Long-Term Impact of Dredged Material Disposal in Lake Erie off Ashtabula, Ohio.
Abstract
Material dredged from Ashtabula Harbor and River in 1975 and 1976 was placed at three Lake Erie disposal sites. The disposal operations were studied during the Dredged Material Research Program, 1973-1978. This report discusses animal, sediment, and water samples obtained from the three disposal sites and two nearby reference areas in 1979. Sediment characteristics, benthic animals, and mercury and cadmium levels were studied. Disposal sites contained more gravel and sand than the reference sites which were predominantly silt (58 per cent) and clay (33 percent). Disposal areas contained approximately 26 percent sand compared to 9 percent for the reference areas. A number of large (macrofauna) and small (meiofauna) benthic animals were found at both disposal and reference areas. In general, more macrofaunal animals and a greater variety of species were found at the reference areas. Sediment analyses showed the reference or control areas contained higher levels of mercury (0.9 microgram) compared to the disposal areas (0.7 microgram). For cadmium, the opposite was true. There were higher cadmium levels at the disposal areas. The differences were not statistically significant. Data obtained in 1979 are discussed in relation to the earlier studies conducted in 1975 and 1976.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA146720
Entities
People
- K. J. Salamon
Organizations
- Weston Solutions (United States)