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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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