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CONSTRUCTION OF A REGIONAL RELATIONAL/GIS DATABASE IN SUPPORT OF OCEAN DISPOSAL ISSUES IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY
Citation:
Carey, D., D. Keith, J. Schoenherr, AND P. Matthias. CONSTRUCTION OF A REGIONAL RELATIONAL/GIS DATABASE IN SUPPORT OF OCEAN DISPOSAL ISSUES IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/A-93/205 (NTIS PB93229706), 1992.
Description:
All geographic information system (GIS) databases rely on locational information and derive much of their power and utility from their ability to efficiently manipulate and place complex data in space and time. undamental constraint on these systems is the accuracy of the locational data that is used as the primary key. his constraint is particularly acute, and widely ignored, in oceanographic datasets. o permit compilation of regional relational databases from many sources and comparison of data, it is necessary to define the range of accuracy of locational information in all GIS databases. ithin Massachusetts Bay, a number of areas have been used as disposal sites for permitted and possible non-permitted dumping of radioactive and hazardous wastes. he human and environmental risks associated with these disposal practices are directly related to the location, contents and conditions of discrete waste containers. his resource management problem is being addressed with GIS techniques that allow the integration of a variety of data from several sources into a single, integrated relational database/GIS. his relational database will then be used as a tool for the comprehensive evaluation of source characterization and extent of contamination during public health and ecological risk assessments. he first step in developing the relational database/GIS is compiling information on the location and condition of suspected waste containers. uring December 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored a survey in the general vicinity of the Boston Lightship Dumping Ground in Massachusetts Bay. his disposal site, located 16 nm east of Boston (Fig. 1), received an unknown number of hazardous and low level radioactive waste containers and materials including construction debris and sunken vessels, between 1940 and 1976. urvey operations were conducted onboard the OSV Peter W. Anderson to determine the identity, location and the condition of waste containers disposed within the survey area.