quantify dispersion of wastes or correlate to water quality without con- 

 sidering the wastes' travel time and degree of dilution. The absence of 

 a thick waste layer in the present dumping grounds, indicated by the few 

 cores which were taken, suggests rapid degradation and assimilation of 

 the organic constituents of the waste, or lateral transport, or a down- 

 slope transport into the upper parts of the Hudson Canyon. Improved know- 

 ledge of the bottom and surface water circulation of this area, and use 

 of tracers will be required to determine the dispersion patterns and the 

 ultimate fate of waste materials dumped in the New York Bight. 



Effects on Sediment and Water Characteristics - Chemical studies 

 provided data on the concentrations of important chemical substances in 

 the sediments and waters of the Bight dumping grounds and adjacent areas. 

 Determinations were made of the concentrations of phosphorus (ortho, 

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

 chlorophyll-a in water samples. Temperature, salinity, turbidity and 

 pH were measured. Sediment samples were analyzed for heavy metals and 

 organic content. 



The chemical studies determined that waste disposal results in an 

 increase in the nutrient concentration of the waters of the dumping 

 grounds and that the biochemical oxygen demand of the wastes during 

 summer reduces the dissolved oxygen concentration of bottom waters. 

 The studies defined areas with high carbonaceous content in the sediments, 

 and correlated such carbon-rich deposits with sewage and dredge spoils 

 dumped in the area, and with anomalously high concentration of heavy 

 metals such as silver, chromium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. 



Within the dumping grounds, concentrations of heavy metals exceeded 

 background values in other regions of the New York Bight. Heavy metal 

 concentrations greater than background were similarly found along the 

 upper part of the Hudson Canyon indicating movement of waste material 

 by bottom currents. Chemical studies conducted to date, although 

 qualitatively useful, can be regarded as preliminary. 



Variations between studies in the estimates of the size and shape of 

 the waste-affected areas are attributed to different criteria used, 

 limitations of sampling, and differences in analytical procedures. The 

 data which have been produced, however, will be useful for further in- 

 vestigations. On the basis of present data, it can be concluded, at 

 least in qualitative terms, that ocean dumping has changed the chemical 

 characteristics of the waters and sediments of the dumping grounds and 

 adjacent areas, and that concentrations of certain parameters, especially 

 heavy metals, bacteria and organics exceed permissible limits. The 

 adverse effect is more pronounced near the bottom-sea interface. 



Effects on Regional Ecology - Benthic meiofauna and macrofauna, 

 zooplankton, finfish and bacteria were studied. These studies reached 

 the following general conclusions: 



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