IV-419 



INDUSTRIAL WASTES 

 Los Angeles Harbor, Calif. 



The Los Angeles Harbor portion of San Pedro Bay, Calif., provides 

 an example of an estuarine system receiving oil refinery wastes. 

 These wastes were discharged into enclosed basins or slips which 

 had very limited tidal circulation and flushing. The effects on 

 the receiving system were reflected in progressive studies of the 

 benthic biological community. Initial investigations showed the 

 bottom to be composed of black oily material with the odor of 

 hydrogen sulfide, a characteristic of anaerobic conditions. The 

 receiving area was subsequently bridged, and a diverse population 

 of bottom organisms began to populate the area. The continuous 

 discharge of the refinery waste, however, eliminated the biota 

 after a relatively short time. This example demonstrates the 

 ability to recover if proper management techniques are utilized 

 (IV-5-10). 



Silver Bay, Alaska 



Another example of the water quality changes caused by industrial 

 wastes is the Silver Bay system of Alaska. A paper pulp mill 

 located on the Bay discharges sulfite waste liquor to the waste 

 surface. Water quality sampling of the bay demonstrated extensive 

 degradation of the surface water stratum as indicated by depressed 

 dissolved oxygen concentrations, changes in pH (hydrogen ion 

 concentration), and increase in turbidity. Vertical profiles of 



