60 
On the basis of such a preliminary assessment, the relative 
impact from the major sources of pollution in New York Bight would 
appear to be as follows: (1) sewage and industrial wastes from 
outfalls, (2) ocean disposal of sludge materials, (3) river dis- 
charges and land runoff, (4) accidental spills, (5) vessel wastes, 
and (6) Harbor debris. 
This is necessarily a value judgment. There are many factors 
which have not yet been investigated sufficiently to justify firm 
conclusions. Then, too, the relative importance of health, aesthet- 
ics, or recreation considerations varies with the individual rater. 
A major problem caused by pollution from ocean disposal of 
sludge is the threat to marine life. Ongoing studies in the Bight 
and elsewhere indicate the undesirable consequences from disposal 
of excessive amounts of sewage sludge and polluted dredge spoil on 
marine life; the ultimate effects of this damage have yet to be 
fully documented. In the Bight sludge disposal areas, the sewage 
sludge has spread out in a northerly direction from the designated 
sewage dumping grounds over an area of 14 square miles. Throughout 
this area, bottom fauna have become severely reduced or have been 
eliminated. 
The center of the designated dumping ground for dredge spoil 
(Mud Dumping Ground) is about four miles from that of the sewage 
sludge. The dredge spoil, much heavier than the sewage sludge, 
evidently does not move far from the dumping site so that the dis- 
persal area is only about seven square miles. To date, it appears 
that the impoverishing effect of the dredge spoil is at least as 
serious as the sewage sludge, reflecting heavy contamination of 
the harbor sediments with petro-chemicals and other toxic compounds. 
A large area east of the sewage grounds is covered with organic 
matter whose origin has not yet been determined. Judging from 
hydrographic studies, it may have originated from the sewage sludge. 
Contamination of surf clam and sea quahog grounds in the vicin- 
ity of these disposal sites may render them unfit for human consump- 
tion. This problem has yet to be evaluated fully, though several 
preliminary measurements indicate coliform contamination in the 
range of 60,000 MPN in clams being harvested for sale. These clams 
were collected at several stations between the sludge disposal 
grounds and the Long Island shore. Another potential health hazard 
is the accumulation of heavy metals by fish and shellfish. Finally, 
there is the suggestion of fin rot and other diseases or undesirable 
conditions associated with fish that frequent polluted areas. 
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