concentration o£ waste materials, mass input rates, and pertinent bio- 

 logical, chemical and physical characteristics. Finally, this model 

 would help provide specific answers to such problems as long term accumu- 

 lation and equilibrium, and would help assess alternate plans for the im- 

 provement and maintenance of water quality in the Bight area (SAC, 1972). 



In siommary, the extent of dispersion and movement of waste materials 

 in the Bight is closely related to water circulation. Water circulation 

 studies, such as those by SHL, using surface and bottom drifters are 

 useful in indicating only the onshore component of net water transport 

 and cannot be correlated effectively to isotropic dispersion, seasonal 

 variances, or tranport mechanisms of waste materials. Similarly, drifter 

 studies cannot help in quantifying dispersion of wastes or be correlated 

 to water quality without considering travel time and degree of dilution 

 of wastes. The apparent absence of a thick waste layer in the present 

 dumping grounds suggests rapid degradation and assimilation of the 

 organic constituents of the waste or a mechanism of transport operates for 

 both organic and inorganic fractions. Lateral dispersion of the waste 

 materials occurs to the north and to the south of the dumping grounds is 

 evidenced from the distribution of carbon and heavy metals in the sedi- 

 ments. The quantities, if any, of the fine waste materials which may 

 reach the shore are not known with certainty. Their degree of dilution 

 is such that no significant adverse effects on coastal water quality are 

 expected. 



Chemical data indicate that waste materials are transported downward 

 into the upper part of the Hudson Gorge. The quantities of waste material 

 moving downward have not been determined. Bottom currents and gravity- 

 induced turbidity currents may be transport agents. Better knowledge of 

 the bottom and surface circualtion of this area is required to determine 

 the dispersion patterns and the ultimate fate of waste materials in the 

 Bight. 



2. Effects of Ocean Dumping on Water and Sediment Characteristics 



It is difficult to assess the possible effects of ocean dumping on 

 water and sediment quality because of the interrelation of the many key 

 variables. A change in the concentration of any variable, may lead to 

 subsequent change in many others in an attempt to restore chemical equili- 

 brium. Similarly, biological cycles may affect many of the water and 

 sediment quality variables in a non-linear and unpredictable fashion. 



It must suffice in this report to discuss only those water and sediment 

 quality parameters that may be most readily affected by ocean dumping, and 

 to compare them with desired water quality conditions or with natural or 

 original characteristics of the undisturbed marine environment. Water 

 quality criteria are based upon scientific determinations of the specific 

 characteristics of water which would permit the appropriate uses agreed 

 upon by the States and the Environmental Protection Agency. At present, 

 these criteria are based on existing information, but are subject to 

 change, review, and improvement as additional knowledge is obtained. 



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