Esturaine Ecological Risk Assessment for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. Phase. 1. Problem Formulation.
Abstract
An ecological risk assessment framework was applied to assess the ecological risk of the operations of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery, ME, on the Piscataqua River and Great Bay Estuary located in NH and ME. Measures of contamination and biological impact were made on samples collected in depositional areas (eelgrass beds) at sites in the immediate vicinity of the Shipyard and at reference sites located in the Estuary and the York River, ME. Data were collected on sediment texture, sediment toxicity to benthic amphipeds. Water quality parameters, watercolumn toxicity to sea urchin gametes, microbial contaminants in sediment and water samples, current patterns, deployed mussel physiology, chemical contamination in sediment, tissue (mussels, oysters, eelgaass, fucoid algae, lobster, and flounder) and water samples, and organic chemical markers. Eelgrass, fucoid algae, lobster, flounder, musseL and benthic habitats were assessed in the lower estuary. Although impoftant ecological resources in the estuary appear to be healthy, indications of ecological stress were identified. Results from chemical analyses showed that lead. mercury, nickel, zinc, chromium, and, to a lesser degree, polychlorinated biphenyls are contaminants of concern in the estuary. Results were used to determine appropriate follow-on investigations to characterize risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA292112
Entities
People
- Frederick T. Short
- Henry A. Walker
- Lesley J. Mills
- Robert K. Johnston
- Wayne R. Munns Jr.
Organizations
- Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center