------- EPA Administrator and Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles in the dry laboratory. EPA Administrator Johnson (forward right) and Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles (back center) assist EPA Chief Scientists with the sediment sampler. EPA Administrator Johnson (on left) and Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles examine sediment samples. This first Ocean Survey Vessel Bold Annual Report highlights the Bold's scientific survey capabilities, survey accomplishments, and the unique role vessels play in supporting EPA's monitoring and assessment programs. This report will be of particular interest to those working to protect our oceans and coastal resources. Our previous Ocean Survey Vessel, the OSV Anderson, monitored our oceans and coastal waters for 25 years. The Bold is continuing to carry on this important mission. The monitoring information gathered with the Bold allows EPA to more accurately assess impacts to the marine environment and in turn allows EPA to more effectively protect our marine resources. This past year the Bold supported scientific surveys ranging in topics from red tide research in New England waters to coral reef health monitoring, assessment of Gulf of Mexico hypoxia, and monitoring of dredged material dumpsites. The Bold provided state- of-the-art oceanographic support in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Through this floating laboratory, EPA is helping to chart a healthier course for our oceans, ensuring that the beauty and health of our oceans will be enjoyed for years to come by future generations. Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water United States Environmental Protection Agency ------- 2 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 6 TheOSVBo/cf 9 Emergency response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita 10 Gulf of Mexico hypoxia assessment and monitoring 11 Maintaining depth of shipping channels to U.S. ports: ocean dredged material disposal sites assessment and monitoring 13 Coral reef monitoring and biocriteria development 14 Red tide assessment and monitoring 15 Coastal water, sediment, and organism toxicity assessments 17 Fish waste disposal sites assessment and monitoring 17 Coastal eutrophication assessment 17 Ocean outfall monitoring 17 Disposal site surveys 18 Public education on EPA oceans and coastal programs 18 Surveys in 2007 19 Appendix 1: Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Peter W. Anderson Top Accomplishments (1979- 2005) 23 Appendix 2: OSV Bold facilities and technical equipment 24 Appendix 3: OSV Bold scientific surveys August 2005 - December 2006 ------- The Bold at sea This report highlights oceanographic surveys from the initiation of the Bold as EPA's oceans and coastal monitoring vessel in August 2005 through December of 2006. Over this year and a half, the Bold completed a total of 32 oceanographic surveys involving hundreds of sampling locations, spending over 250 days at sea in U.S. waters. ------- Scientific surveys completed by the Bold: Assisted in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Gathered data in three Gulf of Mexico hypoxia surveys in 2006 (April, June, September). Conducted monitoring regarding 14 ocean dredged material disposal sites managed by EPA. Surveyed coral reef environments in the Carib- bean and in Florida waters. Investigated whether shellfish beds in the Gulf of Maine exposed to red tide could be reopened to harvesting. Evaluated contaminant levels in organisms that inhabit artificial reefs created from vessels scut- tled off the coast of Florida. Monitored shellfish wasfe disposal impacts to the marine environment off the coast of Virginia. Assessed coastal eutrophication in the Mid-At- lantic Bight (New York to North Carolina). Monitored an ocean discharge outfall for effects on the marine environment in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and assessed possible bacterial contamination at an outfall in Virginia. Various survey partners have made the Bold's first full year of operation successful, including: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy, U.S. Vir- gin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Re- ft OSV Bold ship manager Ken Potts explains how scientists use the water sampler. sources, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the National Estuary Program, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition to supporting numerous and diverse scientific surveys, there have been more than 10 public education events held aboard the Bold. Par- ticipants in events involving the ship in 2006 include EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles, and Regional Administrators Jimmy Palmer, Donald Welsh, Alan Steinberg, and Robert Varney. EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- The Bold docked at South Street Seaport, New York City, New York. The future health of our ocean and coastal resources depends on our actions today. To restore and safeguard these resources, EPA undertakes many efforts to identify and control problems that threaten the health of our oceans and coastal waters. ------- Gathering information and analyzing data to support management decisions are essential parts of marine resource protection. The Bold collects data in the ocean and coastal environments. The Bold surveys our oceans and coasts to protect human health, to support economic and recreational activities, and to influence actions that safeguard healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife. Our oceans and coasts are unique resources that support a wide diversity of life. We depend on those complex ecosystems to provide us with places to live, play, relax, and work. Our national economy is linked in a number of ways to the productivity of our oceans and coasts. For instance, in 2000, the ocean economy contributed more than $117 billion to American pros- perity, and supported in excess of two million jobs (U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, 2004). Of no less importance are the values of marine resources that are EPA Gulf Ecology Division scientists, Anthony Digirolamo (on left) and Alex Almario, deploy the water sampler. difficult to measure in economic terms. Values include the beauty of our oceans and coasts, their cultural significance, and the vital ecosystem functions they provide that sustain life on earth. Human actions have the potential to adversely af- fect our coastal and ocean waters. Pollution of sedi- ments might significantly alter aquatic ecosystems. Wastewater discharged from shore or vessels in vio- lation of permit requirements might become a threat to public health and marine life. Toxic chemical and pathogen contamination negatively affects the entire food web, including humans, who need the nutrition that fish can provide, but who should not be exposed to unsafe contaminants. If not managed properly, ocean and coastal resources can be damaged by habitat modification, dredging, construction, and other human activities. EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- J I -1 .' ' 1ST ) > * The Bold at dock in the Caribbean. Photo by Richard Klain The Bold replaced EPA's previous ocean survey vessel, the Anderson. The Anderson served as the Agency's oceans and coastal monitoring vessel from 1979 until it was retired in 2005. ------- In 25 years of monitoring and assessing our oceans and coasts, the Anderson performed many physi- cal, chemical, and biological investigations that sup- ported numerous EPA and state coastal and ocean programs initiatives. Highlights of the Anderson's ac- complishments can be found in Appendix 1. The size, stability, and equipment capacity of the Bold offer many advantages over the Anderson for expanded scientific monitoring activities. The Bold can withstand more severe weather and higher seas, can accommodate a larger scientific crew, and has more space for work areas and scientific equipment. The Bold was constructed by the Tacoma Boat Building Company of Tacoma, Washington, and was first commissioned on October 16, 1989, as the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Vigorous, a Tacti- cal Auxiliary General Ocean Survey (T-AGOS) class EPA Chief Scientists on the bow of the OSV Bold. vessel. The vessel was later renamed the USNS Bold and served on many surveillance missions in the North Pacific Ocean. The Navy decommis- sioned the USNS Bold in 2004. EPA acquired the ex-USNS Bold on March 31, 2004, to replace the Anderson. EPA began scientific surveys with the Bold on August 8, 2005. The Bold underwent dramatic changes in its transformation from a military surveillance vessel to an oceans and coastal monitoring vessel. EPA im- proved the deck system, and added wet and dry lab- oratories, including a data acquisition laboratory. In- formation is transmitted from sampling equipment to computers in the data acquisition laboratory, where the data are analyzed. The Bold is specially equipped to support EPA's environmental monitoring and as- sessment needs. Sampling equipment includes a EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- side scan sonar that produces digital acoustic images of the ocean floor and a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) water profiler which measures physical water characteristics in situ in real-time throughout the water column. For a detailed list of scientific facilities and technical equipment on the Bold, see Appendix 2. Scientific surveys conducted onboard the Bold address requirements of federal statutes such as the Clean Water Act and the Marine Protection, Re- search, and Sanctuaries Act. The surveys provide scientific information and data to support EPA's mission to protect and enhance oceans and coastal waters through a variety of programs including part- nerships and regulatory actions, and response to emergencies. Surveys are conducted by scientists from various EPA offices, including Regional offices, Headquarters, and the Office of Research and Devel- opment, from states and territories, academic institu- tions, and other partners. All surveys are conducted under the leadership of EPA-Certified Chief Scien- tists, who must complete a rigorous certification pro- gram before being allowed to serve in that capacity. The Bold is managed by the EPA's Oceans and Coastal Protection Division, in the Office of Water. EPA Ship Manager Kennard Potts and vessel con- tractor Seaward Services, Inc. provide direction to, and operational handling of, the ship. The Bold provides EPA and its partners a platform to gather the scientific data needed to assess effects to the marine environment and to make informed de- cisions to protect these resources and human health. EPA's partners include: the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- neers, U.S. Navy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Woods Hole Oceanographic Insti- tution, and the National Estuary Program. Since its initial scientific survey in August 2005, the Bold has supported surveys along the Atlantic Coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea. Scientific surveys fall into the categories listed below and are described in detail in the subsequent sections of this Report. Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- EPA REGION 2 Figure 1. Scope of OSV Bold monitoring and assessments through December 2006. (NORFOLK, VA DAM NECK, VA PORTLAND, ME GULF OF MAINE MASSACHUSETTS BAY PORT EVERGLADES, FL 'MIAMI, FL Emergency response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Gulf of Mexico hypoxia assessment and monitoring Maintaining depth of shipping channels to U.S. ports: ocean dredged material disposal sites assessment and monitoring Coral reef monitoring and biocriteria development Red tide assessment and monitoring Coastal water, sediment, and organism toxicity assessments Fish wasfe disposal site assessment and monitoring Coastal eutrophication assessment Ocean outfall monitoring Disposal site surveys Emergency response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita One of the Bold's first scientific surveys was in re- sponse to the damage caused by Hurricanes Ka- trina and Rita. EPA, the National Oceanic and At- mospheric Administration (NOAA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Geological Survey coordinated an environmental impact assess- ment in coastal waters throughout the affected region. Response activities conducted aboard numerous EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- vessels, including the Bold, NOAA's Research Vessel level is generally accepted as the minimum concen- Nancy Foster, FDA's small boat teams, and other field tration required for most marine life to survive and activities in the shallow near shore and wetland envi- reproduce. The magnitude of the Gulf of Mexico ronments, enabled the scientific crews to characterize hypoxic zone varies from year-to-year, but appears the magnitude and extent of coastal contamination as to be the largest hypoxic zone in the waters of the well as ecological effects resulting from the devastat- United States. The area of hypoxic waters reached in ing storms. EPA monitored twenty areas at the mouth excess of 20,000 square kilometers during the sum- of the Mississippi River, Mississippi Sound, and Lake mers of 2001 and 2002, an area that exceeded the Ponchartrain to determine whether raw sewage from size of Massachusetts. Current evidence indicates flooded communities had spread into local waters, that the development, extent, and persistence of Test results from Gulf of Mexico sampling indicated hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico are caused by anthro- that the waters in these areas met the standards for all pogenic nutrient loading from the Mississippi-Atcha- primary contact recreation, which includes swimming, falaya River Basin. For additional information, see http://www.epa. Hypoxia monitoring and assessment by the Bold gov/katrina/index.html. supports the Hypoxia Action Plan. The Hypoxia Ac- tion Plan, prepared by a federal and state agency Gulf of Mexico hypoxia assessment and working group, was established in response to the monitoring Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Control Act in The Bold supported assessment and monitoring of October 2000. The plan calls for expanded long- hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Investigations into the term monitoring programs, enhanced research and Gulf's inner shelf along coastal Louisiana and Texas modeling efforts, and increased stakeholder educa- have documented the development of oxygen-de- tion and national awareness programs. Increasing pleted or hypoxic bottom waters and the increasing the scale and frequency of monitoring activities will extent of the hypoxic zone over the past several de- better define the spatial and temporal extent and cades. Surveys were conducted in April, June, and dynamics of the hypoxic zone, and the conditions September 2006. of waters throughout the Mississippi- Atchafalaya Hypoxia is dissolved oxygen concentrations in River Basin. The surveys directly support the reas- water that are less than two milligrams per liter. This sessment of nutrient load reductions achieved and Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- the response of the hypoxic zone since the Action Maintaining depth of shipping channels Plan was released in January 2001. A revised Action to U.S. ports: ocean dredged material Plan is scheduled for release in late 2007. The Bold disposal sites assessment and supports the research and modeling efforts that are monitoring needed to reduce the scientific uncertainties of the Our ports, harbors, and navigable waterways are effects of hypoxia, to find the sources of contributing vital to the U.S. economy and national security. factors, and to understand the biochemical process- Dredging maintains access to those areas, and has es that underlie the causes and effects of hypoxia. become increasingly important as ships increase in The surveys also support investigations into the so- size. Dredged material disposal must be conducted cial and economic impacts of various management in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner un- strategies, as well as the success of nutrient reduc- der the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuar- tion strategies. ies Act (MPRSA) or the Clean Water Act (jurisdiction The objective of the three Bold hypoxia surveys is determined by the location of the disposal site). conducted in 2006 was to characterize the magni- An important mission of the Bold is the collection of tude of, and variability in, physical, chemical, and bio- environmental data that are used in the designation logical properties and processes in the water column of new sites and in the required periodic monitoring and sediments along coastal Louisiana throughout of existing designated ocean disposal sites. Under the year. Seasonal data and information collected in- the MPRSA, EPA is responsible for designating sites, elude the distribution and variability in dissolved in- and for reviewing and concurring in dredged material organic nutrient concentrations, particulate nutrients, ocean disposal permits. The MPRSA also requires total suspended solids, phytoplankton species bio- that a site monitoring and management plan be pre- mass and pigments, temperature, salinity, dissolved pared for each site before it may be used for dredged oxygen, and light extinction. The data and informa- material disposal. An essential component of the site tion was used to refine a predictive model that will monitoring and management plan is a characteriza- provide useful insight into Gulf of Mexico hypoxia. tion of baseline conditions before any disposal activ- Additional studies to fill data and information gaps ity is conducted at the site, so that any qualitative related to the water column and sediment processes changes in benthic habitat resulting from disposal were also performed during these Bold surveys. activities can be identified during future surveys. EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- Appropriate reference areas need to be identified for each disposal site, so that characteristics similar to those of potential dredging projects can be used as a source of reference sediments. There were two reference evaluation studies conducted in 2006: the Gulf of Mexico Reference Evaluation and the South Atlantic Bight Reference Evaluation. EPA regional scientists use the Bold for monitor- ing ocean dredged material disposal sites to confirm that the dredged material is disposed of properly, that the dumping does not unreasonably degrade or endanger human health or the marine environment, and that the site is performing as it was designed. For example, surveys conducted in 2006 off the coast of south Florida showed that dredged material disposal was affecting a significantly larger area of the seafloor than predicted. As a result, site use will have to be modified or the disposal site redefined. The Bold also helps in locating and assessing poten- tial new areas to receive dredged material. This pro- cess keeps U.S. commerce moving while protecting the marine environment. The following locations have ocean dredged ma- terial disposal sites that were surveyed: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Yabucoa, Puerto Rico Pascagoula, Mississippi Fernandina, Florida Jacksonville, Florida Miami, Florida Port Everglades, Florida Key West, Florida Savannah, Georgia Brunswick, Georgia Dam Neck, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts Portland, Maine Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- Coral reef monitoring and biocriteria development Coral reefs are believed to be declining worldwide because of rising sea water temperatures, as well as effects from local sources, such as excessive nutrient loading, sedimentation, and direct physical damage to coral populations. Coral reefs are ex- tremely important ecosystems, primarily because they provide habitat for many fish and invertebrate species. The structure of a well developed and di- verse coral community supports fisheries, tourism, and biopharmaceutical opportunities. The physical presence of coral structure protects shorelines from EPA divers survey coral reef habitat. erosion by waves and currents. In addition, corals are important sensitive sentinels of water quality and general ecological health. In August 2005, the Bold was part of a study that monitored the effects of dredged material disposal on coral reefs off the coast of southeast Florida. It was used for diver support for the collection of coral samples and for deployment of water quality moni- toring equipment. The Bold spent the month of February, 2006, supporting surveys to monitor and assess coral reef health in the Caribbean Sea. A number of partners contributed to the success of the surveys includ- EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- ing: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and very sensitive to environmental stresses. Determining Natural Resources, University of Puerto Rico, U.S. the current viability of those resources will allow man- Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and At- agers to monitor changes and to establish long-term mospheric Administration, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife management strategies to ensure their sustainabil- Service. The primary purpose of the St. Croix sur- ity. The survey built on work previously done by the vey was to assist the U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.) in Anderson, as well as other agencies. An unexpected developing strategies and assessment tools to de- reward of the survey was discovery and identification fine biocriteria for coral reefs. Biocriteria are narra- of expansive flats of rhodoliths, colorful marine algae tive descriptions or numeric values that represent that resemble coral, in an area that initially appeared the biological condition of the community. Standards to be just sand flats. based on biocriteria are powerful management tools, The Bold also inventoried sensitive coral reef habi- because biological communities are dependable in- tats in the vicinity of the Yabucoa ocean dredged ma- dicators of the health of an aquatic ecosystem. The terial disposal site off the coast of southeast Puerto survey provided U.S.V.I, managers with the data and Rico. Data were collected with side scan sonar and information needed to develop a sound strategy for a remotely-operated vehicle video. A current meter monitoring coral reefs for trends in coral condition, and sediment trap were also deployed at the site, as well as to make comparisons among various man- and the University of Puerto Rico's Research Vessel agement zones. Sultana retrieved them in the summer of 2006. The A side scan sonar survey, also in the U.S.V.I., sue- current meter and sediment trap data will provide in- cessfully provided comprehensive benthic imaging of formation on whether the prevailing currents in the a 40-square mile area of shelf off the southern coast area are bringing material from the disposal site to of St. John. The side scan sonar data were collected, the sensitive reef habitats. in conjunction with a video shot from a remotely-op- erated vehicle. That work was done to characterize Red tide assessment and monitoring the structure of, and quantify the extent of, near- From May to June of 2005, a massive algal bloom shore habitats that support important fish species off of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandhum fundyense St. John. The data showed that the area was rich in occurred in the waters off southern New England. coral resources. The habitats are coral-based, and The bloom, also known as red tide, caused extensive Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- shellfish bed closures and major disruptions of local The second survey, in July 2006, sought to deter- economies from Maine to Massachusetts. mine whether shellfish beds in federal and state wa- The Bold participated in two surveys in response ters exposed to red tide in 2005 could be re-opened to this red tide event. The first survey, in Novem- to harvesting. Paralytic shellfish poison levels were ber 2005, mapped A. fundyense cysts in bottom measured in specimens such as moon snails, blue sediments off the coast of Massachusetts. The cyst mussels, ocean quahogs, and sea scallops, and stage allows this species to remain dormant in bot- compared to the abundance of the red tide algae. The torn sediments even under adverse conditions. Cysts effort by the Bold was the first survey dedicated to are important in bloom initiation, regulating both the this task since the waters were closed a year earlier. size of the initial cell inoculums in surface waters and Certain waters were opened to selective shell fishing the location of blooms, but encystment also allows by the end of 2006, though closures due to red tide the species to disperse and colonize new areas. A still remain. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution massive bloom in 1972 introduced the organism scientists have used cyst distribution data collected into western Gulf of Maine waters, leading to recur- in the 2005 Bold survey (as well as information from rent outbreaks over the following decades. There is other surveys) as initial input into coupled biological- concern that the organism is expanding southward, physical models to simulate the 2006 bloom dynam- Given the high cell concentrations of cysts observed ics in near real-time. The July 2006 survey of cell and in the water column during the 2005 bloom, many of hydrographic observations by the Bold were used to the cysts may have dropped to bottom sediments, verify the results of those simulations. This could lead to colonization in southern New Eng- land waters which have historically been virtually free Coastal water, sediment, and organism of A. Fundyense. High concentrations of toxic cells toxicity assessments were observed in the water column south of Martha's The Bold performed surveys to assess contaminant Vineyard that could potentially seed the depositional concentrations in sediments, water, and organisms. areas, causing future blooms the following spring. A Bold survey provided essential data to support Although there were high concentrations of cells in contaminant fate modeling by the New York/New Jer- the water column, there was a low number of cysts sey Harbor Contaminant Assessment and Reduction found in the sediments. Project (CARP). The goal of the project was to clean EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- up sediments in New York and New Jersey Harbors. 1990s, EPA requires removal of materials meeting or Data from the survey will also be used to support the exceeding the 50 ppm limit from these vessels. In cer- development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) tain cases, solid materials manufactured with PCBs for contaminants in the harbor. EPA Region 2, the New greater than or equal to 50 ppm can remain onboard York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (one of the if a risk-based disposal approval has been obtained 28 National Estuary Programs nationwide), and the under TSCA. Many former military vessels that were New York State Department of Environmental Con- reefed prior to that time were not tested, and PCB- servation worked together to collect large volume wa- contaminated materials were not removed. ter samples along the boundary of the New York Bight Many vessels procured by states for reefing are at the edge of the continental shelf. This is the area non-military commercial vessels, such as freighters, of the Atlantic Ocean north of the line between Mon- barges, and tugs. Much less is known about the us- tauk, New York, and Cape May, New Jersey. In ad- age of PCB-bearing materials on older non-military dition to water samples, zooplankton and air samples vessels. The level of testing and clean-up for non- will also be analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls military vessels has historically been much less than (PCBs), dioxins/furans, pesticides and perfluorinated for warships. The Bold conducted a screening survey compounds to assess contaminant contribution from off the coast of Florida of reefed former military and those factors. non-military vessels to determine if traces of PCBs are Another contaminant assessment survey evaluat- present in tissues of organisms that inhabit the vessel ed PCB levels in organisms that inhabit artificial reefs reefs. The information and data gathered in the survey created from sunken vessels. The Maritime Adminis- will help determine if a problem in the identified areas tration and the Department of the Navy have a number exists, and if so, will help to determine what corrective of decommissioned vessels available to states for use actions should be taken. In addition, the data may be as artificial reefs. It is known that military vessels, par- useful for assessment of needed clean-up actions for ticularly those commissioned prior to the late 1970's, vessels intended to be sunk as artificial reefs. contain a variety of materials manufactured with The Bold was also used for the collection of ben- PCBs. Some materials contain levels of PCBs that ex- thic organisms and/or sediment in the Gulf of Mexico, ceed the 50 parts per million (ppm) limit for handling, Massachusetts Bay, and the South Atlantic Bight for transportation, storage, and disposal as regulated by contaminant analysis. Samples are analyzed for met- the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). Since the als, pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins to determine back- Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- ground levels in the coastal and offshore environment. A bacterial contamination study investigated wa- The data will be used in the development of regional ters near a Virginia Beach ocean outfall. Levels of guidance for evaluation of dredged material testing bacterial contamination due to enterococci were as- results and in the monitoring of disposal sites. sessed. The intent of these efforts aboard the Bold was to determine if water quality standards are being Fish waste disposal site assessment met at the outfall. and monitoring Another study took place in the Caribbean Sea. The Bold supported two surveys at a shellfish waste The Virgin Islands Rum Industries, Ltd. (VIRIL) ocean disposal site off the Virginia Capes. The objective of discharge had been assessed and the site character- the surveys was to evaluate the effect of this dis- ized biologically in a 2003 survey. The results of the posal on the marine environment. Is the site being 2003 survey found the potential for aquatic toxicity degraded by the placement of shellfish waste? Data and detrimental light attenuation. Field observations, and information provided by the investigation will de- including video footage of the outfall, discharge and termine if water quality standards are being met. surrounding area, as well as light penetration moni- toring, were obtained from the site. The data ob- Coastal eutrophication assessment tained from the 2006 survey will help scientists to The coastal eutrophication survey aboard the Bold evaluate if the VIRIL discharge is adversely affecting was a continuation of an established coastal trend the marine environment. monitoring plan that is examining eutrophication in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Data from the survey will help Disposal site surveys determine if coastal eutrophication off the coasts The U.S. Coast Guard sank two vessels in the vicin- of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware is improving or ity of the Portland Ocean Dredged Material Disposal worsening, and what management actions should be Site. The Bold utilized side scan sonar and was suc- considered. cessful in locating the exact location of one of the vessels. Scientists can now evaluate if the vessels Ocean outfall monitoring are negatively affecting the disposal site. Two surveys of the impacts of ocean outfall discharg- The Massachusetts Bay Disposal Site was his- es upon coastal waters were supported by the Bold torically used for not only dredged material disposal, in 2006. but also for disposal of industrial waste, such as con- EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- struction debris, munitions, and barreled toxic waste. Though the dumping of industrial waste at this site was terminated in 1976, the waste could still be ad- versely affecting the environment today. A Bold sur- vey conducted in 2006 determined the location and condition of the barrels thought to contain hazardous and low level radioactive waste. The data will as- sist in determining whether the historically disposed waste poses a threat to human health, and will help to identify any necessary actions to protect human and ecosystem health. challenging issues facing the health of marine wa- ters when in port between scientific surveys. The Bold has been host to Coastal America educational events as well as open to the public. Events in New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands re- vealed substantial interest by the public and broad- cast media. Governors Charles Turnbull (U.S.V.I.) and John Baldacci (Maine), as well as a number of EPA senior executives, have all had the opportunity to tour the ship and to learn about its many scien- tific capabilities. Public education on EPA oceans and coastal programs In addition to scientific surveys, the Bold was used as a platform for public environmental education on Surveys in 2007 Gulf of Mexico hypoxia assessment and monitoring Maintaining depth of shipping channels to U.S. ports: Ocean dredged material disposal sites assessment and monitoring Coastal water, sediment, and organism toxicity assessments Evaluation of the Historic Area Remediation Site of New York and New Jersey Survey in support of an Environmental Impact Assessment, Long Island Sound Coral reef monitoring and biocriteria development Coastal eutrophication assessment Ocean outfall monitoring At port in Corpus Christi, Texas, Bold Captain Jere Chamberlain takes time to show schoolchildren the ship. Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- Edward McLean: OSV Anderson ship manager, 1978-1999. The OSVXlndereon, EPA's coastal and oceans survey vessel, 1979-2005. Ocean Survey Vessel Peter W. Anderson Top Accomplishments (1979-2005) The Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Peter W. Anderson served as the Agency's oceans and coastal monitor- ing vessel from 1979 until it was retired in 2005. In 25 years of monitoring and assessing our oceans and coasts, the Anderson performed many physi- cal, chemical, and biological investigations that sup- ported numerous EPA and state oceans and coastal programs initiatives. The following are highlights of the Anderson's accomplishments. 1. Responding to oil spills A major oil well blew out on the sea floor level in the Gulf of Campeche (Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico). The Anderson joined NOAA survey vessels and aircraft to track the oil spill coming toward the U.S. Texas coast- line. Data provided by the Anderson helped NOAA to assess potential impacts of the spill and mitigation actions. The Anderson played a major role in assess- ing the impacts of an oil spill from the Presi- dente Riveria oil tanker in Delaware Bay. The information collected and provided to the Coast Guard enabled them to appropriately place barriers to protect critical habitats on Pea Island, a major wading bird rookery. 2. Assessing the effects of toxic waste dumping at sea The Anderson assisted in locating contain- ers of arsenic trioxide that went overboard from a large container ship during a storm off the coast of New Jersey. The two containers EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- were located using the ship's side scan so- nar equipment. Serial numbers that identified the containers with arsenic trioxide were ob- tained through the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) submersible equipped with a camera. All but 2 of the 104 barrels in the con- tainers that went overboard were recovered. The Anderson, using side scan sonar and ROVs, identified and assessed the location of barrels of toxic waste that were dumped in Massachusetts Bay from the 1960s to 1970s. The barrels were rusted through and emp- ty. This information was included in NOAA charts to alert fishermen not to bottom trawl in that area. EPA Office of Enforcement requested Ander- son assistance to find illegally dumped bar- rels of toxic waste in the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The Anderson located the barrels and provided information for successful enforcement ac- tion. 3. Designating dredged material sites The Anderson collected data for the Environ- mental Impact Statements for the designa- tion of over 100 dredged material dumpsites along the East Coast and Gulf Coast. Anderson surveys assessed the dumping of dredged material in sensitive Gulf of Mexico coastal waters off of Tampa Bay, Florida. The findings resulted in the designation of a new ocean dumpsite for disposal of material dredged from Tampa Bay 30 miles offshore. 4. Identifying sources of marine debris Anderson surveys identified the source of medical waste, such as syringes, found on beaches of New Jersey and New York. The debris was alleged to be from the illegal dumping of hospital waste. After exhaustive studies by EPA scientists, it was determined the waste was washed down from city streets into combined storm sewers after heavy rains. 5. Incineration of PCB wastes at sea In the Gulf of Mexico, the Anderson support- ed the assessment of the potential impacts of the fall-out of incineration of PCB wastes upon ocean waters. The Anderson tracked in the wake of the incinerator ship Vulcanus and measured air and water column param- eters from the incinerator plume discharge. While no adverse impacts were found, the incineration at sea program was canceled in the late 1980s. Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- 6. Protecting coral reefs The Anderson supported extensive studies in coastal Florida and Puerto Rico. The Anderson was utilized as a support plat- form to conduct annual surveys of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) as part of EPA's responsibilities under the Flor- ida Keys Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP). The coral monitoring portion of the WQPP annually surveyed 160 EPA fixed sites at 40 stations on 29 of the FKNMS reefs. This is one of the most comprehensive coral mon- itoring programs in the world. By utilizing the Anderson, scientists had a 100% sampling rate. The Anderson supported a project in the U.S. Virgin Islands that identified and character- ized benthic areas rich in coral structures that provided habitats for fish spawning. In Puerto Rico, the Anderson surveyed ocean outfalls to assess impacts to coral reef habitat. 7. Special studies on vessel impacts The Anderson assisted the U.S. Navy in re- certifying overhauled nuclear submarines to ensure that they were running quietly. The Anderson conducted an assessment in Massachusetts Bay on the impacts of motor boat noise on North Atlantic right whales. Wastewater discharges from four cruise ships were surveyed by the Anderson to determine the amount of wastewater dilution. 8. Assessing impacts of dumping activities on the marine environment The Anderson assisted in major oceano- graphic efforts to determine the impacts of sewage sludge dumping in a dump site 106 miles off the New York/New Jersey harbor in up to 12,000 feet of water. The Anderson supported diver surveys of environmental effects of drilling muds dis- charged from drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. 9. Supporting assessments of water quality and habitat in the Caribbean The Anderson provided oceanographic survey support and training in the Dominican Repub- lic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. Surveys included the assessment of the health of coral reefs, impacts of dumping of dredged material, and impacts of sewage discharges. EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- 10. Educating the public on oceans and coastal issues In addition to performing scientific work, An- derson was used by EPA for public education programs on oceans and coastal protection. On numerous occasions the Anderson and crew were highlighted by the media, includ- ing an appearance on "Good Morning Amer- ica" with a story on how the Anderson was protecting our oceans and coastal waters. Anderson scientists work with a sediment sampler. Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- OSV Bold facilities and technical equipment Scientific facilities Wet laboratory: Equipped with sieve station (i.e., sieving table and trays), wash station with hot and cold freshwater and saltwater, ice ma- chine (ice is for sample preservation), refrigerator, electronic navigation data ports, and electronic navigation chart display with ship's location and navigation information. Survey operations center: Equipped with refrigerators, freezers, sub-zero freezers, distilled water, computers, storage space, microscopes, and about 85 linear feet of lab benches. Microbiology laboratory: Equipped with au- toclave and incubator. Data acquisition center: Equipped with com- puter systems to support digital data recorded from side scan sonar operations, CTD deploy- ment, and underwater video filming. Sampling equipment Klein 3000 side scan sonar: Produces digital acoustic images of ocean floor. Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) water profiler: Measures physical water char- acteristics in situ in real-time throughout the water column. Rosette: Collects water at specified various depths in the water column. This net is used by Bold scientists to collect plankton samples. Sediment sampling equipment: A variety of grabs and corers are available for the collection of sediments from the ocean floor. Sampling nets: Collect oceanic organisms, such as fish and plankton, from various depths in the water column. Dredges: Collect oceanic organisms from the seafloor and sediments. Diver operation capabilities Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs): At any time, the Bold carries two RHIBS to support dive operations. Dive locker: Nitrox/Air compressor, 31 SCUBA tanks, diver communication devices (i.e., diver- to-diver, diver-to-surface), diver recall system for emergency situations, dry suits, and full face masks are available for use. EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- OSV Bold scientific surveys, August 2005- December 2006 Survey Location Date Hurricane Katrina and Rita emergency response Gulf of Mexico hypoxia assessment and monitoring Maintaining depth of shipping channels to U.S. ports: ocean dredged material disposal sites assessment and monitoring Ocean dredged material disposal reference site survey Coral reef monitoring Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico Dam Neck, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Brunswick, Georgia Savannah, Georgia Pascagoula, Mississippi Fernandina, Florida Jacksonville, Florida Key West, Florida Miami, Florida Port Everglades, Florida Massachusetts Bay Portland, Maine Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Yabucoa, Puerto Rico Gulf of Mexico South Atlantic Bight St. John, USVI Yabucoa, Puerto Rico October 2005 April 2006 June 2006 September 2006 December 2005 and August 2006 December 2005 and August 2006 May 2006 May 2006 April 2006 August 2005 August 2005 and May 2006 May 2006 May 2006 May 2006 July 2006 July 2006 January 2006 January 2006 April 2006 May 2006 February 2006 February 2006 Monitoring and Assessing the Health of Our Oceans and Coastal Waters ------- OSV Bold scientific surveys, August 2005- December 2006 (Continued) Survey Location Date Coral reef biocriteria development Red tide assessment and monitoring Contaminant fate m Coastal water, sediment, and organism toxicity assessments Coastal eutrophicat Ocean outfall monit Disposal site surveys odeling Vessel artificial reef PCB survey Coastal fish tissue contaminant assessment Fish waste disposal site monitoring on assessment Dring Sunken vessel monitoring Historical industrial waste site survey St. Croix, USVI Southern New England Gulf of Maine New York and New Jersey Harbors Pensacola, Florida South Atlantic Bight Southern Virginia Mid-Atlantic Bight Mid-Atlantic Bight Virgin Islands Rum Industries Outfall, USVI Portland, Maine Massachusettes Bay February 2006 November 2005 July 2006 November 2005 October 2006 August 2006 December 2005 and August 2006 August 2006 August 2006 February 2006 July 2006 July 2006 EPA's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold 2006 Annual Report ------- ------- |