our own program. They
returned last Friday night. Obviously, there has not been time
to do much in the way of evaluation and it is therefore too
early to be more specific on the utility of this approach.
We submit that Escambia has been, and will continue
to be, a leader in pollution abatement. If there are any fur-
ther questions, I would be happy to answer them.
MR. REED: Mr. Kramer, where was the FWPCA grant on
the ion, where physically was this to be done, do you remember
offhand?
MR. KRAMER: The Farmers Chemical in Tyner, Tennessee.
MR. REED: Very interesting. Very good.
Tell me a little bit more about this phantom stream.
I have got an awful lot of phantoms. Is this an underground
stream?
MR. KRAMER: It is underground water. We have
observed it for a long time surfacing in the area below the
area B.
MR. REED: I see.
MR. KRAMER: It is completely external to the
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206
J . D. Kramer
collection system that did exist. We have already completed
the ditch across above that swampy area and we can see it flow-
ing in that ditch.
MR. REED: Do you think this was a stream that
historically has entered the bay?
MR. KRAMER: Yes.
MR. REED: Has the USGS been invited to do any work in
this area? They are a very great use, usually, in determina-
tions—
MR. KRAMER: We have used a lot of their work in
determining the acreage that we drain and this kind of thing.
MR. REED: If this continues to be a problem, perhaps
the State and the company and the USGS could form a tri-party
agreement to bring them in and help assist you—
MR. KRAMER: Certainly.
MR. REED: —in trying to locate and identify the
stream.
MR. KRAMER: We are pursuing this program. I can't
hardly say his name, but Dr. Bengochea—
MR. REED: Oh, yes, you are in good hands.
MR. KRAMER: —has been up here.
MR. REED: Bengochea is a hard name; it took me a
conference to get it down pat. Bengochea is a top man. You are
in good hands.
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207
J. D. Kramer
MR. KRAMER: We have had him.
MR. REED: Fine.
MR. WHITE: Are there any other questions or comments^
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Kramer, do you presently have avail-
able to you what the actual loadings from the plant are? You
have indicated in your statement a number of places where you
have reduced it and closed parts of your facilities down. Do
you know what your present discharge of nitrogen is from the
operation?
MR. KRAMER: From the operation itself? Yes.
MR. TRAINA: Is this in—I haven't seen your statement
I would like to know—Mr. deCastro had shown us some
very good figures on what is presently expected, but these were
summary figures of all three plants—and I would like to get
from you what Escambia Chemical particularly has done to date
on nitrogen. Apparently it has done quite a bit.
MR. KRAMER: Well, our in-plant streams are within the
range of 1,500 pounds a day of total nitrogen.
MR. WHITE: Are there any other comments?
Thank you very much, Mr. Kramer.
MR. REED: All right. Mr. Kenngott, Manager, Santa
Rosa Plant, American Cyanamld.
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G. J. Kenngott
208
G. J. KENNGOTT, MANAGER
SANTA ROSA PLANT
AMERICAN CYANAMID COMPANY
MILTON, FLORIDA
MR. KENNGOTT: Mr. Chairman and conferees.
I am G. J. Kenngott, Manager of American Cyanamid
Company's acrylic fiber plant located in Santa Rosa County.
This plant was built in 1958 and has been expanded substantially
since then. Almost 700 people are employed in our plant.
At the January 1970 meeting of this conference, I
presented a statement describing the environmental work that
had been done prior to construction of the Santa Rosa Plant
and since operation began. A supplemental statement was sub-
mitted to Mr. Murray Stein on February 5, 1970. Both are
included in the proceedings of that meeting, a copy of which
you have received.
Since the January 1970 meeting, the Santa Rosa Plant
has made process changes which have already resulted in sub-
stantial reduction in the volume of several compounds dischargee
in the plant's treated wastes. We have reduced the discharge
of acrylonitrile by 93 percent, total oxygen demand by 45 per._
cent, total KJeldahl nitrogen by 37 percent, total organic
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20^
G. J. Kenngott
carbon by 29 percent, total solids by 29 percent, and 5-day
biological oxygen demand by 18 percent.
At the January 1970 meeting I reported that Cyanamid
was actively following a program to satisfy an order received
from the Florida Department of Air & Water Pollution Control
(Case No. IW 227-69) to comply with Chapter 17 of the Florida
Statutes by January 1, 1973, or earlier. The program, which
had been accepted by the State on November 7, 1969, consisted
of four parts.
On April 22, 1970, we submitted to the PDAWPC our
final report on the first phase of the approved program. This
phase, entitled "Wastewater Characterization," included a com-
plete survey of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects
of all wastes entering the plant's present treatment facility.
We also determined the nature and volume of each plant waste
source, including process and area waste discharges.
On January 15, 1971, we submitted to the State agency
a final report on Phase II which provided for evaluation of
methods for the reduction, treatment, and disposal of our waste-
water. This included a description of three physical-chemical
treatment approaches to remove contaminants from selected waste
streams:
The Permutit Company, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey,
evaluated a progressive mode ion exchange system to remove and
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__210
G. J. Kenngott
recover thiocyanate. This system is sufficiently promising to
warrant larger studies on a pilot plant scale to establish
process economics.
Resources Control, Inc., West Haven, Connecticut,
evaluated electrochemical decomposition of thiocyanate. At
this time the results do not appear to justify further large-
scale evaluation.
Calgon, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, investigated
precipitation-coagulation-carbon adsorption as a means of
removal of suspended solids and soluble inorganic and organic
compounds. It was found that this system is not conducive to
high removals of total organic carbon. No further work is
planned with this system.
This report also contained an evaluation of the
potential of subsurface (deep well) disposal and showed that
deep well disposal of about 15 percent of the total wastewater
would remove about 85 percent of the total nitrogen going to
our present wastewater treatment system. At this time, and as
a part of Phase III, our consultant is designing an exploratory
deep well to determine feasibility of subsurface disposal. He
will contract for and supervise its construction, demonstrate
that it meets State and Federal requirements, and prepare a
report including results and estimated costs for final installa.
tion.
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211
G. J. Kenngott
The Phase II report also described bench scale studies
which indicated that Santa Rosa Plant wastewaters may be treated
by a 3-stage biological process to:
A. Reduce Total Organic Carbon by about 80 percent.
B. Reduce Total Nitrogen by about 72 percent, and
C. Reduce Biological Oxygen Demand by more than 90
percent.
These bench scale studies also indicated a reduction
of acrylonitrile below limits of detection by standard methods.
The 3-stage biological process included, A) degrading carbon-
aceous materials to carbon dioxide, B) converting ammonia nitro-
gen to nitrate nitrogen, and C) converting nitrate nitrogen to
nitrogen.
The biological process described is based on tech-
nology developed and reported by the Federal Water Quality
Administration of the Environmental Protection Agency. We
understand this process is now being tested in large-scale
demonstration plants funded by Federal grants. Problems
reportedly are being experienced. Therefore, we believe a high
degree of technical risk may still be associated with this
process.
Our Phase III progrfem also has under way the instal-
lation of a small pilot plant to establish design criteria for
plant scale biological treatment. The pilot plant operation
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G. J. Kenngott
will differ from bench scale tests, conducted in Phase II, in
A) the feed will not contain those streams to be disposed of in
a deep well, B) the feed stream will be larger, C) demonstration!
runs will be longer, D) it will be operated mainly under the
best conditions determined in Phase II, E) a wider variety of
prime variables (i.e., mixed liquor suspended solids, retention
time, etc.) can be tested, and F) sufficient sludge will be pro-
duced to establish how best to dispose of it. This data is
needed to design and install a plant scale unit.
After the January 1970 meeting, we had an opportunity
to review more thoroughly the basis for the 94 percent nitrogen
reduction recommended at that meeting. You will recall that the
basis for this recommendation was a paper by H. D. Putnam
(Reference #23, page 62, of that original report) describing
Waccasassa Bay. It became obvious that the 9^ percent nitrogen
reduction was based solely on a comparison of nitrate nitrogen
in Escambia Bay versus that in Waccasassa Bay. The recommenda-
tion did not include consideration of total nitrogen, which we
feel is more fundamental to eutrophication.
On July 20, 1970, our consultant, Dr. Werner Stumm,
then Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Chemistry at Harvard
University, submitted his comments concerning this subject to
Mr. T. S. Gallagher, Chief, Engineering Services, Federal Water
Quality Administration, Southeast Water Laboratory. A copy 0f
kt,
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211
G. J. Kenngott
Dr. Stumm's memo is attached and should be placed in the record
of this meeting. We have had no reply to Dr. Stumm's comments.
We are aware of Executive Order 1157^ dated December
23, 1970, and the proposed regulation of the Army Corps of
Engineers concerning "permits for discharges or deposits into
navigable waters" based on the Refuse Act of 1899. We have
requested an application form from the Corps of Engineers'
Mobile Office, which we expect will be available in late March.
In the event an application form is not available, we will
apply for a permit in letter form. I would like to advise the
conferees that the Army Corps of Engineers has on file our
original permit for the present outfall line which was sub-
mitted in compliance with Section 10 of the Refuse Act of 1899.
In addition to the work being done within the plant,
American Cyanamid Company has further demonstrated its sincere
interest in Escambia Bay by contributing to the Office of
Environmental Studies of the University of West Florida to
help finance the continued development of a model of Escambia
Bay. We recommend continued State and Federal support for the
studies already under way.
In conclusion, I assure you that Cyanamid will con-
tinue to give top priority to installation of pollution control
facilities and to completion of our overall wastewater treatmen
and disposal program.
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— — 214
G. J. Kenngott
I thank you.
MR. REED: Thank you, Mr. Kenngott. I am still in the
middle of the memorandum. It is going to take me quite a while
to read that.
MR. WHITE: Well, with respect to the memorandum, I
would like for the record to show that it will be entered in as
part of the official transcript.
(The memorandum referred to follows:)
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215
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Federal Water Quality Administration
United States Department of the Interior
Southeast Water Laboratory
Attention: Mr. Thomas S. Gallgher
Chief, Engineering Services
and
American Cyanamid Company
Attention: Dr. Charles Priesing
Supervisor, Environmental Engineering
Dr. Werner Stumm, Consultant
Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Chemistry
Harvard University
Nitrogen Removal from Santa Rosa Plant in the
Escambia Area.
July 20, 1970
This is a brief expos4 on the problems involved in calculating
desirable nitrogen removal efficiencies. As a preamble I would like
to emphasize that in my opinion nitrogen compounds play a major role
in enhancing productivity in Escambia River and Escambia Bay and
that it is desirable that Cyanamid remove as much nitrogen from its
wastes as is expedient or feasible.
In order to establish a pollutional load and a recommendable
removal efficiency, it is desirable to attempt a distribution
between a natural load and a "pollutional" excess load. Because of
the difficulty to assess the imputs from diffuse sources, (natural
sources of nutrients, soil erosion, aquatic birds, insects, falling
leaves, pollen, nitrogen fixation, rain water, underground seepage,
etc.) the distinction is very difficult. "Hie best that can be
done under such circumstances is (i) to try to establish a base
line by comparing a water system with a similar one that is non-
polluted or (ii) to assess areal loadings on the basis of figures
representative of runoff from the drainage basin.
In the abatement proposal by FWQA a distinction between
natural load and excess load is based on the comparison between
-------
Memorandum - Page Two
Federal Water Quality Administration
and American Cyanamid Company
216
the Escambia system and the non-polluted Waccasassa Estuary. a
quantitative comparison is only possible if the two systems have
similar morphologies, similar drainage basin areas and similar
hydraulic (differential advection) characteristics; the latter
are particularly important because they determine to what extent
the receiving waters can function as nutrient traps. Despite
significant differences in the two systems - for example - much
larger drainage area of Escambia Bay than that of Waccasassa
Estuary and different tidal characteristics - a rough comparison
is still justifiable. Because of the relatively rapid limnological
transformations and recycling of the various forms of nitrogen
the comparison should be based, however, on total nitrogen (NO3 +
NO2 + NH$, Kjeldahl-N) rather than on the concentration of nitrite-
nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen only. Putnam (Paper No. 7
3rd International Conference on Water Pollution Research) writes'
on the Waccasassa Estuary: "The morphometry of the estuary which
includes a shallow basin (mean depth 1.1 m) allows mineralized
nutrient material from the bottom sediments to recycle metabolicall
through the phytoplankton fairly rapidly." Hence, a significant ^
proportion of the nitrogen - nutrient reserve available in this
estuary is present in the form of Kjeldahl-nitrogen. Taking this
into consideration, the mean nitrogen reserves of Waccasassa and
of Escambia are, respectively, 0.49 mg/l. and ca. 1.0 mg/l. This
calculation which implies a reduction by abatement in the order of
only 50%, perhaps more justified than the calculation based solely
on inorganic forms of nitrogen; it may be considered as a lower
boundary condition.
Another approach to distinguish natural load and excess load
is based on estimates of runoff in the drainage basins. The few
representative data available have been reviewed by Vollenweider
(OECD report 1968). The overall losses from soils that have not
been over-fertilized in Central Europe are in the range of 0.5
to 1.5 g N m"^ year" . As shown by Vollenweider, there is a
correlation between the "surrounding factor" ( = drainage area/
area of receiving water) and the primary productivity. Because
of the large drainage area of the Escambia System as opposed to
that of Waccasassa Estuary, such a comparison would tend to give
a much larger "natural" loading to the Escambia Bay than to that
of the Waccasassa Estuary.
With regard to the feasibility of specific measures to be taken
I would like to suggest that corrective and preventive measures not '
solely be based on either type of calculation. In order to improve
the water quality of Escambia Bay remedial measures can and should
be taken with regard to loads coming from all point sources, i.e.,
domestic and industrial discharges. The art of nitrogen elimination
has not been developed as much as that of P-elimination. lH-la*g«
seale-deHiteifieetieH-plaHts-epeifatiHf-as-Hnieh-as-that-ef-P-eiiHiiH^^
In large scale denitrification plants operating with municipal
sewage, efficiencies seldom exceed 80% (Wuhrmann). Removal
efficiencies should be as high as technically feasible and expedient.
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21"
G. J. Kenngott
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Kenngott, you have indicated a 45
percent reduction today of TKN.
MR. KENNGOTT: Yes, sir.
MR. TRAINA: What are the overall proposals by
Cyanamid to reduce TKN?
MR. KENNGOTT: As I have pointed out further in the
body of this report, our 3-stage biological process at the
moment shows a reduction of about 72 percent. We feel, again
as I have indicated in this report, that we could remove 85
percent of our nitrogen by disposing of 15 percent of our
effluent to a deep well. That will leave 15 percent to be
handled through a more conventional system and we feel that the
more conventional system will degrade a substantial amount of
the remaining 15 percent of the nitrogen.
MR. TRAINA: What are we talking about in terms of
pounds per day, Mr. Kenngott? Do you have those figures?
MR. KENNGOTT: These percentages are in terms of the
pounds that are in the Federal report of last year.
MR. TRAINA: I see. I see. In other words, I take
it by mostly in-plant process changes you have already accom-
plished a 45 percent reduction in TKN?
MR. KENNGOTT: I think the number says 37 percent,
sir.
MR. TRAINA: I am sorry, I am looking at TOD. Right
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G. J. Kenngott
37 percent. And you hope by one of these other methods, deep
well disposal, to remove an additional 85 percent of the remain-
ing or 85 percent of the additional amount that Is—
MR. KENNGOTT: We expect to be able to remove 85
percent of the total—
MR. TRAINA: I see.
MR. KENNGOTT: —through a deep well and the balance
through the biological treatment system or something associated
with it.
MR. REED: Through one of the options that you are
holding available?
MR. KENNGOTT: Yes, sir.
MR. TRAINA: I was trying to get to the point which
frankly, I am still a little confused about. You have already
reduced by 37 percent with in-plant changes, so you have a
reduction now?
MR. KENNGOTT: That is correct.
MR. TRAINA: Now, the 85 percent applies not to the
residual of the present system but to the initial?
MR.KENNGOTT: To the initial.
MR. TRAINA: I see. So you are only going to get th©
difference there in your deep well disposal?
MR. KENNGOTT: That is right.
MR. WHITE: I assume also that we will be able to
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G. J. Kenngott
establish a firm timetable for finishing these other improve-
ments?
MR. KENNOOTT: As Mr. deCastro indicated in his
report, the State has given us an order last August In which
specific timetables were outlined, including report of our
Phase III in July of this year, the submission of our design
criteria by the end of 1971» and the installation—
MR. WHITE: I recall that. Excuse me for interrupt-
ing you. But you see no problems with meeting the time schedule1
MR. KENNGOTT: We intend to meet those timetables.
MR. REED: Mr. Kenngott, let me ask one question.
You are just down the line from Escambia. Have you run into
any kind of stream or any springs?
MR. KENNOOTT: No, sir. All of our waste is collected
in the chemical sewer and goes into some holding ponds and then
discharges into the bay through, I believe, a 24-inch pipe and
we have seen no evidence of a stream such as Escambia has
encountered.
MR. REED: Thank you.
MR. WHITE: I would comment also on the deep well
disposal. The Administration has a policy that it is not
totally opposed to this type disposal of wastes, but I think
that it is imperative that you exhaust all possibilities for
treatment and proper disposal before resorting to this, and I
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G. J. Kenngott
assume, of course, that you are doing this through your
consultant and will make this presentation to the State?
MR. KENNGOTT: Yes, sir.
MR. WHITE: Are there any other questions or comments3
MR. PATTON: Mr. Chairman, may I make a point? I
believe you are aware, the State of Florida, the board of this
Department, adopted a policy of on-drainage and deep well dis-
posal in May of last year, and I think that what this says
essentially is that you must proceed with caution; we are look-
ing for treatment prior to use of a drainage well to the maximun
extent of technology. So I think that the guidelines that the
State of Florida has set forth are very clear in this respect.
I believe that Mr. Kenngott is aware of them.
MR. WHITE: Yes. Well—
MR. REED: Bengochea working with you on that?
MR. KENNGOTT: Yes.
MR. REED: He is highly capable.
MR. KENNGOTT: We are pleased to hear that.
MR. WHITE: I understand that. I Just wanted to
throw this kind of caveat out so that we would have it on the
record and the industries here are also cognizant of it.
MR. REED: I understand.
MR. KENNGOTT: Our wastes have been described as
being the most complex in the State of Florida, and if we are
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G. J. Kenngott
to have any chance at all of meeting the requirements placed on
us we probably will have to use this tactic.
MR. TRAINA: I take it you have solved the acrylon-
itrile problem?
MR. KENNGOTT: Yes, sir. I do want to point out, you
asked me what the State was reporting on. The amount of
acrylonitrile in our outfall stream is below the methods of
detection of the gas-liquid chromatograph. We report 93 per-
cent on the conservative assumption that 2 parts per million
are there, but actually we cannot find it on our gas liquid
chromatograph.
MR. REED: Congratulations.
MR. TRAINA: You are to be commended for that. That
is really fine.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Mr. Kenngott.
MR. REED: Mr. James Lipe, General Supervisor,
Manufacturing and Technology, Monsanto Corporation.
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J. E. Lipe
222
JAMES E. LIPE, GENERAL SUPERVISOR
MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY
MONSANTO COMPANY, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
MR. LIPE: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and gentle-1
men. 1
I am James E. Lipe, General Superintendent, Manufactur-
ing and Technology for the Monsanto Plant, Pensacola.
we received written notice of this conference from thJ
State of Florida on February Hh and were requested that we makj
a report of progress to this body. We are proud to report that
we have made significant process to remove and reduce our con-
taminants. In this regard, we have more than met the require-
ments of the Stat, regulations. This is also ahead of the tin*,
table recommended by the conferees last year. We would like to
emphasize that the steps taken in the past year are consistent
wlth our long-standing efforts to serve the "itr* inter-
ests, which includes protection of our environment.
subsequent to the conference last year we met with
the conferees of the Federal Oovernment and the State, of Ala-
bama and Florid, to further consider the recommendation, made
f0r the removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from th.
waste going into the river. ^^
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J. E. Lipe
as the time for meeting the objectives ultimately established.
We are now today substantially ahead of the timetable and in
certain cases have already achieved those reductions. From the
period of July through December 1970 our discharges were lower
by the following percentages from those reported in the January
1970 Federal report:
Ammonia nitrogen, 65.5 percent
Nitrate nitrogen, 66.9 percent
Total nitrogen,70.6 percent
Total Organic Carbon, 71.6 percent
Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 5-day, 73.9 percent
Total phosphorus, 96.4 percent
Another recommendation made at last year's conference
was that heat being discharged b y our cooling water effluent
be abated by January 1, 1972. Technically I believe that is
December 31, 1971. At meetings held with the conferees subse-
quent to the conference it was determined that our cooling water
discharge was not critical to and had no effect upon the bay anc
that within a reasonable intermixture zone from our outfall the
heat was totally dissipated in the river.
The State requirements generally provide for 90 per-
cent removal of all organic and inorganic wastes produced prior
to discharge to the Escambia River. Our removal is considerably
better than that required under State regulations, and I quote:
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22U
J. E. Lipe
Ammonia nitrogen, total removal is 9^.2 percent
Nitrate nitrogen, 93.6 percent
Total nitrogen, 9^.2 percent
Total Organic Carbon, 99.2 percent
5-day BOD, 98.8 percent
Total phosphrous, 96.7 percent
Gentelmen, these are extremely high percentage removal^
and are certainly not commonly achieved.
In 1969 an industrial fluid which contained poly-
chlorinated biphenyls accidentally leaked from an item of plant
equipment into our plant outfall. Upon learning of this and
the possible environmental effects of PCB's, we completely
stopped the use of this material in our plant and have not used
it since. However, since then we have been studying the rami-
fications, if any, to the sediment in our outfall. The State
of Florida's like concern was reflected in its notice of viola
tion served on us on January 27, 1971. Because our engineering
work was already well under way, we were in a position to
immediately propose a satisfactory solution which would result
in complete modifications approximately 45 days after receiving
all necessary approvals.
I might suggest that the first recommendation of this
notice is being completed today.
As to the studies being made by Monsanto to insure thel
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J. E. Lipe
continual application of the best waste abatement program, we
are presently studying the feasibility of installing electronic
monitoring equipment in the river both above and below our
plant. Water quality parameters could be monitored by both the
State of Florida and our plant. Such a system, in addition to
the continuous monitors we currently have in our outfall, would
provide a means of continually assuring that the effluent from
Monsanto*s plant is well within the established water quality
standards.
At the same time, we continue to study and implement
other pollution control possibilities as new technology is
developed.
Thank you, gentlemen.
MR. REED: I am very pleased to see those reductions.
You have had a busy year.
MR. LIPE: Yes, sir.
MR. TRAINA: Let me just get some points clarified
that I am confused about.
The percentages you showed, first the percentages,
this involves some in-plant controls that the company has
effected since the last study?
MR. LIPE: Yes, Mr. Traina. These numbers, of course,
as I indicated, are based on last year's report.
MR. TRAINA: Right. As you know, in the study we did
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— 2^6
J. E. Lipe
year, we found relatively high levels of these materials In
cooling water and condensate water. Have these been removed
from these? Is this what you are talking about here?
MR. LIPE: This is the same stream.
MR. TRAINA: It is the same stream. So, in other
words, the levels we found in those two outfalls have been re-
duced by this amount to date?
MR. LIPE: That is correct.
MR. TRAINA: Now, the other reductions you showed
here, the very high ones, 9^ percent, so on, 93, do these take
into account the company's disposal system? In other words,
these are overall reductions—
MR. LIPE: These are based on our In-plant generation
rates.
MR. TRAINA: I see. Which takes into account the
disposal system?
MR. LIPE: Yes.
MR. TRAINA: I see. What plans, if any, does the
company have to further reduce the materials that are in the
condensate ditch and the cooling water beyond what you have
already shown?
MR. LIPE: Mr. Traina, certainly we have some work
under way now that we feel will substantially reduce the nitrate
contribution to our plant effluent. Beyond this we are
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227
J. E. Lipe
approaching the limit of our technology presently, not to say
that we would not consider and will not consider technology as
we develop it or as it becomes available from other sources to
apply to our in-plant control effort.
MR. TRAINA: Is there anything more you can do with
in-plant controls? It seems that this would be where the prob-
lem was.
MR. LIPE: To say no would be a very inaccurate
statement.
MR. TRAINA: You are aware of the problem then?
MR. LIPE: Yes.
MR. TRAINA: And I take it your engineers, both in-
house engineers and consulting engineers, are looking into this?
MR. LIPE: Right, this is certainly part of our con-
cern.
MR. TRAINA: I might eontinue for my own edification
again, on the question of PCB, you talk about a system that you
put in. Is this a control system within a plant or as I under-
stood Mr. deCastro to ask earlier is this a system Just to keep
it out of the river for the moment?
MR. LIPE: As I mentioned, this material has not been
used within the plant since September of 1969. The remnants,
I should say, or the residue of the PCB that Mr. deCastro had
reference to was in the sediments of our outfall, which was and
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J. E. Lipe
is a natural lagoon with a dirt bottom, a mud bottom, and this
is the corrective action that we are taking to abandon and con-
demn that section of the outfall and construct a new one.
MR. TRAINA: And this is the area that is actually
being filled in?
MR. LIPE: Yes.
MR. TRAINA: This is the area that is being filled in
completely sealed off?
MR. LIPE: It will be a 2-step proposal, the first
step of which is being completed today to stabilize the bottom
sediment to an overflow dam arrangement. As soon as the new
outfall, constructed in virgin territory, is complete, the old
outfall will be abandoned and filled in.
MR. TRAINA: Thank you, sir.
MR. WHITE: Possibly I have missed something. I just
want to get something straight in my own mind.
This BOD loading that we are talking about that you
discharge now, do you have any form of treatment for the load-
ing coming out of the ditch or have all of the reductions been made
as a result of in-house improvements?
MR. LIPE: In-house prior to discharge into the plant
effluent.
MR. WHITE: In other words, there is no treatment
beyond that portion of your effluent?
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J. E. Lipe
MR. LIPE: No, sir, it is prior to collection into
the plant effluent.
MR. WHITE: I recognize that you have done considerabl
work in removing some of these discharges, but I don't know that
in my mind, and I don't know about the other conferees, that we
have ever reached a point where we can ascertain that your deep
well disposal counts on treatment in this situation. This is
something we can consider in our session.
And I might add, I think that this will be also
clarified somewhat in the near future on that when we get this
industrial permitting program under way, hopefully it will be.
MR. LIPE: Most certainly. May I add, if Mr. Patton
will substantiate this, that our deep well disposal system is
operated in accord with the State rules and regulations and
guidelines to assure safe and correct operation of such facility
MR. WHITE: Very good. I appreciate your statements
and the company's efforts.
Thank you, Mr. Lipe.
MR. REED: Mr. E. L. Addison, Vice President, Gulf
power Company, Pensacola.
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E. L. Addison
E. L. ADDISON, VICE PRESIDENT
GULF POWER COMPANY
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
MR. ADDISON: Mr. Chairman, conferees and ladies and
gentlemen.
I am E. L. Addison, Gulf Power Company.
Gulf Power Company has been operating Crist Steam
Plant on the Escambia River since 19^5 when the first generating
unit was placed in service. The pattern of operation and of
heat rejection to the river remained unchanged from 1961 to
1970. On May 31, 1970, the sixth unit on this plant was placed
in commercial operation.
To the best of our knowledge, there has been no
damage either to the Escambia River or to Escambia Bay as a
result of these heated effluents. We recognize, however, that
there is an upper limit, though undefined, beyond which we shouijd
not and do not wish to discharge into the river. In 1969, with
a sixth unit under construction at Crist Plant with a rating ©f
320 megawatts, Gulf made a decision to install a "closed-cycle"
cooling tower for the unit, even though we were unable to con-
clude from our studies that the additional heat rejected by thlj
unit would be detrimental to the river. In 1969, long bafv^
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231
E. L. Addison
the convening of the initial hearing of this conference early
in 1970, these plans were presented to the Florida Air & Water
pollution Control Department and we subsequently received their
concurrence. We then proceeded to expedite the construction of
the cooling tower and the manufacturer's initial estimate of
months was reduced practically in half, and I am pleased to
advise you that this facility is now in operation. As Mr. Huff-
stutler indicated in his presentation, we are having some
debugging and it is still not at full capacity, but it is in
operation. The cost of this installation is $3»938>000.
Considered concurrently with the Crist No. 6 cooling
tower was a similar installation for Crist Unit No. 7, a 500-
megawatt unit presently under construction. The new generat-
ing unit and its associated "closed-cycle" cooling tower will be
placed in service in May 1973. The cost of the cooling tower
for this unit is estimated at $2,998,000.
Dr. D. W. Pritchard, Director of the Chesapeake Bay
Institute and Professor of Oceanography at Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity, recently made the following statement:
"Several field studies have been under-
taken to establish the biological effects of
actual thermal discharges into natural water
bodies. Some of these studies have been under way
for over five years and include studies made both
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232.
E. L. Addison
before and after the initiation of the discharge
of a heated effluent. None of these studies has
demonstrated adverse effects of the heated dis-
charge on the ecology of the heated waterway."
Gulf Power Company is very conscientious about the
interactions of its generating plants with the natural environ-
ment. The company has a history of good corporate citizenship
and has every expectation of maintaining this posture with the
communities and environments in which it functions.
Mr. Chairman, that completes my statement.
MR. REED: Mr. Addison, I would like Dr. Pritchard to
be in touch with Florida Power and Light at Turkey Point, be-
cause if he was he would know that there is a problem in South
Florida, very distinct problem in South Florida, and there is
substantial evidence to produce the opposite conclusion.
Furthermore, in his own backyard, Chesapeake Bay, theri
is a thermal nuclear powerplant that is being prepared over most
stringent opposition locally by the Water Quality Commission and
the Federal Government.
I don't know Dr. Pritchard, he may be a very good man
but I would say that that one paragraph was subject to some
dispute, also in the Great Lakes.
Nevertheless, we appreciate your report.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Traina.
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E. L. Addison
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Addison, I take it the plant will,
if it hasn't already, monitor its temperature discharges to the
bay?
MR. ADDISON: Yes.
MR. TRAINA: Do you have a program to do this?
MR. ADDISON: Yes, we do monitor the discharge, yes.
MR. TRAINA: Is this a continuous temperature monitor
there?
MR. ADDISION: It is not continuous. It is a con-
tinual monitoring in that we take readings periodically at
various locations, and also this is done with the approval and
in conjunction with the Florida Department.
MR. TRAINA: The reason I mention it is that thermal
pollution, as Mr. Reed has indicated, is the subject of con-
siderable discussion these days. It would be helpful to us,
and I would Just make a personal request, if you could make
available that temperature data. I suppose we can get it through
the State of Florida, I am sure.
MR. ADDISON: You can, and if you can't, we will be
glad to make it available. But they do have it. In fact, this
is what Mr. Huffstutler was referring to in his presentation.
MR. TRAINA: Thank you, sir.
MR. WHITE: May I ask, do you plan to do any bio-
logical studies in the area in conjunction with this monitoring"
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234
E. L. Addison
MR. ADDISON: We are considering that, yes, sir.
MR. TRAINA: This would be helpful if you do.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much.
MR. PATTON: Mr. Addison, one question. What is
your proposed scheduling when Units 6 and 7 are cm the line?
Which will be your base load units?
MR. ADDISON: Well, actually I am not sure how to
answer that from a technical standpoint. They both will be
base load units.
MR. PATTON: I am thinking in relation to Units 1
through 5, would you contemplate that 6 and 7 are going to be
base load units and 1 and 5 will be peaking?
MR. ADDISON: I couldn't say that. If we got into a
situation where this is all the capacity we needed, then I
would say that that would probably be true. But actually, in
the summer months particularly, we generally utilize the total
amount of capacity we have available.
MR. PATTON: If the situation develops in New York
City again and they hook up to TVA and they hook up to you in
turn, you will probably be running all seven or all six wide
open?
MR, ADDISON: Yes, that is correct.
MR. WHITE: Any other comments or questions?
Thank you very much.
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235
L. F. Currier
MR. ADDISON: Thank you, sir.
MR. REED: Mr. L. P. Currier, Engineer Structures,
L&N Railroad Company, Louisville, Kentucky.
L. P. CURRIER
ENGINEER STRUCTURES
L&N RAILROAD COMPANY
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
MR. CURRIER: Mr. Chairman, conferees.
I am L. F. Currier, Engineer Structures, for the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company.
I have a very short statement to make. As was
requested of the L&N Railroad Company, all the unused piles
stubs that were located between the piling supporting our track
on our Escambia Bay trestle have been removed and these were
removed in December of 1970.
MR. REED: And speaking for the State of Florida, we
are very appreciative of the prompt, speedy action which was
seen on the part of the L&N Railroad,and I would like for you
to coinmunicate to the President of the company our heartfelt
thanks for the prompt cooperation.
MR. CURRIER: Thank you, Mr. Reed. I will be happy
to.
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L. F. Currier
MR. WHITE: I would also like to add to Mr. Reed's
statement and commend the L&N Railroad for its prompt action
complying with the conference recommendation.
MR. CURRIER: Thank you.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Currier.
Are there any other comments or questions?
Thank you.
MR. REED: Dr. Robert E. Smith, Director, State
University System of Florida, Institute of Oceanography, St.
Petersburg.
DR. ROBERT E. SMITH, DIRECTOR
STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF FLORIDA
INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
DR. SMITH: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and
gentlemen.
As stated, I am Dr. Robert Smith, Director of the
State University System's Institute of Oceanography, located
in St. Petersburg. I have collateral duties of Coordinator
of Oceanography on the Board of Regents Staff of the State
University of Florida.
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237
Dr. R. E. Smith
Even though today's conference addresses the problems
that we are witnessing in Escambia Bay, I would like to speak to
the problems of the State overall., I will ask you to bear
with me a few minutes so I can give some background on the
history of why the Institute was set up, what we are doing, what
the admission is, the programs we are involved in, and in turn
how this relates to Escambia Bay.
The State University System's Institute of Ocean-
ography was established because we do have a growing university
system both in number of universities and size. A task force
study was conducted in 1963, and it was determined at that time
there had to be some direction in the development of our over-
all oceanographic program. We had to have some discipline; we
had to have an ultimate aim, and as far as I am concerned the
ultimate aim is to work together and to address needs not only
of the State but society overall, Federal needs worldwide.
But nevertheless, the mission of the State University
System's Institute of Oceanography is to coordinate the State
University System's program in teaching and research. Those of
you who are familiar with the State University System, you know
that we do have seven universities now, two additional ones
proposed to be opened by 1972, but nevertheless we do not limit
our involvement and coordinating task to the State universities
alone, of course; we work with the private universities, Miami
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Dr. R. E. Smith
Nova, PIT, University of Jacksonville, and others. Too, we
worked with industries and certainly other State agencies, such
as the Florida Air I Water Pollution Control Administration, anc
with Mr. Huffstutler's group within that, and others. The
point being that we have a tremendous amount of talent within
the universities. We conduct considerable teaching and research,
and by so doing we have quite an involvement in environmental
studies.
During the past year we have been involved in an off-
shore study of the loop current of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
You may have read about it, EGMEX, Eastern Gulf. It is now an
international program, part of the cooperative investigation of
the Caribbean and adjacent regions. We know that there ie a
definite water mass coming out of the Caribbean through the
Yucatan Straits, transiting northward, looping to the east an
-------
Dr. R. E. Smith
Gulf of Mexico study, the loop current, we have conducted three
separate cruises, the eight involving eight oceanographic
vessels, the second five, the most recent in October 7, and we
have a fourth in June of 1971 to have ten or more ships out
there to synoptically study this phenomenon that is occurring
and the associated phenomena.
The drift bottles that were released in the big bend
area of Florida instead of staying there, as one might imagine
them to do, up in this bend area, they did not, they went north-
ward and westward. The ones that were thrown off of the
HERNANDO CORTEZ, the Department of Natural Resources research
vessel, have been picked up and identified, sent in in this
ease, as having been found at Cape San Bias, off the beach here
at Pensacola, and Mobile, and as far west as Louisiana now. So
what happens down the coastline southeast of us is going to
affect Escambia Bay. What comes out of Escambia Bay and goes
into the Gulf will in fact affect, as you know, Alabama and
Mississippi and Louisiana.
The State University System, as mentioned this
morning, is developing a program with the Florida Air & Water
Pollution Control Administration Involving six universities,
priinariiy this is why I am here with you today, by Invitation,
to address this, because we have the houseboat that was men-
tioned by Mr. Huffstutler in the Pensacola area now. In fact,
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_2M0
Dr. R. E. Smith
this afternoon it is in Escambia Bay and all afternoon Sunday
we were working in the area of the Mulat Bayou and out into
Escambia Bay north of the trestle area. They have gone back up
in there this afternoon and they will work the stations from
noon to, let's say, 5 o'clock and then they will start up again
at midnight and work until they finish their stations to compai»ej
the data in this case.
But this is not a program that was, let's say, ^velopj^a
or implemented to put out a brushfire. This particular progr^
has been under planning since October of 1969, at which time
had occasion to talk and work with the people within the State
universities and a strong interest was expressed by a number of
faculty of six of our State universities to work in the near-
shore and estuarine environments of the west coast of Florida
particular. And since this is, let's say, a difficult area to
work in, in that you have to have the facility, the boat, to
sense the environment properly, you have to have the adequate
equipment, the data have to be verified and corrected, document*
as to technique, we felt that this gave us an opportunity, an
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UtflW." '
. 2*11
Dr. R. E. Smith
north and west to Perdido Bay.
Since these bay areas and the chemistry, the biology
in this case, and the physical aspects would be sensed through
one common set of sensors and would be recorded, in most part,
through automation, then they could be machine read, once you
verified them, corrected them, they were documented, then you
would have comparable data whereby we now here in EscSambia Bay
could compare our result with Tampa Bay, Pine Island Sound,
Charlotte Harbor, any bay or any river estuary on this entire
west coast. If we are going to understand, appreciate and be
able to predict future happenings and to address these with re-
spect to regulation control, sensible legislation, enforceable
legislation, I think we have to have these comparative figures.
And again we are at the point now that we have been
talking with a number of instrument companies during the past
year to develop quite a sophisticated instrument suit, but
equipment that is off the shelf, not new research and develop-
ment , whereby we can sense through automation, making it avail-
able through the inventory of STORET and the National Ocean-
ographlc Data Center's NAMDE system, we will inventory all
parameters collected, and in this case the initial 12 parameters
to be collected, and this is retrievable for industry's needs,
local planning needs,State needs of any type, but, of course,
our university needs for teaching and research.
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Dr. R. E. Smith
We are going to have depth, temperature, salinity,
pH, ammonia, nitrite nitrate, ortho-phosphate, total inorganic
phosphate, alkalinity, chlorophyll and dissolved oxygens. I qjq
sure there are other parameters that we would like to have that
individual investigators will in fact collect for their own
purposes, but these are the 12 that can be collected and stored
through automation,enabling the individual Investigator to take
biological samples, sediment samples, other observations, and
this will be recorded for his future needs. As stated, they
will be stored in the national repositories.
With regard to STORET, we will be working through Mr
Huffstutler's office with this. The university individual
participants will be using it for their own teaching and
research purposes, but again an oxygen value is an oxygen value4
It is not going to change if you use it for enforcement or reg^
lation or any type of research endeavor. /
I think that we have a very strong force Working f0*»
I -•
us and I predict a very healthy future. I think that we are tn * '
a position to learn a lot with our bays and estuaries and be '
a better position to understand them and predict what is needed '"
j ^
in the future. 1
Thank you.
MR. REED: Thank you very much, Dr. Smith. We are
delighted to have you here and be updated on the great lntere
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Dr. R. E. Smith
the university system is talcing in our State.
MR. TRAINA: Dr. Smith, I am going to put you on the
spot here for a moment.
DR. SMITH: Sure.
MR. TRAINA: You have had some experience now in these
estuaries. What is your prognosis for what these estuaries
along the Gulf Coast can take in terms of residual types of
pollution? Do you think this is what we ought to be going for?
DR. SMITH: Well, I'll tell you—
MR. TRAINA: I am going to put you on the spot.
DR. SMITH: And I will accept the spot. The problem
we have now, we don't have a complete understanding, and I am sup
industry i« going to say, they always say this, you know, "Give
me another $100,000 and 5 years and I will study it."
But seriously, we have to determine what the base
line values are, what were they 10 years ago, 5 years. We
don't have them, really, so let's start today and quit the name-
calling and looking for scapegoats. Let's record them.
Now, the permissible load, the tolerable load, what
the environment can assimilate, is going to be dependent on
many factors: One, temperature, because the major part, if you
are looking at the living system, the biological system, of
removing the nutrients and incorporating them or changing them
into protoplasm, the metabolic processes, the enzymatic cycles,
-------
Dr. R. E. Smith
and what-have-you, are dependent on ambient temperatures.
Since they are cold-blooded organisms, they have an optimum
temperature they work best at. Above that they are less
efficient; below, and if you exceed the thresholds, they are
going to die.
I don't know, and—
MR. REED: I wish you would get in touch with that
Doctor from the Chesapeake.
DR. SMITH: Dr. Pritchard?
MR. REED: I'm afraid you might be edified. (Laughter
DR. SMITH: In fact, I have an article in one of the-
there is a study. I won't read the thing, but there is a lot of
study along these lines and I would like to share it with you
if I may. This is some preexisting information that might come
in handy to you.
But I think that maybe this statement was taken out
of context, maybe he was talking about the Connecticut River
powerplant or something of this nature.
MR. REED: I am going to relax. Addison heard me.
(Laughter.)
DR. SMITH: We are not proposing to resolve all of
the world's problem and needs, but we are here to help.
And again I think that we have to realize that when
we talk about what is happening in the bays and we are starting
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Dr. R. E. Smith
to talk about the fate of the additives, whether it be pollu-
tants or—at some point it is nutritional, at some point it is
a pollutant. Before we can predict the fates of these addi-
tives, we not only have to understand the flushing rates of the
bays but the near-shore waters and what is going to happen as
these get out into the open gulf.
MR. REED: Proceed cautiously is a good term, right?
DR. SMITH: Right.
MR. WHITE: Are there any other questions or comments^
MR. PATTON: Mr. Chairman, I have one comment. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Smith for his
efforts and his endeavors. He made it sound a lot easier than
it was, because he and I have had a great number of conversa-
tions in developing this concept. He was most Instrumental in
bringing a 8reat number of the well qualified university people
in to our offices for a meeting on the 1st and 2d of February.
I think we have looked for this type of assistance and coopera-
tion from many of the State universities in the past^ and for
some reason or another we have not been able to achieve this
cooperation.
I don't say that we won't have problems. I am sure we
will, we always do when we have more than one person involved
j-n any project, but I think he has set a very helpful tone and
I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Smith on this.
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Dr. R. E. Smith
DR. SMITH: Thank you, Mr. Patton.
MR. PATTON: Just one final comment, if I may. I
would like to call the conferees attention to a publication, I
believe it was funded by an FWQA grant. It talks about waste
management concepts for the coastal zone, requirements for
research and investigation. And I would recommend that some of
the people might find it very interesting reading that have not
seen a copy of this. I think it points out many of the
deficiencies that Dr. Smith outlined very rapidly, but there are
a lot of things that we don't know yet and we hope to find out
and I think this type of cooperative effort will help.
DR. SMITH: Thank you. And if I may have one more
30 seconds.
MR. WHITE: Sure.
" i"!
DR. SMITH: We always come down to the problem of,
O.K., who has the responsibility and what are you going to do
and I have heard many times, when are you going to get on wltfe
your part of the program. In our case we have this houseboat
that has been referred to, working with Mr. Patton's group $
V V
they are throwing in some of the equipment, and we see this a« J
part funding from many sources. The universities are furnish— I
ing the salaries of the faculty and the students that are
initially involved. We are working with the State agencies,
we are working with the Federal repositories, the data
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Dr. R. E. Smith
repositories for handling the data, which is quite an expensive
chore, as you all know, but it is mandatory th&t we do this.
We have already talked to several of the planning councils of
Tampa Bay and other areas and we are going to be coming to the
industries in some cases and asking you to assist us with your
resources and its money. Our resources are warm bodies and we
will put them out there.
But it is going to be a Joint effort. And I will be
remembering the faces. (Laughter.)
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Dr. Smith.
DR. SMITH: Thank you.
DR. WHITE: Please proceed.
MR. REED: A. Ray Richards, Executive Vice President,
plorida Wildlife Federation, Avalon Beach.
A. RAY RICHARDS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION
AVALON BEACH, FLORIDA
MR. RICHARDS: Ladies and gentlemen. I am glad to
be before you again this year and to see that we have gotten as
much accomplished in northwest Florida as has been seen from
the report.
-------
A. R. Richards
I would like to explain that I am Ray Richards, the
Executive Vice President, Florida Wildlife Federation. I have
worked with them a good many years. We meet every three or
four months all over the State. I have a very good idea of the
State, expecially northwest Florida, since I visit all of -the
clubs in this area every possible chance.
I am a layman. I am not a speaker. But if you will
bear with me, I will try to tell you what our clubs really have
come up with and the area here which I am well acquainted with
myself.
A good many of our people that we have on the program
today live just up the hill from where I live. The American
Cyanamid, Escambia Chemical, I know them very well; we are
friends. We have to talk against each other once in awhile,
but unless we have communication we wouldn't be to where we are
today.
As Mr. Crockett knows, we have been fighting this
thing for a long time. We try to stay friends even though we
don't agree on everything. And in all fairness, a lot of dirty
water has run under the bridge since we first met. (Laughter )
I would like to comment that the report on the
Escambia River really has been picking up some. I would like
to hear more about the 40 sediments eons ago that Mr. Crockett
I and some of the others were talking about in Alabama that
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2^9
A. R. Richards
drains into the river that I haven't heard any report on. That
is, well, most of them are sediments that drains into it.
First I would like to recognize somebody that was
sent to me out of heaven, you might say, whenever I was about
ready to give up and everything else, because whenever you
fight this thing with your own money and your own expense and
travel and you start to write letters, well, it is hard to get
around to all of that, and there was a young lady, Mrs. Diane
Bradley—you can rest your eyes over there—that came and
started to help me write these letters.
These plants that have these phantom streams, I am
sorry that the ghost had to follow, but maybe some of their
deep wells from up in the country may be following them down
here. Nobody knows where these deep wells that these companies
put into the ground come out, if it is such a thing as a
phantom stream. But I can say from my own experience, as I
reported before, some people get their exercise following golf
balls around, I have got out there and used nets to catch fish
with and there was grass two and three hundred feet out into
that bay on up until 1958 and 1959, when it started to reseed.
And there was plenty of fish. You could see 40 and 50 boats
out around the trestle. Now you can't get any fish in that area.
If you do,well, they don't taste very good. And if there is a
ghost, it must have come in along about that time.
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— 25Q.
A. R. Richards
I would liKe to very sincerely ask the Board to
include in their search down to the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.
If you fly over that in a plane at certain times you can see
streams of water coming from the main, I won't mention any
names, that goes halfway to the entrance of the gulf that is
it is doing to the bay. Even though it may go into the gulf and
leave us, it washes back on the beach. That is one of the beat
Incomes this area has, the people coming to the beautiful
beaches we have. And there are very few left in America today,
white beaches, sand beaches like we have. So if you will,
please, Include the area to the entrance to the gulf, 1 think
investigated.
j woula like to bring up something now that has been
_ . hi nee I live on it and X like boats. I like to
very close to me, since x live
travel on It-the Mulat-Mulatto Bayou. X have worked with the
pollution department, Northwest Florida University, and I have
been out to the dredge when they were dredging. And I know how
aeep that dredge went; I was with the captain a lot of time..
„ ,,et lt would reach. Now, that depth and then the
Fifty-two feet w
Silt, it wasn't prepared. If we had had this Board at that tlrae
and had the bulkhead and the retaining walls that we had when-
, UD the last ditch in order for us to get In »
.ever they opened up tne xa _
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251
A. R. Richards
and out with the boats, I don't believe we would be having
the trouble we are having today, because all the silt ran on
down into the other parts of the bayou and now it all has
settled back into that 52-foot deep hole from that mud that
they took away. I believe that was the main trouble.
Now, in 1957 we were trying to get an entrance into
the bay from that bayou, because it is a unique situation.
Right after 1900 railroad trestle came across and they put it
so low to the water, about 3 or 3-1/2 foot at high tide, you
can't get a boat out. So we went to Congress to see if some-
thing could be worked out on that, and we worked on it up until
a few years ago trying to getaway to get boats out. The Corps
of Engineers, I don't remember his name now, one of the, as we
would say, older men citizens went with me out there on a boatj,
and he told me that it would be all right to go ahead and dyna-
mite that 300 feet in order to open a little bayou up going lntc
the bay. So for several years we had a small boat entrance.
We didn't have any fish kills, we didn't have any troubles.
Now, whenever the interstate came along, well, they
stopped our boat entrance up. We hate to be piled up there in
the bayou and can't get out. But if it is for the Interest and
the ecology of the area, we will have to accept it* But there
wasn't any before these deep holes were put In there and all
this mud was in there. And we would like to, if there is any
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252
A. R. Richards
way, whenever they start filling this back up, leave us a little
entrance in and out there.
We want to thank the railroad trestle for the mag-
nificent Job they have done. We hope that everyone else will
continue and finish their job and we all work with this togethei»|
The group in this area of Florida of the—well, they used to
call it pollution control, then they decided a prettier name
than that was quality control, and then it comes on up, you
know. We want to thank them for the wonderful work that they
have done in this area. And we are so lucky in having Mr.
Nat Reed to be able to stay over with us, because he is a
dedicated man to environment. I can say that in all honesty.
And the conclusion. Thank you, Mr. Traina, Mr. White
for coming back and checking on us and helping us out with thia
Anyway that you can help us, we will deeply appreciate it.
Thank you.
MR. REED: Thank you, Ray. As Dr. Livingston and Dr
Hopkins work on this with the road department, I sure hope you
will stay in touch with them, because I know that your years of*
perienoe with the Mulat-Mulatto Bayou will be of great assistance to
them as they formulate a plan on how to retrieve this peculiar
body of water and get it back in some standard so we can use
and stop killing all these fish. I hope you will work closely
with them.
ex-
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— 253
A. R. Richards
MR. RICHARDS: Thank you.
MR. WHITE: I would like to say, Mr. Richards, I,
too, am intrigued by this "phantom" stream and I hope we can
get additional enlightenment on this very soon.
Thank you very much.
Are there any other comments or questions?
Thank you.
MR. REED: Mr.Locke, C. E. Locke,private citizen,
Pensacola.
C. E. LOCKE
PRIVATE CITIZEN
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
MR. LOCKE: I am C. E. Locke, private citizen, not
beholden to anyone except myself and my conscience.
We, the citizens of this area, greatly appreciate the
attention that our problem is getting. We know you have six or
seven other counties and some of them are probably even worse
than ours, if such can be imagined, but this is the largest
group that I have ever seen in attendance at such a meeting as
this, except for the one on air quality in Panama City, which
was approximately the same size of this. So we see we are
making progress in interest.
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— ^2^
C. E. Locke
We are especially gratified to see the progress that
industry has made. We like their claims. Their radio commer-
cials that we hear every hour on the hour, they sound beautiful
I hope they have as competent engineers as they have writers
(Laughter.)
It is good to see Mr. Nat Reed continuing in his
multi-party capacities. (Laughter.) He is one that has escap
the purge and I think the State is much the better for it.
I can assure you that also there are other officials
Statewide, and I wish we could say more interest locally. Mr
Tisdale has been a wonderful conscience for our city and has
been most active in keeping the city advised of the failure of
the present sewage treatment plant. I don't know whether we
should sue the designers, the construction men who installed
it, the operators, or the city fathers that cut the specific^
tions to save a few dollars, but it looks to me like that son
body should be stood against the wall on that.
There have been several recent proposals made that
worry us. One is the gulf cannot be used as a cesspool for teliS
entire Southeast. I think Mr. Bob Smith brought that out ver*
forcibly in the movement of our currents, and I know that any
you that have read anything at all about the ecology of the
know that the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Alabama Gulf ©
suffer from everything that comes down the Mississippi Rive* s
—
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r 255
C. E. Locke
It is a dead river for 100 miles on each side. The Tiber River
that comes out of Rome is dead on each side, and what do you
think that is doing to the tourist industry on that great strip
of Mediterranean?
It also disturbs me to hear the proposals made to run
an industrial line in the deep water in the gulf or deep well
disposal. Suppose we contaminated one of these phantom springs.
What is going to happen? Suppose we continue, and I am sure we
will to lower our subsurface water level because of the need
for more water. We may get down to where we are tapping the
water that we ourselves contaminate. It may not happen in my
lifetime, but I would like to see something left for the grand-
children.
Another thing that disturbs me, if the city can't
operate the recently constructed Main Street Plant with its
present volume, and I understand it is already overloaded with
certain nutrients, and it doesn't have the full third treatment,
how can they handle the effluent from four or five additional
industries that they propose to bring in from Bayou Chico area?
This merely passes the buck to a municipality, and you know
municipalities are kind of sacred cows. Shouldn't call them
cows, should I? Whoever heard of a mayor of a city being fined
or put in jail for carelessness or gross negligence in sewage
treatment?
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— ass
C. E. Locke
In the field of sewage treatment I am informed that
live fish are being raised in the effluent in the third stage
tank at the University of Florida. Can any other industry or
city match this? If you can't, there are some lessons out there
in that place.
I am also concerned that there have been some
measures brought, I don!t know who on or where from, and I
understand our students and our professors out there are not as
free to speak or to study or to evaluate as they once were. j
think the State people can look into that and find out from
whence this pressure is coming, if it is. I say all I have ls
rumors, but it sounds pretty bad.
I think that the only valid test that we can apply
can marine life live, breathe and spawn and are they edible.
Glad to see that Mr. Reed says that he eats shrimp. I would
hate to see them disappear.
MR. REED: I ate some oysters at lunch, I want every,.,
body to know. If you don't see me here tomorrow, revenge
has taken place. (Laughter.) They were delicious, though.
But I think that is a pretty good test of a sewage
treatment plant. I was just thinking about that.
MR. LOCKE: The University of Florida has got an
example, a real live example. And the students out there tell
me they have made bacterial tests and they are not afraid to
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257
C. E. Locke
drink the water. In fact, they were talking about going down
and catching the fish and having a fish fry. That is phase two.
Mulat-Mulattc Has got a long way to gp to be cleaned up
as it was when X came to this area 30 years ago. It was one of
the finest fishing areas in the world and I came right along
behind Mr. Richards in discovering this area, I guess. I
selected it because of what? Abundance of freshwater, wonder-
ful beach, a year-round climate, and a place to raise my
children. And the first thing they want to do when they come
back here is to go fishing and go swimming. I am thankful that
there are some places where we can take them.
I think enforcement Is the only answer after safe
standards have been set. Just think about it. We are starting
now to apply the teeth of the Federal Government in a law that
was ignored for 70 years, since 1899. I think that tells us
something. I guess we were too busy developing the country and
we thought we had a limitless resource in our rivers and that
what went in the stream at this level didn't bother us and we
didn't care what happened to the fellow downstream.
I see where the city of Lexington, Kentucky, in a
recent magazine article, is dumping 18 million gallons of
untreated raw sewage on their capitol downstream in Frankfort.
And to any elective officials, if there are any
present, or those who are appointed by the elected officials,
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258
C. E. Locke
I 'would say to you as an amateur politician, I don't know whethejr
I can even call myself that, but as a very interested voter,
don't underestimate the power of an aroused public. Witness thel
recent stoppage of the Florida barge canal and the Everglades
Airport. Can you imagine the lobby and the money that has been
spent for that? But an aroused public opinion stopped those,
and I say it was national aroused public opinion, who were
Interested in our corner, and we can be grateful that the people!
of the Nation want to save Florida, want to help us save our
Florida.
Don't ever underestimate the power of women, and
believe me those of you who haven't found out yet, they are
organized, they are interested, they are informed, and the
League of Women Voters are getting better informed all the time J
It is an education to go and listen to them.
Elective officials must start leading. Every campaigrj
they say that they will lead this country out of darkness, and
I submit to you that they are following right along behind
public opinion~ If they have any foresight at all, they will
see where the votes are.
And we hear every tenth word about the cost. Well,
I would say that citizens are willing to pay the price of clean
water when it is properly submitted to them by our leaders. We
have a sewage tax, and I haven't heard an awful lot of fault
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25i'
C. E. Locke
with it, but it is to pay for a past debt. But we don't have a
plan for financing the addition that is already needed. We
should have a percentage set aside, and I don't know what it
should be, but I would be willing to pay as much as $5 a month
more on my water bill. I think that is as fair an assessment
as you can have, in order to have a cleaner water and to set
aside a sinking fund to avoid frantic planning in the next
crisis. But you know as well I do, why, they will come to the
State and say, let's have a bond issue to pay for something
that we have already spent or need and pay for it."
The technology is available. In fact, two of the
biggest polluters in our county have developed good systems
and are in the process of manufacturing the systems for use
elsewhere, and I hope they will use them here. The past bond
issue, I think, was the State amendment to the constitution ha<.
allowed a bond issue for loaning money to sewage treatment
plants. I believe it was the only bond issue that passed. Thai;
shows you where the sentiment of the voters is at this time.
Engineers are available now. If you want good engi-
neers for environmental work, I don't know where you can get
them that are any better than the ones that were laid off in
the cutback in the space industry, and other government as well
as recession cutbacks that have made engineers highly available
they are not exactly the kind you want, they can certainly
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C. E. Locke
be retrained and help; they have the background. Maybe you
don't want moon environmental men, but they can be brought
back to earth.
I don't believe that the city, the county, the legis-
lature or the senate is represented here. I saw Mr. Armour
earlier, but I think he made a token appearance and is gone now
Maybe he had other business. I don't know of any other busi-
ness that is more important than this. But I don't see any
representatives of our elected officials, I don't see our mayor
I don't see our city councilmen, and I don't see our county
commissioners. And you of the press, I would like for you to
make a note of that, that they are not here. (Laughter.) j
think that this is a sad commentary and explains our failure
to move faster.
Again I thank you for the use of your podium and your
stump. (Applause.)
MR. REED: Thank you very much. We are very appre-
ciative to have you here this afternoon. You are as eloquent
as ever.
Mr. Locke, it may interest you, I hope you come back
tomorrow for the recommendations.
MR. LOCKE: I will be here every day. I have no
other hobby except this one. (Laughter.)
MR. REED: I hope when we conclude our activities
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261
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
here that we are going to take your recommendation on the city's)
problems very strongly to heart tonight when we write out our
recommendations.
MR. TRAINA: Be assured that the conferees are also
aware of the lack of presence here. Thank you.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Mr. Locke.
MR. REED: Dr. Joe Edmisten is here from the University
of West Florida, Director of Office of Environmental Studies.
DR. JOE A. EDMISTEN, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
DR. EDMISTEN: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and
gentlemen.
I would like to take this opportunity to report on a
few of the activities of the University of West Florida and
particularly the Office of Environmental Studies since the last
conference January 1970.
Since the January 1970 hearings in Gulf Breeze, the
University of West Florida has been involved in several projecti
to help slow the eutrophication of Escambia Bay. Two of these
Projects are described here. One major project involves the
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Dr. J. A. Edmisten
production of a math model for the safe assimilative capacity
of Escambia Bay. This modeling effort has had its primary
source of support from the Florida Department of Air & Water
Pollution Control.
And I would like to take this opportunity to thank
you now, Mr. Reed and Mr. Patton, for this report. The $18,000
grant received is just a drop in the bucket to build such a
complex model, so we had supplemental monies to carry the model
ing to the testing phase, and these supplemental monies have
been provided by three local industries—Monsanto, Escambia
Chemical, and American Cyanamid have each provided $1,000 to
help us go to this testing our model for real data from the bay
The current status of the math modeling program is
summarized in this report, which I hereby submit for the record
And you have that record there.
MR. WHITE: Without objection, it will appear in the
record as if read.
(The report referred to follows:)
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_ 263
A Mathematical Model for the Safe Assimilative Capacity of Bays
An Interim Report
-------
26H
Abstract:
The design of a mathematical model has begun which will be used to study
estuarine pollution problems. There is an overall plan for arriving at an
optimum model; the plan takes the form of an eight phase project. Some intro
duction to the project and how it is related to the assigned task is discussed
and some insight into the construction of a model is given below. After the
introduction, the phases are elabated upon in order to put the project in
perspective. Finally, the model program is given as it is at this time
1
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265
Introduction;
In order to make a meaningful beginning to the project, a consultant was
hired (Dr. Bernard Patton, University of Georgia). His suggestions on how to
start were most helpful and useful. He suggested that we begin by using a
model which was already devised. Such a model would be the segmented, steady
state estuarine model of Bunce and Hetling (1). He then suggested that we
elaborate this model as well as gather data to support it all within financial
constraints. We were urged to pursue a model which would (i) base the safe
assimilative capacity (hereafter termed SAC) on several independent variables,
(ii) derive and implement a computer program to calculate the SAC (based on
segmentation) (i iI) and, finally, to use linear programming techniques to
optimally value each segment of the modeled estuary.
With the proposals of Dr. Patton in mind, the programming of a model
simi'ar to the one of Bunce and Hetling (1) (The Delaware Bay Model) was
initiated. In order to learn as much as possible about the model (ar>d in fact
the estuarine modeling process), it was decided to completely devise a program
for calculation rather than copy the Delaware Bay model program per se. The
obvious advantage to this would be an "in house" model and model-maker. Since
it was desirable to go beyond the scope of the Delaware Bay model, it was
obviously necessary to completely understand each step which led to its devel- *
opment.
The Delaware Bay model is time invariant and one dimensional. For studying
a river using monthly average figures, the model has shown its utility (2). The
model was implemented for studying dissolved oxygen (D.O.). What was desired
for this project was to construct a time-varying, three dimensional, multi-
component model. The process of doing this may be divided into several phases;
2
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266
Reprogram the original Delaware Bay model
i) Write a program based on the same theory as the original
model (i.e. The Thomann Model (3))-
Modify the original program to work in two dimensions.
i) Re-run the Delaware Bay data for the two dimensional
case and confirm its validity.
Segment a bay (in particular - the Escambia Bay).
i) Enter the parameters of this bay into the model.
ii) Test the model by furnishing data and calculating known
average D. 0. values.
ii) Test the model by furnishing data and calculating known
average choride values.
Make the model time varying
i) Given intra-tital data,test the performance of the model.
Implement a hydro logical model
Marry the Phase V model to the Phase IV model.
Extend the model to be multicomponent and define the SAC
Using linear programming techniques and the Phase VI model
optimize the use of the bay.
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267
Theory:
The Delaware Bay model of Bunce and Hetling (1) was based upon a steady
state approach to the Thomann model (3). The model involves segmenting a
body of water into segments such that the concentration vector consisting of
n numbers is related to a forcing function vector also consisting of n numbers
by a transformation matrix which is n x n. That is,
AC = L, where A is the transformation matrix
C is the concentration vector, and
L is the forcing function vector.
The transformation may be re-arranged into C = A and A \ the inverse
of A, is known as the unit loading matrix. The matrix, A, represents flows,
diffusion and advection terms, segment dimensions, etc.
In order to see how the vector C is related to A, consider the product of
C by a.,., a row of the matrix A. What is represented as
a..,c, + a.„c_ + a._c, a. c (l).
ill 12 2 * 3 3 m n
For simplification, if the forcing function, 12, were being computed, and there
were five segments involved
'2 - a21C1 + a22C2 + a23C3 + 82>A + V5 00 '
Obviously, a^ for example, relates the concentration In segment four
to
the desired result 1^* The Delaware Bay model Is one dimensional. The segments
were numbered sequentially, hence, segment one flowed only into segment two,
which flowed only into segment three, etc. In this case, segment four would not
affect segment two, so only the terms a. . a, , and a, for the l-th 1.
'"1»J Ij 1+1,j J
would be non-zero. The result was the trldiagonal matrix In the Delaware Bay
program. In this project, since it is two dimensional, a complete matrix
Inversion routine was necessary.
k
-------
268
The terms of the A involve the following:
Consider again equation (ll) above. The terms a^t and a^
describe action into and out of segment two. For flows into a segment,
ak-1,k = " t^k-1k ^k-1,k + Ek-1,kl • (for conformity the notation is the same
as Bunce and Hetling (1)). For flows out of a segment, a^ «
j^k.k+l^ ^k,k-1^ ^k,k+lj . For action affecting concentration within e
segment, akk = £ Qk>k+1 Fk,k+1 " Qk-1,k(1 " ^k-1,k) + Ek-1,k + Ek,k+1 + Vk]
for the steady state case.
The terms used are as follows;
Qk_-j ^ f'ow in feet V sec into segment k from k-1
flow out of segment k into k+1
E, , exchange factor, where E. , ,, = k. . .
k, k+1 a k,k+1 k.k+1
l^k. k+1 k+1 + f i, i..,) C...J
l^k.k+1 ' ' k.k+l "k v' ~ k,k+i; ^k+1
and L = length in feet
C = concentration
Q = flow
k = coefficient of diffusion
£ = defined below
= L
k>k+1 ¦ - ¦ where L is length,
Lk + Lk+1
is the advection coefficient and is approximated by
the ratio of relative segment lengths.
reaeration coefficient
V volume
5
-------
269
For the 0^ case, the first step is the definition of A. Then, by knowing
BOD loads, i.e., L, C = A 1. gives the BOD load for each segment. The BOD loads
thence computed become the forcing functions for C = A ^L, where C is now the
oxygen difficiency due to a BOD load and L is the BOD load for each segment.
The process of computing O2 deficiencies for each segment is a two step pro-
cedure. In the term, benthal loads, deoxygenation, photosynthesis, and
respiration may also be included if known.
It is perhaps obvious that the original unit loading matrix involves some
trial and error. The terms are included and tried and corrected if necessary.
It is also perhaps obvious that a good hydrological model is necessary to
describe flows on intra-tidal cycles since this will be part of the time
varying model.
6
-------
270
D i scuss ion:
The implementation of Phase I of the project entailed the gathering of
reference materials and the writing of a program. The program was written and
was similar to the original Delaware Bay program. There were several exchanges
between the grantees and the authors of the original model, but eventually their
results were reproduced with their data. Some problem with floating point
underflow was encounted, but no significant error was detected. The completion
of Phase I was realized.
To modify the program of Phase I to that of Phase II entailed two major
modifications. Firstly, the input data had to be generalized so that there
could be an interchange between non-sequential segments. This would allow
two (or even three) dimensional studies. Also, a matrix inversion routine for
any matrix was necessary. The original Delaware Bay model was one dimensional
and hence, the unit loading matrix was the inverse of a tridiagional, matrix
I
Since the model of this project could have several segments interacting with on
another, a complete matrix inversion routine was needed. The IBM supplied
subroutine MINVwas used {h) . The original input data was reorganized and the
output was again reproduced. Due to algorithmic differences in inversion
routines, some slight difference was noted; the difference was insignificant
Also, it should be noted that the advection term was constrained to be between
1.0 and 0.5 as originally suggested by Thomann (3). This slightly altered the
output, but insignificantly. With good agreement between the original report
and the Phase II program, Phase II was completed.
The Implementation of Phase III has also begun. Since Escambia Bay was
deemed the test case, it was segmented. This was done in accord with known
parameters and with the thought that the segments chosen would be as cnnti.t
wnsistant; as
possible. The process of implementing the project at Phase III is now at the
7
-------
271
point where the parameters of the bay are needed. There is some data available
(5), hence the choice of Escambia Bay for the study. During the second half of
the project, this data will be incorporated into the model and tested. Average
D.O. values will be sought. If time permits, average chloride values will also
be studied.
The progress of Phase III will determine whether or not Phase IV can be
begun. It may be that Phase IV and V wi11 be combined into one phase and hence
making Phase VI superfluous. The obtaining of good data in a tidal cycle is
not an easy task. It would be advantageous if the hydrological factors could
be computed accurately rather than measured tediously. This approach to modeling
has not been explored in this project, but it has been done (6).
The transition from the Phase VI resulting model to the one in Phase VII
will involve some innovative study. Not only must the model predict all values
of would-be pollutants (i.e., BOD loads, oxygen, nitrate levels, choloride,
degradeable and non-degradeable organic compounds, temperature, trace metals,
etc.), but also these contaminants must be weighed in order to give an SAC
index. Perhaps some of those mentioned above will not be important at all and
hence some system simplification will be achieved.
Phase VIII of the project will depend on the success of whatever model is
developed. It will involve some evaluations and serious thought by all con-
cerned parties, because each segment will have to be assigned a dollar value.
It may be that Phase VIII will even be divorced from the project.
8
-------
272
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(1) Bunce, R. E., and Hetling, L. J., "A Steady State Segmented Estuary Model
U. S. Department of the Interior," FWPCA, Middle Atlantic Region, ®
Charlottesville, Virginia, Technical Paper No. 11.
(2) Pence, G. D., Jeglic, J. M., and Thomann, R. V. , "The Development and
Application of a Time Varying Dissolved Oxygen Model," Presented at
National Estuarine Conference, Stanford University, August, 1967.
(3) Thomann, R. V., "Mathematical Model for Dissolved Oxygen," Journal of
Sanitary Engineering Division, American Society Civil Engineers —12©
Proceeding Paper 3680, Vol., 89, No. SA5, October, 1963.
(b) "System/360 Scientific Subroutine Package (360A-CM-03X) Version III
Programmer's Manual," IBM Publication No. H-20-0205-3, page 118. '
(5) "Effects of Pollution on Water Quality - Escambia River and Bay, Florid
U. S. Department of the Interior, FWPCA, Southeast Water Laboratory
Technical Service Program, Athens, Georgia, January, 1970. '
(6) Masch, F. D., et al, "A Numerical Model for the Simulation of Tidal
Hydrodynamics in Shallow Irregular Estuaries," Technical Report HYD-
12-6901, Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory, The University of Texas at
Austin, February, 19^9.
-------
273
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Attachment #1
-------
274
REAL MTV(40)
DI MENS IONXKX (40) ,TEMP(40) , CS (40) , DEPTH(40) ,XL0A(40)
DIMENSION DIAG(40), P(40), B0D(40) ,V(40) ,SINK(4o)
DIMENSION RC(40),AREA(40), Q(40) , D(^O) , ALPHA (10) ,AM(1600)
DI MENS I ON DIAGA(40),XLOAD(40),BM(kO,kO),CN(kO,40),SUMBOD(kO),CONC (40)
1 40)
DIMENSION XLEN1(40),XLEN1(40),XLEN2(40),KA(40)
REWIND h
READ (1,1,END=100) NUM.ALPHA
1 FORMAT (13,^0
JX = 0
DECAY =0.15
C XKX IS COEFF OF DIFFUSION FOR SYSTEM
C ACCORDING TO FICK'S LAW
DO 30 J=1,1600
30 AM (J) «= 0.
FIX = 5280.«5280.
C THE E VALUE ARE MULTIPLIED BY FT**2/MI**2 TO GIVE CU.FT./DAY
NUM2 = NUM + 1
I F (NUM - 0)
41 IF(NUM - 40) 42,40,40
40 WRITE(3,7) NUM
7 FORMATC IMPROPER NUMBER OF SEGMENTS NUM =',|4///)
GO TO 100
C XLEN IN FT.
C V IS IN FT-'--'"3
C AREA IN FT **2
C MTV IS TIDAL VELOCITY IN FT/HR CA. 4000
C TEMP IS IN DEGREES CENTIGRADE
kl WRITE(3,4) NUM,ALPHA
4 FORMATC 1 NUMBER OF SEGMENTS THIS RUN M 3,5X, 10M///)
DO 10 J=1,NUM
10^READ(1,2) V(J),MTV(j),BOD(j),SINK(J),TEMP(j),DEPTH(j),RC(j),XKX(j
2 FORMAT(E6.0,T0F6.0)
DO 61 J=1 , NUM
DIAG(j) = 0.
C THIS IS FOR STMT 515
CS(J) = 14.652 - 0.410222*TEMP(J) + 0.0079910*TEMP(j)*TEMP(J)
1 - 0.00007777"TEMP(j)"TEMP(J)"TEMP(J)
CS(J) = 7.77
IF(RC(1) - 0.) 61,60,61
60 RC (J) « SQRT(8.1E-5"MTV(J))
DEPTH(J) = SQRT (DEPTH(J)*DEPTH(j)*DEPTH(j))
RC(J) = RC(J)/DEPTH(J)
C NOTE RC , THE REAR I AT I ON COEFFICIENT IS FOR 20 DEGREES CENT AND
C SHOULD BE IMPROVED UPON BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE STUDY
61 CONTINUE
DO 11 LA=1,NUM
Attachment #2
-------
275
XI IN = 1.0
EIN = 0.
READ(1,600) NSEG,NO IN,NOOUT
L = NSEG
600 FORMAT(312)
C KA IS FLOW TO OR FROM THE SEGMENT DEFINED BY NSEG
C E LENGTHS ARE BETWEEN—USED TO CALC XI VALUES
NTOT = NO IN + NOOUT
READ (1 ,601) (KA(JA) ,Q(JA) ,AREA( JA) ,XLEN1 (J$, XLEN2 (J/$, JA=1, NTOT)
601 FORMAT(2(12 ,4f6.0))
DO 602 J=1,NTOT
d(J) = Q(J)*36400.
M= NUM*(KA(j) - 1) + NSEG
IF( J - NO IN) 603,603,606
603 IF(KA(J) - 0) 604,605,604
604 K= KA(J)
EIN = (XKX(K)*AREA(j)*2.0)/(XLEN1 (J) +XLEN2(j))
EIN = EIN * FIX
XI IN = XLEN2(j)/(XLEN1(J) + XLEN2(J))
TEST = 1 .01 - EIN/Q(J)
IF(TEST - X11N) 612,612,613
613 XI IN = TEST
612 IF(XI IN - 0.5) 622,623,623
622 XI IN = 0.5
623 AM(M) = -(Q(J)*XIIN + EIN)
605 DIAG(L) = DIAG(L) + EIN - (Q(J)*(1.0 - XI IN))
GO TO 602
606 EOUT = (XKX(L)*AREA(J)*2.0)/(XLEN1 (j)+XLEN2(j))
EOUT = EOUT * FIX
XI OUT = XLEN1 (j)/XLEN1 (J) + XLEN2 (J))
TEST = 1.01 - EOUT/Q(J)
IF(TEST - XIOUT) 610,610,611
611 XI OUT = TEST
610 IF(XIOUT - 0.5) 624,625.625
624 XIOUT = 0.5
C
C XI VALUES ARE CONSTRAINED TO BE BETWEEN 1.00 AND
C EITHER 1 - E/Q OR 0.5, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER
C
625 IF(KA(J) - NUM) 608,608,607
608 AM(M) = Q(J)*(1.0 - XIOUT) - EOUT
607 DIAG(L) = DIAG(L) + Q(J)*XIOUT + EOUT
602 CONTINUE
OIAGA(L) = DIAG(L) + DECAY*V(L)
DIAG(L) = DIAG(L) + RC(L)*V(L)
WRITE(3,28) L,X11N,XIOUT,ElN,EOUT
28 FORMATO SEGMENT M3,2X,1XI IN -•,E15-5,7X,'XIOUT =»,E15.5,9X,' El
XN =\E15.5,7X,'E0UT ='E15.5)
11 CONTINUE
NOX = NUM*NUM
REWIND 5
130 JX = JX + 1
IF(JX - 2)135.35,36
135 WRITE(5) (AM(j),J=1,NOX)
C SAVE AM ARRAY SO CAN INVERT MATRIX
END FILE 5
GO TO 235
35 REWIND 5
2
-------
276
READ(5) (AM(J)„J=1,NOX)
235 DO 32 J=1,NUM
M= J + (J-l)-'-NUM
GO TO (33,3*0 ,JX
33 AM(M) = DIAGA(J)
GO TO 32
3^ AM(M) = DIAGA(J)
32 CONTINUE
WRITE(3,200) JX
200 FORMAT(////'MATRIX ',13//)
CALL PRRAY(AM,MUM)
CALL MlNV(AM,NUM,DET,D,P)
IF(DET) 300,301,300
301 WRITE(3,302)
302 FORMAT(' MATRIX DETERMINANT IS ZERO1)
300 WRITE(3,202) JX
202 FORMAT(' INVERTED MATRIX1*0
IF(JX - 2) 211 ,210,211
210 WRITE(h)(AM(I),1=1,NOX)
C COMPUTE A-1"1.6e^*B0D LOADS
211 DO 203 J-1,NOX
203 AM(J) = AM(J)*1.6E4
CALL PRRAY(AM,NUM)
DO 20^ J=1,NUM
20k XLOAD(J) = 0.
IF(JX - 1) 216,205,216
205 WRITE(A) (AM(J),J=1,NOX)
216 IF(JX - 1) 217,217,218
217 DO 219 J=1,NUM
219 XLOA(J) = BOD(J)
GO TO 220
218 DO 221 J=1,NUM
221 XLOA(J) = - SINK(J)
220 DO 206 1=1,NUM
DO 207 J=1,NUM
M = l+(J-1)»NUM
207 XLOAD(I) = XLOAD(I) + XLOA(j)*AM(M)
206 WRITE(3,208) l,XLOAD(l)
208 FORMAT(' SEGMENT (',12,') ... XLOAD =',E15.5)
GO TO 130
36 END FILE k
REWIND k
READ (4) (AM (J), J=1 ,NOX)
DO 232 J=1, NUM
DO 232 1=1,NUM
M= (J-1)*NUM + I
BM( I, J) = AM(M)
232 CN (J,I) = 0.
READ(^) (AM(J),J=1,NOX)
DO 233 J=1,NUM
DO 233 1=1,NUM
DO 233 K=1,NUM
M = J + (K-1)-•'NUM
233 CN(J,I) = CN(J.I) + BM(K,|)*AM(M)
C
C NOTE THAT A AND B MATRIX NOTATION IS REVERSE NOTATION OF DEL BAY
C FROM HERE ON
C
3
-------
277
DO 234 1=1,NUM
DO 234 J=1,NUM
M= J + (I-1)-'-NUM
BM(J, I)- AM(M)
234 AM(M) = CN(J,I)
CALL PRRAY(AM,NUM)
DO 400 J=1,NUM
DO 400 1=1,NUM
M= I + (J-1)"NUM
'tOO AM(M) = AM(M)-"V(J)>'-DECAY
CALL PRRAY(AM,NUM)
DO 241 J=1,NUM
241 SUMBOD(J) = 0.
DO 240 J=1,NUM
DO 240 (=1,NUM
M = J + (|-1)*NUM
240 SUMBOD(J) = SUMBOD(J) + BOD(l)*AM(M)
WRITE(3,258)
258 FORMAT(////'1 FINAL PREDICTED D.O '/ 10X,2X,8X,1PREDICTED =
1 SAT D.O. + XLOAD - SUMBOD'//)
DO 252 J=1,NUM
CONC(j) « CS(J) + XLOAD(J) - SUMBOD(J)
252 WRITE(3.253) J,CONC(j),CS(j),XLOAD(j),SUMBOD(J)
253 FORMAT(' SEGMENT (1,12,¦) ',E15-4.5X,3E13.4)
8 FORMAT(11 SECT DIAGONAL RC VOLUME BOD
1 TEMPS SINKS LOADS XKX'//)
WRITE(3,8)
DO 55 J=1,NUM
55 WRITE(3,5) J,DI AG(J) ,RC(J),V(J),BOD(j),TEMP(J),SINK(j),XL0A(J) ,XKX
1(J)
5 F0RMAT(2X,I3.8E13.4)
100 CALL EXIT
DEBUG SUBCHK(AM,BM,CN,SUMBOD,CONC,XLOAD,DIAGA,DI AG,Q,AREA,XLOA)
END
-------
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
DR. EDMISTEN: Thank you. This report in essence
states that we have taken the Delaware River model and modified
it to fit the 2- dimensional nature of our estuary. We have
checked the function of the model with theoretical figures and
we found it to be functional. We are currently involved in a
massive sampling program of the physical and chemical parameters
of the bay in an attempt to test the function of the model with
real figures. This massive sampling program involves the
expertise of Dr. Tom Hopkins, Chairman of the Biology Faculty,
and two of his advanced Master degree students.
I might add as an aside here, as a result of your
conference last year, and we thank you for it, we have had suoh
wonderful cooperation, as exemplified by the fact that this
houseboat that Dr. Smith talked about earlier is the vehicle
that we are using right now to get this data and we are using
the 3,000 bucks from local industry to pay for this current
data sampling program. And, of course, we will take this data
and put it to our computer model and see how it stands up undei*
real live data, real temperatures, real salinities, real dis-
solved oxygens, real nitrates.
We feel that the ultimate answer to the pollution
problems of Escambia Bay will be found in the final version of
our math model. These answers will involve a diverse series of
activities, such as upland spray irrigation disposal, large
-------
2Z<>
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
holding lagoons for tertiary treatment, consolidated sewerage
systems, and a plan for the development of the shorelines of
our bays and islands.
Now, in this upland irrigation spray business, I am
currently corresponding with Campbell Soup Company in their
Paris, Texas, plant that the scientists from Escambia Chemical
told me about and gave me all the reprints on. I would like to
commend Escambia Chemical for their steps forward in holding
lagoons and investigating the idea of upland spray irrigation.
This business of the shoreline development is the
next thing that is our major task at the University of West
Florida.
The second major activity, that of the shoreline plan,
is being studied right now. Originally our graduate students
had planned to produce the entire study and the plan for the
development of the shoreline by themselves, but with the
involvement of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Regional Planning Council
alongside with the Santa Rosa Island Authority, both of them
putting up $15,000 each, and more money forthcoming, we have
decided that we will handle Just the environmental input for
this.
With this financial involvement and commitments by
the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) and the Escambia-Santa
Rosa Regional Planning Council (ESRRPC), our students have
-------
280
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
narrowed the scope of their problems to that of defining the
biological communities, their functions and their weaknesses
and best uses around the bay. In other words, we are going to
see just what is there, how much grass is still on the bay like
it used to be 50 years ago, what other vegetation types are
around, the bay heads, the sand hills, what is a sand hill best
used for, what is a flat woods best used for, like around
Avalon Beach. It is now envisioned that some professional con-
sulting firm such as Milo Smith and Associates, now bidding on
the job, will utilize these biological and ecological inputs,
matching them with economic, demographic, cultural and social
factors, ultimately producing a plan for the proper development
of our shorelines.
In addition to these two major projects, Dr. Hopkins
and his staff have been deeply involved in their continuing
reserach in the biology of Escambia Bay and Bayou Texar,
Three of my graduate students are doing their research
on projects related to our problems in and around Pensacola an
-------
. 281
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
test the nitrogen fixation in Waccasassa Bay. Now, the mud
bottoms and waters have a natural ability to fix nitrogen and
this young man, Patrick Brizonik, has found that there was 3.1
million kilograms of nitrogen fixed by the bay bottom in
Waccasassa last year.
Now, does this get industry off the hook or put them
on deeper? Think about that for a moment. It gets them off
the hook to a certain extent in that there is a lot of nitrogen
fix out there in our bay right now, because Mrs. Bohannon's
tests have been positive and paralleled those of Dr. Brizonik,
but at the same time if we have all of this nitrogen input, if
we have in that 7 - square kilometers of Waccasassa 3.1
milli°n kilograms of nitrogen, which translates over to about
7.II million pounds in that 7 - square kilometers, then we
have a comparable amount here. So if there is all that much
nitrogen input just to the bottom organisms, then it puts
industry back on the hook again.
The point I am trying to make is that we have got to
look at the total function of this and other bays with such a
tool as the math model I have been talking about. We have got
to get it all into proper perspective.
I have another Master degree student, Mrs. Margaret
Green, who is working to establish the normal and/or abnormal
nitrogen cycles of salt marshes. She is studying one salt marsh
-------
— 2Su
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
just to the north end of Escambia Bay and as a control she is
studying another salt marsh and its nitrogen cycles around the
corner in the headwaters of Blackwater Bay near Milton.
The third graduate student under my supervision, Mr.
Dwaine Raynor,is studying the types and extents of vegetation
around Escambia Bay as mentioned earlier.
I want to close by thanking you for getting the ball
rolling.
Thank you. Any questions?
MR. REED: Thanks, Joe.
MR. PATTON: Joe, I have one comment. I think what I
heard you say a minute ago, if I can rephrase your words, is
that in effect these estuaries are rather delicately balancing
their certain, quote, natural inputs.
DR. EDMISTEN: Yes, there is —
MR. PATTON: And when man starts using them as a sink
for his waste on a rather indiscriminate basis, it doesn't take
long for things to really go to pot.
DR. EDMISTEN: With the tremendous amount of nitrogen
fixation in there, as evidenced by Brizonik's work and my
students' work, they are easily eutrophied just on their own
scale, their own time, so we have got to take care that we
don't speed up this eutrophication. I am sure that we never
have properly implicated the farmers and the farming industry
-------
: 283
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
in upper Escambia County and the runoff there.
Another one of my graduate students is doing work
finding a super legume, which we might use for fertilizer some
day rather than throwing tremendous amounts of mineral ferti-
lizers on and letting it run off and, therefore, further
eutrophying the bay.
MR. PATTON: Do you have any good thoughts on how
we can control the runoff, agricultureWise?
DR. EDMISTEN: Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, we car
control that by having more judicious use of fertilizers, by
using more legumes, and that is precisely what my student Mr.
Aubrey Morris is doing his Master's degree on, finding this
super legume.
MR. REED: I wish you luck with the Department of
Agriculture. (Laughter.)
MR. TRAINA: Joe.
DR. EDMISTEN: Mr. Traina.
MR. TRAINA: As you fellows have been here for quite
a while in this bay, I am going to ask you a question I earlier
addressed to Dr. Smith.
Do you really think that the bay can take any more
artificial inputs of nutrients? Now, I can appreciate the fact
that we need to look at not only Escambia Bay, but look at that
in respect to Pensacola Bay and the entire area. It concerns
-------
284
Dr. J. A. Edmisten
me that perhaps we may be setting ourselves in a direction here
of thinking about how much more materials can Escambia Bay take
considering what it has now.
of our computer study, that is the safe assimilative capacity
of Escambia Bay, one might assume that we are looking to see hov
much more we can dump in it, but that is not the case. We are
looking at a totally objective picture to see just what it can
take. Now, my research and training is largely in upland
ecosystems, I know the vegetation types of Florida as well as
any person, but I am not an expert in water. Dr. Tom Hopkins is
really our expert at the University of West Florida.
want to look at our computer model. It would be an emotional
thing for me to say that it can't take any more at all and that
is what I would like to say, but I am going to be very
scientific, very objective. We are going to complete this
computer model; we are going to let it speak for us.
MR. PATTON: Perhaps you ought to underline that firsl
word in the title, Joe, "Safe."
DR. EDMISTEN: Yes, safe assimilative capacity.
MR. TRAINA: One other comment or question I would
like to direct to you.
These conferees are very much concerned about
DR. EDMISTEN: One might assume that from the title
So I would say I want to be entirely objective, I
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Dr. J. A. Edmisten
reestablishing Escambia Bay. There has been some thought
among us publicly and other places regarding what we can do to
restore the bay, and I am not talking here Just about control-
ling waste discharges, I am talking about methods of looking at
the bay bottom and doing something there.
In any of your planning and studies to date are you
going to look at this angle? Are there going to be mechanical
or other ways of restoring portions of this bay? I am talking
about the bottom materials that were put on this morning.
DR. EDMISTEN: Yes, we considered several alternatives,
such wild Buck Rogers sort of things as cleaning up the bay.
Suppose for a moment that you Just absolutely dredged out and
cleaned up the bottom and carried all these PCB bearing wastes
away and put them upland where fungal activity might help de-
grade them faster. Well, this is one possibility.
Still another possibility is that of using grasses,
underwater vegetative grasses such as Thalassia testudium and
actually vegetating the bottom again.
Yes, we are considering all sorts of possibilities
for renovating and reclaiming the bay.
MR. TRAINA: Would you venture a guess if we stopped
discharges tomorrow how long the bay would take just to
naturally stabilize, the bottom to stabilize? Would you like
to venture a guess on that?
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Dr. J. A. Edmisten
DR. EDMISTEN: It would be just that, it would be just
a guess, because I am only human. (Laughter.)
MR. TRAINA: Yes, I know. So are we. We have been
struggling with that one for a long while.
DR. EDMISTEN: Due to the nature of the bay, with the
Santa Rosa Island across the mouth of it and the poor flushing
rates, its natural eutrophication has helped it to this stage
and it is not really going to get any better. We might
gradually have more sand and silt seal this over, all this mud
and muck down there, and if it were sealed over, of course, it
would still be very natural. You know that most of the bay is
only six or eight feet deep across there, and that is not
industry's fault, it is geomorphology1s fault. It would never
really get clean and open again. Natural eutrophication would
just keep it going on, filling in. Its ultimate goal, its
ultimate fate, is that of being filled in. It would never j
mean hundreds of years, thousands of years, it would Just
gradually get more shallow, gradually get more filled in. j
am sure—
MR. TRAINA: That is happening at a pretty rapid paoe
now because of man's activities.
DR. EDMISTEN: Of course we are accelerating it,
course we have accelerated it. What normally
years we have done in 10, 20, 30 years.
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Dr. J. A. Edmisten
MR. TRAINA: So you think the best we can do is just
slow it down?
DR. EDMISTEN: Yes, we can slow it down if we don't
do anything else, but its ultimate fate is that of filling in.
MR. REED: Joe, not disregarding for a moment the
natural evolution of these bays, I think there is genuine feel-
ing, though, by many of us if we can minimize the effluent that
we will be able to return the bay to some form of productivity
in a fairly rapid matter of time. Professor Odum at the Uni-
versity of Georgia has been involved in this.
I think it might be useful for everybody in this room
to know how many hundreds of hours, and I mean hundreds of hours,
the men at this table and other men in our department and the
Federal Government have spent thinking about Escambia Bay. I
don't think anybody in this room has the slightest concept of
the number of people who are thinking and working on this pro-
ject throughout the Southeast. This is, I guess, one of our
maximum attentions in this State, certainly in our Department.
We have discussed the dredging of the bay; we have discussed
the regrassing; we have done so much of this ourselves as well.
We have great hopes that we will be able to return the bay to
some form of productivity.
DR. EDMISTEN: I am sure it can be returned to a
healthy state. Now, you can't expect it to have suddenly pure
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Dr. J. A. Edmisten
running waters, but it can be returned to a healthy state by
the combination of biological and physical removal methods.
One of the things that we really should consider is
means of taking all of these nutrients and removing them bio-
logically. If we have a big consolidated sewage treatment
plant, we can't destroy nitrates or phosphates. As you well
know, if the plant is operating well it just simply breaks out
the phosphates and nitrates and nutrients, which make them even
more available.
So if we have bigger and better sewage treatment
plants we have got to go to some tertiary treatment, like was
it Mr. Locke talked about it? He didn't give the University of
West Florida credit. You notice I was rather heavy on the
West. Our sewage treatment plant up there does have good fish
in it and I have consumed them and they are quite good. There
is no reason why we can't follow the example of the Port Lauder-
dale area, where they are taking all of their sewage treatment
plants and tying them into an open spray irrigation plant. We
have the deep, sandy, porous soils that are very suitable for
this.
MR. REED: We have dozens of them going in across the
State now. Tallahassee City. Mr. Bouten is very keen on
upland disposal of sewage treatment and we are requiring it in
many, many instances around the State.
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Dr. J.A. Edmistenj
DR. EDMISTEN: Of course, as you realize, Mr. Reed,
this is not just a matter of dumping it in the land, it is
chemically removing those materials that are beyond the capa-
bilities of in-plant removal. Mr. Lipe was up talking about
they are approaching their technical limits of removing nutrients,
so if you biologically remove them by fish, turn them into fish,
turn them into pine trees, turn them into grass, as the Camp-
bell Soup Company is doing, then they don't go into the bay or
into the Gulf of Mexico.
Well, I have taken enough time.
MR. TRAINA: I would just say, I would like for you tc
pursue these alternatives, because this is where we are going,
to get back to my initial question. I think this is where we
need to go, is to come up with some of these proposals of put-
ting these effluents after treating them in other places.
Thank you.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much.
Yes.
MR. PATTON: I would like to make one observation
here. The question was asked of Joe a moment ago about
recovery of the bay, and I think this is one of the most
difficult questions that a sanitary engineer is ever called
upon to answer.
I know from personal experience that Bayou Chico,
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Dr. J. A. Edmisten
on the west side of the city, experienced a very bad situation
a number of years ago. Industries were discharging into the
bayou, very much a land locked bayou, bottleneck, sludge
banks were over 20 feet deep extending above the water surface,
and after treatment was put in to remove this waste it wasn't
too long until the sludge banks began to disappear. That bayou
is not pristine pure, but I think its condition today compared
to, say, 1955 or 1956, it is practically nothing short of a
miracle and it happened very quickly.
If any of you want to know how this can be damaged,
come by my office and look at a piece of mahogany that the
teredo worms bored lots of holes in.
DR. EDMISTEN: That is very encouraging. Thank you.
MR. REED: That is all, Mr. Chairman, I have, unless there
is anyone who wants to speak in the name of Florida.
Is there anybody else in the room who wishes to come
forward at this time?
Otherwise, I will turn the meeting over to you, Mr.
Chairman, for the Alabama presentation.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Mr. Reed.
Before getting into that, I would like to offer one
comment as a followup on this exchange about the possibility
of recovery. I think you can get several different theories
. i:
advanced from any number of scientists. One thing remains r
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J. C. White
clear, that we are going to have to get these waste discharges
out or reduced to the maximum extent possible and then evaluate
the situation after this occurs and hopefully we will see some
hasty recovery at that time.
Before going into the Alabama presentation, I would
like to call a brief recess and reconvene at 5 minutes of
(RECESS)
MR. WHITE: Let's reconvene, please.
I would like to now call on Mr. Arthur Beck for the
Alabama presentation.
MR. BECK: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Dr. R. L. Myers, the Chairman of our Alabama Water
Improvement Commission, has asked that I express his regrets
that he couldn't be here as the conferee from Alabama, but he
has budget troubles and he must appear before the budget
committee today and tomorrow. That is most important with us
so he has asked me to serve in his place.
I am going to ask Mr. J. L. Crockett, Director of
our Technical Staff, to give Alabama's presentation.
Joe, if you will.
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
292
J. L. CROCKETT, JR., DIRECTOR
TECHNICAL STAFF, ALABAMA WATER IMPROVEMENT
COMMISSION, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
MR. CROCKETT: Mr. Chairman, conferees, ladies and
gentlemen.
I am J. L. Crockett, Jr., Director of the Technical
Staff of the Alabama Water Improvement Commission, and I am
pleased to present this statement on behalf of the Commission.
The recommendations of the conferees following the
first session of this conference held in Gulf Breeze, Florida,
January 20-21, 1970, specifically relating to sources of pol-
lution within the State of Alabama were:
1) That the mill of Container Corporation of America
located near Brewton, Alabama, reduce its discharge of carbon-
aceous wastes to the extent of 90 percent by not later than
December 31, 1972.
2) That color in the Escambia River at the Alabama-
Florida state line, as measured at the Highway 4 bridge near
Century, Florida, shall be reduced to meet levels of Alabama
Florida, and Federal standards. No time limit was set on that
particular recommendation.
3) That the town of East Brewton, Alabama, shall
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
install secondary waste abatement facilities acceptable to the
Alabama Water Improvement Commission by not later than Decem-
ber 31, 1972.
It was also recommended that the conferees, after
evaluation of material presented for the record of the first
session of this conference, and after consultation with the
parties involved, establish allowable waste discharges for each
of the major contributors of waste to the waters involved. A
meeting of the conferees was held for this purpose in Atlanta,
Georgia, on May 14, 1970, at which time representatives of the
major waste contributors met with the conferees and presented
statements. It was decided by the conferees to take this matter
under advisement and to meet again early in 1971 for the purpose
of reaching decisions on allowable discharges. It is our under-
standing that this session of the conference has been convened
for the purpose of evaluating progress made during the past year
in abatement of pollution of waters covered by this conference.
Our presentation will consist principally of discus-
sions of the status of Container Corporation of America and the
town of East Brewton, Alabama, as to progress made in complying
with the recommendations of the conferees.
The waste treatment system of Container Corporation,
as it existed in January 1970 was described in detail in our
statement during the first session of the conference and need
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
not be repeated. It will be recalled that during this first
session, Mr. George H. Whiteside, General Manager of the Brewton
Mill, Container Corporation, stated that his company was in the
process of constructing an aerated lagoon to supplement treat-
ment facilities then in effect. This aerated lagoon, which will
be described in detail by the representative of Container Corpo-
ration who will appear before you, was completed and placed in
operation during October 1970. During August 1970 prior to the
activation of the new aerated lagoon, the Southeast Water Labor-
atory of the then Federal Water Quality Administration conducted
an investigation of Container Corporation's existing waste treat
ment system, this system at that time being the same at that
time as we described to you last January. The results of this
investigation have been reported to you, and it is interesting
to note that the removal of 5-day BOD determined by this inves-
tigation was 81 percent, a value approximating that reported to
the first session of the conference in January 1970. Unfortu-
nately, a restudy of Container Corporation's waste treatment
system, including the new aerated lagoon, could not be schedule*
prior to the advent of cooler temperatures which are accompanied
by lower biological activity. The expanded waste treatment
system will be evaluated by the Southeast Water Laboratory
during 1971. In the meantime, Container Corporation will con-,
tinue its monitoring of the waste treatment system with result
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
being reported periodically to the Water Improvement Commission,
At this point in time, any statement as to the over-
all efficiency of Container Corporation's expanded waste treat-
ment system in the removal of 5-day BOD must be based on one's
experience and Judgment. Nevertheless, we feel confident in
predicting that the system will provide a reduction of at least
90 percent of the 5-day BOD generated by Container Corporation
during the warmer seasons of the year when biological activity
is at its highest. We do not feel that this degree of removal
can be maintained during winter months when biological and
bacterial action proceeds at a much lower rate.
The determination of allowable discharges by Container
Corporation as well as other waste sources involved in this
conference deserves and should be given careful consideration
with all factors being fully evaluated. The report of the
Environmental Protection Agency takes account of the fact that
the average generation of 5-day BOD as determined from the
Southeast Water Laboratory study of August 1970 for Container
Corporation was approximately 19 percent below the average for
similar mills operating in the South. This finding corroboratee
those of previous studies of this mill and can be attributed to
a tight operation or in-plant control of waste losses. This
should be taken into account in determining quantities of BOD
Container Corporation may be permitted to discharge in the
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
future if operations similar to those of Container are to be
judged on the basis of the industry average. The EPA report
further recommends that the effects of an expansion in pulping
capacity presently under way at Container Corporations mill be
evaluated and reviewed by the conferees in establishing an allowl
able BOD discharge for the company. This expansion will result
in an increase of 150 tons per day in pulping capacity.
Total organic carbon and its role in water quality
degradation was discussed at length by representatives of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration during the first
session of this conference. It is again mentioned in the report)
of the Environmental Protection Agency to this session with
recommendations for permissible quantities of TOC which can be
discharged by Container Corporation. We submit that the role
of TOC is not fully understood and technology relating to its
removal by treatment has not developed to the point that prac-
tical and reasonable conclusions should be drawn today as to
permissible discharges.
With respect to color in the Escambia River attribut-
able to Container Corporation, we remind you of the commitment
of the Alabama Water Improvement Commission to require reduction!
of color in the waste discharged by Container Corporation when
an economically feasible method for doing so is developed. We
also remind you of the commitment of Container Corporation to
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
incorporate color removal in its waste treatment system when a
commercially feasible method of doing so becomes available.
Color removal in pulp and paper mill waste is still under inves-
tigation and it may be a year or two or more before I think we
will have the results of these several studies and demonstratior
practices.
The town of East Brewton, Alabama, population 2,336,
1970 census, contines to discharge untreated wastes to Murder
Creek, a tributary of the Conecuh River, at a point approximate-
ly 12 miles from the Alabama-Florida State line. This munici-
pality is under order from the Commission to provide secondary
treatment facilities and has retained a consultant to study and
design an appropriate system. It is suggested that the con-
ferees reaffirm their position that East Brewton be required to
install secondary treatment facilities at the earliest possible
time, but by not later than December 31, 1972.
If I recall correctly, the two speakers that preceded
me have mentioned sediment in the streams of their area, those
streams that are involved in this conference. I do not recall
whether the Conecuh River was mentioned specifically, but I
would like to remind you of the fact that we did report to you
last January on the operation of sand and gravel washing
facilities in Alabama. We can again report that these sand and
gravel washing operations are essentially removing the turbidity
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
created in their works and I do not feel that manmade activity
or, rather, activity of man is contributing significantly to the
discharge of sediment from Alabama sources into the Conecuh-
Escambia River system. I think we also reported that there were
other sand and gravel operations that are not in Alabama which
may or may not oe a source of sediment to this stream.
Before completing my statement, I would like to advise
the conferees that the Mayor of East Brewton, Alabama, and his
consulting engineer had been invited to attend this conference
and had agreed to do so. They did ask, well, could we delay it
until Tuesday. So unfortunately they will not be here today to
be heard. I would hope that the Chairman will permit them to
file a letter if they so desire.
MR. WHITE: If they make their wishes known, we will
be happy to have them submit something for the record.
MR. CROCKETT: Thank you.
MR. BECK: Are there any questions of Mr. Crockett?
MR. WHITE: Any comments?
MR. TRAINA: Joe, I would like to explore with you
this question of 90 percent BOD removal during the wintertime.
As you know, the study that we did that was reported on by Mr.
Little this morning was done during the summer period^and the
plant was getting Bl percent removal of BOD at that time. Now,
this was prior to the—maybe the company will report back here
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
later—that was prior to putting in the aerators. Don't you
think with aerators that we could get, expect, a 90 percent
year-round reduction of BOD?
MR. CROCKETT: I cannot commit myself to that. I
think that we have had as much experience as probably any State
in the South on the operation of biological treatment systems
for pulp and paper mill wastes and for that matter any biologi-
cal system, and invariably you get a reduction during the colder
months of the year.
I have simply said that I did not feel and I could
not commit myself to 90 percent removal in the middle of the
winter. Personally, I think there would be a reduction, but
how much I do not know. I did say that—I will say I would
rather put it "weJ' because our staff is confident that with the
addition of the aerated lagoon it will easily accomplish the
90 percent removal and it may just exceed it.
I have no doubts but what it will be met during the
greater portion of the year, but I still have considerable
reservation as to the operation of any biological waste treat-
ment system being able to consistently deliver the same degree
of removal throughout the 12 months season or period.
MR. WHITE: May I ask a question here, Mr. Crockett?
The basis of design, then, would be your critical low
periods in the summer, would they not?
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
MR. CROCKETT: Well, your basis of design, it depends
upon what factor you are considering there, Mr. White. If you
are considering a stream, of course the 10-year 7-day low flow
governs. But we are committed to secondary treatment of waste
in Alabama.
MR. WHITE: But would not your policy that you
presently operate under require that you design for the 7-day
10-year low flow?
MR. CROCKETT: That is correct.
MR. WHITE: Under these circumstances, then, likely
you are getting this type treatment during this critical time
that this flow would occur, which normally is during the hot
dry months.
MR. CROCKETT: During the warmer months.
MR. BECK: Didn't you say, Joe, that we will meet it
or the company can meet it at that critical loads that occur
in the summertime?
MR. CROCKETT: This is what I have said in my state-
ment, that it is my opinion that we will definitely meet the 90
percent, the company, Container Corporation, with the addition
of its aerated lagoon. I have made the other statement concern-
ing the efficiency of such a system, not only Container's but
any biological system that we have operated in the State, of
the ability of that system to maintain the same degree of
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
efficiency in BOD removal during the colder months of the year
as it can show during the warmer months. It is simply a fact
of nature.
MR. TRAINA: Joe, one other question. Well, maybe two
other questions.
With regard to the TOC situation—and of course we
have been through this thing a number of times,we had some dis-
cussion this morning of the Florida people on this—are we talk-
ing about a question of methodology, analytical methodology, or
a question of technology in terms of removing these materials?
MR. CROCKETT: Prom what I have heard of TOC, that is
the methodology of its determination, I think Container Corpo-
ration was the first mill of the pulp and paper industry,
certainly in this region, and perhaps the first in the industry
to purchase equipment to measure TOC. As a matter of fact, I
think it was under order within 10 days after the conference
session last.January. And I am told not only by Container
people, but I have heard from others, that there is some ques-
tion about the methodology. Maybe—I am not an expert in this
area; I am simply repeating what I have been told.
Now, as to whether or not a biological system that
we may design for 90 percent removal of BOD is going to
accomplish 90 percent removal of TOC, I think that you had
better give that a lot of thought before you express yourself.
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
My feeling, and there again based on what I can hear, is that
it won't perform that professionally in the removal of TOC. We
are in a new game with this TOC, and I think we have got some
things to learn about It, and with that in mind I think we
should proceed cautiously. We can always come back and set
such standards as we think can be accomplished.
MR. TRAINA: I take it that Alabama has perhaps the
same problem that was discussed by Florida people earlier with
regard to their own regulations—-that provisions for TOC are not
in the regulations, not In the permitting system.
MR. CROCKETT: We have been accused of taking certain
liberties. Personally I look at our law and we are responsible
for the control of wastes and TOC is not defined specifically.
We might be taking liberties, but I am sure we will take them
if that is a critical element in the control of water quality.
MR. TRAINA: Very good.
MR. REED: Let me ask you a question about that. You
are all experts on other State standards. How many other States
have a TOC standard, Just out of curiosity?
MR. TRAINA: Probably none.
MR. REED: I didn't want to feel backward alone.
(Laughter.)
MR. WHITE: Mr. Crockett, I don't want to belabor
this point or pass over it, but in designing your system you
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
consider two factors, don't you? I mean you consider imposing
your effluent requirement which the State has, which, in effect ,
is the secondary treatment requirement; also you consider the
stream conditions and you design for the minimum criteria that
you have in the stream. In this particular case is the design
based back from the stream to preserve the minimum of DO 4 parts
per million at the critical low flow periods? Am I making my-
self clear?
MR. CROCKETT: I think so, Mr. White. In all evalua-
tions—and I am going to speak specifically to the point of
Container Corporation—in all evaluations that we have made on
the potential effect of Container's wastes on the receiving
stream, it has been based on the preservation of a minimum of
4 parts per million DO at the sag point. Originally I would
probably have to say, and this is going back into the 1950's,
that flow-wise we considered the 95 percent flow is the
immediate flow and that may have cut off once every two years.
More recently, in consideration of Container's discharge,we are
going to have to consider, and so is Container, the 10-year
7-day low flow in order to preserve the quality of the water*
and Container will have to take a look at it to try to devise
their system to accomplish that end in order to continue pro-
duction.
MR. WHITE: I just wanted—excuse me.
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
MR. CROCKETT: I don't know whether I have answered
your question, but we are actually—and frankly, this whole
matter of secondary treatment which we are into now, you have
to design a little bit higher removal to get the removal that
you can consistently deliver. That is going to be a legal
factor in your permit system.
MR. WHITE: Well, I appreciate the response. I
wanted to make the point that we do have a dual standard here,
we have an effluent standard that we are developing^ and we have
a stream standard that also comes into play.
MR. CROCKETT: I think we are certainly getting into
the effluent standard—we have been in the effluent standard
business whether we admit it or not, but the two go jointly
hand in hand. You can't separate the two when you are in this
business of water pollution control.
MR. WHITE: Well, very briefly, again, I would like
to ask a couple more questions, and these may be covered by
the company1s report.
When will they have the increased capacity effective?
MR. CROCKETT: Let me defer that to Mr. Whiteside.
MR. WHITE: 0. K.
MR. TRAINA: On that point, Joe, could I ask, has the
company applied for a permit?
MR. CROCKETT: That is correct, they have furnished us
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
with the data which should—the permit will not be issued until
after the system is in operation.
MR. TRAINA: I see. 0. K. Thank you.
MR. WHITE: One other comment. On East Brewton, can
you give us any prognosis on this? Do you think that we are
going to get a report which would indicate they are going to
meet the deadline established by the conferees?
MR. CROCKETT: I had a telephone conversation with
the consulting engineer last Friday, I believe, when I arranged
for him to be here so he could tell you these things. At the
moment the consultant has completed his preliminary engineering
report. He did tell me that there had been some discussions
with financial houses and that the town had been advised that
provided they could get Federal assistance in construction both-
in this ease they are going to have to have sewage treatment
and they will need additional source so as to build up the
revenue to meet the bond issue requirements. Provided the town
can get some assistance from the Federal agencies, there is no
doubt but what it can finance this program.
I can't go further than that. We do have a different
administration in the city government in East Brewton and they
appear to be more progressive, let's say, than the previous
administration.
MR. TRAINA: Joe, do you think in their submission to
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
the conferees that they could give us a time schedule? I
thought you had indicated that the city officials were going
to give us a letter of some sort. Do you think that will
include a time schedule for secondary treatment?
MR. CROCKETT: I don't know that they would be in a
position today to give you a time schedule. I don't know that
the plan has gone that far. Certainly my suggestion, it was
made as a suggestion, I will make it as a recommendation, that
the conferees reaffirm their position.
MR. BECK: Joe, don't we have the town under orders?
MR. CROCKETT: The town is under orders, that is cor-
rect, as I have stated in my presentation. We would try to
speed them up and we would like to see it done in 1971.
MR. BECK: The point I want to bring up, that the
Water Improvement Commission is not dragging its feet on it?
MR. CROCKETT: The town has drug its feet and I think
we will all have to admit.
MR. TRAINA: I think we will just have to take note of
that, as you have recommended that we do.
MR. REED: Joe, I don't know how the PL-660 money is
handed out in Alabama. Does that go through you, in your
department?
MR. CROCKETT: It does.
MR. BECK: They want more money than that, though, Mr,
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
Reed, they want HUD money and they want EPA money, they want 90
percent.
MR. REED: We have got some like that too.
MR. CROCKETT: Probably to answer your question, there
will be no difficulty with PL-660 money.
MR. REED: Joe, are you a 35 percent State or a 50
percent State on those grants?
MR. BECK: We are 30 percent.
MR. REED: 30 percent.
MR. CROCKETT: We are hopeful that legislation will
be proposed whereby the State will go into a program of financial
assistance, but every time you turn the corner now it is "Where
is the revenue coming from?"
MR. REED: Yes, we have the same thing.
MR. TRAINA: Joe, I assume from your comments that
the sand and gravel situation has been all cleaned up and there
are no problems here?
MR. CROCKETT: The sand and gravel situation is that
the problem is one that you must continuously be on top of.
These are small operators, in the main. For that reason we
have assigned one staff member solely to such operations as
sand and gravel and it Just takes repetitive visits. We have
one now, and I said it is essentially being controlled, we have
one operator who is a little backward and it just takes
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J. L. Crockett, Jr.
repeated—
MR. TRAINA: Is he on the Escambia?
MR. CROCKETT: He is on the Big Escambia Creek, yes.
MR. REED: Are these dragline operations?
MR. CROCKETT: Mr. Reed, primarily sometimes they
always use shovels, but I don't think any of them use—I could
be in error on that dragline, but they use mechanical equipment,
usually shovels. The pits will be near the Florida streams.
Sometimes it is taken from a Florida stream by dredge.
MR. BECK: Joe, isn't our problem mainly washing?
MR. CROCKETT: It is the washing of it, washing of
what is generally termed bank run sand and gravel in which the
sand and gravel include clays and loam that you have to wash
out before you can market it. The material that is removed by
dredges from the bottom of the streams is considerably cleaner
and doesn't always require washing.
MR. WHITE: Any other questions?
Thank you, Mr. Crockett.
MR. BECK: Mr. George H. Whiteside, General Manager
of Container Corporation of America.
Mr. Whiteside.
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309
G. H. Whiteside
GEORGE H. WHITESIDE, GENERAL MANAGER
CONTAINER CORPORATION OF AMERICA
BREWTON, ALABAMA
MR. WHITESIDE: Mr. White and conferees, ladies and
gentlemen.
I am George Whiteside, General Manager of the Brewton,
Alabama, mill of Container Corporation of America.
Mr. Chairman, our statement at this conference is
divided into two parts. The first is a progress report on our
water pollution abatement accomplishments and activities since
the conference met on January 21, 1970. This report will be of
Interest to everyone here today, so I will present it orally.
The second section is a compilation of pertinent
technical data. Although important, it will be of interest
primarily to just the conferees and can be studied more com-
pletely at a later time; therefore, I would like permission to
have it inserted into the public record without oral presenta-
tion.
MR. WHITE: Without objection, it will be entered
into the record as if read.
(The statement referred to commences on page 318.)
MR. WHITESIDE; This progress report details
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310
G. H. Whiteside
improvements made in our water effluent treatment system at the
Brewton Mill since January 1970. In addition, it will discuss
research and development work now scheduled or planned for
implementation after this session of the conference.
In-plant control. And by in-plant control, I mean
recovering to where we use it within the system.
On January 20, 1971, we reported to you that our
pulping operations prior to any effluent treatment were
generating 56,800 pounds of BOD. Because of the adoption of
extensive in-plant controls, this figure has been reduced to
*18,500 pounds as determined in a Joint study conducted last
August by the combined research personnel of the FWQA and
Container Corporation of America. In other words, the BOD load
we produce was reduced from 63 to 5^ pounds per ton of product.
When one considers that 61 pounds of BOD per ton is the average
for southern kraft mills producing an even mix of bleached and
unbleached paperboard, it is patently clear that we have gone
from a position which was slightly above the industrial average
in terms of BOD production to one which is significantly below
that average.
This achievement has been made by increased reuse of
our process waters as the result of changes which have closed
up our water systems. Foam breakers and pneumatic level
recorders have been installed in tanks susceptible to overflow
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211
G. H. Whiteside
and sewer lines have been rerouted to minimize the adverse
effects which could result from accidental tank overflows.
Pumps, valves, and miles of pipeline are continually -subjected
to inspection and maintenance in an effort to reduce leaks
capable of contributing to the pollution load. Blow steam
condensate has been piped to the black liquor system in order
to contain any entrained contamination in that system.
The aeration system. This is our new system.
Our statement to the conference on January 21, 1970,
mentioned the installation of a system of mechanical aerators
to improve treatment of our effluent. This system was completed
in September 1970 at a cost of $750,000 and was placed in
operation on October 11, 1970.
The aeration system consists of a specially constructed
midfeather 22-acre lagoon which is 10 feet deep. It has a
normal operating capacity of 60 million gallons. Effluent
enters the lagoon after being treated in the solids removal
clarifier. The aeration lagoon contains 10 75-horsepower
Eimco surface aerators which bring the dissolved oxygen content
of the effluent up to 6.5 parts per million at the point where
the effluent enters oxidation ponds. Performance data on this
system are being compiled and will be presented to conferees
when available. The system is now in continuous operation.
We are convinced that it represents a significant step forward
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— 312
G. H. Whiteside
in our continuing water pollution abatement effort.
Federal Water Quality Administration Study.
Between August 17, 1970, and August 28, 1970, FWQA
research personnel and Container Corporation personnel conducted
a river and waste treatment survey. Our purpose was to estab-
lish a base line for evaluation of the treatment efficiency of
the aeration system.
It was originally hoped that the study of aeration
efficiency would be completed in time to present results at
this reconvening of the conference. However, this has not
been possible. Data will be presented as soon as it is avail-
able .
Institute of Paper Chemistry Benthological Study.
During the fourth week of July 1970 stream biologists
from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wisconsin,
conducted the l^th annual biological water quality study
of the Conecuh-Escambia River between Brewton, Alabama, and
Escambia Bay, Florida. As in previous studies, the purpose was
to measure the effect of treated pulp and papermaking wastes
from the Brewton Mill upon the biological resources of the
receiving stream.
Comparison of data obtained with that collected in
previous years permitted the biologists to conclude: "...that
a major improvement in the water quality of the Conecuh-Escambiji
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— 313
G. H. Whiteside
River downstream from Container Corporation of America's Brewton
Lake outfall has occurred since the 1969 study was conducted. A
complete ecological recovery from the effects of Brewton Lake
discharges, and a return to a normal water quality was apparent
3.1 miles downstream from the outfall which is near the mouth
of Little Escambia Creek." We must point out, however, that the
report also noted, "The water of the Conecuh River remained
darkly colored, although no other physical impairments were
discernible during this study."
Color.
As we stated at the last conference..."We understand
that we will be expected to employ the use of (a) color removal
system whenever a reasonable method is devised,"
We are concerned about the river's discoloration and
have pursued our continuous investigation and evaluation of all
color removal methods currently being tried or suggested for use
on kraft mill effluents. We must, regretfully, report to this
conference, as of today, no economically feasible method of
color removal exists. To suggest otherwise is misleading and
unrealistic.
Our technical personnel personally visited last month
several color removal research operations. Two separate massive
lime treatment systems were investigated. At one mill, rever-
sion of color during biological oxidation of th$ effluent renders
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. aii
G. H. Whiteside
the lime treatment of little benefit in reduction of color of
the final effluent. In the second lime treatment project, only
one portion of the mill effluent is being treated. It is then
discharged into the receiving water without biological oxidation.
Such a system cannot be used at the Brewton Mill because our
effluent cannot be discharged directly to the river without
receiving secondary treatment.
Research in progress under a Federal grant on acti-
vated carbon decolorization of kraft mill effluent was reviewed
with the researchers concerned. While their laboratory reserach
has confirmed that effluent can be decolorized with activated
carbon, this has not yet been applied on a pilot plant; scale.
Nor, for that matter, have operating parameters been sufficient-
ly delineated to permit scale up to a commercial system if such
an operation should prove feasible.
Reverse osmosis has been applied on a pilot plant
scale for the concentration of sulfite mill effluents.
Application to kraft mill effluents is in the initial reserach
stage. This has been discussed with the researchers involved
but is not yet a commercially usable process. A serious prob-
lem is the difficulty in developing adequate osmatic membranes.
Now, as mentioned at the beginning of this report, I
would like to indicate our plans for the future pollution abate-
ment action. These include:
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- - 31*
a. H. Whiteside
Federal Water Quality Administration Re-Survey.
The second FWQA river and waste treatment survey to
determine the effect of our new aeration system upon effluent
treatment will be carried out this year.
In addition to this, our own mill personnel will
continue to collect operating data under various operating
conditions to enable us to assess the basic operating character-
istics of the system at maximum efficiency.
We will again retain the Institute of Paper Chemistry
to conduct another biological water quality study of the Cone-
cuh-Escambia River to make certain that the ecological balance
of the river is not disturbed.
With a view to improving the degree of secondary
treatment our bleach plant effluent now receives, we Intend to
evaluate in the laboratory the effects of various treatments
upon the effluent.
The first of these will study the effect of liquid
oxygen addition, which has already proven beneficial in treat-
ment of our pulp and paper mill effluent.
We have reviewed our progress to date for you; prog-
ress which has reduced the quantity of BOD we produce per ton
of pulp so that we are now substantially better than the
industrial average, and progress which we think is reflected
in the approach we plan to take in continuing this vital
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m
G. H. Whiteside
pollution abatement work. Container recognizes, as any
responsible corporate citizen must, that pollution abatement
is an on-going business function. We cannot, and will not,
rest on our record. To do so would be unrealistic and,
gentlemen, if the problem is to be solved, we must all be
realistic.
It would be unrealistic for this conference arbi-
trarily to require Container Corporation of America to reduce
by 90 percent its current pretreated BOD load of 48,500
pounds, thereby denying us any consideration for the consider-
able in-plant improvements made since the start of this con-
ference in January 1970. We submit that any recommendation
you promulgate which seeks to impose limits of operation upon
u s must be referenced to a starting point which does not
penalize us for the progress we have made to date. We do not
agree that discharge allotments should be viewed as the
ultimate method of control in this situation, but if you are
disposed to use sueh a system, we believe it should be based
on the quantity of BOD we were producing at the time this con-
ference was first convened. It is fundamentally unfair to
establish BOD reduction allotments referenced to a continually
shifting baseline. If you reduce our discharge limits in pro-
portion to our progress, you can only discourage that progress,
because the allotment you set must at some point become
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317
G. H. Whiteside
physically impossible to meet.
In this same connection, it is unrealistic to ignore
the current expansion of our pulp production facilities. We
were committed to this expansion at the time of our first con-
ference 3 and this is noted on page 421 of the proceedings. Any
BOD allotment you establish should be based on 1,050 tons of
production, one-half of which will be bleached board.
We respectuflly request that the record of this con-
ference be kept open for 15 days so that we might review and
respond to the information presented by the Environmental
Protection Agency at this meeting. We urge you to review this
response, the written and oral statements presented today, and
the record as a whole before you make your recommendations. It
should always be remembered, gentlemen, that the conditions you
seek to impose through this conference bear not only on the
survival of the fish and fauna of Escambia Bay, but also on the
survival of industry located here.
(The second section of the Container Corporation's
statement, referred to on page 309, follows:)
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QUESTIONABILITY OP THE PROPOSED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EUTROPHICATION
OP ESCAMBIA BAY AND DISCHARGE OP TREATED EFFLUENT FROM THE CONTAINER
CORPORATION OF AMERICA PAPERBOARD MILL AT BREWTON, ALABAMA
We contend that Container Corporation of America's Brewton
Mill does not make a significant contribution to the accelerated
eutrophication of Escambia Bay. In support of this contention, the
following technical and scientific information is submitted for the
record.
In the broadest sense, we might approach this topic by-
investigating the factors which are considered to be most important
in accelerated eutrophication. At the outset, we are met by a
controversy in which one group of acquatic biologists represented by
Keuntzel (i) Kerr, et al(2) Lange (3) and Wright (4) hold that
organic carbon is the contributing factor in eutrophication, while
on the other hand studies conducted by researchers such as Mackenthun
Sawyer, Wilks (7) Edmondson (3) and Hasler contend that
phosphorus and nitrogen are the elements which control the rate at
which eutrophication proceeds. The major arguments supporting each
divergent theory are ably summarized in a recent article, The Great
Phosphorus Controversy, a copy of which is attached to this statement
for the record.
Frankly, we do not know whether Carbon, or Phosphorus and
Nitrogen should be considered as the culprit which causes accelerated
eutrophication. The important point to note here is that there is
still no agreement on the matter. It is, therefore, erroneous to
conclude that because Container's waste is carbonaceous in nature, it
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319
is of necessity a contributor to the accelerated eutrophication of
Escambia Bay.
What is perhaps more to the point is the fact that not
all forms of carbon are biologically oxidizable, and hence available
to support accelerated eutrophication. Kerr, et al (2) members of the
research staff of the F.W.Q.A. Laboratory, Athens, Georgia, found that:
"The growth of individual species of organisms depends
on the availability of specific utilizable forms of carbon
in the system. Bacteria take up andiMlize most forms of
organic carbon. While most algae can take up and transform
organic carbon, they grow (divide) only on COg and HCO3-2.
Although the literature concerning algae growth on organic
substrates is conflicting, Allen (1952), Hoare and Moore
(1965)» Pearce and Carr (19^7) and others report uptake
but no increased cell division (when compared to an
inorganic control) in axenic cultures of algae grown on
organic media* Also, there is no evidence that algae can
utilize their Intracellular carbon compounds to support
growth."
To support this contention Kerr et al isolated COg as on the singular
algae growth stimulant in several of their experiments.
Similarly Kuentzel summarizes the central theme of his
literature research by saying:
"The thesis of this paper is that bacterial action on
decomposable organic matter in close proximity to the
algae supplies the required CO2 for massive algae blooms
and that when such a massive 2 supply exists, very
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320
small amounts of phosphorus suffice."
Whether carbon Is the key factor or not In stimulating algae growth
is still subject to debate, but it is certain that if carbon is to
have a controlling function in the process, it must be present in a
form which is biologically available so as to yield C02, HCO3, or some
form of carbon which the algae can utilize to produce growth.
It would seem essential to determine whether any significant
residue of Container's carbonaceous waste is oxidized to form C02 as
a result of bacterial action during the time in which it passes
through Escambia Bay. More than 80$ of our oxygen-demanding wastes
are, of course, oxidized while in our effluent system and the balance
is stabilized in the Conecuh-Escambia River. The portion of our
carbonaceous waste which remains unoxidized is composed of colloidal
lignin, an organic material which is essentially inert to biological
oxidation. All the information we have reviewed to date indicates
that this lignin portion of our carbonaceous waste passes through
the river system in colloidal solution without producing significant
quantities of C02 or, for that matter, any other harmful product.
Raabe determined the extent to which lignin, a
principal component of pulp and paper mill wastes, contributes a
long-term B.O.D. to receiving waters. The oxygen demand of a sample
of river water containing kraft mill waste waters was determined at
intervals over a period of 100 days and the lignin content of another
sample, set up under the same experimental conditions, was determined
at the same time intervals. The results suggested that the B.O.D.
of a stream containing kraft mill waste waters Is related to the
- 3 -
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321
concentration of carbohydrates, the fraction of lignin compounds
oxidizable in 100 days, and possibly to other slowly decomposable
organic compounds. The fast component of the first-stage BOD is
indicative of the oxidation of wood sugars and other readily decomposable
materials, and the slow component of the first stage, and the second
stage of the BOD, suggest the decomposition of lignin and its by-products
and other decomposable organic materials. Over the 100-day test period les
than 50 per cent of the lignin compounds present initially were oxidized.
As a result of his extensive research on the decomposition
of lignin Haskin (n) concurs with Raabe's finding and goes on to
state: "Lignin is Just tremendously difficult to decompose. Any
changes that do occur seem to proceed via oxidation and extremely
slowly, and much of the material remains unattacked, especially
in aqueous environments."
Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the lignln-derived
fraction of Container's carbonaceous waste is not oxidized while in
Escambia Bay and thus cannot be regarded as a potential nutrient
source for accelerated algae growth. We believe that the January 1970
F.W.Q.A. report corroborates this conclusion when it states: "Container
is a relatively minor contributor of Carbon and Phosphorus in terms of
the effects on water quality of the bay."
In this same connection we question the validity of
establishing discharge allotments for Container in terras of Total
Organic Carbon (TOC). This analytical measure may have merit as
a quantitative index of stream pollution, but it is wide of the mark
when we attempt to determine what affect the Carbon thus measured may
have with respect to promoting algae growth. Since we are concerned
- H -
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322
with accelerated euthrophication, we should ascertain whether or not
the carbon In question 1s biologically oxidizable as opposed to merely
establishing the total quantity of carbon present. We believe that
any discharge allotments established by the conference for Container
should be in terms of Biological Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.} as opposed to
Total Organic Carbon (T.O.C.) because the former is a more meaningful
index of the biological problem.
Jones studied the relationship between these pollution
parameters and the relevant merits of each. In his opinion, T.O.C. is a
reliable index of waste loading at a given sampling point, but the B.O.D.
measurement, when properly applied, determines the rate at which oxygen
is depleted in aerobic stabilization of wastes and remains the best
method for approximating what biochemical oxidation will eventually
take place in the receiving water.
The Institute of Paper Chemistry comments that:
"Total organic carbon (T.O.C.) measurements may not
accurately reflect the environmental impact of kraft
pulp and papermalclng wastes since much of the organic
carbonaceous material discharged, i.e., kraft lignins,
are not readily or completely biodegradable. Raabe
(1968) measured B.O.D. over a period of 100 days for
river water collected six miles down stream from a
kraft mill and concluded that less than one-half of the
lignin content was ever degraded, although the ultimate
B.O.D. was satisfied. The lignin content was measured
by the Folin-Denis teat as recommended by the AFHA
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323
Standard Methods, 12th Ed. Presumably, the test was
negative for the river water upstream from the mill.
Since the C.O.D. to B.O.D. ratio of kraft mill effluents
is of the order of 5:1 (Charles and Decker 1970),
T.O.C. measurements are probably some 30 to 40% higher
than the actual carbon available for heterotropic microbial
degradation to liberate carbon dioxide."
In further substantiation of the point that the T.O.C.
measurement detects a form of carbon which is not biologically
oxidizable and hence irrelevant we offer the data of Table I and
the T0C:B0D ratios plotted in Figure 1. These clearly show the
variable nature of the TOCsBOD ratio. It is apparent that, as
biological stabilization of kraft mill effluent proceeds, the T0C:B0D
ratio increases. This results from the removal of biologically oxidizable
carbon and the lack of decomposition of biologically unavailable, lignin-
derived, carbon.
Evaluation of the F.W.Q.A. Survey Data from August 17-28, 1970
shows the background BOD of the Conecuh River above the Brewton Mill to
be 1.6 P.P.M. and the T0C:B0D ratio to be 4.18. At the inlet to the
clarifier, prior to removal of cellulose debris from the pulp ana paper
mill effluent, BOD is a high 180 P.P.M. and the T0C:B0D ratio is 1.73.
After removal of the fine cellulose fibers and passage of the effluent
through the oxidation lagoons the ratio has been dropped to 0.96 with
a much greater decrease in TOC than in BOD. At this point biological
stabilization has proceeded for five days.
Just prior to the spillway sample the bleach plant effluent
- 6 -
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324
TABLE I
EFFECT OF BIOLOGICAL OXIDATION AND CARBON INPUT ON TOC:BOD RATIO*
SAMPLE LOCATION
Edwards Bridge (background
Clarifier Inlet
Oxidation Pond Outlet
Spillway
Brewton Lake Outfall
Old Pollard Bridge
Little Escambia Creek
Big Escambia Creek
Century Highway 4 Bridge
Highway 184 Bridge
TOC, BOD, TOC/BOD
PPM PPM
6.7
1.6
4.18
312
180
1.73
52
54
0.96
62
49
1.26
46
18
2.56
8.6
2.2
3.92
10.6
0.9
11.8
9
1.2
7.50
9
1.6
5.63
00
00
1.6
5.50
~Data from F.W.Q.A. River and Waste Treatment Survey, August 17-28 1970
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4-H-H-i4 W444-11111 il I i I H |-j4-U-y^4-M-UW4-4J-i-U-U44^
FIGURE 1 Effect of Biological Oxidation and Carbon Input on TOCrBOD Ratio
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326
Is added to the effluent from the oxidation pond. This effluent is
higher in biologically unavailable carbon (lignin-derived) than in
biologically available carbon (carbohydrate residues). This apparently
has little effect on combined effluent BOD but adds significant TOC,
raising the TOC:BOD ratio to 1.26. By the time the effluent reaches the
outfall from Brewton Lake, Just prior to discharge into the Conecuh River,
approximately 80$ of the B.O.D. has been stabilized. At this point,
due to lack of proportionate biological attack on the TOC, the
T0C:B0D ratio has risen to 2.56.
Largely due to dilution, both BOD and TOC show large
decreases between the outfall and Old Pollard bridge. In addition to
this, biological stabilization continues as does the rise in T0C:B0D
ratio to 3.92.
With the influx of Little Escambia Creek, there appears
to have been a significant addition of TOC without accompanying BOD.
In fact, BOD stabilization has continued and the T0C:B0D ratio has risen
unexpectedly high. This possibly indicates the presence of hydrocarbons
but little organic detritus in the Little Escambia Creek. The BOD
figure of 0.9 could also be somewhat low.
Prom this location on the BOD remains essentially at the
background level. This confirms the results of the June, 1970, biological
water quality study made by the Institute of Paper Chemistry. The
Institute found "A complete ecological recovery from the effects of
Brewton Lake discharges and a return to a normal water quality was
apparent 3.1 miles downstream from the outfall near the mouth of Little
Escambia Creek." These data also cast doubt upon the validity of
F.W.P.C.A. procedure of estimating an additional 8(# stabilization
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327
of the carbonaceous effluent after its discharge from the Brewton Lake
outfall It appears that the biologically oxidizable carbon
is essentially, if not totally, stabilized within 10 miles of its
discharge from Brewton Lake outfall.
From the Little Escambia Creek location to the conclusion
of sampling at Highway 184 bridge, the TOC remains essentially constant
at around 9PPM> as does the T0C:B0D ratio at about Introduction
of either biologically available (BOD) carbon or biologically unavailable
carbon (petroleum, lignin, coal, etc.) into the river at later points
Willi of course, change the T0C:B0D ratio further.
A discharge allotment couched in terms of TOC reduction which
requires Container to remove the lignin-derived, non-biodegradable portion
of its carbonaceous waste would clearly be inconsistent with the sound
scientific approach which the solution of the Escambia Bay problem
requires. Any recommendation that this conference might make which
overlooks the fact that this lignin-derived carbon is not oxidized while
in Escambia Bay would also ignore considerations of physical and economic
feasibility which the solution of this problem likewise requires.
- 8 -
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328
Keuntzel, L. E. ,Jour. Amer. Water Works Assn. 4l, 1737, (1969)
Kerr, et al, P. C., The Interrelation of Carbon and Phosphorus for
Regulating Heterotropic and Autrophic Populations in Aquatic
Ecosystems, Water Pollution Control Research Services, MO 16050,
FGS. U.S. Dept. of Interior F.W.P.C.A. Southeast Water Laboratory,
Athens, Ga. (1970)
Lange, W., Effect of Carbohydrates on the Symbiotic Growth of
Planktonic Blue-Green Algae with Bacteria, Nature, 215, 2177 (1967)
Wright, J.C., Productivity of Rivers, In proceedings of
Eutrophication-biostimulation assessment workship, E.J. Middlebrooks,
T.E. Maloney, C.P. Powers, and L.M. Kook, Edition (1969)
Mackenthun, Jour, American Water Works Assn., 60, 1047 (1968)
Sawyer, C.M., Basic Concepts of Eutrophication Jour., American
Water Works Assn. 38, 5, 737, (1966)
Wilks, P.M., Science News, 98, 17, July 4, 1971
Edmondson, W.T., Eutrophication in North America, In Eutrophication;
Courses, Consequences, Corrections, Proceedings of Symposium,
Natural Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. (1969)
Hasler, A.D., Eutrophication of Lakes by Domestic Sewage, Ecology
28j 383-395 (1947)
Raabe, E.W.J., Water Pollution Control Fed.,40 Res. Suppl.
R150 (1968)
Haskin, J. M., Rivision of Wood Chemistry Research, U.S. Forest
Products Laboratory, private communication asc) January 5, 1971
Jones, R.H., Environmental Pollution Instrumentation Symposium,
Selected Papers, Chapman, R.L. (Ed.) 116-125 (1969)
Ischinger, L.S., Balch R.F., Holm, R.A., Institute of Paper Chemistry
Private communication as of November 19, 1970
Gallagher, T.P., Proceedings - Conference in the Matter of
Pollution of Interstate Waters of the Escambia Basin, U.S. Dept.
of Interior, F.W.P.C.A., 435, January 1970.
-------
Arguments over the controlling
mechanisms of eutrophication have
scientists—and politicians—
all hot under the collar
yV furious controversy over the role
played by phosphorus in the excessive
growth of algae in lakes and streams
is currently raging within a section of
the technical community. Although
the arguments bandied back and forth
arc scientific in nature, their implica-
tions e° far beyond the laboratory.
The issue involved is whether phos-
phorus is indeed the key element con-
trolling algal growth; the assumption
that it is underlies all current efforts
to remove phosphorus from sewage
and to rcpjace the condensed phos-
phates in household detergents with a
nonphosphnte substitute (see es&t,
February 1970, page 101, and July
1970, page 544).
An accepted fact
For many years, the key importance
of phosphorus {and of nitrogen) to
the growth of aquatic algae was taken
as absolute fact—and indeed the ma-
jority of water chemists and limnolo-
gists (scientists who study freshwaters)
never did doubt that fact and do not
do so now. Studies of the eutrophica-
tion (advanced biological aging) of
bodies of water have for many years
focused on the increased amounts of
phosphorus and nitrogen entering the
water, which, in practically all cases,
accompanied excessive algal growth.
The connection has been accepted as
so obvious and proven that no argu-
ment was really expected.
First hints of the furor yet to come
appeared in 1967, when Willy Lange,
a chemist turned botanist at the Uni-
versity of Cincinnati, published in Na-
ture a paper entitled "Effect of Carbo-
hydrates on the Symbiotic Growth of
Planktoaic Blue-Green Algae with
Bacteria." Lange's thesis was that
algae always exist in association with
bacteria and that the association is
mutually supportive: the algae utilize
carbon dioxide and sunlight to pro-
duce organic matter and oxygen by
DieofT. Decaying algae disfigure Montrose Beach on Lake Michigan shorefront
photosynthesis; the bacteria use oxy-
gen in the decomposition of organic
matter to produce carbon dioxide.
Lange's experiments proved to his
satisfaction that it was the presence of
large amounts of organic material in
water that made the production of
huge amounts of carbon dioxide avail-
able for algal growth.
Lange's contentions were picked up
and given added currency in 1969,
when L. E. Kuentzel, a Wyandotte
Chemical Corp. physical chemist, re-
viewed the literature on eutrophica-
tion and concluded (without ever
having performed an experiment him-
self, as his critics are quick to point
out) that carbon, not phosphorus, is
the element that controls algal growth.
Kuentzel followed Lange's reason-
ing that only bacterial action on dis-
solved organic matter could possibly
produce the amounts of carbon di-
oxide needed for the algae to grow
rapidly. According to Kuentzel, all the
literature citations he studied pointed
to the fact that there was sufficient or-
ganic matter present, together with
phosphorus and nitrogen, to support
his thesis concerning carbon dioxide
production and utilization by algae.
Furthermore, continued Kuentzel, in
many reported cases of excessive
growth, dissolved . phosphorus levels
were exceedingly small. So small, in
fact, that they were in some cases less
than the 0.01 p.p.m. previously sug-
gested as the minimum phosphorus
concentration needed for abundant
growth, a criterion provided by Uni-
versity of Wisconsin sanitary chemist
Clair Sawyer in the 1940's. Kuentzel's
interpretations were roundly opposed
by members of what has been called,
with considerable risk of oversim-
plification, the phosphorus-is-the-key
school of thought.
Then, at the 1970 Purdue Indus-
trial Waste Conference, Pat Kerr, a
plant physiologist at the Federal Water
Quality Administration (fwqa)
Southeast Water Laboratory (Athen^,
Ga.), presented the results of work
done by her and two colleagues from
which she concluded that carbon was
the controlling element. Miss Kerr's
results were an extreme embarrass-
ment to fwqa and to the federal gov-
ernment, who were gearing up (albeit
somewhat tentatively) for a switch
away from phosphates in detergents
and were spending heavily on the de-
velopment of processes for the re-
moval of phosphorus from liquid
Vaisn* 4. Nmbcr *. Scpuo&cr tfO US
-------
Two schools of thought clash oQany points
Carbon-is-kcy school believes: phosphorus-ia-key school bc.'icvcs:
Carbon controls algal growth. Phosphorus controls algal growth.
Phosphorus is recycled again and again Recycling is inefficient: some of the
during and after each bloom. phosphorus is lost in bottom sediment.
Phosphorus in sediment is a vast reser- Sediments are sinks for phosphorus,
voir always available to stimulate not sources.
growth.
Missive blooms can occur even when Phosphorus concentrations are low dur-
dissolved phosphorus concentration is ing massive blooms because phos-
low. phorus is in algal cells, not water.
When large supplies of COa and bicar- No matter how much C02 is present, a
bonate are present, very small amounts certain minimum amount of phosphorus
Of phosphorus cause growth. is needed for growth.
CO, supplied by the bacterial decompo-
sition of organic matter is the Key
source of carbon for algal growth.
COj produced by bacteria may be used
in algal growth, but main supply is from
dissociation of bicarbonates.
By and large, severe reduction in phos- Reduction in phosphorus discharges will
phorus discharges will not result in re- materially curtail algal growth,
duced algal growth.
wastes. Swept along by wide interest
in Miss Kerr's work and by a long,
gutsy, and polemical attack on the
whole phosphorus school in Canadian
Research and Development magazine,
battle lines were drawn. Lange,
Kuentzel, and Miss Kerr were, once
again for the convenience of argu-
ment, lumped together as the carbon-
is-key school, and their arguments
were heatedly discussed by high level
groups in fwqa and the Council on
Environmental Quality (ceq).
Counterattack
However, the phosphorus school
counterattacked strongly and its argu-
ments seem, at the moment, to have
carried the day. Both the phosphorus
and carbon schools agree that algae
need, for growth, sources of inorganic
carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and
numerous other elements such as
metals. Both schools further agree that
algae and bacteria generally coexist,
and the phosphorus school is willing
»"> concede that the relationship may
be symbiotic. But on almost all other
points, they disagree (sec table). At
Ihe very nub of the disagreement are
two basic areas of contention:
• Precisely how much phosphorus
Jo algae need for excessive growth.
* What sources of carbon are avail-
«ble to algae.
The carbon school maintains that
only very small amounts of phos-
phorus are needed. It points to the
low dissolved phosphorus concentra-
tions found in the water of cutrophic
lakes during algal blooms and believes
that nutrients, including phosphorus,
are recycled by organisms during
growth and released for reuse during
the periodic dieofif periods. Says the
phosphorus school: On the contrary,
algae require relatively substantial
amounts of phosphorus and the in-
cidence of low dissolved phosphorus
concentrations during a bloom means
that the phosphorus has been taken up
by the algal cells.
The carbon school believes that the
availability of utilizable carbon is the
key and that diffusional processes are
too slow to permit atmospheric C02
to support massive growth, hence its
interpretation of the importance of
bacteria-produced C02. The phos-
phorus school points to the fact that
algae can use, in addition to free C02,
carbon dioxide produced by the dis-
sociation of dissolved bicarbonates.
Phosphorus supporters say that the
dissociation occurs so rapidly that
supply of carbon dioxide cannot pos-
sibly be limiting, and they pooh-pooh
the carbon school emphasis on the
need for respiratory supply.
It is very easy to convey the wrong
impression that all scientists fall
simply into one or other of the two
camps. In fact, most probably see
some merit in both sets of arguments.
P^^horus supporters, including Uni- •
vci.siiy of Minnesota limnologist Jo-
seph Shapiro, nave loici tsthai
they believe with Pat Kerr that car-
bon was indeed the controlling ele-
ment in her studies. The reason for
this, they say, is that Miss Kerr
worked with Ihe waters of several
southern lakes in which dissolved bi-
carbonates arc very low, and in a
situation where nitrogen and phos-
phorus were very high. Miss Kerr her-
self is willing to concede that her re-
sults may not hold true "for all waters
in all places at all times." She docs
feel, however, that removal of phos-
phorus but not of organic carbon from
liquid . wastes probably spells trouble.
Phosphorus supporters continue to
point out that most lakes, streams, and
estuaries contain abundant supplies of
inorganic carbon, and they stick with
their belief that, in genera'., phos-
phorus is controlling. They do not be-
lieve that removal of phosphorus from
wastes will halt all algal growth; they
do believe, however, that growths will
be much diminished.
Governmental bodies obviously are
going along with the phosphorus
school. In Canada, the federal govern-
ment gave detergent manufacturers
until August 1 to reduce the phosphate
content of detergents to 20% (ex-
pressed as P2Os—roughly equivalent
to 35 expressed as sodium tripoly-
phosphate), and is aiming toward a
total ban by the beginning of 1972.
The U.S. government has not gone as
far, however. Rep. Henry Rcuss's
(D.-Wis.) bill to limit phosphorus in
detergents is languishing in a Congres-
sional committee, but fwqa scientists
are working on a crash program to
evaluate the ecological effects of so-
dium nitrilotriacctate (nta), the most
likely present substitute for phosphate
in detergents. And spokesmen for
both fwqa and ceq say that they are
entirely convinced of the merits of
the case against phosphorus.
Whether the current furor will
testify (o the supremacy of science
over politics, only time will tell. But
one thing is sure—man has heen re-
sponsible for the advanced cutrophi-
cation of lakes through something he
has added to them in the course of his
technological and social progress. It
is not unreasonable to hope that all the
work that has been lavished on Ihe
role of phosphorus in cutrophication
will eventually result in ways to re-
move that something, whatever it even-
tually turns out to be. dumb
7I< Environmental Scltne* ft Technology
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331
G. H. Whiteside
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Whiteside.
Any comments or questions?
Mr. Traina.
MR. TRAINA: Yes. Mr. Whiteside, first let me say I
think you and your company should be complimented on these in-
plant controls. As a matter of fact, I was impressed this
morning, and I meant to mention that, that I think industry in
this whole area has done quite a bit with in-process controls
and I think that point should be made.
However, I don't see from your comments here that it
would be unrealistic to require your industry or any other
industry to provide 90 percent treatment of effluent. I think
that it is technocally feasible, and with the qualifications
that Mr. Crockett had given earlier, which I can appreciate,
regarding the winter situation, I do believe that technology
exists—and the plant, by the way, from the report that was
presented by Mr. Little this morning, is presently removing 81
percent prior to the installation of the activated sludge, and
I don't see why you can't get 90 percent of what you are pres-
ently producing.
MR. WHITESIDE: Mr. Traina, 90 percent of the BOD re-
moval is technically—it can be done. Ninety percent of TOC re-
moval is a horse of a different feather, because I don't know o:'
any kraft mill in the world that is doing this. If they are, I
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332
G. H. Whiteside
would be glad to send representatives there to learn the tech-
nology .
MR. TRAINA: I had particular reference to your state-
ment on page 7 when you say it is unrealistic to reduce by 90
percent its current pre-treated BOD load of 48,500 pounds. This
is the point I had. I know we have some difficulties with TOO,
but I think on BOD we should not have any problems.
MR. WHITESIDE: Well, we are certainly going for the
maximum efficiency. What I was pointing out is that when you
get down—if I reduce this load by in-plant things, you may
hurt the efficiency of the system. What you are looking for, I
think, is a reduction of the load on the stream.
MR. TRAINA: That is right. This is what we are
looking for with all of this, is we are trying to get the best
we can. If we can do it with in-process controls, we will do
it there and we will do the rest of it with treatment. I think
this is the principle behind what we are trying to do here.
I would just like a point of clarification on another
item we had with regard to your bleach plant effluent. As I
read your statement, you are providing secondary treatment for
your bleach plant effluent?
MR. WHITESIDE: We do this through a 5-day retention
in our lake system.
MR. TRAINA: I see. It doesn't go through your
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333
G. H. Whiteside
clarifier lagoon system?
MR. WHITESIDE: No, because it doesn't have any fiber-
bearing water, there isn't any fiber.
MR. TRAINA: Would yoii have problems of reducing your
bleach effluents by 90 percent BOD?
MR. WHITESIDE: You are asking for an opinion and my
opinion would be yes.
MR. WHITE: Well, could this—
MR. WHITESIDE: It seems to be easier to oxidize the
other effluents than it does the bleach—I am speaking in terms
of what I have read and have—we are getting a reduction through
that system.
MR. WHITE: We have had a little conversation on this
specific point with one of our technical representatives from
the northwest. Of course this information isn't conclusive and
I am sure we can explore it more in our executive session, but
the statement was made that in all probability you could put
this bleach waste effluent into your lagoon system and that
this may in fact enhance your BOD removal.
MR. WHITESIDE: Well, we look forward to all the
improvements that are brought up and if you have someone that
you recommend that is doing something in this area, we would
be very happy to go see what they are doing and sit down with
them and find out. We have no experience in that.
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33*1
G. H. Whiteside
MR. BECK: George, could you do it hydraulically with
your present system?
MR. WHITESIDE: It can be. I think several miles of
very large pipe would have to be constructed.
MR. v/HITE: I would like to ask you the question I
put to Mr. Crockett a few minutes ago. When will you complete
your improvements for this increased production capacity?
MR. WHITESIDE: In the first quarter of next year.
MR. WHITE: First quarter of next year?
MR. WHITESIDE: Yes. The steel is going up now.
Construction schedules are variable, as you know.
MR. WHITE: You will note that in the Federal report
that recognition was given to this construction which you have
under way and they state that the recommendation was that the
conferees will consider that at a later date after we have time
to assess these new facilities that just became operational in
January and also assess the actual loading that you will have,
which I understand we can't accurately predict at this time.
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Whiteside, in your statement with
regard to your aeration system you say you have been collecting
information. Is any of that preliminary data available as to
what percent removal you are now getting with your aeration
system?
MR. WHITESIDE: That is not comprehensive enough to
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. — 13i
G. H. Whiteside
report at this date. Weekly we report, I send our reports to
Alabama, and you can have anything that we have sent them.
Anything we have got you can have.
MR. TRAINA: It would be very helpful to have.
MR. BECK: There is no problem there.
MR. WHITE: I would like to make one other comment
with respect to your statements concerning in-house improvements,
and this is somewhat premature in that the program is not
operational yet. I am referring to the Federal industrial per-
mitting program.
The philosophy that is guiding the development of
effluent guidelines takes into account in-house improvements in
determining loads, you know, which would be allowed, but this
again ties in with this conversation I got into with Mr.
Crockett. While we will have effluent guidelines, these will
be imposed in situations where stream conditions don't dictate
that you have a higher degree of treatment. These will be a
minimum degree of treatment or a minimum loading that you will
be allowed, say, anyone will be allowed, and it is entirely
possible that the characteristics of the stream would dictate
a higher degree of treatment, I mean under certain circumstance*.
But I think that these considerations will be given
in this permitting program.
MR. TRAINA: Mr. Whiteside, can you give us any hope
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33i
G. H. Whiteside
on this color removal? I know that the company has looked at
this, apparently talked to a number of people. Of course FWQA
is funding some of this. Any prognosis as to when we could look
to see a color removal system in operation up at Brewton?
MR. WHITESIDE: You probably know more about the
conditions of the grants than we do except—I mean we have made
this survey to be sure of where they stand as well as anything
else, and, of course, after you have a successful thing in
operation, you then have to go in and design a full-scale plant
and build it and put it in. I just can't give you a date in
there, but I just want to point out there are time factors that
are involved after you even have approved the pilot plants.
MR. TRAINA: I know there are and I am aware of the
real technical problems we have in this area. I think, though,
that we are a year farther down the road than we were last year,
we have a year more of experience behind us in some of these
projects, and I think that perhaps some consideration, I can't
give any guidelines, should be made to taking a step here, a
preliminary step, in terms of some lab studies and bench studies.
It is probably too premature for pilot plants, but—
MR. WHITESIDE: We will do laboratory studies.
MR. TRAINA: That is fine.
MR. BECK: George, have you looked into this study
that is going on at Gulf States Paper Corporation at Wacissa?
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337
G. H. Whiteside
MR. WHITESIDE: That is one we missed, I believe.
MR. BECK: Which is a pilot study.
MR. WHITESIDE: We will get in touch with Gulf States,
We were familiar with the people who had grants as well as
various people who had public items in the discussions that camif
up in the Purdue meeting at Purdue and we ran down all the
things that we found there.
MR. TRAINA: The Corvallis laboratory did some
lab studies with the effluents that should improve our knowl-
edge a lot. I think we maybe could start taking a small step
but a step nonetheless to try and solve this. It is a real
touchy, sticky problem.
That is all I have.
MR. WHITESIDE: The thing is we want to be sure that
you understand that each of the systems that we know of today,
if we installed a system neither you nor we would be happy with
the system.
MR. TRAINA: I appreciate that.
MR. WHITE: With respect to your request for keeping
the conference record open for 15 days, we will be happy to do
this to allow you time to comment.
MR. WHITESIDE: Thank you.
MR. BECK: Are there any other questions of the con-
ferees?
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336
G. H. Whiteside
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my list here of people
that wish to speak, unless there is somebody in the audience
from Alabama that would like to make a statement.
Hearing none, I turn it back to you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. WHITE: Thank you very much, Mr. Beck.
The conferees have discussed this during the break
and I think we have all decided that we need to recess, go into
an executive session, which we will do in the morning. We will
return and reconvene the conference at 11 a.m. in the morning
to advise you of our conclusions and revised recommendations in
this situation.
With that, the conference stands adjourned until
tomorrow morning.
(Whereupon, at 5 o'clock an adjournment was taken
until 9 o'clock, Wednesday, February 24, 1971.)
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139
MORNING SESSION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1971
MR. WHITE: Let's reconvene.
The conferees are just out of an executive session
which was announced yesterday and we have unanimously agreed
on revised conclusions and recommendations that will be recom-
mended to Mr. Ruckelshaus, the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, for formal promulgation under the
provisions of Section 10 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Ast. These conclusions and recommendations are:
Conclusions.
The area considered by the conferees is the Conecuh-
Escambia River in Alabama and Florida downstream from Brewton,
Alabama, and Escambia Bay as well as Mulat-Mulatto Bayou in
Florida.
The unprecedented numbers and sizes of fish kills in
Escambia Bay during 1970 have provided even more evidence of
the severe Imbalance in water quality conditions which continue
to exist. The seriousness of the problem requires that equally
serious and stringent measures be taken to enable the bay to
regain the natural ecological balance needed to make this water
body a resource rather than a detriment to the State of Florida.
Progress has been noted since the first conference
session in reducing waste loads entering the bay either directly
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3^0
Conclusions and Recommendations
or through its drainage system. Physical improvement in circu-
lation and flushing patterns has also been noted. There is a.
lack of progress, however, in reducing or eliminating the
nutrient-laden waste discharges from the city of Pensacola
Northeast Sewage Treatment Plant.
The conferees commend the Louisville & Nashville
Railroad Company for eliminating the excessive piling which were
adversely affecting circulation and exchange of water in the baji .
The conferees also take note of the fact and commend
the American Cyanamid Company for substantially eliminating the
discharge of acrylonitrile to Escambia Bay.
Recommendations.
To reduce or eliminate the accelerated eutrophication
of Escambia Bay and Mulat-Mulatto Bayou, and to provide water
quality suitable for a wide diversity of desirable uses, the
following water quality management and waste abatement program
is recommended to be accomplished, except as otherwise specifier,
by not later than December 31» 1972:
1. There shall be reductions of 9^ percent BOD_ 9M
5,
percent nitrogenous, and 90 percent phosphorus wastes, respec-
tively., discharged to Escambia River and Bay from major sources
in Florida, including American Cyanamid, Escambia Chemical, and
Monsanto. Due to the distance from Escambia Bay of Container
Corporation of America's plant site, a reduction of 90 percent
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3M
Conclusions and Recommendations
5-day BOD waste will be required. These percent reductions
permit the following allowable waste effluents:
Container Corporation, 4,850 pounds BOD. The pro-
visions relating to nitrogen and phosphorus are not applicable
in this case.
Monsanto. Allowable BOD wasteload of 605 pounds;
total nitrogen allowable, 248 pounds; total phosphorus, 46.
American Cyanamid. Allowable BOD loading 425 pounds;
total nitrogen load allowable, 323 pounds; the phosphorus
requirement is not applicable.
Escambia Chemical Corporation. Allowable BOD loading
of 17 pounds; allowable total nitrogen load 477 pounds; and an
allowable total phosphorus load 35 pounds.
The foregoing allowable waste loads shall be obtained
by December 31, 1972. If further investigation shows that these
limits are excessive, Monsanto, American Cyanamid, and Escambia
Chemical must develop a plan for removing their discharge from
the bay completely.
There shall be maximum feasible reduction of carbon-
aceous organic material. All waste discharges shall monitor
effluents to insure reductions and conduct feasibility studies
and submit a plan of abatement for carbonaceous waste to the
conferees by February 15, 1972.
The effects of Container Corporation's expansion of
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342
Conclusions and Recommendations
the mill's pulping capacity on BOD discharged will be evaluated
and reviewed by the conferees at the appropriate time. In
addition, Container Corporation shall provide secondary treat-
ment to the bleach plant and wood yard waste.
2. The progress of the city of Pensacola waste abate-
ment program has not been satisfactory. The State of Florida
shall take appropriate action in accordance with State rules
and regulations to assure that the Northeast Sewage' Treatment
Plant abate its present discharge to Escambia Bay. The State
of Florida will submit to the conferees by August 15, 1971, a
satisfactory plan for accomplishing this objective.
Indications are some negotiations have transpired
between the Escambia-Santa Rosa Regional Planning Council
and County Commissioners of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties
and the city of Pensacola; however, tangible results are not
evident. The parties shall conclude negotiations at an early
date and formulate a single program for the collection, treat-
ment, and disposal of wastewaters in the Escambia River Basin.
A progress report shall be furnished the conferees by April 15,
1971, by the Escambia-Santa Rosa Regional Planning Council.
3. The conferees recognise the in-plant changes made
by the Monsanto Company to reduce its waste discharges to the
Escambia River. The conferees require that the company shall
attain the recommended allowable waste effluent limit or install
-------
ih:
Conclusions and Recommendations
a closed circuit cooling system by December 31, 1972.
The conferees support the State of Florida's actions
against Monsanto for the immediate control of the discharge of
toxic polychlorinated biphenyls.
4. The Environmental Protection Agency Laboratory at
Gulf Breeze, Florida, shall convene a conference of experts on
menhaden fisheries. This conference shall recommend methods to
limit the migration of Juvenile menhaden to the upper Escambia
Bay and its related bayous.
The findings of this conference will be reported to
the enforcement conferees to form a basis of future action for
the control of fish kills in Escambia Bay and its bayous.
5. Color in the Escambia River at the Alabama-Floridi,
State line as measured at the Highway 4 bri'dge near Century,
Florida, shall be reduced to levels meeting Alabama, Florida,
and Federal standards. The Container Corporation of America
is to continue its studies utilizing present research findings
on methods for removing color from its waste discharge. The
company shall report its progress to the conferees by February
15, 1972.
6. No further construction dredging shall be per-
mitted at Escambia Bay and Mulatto Bayou until the artificial
buildup of organic sediment deposits ceases and are stabilized.
Maintenance dredging of existing channels shall be by hydraulic
-------
144
Conclusions and Recommendations
pipeline or by hopper dredge. Disposal of all dredged
materials from hydraulic dredging shall be to upland spoil
sites. The Corps of Engineers is requested to provide the
conferees with a listing of these sites.
7. The Monsanto Company and Gulf Power Company shall
monitor their heated discharges to the river and bay and the
effect of these discharges on the biota and report to the con-
ferees quarterly results of their monitoring programs. Con-
ferees agree to the Gulf Power Company's plans for the instal-
lation of cooling towers for its planned expansion.
8. Century, Florida, and East Brewton, Alabama, by
not later than December 31, 1972, shall install secondary wasto
abatement facilities acceptable to their respective State water
pollution control agencies.
This concludes the conclusions and recommendations
which were developed and I would now like to call on the
conferees for any comments that they might have concerning
this or any of the matters that have been brought before the
conferees at this second session of the Escambia conference.
Mr. Reed?
MR. REED: Mr. White.
First of all, I would like to thank those responsible
for these lovely north Florida camellias.
I would like to thank you, sir, for your intelligent
-------
3j»5
Conclusions and Recommendations
and provocative handling of this conference.
To Mr. Traina our thanks, as always, for his
technical ability.
And we are always delighted to have Mr. Gallagher
back in the State.
I would like to thank my colleagues from Alabama for
their excellent work at this conference.
I would like to point out with pleasure the extra-
ordinary work of Mr. Dougherty and the Northwest Regional Lab
and his staff for the really fundamental progress that has been
made in Escambia River and Bay this past year. My thanks
includes the constant work of Lt. Zangas and his staff.
And Mr. Tisdale, my thanks always to you, sir.
I would like to commend the efforts of the University
of West Florida for their continued interest in the problems of
Escambia Bay.
I am delighted to see the class of young people in
this room. I wish the room was really loaded with more young
people, as this is their river and their bay as much as it is
ours.
And I would like to look forward to a year of prog-
ress in 1971 as great as that as 1970, if not even greater.
Mr. Patton.
MR. PATTON: Thank you, Mr. Reed.
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146
Conclusions and Recommendations
I would like to recognize two members of the
congressional delegation from this area—excuse me, legislative
delegation, first Senator Childers. Pleased to have you here,
Senator. I think he has already shown a great deal of interest
in this program. We will be happy to work with him in any way
we can and hope we can furnish him any information he requires.
And Representative Roy Hess is in the back of the
room. No, here he is, he has moved up. Stand up, Roy.
Representative Hess introduced several bills and I think
carried a big part of the burden for the Department the last
time. He was the sponsor on the house side in the EnvironmentatL
Control Authority bill which if it had been successful and
gotten through I think possibly would have solved some of the
problems that we heard about yesterday. So we will be in touch
with you again and hope that we can give you and get your
support this coming session.
MR. REED: Thank you again, Mr. White.
MR. WHITE: Thank you, Mr. Reed.
Mr. Beck.
MR. BECK: Mr. White, I have nothing to say only that
I am happy to see the progress that has been made toward clean-
ing up this bay during the past year. We are happy to be here
and next time this conference is reconvened I am sure that we
will see progress equal to what we have seen this past year.
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3jn
Conclusions and Recommendations
Just glad to be with you.
Joe, do you have anything to say?
MR. CROCKETT: No.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Traina.
MR. TRAINA: Only that the EPA office in Atlanta
stands ready to assist the States, the local people or any
others concerning a program for the cleanup of Escambia
Bay. We are on the other end of a telephone any time you need
us.
That is all.
MR. WHITE: I would like to personally express my
thanks to Mr. Reed, Mr. Patton, Mr. Beck, Mr. Crockett, and
I
Mr. Traina and all other participants and to all of you people
in the audience who have been with us yesterday or today. And
I would say that we do enjoy visits to this part of the country.
Despite the terrible problem that you have in Escambia Bay,
this is still one of the garden spots of the country as far as
I am concerned.
And with that, we stand adjourned.
(Whereupon, at 11:30 o'clock an adjournment was
taken.)
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348
General Offices
One First National Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60670
Phone: 312 786 5500
March 5, 1971
Mr. John White and Conferees
Environmental Protection Agency
1421 Peachtree N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia
Res Escambia Bay, Florida Pollution Conference (February 23-24, 1971)
Gentlemen:
Enclosed Is a statement of Container Corporation of America
amending and supplementing the statement presented by our Mr.
George H. Whiteside to the Conference on February 23, 1971.
We wish to thank you for holding the record open to afford
us the opportunity to submit this supplemental statement and we
request that you contact Mr. Whiteside at our Brewton Mill for
continued assistance and cooperation in implementing the
recommendations of the Conference.
Very truly yours,
CONTAINER CORPORATION OF AMERICA
I
RHW/wlj
Enclosure
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349
Mr. John White and Conferees
of Escambia Bay, Florida
Pollution Conference — (February 23rd, 24th, 1971)
Gentlemen:
You have recommended that we reduce by 90 per cent the BOD
generated in producing 900 tons of pulp. It appears to be the EPA's
position that such a requirement is not impossible to accomplish, or
indeed uncommon. There are two areas to which Container, or for that
matter, any other industrial concern may direct its efforts in order
to reduce BOD. The inherent capacity of the plant to generate BOD
may be reduced through in-plant control, or in the alternative, we
may increase the efficiency of our treatment process in an effort to
further reduce the BOD load that the plant discharges. We have since
the initial Conference in January 1970 accomplished extensive in-plant
control and cannot go much further in this direction within the
parameters of existing technology. By using our current BOD load
as a base line for the reduction required, you ignore the in-plant
reduction we have already accomplished and force us to attempt to
viork the entire BOD reduction through improved treatment efficiency
alone. It is well recognized that any additional increment of
treatment efficiency is very difficult to achieve when one is already
operating at a high level of treatment. As presently phrased, your
recommendation fails to consider the;se facts and thus references the
reduction you require of Container to a base line which does Container
serious injustice.
We must note for the record, that a conference of similar composition
has Just established a 5100 BOD allotment for the St. Regis Cantonment
Mill. This figure was reached through reference to the Industrial
average for southern kraft mills. We are in accord with this
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industrial average approach and have said so in our statement, but
we are hard pressed to understand how you can adopt this standard
for one mill and not for another producing approximately an equal
quantity of pulp in the same area.
To avoid the inequitities noted herein we urge you to reconsider
the recommendation you have promulgated for Container. We believe
that any allotment you recommend should be referenced to the base line
as established when this Conference first convened (January 1970) or
to a relevant industrial average.
We note that the most recent session of this Conference recognized
the dependence of biological stabilization on seasonal variations of
temperature. All other deliberations of the "Conference in the
Matter of Pollution of the Interstate Waters of Escambia River Basin
(Alabama-Florida) and the Intrastate Portions of the Escambia River
Basin Within the State of Florida" have tacitly overlooked the
significant effect that seasonal temperature variation has on the
efficiency of secondary treatment systems.
The majority of public statements and reports on biological
oxidation efficiency (BOD reduction) refer to treatment efficiencies
determined under summer operating temperatures. Such is understandable
since this is the time of greatest water quality problems when
maximum BOD reduction is essential. It nevertheless is well recognized
that biological stabilization is temperature dependent, particularly
in lagoons, aeration lagoons and stabilization basins. Eckenfelder^
Wiley 2 and Carpenter, et al 3 show this for pulp and paper effluent
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stabilization. Our own experience confirms this temperature
dependency as shown in Figure 1. We contend that this effect must
be taken into consideration by the Conferees in the establishment
of any effluent treatment specifications.
The EPA reports presented at both sessions of this conference
imply that Container's effluent contributes to the sediment deposits
of Escambia Bay. This implication is unsupported by any evidence
or data presented to this Conference or indeed, by evidence from
any source whatsoever. It should be noted that studies conducted
prior to the start-up of Container's Brewton Mill clearly demonstrate
that sludge deposits have always existed in this estuarine complex. .
**, 5
Ballinger and McKeeg observed that: "There seems to be no
standard definition or classification, and therefore disagreement
may exist concerning the source, nature and significance of a bottom
sediment in a particular site." Suffice it to say that reasonable
men can differ on the nature and composition of sediment deposits.
Based on a continuing study of reported research in this area, we
wish to note for the record that our effluent does not contribute
to the sediment in Escambia Bay.
The points stressed in this narrative demonstrate once again that
this is indeed a complex situation to regulate. If a Just and equitable
solution is to be produced by this Conference such details must be
thoroughly considered and evaluated and hence we urge you to deliberate
on these points before reaching your final recommendation.
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Eckenfelder, W. W. Jr., Industrial Water Pollution Control,
McGraw-Hill, New York, 196b, pp. 207-9
Wiley, A. J., Personal Communication: 1971.
Carpenter, W. L., Vanvakias, J. G., and Gellman, I., Temperature
Relationships in Aerobic Treatment and Disposal of Pulp & Paper
Waste. J-WPCP vol 40 #5, PP. 733-740, May 1968
A Biological Survey of Conecuh-Escambia Rivers in the Vicinity
of Brewton, Alabama, 1957 j Institute of Paper Chemistry, a
progress report to Container Corporation of America, project
2024, Dec. 10, 1957
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1951> Escambia
River, Florida, Vicinity of the Chemistrand Corporation Plant,
Fall, 1952 — Spring, 1953; 165 pages
Ballinger, D. G., and McKee, E. D., Chemical Characterization
of Bottom Sediment. J-WPCF vol 43 #2, pp. 216-227, February 1971
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FIGURE I
SEASONAL EFFICIENCY OF OXIDATION LAGOON AT CONTAINER
CORPORATION OF AMERICA PAPERBOARD MILL, BREWTON, ALA.
retivilniil-
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354
March 9, 1971
Mr. Vincent D. Patton
Executive Director
Florida Department of Air
and Water Pollution Control
Suite 300, Tallahassee Bank Building
315 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Subject: Escambia Bay Federal-State
Enforcement Conference
Dear Mr. Patton:
Your letter of 1 March 1971 addressed to the Acting City
Manager of Pensacola with reference to the subject con-
ference is appreciated.
The City regrets that a regular City Manager was not
available to attend the conference. As you may know,
the City has been rotating that position since
1 February among various staff personnel. In the
absence of a regular City Manager, the Director of
Public Utilities would have attended such a conference.
However, this director was in New York, during the time
the conference was in progress, in order to close a
Utility Bond Sale. A substantial amount of money from
the Bond Issue will be used, of course, in pollution
abatement measures by the city of pensacola. in that
Director's absence, the Superintendent of the Sewerage
Division was available and did attend the conference.
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Mr. Vincent D. Patton
Page 2
March 9, 1971
The City appreciates the fact that the conferees are holding
the record of the reconvened session open in order for the
City to provide a report with respect to the Northeast Sewage
Treatment Plant. That report is enclosed.
Environmental Protection Agency
cc: Mr. Bryant Liggett, Mayor
City of Pensacola
cc: Escambia-Santa Rosa Regional Planning
Council
Sincerely yours,
Peter A. DeVries
Acting City Manager
Enclosure
cc: Mr. John White ^
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8 March 1971
REPORT ON NORTHEAST SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
ESCAMBIA BAY FEDERAL-STATE ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE
Escambia Bay Enforcement Conference was held in Gulf Breeze,
.••iorida in January of 1970. That conference recommended that the
jity of Pensacola's Northeast Sewage Treatment Plant reduce the
carbonaceous waste contributions to Escambia Bay by 94%, the
nitrogenous waste by 94%, and the phosphorus waste by 90% no later
;han December 31, 1972. At an Interstate Conference in Atlanta in
May of 1970, the City proposed that a Pilot Plant Study for nutrient
removal was planned for this plant. In June 1970, in the DAWPC
office in Tallahassee, the City advanced details of the proposed
Pilot Plant Study. These details appeared to be generally accept-
able. However, it was pointed out at this meeting that the City
would incur delay in performing this Pilot Plant Study because of
flood damage to utilities that had commenced in early June 1970
and that this flood damage was related to the City's financial
structure and ability to pay for the study. Accordingly, the
study was not commenced until after a Presidential Declaration of
-i National Disaster had been made that included damage to the City's
-tilities.
Vhe pilot Plant Study and the development of the data into a report
"orm extended through October, November, and December of 1970. This
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report was submitted to the DAWPC on 5 January 1971. At the time
of submission of this report, it was indicated that discussions
would be held with the consultants to determine appropriate
direction (s) with respect to nutrient removal. In subsequent
discussions with the consultants in the interim of the past few
weeks, the City has established that the eventual use of the
Northeast sewage Treatment Plant would be treated in a long-range
Master Sewerage Plan to be completed in May 1971, that is being
developed for the Escambia-Santa Rosa Planning council.
The City understands that, apparently, consideration is being given
to the possibility of pumping either (a) waste that is partially
treated from the Northeast Plant, or (b) pumping completely un-
treated waste from that location and completely abandoning that
facility as it exists today. It also appears that rough-order costs
will be developed to accomplish the pumping of sewage (either treated
or partially treated) or, the feasibility of making extensive modi-
fications to that existing facility that will accommodate the new
standards.
A copy of this report is being sent to the Escanibia-Santa Rosa
Planning Council with the request that copies of the Long Range
Sewer Plan be furnished to the City as soon as they are received,
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in order for the City to offer the report to the DAWPC, together
with an evaluation "by the City with respect to the Northeast
Sewage Treatment plant.
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