(a) Benthic fauna in the immediate area of the dumping grounds is 

 directly affected by the dumping activities. The reduced number of 

 animals suggest that ocean dumping may have an adverse impact principally 

 on the meiofaunal communities of the dumping grounds which are food 

 resources for some marine fishes. Some benthic communities are affected 

 primarily by suffocation due to burial from the constant shower of waste 

 materials, and by reduction of the dissolved oxygen concentration of 

 bottom waters resulting from the wastes biochemical oxygen demand. The 

 economic and ecological importance of benthic communities in the area 

 have been difficult to assess. On the basis of data obtained, it is 

 concluded that higher concentrations of pollutants may destroy the meio-r 

 fauna, and that meiofaunal animals are not indefinitely insensitive to 

 environmental deterioration. On the basis of present knowledge, however, 

 the relationship cannot be quantified. 



(b) No short-term adverse effects have been observed on free float- 

 ing or swimming marine organisms. No effects were observed on zooplankton 

 species composition and distribution. Reported inhibition in the growth 

 of phytoplankton has not been substantiated. Similarly no apparent 

 adverse effects on fish abundance or species diversity were observed, but 

 due to physical limitations on sampling, such investigations are consider- 

 ed inconclusive. 



(c) Coliform bacteria were found in high concentrations in the immedi- 

 ate area of the dumping grounds. The pattern of distribution of such 

 bacteria generally corresponded with that of heavy metals and organic 

 materials in the sediments. The possibility of pathogenic damage to fin- 

 fish, shell fish, and other important species, carries important impli- 

 cations requiring additional extensive field and laboratory investigations. 

 In view of the possible human hazard that could result from eating seafood 

 that may carry pathogens, it is recommended that studies of pathogenic 

 bacteria in the New York Bight be given high priority. 



(d) The adverse biological effects of heavily polluted dredge spoils 

 may be more severe than those of sewage sludge. 



(e) The long-term biological effects of toxic materials remain un- 

 determined. 



The biological studies, although comprehensive in some respects, have 

 not answered many questions. The limited program of data collection has 

 not permitted the statistical treatment necessary for the evaluation and 

 quantification of the ecologic effects resulting from ocean dumping. The 

 absence of ecological base-line data, the long history of disposal 

 activities, and uncertainty concerning specific criteria for assessing 

 adverse biological effects, in addition to the limited funding provided 

 for these studies, have mitigated against drawing specific conclusions. 



Comprehensive Conclusions - The studies supported by CERC generated 

 valuable data related to the disposal of sewage sludge, dredge spoils, 

 and acid-iron wastes, and have helped provide a more detailed and accurate 



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