ABSTRACT 



A review of ecological effects of offshore dredging is presented, based on literature 

 review and personal contacts, to provide a framework for determination of need for 

 further knowledge. In general, little concrete effort aimed specifically at the determination 

 of effects of offshore dredging was uncovered, although basic ecological works that are 

 generally applicable are available. Much additional research of basic, but practical, 

 orientation is needed to approach full understanding. 



Report shows that the beach may be divided into three zones on the basis of moisture 

 and biota found, and describes the possible effects on these biota resulting from offshore 

 dredging and deposition of sediments on a beach. 



Background descriptive material and impacts on both offshore dredged areas and 

 nourished beaches, and suggestions for further research follow. A selected bibliography is 

 included. 



FOREWORD 



This report, the first of a series, was prepared as a part of the Coastal Engineering 

 Research Center (CERC) research program on the ecological effects of dredging sand from 

 offshore borrow areas for beach nourishment and erosion control. It resulted from a 

 literature search and state of knowledge study carried out by the University of Southern 

 Mississippi under Contract No. DACW-72-71-C-0001 with CERC. 



The author is Dr. John R. Thompson, Professor of Biology at the University of 

 Southern Mississippi, who has been a marine environmental consultant to CERC on the 

 ecological effects of offshore dredging. 



At the time of publication, Lieutenant Colonel Don S. McCoy was Director of CERC; 

 Thorndike Saville, Jr. was Technical Director. 



NOTE: Comments on this publication are invited. 



This report is published under authority of Public Law 166, 79th Congress, approved 

 31 July 1945, as supplemented by Public Law 172, 88th Congress, approved 7 November 

 1963. 



