| Abstract |
Evaluations of waste disposal practices and treatment needs were made at 26 Alaskan seafood processing facilities. Water quality studies were conducted at 15 of these facilities in three geographical areas -- Bristol Bay, Alaska Peninsula, and Southeast Alaska. The results of this investigation indicated that scouring and dispersion by tides was the determining factor in the degree of treatment required. Dispersion is adequate to prevent deposits of discharged solids, and the water quality problems associated with such deposits, where (1) outfalls are situated in fast-moving tidal areas, (2) outfalls are submerged below lower low water, and (3) the wastes are ground before discharge. Bottom deposits and resultant water quality problems were observed where wastes were discharged ground or unground in quiescent or shallow waters, on the beaches, or unground to tidal areas. Considering the enormous tidal volumes, the measurement of the dissolved oxygen was of no consequence. |
