gammarid amphipods. 



The SHL conclusion stating that "The central portions of the disposal 

 areas contain almost no normal macrofauna," cannot be supported. Exami- 

 nation of SHL data summarized in Tables 12, 14, and 15 does not support 

 this conclusion. The number of species within presumed affected areas 

 for example, shown in Table 12, varied from 23 (Station 82) to 38 

 (Station 70). (Fig. 39). Outside the disposal sites, the number of 

 species varied from 23 (Station 42) to 56 (Station 38) . Within the 

 central part of the sludge dumping area, station 59 had 31 species and 

 station 70 had 38 species. 



The lack of statistical analyses of the abundance of amphipods for 

 stations within and outside the dumping grounds, as summarized in Table 

 14, precludes the possibility of interpretation of these data, or the 

 conclusion that "normal" fauna is lacking in the disposal areas (SAC, 1972) 

 Similarly, there are no quantitative data in the SHL report indicating 

 that any station sampled is "devoid of life" at all times (SAC, 1972). 



The SHL survey because of an inadequate sampling grid did not deter- 

 mine the distribution and abundance of the ocean quahog or other com- 

 mercially valuable resources such as surf clam, lobster and rock clam. 

 Because of the limited sampling and lack of statistical analyses the SAC 

 review found the studies of macrofauna inconclusive. 



According to the SHL report, adult crabs found on the disposal 

 grounds were frequently diseased or near death. Since the disposal 

 grounds are in the path of crabs and lobsters which frequently migrate 

 from inshore to offshore waters, SHL concluded that waste disposal may 

 result in mortality of these larger crustaceans. Mortality of these 

 animals was attributed to the fouling and necrosis of their gill tissues 

 which decreased the respiratory surface area, and to the low oxygen con- 

 centrations in the bottom water. 



In an effort to simulate real life conditions, and determine histologi- 

 cal changes, moribund crabs and lobsters collected from the dumping areas 

 were used by SHL for controlled laboratory experiments using substrata of 

 sediments similarly obtained from the dumping grounds. These animals 

 developed ulcers and shell erosions. Other effects included fouling of 

 the gills with granular material, a dark coating of the exoskeleton, and 

 erosion of the chitinous covering of the filaments with subsequent 

 necrosis of the living tissues. Eroded tissues of the animals appeared 

 brittle, and on occasion surface layers appeared to be broken. It 

 should be noted that these effects were observed for animals in the 

 laboratory and not for animals under natural conditions. 



b. Effects on Finfishes . SHL assessed the effects of sewage 

 sludge on groundfish, and found certain bottom dwelling finfishes 

 frequent the area of the sewage sludge dump in all seasons and feed on 

 dumped waste. It concluded that, because of such feeding, a heavy -metal 

 concentration has taken place in the tissues of some fish. 



