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DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF SITE-SPECIFIC CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING NEW BEDFORD HARBOR PILOT DREDGING PROJECT
Citation:
Nelson, W. AND D.J. Hansen. DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF SITE-SPECIFIC CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING NEW BEDFORD HARBOR PILOT DREDGING PROJECT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-91/029 (NTIS PB91182329).
Description:
Numerical site-specific chemical and biological criteria were established to assess the impact of a pilot dredging project on water quality at the New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, USA, Superfund site. ecause most existing chemical concentrations in the water column and indigenous biota exceeded federal and state water quality limits, the derivation of site-specific criteria was required. rior to any operational phases of the project (i.e., dike construction, dredging), criteria values were developed from background concentrations of PCBs and metals in water and biota, as well as for the toxic effects of water quality on the biota. uring each operational phase of the project, water samples were collected, analyzed within 16 h. and the data supplied to a management committee in order to assess the environmental impact oc the previous days operations. he ambient unfiltered water concentration of PCBs and metals were the only chemical or biological criteria exceeded. odification of the next days' operations resulted in a return of these concentrations to background levels. he combined use of site-specific criteria and a real-time decision making management process allowed for successful completion of this project with a minimal effect on water quality.