19 
concentrated our efforts on the investigation of the sewage sludge and acid waste 
disposal areas. Our preliminary work soon indicated, however, that to under- 
stand the effects of the various wastes, we would have to study the pelagic and 
planktonic populations as well as the benthos. 
We also found it necessary to initiate preliminary work in the dredge spoil 
dumping area to learn how the spoil dumping might be affecting our other 
results. The data from this preliminary survey indicated that dredge spoil is 
having an adverse effect on benthic communities equal to or greater than that 
resulting from the sewage sludges. It is important to note that these wastes are 
being dumped much closer to the shore line (Sandy Hook) than are the sewage 
sludges and industrial wastes. 
Finally, although circulation-diffusion studies were suggested but not required 
in the recommendations for the basic study (Gross and Wallen, 1968, p. 14), we 
have initiated an extensive hydrographic program designed to give us informa- 
tion on the movements of water masses. The results of these studies are con- 
sistent with the distribution of organic matter and heavy metals as well as with 
other phenomena. 
The following report is arranged according to activities rather than research 
sites or individual disposal areas. Where data from one activity or method of 
analysis complement, substantiate, or contradict other lines of evidence, a cross 
reference is made. 
Where the understanding of a methodology is essential to the interpretation of 
data, the methods of collection,and/or analyses are presented to interpret ac- 
curately the results. The sum of our total data is, however, too great to be given 
in this interim report. Therefore, the inclusion of extensive species lists, tabular 
data, etc., will be deferred until our final published report. 
The following colleagues were responsible for major segments of the work: 
Charles Gibson, pelagic planktonic studies; Robert Wicklund, hydrography ; 
Andrew Draxler, chemistry. 
JACK B. PEARCE. 
DECEMBER 2, 1969. 
DISCUSSION 
This is a preliminary report on the results of 15 months of studies in the 
New York Bight to chart the dispersal of various pollutants which are dumped 
at sea, and to measure their biological effects. 
Our program has included a biweekly survey to determine hydrographic pat- 
terns and the composition and relative number of species in the benthos, plankton 
and, to a limited extent the ichthyofauna over the study area. 
The weight of our evidence to date shows that sewage sludge (which in the 
first year has been the principal subject of our attention) has spread out in a 
northerly direction from the designated sewage dumping grounds over an area 
of 14 square miles. Here the benthic macrofauna has become severely impover- 
ished in contrast to that of the surrounding area. Several species which usually 
tolerate polluted conditions such as nematodes and the rhynchocoelan rubber 
worm, were absent from the impoverished area. 
The center of the designated dumping ground for dredge spoil is about four 
miles from that of the sewage sludge. The dredge spoil, much heavier than the 
sewer sludge evidently does not move far from the dumping site, so that the 
dispersal area is only about 7 square miles. According to our studies to date, the 
impoverishing effect of the dredge spoil is even more severe than that of the 
Sewage sludge. 
A large area east of the sewage sludge grounds is covered with organic matter 
whose origin we have not yet determined. Judging from our hydrographic studies, 
it may have originated from the sewage sludge. This will be the subject of fur- 
ther investigation. 
The impoverishing effect of these pollutants may result from a multiplicity 
of factors. These include low dissolved oxygen during the summer, heavy metals 
which are toxic to marine organisms, and a variety of microorganisms which can 
invade the tissues of invertebrates and fishes resulting in debilitating disease. 
Furthermore water contaminated with sewage sludge inhibits cell division of 
phytoplankters. 
The results of our investigation also indicate that materials having their 
derivation in the sewage disposal area are moved mostly to the northeast towards 
the shores of Long Island. Distribution patterns of organic materials associated 
