Acidity in the natural marine environment is caused by carbon dioxide, 

 mineral acids, weakly disassociated acids, and the salts of strong acids 

 and weak bases. Alkalinity on the other hand is caused by strong bases 

 and the salts of strong alkalies and weak acids. In natural waters, the 

 pH falls in a range between 6.5 and 8.5, but it is sometimes increased by 

 photosynthesis . 



The permissible pH range for the coastal waters of New York and New 

 Jersey, according to water quality criteria (EPA, 1972), should be from 

 6.5 to 8.5. The pH range observed in the vicinity of the dumping grounds 

 of the N. Y. Bight, ranges from 7.10 to 8.40, and does not exceed the pre- 

 scribed limits. The only drop in pH would be observed in the waters of 

 the acid dumping grounds, immediately after an acid dump. The low pH 

 value in this area would occur for brief periods. As discussed earlier, 

 Redfield and Walford (1951) , have shown that the pH of the water from the 

 wake of an acid dumping barge was above 6.0 in all samples collected more 

 than 3 minutes after dumping and a pH of 7 was reached about 3.5 minutes 

 after diomping, 



c. Turbidity . The National Technical Committee (NTAC) of EPA has not 

 set limits on turbidity for oceanic bodies. For lakes, NTAC recommends 

 that turbidity in the receiving water due to a discharge should not exceed 

 25 JTU (Jackson Turbidity Units) in warm water lakes, and 10 JTU in cold 

 or oligotrophic lakes. No provision for turbidities has been included in 

 the water quality standards of the States of New York or New Jersey. 



Turbidity within the dumping area of the Bight is caused by fine sus- 

 pended matter such as clay, silt, and finely divided organics from sewage 

 sludge, and dredge spoils. In addition, disposal of acid wastes in the 

 acid dumping grounds results in a ferric hydroxide floe, observed as a 

 stain in the waters, which also increases turbidity. This material even- 

 tually settles to the bottom or is rapidly dispersed. A decrease in tur- 

 bidity would be observed for the waters of the dumping area were it not for 

 the continuous dumping. Turbidity would be expected to vary over the short 

 term, depending on the quantities being dumped, frequency of dumping, and 

 local and seasonal weather conditions. Over the long-term, turbidity would 

 be expected to become static. Static turbidity conditions in the dumping 

 grounds and adjacent areas, would reduce light penetration into the water 

 and result in a reduction of photosynthesis by phytoplankton organisms and 

 attached or submerged vegetation. This effect on primary productivity has 

 not been quantified for the disposal areas of the Bight, but it does not 

 appear to be significant. Other environmental variables such as nutrient 

 addition, may be partially compensating for the loss in primary preductivity 

 due to turbidity. Turbidity associated with ocean dumping does not appear- 

 to have an adverse lasting effect on the sediment and water quality of the 

 Bight. Possible adverse effects on marine benthic life are discussed in a 

 subsequent section of this report. 



d. Dissolved Solids . The water quality criteria report of EPA (1972) 

 recommends that dissolved solid concentrations in the water should not 



