IV-424 



The 1956 blowout in Louisiana was accompanied by a rather 

 severe fire. The crude oil spill was out of control for approxi- 

 mately two weeks. Ecological studies for two years after the 

 spill did not demonstrate any significant damage to the biological 

 community in the spill area as contrasted to control areas outside 

 the sphere of influence (IV-5-10). 



The well publicized blowout in Santa Barbara is another example 

 of water quality impact from mining operations. As a result of 

 this accident, in January 1969, large numbers of waterfowl were 

 killed by contact with the oil and some prime recreational beaches 

 were contaminated. The total extent of damages to the ecosystem 

 have not been assessed and will await the findings of extensive 



studies. 



HEATED EFFLUENTS 



As population centers develop in the estuarine zones of the 

 country, demand for electric power increases. This growing power 

 demand is usually met through the construction of either fossil- 

 fueled or nuclear-powered thermo-electric plants. Since these 

 plants are only between 20 and 40 percent efficient 1n the conver- 

 sion of thermal energy to electric energy, tremendous quantities 

 of heat must be wasted to the environment. I here are many examples 

 of water quality changes due to thermal discharges. 



