SAN DIEGO BAY
AN EVALUATION OF THE
BENTHIC ENVIRONMENT
BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY SECTION
TECHNICAL ADVISORY 8 INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
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SAN DIEGO BAY. AN EVALUATION CF THE
BENTHIC ENVIRONMENT
OCTOBER 1967
by
Loys P. Parrish
and
Kenneth M. Mackenthun
Biology and Chemistry Section
Technical Advisory and Investigations Branch
United States Department of the Interior
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
5555 Ridge Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 1+5213
1968
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TABLE CF COiiTZITG
Page
Summary'' ana Conclusions i
Int r o duct i on 1
Water Quo.lity 3
South 6
Central Bay 9
Ilorth 16
Summary 21
Appendix—Tables 23
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SUMIARY AITD CQNCLUSIOKS
(1) San Diego Bay has a surface area of approxi-
mately 18.5 square miles. The bay is
surrounded by metropolitan San Diego, and
most of the shore line has been developed
for recreational, residential, military or
industrial use. There i3 no dilution of
San Diego Eay by freshwater in the summer
and. salinities range from 33 to 3^ PP"t
(parts per thousand) over most of the year.
A decreased amount of wastewater enters the
bay since the completion of an off-shore
ocean outfall in 1963. Prior to 19^3> -11
municipal and industrial wastes were dis-
charged to the bay.
(2) Pollution to the bay results principally
from a tuna cannery, ~ kelp processing
plant, naval vessels and a storm drain
from the San Diego Zoo. Off-shore from
these waste sources, rapidly decomposing
sludge deposits restricted the number of
i
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kinds of bottom-associated organisms tc
three or less.
Less than five kinds of organisms or
more than 200 polychaete worms per square
foot are considered, to be indicative of
polluted conditions in San Diego Bay.
The naval pier area in Central Bay con-
tained sludge ranging from lU to
inches in depth. Bottom organisms were
predominantly polychaete worms, an indi-
cation of moderate to severe organic
pollution. Pollution tolerant snails,
scuds end. shrimp were present where the
sludge was partially stabilized. In some
areas, actively decomposing sludge with
high organic carbon values, ranging from
3.3 to H.5 percent, covered old decayed
sludge that probably was deposited by the
city of San Diego before 1963, indicating
a continuing contribution to sludge beds
from naval ships docked, in the area.
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The channel off-shore from the naval
piers was covered by 33 inches of older
and more stable sludge tha.t supported
over 1300 polychaetes per square foot.
Sludge from the naval areas apparently
was "being resuspended, transported by
currents and redeposited in the channel
thus producing an organically enriched
channel bottom.
I'- the entrance, Clorietta r.ay contained
a thin covering of ;;luc!ge that supported
only 22 prlychaete "worms per square foot
and one other kind of organism, an indi-
cation of moderate to severe pollution.
Farther inside the bay, the bottom area
sampled contained no sludge but was slightly
polluted with organic material that supporte
k62 polychaetes per square foot, plus only
three other kinds of organisms.
Sludge and oils covered the bottom north-
west of the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal.
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The combination of sludge and. oil was
toxic to most benthic organisms ..uid
inhibited the decomposition of the
sludge.
South Bay was polluted in two areas:
(a) The heated cooling-water effluent
from a steam electric plant caused an
increased growth and die-off of micro-
scopic organisms that settled to form
deposits of organic material. Over 1^00
poljrchaetes per square foot and one
species of pollution tolerant snail
existed in the effluent channel, (b)
Algae were matted over 10,000 square
feet of bottom off-shore from the Rohr
Aircraft Co., indicating the discharge
of nutrients into the area. This algal
mat is a potential nuisance. The die-off,
decay and resulting odor problems could
restrict additional property development
and beach utilization in the area.
iv
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Seven to eleven kinds of organisms
existed in this polluted environment.
(G) North Bay was polluted "by a storm drain
from the San Diego Zoo which discharged
wastes in the vicinity of the B Street
pier. Benthic organisms were predomin-
antly polychaetes; sludge covered
approximately 1+0,000 square feet of the
bottom and prevented colonization by
food organisms of sport fishes.
(9) The Carrier Basin contained approximately
38 inches of stable sludge supporting
both polychaetes and molluscs. Settle-
able solids from carriers moored in the
basin probably contributed to this sludge
bed.
(10) Harbor Island Bay contained organic
debris that supported over 6,000 poly-
chaetes per square foot, a result of
moderate organic pollution. Enrichment
was due to dredging of sand from the bay.
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The sand is removed, but the light
organic materials are washed back to
the area thus effecting a concentration
of organic materials.
The Commercial Basin and Shelter Island
Harbor contain debris and old. stable
sludge. There are vessels within both
areas that could, discharge settleable
solids to the water. Also, settleable
materials transported into the bay by
inflowing waters would tend to deposit
in these .-;reas.
Excepting the submarine base which was
not sampled, the remainder of North Bay
contains pollution-sensitive organisms
that reflect the unpolluted conditions
existing at the harbor entrance.
Preventing the discharge of settleable
organic wastes into San Diego Bay would
prevent sludge bed formation and improve
bottom conditions by allowing more rapid
vi
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decay of present sludge beds, thus pro-
viding an improved habitat conducive to
the growth of food organisms for
desirable sport fishes. Water quality
would be improved, providing an environ-
ment more conducive to boating, water
skiing, swimming and asthetic enjoyment
of the bay.
San Diego Bay has improved in condition
since the construction of an ocean outfall
in 1963. Water quality in the bay can be
improved further by the prevention of waste
discharges to the bay from the sources
listed above.
vii
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INTRODUCTION
San Diego Bay, a crescent shaped natural water body,
has a length of approximately 15 miles, a maximum width of
two and one-half miles and a surface area of about 18.5
square miles. Water depths vary from less than one foot in
the southern end to ^1 feet in the harbor entrance. The bay
is surround.ed. by metropolitan San Diego with a population of
over 860,000. The shoreline area, with the exception of a
few small sections, has been developed for residential, rec-
reational, military or industrial uses. A deep-water harbor
and extensive docking facilities permit use of the bay for
naval activities, maritime commerce, industrial use, research,
aesthetic enjoyment and recreation. Varied forms of recreation
enjoyed on or in the bay waters are: boating, fishing,
swimming, water skiing, and wading.
There is no dilution of San Diego Eay by freshwater in
the summer and salinities range from 33 "to 3^+ parts per thousand
(ppt) over the entire year except in the south end of the bay
where evaporation may increase salinities to 35(+) ppt in the
summer. Average water temperature varies from a high of about
26° C during late summer to a low of 1*1-16° C during-the winter.
1
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2
Prior to 19^35 municipal and industrial wastes from
the metropolitan areas were discharged into the "bay. Since
the completion of an off-shore ocean outfall, a minimum
amount of wastes now enter the "bay.
This biological survey was requested by the Southwest
Region, San Diego Bay Study, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration, U. S. Department of the Interior. The
objective of the survey was to assess the effects of pollution
from ships and industries on the biota of San Diego Bay. The
period of study was October 8 to 28, 1967•
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3
WATER QUALITY
The effects of pollution on water quality are indi-
cated by biological populations and the chemical composition
of bottom sediments and water. This survey included studies
of the distribution and diversity of invertebrate organisms
present in or on the bottom, and depth and chemical conipositior
of the benth.Lc sediments in the bay.
Study of the aquatic organises in ~ bo?y of water can
reveal changes in the environment brovight about by the
activities of man. Bottom associated or benthic organisms
best reflect these changes because they have life spans of
one year or more and, because of limited locomotion, they are
restricted to local areas. Thus, they reflect past and present
water quality at a specific sampling point. In an unpolluted
environment, bottom-associated organisms are visually represented
by man;'- kinds of organisms with few individuals representing
each kind. Introduction of organic substances into the water
usually reduces the number of kinds and increases the number of
individual organisms; however, severe pollution by organic sub-
stances effects a reduction of both numbers and kinds of
organisms because of the production of toxic decomposition by-
products such as hydrogen sulfide.
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1+
Bottom-associated organisms are on important link in the
food chain of a water body. In an unpolluted bay a healthy
benthic population results in the production of shellfishes
and fin-fishes of value to both sports and commercial fisheries.
Pollution restricts benthic populations and effects a reduction
of higher aquatic organisms of interest and value to man. Nater
contact sports are also restricted by the pollution of a body of
water. Turbid, water, floating materials and. sludge-like bottoms
are aesthetically revolting.
The chemical composition of benthic deposits gives an
indication of the effect of such deposits on water quality r,nd
associated biota. Deposits rich in organic carbon and nitrogen
exert a high oxygen demand as they decompose. When undergoing
anaerobic decomposition, they release hydrogen sulfide and methane
gas into the water, thus producing a condition toxic to the biota
because of a lack of oxygen and the presence of sulfide. Such
deposits are nutrient reservoirs that supply nutrients to a body
of water until the deposits are finally decayed or covered.
Investigative Methods
Tc aid data presentation. San Diego Bay has been divided
into three sections: South Bay, Central Bay and Korth Bay (Figure l).
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SAN DIEGO
> f •?>*
4#
NORTH BAY
NORTH
59
COMMERCIAL
BASIN
3°« 33' f V•
29 32 I 1
29 34 35 ,Sl ¦/
« */43
36 40 ' •<
/2
NAUTICAL MILES
NORTH ISLAND
1000 500 O
CORONADO
44®-
• T
YARDS
06
GLORIETTA \ 955
^BAVj
( • 56 /
CENTRAL BAY
84
2«
© 53
3 e
4? •
SOUTH BAY
48 #
POINT
» 52
49 •
LOMA
• 50
• 51 j
FIGURE I. SAMPLING STATIONS ON SAN DIEGO BAY , OCTOBER 1967 .
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South Bay consists of the area south of the reserve fleet,
naval piers 10-13; Central Bay includes that portion from
the reserve fleet to the ferry crossing; North Bay contains
the remainder of the bay from the ferry crossing to the
channel entrance.
A Petersen dredge was used to collect "bottom-associated
organisms. .After a bottom sample ras collected with the dredge,
it was placed in a smalJL tub. Water was added and the sample
was mixed to a slurry and strained throiigh a U. S. Standard
Ho. 30 mesh sieve. The organisms and coarse debris were re-
moved from the sieve and preserved for later examination in the
laboratory. Results are presented in Tables 1 and 2, and
Figure 2.
To determine the extent and condition of sludge deposits
in San Diego Bay, core samples were collected with a Phleger
type coring device. Sections of each core were placed in labeled
containers and returned to Cincinnati for chemical analyses.
Sludge depths were determined by measuring the depth or length
of penetration of the coring device, evident as a smear of sludge
or mud on the outside of the device, and the length of core
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SAN DIEGO
NORTH BAY
go
NORTH
OMMERCIAL
NORTH ISLAND
NAUTICAL MILES
IOOO 500
CORONADO
YARDS
GLORIETT A
,—>BAY
CENTRAL BAY
SOUTH BAY
POINT
LOMA
rIGURE 2. NUMBERS OF KINDS OF BENTHIC ORGANISMS PER SQUARE FOOT, OTHER THAN POLYCHAETE
WORMS, SAN DIEGO BAY. OCTOBER, 1967.
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SAN DIEGO
23 •
NORTH BAY
NORTH
59
COMMERCIAL
BASIN
57
42
NAUTICAL MILES
NORTH ISLAND
36
43
IOOO 500
CORONADO
45.
O 54
YARDS
glorietta\55 x
/~v|AYy
( ° 56 J
CENTRAL BAY
NUMERAL = STATION NUMBER
SLUDGE DEPTHS (inches)
SOUTH BAY
2-10
POINT
49 O
> 20
undetermined
LOMA
® 50
FIGURE 3. SLUDGE DEPTHS, SAN DIEGO BAY .OCTOBER 1967.
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3
the high temperature adaptation of only a few organism tj'pes
that consume or digest the organic materials.
In contrast, on the other side of a jetty separating
the effluent channel frcrn the "bay (station 1+9), llS poly-
chaetes per square foot and seven kinds of other organisms
indicated a cooler and -unpolluted environment (Table 2 and
Figure 2). A gray mud and sand mixture contained 1.6 percent
organic carbon and 0.16 percent organic nitrogen. A sair^le
of clay, sand or loam soils would have OA to 2.1 percent
organic carbon and 0.02 to 0.10 percent organic nitrogen.
Off shore from Rohr Aircraft, stations ^7 and U8,
polychaete populations numbered as high as k<$8 organisms per
square foot (Table 2). The most prominent feature of this
area was a bed of algae extending from shore to a depth of
ten feet and covering approximately 10,000 square feet. This
luxuriant growth, coupled with the number of polychaetes in
the area, indicates an area of moderate pollution. Such an
extensive algal mat represents a potential nuisance to future
shoreline development. Odors resulting from the die-off and
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9
decay of algae are similar to those from rotting sewage
a:.d are not conducive to the development of an area for
recreational, residential or industrial uses.
Other than the two areas mentioned, South Bay had a
variety of organisms, polychaete worm populations r.s high
as 829 per square foot, and a sand and clay bottom. Arti-
ficial substrates placed near stations £2 and 53 collected
'+ kinds of organisms numbering 1032 per square foot. Two
SCUBA divers who surveyed parts of South Lay noted that the
area appeared relatively unpolluted and highly enriched,
typical of environments where water circulation is minimal
and natural build-up of nutrients occurs.
Central Bay
Central Bay was the most polluted section of San Diego
Bay. The most kinds of "bottom-associated organisms in
Central Bay were nine at Station 5U which was only slightly
affected by pollution. In the area of the reserve fleet
(stations through 1+6), benthic populations contained as many
as 309 polychaetes per square foot with only 1 kind of other
organism (Table 2). A two-inch layer of decomposing sludge
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with organic carbon and nitrogen values of U.l percent arc1.
O.36 percent covered the hotter. The reduced variety of
organisms and the presence of decomposing sludge are typical
of areas polluted by organic materials.
Bottom-associated organisms collected from between
the 28th Street pier and the Mole pier near the 7th Street,
channel (stations 29 through !+3) were predominantly poly-
chaetes (Table 2 and Figure 2). Between piers one and two,
the bottom supported 327 polycha .ete worms per square foot
denoting a moderate, but not severe enrichment. In this area
(stations 32 and 33), organic carbon values of 3-8 to ;3 %-er~
cent in the top layers indicated a possible recent addition of
settleable solids, a portion of which was contributed by the
discharge of wastes from moored naval vessels. Inside the
pierhead line, of piers 2 through 8, the benthic population
was restricted to a few polychaetes only, with the exception of
station h2\ indicating severely polluted conditions. Midway
between the ends of the piers and shore (stations 35 and 38),
the top layer of the sludge samples had organic carbon contents
of 3.8 and 3.3$j these contents are typical of decaying deposit
At the pierhead line (stations 37 ?nd 39) > "two to three kinds
of organisms were able to exist in addition to polychaetes
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indicating moderate but not severe pollution. Severe orgar
pollution results in very low numbers of polychaetes and no
other kinds of organisms, such as represented at station
with 19 polychaetes per square foot and no other organisms.
The bottom at this station had a decomposing sludge layer yit«
organic carbon and nitrogen values of 5.6 and. O.38 percent
respectively. Core samples taken at the pierhead line (static-:*.*-
3^ and 37) contained a top layer of sludge with organic carbon
values ranging from 2.5 to 2.8 percent and. organic nitrogen
values of 0.3.7 to 0.18 percent indicating a more stable sludge-:.
Gradation from active r-tludge inshore to a more stable
sludge in the pierhead area was substantiated by divers who
swam along a transect of the area. The clivers described the
bottom as soft-muddy silt with a dark black sludge layer under
the piers. Sludge was not as apparent to the divers netlie
pierhead line compared to midway between shore and the pierhead,
A variety of fish in the area and a qualitative sample; of nine
kinds of organisms taken about five feet from the bottom on a
piling at the end of pier four indicated that the quality of
water overlying the bottom in the vicinity of the pierhead line
was not severely degraded. Settleable organic solids are the
most significant pollutants in this area.
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At station be, 1 pollution tolerant snail and 11 £0X7-
chaetes per square foot were able to exist. The bottom was
covered with 33 inches of sludge containing 2.2 percent or£r:n:lc.
carbon and O.lk percent organic nitrogen. These values indi-
cate a decayed sludge.
Chemical analysis of core samples from stations
37 and 38 revealed a layering of sludge. These areas had 3 to
17 inches of sludge capable of undergoing further decay over-
lying 6 to l8 inches of sludge with organic carbon values of
5.2 to 9-9 percent and capable of active decay (Table 3)- Thic
situation was the reverse of the usual sludge bed where activel
decaying sludge covered decayed sludge. Before 1963? the city
of San Diego discharged sewage into the area of the naval piers
with the resultant build-up of an extensive sludge bed, ce
1963, the city has discharged, to an ocean outfall and. the slutig
beds in the bay have been receding."1" If these sludge beds were
deposited rapidly, thus preventing aerobic decomposition of
carbonaceous materials, they may contain large amounts of
decaying matter underneath a top layer of decayed sludge. Also
currents caused by the movement of naval vessels in the area
"'"Anon. Report on Water Quality Control Policy. The Resources
Agency, State of California, 1966.
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may he cortir.ii.ally removing the old decayed sludge in some
areas and redepositing it over ..ctively decaying layers.
Organic carbon values for the top layers of sludge should
be "below 2.0 percent, representative of old or well decayed,
sludge, if no additional sludge has been added since the
city stooped discharge and if decaying sludge has not been
uncovered.
In the channel offshore from pier 3 (station 36), a
bottom composed of 33 inches of parti.illy degraded sludge
mixed with '.a?id supported. 1,3^6 polychaetes per square foot
and three kinds of other organisms. The sludge and sand
mixture had organic carbon and nitrogen values of 3-5 and G.2U
percent respectively. Offshore fron the 28th Street pier,
artificial substrates hanging from a buoy in the channel con-
tained over 3,178 organisms per square foot as opposed, to U88
per square foot in South Bay. Such conditions are indicative
of moderate pollution and may be due to resusper.sion and
deposition of sludge from between piers into the channel c.s a
result of frequent ship movements in the urea or to the discharge
of wastes from naval ships into the bay. Across the bay and. out
of the channel (station 5If), a core sample contained sand, silt,
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„.-.d uhell ^ : ith 0.3 percent organic carbor. rnd 0.03 per-
cent organic nitrogen.
wastes from a ]telp processing company are discharged
ir.to the bay at a point approximately 2^0 yards from chore.
Hear the outfall, where scouring cction prevented sludge
build-up, 152 polychaetes per square foot and one other
organism were able to exist. Low numbers of polychaetes,
27 to 35 per square foot, as well as zero to one kind of
organism other than polychaetes (Table 2) were found in
areas sampled approximately 100 feet north and 200 feet
east of the outfall (stations 27 and 28). The bottom was
blanketed with l6 to 3^ inches of black sludge covered
with layer of ground kelp, oil and perlite. The sludge
contained U.O to 7*9 percent organic carbon and 0.59 to 0.96
percent organic nitrogen, typical of actively decaying
material. Minced in the sludge perlite was used as 1 filter
aid in the processing of kelp. The presence of oil may be
due to spillage from fuel docks in the area. Discharge of
kelp wastes into the water produced a turbid condition that
was visible on the water surface for a distance of several
hundred yards from the outfall. Such conditions, resulting
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15
from the discharge and heavy deposition of kelp wastes, c.s
well as the presence of oil which can "be toxic to benthic
organisms, destroyed the habitat ,nd the potential for botton
organism development.
Wastes from a tuna cannery were discharged from several
open pipes on the r^hore. Sludge banks from these wastes ex-
tended approximately 200 yards off-shore and downbay to the
10th Avenue terminal. lolychaetes numbering aa high as 3'53
per square foot and one other kind of organism were found near
the ends of the piers (station 24). Closer to shore, over 3°0
polychaetes per square foot along with a few snails and a clam
were able to exist. Livers swimriing along transects in the
area noted i soft, dark, black mud with some flocculent material
overlain by a layer of decomposing ooze. Samples of sludge had
a d.istivct hydrogen sulfide odor. Ir.siCe the pierhead at the
tuna cannery (station 2>), 30 inches of sludge contained 5.2
percent orrrnic carbon and 0.4 percent organic nitrogen, typical
of actively decomposing sludge. Sampling beyond the piers off-
shore from the tuna cannery revealed : light covering of old
stable sludge (organic carbon and nitrogen values of 1.0 and. 0.27
percent, respectively). Indications are that settleable solids
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16
from the tuna and kelp plant outfalls are deposited close
to shore in areas where piers act as "baffles to the currents.
From an area near the Tenth Avenue marine terminal
(station 23), "benthic samples contained 21 polychaetes per
square foot. Thirteen inches of decayed, sludge mixed with
oil covered the bottom. Toxicity of the oil limited both
•.-.umbers and kinds of organisms and restricted the biological
degradation of organic substances, thus allowing an accumu-
lation of sludge.
Samples obtained, in Glorietta Lay at station 55 contained
only 22 polychaetes ner square foot and one other kind, of
organism (Table 2) indicating moderate tc severe pollution.
The bottom had a covering of decayed sludge with an organic
carbon content of 2.k percent. This sludge may have originated
from the navy landing prea or from boats in the yacht harbor.
Approximately two hundred yards from the end. of (Slorietta Bay,
a sand bottom supported 1+62 polychaetes and three kind.s of other
organisms, typical of areas that are only slightly polluted.
North Bay
The northern section of San Diego Bay had localized
areas of pollution. Close to shore in the Carrier Basin, only
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17
polychaetes nvuriberiiig ISO per square foot were found. Approxi-
mately 600 yards from ..hore, bottom materials had stabilized
enough to support Uc polychaetes and 30 molluscs (of one species)
per square foot. Over 30 inches of decayed kludge with 2.0 to
2.2 percent organic carbon covered the bottom which was
moderately polluted. Before 1.9-3? the sewage outfall for the
city of Coronado was located just east of the Basir.. Since
the Basin is 4o(+) feet in depth with little circulation,
sludge build-up resulted. Settleable solids discharged from
carriers docked ir. the Basin would, also contribute to the sludge
bed. A diver sampling growths on piling near shore reported a
visibility of 30 feet which is good, when compared with 3 to it-
feet in the vicinity of the naval piers.
At the junction of B Street pier -nd. the shoreline,
storm sewer outfall discharged organic wastes and other debyis
from the San Diego Zoo into the bay. Samples of the bottom with-
in an approximately U0,000 square foot area surrounding the outfall
contained leaves, straw, peanut shells, oil and black sludge that
emitted hydrogen sulfide odors (stations 17, 18 and 19). Sulfide
conditions ;..re indicative of anaerobic decomposition of organic
materials. The area supported S" 1178 polychaetes per square
foot and pollution-tolerant snails and scuds. Sludge sampled
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18
was five inches deep. A maximum depth of sludge was not as-
certained. Samples token 300 feet norths-rest of the outfall
contained a sludge-clay mixture and no debris. Divers noted
2 to 3 foot high ciles of dark black flocculent material
under the B Street pier and mounds of debris extending 100 to
150 feet from the pier. All these conditions indicated severe
pollution of the area. Samples taken north of this area and
near the piers used for docking of tuna boats contained sludge-
like materials that supported U8 polychaetes per square foot
and only one other kind of organism typical of a moderately
polluted habitat.
Inside Harbor Island (station 12), 6^26 polychaete worms
per square foot were the only organisms found; in contrast to
only 86 worms per square foot and. seven kinds of organisms in
addition to the polychaetes at station 13 (Table 2). Sand had
been dredged from the area near station 12 and the remaining
bottom material inside Harbor Island had been redistributed.
At station 12, a depression in the bottom had collected organic
debris from the surrounding sand when it was redistributed, thus
providing an organically polluted substrate resulting from
dredging.
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19
Many polychaete worms (3:379 per square foot^ were found
at the entrance to the Commercial Basin. Bottom materials were
primarily sand. Halfway between the entrance and the end of
the Basin: a population of 2,083 polychaetes per square foot
existed in a sand and clay mixture. Three-fourths of the
distance into the basin, a soft, black decayed sludge supported
210 polychaetes per square foot and three other kinds of
organisms including pollution-tolerant snails and crabs. Sus-
pended organic materials discharged from vessels docked in the
area and in water entering the bay settles out of the slow
moving water at the end of the Basin. Toward the entrance to
the Basin, currents prevented the deposition of large amounts
of material on the bottom nnd a larger number of polychaetes
were able to exist in the sludge and sand mixture. The high
number of polychaete worms present in the Basin indicates
moderate pollution of the area. An unpolluted area would
support n larger variety of organisms than the 2 to k kinds
found in the Basin, and would have lesser number of worms.
A sand and clay substrate supported 290 polychaete worms
per square foot and eight other kinds of organisms at station 7
between Shelter Island, and the main shipping channel. The
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number of polychaetes indicated a slightly polluted environ-
ment. Divers noted that the bottom near buoy 7 was swept
clean by main channel currents. These currents probably
prevent the deposition of materials in the vicinity of
Shelter Island.
The bottom of Shelter Island Harbor was covered with
a b3ack sludge-like material that supported 803 polychaetes
per square foot. Near the harbor entrance, consistency of
the bottom materials changed to sand and clay with 936 poly-
chaetes per square foot. The area was lightly to moderately
polluted, probably because of wastes discharged from the
large number of boats in the harbor and. from storm water
runoff. Also settleable materials entering the harbor would
tend to settle out in the slower moving waters.
From Shelter Island out to the entrance of San Diego
Bay, excluding the submarine base which was not sampled, the
benthic populations ranged from k2 polychaetes to 1^1 poly-
chaetes per square foot and U or 5 other kinds of organisms.
A sand, clay and shell mixture formed a substrate acceptable
to a variety of organisms. Divers noted that the most diverse
and abundant nssemblages of organisms existed in the entrance
channel-outer bay area. This area was unpolluted.
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SUMMARY
Pollution in San Diego Bay occurred mainly in the Central
Bay area. A tuna cannery and kelp-processing plant discharged
wastes into the bay waters with a resultant build-up of sludge
deposits exceeding 30 inches in depth, mid a degradation in the
benthic animal community. The animal community was composed
only of large numbers of polychaete worms. In the vicinity of
naval piers 2 through 8, decomposing sludge was inches in
depth and extended from the shoreline to approximately halfway
out to the ends of the piers. Here benthic organisms were
restricted to low numbers of polychaete worms (2 to 115 per
square foot). The remaining area around the naval piers was
covered with a layer of sludge capable of undergoing additional
decay. In addition to polychaetes, three kinds of organisms
only were able to exist in the bottom materials here.
South Bay was polluted in two areas. The San Diego
steam electric plant discharged heated water to the bay and
produced a polluted condition in the effluent channel area.
Offshore from Rohr aircraft, a heavy growth of algae emphasized
the discharge of nutrients into the water.
21
-------
North Bay was polluted near the B Street pier. A
sludge bed covered approximately Uo,000 square feet. In-
side Harbor Island, the Commercial Basin and shelter Island,
the bottom was covered with decayed organic sludge or debris
These areas were highly enriched, but not seriously polluted
The Carrier Basin contained over 30 inches of decayed sludge
supporting polychaetes and molluscs which indicated moderate
pollution of the area.
-------
APPENDIX"
-------
Table i.
San Diego Bay Bottom Organisms
Kinds and Numbers Per Square Foot
October 1^7
Station Designation
Orr.misms S-l S-3 S->t S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-ll S-lg S-13 S-l'l S-17 S-l8 S-19
Annelids
••-.•yclKWta I'll kf 5* 93* 803 S90 3379 ?083 210 67 6ks6 86 ii8 1178 99 98
si-lacoar.r
-acoar.s
• race's
Ostraco^a
rimp
Spirsr.tccaris in
rssudonr.iilla sp
l.'JSCS
13
7:->p"rr irton ST)
5
21
1
5
5
1
5
16
lli
3
2
3
3
02 ivolla sp
yrhynchus sn
Thy"! la sp
Others
5 2
Inachoidor, r.p
Pinnixa r.p
Hcmirrapsus r>p
I-ophopanopous sn
ittltf Stars
Onhiurodea
?lentcrata
An^.hozoa
nic.*»ta
bai !!uriber of Organisms
Per Snuare Foot
181
936
335
3381 2085
219
69
61*26 118
50
118U
103
tal Number of Kinds
5 6
6
13922U218223?
-------
Gammaridac
Caprellidae
iow Bugs
Isopoda
tysidaceans
hmaceans
)stracods
Ostracoda
Ihrimp
Spirontocarls sp
Betaeus sp
lantis Shrimp
Pseudosqullla sp
tolluscs
I\?lecepoda
Kytilu3 sp
Geukensia sp
Chlonlsta op
Diplodonta sp
Leptopecten sp
Tlvela sp
Macoma op
Tanelus sp
Chi one sp
Cyclocardia sp
Solen cp
tyonsia sp
Others
Gastropoda
Crepidula sp
Crucibulum sp
Rctusa sp
Hassarius sp
Olivella sp
Tachyrhynchus sp
Bulla sp
Others
!rabs
Inachoides sp
Pinnixa sp
Henigrapsus sp
Lophopanopeus sp
brittle Stars
Ophiurodea
:oelenterata
Anthozoa
\micata
Table 1 Cont.
San Diego Bay Bottom Organisms
Kinds and Numbers Per Square Foot
October 1967
Station Designation
Organisms S-21 S-2? S-23 S-3h S-25 S-26 S-27 S-28 S-29 S-30 S-31 S-33 S-3U S-35 S-36 S-37 S-38
Marine Annelids
Polychaeta
'latworms
Nemortca
Scuds
Anohinoda
fa 30 21 368 301 152 27 35 16 30 176 827 13 77 I3U6 61 11?
6 2
'otal Number of Organisms
Per Square Foot
6U 38 21 37't 307 157 29 35 18 30 176 829 13 77 1356 71! 115
'otal Number of Kinds
-------
Table 1 Cont.
San Diego Bay Bottom Organisms
Kinds and Numbers Per Square Foot
October 1967
Station Designation
Organisms S-39 S-hO S-Ul S-k? s-li3 S-UU S-l>5 S-k6 S-l>7 S-W S-U9 s-50 S-51 S-52 s-53 s-5>i S-55
¦larine Annelids
Polychacta 178 13 7k 11 19 211 238 309 365 U98 118 1U08 288 829 190 378 2P
flatvorma
Hemertea -------- - - - - _ -18
Scuds
Araphipoda
Gansnaxidae -------- - 29 I43 - 2 2 90 8
Caprellidac -------- - ?6 - - - l»5 10
3ow Bugo
Isopoda 27 -13 - - 3
•tycidaceane 3-__.-_.-i6 - - -26
?uroaceans ---------
)stracods
Ostracoda __,_____3 6 - - _ 2 3?
Shrimp
Splrontocarle sp __.___p.3_ . -
Betaeus op
•iantis Shrimp
Pceudosquilla sp ---------
folluccs
Pelecepoda
t-tytlluc sp ------------ ___2-
Geukensia sp --------5
Chionista sp ------- - - - - - - 2
Dlplodonta sp ---------
Leptopecten sp ---------
Tivela sp -------- - lU - - -67 2
Macoroa sp -------- - - 6 -19 - -3^
Tagelus sp --------? 2 - -67 f.
Chione sp 5.
Cyclocardla sp -------2 1U13
Solen sp
Iyonsia np 16--
Others -------- - 2 2
Gastropoda
Crepldula sp _ _ _ _ 2 -
Cruclbuluro sp 6l 5 -
Retuca sp - 13--. 13 ___
Ha'ssaxius sp 2--2--------2--3-
Olivella sp ---------
Tachyrhynchus sp 2 307 5
Bulla cp
Others ---------
}rabs
Inachoides sp
Finnixa sp
Henlgrapsus sp
Lophopanopeus s
Irittle Stars
Ophiuroidea
'oelenterata
Antho7.oa
?unicata
Total Nunber of Organisms
Per Square Foot 183 13 7k 13 1° 211 ?h0 311 1»00 180 1728 383 990 U30
Total Number of Kinds 311211228 1? 8 3 (' 813 9
-------
Table 1 Cont.
San Diep.o Bay Bottom Organisms
Kinds and Numbers Per Square Fcot
October 1967
Station Designation
S-56 S-57 S-58 S-59
Marine Annelids
Polychacta
Flatwormr
Nemertea
Scuds
Anphipoda
Garrrearidae
Caprellidae
Sow Bu/rr.
Isopoda
Mysidaccans
Cumaccans
Ostracods
Ostracoda
Shrimp
Spirontocaris sp
Bytagus sp
Mantis Shrimp
Pseudosquilla sp
Molluscs
Polecepoda
Hytilus sp
Geukensia sp
Ch ionista sp
Diplodonta sp
leptopecten sp
Tivela r.p
Macorca sp
Ta£-.:lu3 sp
Chione sp
Cyclorard i a sp
Solon sp
Iyonsia sp
Others
Gastropoda
UCP. 190 I»0 k?.
?9 31'
Cruc.ibulurn sp
Rotusa r,r>
Nassarius sp
01 ivclla sp
Tachyrhynchns
Bulla r.p
Inuchou
Homirrnp
ur. sp
Lophopanopcus sp
Brittle Stars
Ophi uroid'*a
Co'% l iTit.ornf.a
Anthor.ou
Tuni rata
Tnf,nl NirnbcM- of Orranis
IV r f-tninrt' Foot
I<71 lr'0 (0 ¦{(
Total, i.'urrbrr of Kinds
1
-------
Table 2. Total Number and Kinds of Benthic Organisms
at Selected Sampling Stations in
San Diego Bay, October 1967
Station Total Kumber No. of Total No. of
No. of Organisms/ft^ Kinds Polychaete/ft^
1
181
5
l4l
3
70
6
42
k
88
6
56
5
936
1
935
6
808
2
803
7
335
9
290
8
3381
2
3379
9
2086
2
2083
10
219
4
210
11
69
2
67
12
6426
1
6426
13
118
8
86
lU
50
2
48
17
118U
2
1178
18
103
3
99
19
100
2
93
21
6k
2
62
22
38
3
30
23
21
1
21
2k
374
2
368
25
307
k
301
26
157
2
152
27
29
2
27
28
35
1
35
29
18
2
16
-------
Table 2 Cont.
Station
No.
Total I,'umber Q
of Organisms/ft'""
No. of
Kinds
Total No. of
Polychaete/ft'
30
30
1
_L
30
31
17 b
n
175
33
829
2
827
3^
13
1
13
35
77
1
77
36
1356
b
13^6
37
7h
h
61
38
115
l
115
39
183
3
173
Uo
13
i_
13
In
7b
1
7^
>12
13
2
11
19
1
19
bb
211
1
211
b5
2U0
L
233
b6
311
2
309
b7
Uoo
8
365
b3
6Cb
12
U98
h9
180
8
118
50
1728
r>
J
i>+03
51
333
6
288
52
990
O
'j
329
53
b3b
13
190
5k
169
0
378
55
2 b
2
22
56
b71
1+62
57
190
1
190
53
69
2
Uc
5?
76
2
b2
-------
Table 3* Percent Organic Carbon and Organic Nitrogen in
Sludge Deposits and Total Sludge Depth at
Selected Stations in San Diego Bay, October 1967
Total
Percent Percent Sludge
Station Organic Organic Depth in Remarks
Number Carbon-"- Nitrogen* Inches
2
0.4
0.1C
0
Sand
6
i-3
0.18
29.0
3
l.l
0
0
CO
0
Sand and Silt
10
1.7
0.10
20.0
13
2.. c
0.11
0
Sand
23
1
0.12
13.0
2b
1.8
0.27
0
Sand and Clay-
25
O.c
c.U6
30.0
26
1+.0
0.70
16.0
27
6.3
0.59
3^
23
v 0
1 ' s
0.96
•K"*
Dredge Sample
31
0
J •
0.19
3^
32
-j 0
* ¦
0.19
ih
33
'*.5
0.33
ik
3J4
2 . ^
0.17
30
0-11 inch layer
5.2
0.33
12-30 inch layer
35
3.8
0.27
26
0-3 inch layer
p n
O.56
9-21 inch layer
0 h
j • h
0.17
22-26 inch layer
3^
3-;
0.24
33.0
37
2.3
0.18
32
0-12 inch layer
< -¦
0. kh
13-32 inch layer
33
3.3
0.32
0-17 inch layer
*> • 's
0.91
18-23 inch layer
]..p.
0.10
2W1-U inch layer
-------
Table 3 Cont.
Station
Number
percent
Or^imic
Carbon*
Percent
Organic
Nitrogen*
Total
olucl&e
Depth in
Inches
Remarks
1+2
2.2
0.11+
33-0
^3
5.6
0.38
33.0
>+5
k.l
0.36
2.0
1+9
1.6
0.16
33-0
iiud and Sand
50
2.3
O.lb
25.0
5b
0.8
0.03
0
Sand and detritus
55
2.1+
0.20
Dredge Sample
5 6
0.8
0.08
0
Sand and detritus
57
2.0
0.11+
35.0
59
2.2
0.17
31.0
*Values reported are for the 0-1 inch layerj exceptions noted
in remarks„
**Undetermined
------- |