Discharge of formation waters could produce local water quality 

 changes which would probably be avoided by fish. The extent of the mixing 

 zone would also be a function of tides, winds, and wave action. Rapid mixing 

 of such waters near a production platform is anticipated. The effect of water 

 soluble petroleum aromatic compounds not removed in the separation process 

 might be harmful at sublethal levels (l,p.l52). In general, however, for- 

 mation water discharge effects will be very localized. 



Fish populations in coastal areas, as delineated in the introduction to 

 this section, could also be adversely impacted by the discharge of drill 

 cuttings and drilling mud. The latter material commonly contains high con- 

 centrations of barium and chromium, and consists otherwise of clays and small 

 amounts of organic and inorganic chemicals. Estimates of drilling muds which 

 may be discharged into the Mid Atlantic OCS area range from 55,540 to 458,464 

 tons ( 1 ,p. 99) . Damage to fish populations, if it occurs, could come from 

 localized effects of: increased turbidity, smothering of bottom-feeding 

 habitat, and possible uptake of heavy metals (specifically barium from the 

 drilling mud) and some petroleum hydrocarbons. 



Commercial and sport fisheries can further be adversely affected by re- 

 moval of the sea floor and pelagic areas from fishing use due to platforms 

 and pipelines. Especially vulnerable would be shellfish such as scallops, 

 crabs, shrimp, and finfish such as flounder and whiting. 



In the Mid Atlantic OCS region it is estimated that a maximum of 810 to 

 3,240 acres could be removed from commercial fishing at any one time during 

 development. For continuous production, a maximum of 50 platforms, at five 

 acres each would be required. This would mean a minimum of 250 acres of 

 actual land lost, but to which a buffer zone must be added, plus areas lost 



51 



