IV-420 



these water quality parameters indicated that the waste materials 

 remained on or near the surface in a low-density layer. The 

 concentrations of the sulfite waste liquor were sufficient to be 

 toxic to many of the natural food chain organisms and to cause 

 abnormalities to oyster larvae and fish eggs (IV-5-IU). 



Honokaa, Hawaii 



Located on the north coast of the island ot Hawaii (largest of 

 the Hawaiian Islands) is a complex ot six sugarcane processing 

 plants. These mills are remotely situated along an inaccessible 

 shoreline characterized by steep cliffs one hundred to two hundred 

 feet high. The alongshore currents push the wastes long distances 

 along the shore and then out into the ocean. 



The main effects of the sugarcane wastes have been the shading of 

 coral by the highly turbid waters, the occurrence of high phos- 

 phorus and col i form concentrations, and the lowering of fish 

 diversity and productivity. The slope of the ocean floor near- 

 shore is steep and great depths are reached in a short distance. 

 Thus, the mixing and dilution capacity of the deep water minimizes 

 the effects within a shore distance offshore, while some wastes 

 drift along shore with the currents. 



With the mixing and current structure of the steeply sloping ocean 

 bottom, the effects of the sugarcane mill wastes on the hydrography 



