Long-Term Effects of Dredging Operations Program. Long-Term Evaluation of Plants and Animals Colonizing Contaminated Estuarine Dredged Material Placed in Both Upland and Wetland Environments

• Main Authors: Brandon, Dennis L, Lee, Charles R, Simmers, John W, Skogerboe, John G, Wilhelm, Gerould S
• Format: Publication
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.1991
• Subjects: BLACK ROCK HARBOR(CONNECTICUT); CONNECTICUT; CONTAMINANTS; CONTAMINATED DREDGED MATERIAL; DISPOSAL; DREDGED MATERIALS; ECOSYSTEMS; ENVIRONMENTS; FAIRFIELD COUNTY(CONNECTICUT); FIELD TESTS; FIELD VERIFICATION PROGRAM; FVP(FIELD VERIFICATION PROGRAM); HARBORS; HEAVY METALS; LABORATORY TESTS; MOBILITY; ROCK; SEDIMENTS; SITES; SOLID WASTES POLLUTION AND CONTROL; UPLAND DISPOSAL; WATER POLLUTION AND CONTROL; WETLANDS

Contaminated sediment was dredged from Black Rock Harbor, Connecticut, in October 1983 and placed in aquatic, upland, and wetland environments as part of the Field Verification Program (FVP), conducted during the period 1981-1986. Laboratory tests were conducted on the sediment prior to dredging to evaluate potential contaminant mobility under each of the disposal alternatives. Prior to dredging for upland disposal and wetland creation at the FVP field site, upland tests (i.e., plant and earthworm bioassays) and wetland tests (i.e., plant, sandworm, snail, and mussel bioassays) were conducted. Laboratory test results were subsequently field verified at the field test site at Tongue Point, Bridgeport, CT. The results of the upland disposal and wetland creation portions of the FVP, and the changes occurring since completion of the FVP for each disposal environment, are summarized herein. The emphasis of this report is on the contaminant mobility of heavy metals. This interim report includes data collected through 1989. Contaminant mobility and the progressive development of the upland and wetland ecosystems at this site will be evaluated until September 1995.