Document VGbV059BdV7zrBo7JJba5J94N

TOO medium with minimum requirements of water quality. The major eone!deration l that the water aeltily be lelitlvely low to prevent corrosion of equipment. However, many operatloni require use of large quan tities of water with. quality requirement! relating to Impurity, type, anti level. These operations are (Votit flotation, mine dump leaching, and secondary oil re* cowry. 1 Water quality requirements needed for the manufacture of cement ere minimal, the document said. The major consideration is the alkali content of process water. Water Resources NAS SAVfl KNOWLEOGE OF LOCALITIES ESSENTIAL TO APPLICATION OF STANDARDS Knowledge of local environmental conditions Is es* rntial prior to application of any water quality recom mendations for marine equate life and wildlife, according to a National Academy of Sciences* draft of "Water Quality Criteria - 1972" (Environment Reporter, August 10, p. 588 and August 17, p. 669). The NAS document dealt with maintenance of the matins ecosystem, fisheries, aquaculture, wildlife pro* lection, and waste disposal. In developing ictommendi* lions, NAS also considered the effects of transportation, harbor development, dredging, and dumping of spoils. NAS said application of recommendations to a local situation Is unique, because it requires an understanding of the circulation of water and the resultant mixing and dilution of pollutants, a knowledge of biological species, and determination of the most sensitive species, end ait evaluation of the transport of materials through the food web. ' Water Quality Chengs The introduction of chemical compound or a change kt Ihe physical environment can affect e natural marine ecosystem in several ways, the report said. These changes include a reduction in the input of solar energy into the ecosystem, an increase In the input ofoiganic matter and nutrients (hat might stimulate growth of undesirable species, and e reduction in the availability of nutrients by increased sorption and sedimentation. Changes also can create intolerable physical extremes for some organisms, kill or reduce the suocess of In* dividual organtams, eliminate species, reduce species diver* slty, decrease biomass, or Increeie biomew. Fisheries General requirements for water quality in reiation to successful fisheries include favorable environmental con ditions at every location, which Is required in the life history of each species; freedom from tainting substances; absence of toxic conditions or substances; and absence of uibleths! deleterious conditions. Funher, (here should be water sufficient to maintain Ihe health of the biological systems, which support useful species, and absence of environmental conditions, which are exceptionally favorable to parasites, predators, and compciiton of woeful species. ENVIRONMENi't reporter Aquarultuve Aquaculture is heavily dependent on high water quali ty, according to the NAS report. General recommendations for the quality of water for use In culture include continuously adequate control of those materials and conditions, which are required for good health and efficient production of the species and absence of deleterious chemical and physical conditions. Other recommendations included environmental stabili ty and prevention of introduction of diseases. NAS said specific requirements for each culture effort must he with reference to the species involved, the densities desired, end the operational design of the culture system. NAS said It Is difficult to assess the potential yield from marine aquaculture, dependent as it is on a primitive art undergoing rapid technological development. However, introduction of present methods Into new, undeveloped parts of the world could at least double the piesanl harvest within the next 1C yean, the report said. Marina WHdllfa NAS said its recommendations lor marine wildlife include all criteria formulated to protect fish, inver tebrate, and plant communities because wOdtlfe can only be adequately protected, If the diversity and integrity of food webs are maintained. Further, these recommenda tions must protect wildlife from pollutants (hat are relatively persistent in the environment, transported by wind or water currents, and concentrated or recycled in food webs. The report said the recommendations to protect wild life dependent on fresh water ecosystems also may apply to estuaries. NAS said it is not practical to make recommendation! for the relatively persistent organic pollutants baaed on water concentrations, especially when partition coef ficients are unknown. Therefore, recommendations for the toxic oiganic compounds that are trophically accumulated by marine wildlife are based on concentrations In Ssh. NAS recommendations for marine wildlife are m fol lows: In the absence of data indicating that radionuclides released by human activities are accumulated by wildlife species, recommendations established for marine fish aod invertebrates also should apply to wildlife. In the absence of data indicating that heavy metals are present in marine wildlife in concentrations above natural levels, recommendations formulated to protect other marine organisms should apply. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in any sample consisting of homogenate of 25 or more whole fish of any species that is consumed by fish-eating birds and mammals, within the tame size range as the fish con sumed, should be no greater than .5 milligram per kilo gram (mg/kg) of the wet weight. DDT concentrations in any sample consisting of a homogenate of 25 or more fish of reiy specks (hat is consumed by fish-eating birds and mammals, within the same alee range as the fish consumed, mould be no greater than 50 mJcrograma/kg of (he wet weight. The sum of the concentrations of aldrfn, dkldrin. Envir*fMMM R*prtr HONS 083204 CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS 701 endrin, md heptachfor In any sample consisting of a homogenate of 25 01 mow whole Mi of my species that Is consumed by Ash-eating birds end mammals, within ihe fee ranfe consumed* by any bird or mammal, should be no treater than five mfcrogrami/kf of the wet weight The concentration of any chlorinated hydrocarbons, Includint lindane, chioidsne, endosulfan, melhoxychior, mirex, toxaphene, and hexacidorobeniene, In any sample consisting of a homogenate of 2S ot more whole fish of any species that Is consumed by ftih-eating birds and mvnmalt, within the size range that Is consumed by any bltd ot mrenma), should be no greaier than 50 micro* grams/kg of the wat weight. To reduce the incidence of lead poisoning fresh water and marine waterfowl, NAS recommended that nontoxie shot be used or that no further lead diot be introduced into tones of shot deposition if lead shot concentrations exceed one shot per four square feel In the top two Indies of sediment. ' NAS said the characteristics of a receiving body of water must be considered when evaluating the effects of any pollutant upon the environment. Mixing Zones The report said that miring cones should be considered on a cue-by-case basis, because each proposed site In* velvet a unique set of pertinent considerations. These include the nature, quantity, and concentration of ef> fturot material; the physical, chemical, and bloiogicd characteristics of the mixing area and receiving waters; and Ihe desired uses of (he waters. However, the academy's general recommendation wai that the total ttme*toxicity exposure history should not cause deleterious effects In affected populations of lmportent species. Including the post-exposure effects. - Categories of Pollutants For temperature, NAS aaid the recommendations in* eluded In the report on hash water q>pear to be valid for estuarine and marine waters as well. However, additional studies are needed on the temperature tolerances of species directly involved. Inorganics The NAS recommendations for inorganic chemicals, Including heavy metals and pH are as follows: The norma) range of pit in either direction should not be extended by more than .2 units. Within the normal range, the pH should not vary by more than .5 unit. Addition of foreign material should not drop the pH below (.S or raise it above S.5. - An application factor of .01 should be applied to marine 96-hour lethal concentration (LCis, median) data for the appropriate organisms most sensitive to sluminum. Concentrations of aluminum exceeding 1.5 milligrams per titer (mg/I) constitute a hazard end concentrations less than .2 mg/I present minimal risk of deleterious effects. An application factor of .1 should be spiled to marine 96-hour LC* data for the qpproprtete organisms most sensftfve to ammonia. Concentrations of un*loned am* monla aquri to or exceeding .4 mg/I constitute hazard and concentrations less than .0) mg/I present mbiimtl risk of deleterious effects. An ^plication factor of .02 should be applied to marine 96-hour LC* dele for the appropriate organisms most sensitive to antimony. Concentrations of antimony equal to or exceeding .2 mg/t constitute a hazard. Data are not available for recommending a concentration which would present minimal risk of deleterious effects. An application factor of .0) mould be applied lo marine ,96-hour LCn data for the appropriate organisms most sensitive to arsenic. Concentrations of arsenic equal to or exceeding .05 mg/I constitute a hazard and concen trations less than .01 mg/l present minimal risk of deleter ious effects. An application fectot of .OS mould be applied to marine 96-hour LCn data for the appropriate organisms most sensitive to barium. Concentrations of barium equal to or exceeding one mg/l constitute*# hazard and concen trations leu than .5 mg/l present minima) risk of deleter ious effects. An application factor of .01 should be applied lo marine 96-hour LC data for the appropriate otganiant most sensitive to beryllium. Concentrations of beryfount equal lo or exceeding I.S mg/l constitute a huard and concentrations leu than .1 mg/l present minimal risk of deleterious effects. Concentrations of boron equal to or exceeding Ave mg/l constitute a hazard and concentrations ten than Ave mg/l present minimal risk of deleterious effects. An ^plication factor of .1 was recommended for boron compounds applied lo marine 96-hour LC* data for tea water. Free bromine In the marine environment dioutd not exceed .1 mg/l and ionic bromine in the form of bmmate should not exceed 100 mg/l. An application factor of .01 should be Replied to marine 96-hour LC> data for appropriate organisms most sensitive to cadmium. Concentrations of cadmium equal to or exceeding .01 mg/l constitute a hazard and concen trations leu than 2 microgram per titer present minimal risk of deleterious effects. In ihe presence of copper and/or zinc at one mg/l, the application factor for cadmium should be lower by at least one order of magnitude. Cadmium criteria for aquatic life rfrould also apply to wildlife. An application factor of .1 should be applied to marine^ 96-hour LC| data from sea water bioassays for the most sensitive species to be protected from chlorine. Free residual chlorine in sea water in excess of .01 mg/l can be hazardous to marine life. However, in Ihe ebsence of data, it is premature to advance recommendations. An application factor of XII dtould be applied to marine 96-hour LG data for the appropriate organisms most sensitive to chromium. Concentrations of chromium equal to or exceeding .1 mg/l constitute a hazard and concentrations lets than .05 mg/l present minimal risk of deleterious effects. In oyster areas, concentrations dtould be maintained at less than XM mg/l. An application factor of .01 should be applied to marine 96-hour L* data for the appropriate organisms most sensitive to copper. Concentrations of copper equal to or exceeding .05 mg/l constitute a hazard and concen trations less than .0! micrograms per liter preaenl minimal risk of deleterious effects. Cepyrlahr Iff) by TK* Borasu ( Mrt*nf Affalra, ln< 083205 HONS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER CrmHn An application factor ol . I should be applied to marine 96-hour IjCm data for the appropriate orfentama moil sensitive to cyanide. Concentrations of cyanide equal to or exceeding .01 mg/t constitute a heard and concentre- lions leas than .00S mg/l piesent minimal risk of deleter* tout effects. An application factor of .1 should be applied to marine 96-hour IjC|* data for the appropriate ogantaii most sensitive to thioride. Concentrations of Buoridc equal to or exceeding 1.9 mg/I constitute a hataid and concentra tions law than .5 mg/l present mlnbnal risk of deleterious effects. Concentrations qf Iron equal to or exceeding 3 mg/l constitute hacard and concentrations less Him .05 present minimal risk of deleterious effects. Concentrations of lead in sea water should not exceed .02 of the 96-hour LCI# fo* the most sensitive species and the 24-hour average concentration should not exceed .01 or the 96-hour LC#. Concentrations of lead equal to or exceeding .OS mg/l constitute a haaard and concentra tions lets than .01 mg/l present minimal risk of deleteri ous affects. Special efforts should be made to reduce lead oonoentrations even further in oyster-growing areas. An application fecior of .02 of the 96-hour for the organisms most sensitive to manganese was recom- ' mended. Concentrations of .) mg/l may constitute a hazard and concentrations of leu than .02 mg/l present minimal risk. Concentrations of mercury equal to or exceeding .10 micrograms per liter constitute a heard. Recommenda tions established to protect aquatic life and public water supplies also rfiould apply to wildlife. Concentrations of molybdenum In sea water should not exceed .05 of Ihd 96-hour LC* for the most sensitive species and the 24-hour average should not exceed ,02 of the 96-hour LC|f. An application factor of .02 should be spiled to 96-hour LCsa data on the o'ganlims most sensitive to nickel. Concentrations of nickel In excess of .1 mg/l would post a haaard and concentrations of .002 mg/l would pose minimal risk. An application factor of .01 should be applied to marine 96-hour LCS data fo.' the appropriate organisms most sensitive io elemental phosphorus. Concentrations equal to or exceeding one mlcrogram per liter constitute a haaard. . An application factor of .01 should be applied to marine 96-hour LC data for appropriate organisms most irnsltivt to selenium. Concentrations equal to or exceed- big .01 mg/l constitute a hazard and concentrations leu than .005 mg/l present minimal risk of deleterious effects. Concenliationi of silver In marine water should not xoeed .05 of the 96-hour IC for the most sensitive species. Concentrations equal lo or exceeding five micro grams per liter constitute a hazard and concentrations leu tilan one microgram per liter ptsent minimal risk. An application factor of .1 should be applied to marine 96-hout (Xu data for the appropriate organisms most v sensitive to sulfide. Concern rations equal to or exceeding .01 mg/l constitute a hazard and concentrations leu thm .005 mg/l present minimal risk, If the pH Is matnielned within a range of 6.5 to 8.5. Because of the chronic effect of long-term exposure of fish to thallium, tests should be conducted for at leaat 20 days on sensitive specks. Techniques should measure circulatory disturbances and other aublethal effects. Con centrations equal to or exceeding .1 mg/l constitute a hazard and concentrations ku than .05 mg/l present minimal risk. An application factor of .01 should be applied to marine 96-hour LC* data for the appropriate organisms moat sensitive to uranium. Concentrations equal lo or exceeding .5 mg/t constitute a hazard and concentrations ku than .1 mg/l present minimal risk. Concentrations of vanadium In sea water should not exceed .05 of the 96-hour LCu for the most sensitive specks. An application factor of .01 should be applied to marine 96-hour LCu data for the appropriate oiganhma most sensitive to zinc. Concentrations equal lo or exceed ing .1 mg/1 constitute a hazard and concentrations feta than .02 mg/l present minimal risk. Oil h. Ssa Water NAS said no oil or petroleum products that can be detected as a visible Aim, rheen, or discoloration of the surface, that can be detected by odor, that can casus tainting of fish or edible Invertebrates or danage the biota, or that can form an oil deposit on the shorts or bottom of the receiving body of water should be dis charged Into taluarine or coastal waters. Accidental releases of oil to the marine environment should be reclaimed or treated as expeditiously as pouiblc using procedures at ieuf equivalent to those provided Hi the 1970 National Contingency Plan. To protect marine wildlife, a monitoring program should follow long-term trends in petrokum ta< accumula tion in selected areas of the oceans, no oil exploration or drilling should be permitted within existing or proposed sanctuaries, parks, reserves or other protected areas, and oil exploration or drilling should not be conducted In a manner which could deleteriously affect species subject to Interstate or international agreements. To minimize damage to the marine biota, oil on the sea surface should be contained by booms and tecovered by uae of surface skimmers ot similar techniques and ott on beaches should be mechanically removed using straw, peat moss, or other appropriate techniques that will produce minimal adverse effects on the biota In the event of a tanker wreck, oil remaining in Die hulk should be off loaded. Failing recovery of oil from the sea surface or from a wrecked tanker, efforts should be made lo bum II in place. Dispersants of minimal possibk toxicity should be uaed only when necessary to avoid even greater ha/.ard to the environment. NAS did not recommend sinking of oil. NAS said the concentration of radioisotopes in sea water should be low enough so that the concentration in any marine specks will not exceed the Federal Radiation Council's radiation protection guides for oqanfems har vested for use as human food. This recommendation l baaed on the assumption that radiation concentrations, Environment Reporter 9 0 7 E 8 0 SNOW f * CURRENT DEVELOPMENT which tit acceptable at human food, vd not Injurs aquatic oqmiani, including wildlife. tnM(i and Nutrient! NAS said untreated or treated munklpri sewage dis charges should be recognized at a major source of toxic lubstaneei. Recommendations for these pollutants will limit the amount of sew%e affluent that can be dispersed Into estuaries. Reduced degradation rates of highly dis persed materials diould be considered If the effluent contains refractory o*snk material. NAS said that while undcgradable synthetic organk aesnpounds do not causa oxypsn depletion, they aan adversely effoet an ecosystem. Specific quantitative analyses diould be done to Identity and assess the abundance of these compounds. The addition of my organic waste to the marine environment diould be controlled to avoid decomposition whkh would reduce the oxygen content of the wster below limits recommended for oxygen. Further, neither otgsnk matter nor fertilizers should be added that will Induoe production of organk matter by normal biota to m extent causing ret Increase In foe siae of any neturd anoxk none In the deeper waters of an estuary. NAS taM the natural ratios of available nitrogen to total phosphorus should be evaluated under each condi tion and die element actually limiting plant production diould be deteiminrd. Dtopoed of sludge Into coastal waters should be recognized as i temporary practice, became such dumping can adversely affect aquatic organisms. NAS said disposal of oqanlc wretes Into the deep sea Is not recommended until farther studies or their fete, on their effect on fauna, and on the controllability of such a procedure have been conducted. The study said that disposal of waste materials at sea should be controlled. Disposal diould be permitted only when reasonable evidence Is presented that die proposed action will not seriously damage the marine biota, biter fere with Sriwrits operations or other urea of tha marina environment, or cause hazards to human health and welfare. . Dredging In connection with dredging operations or other phyikd modifkatlcn of harbors and estuaries which would Increase the susprnded sediment load, NAS made severd recommendations. These included evaluation of the range and types of particles to be resuspended and tranq>orted, where they will settle, and what substratum changes or modifications could be crested by proposed aotivitks in both the dredged and dlspoad areas. NAS rilo recommended determination of the biological activity of fas water column, the sediment-water Inter face, and the substrate material to depths whkh contain burrowing organisms; estimation of the potential referee Into the water column of sediments; and ettafeUfomenl of the expected relationship between properties of the sus pended load and foe permanent resident species of the area md their ability to repopulate the tree and the trenrilosy qrectos whkh use the area only at certain reasons of the year. m Water Resources NAS REPORT URGES STRINGENT METHODS TO CONTROL WASTE INPUTS, LAND DRAINAGE More stringent methods to control and/or treat wssle Inputs and land drsinsge should be applied lo Improve water quality as demand for use increases, according to foe National Academy of Sciences* draft of **Water Quali ty Criteria - 1972.** NAS said that another general recommendation, whkh would apply to * wide variety of receiving systems and pollutants. It that consideration should bt given to provid ing reserve capacity In recognition of foe Nmltetlom of water quality management programs. Further, bioasssys and other appropriate tests should be made to obtain sefentifk evidence on the effect of waste water discharges on the environment and a survey of receiving systems should be made on a regular bests to aaesi foe impact of discharges on the bfofogkal com munity. Fresh Wesar Life NAS said that ar. essential objective of fmh water quality Is the protection of fish and other equatk organ isms for sport or commercial harvesting. Althou^i water quality characteristics in mixing zones can differ from those In receiving systems, to protect uses In both regions mixing zones should be free of materials whkh form objectionable deporits; floating debris, scum, ofl and other matter; substances producing objectionable color, odor, taste, or turbidity; and conditions whkh produce objectionable growth of nuisance plants and animals. NAS said mixing zone characterislks should be defined on a case-by-case basis to avoid potential blologkal damage or Interfererae with other uses of a receiving system. Ihls scUon should be taken only after determina tion that the assimilative capacity of foe receiving system can safely accommodate the dbcharges. To protect populations of nonmobde benfok and sessile organisms In mixing zona, NAS recommended that foe area of their habitat exposed to water quality poorer than recommended receiving system qureligy be minimised by discharge design. An alternative would be to define Intermittent time expoeure history relationships for the organisms* well-being. To protect drifting and both weak and strong swim ming organisms In mixing zones. NAS recommended fost scientifically valid dau be developed to demonstrate that foe organisms can survive the Integrated time exposure history based on maximum expected residence time. NAS said application factors should be Incorporated Into biosnay extrapolation procedures to provide an adequate margin of safety when summations of short-term exposure are developed. Wien two plumes are contiguous or overfsp and tyntergfetk effects do not occur. NAS srtd squstk Hfe foould be protected If foe sum of the fractions of Integrated time exposure effects for each plums If the tolrt Is equal to or fere than 5. Alternatively, protection should be provided If foe sum of foe fractions for both plumes to erpial to or fere than ore. Copyright 197$ by The Bvrtw el Nrlluul Aflelrs, Ine. HONS 0ti307