(2) Review, Evaluations and Recommendations . The SAC was asked 

 to review and evaluate the reports resulting from the CERC-£unded research 

 in terms of their scientific content. The SAC was also asked to assess 

 the effects of waste disposal on the environment of the Bight, to recom- 

 mend further research, and to suggest changes in the present disposal 

 operations. For the complete SAC review and evaluation of subject re- 

 ports, the reader is referred to the comprehensive SAC report: 



Smithsonian Institution, Oceanography and Limnology Program, 

 Office of Environmental Sciences, 1972, Smithsonian Advisory 

 Committee Report on Studies of the Effects of Waste Disposal 

 in the New York Bight, NTIS Acquisition number AD 746960 



Reference to the SAC review and evaluation is made throughout this report. 

 Because the WHOI study is primarily a literature search of information 

 regarding the New York Bight, and since the SPERRY study on the surveill- 

 ance system was considered outside the area of the SAC expertise, the 

 committee concentrated its review, comments and evaluation on those re- 

 ports of original research by SUNY - SB and SHL. 



On the basis of these final reports the SAC general comments and 

 evaluations are summarized as follows: 



Although the studies supported by the CERC have produced valuable 

 data regarding ocean disposal of acid-iron wastes, sewage sludge and 

 dredge spoil in the New York Bight, data presention does not allow 

 evaluation of the ecologic effects (detrimental, beneficial or neutral) 

 of the ocean dumping operations. The large quantities and toxic quali- 

 ties of the wastes being dumped in the Bight suggest that the impact on 

 the marine environment may be substantial. 



The chemical and physical characterization of the constituents in 

 waste materials as conducted by SUNY - SB has produced valuable data, and 

 has provided direction for future investigation. 



Some data has been collected by the SHL which is qualitatively useful. 

 Insufficient definition, however, of sampling characteristics and apparent 

 lack of adequate planning in the collection of data, have not permitted 

 the statistical treatment necessary for the evaluation and quantification 

 of environmental characteristics and proper assessment of ecologic effects. 



The possibility of pathogenic damage to finfish and shellfish re- 

 sulting from the disposal of waste materials in the Bight, brought to 

 light by the SHL study, carries important implications requiring addi- 

 tional extensive investigations. 



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