harmful from harmless or inert organic compounds. The data obtained by 

 SHL on the petrochemicals and pesticide contents in the waste sediments 

 are statistically insufficient, and can only be regarded as preliminary 

 observations from which conclusive evidence cannot be drawn (SAC, 1972). 

 Future research should focus on identifying organic groups and determin- 

 ing the toxicity, residence time, degradation and uptake of some of their 

 hazardous components. 



j. Bacteria. Data on bacteria distribution were presented in the 

 sections dealing with the biological characteristics of the Bight and 

 effects of dumping on ecology. Additional discussion of this important 

 environmental factor is given here as it relates to criteria for water 

 and sediment quality. 



Presently EPA gives permissible coliform levels of 10,000 per 100 ml 

 and fecal coliform levels of 2,000 per 100 ml. Desirable criteria levels 

 are given as 100 per 100 ml for coliform groups and 20 per 100 ml for 

 fecal coliform groups (EPA, 1972) . These microbiological limits are 

 monthly arithmetic averages based on many samples. EPA, in its Water 

 Quality Criteria report, states that "total coliform limits may be re- 

 laxed if fecal coliform concentration does not exceed the specified limit." 

 The New York bacteria criteria are established by the State's public 

 health agency, and vary depending on the use of the water body. No 

 reference could be found in the criteria for offshore waters. The State 

 of New Jersey designates the ocean area beyond 1,500 feet from the coast 

 as a secondary contact recreation area, and its permissible fecal 

 coliforms geometric mean is given as 200 per 100 ml (EPA, 1972) . 



Most bacteria in nature are essential to the marine environment, but 

 pathogenic bacteria are potentially hazardous to the health of marine 

 organisms. Bacteria, as the foundation of the food chain, are essential 

 to life processes. Bacteria may act as ant i -pollutant agents in breaking 

 down and degrading organic matter. In sewage treatment plants certain 

 bacteria are cultured for the purpose of breaking down wastes. 



Bacteria can be grouped into two major classes; aerobic bacteria 

 that need free oxygen and anaerobic bacteria that thrive in its absence. 

 Pollutants such as sewage sludge or dredge spoils dumped into the marine 

 environment can promote the abundance of Saprophytes. The dumping of 

 nutrients, such as those contained in sewage sludge, and other oxygen- 

 demanding wastes can create favorable conditions for the growth of 

 anaerobic bacteria resulting in the death of aerobic organisms. This is 

 true for estuaries and other closed bodies of water where oxygen cannot 

 be adequately replenished by circulation; it is not likely in an open 

 marine environment such as the Bight. 



No data could be found in the literature for Saprophytes or other 

 aerobic or anaerobic bacteria in the Bight. The emphasis of all in- 

 vestigations was on total coliform or fecal coliform bacteria, because 

 of the associated health hazards. As mentioned earlier, fecal coliform 

 bacteria are used as indicators of the possible presence of pathogens in 



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