EVALUATION OF THE PROBLEM POSED BY IN-PLACE POLLUTANTS IN BALTIMORE HARBOR AND RECOMMENDATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION

Previous studies had indicated that Baltimore harbor is heavily polluted. To assess the impact of in-place pollutants on the harbor, the Contractor sampled and analyzed bottom sediments, the water column, and the interstitial water, using bulk sediment analyses, elutriate tests, and bioassays. On the basis of the results of this investigation, it is possible to divide the harbor into four zones; highly toxic, moderately toxic, low toxicity, and slightly toxic. The biota are being stressed by in-place pollutants. Benthic organisms suffer the greatest damage, the intensity varying with the location in the zones of toxicity. Pelagic species are damaged to a lesser extent. Although feasible corrective actions do exist, they would offer only a temporary solution. A permanent solution involves the corrective action plus elimination of pollutant discharges into the harbor.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • A companion report, EPA 440/5-77-05a, contains the appendices and details of the testing and analysis.
• Corporate Authors:

  Trident Engineering Associates, Incorporated

  48 Maryland Avenue
  Annapolis, MD  United States  21401
• Publication Date: 1977-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 78 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bioassay; Dredging; Harbors; Pollutants; Pollution; Port operations; Toxicity; Water pollution
• Old TRIS Terms: Environmental surveys (Water pollution); Harbor pollution; Port pollution
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168228
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA 440/5-77-015b Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 68-01-1965
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 1978 12:00AM