The Challenge
In support of upcoming maintenance dredging, the potential dredged material required characterization to determine whether it was suitable for open ocean disposal under Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. Part of that characterization included determining whether the sediments would be toxic to the organisms living at the disposal site, as well as determining the risk of bioaccumulation of contaminants up the food chain.
Our Solution
Spheros Environmental tested 16 sediment samples from throughout the area to be dredged to determine toxicity to two sediment dwelling organisms (amphipod, polychaete worm) and three water column dwelling species (fish, mysid shrimp, mussel). Two sediment dwelling species (clam, polychaete) were also exposed to determine uptake of contaminants that could pass up the food chain to cause effects on both marine organisms and humans.
Subcontractor
Results +What makes this unique
Results indicated that toxicity limits would not be exceeded at the sea floor. The safest conditions to prevent toxicity to the water column organisms during disposal were also determined. Tissue contaminant loads did not exceed FDA limits for human consumption or levels detrimental to organisms. The results aided in the determination that the sediments were suitable for ocean disposal, which saved the ultimate clients the expense of alternative disposal methods.
Project Experts
