IV-498 



In a typical example, which is found in Galveston Bay, one major 

 development alone, the petro-chemical complex, is identified as 

 contributing twelve major sources of modification to this naturally 

 rich estuarine complex. At least seven identifiable stressed 

 systems result: sewage waste, dredging impoundments, petroleum 

 shores, pilings, brine pollution and petrochemixal wastes (IV-6-8). 



Situated at the upper end of Galveston Bay, Texas, is the Houston 

 Ship channel along which are located dozens of major industries that 

 release wastes. Refineries, petrochemicals, sanitary wastes, and 

 many others go into waters that pass out into Galveston Bay. The 

 dredged channel is 40 feet deep, floored with waste sludge and 

 generally black, and sometimes stratified with more saline waters 

 on the bottom. Conditions are patchy, often low in oxygen, and 

 often with high concentrations of oxidants and reducing compounds. 



Similarly, one of the most fertile estuaries in America is Tampa 

 Bay, that receives municipal wastes, food processing wastes, the 

 outflows from phosphate district of Florida, and many other wastes. 

 There are high concentrations of cells, nutrients, and other 

 organisms. High fertility persists from low salinities in small 

 headwaters to the full salinities at the mouth under the Skyway 

 bridge. The Florida red tide is a recurring phytoplankton bloom of 

 a dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve that is poisonous to fish. This 

 red water develops fish-killing blooms in high salinity waters off 



