ABSTRACT 



Interdisciplinary short-term investigations related to the effects 

 of ocean dumping in the New York Bight were contracted by the Coastal 

 Engineering Research Center (CERC) as directed by Office, Chief of 

 Engineers. Studies made by the Sandy Hook Laboratory of the National 

 Marine Fisheries, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, the 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Sperry Rand Corporation 

 were reviewed by a special advisory committee established by the Smith- 

 sonian Institution at CERC's request. Tlie studies included hydrographic, 

 geological, chemical, biological investigations, and a feasibility study 

 for a remote-controlled electronic sensing system that could assist regu- 

 lating agencies in detecting the location and dump status of waste dis- 

 posal vessels operating in the Bight. Circulation patterns were estimated 

 from data obtained by current meters and by seabed and surface drifters. 

 Chemical analyses were made of the concentration of phosphorus (ortho, 

 organic, meta, and total), nitrate, total iron, dissolved oxygen, and 

 chlorophyl-a in water samples. Temperature, salinity, turbidity and pH 

 were measured. Sediment samples were analyzed for organic content and the 

 heavy metals, copper, chromium, lead, silver, nickel and zinc. Selected 

 biological samples were analyzed for heavy metals and mercury. Biological 

 investigations included studies of benthic meiofauna and macrofauna, zoo- 

 plankton, finfish and bacteria. The studies include basic data related to 

 the disposal of sewage sludge, dredge spoils and acid-iron wastes, and have 

 helped provide a more detailed environmental description of the Bight dump- 

 ing grounds and adjacent areas. The findings of these and other related 

 studies are presented and analyzed in this report in terms of impact on 

 ecology, water quality, and total environmental effects, 



FOREWORD 



Large quantities of dredge spoil, sewage sludge, and industrial 

 wastes are dumped in federally designated areas of the New York Bight. 

 Because of the frequency and quantity of disposal, the impact of ocean 

 dumping on the marine environment was suspected to be significant. Con- 

 cern over the environmental effects of waste disposal in the New York 

 Bight prompted the Corps of Engineers to study offshore disposal activi- 

 ties. Long-term interdisciplinary investigations would be required to 

 assess the long-term effects. However, interim studies of limited scope 

 could provide guidance for a later comprehensive research program into 

 the effects of dumping, a more detailed environmental description of the 

 ocean dumping grounds, and determination of the distribution of waste 

 materials in the Bight. CERC was instructed by OCE to contract studies 

 to acquire the data necessary to permit such an assessment. The Smith- 

 sonian " Institution, under contract with CERC, provided a plan outlining 

 the elements of study and identified institutions qualified for all or 

 part of this interdisciplinary investigation. To partly implement the 

 program recommended by the Smithsonian Institution, CERC has (since 1967) 

 contracted research studies with Sandy Hook Laboratory (SHL) of the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service for interdisciplinary ecological studies 

 of the dumping grounds, and with the Marine Sciences Research Center of 

 the State University of New York at Stony Brook (SUNNY, SB) to undertake 

 chemical studies of sewage sludge and dredge spoil deposits. A second 

 contract with the Smithsonian Institution provided for a Scientific 



