NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NEC-44

This TM series is used for documentation and timely communication of

preliminary results, interim reports, or special purpose information, and

has not received complete formal review, editorial control, or detailed

editing.

NOAA’s Northeast Monitoring Program (NEMP):

A Report on Progress

of the First Five Years (1979-84)

and a Plan for the Future

Editors: Robert N. Reid1, Merton C. Ingham2, and John B. Pearce3

Topic Coordinators: Catherine E. Warsh4 (Water Quality),

Robert N. Reid1 (Sediments and Bottom Organisms),

Adriana Y. Cantillo4 (Trace Contaminants in Tissues),

and Edith Gould5 (Biological Effects)

1Sandy Hook Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., Highlands, NJ 07732

2Narragansett Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., Narragansett, RI 02882

3Woods Hole Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., Woods Hole, MA 02543

4Coastal & Estuarine Assessment Br., National Ocean Service, Rockville, MD 20852

5Milford Lab., National Marine Fisheries Serv., Milford, CT 06460

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Anthony J. Calio, Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

William E. Evans, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Northeast Fisheries Center

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

May 1987
Since the completion of this report, budgetary constraints in NOAA have

made it necessary to curtail many of the plans made for the next phase of the

Northeast Monitoring Program (NEMP), and to formally discontinue its operation

as such. The Northeast Fisheries Center will continue to conduct

surveillance, monitoring, and research to evaluate the effects of

anthropogenically-induced environmental degradation on the abundance,

distribution and utilization of estuarine and coastal fishery resources. The

activities planned will profit from the findings presented in the Report and

will focus on habitats and species threatened by pollution and consequent

habitat changes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF FIGURES ....................................... iv

LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2. PROGRAM EVOLUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Organizational Background ............................. 5

2.2 Goals ................................................. 5

2.3 Objectives ...................................... ...... 5

2.4 Environmental Issues and Statutory Mandates ........... 6

2.5 Funding ............................................... 8

3. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.1 Annual Highlights ..................................... 9

3.2 Five-Year Summary and Trend Identification ............ 9

3.3 Progress Toward Meeting Program Objectives ............ 48

4. PRESENT STATUS AND DIRECTION OF THE PROGRAM ............. 53

4.1 Program Evolution and Factors Which Led to Present

Status and Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

4.2 The Present Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

4.3 Outlook for the Second Five-Year Period (1985-1989) . . . 54

4.4 Revised Program Goals and Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

5. APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

5.1 Annual Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

5.2 Bibliography of Reports Prepared by NEMP

Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

5.3 Data Bases Developed by NEMP Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

5.4 Partial List of NEMP Data and Information Users........ 114

5.5 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronymns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

5.6 Common and Scientific Names of Species Discussed in

Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

5.7 Trace Metal Body Burdens for Species Measured in the

Northeast as Part of the NEMP.......................... 122

5.8 Summary of Trace Organic Concentrations in Tissues

of Species Collected in the Northeast as Part of the

NEMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

iii
LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. General area of NEMP studies, with features discussed

in text..

Figure 2. Locations

occupied

Figure W1. Recurrent

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

of NEMP stations in the Northeast which were

in FY 1980 through 1984....................... 3

areas of low dissolved oxygen

(F 3 ml/l, or 4.3 ppm) in bottom waters along the

Northeast coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Figure W2. Locations of water quality monitoring stations in the

Middle Atlantic Bight for the broad-area surveys

conducted four times during April-September, and the

coastal New Jersey case study surveys conducted

weekly during April-October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Figure W3. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen in bottom water

along the Long Branch transect during 1983, 84

and 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Figure W4. Bottom water concentrations of dissolved oxygen

measured at three stations and predicted for the late

summer period for one station. Line b portrays the

predicted decline assuming average rates, and line a

assuming "worst case" conditions....................... 15

Figure W5. The particle distribution as neutrally buoyant

effluent from the Hudson-Raritan estuary for the

southwesterly wind case, a) the 0 to 5-m layer after

4 days b) the 0 to 5-m layer after 8 days.............. 18

Figure W6. The particle distribution as effluent sinking at 3 m/d

from the estuary after 8 days for the southwesterly

wind case, a) the 0 to 5-m layer, b) the 5 to 10-m

25-m

. . . . . . . 19

layer, c) the 10 to 15-m layer, and d) the 20 to

layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Figure S1. Ranges of metal concentrations (ppm, dry wt.) in

top 5 cm of surface sediments, from NEMP monitor

the

ing

stations, 1979-1980 (1981 and 1982 data are included

for stations 41-43) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Figure S2. Means and confidence limits for numbers of species

(upper graphs) and amphipods (lower) collected at NEMP

stations in the Baltimore Canyon Trough (A) and at the

New York Bight sewage sludge dumpsite (B).............. 27

iv
Page

Figure Cl. Mean Cd (ppm wet weight) in viscera, gonad, muscle and

gill of sea scallops collected during cruises of the

R/V KYMA in 1981 [Value above bar is the standard

deviation] (Zdanowicz unpublished)..................... 33

Figure C2. Trace element concentrations in gonad and viscera of

sea scallop (Zdanowicz unpublished).................... 34

Figure B1. Comparative behavioral responses of marine fishes and

invertebrates to selected environmental perturbations.. 44
LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table Sl. NEMP measurements of total PCBs in sediments, 1980-83

(ppb, dry wt.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The editors wish to-thank all those who contributed to the

development of this report, including

- the topic coordinators: Catherine Warsh, Robert Reid,

Adriana Cantillo and Edith Gould;

- those who wrote portions of the text and/or provided

editorial comments: Carl J. Sindermann, Harold Stanford,

Frederick Kern:

- and those who helped produce the document: Catherine

Noonan, Alicia Gruber, Joyce Denecour and Deborah

Wheaton.

vii
SUMMARY

The Northeast Monitoring Program (NEMP) was initiated at the beginning of

Fiscal Year (FY) 1980 (1 October 1979) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA). The objective of the NEMP Program is to coordinate and

focus monitoring and research activities of NOAA studies of the marine

environment in coastal and offshore waters of the northeastern United

States. The pilot phase of the NEMP was from FY 1980 through 1984.

Operational monitoring was to begin in FY 1985. This document describes the

program's background, results of the pilot phase and plans for the operational

phase.

Information obtained from the pilot phase reveals a coastal marine

environment generally free from high concentrations of pollutants, and from

obvious biological effects of pollutants. However, in several small portions

 of the area there was evidence of pollution and related effects.

Major findings of the four program components (Water Quality; Sediments

and Benthos; Trace Contaminants in Tissues, Biological Effects,) are:

Water Quality

 Phytoplankton communities of the inner New York Bight are influenced

by nutrient effluents discharged into the Hudson-Raritan estuary and

the smaller estuaries of northern New Jersey. This infusion

frequently promotes blooms of phytoplankton species not useful in the

food web. Bottom waters become deficient in oxygen with decay of the

blooms. Such phenomena are classically associated with eutrophication

processes. (pp. 9-18)

 Hypoxia (oxygen concentrations less than 2.0 ml/l) occurred each

summer in bottom waters of nearshore areas between Delaware Bay and

Sandy Hook, New Jersey and western Long Island. The water quality of

these areas was affected by the intrusion of nutrients and organic

material from estuarine plumes, coastal sewage discharges, and ocean

dumping of sewage sludge and dredged material. (Fig. W1 and p. 9)

 Conceptual and quantitative models have been developed for the

seasonal (spring, summer, fall) cycle of oxygen decline and recovery.

The models show the early part of the decline is fairly linear and

biologically controlled, but midsummer and early fall changes are more

erratic and are caused by meteorological processes and solar warming

of the water. (pp. 12-14)

 Depth of the base of the regional pycnocline (steep density

gradient), amounts of oxygen-demanding materials below the pycnocline,

and estimated bottom flow velocity can be used to predict development

of hypoxia. No significant trend in oxygen concentrations was

detected during the pilot program or in comparison to earlier data

extending back to 1969. (pp. 14-17)

viii
Sediments and Bottom Organisms

° Bottom sediments around dumpsites and elsewhere in the inner New York

Bight were analysed for concentrations of metals. Values were similar

for the summers of 1980-82, and did not show major changes from levels

found in 1973-74. The three standard NEMP stations in the inner Bight

had the highest metal concentrations of all areas sampled. (p. 21)

 ° Surveys of metals in sediments of Casco and Penobscot bays, Maine,

revealed concentrations (except for cadmium) above preindustrial

levels. Concentrations. of chromium, copper and lead were similar to

those reported for other New England estuaries. Nickel and zinc

values in Penobscot Bay sediments were the highest yet recorded for a

New England estuary. (p. 23)

° Most stations on the shelf consistently had low concentrations of the

metals analyzed. (p. 21)

° The highest concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were

found near the New York Bight sewage sludge dumpsite (to 1.15 ppm).

The second highest PCB levels were observed in Boston Harbor. The

total mass of PCBs in Boston Harbor-Massachusetts Ray sediments was

calculated to be five times that of the New York Bight. (p. 23)

° Concentrations of PCBs of Portland Harbor and Casco Bay in 1981-1983

were higher than those detected during baseline sampling in 1980. (p.

23).

° In 1984, four years after cessation of sewage sludge dumping at the

Philadelphia dumpsite, no pathogenic protozoans were detected. Numbers

of fecal coliform bacteria were also within acceptable limits;

therefore, it was recommended that the site be reopened for

shellfishing. (pp. 25-26)

° Distribution of spores of a sewage-indicator bacterium, Clostridium

perfringens on the northeast shelf changed little over five years.

Highest spore counts were noted near the New York Bight sewage sludge

dumpsite. (p. 25)

° Numbers of fecal coliform bacteria per gram of sediment in the Bight

were similar- in summers of 1980-83 and 1971-75. (p. 25)

° The inner New York Bight had the region's most altered assemblages of

bottom-living invertebrates, dominated by a few pollution-tolerant

species. However, between 1973 and 1984 there were no clear changes

ascribable to contamination. (p. 26)

ix
Trace Contaminants in Tissues

° Concentrations of inorganic and organic contaminants do not reveal

large scale spatial and temporal trends: (p. 32-37)

° The concentrations of trace metals in biota were generally lower in

muscle than in gonads and viscera. (pp. 32-36)

° Concentrations of PCBs in fish muscle were lower than the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) cautionary limit of 2 parts per million

wet weight. In general, levels of other contaminants in flesh of fish

species from the northeastern shelf were not elevated. [Species such

as striped bass, bluefish and eel, for which contaminant values

exceeding FDA limits have been reported elsewhere, were not analyzed.]

(pp. 32-37)

° Differences were found in the concentrations of trace metals and

organics between animals collected inshore and those collected

offshore. Higher concentrations were usually found -inshore. (pp. 32-

37)

° Limited data are available for assessing temporal trends in

concentrations of trace metals. Trace metal levels in tissues of sea

scallops showed considerable intraannual variation. (p. 32)

° There was no correlation between concentrations in sediments and in

polychaete worms for several organic contaminants (PCBs, polynuclear

aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] and phthalate acid esters [PAEs]. (p.

37)

° Concentrations of PCBs and Σ DDTs in muscle of adult haddock were 2-3

times greater than in muscle of juveniles. The levels of petroleum

hydrocarbons (PHCs) and aromatic hydrocarbons were the same in

juveniles and adults. (p. 37)

° It was found that triplicate analyses of a six-individual composite of

haddock muscle tissues provides adequate data to describe organic

contaminant levels. (p. 37)

° Dioxin (TCDD) was detected in blue crab, winter flounder and tomcod

collected from the Kill Van Kull in the Hudson-Raritan estuary. (p.

36)

Biological Effects

° Hematological analyses of four species of flounder showed that

abnormal values were consistently characteristic of fish collected

from inshore areas. Abnormal hematological values in flounders from

Long Island Sound approximately matched the pollution gradient. Fish

collected in the western, more polluted, end of the Sound had the most

abnormal values. (p. 40)

X
° High levels of a stress-indicating flounder kidney enzyme were found

in fish from polluted areas, including Buzzards Ray, the NY Right

Apex, Block Island Sound, lower Delaware Ray and the lower Merrimack

River. Enzyme levels revert to normal in fish that move to cleaner

waters (p. 41).

° Statistical evaluations of environmental data and data on cytogenetic

abnormalities of mackerel eggs collected in the New York Right showed

significant correlations between abnormalities and pollutants,

including aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and chlorinated

hydrocarbons. (pp. 41-42)

° Examinations of almost 85,000 fish revealed higher prevalences of

pathological conditions in fish from nearshore zones. Fin erosion

and liver neoplasms appear to be reliable indicators of effects of

degraded environments on fish. (p. 42)

° More gill pathology was found in blue mussels from degraded habitats,

such as Raritan Ray, NJ, Cape May, NJ and an oil-spill area near

Searsport, ME, than other locations. Inflammation and ciliate

infestations were found in mussels from these sites but were rare in

the other coastal locations sampled. (p. 43)

° Sediments contaminated with crude oil caused unusual behavior in

benthic organisms, which would increase their vulnerability to

predation. (p. 43)

° Benthic polychaetes exposed to sediments contaminated with cadmium

were unable to avoid contact with the contaminant and bioaccumulation

resulted. (p. 45)

° An inverse correlation was observed between survival of laboratoryreared striped bass larvae and contaminant body burdens of female

parents obtained from several rivers and hatcheries in the eastern

U.S. (p. 41)

The five years of monitoring have also established baselines for water

and sediment quality, abundance and diversity of infaunal benthos, body

burdens and biological effects for fish and fish habitats, throughout the

northeastern shelf region. The data will improve our ability to characterize

fish and environmental quality on the shelf. If the same species and sites

are later re-examined using comparable methods, comparison with data acquired

during the pilot phase of the NEMP will aid in detecting changes.

xi
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1. INTRODUCTION

On 1 October 1979, the Deputy Administrator of NOAA released-a decision

memorandum creating the Northeast Monitoring Program (NEMP). The program was

to be formed by integrating the monitoring and related research activities of

three NOAA elements (National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS], Oceanic and

Atmospheric Services [OA], and Research and Development [RD]). These

components were already operating in coastal waters of the northeastern United

States. Initial efforts aimed at combining the experimental and field

monitoring activities, and developing a Program Development Plan (PDP) and

Technical Development Plan (TDP).

The NEMP was conceived as a two-phased program. The first, from fiscal

year (FY) 1980 through FY 1984, was a series of evaluations of pollutionrelated monitoring and research for marine waters from the Canadian border to

Cape Hatteras. (Figure 1 shows the overall study area, including major

features discussed below; Figure 2 shows standard sampling locations.) This

pilot phase of the NEMP emphasized marine over estuarine work, because it was

felt estuaries were relatively well studied by states and academia, while

there was a dearth of baseline and monitoring information on the "health" of

marine waters. The second phase, operational monitoring, was to begin in FY

1985. In addition, the NEMP was to be the basis of a FY 1982 budget

initiative for a national coastal and estuarine monitoring program. Although

that particular initiative was not funded, later efforts resulted in such a

national program.

The PDP and TDP have guided NEMP development. These documents include

descriptions of NEMP goals and objectives, statements of scientific/technical

procedures, indications of environmental problems and threats, information on

environmental and administrative constraints and opportunities, and a

definition of products designed to address particular audiences and to meet

specific needs. During the pilot phase, the NEMP evolved to reflect program

findings, developments in methodologies and approaches, changes in

administrative makeup and policy, and emerging environmental problems.

The NEMP accomplished much during the pilot phase and met most program

objectives. New information has been applied to problems in existence or

those which emerged as the program evolved. Information and assessments of

conditions have been provided to other NOAA components and other agencies, the

public and environmental groups. Working relations, within and outside NOAA

(governmentgroups, academia, commercial firms, etc.), have been established

and have grown, thereby enlarging program scope. Research findings have been

applied to monitoring, and new monitoring techniques have been applied.
Figure 1. General area of NEMP studies, with features discussed in text.

2
Figure 2. Locations of NEMP stations in the Northeast which

were occupied in FY 1980 through 1984.

3
Marking the end of the pilot phase, this report is meant to:

° provide a succinct history of program development,

° document pilot program findings and accomplishments,

° describe the present program status,

° evaluate the effectiveness and utility of the program and its

component parts,

° define changes in program scope and focus, and

° develop a plan for the future.

4
2. PROGRAM EVOLUTION

2.1 Organizational Background

In 1978, NMFS began monitoring the health of Northeast fisheries habitats

under the "Ocean Pulse" (OP) Program. In early 1979, OA proposed an

initiative for a national, integrated ocean pollution monitoring program, the

"Pilot Monitoring Network", for FY 1981. Because this budget initiative

appeared to duplicate parts of OP, and monitoring elements of OA's Ocean

Dumping Program (OD) and RD's Marine Ecosystems Analysis (MESA) Program, NOAA

management did not support it. Instead, a portion of the FY 1980 Funding

Memorandum directed NOAA to initiate a five-year pilot monitoring program for

coastal and estuarine waters of the Northeast by 1 January 1980. The program

combined appropriate elements of the three existing programs into a

coordinated effort called the NEMP.

In 1983, OD and MESA became part of the Ocean Assessments Division (OAD)

of the National Ocean Service. The NEMP became a two-group effort, involving

OP and the OAD, which continued to operate to the end of FY 1984.

During the second half of FY 1983 the OAD planned and initiated a

national marine pollution monitoring program. This "National Status and

Trends" (NS&T) Program became operational in FY 1984 and involves three NMFS

Fisheries Centers, including the Northeast Center. Many results of the NEMP

pilot phase helped form the NS&T Program, and the Program's activities in

northeastern waters are considered part of the NEMP.

2.2 Goals

The PDP for NEMP, developed in 1980, contains the following goals:

1. Maintain an assessment of the health of the coastal ecosystem of the

northeastern United States;

2. Provide information necessary to ensure present and future protection

of human health and the safety and wise management of the living

marine resources of the Northeast, and

3. Develop a pilot monitoring program to determine the costeffectiveness, user requirements, and potential applicability of

monitoring methodologies to other U.S. coastal areas.

2.3 Objectives

The PDP identifies the following ten objectives:

1. Determine or confirm the existing levels, trends, and variations of

contaminants in water, sediments, and biota and their effects on

living marine organisms.
2. Establish and maintain an interactive data archive resulting from

other marine pollution monitoring programs in the northeast and foster

cooperation and coordination of estuarine/shelf environmental

monitoring and research efforts off the Middle Atlantic and New

England States.

3. Summarize, in collaboration with other agencies, information on

pollutant inputs to estuarine and coastal waters.

4. Provide data and relevant information to regulatory organizations and

the general public, in a timely manner, for planning and management.

5. Determine effects of major activities such as offshore drilling,

dumping, and toxic waste disposal on the coastal marine environment

and its resources.

6. Detect and provide appropriate and early warning of severe or

irreversible changes in the coastal marine ecosystem and its

resources. This includes coordination with agencies responsible for

routine and crisis response activities (oil spills, harmful waste and

toxic chemical discharge, etc.).

7. Determine users' needs.

8. Develop and apply standard methodologies for monitoring and evaluate

monitoring effectiveness.

9. Determine cost effectiveness of coastal monitoring elements.

10. Determine applicability of marine pollution monitoring methodologies

to other United States coastal regions.

2.4 Environmental Issues and Statutory Mandates

In the northeastern United States, municipal and industrial wastes from

the activities of 30 million people are discharged directly or indirectly into

marine or estuarine waters. The NOAA and other organizations, before the

NEMP, found that portions of the northeastern coastal environment had been

degraded. Indicators of degradation of the Middle Atlantic Bight area

included: a) stimulation of phytoplankton productivity by riverborne

nutrients emerging from such drainages as the Hudson and the Delaware; b)

possible increased frequency and intensity of algal blooms; c) abnormal

depletion of dissolved oxygen concentrations; d) elevated levels of trace

metals in surf clams, sediments and water; e) closures of clam beds because of

bacterial contamination; f) closures of lobster and finfish fisheries because

of PCBs; and g) significant differences in the prevalence of certain fish and

crustacean diseases between polluted and cleaner areas.
It was evident that ecological and public health hazards off the

northeast coast could result from multiple causes. It is often difficult to

determine causes responsible for a given effect, making it difficult to solve

specific problems. It seemed urgent to establish baselines and monitor

biological effects, in order to take remedial actions before effects became

irreversible or public health was affected. Traditional research alone was

unlikely to detect long-term trends that would provide evidence of contaminant

effects. However, research was seen as an active contributor to the

monitoring program, by determining causal relationships and by testing and

evaluating monitoring techniques. The NEMP Management Team ensured the

interaction between monitoring and research, and the establishment of lines of

communication throughout the NEMP and with other appropriate elements.

The regionally-oriented NEMP was seen as .a means for providing

information important for management decisions and useful to municipalities,

states, Federal agencies, and conservation groups. Baseline information,

lacking or inadequate in some areas, was required for decisions concerned with

regulating contaminant sources. In the Northeast, where a preliminary data

base existed, the NEMP has worked to expand this data base.

The majority of ocean pollution monitoring by the Federal government in

the Northeast had been funded by agencies other than NOAA. This monitoring

for the most part was specific to sites of waste input. Little if any effort

monitored the cumulative, long-range effects of pollution over the region.

Thus the NEMP provided NOAA with regional assessments of marine pollution

problems.

NOAA's responsibility for the development of this program came from

several mandates. The National Ocean Pollution Research and Development and

Monitoring Planning Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-273) directed NOAA to "establish

within the Administration (NOAA) a comprehensive, coordinated, and effective

ocean pollution research and development and monitoring program.". The pilot

monitoring program for the northeast coastal waters was a NOAA response to

this mandate. Other mandates for NOAA's involvement in the region are found

in the following statutes:

° The Marine Protection, Research,. and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-

5321-

Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (P.L. 85-888)

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (P.L. 73-121)

Sea Grant Improvement Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-461)

Deepwater Port Act (P.L. 93-627)

Migratory Game Fish Study Act of 1959 (P.L. 89-359)

Anadromous Fish Conservation Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-304)
° Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-583, as amended in 1976)

° Endangered Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205)

° The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190)

° Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-500, as amended

by the Clean Water Act of 1977 [P.L. 95-217])

NOAA's responsibility for managing marine and estuarine natural, resources

and for assessing environmental impacts of activities associated with offshore

oil and gas development was defined explicitly in P.L. 95-373, the OCS Lands

Act, Title 3, Section 303(b) (3). This role was further defined in Executive

Order 12123, 26 February 1979, (Federal Register 11199 1-1).

Public Law 95-273 designated NOAA as the lead Federal agency for

preparing a comprehensive 5-year Federal plan for ocean pollution research,

development and monitoring. The Northeast was identified in the "Federal Plan

for Ocean Pollution Research, Development, and Monitoring for FY 1979-1980" as

the area with the highest monitoring priority. The Northeast was also

identified by an interagency subcommittee on ocean monitoring as follows:

"Coordination of regional plans and new monitoring activities, as

the first phase of the National Ocean Pollution Monitoring Program,

should be implemented in FY 1981. Because of the critical pollutant

stress conditions, public and institutional support, and the existence of

a sufficiently complete research base, the new monitoring efforts should

be in the northeastern Atlantic coast and Great Lakes region".

2.5 Funding

The foundation of NEMP has been the OP program of the NEFC, and the

largest share of NEMP funding has come from habitat conservation

appropriations to the NEFC for OP. Other funding support has been contributed

to NEMP by OAD (formerly part of OA). Direct funding levels, not including

contributed ship time or in-house salaries, were relatively constant at about

$2 million, with $1.3 million from NEFC/OP and $0.7 million from OAD. In FY

1984 the OAD contribution was reduced to $0.36 million.

1

Report of the Subcommittee on Ocean Pollution Monitoring, Interagency

Committee on Ocean Pollution Research and Development and Monitoring, 4 May

1979.

8
3. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

3.1 Annual Highlights

Highlights of program findings for each year are compiled in Appendix

5.1. The findings from the first three years (1980, 1981, 1982) are from NEMP

annual reports (individually cited in Appendix 5.1).

3.2 Five-Year Summary Findings and Trend Identification

3.2.1 Water Quality - Catherine Warsh, Coordinator

Introduction

The acute and persistent hypoxia (dissolved oxygen concentration below 2

ml/l, or about 2.86 ppm) which occurred over a wide area of the Middle

Atlantic Bight in the summer of 1976 has sharpened the awareness of the

potential for eutrophication and consequent effects in marine waters. More

localized, generally less persistent and less severe episodes recur in the

nearshore waters in this area (Figure W1) during summer months. Thus,

questions have been raised concerning the predictability, causative factors,

ecological effects, fisheries impacts, human health aspects and potential

manageability of such events.

Oxygen depletion in coastal waters is now seen internationally as a

paramount problem, and is a marine environment issue in the Middle Atlantic

states. Greatest concern results from apprehension that widespread anoxia

(zero concentrations of dissolved oxygen), as experienced in 1976, will recur,

with the associated losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Several research and monitoring programs have examined this and related

phenomena in the last decade. The NEMP emphasized eutrophication and

associated hypoxia in its coordinated water column monitoring during the first

five years of the program and developed extensive data sets. To understand

the processes which contribute to eutrophication and dissolved oxygen

depletion, the following variables were monitored: light penetration,

temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium,

phosphate and silicate), fluorescence, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton species

composition. Data on wind speed and direction, precipitation, stream flow,

sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a (the latter two from satellite

imagery) were obtained from other NOAA and United States Geological Survey

sources. Each variable is discussed in the NEMP 1982 annual report. Since

1982, sedimented phytoplankton (viable resting stages in bottom sediments) has

been monitored, because it is a factor in summer oxygen depletion and is

abundant in known hypoxic areas.

The field sampling program which evolved over the first five years

includes two major components (Figure W2):

° Frequent occupation (weekly during April-October, monthly

during November-March) of a transect of stations

extending from the Long Branch (NJ) pier to the Hudson

Shelf Valley.

9
Figure W1. Recurrent areas of low dissolved

oxygen (53 ml/l, or 4.3 ppm) in

bottom waters along the Northeast

coast.

10
Figure W2. Locations of water 

stations in the Middle

for the broad-area 

four times during Apri

the coastal New Jersey

quality monitoring

Atlantic Bight

surveys conducted

l-September, and

case study

surveys conducted weekly during AprilOctober.

11
° Four surveys of the shelf and slope waters from Cape

Hatteras to Block Island during April-September,

monitoring development of hypoxic conditions and

contributing factors during the season of water-column

stratification.

Results

Oxygen depletion occurs in the lower part of the water column in the New

York Bight during summer months. During this period an upper layer of warm,

less saline, less dense water is separated from cool, more saline and denser

water below by a sharp density gradient (pycnocline). Oxygen entering the

surface is not readily available to bottom waters, because of greatly

inhibited mixing across the density gradient, but oxygen consumption in the

bottom water continues. The relative importance of the natural physical,

chemical and biological processes and anthropogenic influences in oxygen

depletion is not clear, and continues under study.

The most significant anthropogenic influence revealed in NEMP water

quality studies is the nutrient loading of estuarine and nearshore waters from

a variety of sources, both point and non-point. As a consequence of nutrient

inputs, New Jersey nearshore waters and those in the New York Bight apex have

the highest rates of primary productivity in the NEMP area. Greatest

phytoplankton cell counts also were found in and near estuarine plumes

extending into shelf water. Occasionally under such conditions phytoplankton

"blooms" occur which exceed the grazing capacity of filter feeding

herbivores. The ungrazed phytoplankton cells eventually settle to the bottom

where they are consumed by benthic organisms including bacteria and reduce

oxygen concentrations of bottom waters.

Monitoring the Long Branch transect during 1984 showed blooms of

phytoplankton in the Hudson-Raritan estuarine plume caused deposition of

surplus cells in nearshore sediments. The number of viable phytoplankton

cells per ml of sediment, a useful index of recent deposition, varied widely

at nearshore stations. Greatest concentration occurred at Station 3 (18 m

depth) at the end of March. One sample contained over 3 million viable cells

per ml, mostly a diatom which had recently "bloomed." During August at the

same station cell densities of over 1 million per ml occurred, coincident with

relatively high concentrations of nitrates, chlorophyll (phytoplankton) and

dissolved oxygen in the surface waters. At the same time low concentrations

of dissolved oxygen (0.66 ppm) in bottom water occurred off Manasquan, NJ,

associated with a decaying mass of diatoms from a recent bloom.

At both locations conditions normalized within a week, reflecting the

dynamic linkage of nutrients with phytoplankton blooms and oxygen depletion.

Analysis and Modeling

The transect (Figure W3) and survey cruise data were incorporated into a

model of seasonal patterns of oxygen concentrations in bottom waters. The

decline of bottom oxygen is rather steady during the first half of the season,

extending from the onset of stratification in April-May until about July.

During this period oxygen concentration is controlled by biological

consumption processes and organic loading. From mid-July to fall the

12
Figure W3. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen in bottom water along the Long

Branch transect during 1983, 84 and 85.
concentration of dissolved oxygen in the bottom water varies irregularly, with

large excursions caused by weather and solar influences. Changes in coastal

wind stress may cause a near-bottom water mass, called the cold pool, to move

onshore or off, which changes the dissolved oxygen concentration at the

nearshore monitoring stations. Local storms or wind events may provide

temporary relief of hypoxic conditions, but in a highly stratified water

column the system can re-establish, preventing further mixing or aeration of

bottom waters. Wind events also provide a mechanism to lessen the severity of

hypoxia or to preclude worsening.

Since 1980, bottom dissolved oxygen levels have remained within the

normal range. No severe problems have been encountered since the 1976 event,

but local areas of hypoxic conditions have occurred annually. In 1983 low

values (< 4.3 ppm) of dissolved oxygen were measured in the New York Bight

apex and prevailed throughout the summer. The cold pool was nearshore, which,

with local wind conditions, appeared to have confined the problem to the Apex.

Excessive runoff occurred during spring, 1984, as in 1976, but hypoxia

did not develop. Consistent southwesterly winds in June and July caused

onshore transport of bottom water, bringing in very cold water with higher

oxygen concentrations from the mid-shelf region. From mid to late July

upwelling of this water occurred along the coast from New York to Virginia.

The bottom dissolved oxygen concentrations were found consistently to be

around 5.7 ppm.

From the 1984 field season data we made a prognosis for dissolved oxygen

levels in bottom waters for the Apex for the first two weeks of August. In

conjunction with a circulation model, we considered a worst case and normal

case for rates of oxygen utilization. The worst case (Figure W4, line a)

assumed near stagnant circulation and highest respiration. The normal case 

(Figure W4, line b) corresponded to a local mean value for respiration without

renewal events. In both cases,, dissolved oxygen concentrations would not be

predicted to fall below 4.3 ppm before mid-August (Hopkins unpublished).

Neither worst nor normal conditions occurred and above-normal levels of

dissolved oxygen were encountered during August, associated with high

productivity periods. This exercise demonstrated the utility of the

conceptual model, using real-time data for a short-term prediction.

In a study of past occurrences of hypoxic conditions in bottom waters in

New York Bight and the physical factors that influenced those conditions,

Swanson and Parker (1985) found:

° "The single 'most reliable estimator of the regional

summertime minimum [DO]R (dissolved oxygen concentration

beneath the pycnocline) is that of the depth of the base

of the regional pycnocline (r = 0.87)."

° "River flow is important in establishing the depth of the

base of the pycnocline (r = 0.66). Because of its

relatively strong correlation with the depth of the

pycnocline, it cannot be considered an independent

variable when assessing the likelihood of low bottom

[DO], if pycnocline depth is also used."

14
Figure W4. Bottom water concentrations of dissolved oxygen measured at three stations

and predicted for the late summer period for one station. Line b portrays

the predicted decline assuming average rates, and line a assuming "worst

case" conditions.
° "Frequency of spring storms does not appear to play a

significant role in alleviating stressed bottom [DO].

During the peak period of stratification, storms and the

wind field provide instantaneous relief but following

their passage, gravitational circulation quickly

reestablishes stratification and its attendant oxygen

stress. These brief periods of relief may be important

in preventing severe hypoxia/anoxia."

° "Han (unpublished manuscript) and Mayer et al. (1979)

have quantified a close relationship between

subpycnocline flow and wind stress along the New Jersey

coast. Strong, persistent southerly to southwesterly

winds tend to retard the general tendency of bottom

waters to flow to the southwest, parallel to the

isobaths, and support coastal convergent material

transport and coastal upwelling along New Jersey.

Thus wind and current flow are highly correlated

estimators of the potential of the bottom waters to be

sluggish, and therefore slowing the advective renewal of

oxygen to the area of concern.

We selected the Han regression model to estimate bottom

flow. Using this estimator, along with the depth of the

regional pycnocline, we can account for 79% of the

variance in the mean values of the July/August bottom

[DO]Rl This is an incremental improvement of 3% over

using only depth of the base of the regional

pycnocline. While only a small improvement, it is

nevertheless considered useful as an estimator

variable. Bottom flow may be viewed as contributing the

incremental amount of oxygen that is available for

oxidative processes."

° "Based on the limited information at hand we can say that

over thirteen years when estimates of the regional

summer-minimum bottom [DO]R are available, two years have

had less than 4.3 ppm, a probability of 0.15.

It thus appears that at this point, there is not a long

term decreasing trend in the regional mean summer-minimum

bottom [DO]R. Extreme oxygen depletion events such as

experienced in 1976 are in fact unusual and the

probability of such an event recurring is 0.1.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that while

there is little evidence to suggest that there is a

regional problem, our studies confirm the recurrence of

localized oxygen depletion in the Christiaensen Basin and

in the very nearshore area along the New Jersey coast

(perhaps up to 15 km offshore). There is insufficient

evidence to state whether this is a growing problem."

16
° "We know that the Christiaensen Basin, the remnant Hudson

River Valley, is a natural settling basin for

materials. Under certain summertime conditions involving

a deep and intense pycnocline and upvalley flow,

material, natural or anthropogenic is essentially trapped

in the basin. When this occurs, aeration from the

surface and advective renewal are limited. The

relatively small static oxygen pool is drawn down rapidly

creating depleted conditions."

° "The recurring oxygen depletion problem along the New

Jersey coast appears to be unrelated to the conditions of

the Christiaensen Basin. The Hudson River plume

preferentially hugs the New Jersey coastline,

intensifying the pycnocline and transporting with it

oxygen demanding materials from natural sources and from

man's activities including wastes from agriculture,

industry, and treated and untreated sewage."

Some 1.7 m3 s-1 of effluent are discharged directly to

nearshore waters along the New Jersey coast between Sandy

Hook and Barnegat Inlet (Mueller et al., 1976). These

discharges are mainly from primary and secondary

municipal waste treatment. A small fraction is

industrial wastes. O'Connor (1979) estimates that the

nitrogen added all along -the New Jersey coast may be

equivalent to up to 20% of the anthropogenic nitrogenous

load emanating from the Hudson-Raritan estuary".

An effort to develop a quantitative predictive and diagnostic model relating

nearshore (less than 30 m depth) dynamics to the dispersion and fate of discharged

wastes has produced useful early results. A detailed description of the modeling

and results of test runs is in Hopkins and Dieterle (1983, 1984). They discuss a

circulation model and a particle dispersion model. This effort was applied

specifically to the New York Bight apex (Hopkins and Dieterle 1984), to simulate the

distributions of various- sized particles dumped into the New York Bight or

introduced from the Hudson-Raritan estuary. The models tracked approximately 43,000

particles of assigned sinking velocities and initial distribution over 8-day time

periods under different assumed wind conditions. Runs were made to-assess best and

worst environmental conditions for dumping, estuarine effluent plumes, depositional

sorting of particles and accumulation of particles on the pycnocline. All these

factors complicate waste management decisions.

For example, one of the runs tracked neutrally buoyant particles introduced

from the Hudson-Raritan estuary at the rate of 2700 particles every 12 hours for 8

days under southwesterly wind conditions. The 4- and 8-day distributions (Figure

W5) show the eastward movement and dispersion of the particles. Divergent flow kept

the plume south of Long Island and away from the coast, and upwelling caused by the

wind kept the particles in the surface layer. The net result was the transport of

the effluent particles to the midshelf north of the Hudson Shelf Valley.

Simulation runs of the models can be applied to the problem of bottom water

hypoxia in the Bight apex by tracking oxygen-consuming particles with assigned

sinking rates in specified velocity fields. Coupled with calculated rates of oxygen

consumption, the particle dispersion maps (Figure W6) can be used to predict where

hypoxia should occur and its severity:

17
Figure W5. The particle distribution as neutrally buoyant effluent from the Hudson-Raritan

estuary for the southwesterly wind case, a) the 0 to 5-m layer after 4 days

b) the 0 to 5-m layer after 8 days.

Literature Cited

Han, G. C. Unpublished report. Part I: Average circulation, wind response

and transport. MESA Physical Oceanographic Studies in New York Bight.

Hopkins, T. S. 1984. Unpublished Report. Early August 1984 dissolved oxygen

prognosis. NEMP Water Quality Studies in the Middle Atlantic Bight.

Hopkins, T. S. and D. A. Dieterle. 1983. An externally forced barotropic

circulation model for the New York Bight. Contin. Shelf Res. 2: 49-73.

Hopkins, T. S. and D. A. Dieterle. 1984. Particle dispersal in the New York

Bight Apex. Contribution No. 52, Symposium on Contaminant Fluxes Through

the Coastal Zone. CIEM-ICES, Nantes, France, 14-16 May 1984. 55 pp.

Hopkins, T. S. and D. A. Dieterle. In press. A three-dimensional baroclinic

circulation model of the New York Bight. Submitted to Contin. Shelf. Res.

Mayer, D. A., D. V. Hansen and S. M. Minton. 1979. Water movement on the New

Jersey Shelf, 1975 and 1976, pp. 149-163. In: R. L. Swanson and C. J.

Sindermann (eds.), Oxygen Depletion and Associated Benthic Mortalities in

New York Bight, 1976. NOAA Prof. Pap. 11. 345 p.

Mueller, J. A., J. S. Jeris, A. R. Anderson and C. F. Hughes. 1976.

Contaminant Inputs to the New York Bight. NOAA Tech. Mem. ERL MESA-6.

347 p.

O'Connor, J. S. 1979. A perspective on natural and human factors. pp. 323-

333. In: R. L. Swanson and C. J. Sindermann (eds.), Oxygen Depletion and

Associated Benthic Mortalities in New York Bight, 1976. NOAA Prof. Pap.

11. 345 p.

Swanson, R. L. and C. A. Parker. 1985. Recurring hypoxia in the New York

Bight. Manuscript presented to Estuarine Research Federation Conference,

Durham, N.H., July 29 - Aug 1, 1985. 54 p.

20
3.2.2 Sediments and Bottom Organisms - Robert Reid, Coordinator

Introduction

Sediments and associated bottom-living organisms (hereafter "benthos")

are among the best indicators of fates and effects of contaminant inputs. We

monitor sediments and benthos for several reasons. For example: 1) sediments,

especially the finer sizes (silts and clays), are a "sink" which accumulate

organic detritus, pathogenic and indicator microorganisms, and contaminants.

Sediments sometimes hold over 99% of the total amount of a contaminant in an

ecosystem (Renfro 1973). Sediment type also influences distribution and

abundance of bottom fish, shellfish and smaller invertebrates. 2) Small

benthic animals usually have limited mobility, so patterns of their abundance

can integrate effects of contaminants in sediments and bottom waters over

areas and time. The benthos can serve as an "early warning" of environmental

degradation before it affects species of direct interest to man. 3) Many

benthic species are important in diets of resource species. Changes in

distribution and abundance of forage species may influence survival, growth

and/or reproduction of harvestable fish and shellfish. 4) Finally, the benthos

can concentrate contaminants (including pathogenic microorganisms) from the

sediments, bottom waters and sediment pore waters. These contaminants then

can pass up food webs to resource species (which may also take up contaminants

directly from the sediment pore waters).

Sediment Trace Metals

We routinely determine concentrations of seven trace metals (cadmium,

chromium, copper, lead, nickel, silver and zinc) in sediments. All these

metals are potentially toxic to marine organisms and to man. Trace metals

were sampled on 24 regional OP/NEMP cruises between 1978 and 1983. Data are

available for the 1979-80 cruises and for New York Bight samples taken in 1981

and 1982, and are summarized in Figure S1. Most stations (circled in Figure

S1) consistently had low concentrations of metals analysed. This is not

surprising, since these stations are in areas remote from major metal inputs,

and have low percentages of the fine sediments with which most contaminants

are associated. Four stations (squares in Figure S1) in more depositional

environments but not located near major sources of metals (except station 32,

3.5 n. mi. south of the mouth of Narragansett Bay), have finer sediments with

slightly higher concentrations of all metals. The most contaminated locations

sampled are the three stations (41-43) in the inner New York Bight.

Beginning in 1980, we have monitored metal contamination of sediments at

40 or more standard sites in the Bight each summer. Since 1982 the surveys

included intensive sampling near dumpsites. This added effort was an attempt

to separate influences of the major sources (sewage sludge and dredged

material dumpsites, Hudson-Raritan plume) on contaminant concentrations and

effects. At most of the standard Bight sampling sites, metal levels in

surface sediments did not change appreciably among the summers of 1980, 1981,

and 1982. We previously reported a lack of major changes in metal

concentrations between 1973-74 and 1980 (Reid et al. 1982), so it now appears

that the inner Bight has been in a "steady state" of metal contamination for

at least a decade.

Baseline values for trace metals were also established for Casco and

21
Figure S1. Ranges of metal concentrations (ppm, dry wt.) in the top 5 cm of surface

sediments, from NEMP monitoring stations, 1979-1980 (1981 and 1982

data are included for stations 41-43).

22
Penobscot bays (Larsen 1985). The values were compared to existing data for

other New England estuaries. Except for cadmium, trace metal concentrations

in both bays were well above presumed preindustrial levels. Mean

concentrations of chromium, copper and lead were similar to levels in other

industrialized New England areas. Nickel and zinc levels in Penobscot Bay

were the highest yet recorded for a New England estuary, contradicting a

common perception that the estuaries of Maine have been little affected by

industrialization.

Sediment Organic Contaminants

In addition to the toxic trace metals, there are numerous organic

compounds which can be harmful to marine life and to man. Of these, the NEMP

has concentrated on PCBs and PAHs, both of which are 1) relatively toxic and

persistent in marine environments, 2) taken up and accumulated in food webs

leading to man, and 3) carcinogenic, at least in laboratory animals.

The NEMP has collected considerable information on concentrations of PCBs

in northeastern sediments. Ranges of values found for each area and sampling

period are given in Table S1. Highest values (to 1150 ppb) were found near

the sewage sludge dumpsite in the New York Bight. This concentration is lower

than the maximum (2200 ppb) reported by West and Hatcher (1980) for the same

area. Next highest values (to 450 ppb) were found in Boston Harbor.

Boehm et al. (1984) calculated that the total mass of PCBs in Boston

Harbor-Massachusetts Bay sediments was greater than in the New York Bight by a

factor of perhaps five, and PCB concentrations per km2 were also much greater

in Massachusetts Bay (the differences are not solely due to different

quantities of input, but are also related to the greater amounts of

contaminant-trapping fine sediments in Massachusetts Bay).

Maximum PCB concentrations of 100 ppb or more were also found in Casco

Bay (with values to 340 ppb in Portland Harbor), Penobscot Bay and the deep

Gulf of Maine. No concentrations as great as 100 ppb were found in limited

sampling at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, the Philadelphia Dumpsite, Hudson

Shelf Valley, Hudson Canyon, the Mud Patch, outer Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod Bay

and Georges Bank.

In the Portland Harbor-Casco Bay surveys, an increase in PCBs was noted

for 1981-83 where sediments had been relatively free of PCB contamination

during the 1980 baseline sampling. Several other areas listed in Table S1

also showed apparent changes in concentrations of PCBs over time. These

differences may be related to slight variations in sampling locations,

combined with effects from spatial "patchiness" of sediments and their

contaminants.

Analyses of PAHs were completed for a subset of the samples in which PCBs

were measured. Spatial trends in PAH contamination generally paralleled those

for PCBs. As with PCBs, Boehm et al. (1984) reported the total mass of PAHs

in Massachusetts Bay to be greater than in the New York Bight by about a

factor of five, with elevated concentrations more widespread than in the

Bight. Concentrations of PAHs per km were not higher in the Bay than in the

Bight, in contrast to the findings for PCBs. The highest concentration of

23
Table S1. NEMP measurements of total PCBs in sediments, 1980-83 (ppb, dry

wt.). Data on first line are ranges of values found. (Numbers

of stations sampled/replicates per station) are indicated on

second line. ND=not detected.

24
PAHs found by Boehm et al. (1984), 880 ppm in Boston Harbor, is greater than

all but one value (1791 ppm in the Severn Estuary, England) reported in

Johnson et al.'s (1985) review of worldwide studies.

The NEMP also made the first PAH measurements for Casco and Penobscot

bays (Johnson et al. 1985). Penobscot sediments had 0.1-5 ppm PAHs (wet

weight), which is in the same range as most sediments from the New York Bight,

Buzzards Bay and Massachusetts Bay. Some Casco Bay concentrations were much

higher (to 232 ppm wet weight). Samples from the Gulf of Maine were toward

the low end of concentrations of PAHs reported worldwide.

Sediment Microorganisms

We have monitored several groups of bacteria (total and fecal coliforms

and an anerobic spore forming species, Clostridium perfrinens1) which can

indicate fates of sewage-related materials and presence of less easily

detected microorganisms which may be pathogenic (C.

cause food poisoning and infections).

 perfringens itself can

Samples have a so been analyzed for a

type of marine bacillus bacteria (several species of which are known to be

pathogenic to both marine animals and man), as well as for pathogenic viruses

and Acanthamoeba, an amoeba (protozoan) which can be harmful to man.

Distribution of Clostridium on the northeast shelf was consistent over

the first five years of NEMP sampling. Highest counts (100,000 or more per ml

of sediment) occurred just west of the New York Bight sewage sludge

dumpsite. Next highest levels were found in the upper Hudson Shelf Valley,

indicating a migration of sludge to that area, agreeing with our earlier

results and those of Cabelli and Pedersen (1982). High counts were also

recorded in Massachusetts Bay and, surprisingly, off the New Hampshire

 estuaries, reflecting waste inputs to coastal waters there.

Fecal coliform abundances in surface sediments of the New York Bight have

also had a consistent pattern, in summer surveys from 1980-83 and as compared

to 1971-75 abundances (Reid et al. 1982). The several years of coliform and

Clostridium data, like the sediment metals data, indicate little recent

change in contamination of the inner Bight.

The various marine bacillus species have been detected only in low

concentrations. Highest densities were at the mouths of estuaries, followed

by other inshore areas.

The NEMP has monitored microorganisms at the Philadelphia sewage sludge

dumpsite (about 40 n mi east of the Delaware-Maryland border) before and after

dumping stopped there in November 1980. Cooperative annual surveys with EPA

and FDA showed that by June 1983, sediments in and near the dumpsite either

were negative for sewage-associated bacteria, or had densities within

acceptable limits for shellfish harvesting. The potentially pathogenic amoeba

species was found in sediments at 35% of 23 stations sampled during summer

1980. Occurrence dropped to 6% by summer 1983, and in summer 1984 samples

from 44 stations revealed no specimens. Based on the bacteria and amoeba

1

The text uses only common names for all species except microorganisms.

Appendix 5.6 lists common and scientific names of all species discussed.

25
data, we concluded that pathogens no longer were a significant health threat

at the site, and FDA recommended that the site be reopened to shellfishing.

The findings have generic applicability, i.e., if like quantities of similar

quality sludge were dumped at other sandy midshelf sites, recovery could be

expected within three to four years after disposal ceased.

Benthic Macrofauna Community Structure

The NEMP, and the earlier OP program, have monitored bottom-dwelling

invertebrate communities at 25 sites on the northeast shelf at least twice a

year from 1978 through 1984. Earlier data are available for several stations,

e.g. the baseline extends from 1955 for the Buzzards Bay station. The annual

New York Bight surveys since 1980 have also included benthic macrofauna

sampling. We have concentrated on analyzing 1) patterns in numbers of species

and of amphipod crustaceans (both of which usually decrease with increasing

pollution stress over space and time); 2) abundances of the 10 numerically

dominant species for each station and sampling; and 3) overall composition of

the benthic community, using classification (cluster) analysis.

Mean numbers of species and amphipods have been stable at offshore

monitoring stations. Figure S2a shows consistent mean values during 1974-83

for a swale (trough between two sand ridges) about 60 n. mi east of southern

New Jersey (a scarcity of amphipods. in July 1979 is thought to be due to

missing the swale during sampling, because a dense population was found again

two months later}. This station is in the Baltimore Canyon Trough, an oil

exploration area on the outer shelf. Although far from most direct

contaminant inputs, the BCT station is considered "transitional" or "early

warning" because it is in a swale and thus has a greater tendency to

accumulate fine sediments and associated contaminants. There are several

other "transitional" stations in the regional sampling pattern: in the midHudson Shelf Valley; off Fire Island, Long Island; in the "Mud Patch" south of

Nantucket; and in a depression just east of Long Island Sound. Species

richness, amphipod densities, and cluster analysis have not shown major

changes or contaminant effects at these stations over the time for which data

are available. Since effects have not been seen at the "transitional"

stations, they are not expected in the other offshore areas we monitor, and,

in fact, none were evident in the species richness, amphipod or cluster data.

Contaminant and/or enrichment effects have been most apparent in the

inner New York Bight, where we have consistently found lowest numbers of

species and a scarcity of the relatively sensitive Crustacea. This is

illustrated in Figure S2b, which shows numbers of species and amphipods over

time for a station at the northwest corner of the sewage sludge dumpsite.

Most sludge dumped in this area is carried into deeper waters. The fauna of

the dumpsite is thus exposed to high contaminant concentrations but not major

physical alteration of the sediments (though there may be storm-related

sediment movement). Faunal conditions at the dumpsite are therefore

undoubtedly related to the contamination of the site. The lack of clear

trends in numbers of species and amphipods at the dumpsite from 1973 to 1984

agrees with the above findings for sediment metals and bacteria. All these

data indicate the inner New York Bight has been in an equilibrium state of

degradation for at least the past decade.

26
Figure S2. Means and confidence limits for numbers of species (upper graphs) and

amphipods (lower) collected at NEMP stations in the Baltimore Canyon

Trough (A) and at the New York Bight sewage sludge dumpsite (B).

Numbers of samples analysed are indicated above the confidence limits

for species richness.

sieves were 0.5 mm.

Open circles indicate 1 mm sieves used; otherwise
In addition to the regional and New York Bight surveys, the NEMP has used

intensive sampling to establish macrofauna baselines in the following areas:

Area

Penobscot Bay, ME

Dates

1982-1984

Casco Bay, ME 1980-1984

Deep Gulf of Maine 1983-1984

Pigeon Hill, on

Jeffreys Ledge (deep

Gulf of Maine)

1977-1983

Isles of Shoals, New

Hampshire (shallow

Gulf of Maine)

1975-1983

Massachusetts Bay 1983

Submarine Canyons.

south of Georges Bank

1972-84

Block Island, NY

"Norfolk" Dumpsite

(17 mi east of mouth

of Chesapeake Bay)

2

"Standard" methods:

grabs/station.

Methods and Comments

Standard2 semiannual sampling at

2 stations after preliminary

single-grab survey of 50 stations

Standard semiannual sampling at

2-6 stations after preliminary

single-grab survey of 56 stations.

Standard; 31 stations sampled once

(samples archived)

SCUBA.- annual sampling and

photography at 108 and 138 ft.

depths.

SCUBA - monthly to semiannual

sampling and photography at 25,

60 and 100 ft.

Standard one-time sampling at

20 stations.

Submersible observations, annually

or more frequent, and photography,

mostly in Lydonia, Oceanographer

and Veach canyons.

1981-83 SCUBA - annual sampling and photography at two permanent and

variable numbers of random

transects.

1979-83 Standard sampling (except using

Shipek grab or box corer) at 5

stations, 4-5 times/year.

Smith McIntyre sampler, 0.5 mm sieve, 5 replicate

28
If the above areas are resampled using the same methods, comparisons with

existing data will aid in detecting trends in the effects of natural and maninduced environmental changes over time.

Seabed Oxygen Consumption

Sediment cores were incubated aboard ship at ambient bottom water

temperatures to determine rates of oxygen uptake by the sediments and

associated organisms. Such measurements integrate all. chemical and biological

responses of the seabed to changes in organic loading and other

contamination. Measurements for the New York Bight were begun in 1974, for

Georges Bank in 1977, and for other parts of the northeastern shelf in 1979.

Comparison of 1974-75 oxygen consumption rates for the inner Bight with

1982-83 data has revealed good agreement-between changes in dumping volume

(+89% at the sludge dumpsite and -63% at the dredged material dumpsite) and

oxygen consumption (+57% and -36% respectively). We are now sampling the

standard inner Bight stations every two months. This sampling, together with

continued annual monitoring of sediments, contaminants and benthos, will help

determine the rate and extent of the recovery process as dumping is phased out

at the sewage sludge site. Such data can be used to model effects of any new

dumping activities in similar waters.

Surf Clam Ecology

The surf clam is the most important shellfish species in the Middle

Atlantic Bight in terms of value of annual harvests. We have been conducting

field observations and experiments on the ecology of surf clam beds, to assess

potential growth of clam populations and factors limiting that growth. Trays

of sediments with various grain sizes and contaminant loads are placed on the

bottom in the inner Bight, and effects on settlement of larval clams and other

invertebrates are recorded. Early results indicate that settling surf clams

avoid fine sediments but not coarse ones in which high sulfide-low oxygen

conditions have been experimentally created. Surf clams and most other

invertebrates had low densities of settling larvae in sediments with domestic

sewage sludge or domestic sludge with industrial wastes added.

Several years of observations have also documented the significance of

predation on surf clam populations. We estimate at least 99% of all surf

clams which set are consumed, especially by rock crabs and calico crabs. The

increased understanding of recruitment dynamics can improve clam management by

facilitating predictions of future stock sizes. The studies may suggest new

management techniques to increase clam abundance, such as control of predators

and contaminants.

29
Literature Cited

Boehm, P. D. 1982. Analysis of marine sediment samples for physical and

chemical properties - Northeast Monitoring Program. Final Data

Summarization and Interpretation Report, Contract No. NA-81-SAC-00098, to

National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center, Highlands, NJ 07732.

Boehm, P. D. 1983. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analytical survey of

Buzzards Bay,-Massachusetts. Final Report, Contract No. NA-81-FA-C-00013,

to National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center, Highlands, NJ

07732.

Boehm, P., W. Steinhauer and J. Brown. 1984. Organic pollutant

biogeochemistry studies, northeast U.S. marine environment. Part 1: The

state of organic pollutant (PCB, PAH, coprostanol) contamination of the

Boston Harbor - Massachusetts Bay - Cape Cod Bay system: Sediments and

biota: Part 2:

of Maine areas.

Organic geochemical studies in the Hudson Canyon and Gulf

Final report contract no. NA-83-FA-C-00022 to National

Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center, Highlands,, NJ 07732.

Cabelli, V. J. and D. Pedersen. 1982. The movement of sewage sludge from the

New York Bight dumpsite as seen from Clostridium perfringens spore

densities. p. 995-999. In: Oceans 82 Conference Record, Washington,

D.C., 20-22 September, 1982.

ERCO (Energy Resources Co., Inc.). 1980. New York Bight benthic sampling

survey: Coprostanol, polychlorinated biphenyl and polynuclear aromatic

hydrocarbon measurements in sediments, Final Report, Contract No. NA-80-

FA-C-00038, to National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center,

Highlands, NJ 07732.

ERCO (Energy Resources Co., Inc.). 1982. New York Bight benthic sampling

survey: Coprostanol, polychlorinated biphenyl and polynuclear aromatic

hydrocarbon measurements in sediments (1980-1981). Final Report,- Contract

No. NA-81-FA-C-00013, to National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast

Center, Highlands, NJ 07732.

ERCO (Energy Resources Co., Inc.). 1983. Analysis of marine sediment samples

for physical and chemical properties -- Northeast Monitoring Program.

Final Data Summarization and Interpretation Report, Contract NO. NA-82-

SAC-00701, to National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center,

Highlands, NJ 07732.

Johnson, A. C., P. F. Larsen, D. F. Gadbois and A. W. Humason. 1985. The

distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Surficial

sediments of Penobscot Bay (Maine, USA) in relation to possible sources

and to other sites worldwide. Mar. Environ. Res.15: 1-16.

Larsen, P. F. 1985. A review of five years of sediment quality studies in

the Gulf of Maine. Bigelow Laboratory Tech. Rept. No. 50. 86 p.

30
Reid, R. N., J. E. O'Reilly and V. S. Zdanowicz, eds. 1982. Contaminants in

New York Bight and Long Island Sound sediments and demersal species, and

contaminant effects on benthos, summer 1980. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC16. 96 p.

Renfro, W. C. 1973. Transfer of 65Zn from sediments by marine polychaete

worms. Mar.' Biol. 21: 305-316.

West, R. H. and P. G. Hatcher. 1980. Polychlorinated biphenyls in sewage

sludge and sediments of the New York Bight. Mar. Poll. Bul. 11: 126-129.

31
3.2.3 Trace Contaminants in Tissues - Adriana Cantillo, Coordinator

Introduction

One of the goals of the NEMP is to determine and/or confirm the existing

levels, trends and variations in the concentrations of contaminants in biota,

and the effects of these substances on living resources. Body burdens of

contaminants can be relevant because of possible effects on the well-being or

survival of marine organisms, and on human consumers of seafood containing

contaminants. The contaminants of principal concern in the NEMP body burden

studies are a suite of trace metals, petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs),

particularly PAHs, and chlorinated hydrocarbons, especially PCBs.

Description of data sets and results

During the past 5 years, extensive surveys of the levels of toxic trace

metals and trace organics in various species of fish and shellfish collected

in northeast U.S. waters have been undertaken by the NEMP. At this writing,

many of the biological samples collected are yet to be analyzed. A summary of

trace metal and trace organic concentrations found in the tissues of various

species, and the data sources, is given in Appendices 5.7 and 5.8.

Prior to the NEMP, Greig et al. (1978) determined Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb

and Zn in scallops collected in the northeast. Geographical trends were not

evident; differences in the level of Cd and Zn were related to sex. Some of

these results are confirmed by data from a monthly scallop survey during 1981

(Zdanowicz unpublished data) sampling the same scallop population, located

about 10 miles east of Asbury Park, NJ, on the southern side of the Hudson

Shelf Valley. Trace metal concentrations increased in the order: muscle <

(less than) gonad < gill < viscera (Figure Cl). The temporal variations of

Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb in gonad and viscera are shown in Figure C2. Cadmium

levels in gonad decreased over the summer, reaching a minimum in September,

while Cd levels in viscera increased. There may be other relationships in the

data, such as an inverse covariance between gonadal Ni and Cu.

The concentrations of Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the tissues of

windowpane flounder, winter flounder, sea scallop and rock crab collected in

the Northeast during various NEMP cruises were reported by Zdanowicz and Ruiz

(1981). Levels of all the metals increased in the order muscle < gonad, liver

<< (much less than) scallop viscera. Comparison of tissue trace metal levels

was possible for four species collected in four areas of the Northeast. These

were : a) winter flounder; windowpane flounder, rock crab and sea scallop from

the New York Bight; b) winter and windowpane flounder from Rhode Island Sound

and Georges Bank; c) rock crab from Long Island and the Delaware shelf; and d)

sea scallops from the New Jersey and Long Island shelf areas. The authors

found no geographical correlations. In a similar study reported in Zdanowicz

and Bruno (1982a), correlations between Ag and Cu, and Zn and Cu, were

observed.

Ocean quahogs collected in the Northeast were analyzed for PCBs, PAHs,

PHCs, Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn (Steimle et al. in press). Observed

levels of PCBs ranged from 2 to 30 ppb wet weight. Ocean quahogs from Georges

Bank and Nova Scotia were minimally contaminated (2-5 ppb wet weight). Ocean

quahogs from nearshore in the New York Bight, Rhode Island Sound and Buzzards

32


Bay were more contaminated, with values up to 25 ppb wet weight, although

still well below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "action level" of

2 ppm. Levels of PCBs were relatively uniform, ranging only over one order of

magnitude. There was also homogeneity of PHCs and PAHs, with concentrations

ranging from 0.8 to 7.3 ppm wet weight and <1 to 55 ppb wet weight,,

respectively. The mean PAH value measured over the Northeast was 16.7 ± 12.0

ppb wet weight. The composition of the PAHs, however, varied considerably,.

ranging from 0 to 81% "petroleum" PAHs (as contrasted to PAHs from combustion

sources). PCBs also showed differences in abundances of congeners (similar

molecules in different configurations). The highest mean Ag, Cr, Cu and Pb

concentrations were in the New York Bight, with Ni and Zn highest in the "Mud

Patch", and highest Cd values off Delaware. Lowest concentrations were at

mid-shelf stations off New Jersey and Maryland (except at stations near

dumpsites).

Concentrations of Cd, Cu and PCBs were determined in mussels collected

from the mouths of various rivers and inshore areas along the Connecticut

shoreline of Long Island Sound (Greig and Sennefelder 1985). The levels of

PCBs in mussels from all ten stations sampled were low, with means ranging

from 0.05 to 0.12 ppm wet weight. The concentrations at the upper end of the

range, 0.08 to 0.12 ppm, were found at only four stations. All these

concentrations are well below the 2 ppm FDA limit. The Cu levels in mussels

were low, with means ranging from 1.0 to 2.3 ppm wet weight. The Cd levels

were also low, ranging from 0.41 to 1.3 ppm, except for Bridgeport, CT, where

the mussels had a mean Cd level of 5.1 ppm wet weight. The FDA does not have

action limits for Cu and Cd. Mackay et al. (1975) report a recommended maximum

level of 2 ppm Cd for seafood in Australia.

exceeded the Australian Cd limit.

Thus the mussels from Bridgeport

In a related study, the stomach contents and livers of windowpane

flounder were collected at various times of the year in Long Island Sound and

analyzed for PCBs, Ag, Cd, Cu and Pb (Greig et al. 1983). The PCB levels

ranged from 0.88 to 2.3 ppm wet weight in livers, and from 0.03 to 0.45 ppm

wet weight in stomach contents. Levels of PCBs in liver varied little with

season. There was no clear trend in the levels found in stomach contents.

There were differences in mean levels of the trace metals among the three

stations sampled in the Sound. Variation in fish from the same station,

however, was too great to allow firm conclusions regarding either differences

between stations or seasonal variability.

Soft clams from New Bedford Harbor were analyzed for PHCs, specific PAHs

and PCBs (ERCO 1983a). The PCB concentrations were high, ranging from 0.75-

13.7 ppm wet weight, compared with concentrations in other areas (Appendix

5.8). Saturated hydrocarbons ranged from 34-362 ppm wet weight, and PAHs from

5.3-73 ppm wet weight. These concentrations are also high compared to other

areas.

Body burdens of PCBs were determined as part of a comprehensive survey of

PCBs, PAHs and coprostanol in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod

Bay (Boehm et al. 1984). Rock crab, winter flounder and American dab were

analyzed. The levels of PCBs were greatest -in crabs and lowest in dabs. The

PCB levels of crabs from Boston Harbor were about four times those from

Massachusetts Bay and about twice those in Cape Cod Bay. All these PCB

concentrations were at least one order of magnitude below the FDA action

35
limit. These samples were also analyzed for PAHs and elevated levels were

only in the crabs, which ranged from 28-1840 ppb wet weight. The highest

levels were in crabs from Boston Harbor.

Selected finfish and benthic epifaunal samples were collected as part of

the Gulf and Atlantic Survey and analyzed for PHCs; PCBs, DDTs and PAHs in

edible flesh (Boehm and Hirtzer 1982). Most silver hake samples contained

detectable PHCs, with levels from 6 to 90 ppm wet weight. The high incidence

of PHC contamination (86% of the samples collected) was unique among the

specie's analyzed. PHC concentrations in silver hake increased with decreasing

distance from the New York Bight Apex, indicating a potential gradient from

pollutant sources. A similar pattern was observed for PCBs. These patterns

were not observed in red hake or in any other species sampled. Other finfish

samples contained very low levels of the chemicals. Of the benthic epifauna

sampled, only lobsters and rock crabs contained elevated amounts of PCBs and

DDE (a product of DDT breakdown).

Two benthic species from Buzzards Bay, the false quahog clam and the

American lobster, were analyzed for PCBs (Boehm 1983). Our findings indicated

that little of the contamination from the heavily impacted New Bedford

Harbor/Acushnet River region enters the fauna of Buzzards Bay proper. The PCB

levels in clams ranged from 0.021-0.05 ppm wet weight, and in lobsters from

0.02-0.09 ppm wet weight. The PCB composition varied between species,

probably a result of feeding behavior and metabolic transformations. The

clams contained a range of PCB compounds similar to those in surface

sediments, but also trichlorobiphenyls and tetrachlorobiphenyls. Lobsters

contained primarily hexachlorobiphenyls.

Several fish species and a crab species from the Hudson-Raritan estuary

were analyzed for PCBs and dioxin (Boehm and Steinhauer 1984). Samples were

collected at the Manhattan piers, Kill Van Ku11 and the north shore of Raritan

Bay. The PCB concentrations ranged from 0.07 to 0.25 ppm wet weight. No

distinct geographical trends were apparent. The concentrations found in winter

flounder tissue were greater than in fourspot flounder from the same area.

Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) was detected only in samples from Kill Van Ku11 where

the concentrations ranged from undetectable to 3.1 parts per trillion wet

weight.

Gadbois (1982) determined the concentrations of PCBs and PAHs in the

edible tissues of several finfish and shellfish species. The PCB

concentrations were low and remained fairly constant between species and

stations. In flounders, liver tissue had higher PCB levels than muscle

tissue. The fourspot flounder had the lowest concentrations, followed by

windowpane flounder and winter flounder. The total PAH concentrations in

muscle ranged from 2 to 45 ppb wet weight for finfish and 13 to 282 ppb wet

weight for shellfish. No dominant PAH was found. Sand lance from Stellwagen

Bank contained <0.1 ppm PCBs, and PAH concentrations were also low.

Gadbois (1983) determined PCBs and PAHs in Atlantic mackerel collected

from near Point Pleasant, NJ, and other northern and southern areas of the New

York Bight. The Point Pleasant fish were also used for physiological studies

at the NMFS Milford Laboratory. Full data interpretation as related to

possible physiological variations has not been completed, but analysis of the

northern and southern mackerel showed that liver samples contained the largest

36
concentrations of PCBs, followed by the ovaries, kidneys and muscle. The

northern group had slightly higher levels than the southern group.

As part of a two-year study, Boehm (1982b) analyzed nut clams and two

species of worms (red-lined and flabelligerid) for PCBs, PAHs and PAEs

(phthalate acid esters). The ratio of PCBs in worm tissue to PCBs in sediment

on a wet basis was 0.4 when the concentration of PCBs in sediments was less

than approximately 1 ppm. This bioconcentration factor (BCF) decreased with

increasing sediment PCB level, indicating no direct relationship between bulk

sediment level and tissue level. The tissue levels appear to be controlled by

transport of PCBs from sediments to interstitial waters. The BCF of various

PCB isomer groupings varied from station to station. The BCF for DDT in worms

was approximately equal to that for PCBs. The BCF for PAHs increased slightly

with increasing size of PAH molecule, but was less than predicted from.

octanol-water partition studies. PAEs were bioconcentrated only marginally

less than PCBs, with a much greater BCF than expected. The BCF for PCBs for

the clams was generally low, in spite of high levels of PCBs in sediments.

Clams bioconcentrated PAHs much more than worms did, with the heavier PAH

molecules being bioconcentrated to a much larger extent.

Boehm (1982a) analyzed haddock from Georges Bank for PHCs (including

specific alkanes), PCBs and DDTs. Both individual fish and poolings of

different numbers (6, 12 and 30) of adult and juvenile fish were used. PCB

and SDDT levels in adult haddock were greater than in juveniles by a factor of

2-3. The levels of PHCs were the same in juveniles and adults. The data on

PCBs, SDDT, PHCs and PAHs show the mean of triplicate analyses of tissue

poolings from 6 individuals yields a valid baseline data point for chemical

body burdens in fish. This conclusion may not be valid for highly polluted

scenarios such as spills and discharges. It is also unclear whether these

results can be extrapolated to benthic species.

The data on the concentrations of trace metals and trace organics in

tissues of animals collected in the Middle Atlantic Bight have not been fully

examined for temporal and spatial trends and correlations with other NEMP

studies. Some of the samples collected are unanalyzed so integration of the

various data sets is incomplete. Greig et al. (1978), Steimle et al. (in

press) and others have begun to compare trace organic and trace metal body

burden data collected by NEMP. Such comparisons of NEMP data sets will add to

understanding of the interrelation of chemical and biological processes.

37
Literature Cited

Boehm, P. D. 1982a. Levels of selected organic pollutants in haddock from

Georges Bank - Absolute concentrations and variability between age

classes, individuals and sample poolings. Final Report Contract No. NA81-FA-C-00013, to National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center,

Highlands, NJ 07732.

Boehm, P. D. 1982b. Organic pollutant transforms and bioaccumulation of

pollutants in the benthos from waste disposal-associated sediments.

Annual Technical Report, NOAA Grant No. NA-81-RA-D-0020.

Boehm, P. D. 1983. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analytical survey of

Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. Final Report Contract NA-81-FA-C-00013, to

National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center, Highlands, NJ 07732.

Boehm, P. D. and P. Hirtzer. 1982. Gulf and Atlantic survey for selected

organic pollutants in finfish. NOAA Tech; Memo. NMFS-F/NEC-13, 111 pp.

Boehm, P. D. and W. Steinhauer. 1984. A survey of organic contaminant (PCB,

dioxin) levels in fish from the Hudson-Raritan estuary and present levels

of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in sewage sludge from Metropolitan New

York City treatment plants. Final Report, NOAA Grant No. NA-83-RA-D00004.

Boehm, P. D., W. Steinhauer and J. Brown. 1984. Final report on organic

pollutant biogeochemistry studies, northeast U.S. marine environment, Part

I: The state of organic pollutant (PCB, PAH, coprostanol) contamination of

the Boston Harbor-Massachusetts Bay-Cape Cod Bay system: sediments and

biota, Part 2: Organic geochemical studies in the Hudson Canyon and Gulf

of Maine areas. Final Report Contract No. NA-83-FA-C-00022 to National

Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Center, Highlands, NJ 07732.

ERCO (Energy Resources Co. Inc.). 1983a. Levels of selected organic

pollutants in soft clams, M a arenaria from the New Bedford area. Final

Report Contract No. NA-81-FA-C-00013 National Marine Fisheries

Service, Northeast Center, Highlands, NJ 07732.

ERCO (Energy Resources Co. Inc.). 1983b. Organic pollutant levels in the

ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) from the northeastern United States.

Final Report Contract No. NA-81-FA-C00013, to National Marine Fisheries

Service, Northeast Center, Highlands, NJ 07732.

Gadbois, D. F. 1982. Hydrocarbon analysis-of targeted fin and shellfish

species and sediments collected from northeastern U.S. coastal waters,

Annual Report of the Northeast Monitoring Program. 39 pp.

Gadbois, D. F. 1983. Hydrocarbon analysis of targeted fin and shellfish

species and sediments collected from northeastern U.S. coastal waters,

Annual Report of the Northeast Monitoring Program. 35 pp.

38
Greig, R. A. and G. Sennefelder. (1985). Metals and PCB concentrations in

mussels from Long Island Sound. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35:

331-334.

Greig, R. A., S. Schurman, J. Pereira and P. Naples. 1983. Metals and PCB

concentrations in windowpane flounder from Long Island Sound. Bull.

Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 31: 257-62.

Greig, R. A., D. R. Wenzloff, C. L. MacKenzie, Jr., A. S. Merrill and V.

Zdanowicz. 1978. Trace metals in sea scallops Platoecten magellanicus,

from eastern United States. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19(3): 326-

33.

Hartman, W. D. and M. E. Stewart. 1984. The effect of selected by-products

of chlorinated seawater on oyster larvae: Final Report 1980-1981.

Mackay. N. J., R. J. Williams, J. L. Kacprzac. M. N. Kazacos. A. J. Collins

and E. H. Auty. 1975. Heavy metals in cultivated oysters (Crassostrea

commercialis = Saccostrea cucullata) from the estuaries of New South

Wales. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 26:31-46.

Reid, R., J. O'Reilly and V. Zdanowicz. 1982. Contaminants in New York Bight

and Long Island Sound sediments and demersal species, and contaminant

effects on benthos, Summer 1980. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-16. 96 p.

Steimle, F. W., P. D. Boehm, V. Zdanowicz and R. Bruno. (In press). Organic

and trace metal levels in the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica Linne) from

the Northwestern Atlantic. Fish. Bull. U.S. 84(1)(1986)

Zdanowicz, V. and T. Ruiz. 1981. Trace metals in sediments and biota.

Annual Report of the Northeast Monitoring Program.

Zdanowicz, V. and R. A. Bruno. 1982a. Concentrations of seven metals in

surface sediments and livers of animals of the New York Bight and Hudson

Canyon. Annual Report of the Northeast Monitoring Program.

Zdanowicz, V. and R. A. Bruno. 1982b. Concentrations of seven metals in the

ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) from the northeastern United States.

Sandy Hook Laboratory Report.

39
3.2.4 Biological Effects - Edith Gould, Coordinator

Introduction

The primary purpose of NEMP's biological-effects monitoring effort is to

detect and measure pollutant effects in key marine resource species. The

intent is to identify present and potential "trouble spots" in coastal and

offshore waters. From a manager's viewpoint, pollutant effects can diminish a

fishery stock through mortality and loss of reproductive efficiency, which can

lead to its collapse. From the fishery industry's standpoint, pollutants can

reduce marketability of seafood through tainting and accumulation of

contaminant concentrations thought to be hazardous to consumers. The NEMP

monitoring effort, therefore, emphasizes the collection of data from animals

in the field, supported by carefully designed field studies and by controlled,

relevant laboratory studies to aid in interpreting field data.

This five-year Summary of NEMP's monitoring is divided into four main

categories: 1) The impact of pollutants on animal metabolism and how this may

affect health, survival and ability to reproduce (Physiology and

Biochemistry); 2) the frequency of mutational defects, and how this could

affect stock recruitment (Genetics); 3) the occurrence and frequency of

disease, and measures of resistance capacity (Pathology and Immunology); and

4) the general response of selected animals to a contaminated environment, and

response effect on survival (Behavior).

Physiology and Biochemistry

Four flounder species (winter, summer, yellowtail., windowpane) have been

collected seasonally over the past five years at 25 NEMP stations from the

Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras. From these samplings, we have amassed

baseline data on flounder hematology. Early observations, confirmed in

subsequent years, established that abnormal blood values are most consistent

in flounders from inshore stations (e. g. Plum Island, off northern

Massachusetts; Massachusetts Bay; Long Island Sound). Windowpane flounder

taken for the past three years along a pollutant gradient in Long Island Sound

corroborated the NEMP broad-scale cruise results. Fish from the most

polluted, western part of Long Island Sound differed most from those collected

at a "clean" station. Concurrent laboratory metal-exposure studies provided

data on metal effects for use in interpreting field observations.

Potentially useful tools for monitoring were found in a simple,

established technique and in a new one. Work with blue mussels deployed at

dumpsites (central Long Island Sound, New York Bight Apex) and along pollutant

gradients (Narragansett Bay) showed gill tissue respiration paralleled the

more labor-intensive scope-for-growth measurements. The former technique thus

proved its usefulness as a rapid screening tool. Lobsters held in cages at a

dredged material dumpsite near New Haven had a stronger and more frequent rate

of backflushing their gills, or "coughing", than lobsters at control sites.

This new technique can assess relative pollutant levels in water and

sediments.

40
Activity of a flounder kidney enzyme called G6PDH serves as another

indicator of pollutant stress in these fish. High values (> 80) indicate a

stimulatory response to sublethal toxicant stress which was found in flounder

(winter and windowpane) taken in Buzzards Bay, the NY Bight Apex and Block

Island Sound, and at the mouth of Delaware Bay. The condition is reversible

in fish that move to cleaner waters.

Monitoring offshore populations of sea scallops for the past 5 years has

produced two separate conclusions. The first is that nutritionally deficient

scallops at deepwater (135-200 m) sites in the Gulf of Maine lack glycogen

reserves necessary for successful spawning. Muscle glycogen remains low

throughout the year except for a slight increase in winter that suggests

gamete resorption. This observation has been made repeatedly since 1980, and

we have concluded that such populations do not reproduce themselves.

The second, first seen in 1981, has since been confirmed by sporadic

collections at NEMP stations. Biochemical stress parameters (muscle glycogen

and marker enzyme GDH; kidney marker enzymes G6PDH, IDH, MDH) indicate most

offshore marine habitats are healthy, but a few scallop populations may not

support a commercial fishery without endangering recruitment.

A continuing study of laboratory metal exposures. has shown that copper

(20 ppb, 7 wk) strongly inhibits the reproductive process in sea scallops, and

indeed reverses it, simultaneously producing lethal effects in the kidney. A

similar cadmium exposure produced neither effect.

Preliminary work with another biochemical parameter, the adenylate energy

charge (AEC) in the soft-shelled clam, found AEC values in clams caged in

Raritan Bay and Arthur Kill significantly lower than in clams held at a

control station (Mt. Sinai Harbor, L.I.). Results suggest a long-term

adaptive response for natural clam populations in Raritan Bay. Lipid values

remained fairly constant throughout the study, but glycogen concentrations

varied seasonally, possibly related to gamete production.

A general model was developed for relationships among temperature, RNADNA ratios, and growth rates of temperate marine fish larvae. With a better

understanding of factors affecting the RNA-DNA ratios, the ratios may be

useful in assessing larval health and predicting growth and survival.

An inverse correlation existed between survival of striped bass larvae

reared in the laboratory and body burdens of a wide variety of organic

contaminants in female parents taken from several rivers (including the

Hudson, Nanticoke and Choptank) and hatcheries of the eastern U.S.

Differences in the condition indices of juvenile (age-o) striped bass from the

same rivers and hatcheries included swimming stamina, relative liver weight,

tissue chemical composition, backbone mechanical properties, and

histopathology. Symptoms of poor condition in Hudson River fish were

consistent with exposure to stress, possibly contaminant-induced.

Genetics

Field studies on embryo cytopathology and on mutations in embryo,

juvenile, and adult resource fish suggest that present levels of coastal

pollution can adversely influence recruitment. Studies of reproduction in

41
these fish should not be conducted without some consideration of the pollution

factor. Mitotic spindle effects and abnormal division of the chromosomes more

frequently account for the higher incidences of chromosome mutation found in

some areas than does any increase in chromosome breakage.

Multivariate statistical analysis was performed on cytogenetic,

biological, chemical, and physical oceanographic data sets for eggs of

Atlantic mackerel taken from 20 variously polluted or-clean sites in the New

York Bight over the past several years. Aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants and

salinity together were associated with adverse conditions in all stages of

embryo development: mortality, gross anatomical abnormality, developmental

delay, and mitotic chromosomal abnormality. Trace metals were associated with

malformation of the mid-states of embryo development. Non-PCB chlorinated

hydrocarbons and PCBs, with temperature, were associated with adverse effects

at later stages of embryo development. Other, related studies on petroleum

spills point further to the vulnerability of fish embryos floating near the

sea surface.

Pathobiology and Immunology

Five years of data have been obtained from radiograph analysis of 7400

sand lance from the northwest Atlantic. These data indicate that vertebral

anomalies occurring in this species may be correlated with the quality of the

fish's habitat. These were statistically significant differences (P<.05) in

prevalence of these anomalies between mid-Atlantic coastal areas and the

deeper offshore waters of New England. Extensive sampling of inshore New

England waters is needed to test further the usefulness of this monitoring

tool.

Since 1979, about 135,000 fish in ten of the most uniformly distributed

species were examined for six disease conditions. Peak prevalences for any

particular condition occurred inshore,

these areas compared to oceanic areas.

reflecting the greater degradation of

For instance, 2.1% of cod inshore had

fin erosion compared to 0.4% of offshore cod. Fin erosion (and liver

neoplasms) appear to be reliable indicators of stress to fish populations

associated with degraded environments.

Ocean mollusks (sea scallops, ocean quahogs, and surf clams) were

examined histologically for parasites and pathology. Pathological responses

considered indicators of site specific stress were not observed at any of 33

monitoring stations. Bacterial and other microbial infections that have

seriously affected inshore sea scallops were not a problem in offshore

populations.

The persistence of gill darkening in rock crabs serves as an excellent

indicator of active sludge disposal, and of recovery of sea bottoms at a

discontinued disposal site. The prevalence of gill darkening in rock crabs

from deep waters of the Hudson Shelf Valley remained consistently high (6-19%)

since 1981. In contrast, the progressive decline (17% to 0%) of black gills

at the Philadelphia - Camden dumpsite is associated with the "recovery" of the

site since sludge disposal ceased in 1980.

42
Blue mussels collected from coastal Maine to Virginia exhibited increased

gill pathology (inflamation, adenohyperplasia, and ciliate infestations) at

locations considered degraded (i.e. Raritan Bay, NJ; Cape May, NJ; and

Searsport, ME). These gill lesions were rare or absent in mussels from all

other coastal locations. Histochemical tests for copper (Cu++) were negative

in mussels and positive for oysters collected simultaneously from Raritan Bay,

indicating that species differ as indicators of some contaminants.

During five years of using immunological methods (antibody profiles) in

monitoring, bacteria isolated from the New York Bight sewage dumpsite were

used as a test antigen (Stolen 1983). Fish kept in cages near the dumpsite

and at cleaner locations were compared for antibody levels. As indicated by

immunological competency, the condition of the dumpsite fish worsened from

1982 to 1984.

Prerecruit winter flounder experimentally infected with the protozoan

Glugea stephani had high mortality. This implies a major loss to any infected

flounder populations (Cali et al. 1986). The prevalence of this parasite in

field-collected winter flounder remained- relatively constant in the New YorkNew Jersey Lower Bay complex from 1981-1984 (ca. 8% annual), with a seasonal

range of 3-28% (Takvorian and Cali 1984). Between 1982 and 1984, there were

indications of localized high-prevalence areas along the northeast coastal

areas of Massachusetts (12% on Nantucket Shoals, 38% in Cape Cod Bay, 52% in

Massachusetts Bay) (Cali and Takvorian 1983).

Behavior

During the first five years of the NEMP, behavioral research was directed

toward developing predictive capabilities for detecting and assessing the

effects of environmental perturbations on marine and estuarine ecosystems.

This included establishing normal baselines on the behavior, life habits, and

habitat requirements of selected marine fishes and invertebrates, and

determining how sublethal contaminant levels affect survival of the organism

(Olla et al. 1980). Such effects may be reflected, at the population and

ecosystem levels (Figure B1). The underlying principle has been that changes

in behavior of an organism would follow environmental alterations, especially

those caused by man.

Blue and Dungeness crabs detected water soluble fractions of crude oil.

Avoidance of oiled sediment was highly variable and apparently related to

factors characteristic of the species, the oil, and the environment (Olla

1981; Olla et al. 1981; Pearson et al. 1980, 1981a). Exposure of Dungeness

crabs to crude oil impaired chemosensory detection of food cues, although the

competency returned after exposure to clean water.

In sediments contaminated with sublethal levels of crude oil, aberrant

burying behavior and/or emergence of selected benthic organisms, e.g. hard

clams, littleneck clams, sandworms, bloodworms and sand lance, increased their

vulnerability to predation, which would lead to decreased survival (Olla 1981;

Olla et al. 1983, 1984; Pearson et al. 1981b, 1983).

Juvenile red hake exhibited limited escape responses to introduced

drilling fluids, but under prolonged exposure, their consumption of prey

decreased, resulting in reduced growth rates (Olla et al. 1982).

43
Figure B1. Comparative behavioral responses of marine fishes and invertebrates to

selected environmental perturbations.
Under simulated hypoxia, red hake exhibited-increases in activity

indicative of avoidance, but the nature and magnitude of the response differed

by age or stage of development.

Inability to avoid or mitigate behaviorally exposure to cadmiumcontaminated sediment resulted in variable bioaccumulation for selected

benthic polychaetes,. i.e. sandworms, bloodworms, and ragworms. This poses a

threat to higher trophic levels through food web transfer.

45
Literature Cited

Cali, A. and P. M. Takvorian. 1983. Environmental variability as reflected

in Glugea stephani incidence in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes

americanus). ICES C.M. 1983/E:64.

Cali, A., P. M. Takvorian, J. J. Ziskowski and T. K. Sawyer. 1986.

Experimental infection of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

with Glugea stephani (Microsporidia). J. Fish. Biol. 28 (in press).

Olla, B. L. 1981. Oil effects on the behavior of marine invertebrates and

fishes. National Academy of Sciences Workshop on Petroleum in the Marine

Environment. Nov. 9-13, 1981, Clearwater Beach, FL.

Olla, B. L., A. J. Bejda and W. H. Pearson. 1983. Effects of oiled sediment

on the burrowing behavior of the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria. Mar.

Environ. Res. 9: 183-193.

Olla, B. L., A. J. Bejda, A. L. Studholme and W. H. Pearson. 1984.

Sublethal effects of oiled sediment on the sand worm, Nereis (Neanthes)

virens: Induced changes in burrowing and emergence. Environ. Res.

13:121-139.

Olla, B. L., W. H. Pearson and A. L. Studholme. 1980. Applicability of

behavioral measures in environmental stress assessment. p. 162-173. In:

A. D. McIntyre (ed.), ICES Workshop on Pollution Effects Monitoring.

Beaufort, NC, Feb. 26-Mar. 2, 1979. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. Int. Explor.

Mer. 179.

Olla, B. L., W. H. Pearson, P. C. Sugarman, D. L. Woodruff and J. W.

Blaylock. 1981. The effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on chemoreception

and behavior in the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister. U.S. EPA-600/7-81-

093.

Olla, B. L., W. W. Steiner and J. J. Luczkovich. 1982. Effects of drilling

fluids on the behavior of juvenile red hake, Urophycis chuss (Walbaum).

II. Effects on established behavioral baselines. U.S. EPA, 1981 Progress

Report.

Pearson, W. H., S. E. Miller, J. W. Blaylock and B. L. Olla. 1981a.

Detection of the water-soluble fraction of crude oil by the blue crab,

Callinectes sapidus. Mar. Environ. Res. 5: 3-11.

Pearson, W. H., P. C. Sugarmann, D. L. Woodruff, J. W. Blaylock and B. L.

Olla. 1980. Detection of petroleum hydrocarbons by the Dungeness crab,

Cancer magister. Fish Bull., U.S. 78: 821-826.

Pearson, W. H., D. L. Woodruff, P. C. Sugarman and B. L. Olla. 1981b.

Effects of oiled sediments on predation on the littleneck clam, Protothaca

staminea, by the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister. Estuar., Coast. Shelf

Sci. 13: 445-454.

46
Pearson, W. H., D. L. Woodruff, P. C. Sugarman and B. L. Olla. 1983. The

burrowing behavior of sand land, Ammodytes hexapterus: Effects of oilcontaminated sediment. Mar. Environ. Res. 11:17-32

Stolen, J. 1983. Monitoring environmental pollution by immunological

techniques. Biotech. 1:66. 

Takvorian, P. M. and A. Cali. 1984. Seasonal prevalence of the

microsporidian Glugea stephani in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes

americanus) from the New York-New Jersey Lower Bay complex. J. Fish.

Biol. 24: 655-663.

47
3.3 Progress Toward Meeting Program Objectives

1. "Determine or confirm the existing levels, trends, and variations

of contaminants in water, sediments, and biota and their effects on

living marine organisms."

There has been substantial progress toward determining the existing

levels of trace metals and organic contaminants in sediments and

biota. Measurements have been made in representative habitats over

the entire Northeast continental shelf, from Cape Hatteras to

Canada. Establishing trends and variations is a slower process.

Data acquired can reveal only portions of longer cycles of events

and changes. While the number of years of monitoring required to

establish such patterns cannot yet be stated accurately, each year

of data increases the likelihood of detecting and measuring

important changes.

Nutrients and other materials involved in eutrophication processes

also have been monitored regularly throughout the NEMP region.

These measurements, along with assessments of primary production

and chlorophyll biomass, are the first sets of data in which these

conditions have been studied over a broad geographic area and on a

regular schedule at frequencies ranging from seasonal to monthly.

Gradients in a series of biological effects measurements were also

found. These included deleterious changes in chromosome structure,

changes in biochemical and physiological responses, changes in

clinical measurements of blood which suggest anemia in response to

various stresses, and changes in benthic community structure

associated with elevated levels of contaminants. Again, this is

the first time, anywhere in the world, that such a wide range of

biological effects measurements has been used in a field monitoring

program.

2.

A NEMP data management system is being implemented at the NEFC,

Sandy Hook Laboratory. The primary purpose of the system is to

handle the internal requirements of NEMP. A secondary objective is

to develop cooperation and coordination with other organizations

that gather monitoring-type data in Northeast coastal region. The

data system has acquired NEMP-derived plankton and benthic data.

Water quality data from EPA, FDA, and the City of New York also are

being added.

An interactive data retrieval system started in November 1981. The

system has grown as data sets have been added. By early FY 1985

the system provided access to hydrographic and dissolved oxygen

data collected in the Middle Atlantic Bight since the early

1950s. Major sources of the data entered into the unified

48
hydrographic data base were NMFS (OP and Long Branch Transect, as

well as the Marine Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction, or

MARMAP, program), National Ocean Service, National Oceanographic

Center, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Coordination of monitoring has included integration of New York

Bight water column monitoring with complementary efforts of the

Federal EPA, states of New Jersey and New York, and BNL. Other

coordinated activities have been joint sediment-benthos cruises to

the Bight with EPA and joint regional water column sampling with

the NMFS MARMAP program and with contractors.

3. "Summarize, in collaboration with other responsible agencies,

information on pollutant inputs to estuarine and coastal waters."

There has been only a limited effort in NEMP to gather information

on point and non-point source inputs to estuarine and coastal

waters, since this is also an objective of EPA-funded studies and

is being addressed separately by OAD. The positions of major

estuarine plumes, which introduce pollutants to coastal waters,

have been detected in remote sensing data, and are proving valuable

to the understanding of such phenomena.

We have worked with the US EPA Environmental Research Laboratories,

Narragansett, Rhode Island, to develop syntheses and site

characterizations which include information on pollutant inputs to

specific water management units. The site-characterization studies

include extensive reviews of what is known about oceanographic

features and processes in the target areas.

4. "Provide real-time data and information to regulatory organizations

and the general public for planning and management."

Some of the remote sensing and water quality studies are now

producing near real-time data, whereas most sediment, benthos and

biological effects data are not available until weeks or longer

after a given cruise. Data reports are released as they are

completed throughout the year. The NEMP Annual Reports for 1980,

1981 and 1982 have been distributed to users including planning,

management, and regulatory groups and the general public. The NEMP

office receives numerous requests for additional information

regarding statements contained in the annual report as well as for

copies of principal investigators' reports. Workshops and meetings

are other methods through which NEMP results have been provided to

regulatory agencies and the general public.

5. "Determine the effects of major activities such as offshore

drilling, dumping, and toxic waste disposal on the coastal marine

environment and its resources."

Studies in the vicinity of such activities have provided

information concerning the effects of ocean disposal at the 12-mile

-sewage sludge disposal site in New York Bight, and have established

baselines for a proposed dredge spoil disposal site off Chesapeake

49
6.

Bay. Several stations located on Georges Bank, and observations

from submersibles in the nearby submarine canyons, may provide

useful information concerning the effect of oil and gas

exploration. However, the basic intent of a monitoring program is

to collect time-series information, to enable observations to be

made concerning trends and variations in pollutant levels and

effects. The NEMP has produced a series of benchmark data which

provides information on distributions and concentrations of

contaminants and will be useful in assessing the effects of various

polluting activities, many of which may not yet be clearly

identified.

Continuing efforts have also furthered understanding of seasonal

and annual variations in the distribution of contaminants in places

such as the New York Bight Apex. Indications of stress in

organisms, such as sea scallops collected near the Mud Patch south

of Nantucket Shoals, and winter flounder in Long Island Sound, have

been documented.

"Detect, and provide appropriate and early warnings of, severe or

irreversible changes in the coastal marine ecosystem and in its

resources. This would include interaction with agencies

responsible for coordination of both routine and crisis response

activities (oil spills, harmful waste, and toxic chemical

discharge, etc.)."

Analysis of monitoring data collected by the NEMP can provide early

warnings of moderate to large changes in the coastal marine

ecosystem. For example, studying the data collected on spring and

summer water column cruises in New York Bight has increased the

ability to forecast the severity of late summer oxygen depletion in

bottom waters in the Bight Apex and off northern New Jersey.

While the program has not formulated specific contingency plans for

dealing with other forms of severe change, contacts with the

appropriate regulatory agencies have been established, and will be

used should significant degradations be detected.

7. "Determine users and their needs."

A user community has actively followed the program since it began

producing data and information in 1980. At present, this community

includes NOAA components, other Federal agencies, area

Congressional delegates and staffs, state resource and

environmental agencies and commissions, regional and municipal

commissions and offices, universities and colleges, environmental

consulting firms, industrial firms, recreational fishing interest

groups, public environmental conservation interest groups, and

foreign marine science research-institutions and agencies. A

partial list of specific users in these categories is given in

Appendix 5.4.

50
8. "Determine and apply standard methods for monitoring and for

evaluating monitoring effectiveness."

The program has used both standard and innovative techniques for

determining the degree of habitat contamination and for monitoring

biological effects. In several instances (see Item 9) the

monitoring techniques did not prove effective.' In other cases

chemical analyses and methods of sample collection have lent

themselves to standardization.

Building on the earlier activities of the NEMP, other NOAA programs

have developed quality assurance activities that have lead to

standardization of measurements within the NEMP and with the other

NOAA groups. The standard activities have included field

monitoring efforts conducted by NOAA personnel as well as field

activities accomplished by a range of academic and industrial

personnel. Descriptions of the quality assurance efforts of NOAA

have been released in reports provided to several national and

international meetings.

9. "Determine which elements of monitoring are the most costeffective."

A continuing process of evaluating the effectiveness and cost of

the various monitoring tactics undertaken in the first five years

of the program was brought to a focus in late 1984, when the NEMP

Management Team members each rated the extant and candidate

monitoring activities.

The highest-rated half of the activities (with highest listed

first) were those involved with: eutrophication and low dissolved

oxygen levels in the inner New York Bight; body burdens of

pollutants in fish tissue; lesions and deformities in fish; benthic

community structure; organic and inorganic pollutants in sediments;

cytogenetic aberrations in fish; and organic and inorganic

pollutants in benthic organisms.

The lowest-rated half of the activities (highest again ranked

first) involved: incidence of black gill and pathogens; chlorophyll

concentrations and primary productivity; benthic bacteria and

protozoa; fish immunology; modeling of the inner New York Bight

nutrient/oxygen system, hydrography and circulation; physiological

responses to stress; seabed oxygen demand; variation in

phytoplankton species composition and distribution of resting

spores; behavioral responses to pollution; and RNA/DNA ratios in

fish larvae.

It should be emphasized that these rankings were related to the

readiness or suitability of activities for routine monitoring and

not related to their research or development value. Some of the

low-rated activities merely were not ready for use in a monitoring

effort yet or were too difficult or costly for routine shipboard

use.

51
10. "Determine applicability of ocean pollution monitoring to other

coastal areas."

Many of the biological effects and contaminant monitoring

techniques used within the NEMP have been applied in other national

and international programs. For example, the NEMP studies of

relationships between sediment contamination and body burdens and

diseases in resource species were adopted by the NOAA NS&T

Program. Whereas the NEMP was oriented particularly towards

habitat conservation issues of the Northwest Atlantic, NS&T is a

national effort which includes coverage of the southeastern, Gulf

and Pacific coasts.

Several of the NEMP monitoring techniques have been applied to

programs being conducted in the North Sea and other European

waters. These activities were based on papers submitted to the

International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES).

52
4. PRESENT STATUS AND DIRECTION OF THE PROGRAM

4.1 Program Evolution and Factors Which Led to Present Status and

Direction

The original goals and objectives of NEMP were developed just as NOAA was

beginning to accept the concept that monitoring and research should be

conducted in a manner that would allow for identification of the sources,

fates, 'and effects of contaminants. Moreover, the NEMP PDP was developed

because of increased concern over multiple uses of coastal marine waters.

Early plans for long-term environmental monitoring and research in the marine

habitat 'tended to be related to specific activities such as 'ocean dumping,

offshore petroleum exploration and development, point-source discharges,

dredging and dredged material disposal, and similar identifiable activities.

Subsequently, society and government have realized that most instances of

deterioration-of marine habitat quality have been caused by a multiplicity of

activities. In addition, regional and national concerns have grown with

regard to non-point-source contamination,' and the interactions betweenit and

point-source activities as dredging and dredged material disposal. Thus,

continued monitoring and concurrent research must-take into consideration the

multiple uses which will tend to degrade marine habitats (including estuaries,

coastal waters, and offshore shelf habitats).

In recent years, there have been reductions in major vessel time

available to the NEMP. Also, total funding in the sense of real dollars

available to the program has been decreased by inflation and by reduction in

funds available through OAD. Also, because of hiring and staffing limitations

and reorganizations, the number of people at work in the program has also

diminished.

The trend of reduced funding and staffing has been coupled with a trend

for increased demands on the program to deal with an ever-widening range of

acute and chronic issues. For example, the matter of ocean dumping and

redesignation of dumpsites has consumed a significant amount of time and

effort for drafting documents concerned with those issues. Situations such as

the discovery of large amounts of PCBs in New Bedford Harbor sediments and

resource species have required effort that was formerly dedicated to field,

laboratory, and management activities within the program. Outer continental

shelf petroleum exploration and development activities have also required the

involvement of program personnel. Requests for large data sets by other

agencies, such as the Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service,

necessitated allocations of human and fiscal resources. Finally, the

development of new activities in the NMFS, such as the Regional Action Plan

(RAP), has resulted in the diversion of program effort to the development of

planning documents and strategies to expedite these activities.

4.2 The Present Program

At the conclusion of the program's first five years, it was evident that

the NEMP must undergo adjustments which would result in operational and

programmatic economies. A major adjustment has been to focus the program's

efforts in those geographic areas which seem to be most severely degraded by

man's activities. This has included a new emphasis on monitoring the status

and trends of selected contaminants and organisms in estuaries and coastal

53
waters (NOS/OAD NS&T Program). Special attention is now being given to

documenting habitat and fishery resource problems in urbanized and

industrialized areas. At the same time earlier shelf-wide monitoring

activities have been reduced and previously collected data are being analyzed

to reveal levels and trends of contaminants and effects.

We also have begun to synthesize information obtained during the earlier

years of the program. The syntheses have included a major technical report on

conditions in areas potentially affected by dumping at the 106-Mile Disposal

Site. We are now preparing Water Management Unit descriptions, which are

habitat quality portrayals essential to the development of hazard assessments

within unique zoogeographic regimes.

Program personnel also have attempted to identify key issues and problem

areas around which "case studies" are being developed. The case studies may

focus on the effects of pollution on particular resource species important to

commercial or recreational exploitation.

These changes are leading to a program more commensurate with resources

available and tailored to address specific issues. The adjustments will

provide products that will be more immediately useful in managing marine

fisheries habitats.

In making programmatic adjustments, emphasis on new research into and

development of additional biological effects monitoring techniques has been

reduced. Greater attention is now being paid to using certain selected,

tested techniques for monitoring responses of individuals and populations to

contaminant loadings and physical degradation.

4.3 Outlook for the Second Five-Year Period (1985-1989)

There is need for scientists and managers working with marine habitat

quality problems to be precise in identifying those issues which warrant

extensive and expensive monitoring or research. Major concerns identified by

NOAA (action memo from John V. Byrne, NOAA Administrator, dated June 14, 1984)

are the effects of 1) pathogens, 2) synthetic organic compounds and petroleum

hydrocarbons, 3) eutrophication from nutrient loading, and 4) physical

modification of habitats by dredging, filling and other construction

activities on living marine resources. In general, these concerns are similar

to those identified by the Northeast Region of NMFS, and also by the U. S.

Environmental Protection Agency in their estuarine strategies.

In dealing with these principal concerns, quantitative evaluations of

habitat quality and assessment of the hazards imposed by habitat degradation

are required. Hazard assessments should be based on knowledge of: 1) inputs

and fates of contaminants in the environment, 2) effects of specific

contaminants on living marine resources, and 3) status of the resources at

risk. The development of hazard assessments in the Northeast requires that

NEMP scientists focus on specific case studies involving particular areas or

species at risk. For example, the NS&T monitoring program in the northeast is

being conducted in selected estuaries, with winter flounder as one target

species.

54
In the second five years (1985-89) the NEMP will deal with some of the

following issues (as budgets and overall priorities permit):

° Evaluating the effects of eutrophication/hypoxia on resource

species,

° Determining body burdens of organic pollutants in fish and

shellfish tissues and the environment,

° Quantifying pollution-related diseases in fish and shellfish,

° Evaluating reproductive capacity, survival, and recruitment in

resource species affected by contaminants,

° Documenting the recovery of polluted areas and affected fishery

resources,

° Surveillance and evaluation of habitat quality in degraded areas,

with particular relevance to effects on important resource species,

° Evaluation of habitat and resource effects in newly designated

dumpsites.

To address these issues, emphasis in monitoring and research will be

redirected geographically and temporally, to include some or all of the

following (again dependent on available resources):

° Focusing monitoring efforts on coastal and estuarine habitats.

° Continuing studies of eutrophication and hypoxia in the inner New

York Bight, with particular reference to resource effects.

° Surveying organic contaminants in fish and shellfish, emphasizing

problem areas or species.

° Monitoring disease in fish, focusing on larval and juvenile stages

but continuing efforts with adult stages.

° Monitoring recovery of the New York Bight sewage sludge dumpsite

(12-mile site) as its use is discontinued.

° Continuing monitoring and research along the contaminant gradient

in Long Island Sound, to evaluate effects on resource species.

° Conducting infrequent broad-area surveillance of continental shelf

and slope/habitats and resource species.

° Conducting case studies of problem areas, important resource

species or biological effects.

55
4.4 Revised Program Goals and Objectives

In response to changing needs of NOAA and society, and from

knowledge gained in the pilot phase of the NEMP, the original goals and

objectives (pp. 5-6) have been modified to the following:

Goal 1.

Goal 2.

Goal 3.

Monitoring: Implement a program to monitor the health of

coastal/estuarine ecosystems of the northeastern United States.

Objective A. Measure the status and trends of sediment

contamination, and contamination and pathology of demersal resource

species, in northeastern estuaries.

Objective B. Monitor eutrophication, oxygen depletion and

contaminant fates and effects in the NEMP area of interest,

emphasizing the inner New York Bight.

Objective C. Monitor recovery of the benthic environment in the

vicinity of the 12-mile dumpsite as its use is phased out.

Objective D. Repeat sampling of selected mid- and outer-shelf

stations occupied during the pilot phase of the program, at reduced

frequencies, to determine trends in habitat conditions and effects on

resources.

Objective E. Repeat sampling of selected stations in problem areas

of nearshore waters to establish rates of variation of habitat

conditions and effects on resources.

Research: Determine processes controlling impacts of natural and

anthropogenic habitat alteration on important components of marine

and estuarine ecosystems.

Objective A. Conduct "case studies‘" of species and areas deserving

detailed attention, such as determining effects of habitat alteration

on populations of winter flounder and other species in 1) Long Island

Sound, 2) Narrangasett Bay, 3) Buzzards Bay, 4) Massachusetts

Bay/Boston Harbor, and 5) Raritan Bay.

Information: Provide data and information needed to develop and

implement hazard assessments necessary for conservation and

management of resource species and their habitats.

Objective A. Develop further and maintain an interactive archive of

data resulting from the NEMP and other marine pollution monitoring

programs in the northeast.

Objective B. Support EPA and NOAA initiatives in developing

information on pollutant inputs to estuarine and coastal waters, and

incorporate data in an interactive archive.

56
Objective C. Complete report synthesizing results of the program's

first five-year operational phase (FY 85-89) and assessing impacts of

habitat alterations on resource species and their ecosystems.

Objective D. Provide relevant information, including hazard

assessments, to resource agencies, the scientific community,

regulatory organizations, the general public and other users in a

manner timely for planning and management.

57
5. APPENDICES

5.1 Annual Highlights

5.1.1 1980 Findings

Highlights of interim findings by year and discipline are listed below.

The highlights are taken from the respective NEMP annual reports as well as

from annual reports of principal investigators. See those reports for more

details.

5.1.1.1 Water Quality

° Evidence pointed to coastal eutrophication in the Middle Atlantic

Bight. Plumes from the Hudson-Raritan estuary, Delaware Bay and

Chesapeake Bay had high concentrations of inorganic and organic

nutrients, particulates, organic carbon and pollutants. High levels

of phytoplankton production and biomass were recorded consistently in

inshore waters from northern New Jersey to south of the Cheaspeake

Bay mouth. Higher incidence of blue-green algae was in the estuarine

plumes, suggesting excessive nutrient enrichment.

° During the year there was no recurrence of a widespread hypoxic water

mass off the coast of New Jersey even though concentrations of

Ceratium tripos,

catastrophic

a dinoflagellate thought to be important to the

numbers in March.

low oxygen episode, occurred in relatively high

No severely depressed oxygen levels were detected

in the plumes downstream from any of the estuaries, despite the

evidence for eutrophication and unusual oxygen demand noted.

° The possibility for contamination of foodfish by chemical wastes at

the 106-Mile dumpsite was realized and a procedure for reducing the

chances by directing the dumping away from shelf water occasionally

present was proposed.

° Microbial indicators of fecal pollution (bacillus bacteria) and the

anaerobic spore-forming Clostridium perfringens, were found in some

inshore waters and in the vicinity of New York Bight sewage

dumpsite. These organisms are indicators of sewage pollution and

potentially pathogenic to humans and fish. It was suggested their

distribution and abundance be monitored on a continuing basis.

5.1.1.2 Sediments and Benthos

° Elevated concentrations of trace metals in sediments were generally

in four areas: the New York Bight Apex, Buzzards Bay, the "Mud

Patch" southwest of Nantucket, Buzzards Bay, and the mouth of

Portland Harbor.

° Concentrations of sediment trace metals in the Bight Apex in 1980

were similar to levels measured in 1973-74.

58
Maximum concentrations of sediment PCBs (to 100-160 ppb) in the Bight

were within three nautical miles of the sludge and dredged material

dumpsites. Levels were undetectable over most of the surrounding

shelf, and in the Hudson Shelf Valley within 20 miles seaward of the

dumpsites.

Concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in

sediments were highest (19.5 ppm) in an area of

accumulation within three n. mi. to the west of

and undetectable in the mid-Shelf Valley and in

outside the Christiaensen Basin.

apparent sludge

the sludge dumpsite

coarser sediments

Clostridium perfringens was most abundant (>106

colonies per

sediment) in the same sludge, accumulation area. Counts of

ml of

10 /ml

came from the sludge and dredged material dumpsites.

Other high counts of the same bacterium (but 3-4 orders of magnitude

lower than the New York Bight maximum) were within five miles of

Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and the Rhode Island and New Hampshire

coasts.

A pathogenic amoeboid protozoan, Acanthamoeba, which flourishes on

bacteria and sewage in sediments decreased seaward from upper

Narragansett Bay to open coastal waters. This amoeba also occurred

in sediments near the Philadelphia Sewage Sludge Dumpsite.

Seabed oxygen consumption increased generally between De aware Bay

and Cape Cod, with highest rates (means of 20-23 ml 0 /M2 /hr) in

Block Island Sound and near the New York Bight dumpsites

The Christiaensen Basin in the New York Bight Apex had the greatest

apparent alterations in benthic macrofauna communities, based on

species richness, species composition, dominant species, and amphipod

populations. The Basin benthos showed little change from 1973-74 to

1980.

Species with low dispersal abilities, such as amphipods, required at

least 2-3 years to repopulate the center of the area affected by

anoxia off New Jersey in 1976.

The benthos in parts of Portland Harbor (Maine), especially at a

station 12 km downstream from a pulp mill, had an altered faunal

composition and depressed species richness:

5.1.1.3 Trace Contaminants in Tissues

° A definitive review of heavy metals in fish and shellfish of the New

York Bight was prepared. Principal findings were that highest

concentrations of metals were in fish from the New York Bight Apex,

with levels decreasing with increasing distance from this area.

Metal levels in crustaceans, mollusks, and samples of whole fish were

higher than in samples of fish flesh. Variations in heavy metals

between species were marked, with highest burdens of seven selected

metals in ocean pout, cod, and rock crabs.

59
° PCB and DDE compounds were widespread in animal tissues throughout

the sampling area, more so than PHCs. PCB and DDE compounds were

present at low levels and varied from station to station

independently of PHC distributions for most species. The highest PCB

levels in any of the major epifaunal species were found in lobsters

(0.15 ppm).

° PHCs in fish from the Northeast shelf varied with 

within ranges previously reported for the region.

species were high compared with some other coastal

concentrations were low, however (6-9 ppm), in the

species analysed (cod, haddock, winter flounder).

only epibenthic species analysed for PHCs, had a 

(65.4 ppm wet weight) than any in fish.

species, but were

Levels in some

areas. PHC

most important

Rock crab, the

higher concentration

° The geographic distributions of PCB and PHC compounds indicated no

regional point source, despite high sediment levels near dumpsites.

5.1.1.4 Biological Effects

° There was a higher incidence of skeletal deformities, mutagenic

aberrations, and various shell or skin lesions in organisms collected

inshore and in and around dumpsites, an indication of adverse effects

of ocean dumping and coastal discharge.

° Laboratory exposure of Dungeness crabs to crude oil impaired

chemosensory detection of food; the capability returned after the

crabs were placed in clean water.

° Predation by Dungeness crabs on littleneck clams was higher in oiled

sediment than in clean because of shallower burrowing by clams in

oiled sediment.

5.1.2 1981

5.1.2.1 Water Quality

° Bight-wide hypoxia did not occur in 1981. Lowest values were 2.9 ppm

near the New York Bight dumpsites and New Jersey coast. The

depressed oxygen levels typically found north of Barnegat Inlet in

summer were not detected in 1981.

° Data indicate shifts in the phytoplankton. community toward smaller

diatoms and ultraplankton in nearshore waters, especially at the

mouths of major estuaries. Such shifts may alter existing food webs

supporting resource species.

° High nutrient input from the Hudson-Raritan estuary may dominate

nutrient distribution and utilization for the entire New York Bight.

° There was a consistent (five-year) pattern of phytoplankton biomass

(chlorophyll a) and primary production (C14) on the northeast

shelf. Portions of the shelf, e.g. the New York Bight Apex, have

some of the highest production rates known.

60
° Much of the high spring primary production in the New York Bight was

not consumed by zooplankton or nekton feeders, but sank to the sea

floor and influenced summer oxygen levels.

° High concentrations of Clostridium perfringens occurred in New York

Bight Apex, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Bay and Casco Bay, Maine, at

the mouths of major estuaries and in the natural depositional area

(Mud Patch) south of Martha's Vineyard.

5.1.2.2. Sediments and Benthos

° Highest concentrations of sediment trace metals were in the same

areas as in FY 80 (Bight Apex, Mud Patch, Buzzards Bay, Casco Bay),

and also in Massachusetts Bay and at the mouths of major estuaries.

° Sediment PCBs followed the same pattern as trace metals, with highest

level (144 ppb) in the Bight Apex, and with elevated concentrations

in Buzzards Bay.

° Very high concentrations of sediment PAHs (to 31,000 ppb) were found

in the Bight Apex; PAHs were detected at all but one of 48 Bight

stations,.

° Low concentrations of pesticide residues (up to 2.0 ppb Kepone, 4.5

ppb aldrin, and 6.4 ppb heptaclor epoxide) were present at the

proposed Norfolk dredged material dumpsite (14.6 n. mi. off

Chesapeake Bay) where no dumping has yet taken place.

° Densities up to 5 x 103

/m1 sediment of Clostridium perfringens were

at the mouths of several estuaries-. Pathogenic bacteria, viruses and

Acanthamoeba were also detected there.

° An intensive survey of the New York Bight indicated (in agreement

wish earlier studies) a highly altered benthic community of about 10

km centered just west of the sewage sludge dumpsite, and an

"enriched" area with high densities of several macrofauna species

over about 200 km2 of the Christiaensen Basin and upper Hudson Shelf

Valley.

° SCUBA techniques were used to develop baselines for benthic fauna of

the inshore Isles of Shoals and offshore Jeffreys Ledge in the Gulf

of Maine. Macro- and megafauna of Georges Bank and two canyons to

its south (Lydonia and Oceanographer) were characterised via

observations, photography and sampling from submersibles.

° The first year's estimates for three stations in and near Delaware

Bay indicated annual benthos production ranged from 3.8 to 20.6 grams

of carbon per m2 per year.

61
5.1.2.3 Trace Contaminants in Tissues

° All concentrations of PCBs in demersal fish tissues were well below

the 5 ppm recommended maximum level for human consumption, and were

not consistently related to levels in sediments or to contaminated

areas.

° Statistically significant differences in PCB concentrations between

the inner and outer New York Bight existed for rock crab, but not

lobster, scallop, windowpane and winter flounder, or red and silver

hake.

5.1.2.4 Biological Effects

Physiologically. stressed flounders (winter, windowpane, yellowtail)

were found in polluted western Long Island Sound, throughout the New

York Bight Apex, and off the Merrimack River, Massachusetts.

Nutritionally stressed sea scallops were found at deepwater sites in

the Gulf of Maine. These deepwater populations probably do not spawn

sucessfully.

Scallops in poor metabolic condition were collected from an area

abutting the Mud Patch southwest of Martha's Vineyard.

Chromosomal mutation frequencies in red blood cells of adult flounder

from polluted western Long Island Sound were three times those of

fish sampled elsewhere; red blood cell mutations in larval red hake

were highest near the New York Bight dumpsites.

There was evidence of copper accumulation and related pathological

effects in oysters from Delaware, Raritan, and Buzzards bays, and in

the Piscataqua River, New Hampshire.

Samples of adult sand lance, an important forage for fish and whales,

had a greater prevalence of skeletal abnormalities at inshore

stations than offshore, especially near plumes from major estuaries.

More bacterial infections, as measured by the amebocyte lysate test,

were in fish caged at the New York Bight sludge dumpsite than in fish

caged at a control station.

Juvenile red hake exhibited escape responses to drilling fluids

introduced into an experimental holding tank. Such responses could

increase the risk of predation in fish forced to leave preferred

habitats.

62
5.1.3 1982 Findings

5.1.3.1 Water Quality

Low dissolved oxygen in bottom water over the New Jersey shelf did

not occur. The lowest recorded values along the bottom were found in

September and exceeded 5.0 ppm, well above stress levels for most

species.

The Hudson River plume- was a significant source of nitrogen in April

and September. Replenishment of depleted sources came from

subeuphotic depths on the inner shelf from April through September,

returning about half the nitrogen used by productivity processes

during the spring bloom.

Phytoplankton populations were monitored over the northeastern

continental shelf; seasonal composition and distribution patterns for

the shelf and population centers associated with major bay systems,

Georges Bank, and sites along the outer shelf were defined. Several

stations over the shelf contained high levels of species associated

with bloom conditions (e.g. Ceratium spp.).

Data from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner on the Nimbus-7 satellite

were used to examine temporal patterns of sea surface temperature and

phytoplankton pigments in the Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank region of

the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Subareas were classified into three

ecologically distinct regimes: (a) vertically mixed, relatively

cold, and rich in pigment; (b) seasonally stratified, relatively

cold, and pigment-poor; and (c) weakly to mostly stratified,

relatively warm, and pigment-poor. Colder waters, except for the

Scotian Shelf and Gulf of Maine, were subject to greater vertical

turbulence and nutrient replenishment. Persistently high pigment

concentrations were associated with turbulent waters less than 60 m

in depth.

Waste dispersion modelling of particles with different sinking

velocities was initiated to demonstrate variability in depositional

patterns under mean westerly wind conditions. This effort was made

to demonstrate the utility of tracking oxygen demanding particles

emanating from the estuaries and settling along the bottom.

5.1.3.2 Sediments and Benthos

An area of elevated concentrations of several trace metals, often to

half of their highest concentrations in the New York Bight Apex, was

found beyond 200 m depths in Hudson Canyon (the extension of the

Hudson Shelf Valley, which runs from the Apex to the shelf edge).

This indicates the Shelf Valley acts as a seaward conduit for

contaminants introduced in the inner Bight.

Trace metal levels in Penobscot Bay, Maine-were (as previously

reported for Casco Bay) comparable to other, more industrialized New

England embayments.

63
Statistically significant increases in sediment PCB concentrations

between 1981 and 1982 were detected off Delaware Bay, (mean

concentration in Summer 1982 was 40x Summer 1981) in the New York

Bight Apex (4.6x) and in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (4.6x).

However, mean values in November 1982 were again statistically

similar to summer 1981 values off Delaware Bay and in Buzzards Bay.

This illustrates the spatial and/or temporal patchiness of PCBs.

Concentrations at other stations changed little from 1981.

PAHs were again in nearly all sediments analyzed. Except for the New

York Bight Apex, analyses indicated the PAHs generally came from

combustion sources rather than from liquid petroleum. Mean

concentrations in Casco and Penobscot bays (up to 14.4 ppm) exceeded

all others we have measured in the NEMP Region except the New York

Bight Apex. Distributions in Penobscot Bay suggest contemporary,

anthropogenic sources rather than long-term natural phenomena.

Incidences of Acanthamoeba at the Philadelphia sewage sludge dumpsite

in June 1982 were unchanged from incidences found before sludge

disposal ended in November 1980. Numbers of coliform bacteria

diminished.

Preliminary estimates indicated productivity of the anthropogenically

stressed Bight Apex benthic macrofauna was similar to that of

unpolluted Georges Bank within comparable bathymetric zones.

NEMP and other groups studied the continued destruction of kelp beds

off Maine and New Hampshire by grazing sea urchins. Increases in

urchin populations were attributed, in part, to reduced predation by

diminished lobster stocks. Kelp provides shelter for lobsters, and

its removal may further reduce lobster populations.

NEMP submersible observations and grab-sampling revealed no major

short-term changes in contaminant concentrations or biological

effects due to oil exploration on Georges Bank, in agreement with

studies by other groups. In the demersal species analyzed, petroleum

hydrocarbons occurred at low levels before drilling.

Larval surf clams and amphipods had significantly lower setting

and/or survival in sediment trays with sewage sludge added, compared

to trays of uncontaminated sediment, deployed off the southern Long

Island coast.

5.1.3.3 Trace Contaminants in Tissues

° Concentrations of Cd in the livers of winter flounder from the New

York Bight appeared related to concentrations of Cd in the sediments

from collection sites.

64
In general, clams and lobsters from Buzzards Bay contained PCB

concentrations below the FDA "action level". The most contaminated

specimens were found at stations closest to New Bedford. Soft clams

from New Bedford had very high levels (to 13.7 ppm wet wt.). Clams

contained a range of PCBs, whereas lobsters contained primarily

hexachlorobiphenyls.

Bacteria indicative of human wastes, and pathogenic bacillus

bacteria, were found in several fish and shellfish species.

A comprehensive survey of PCBs in ocean quahogs from the Gulf of

Maine, the Scotian Shelf, Georges Bank, and south to the Delmarva

Peninsula was completed. PCBs were low in all samples (maximum 30

ppb wet wt.).

5.1.3.4 Biological Effects

Monitoring growth and condition of larval fish using the ratio of

ribonucleic acid to deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA-DNA ratio) showed 17%

of the the larval sand lance analyzed were in poor condition. Low

hepatic DNA and muscle protein levels occurred in juvenile striped

bass from the Hudson River.

Collections of deepwater (130-190 m) scallops made throughout the

year on both NEMP and Resource Assessment cruises showed consistently

low muscle glycogen, indicating a lack of the necessary energy

reserves for gamete maturation. Bottom temperatures of these sites

rarely rose to 10°C, the temperature at which spawning is generally

initiated.

Anemic flounder were collected from coastal waters between Boston and

Cape Cod and from the Block Island midshelf station near the Mud

Patch; other abnormal blood profiles were found in flounder off

Narragansett Bay. Offshore populations appeared to have normal blood

chemistry.

Mutation frequencies in winter flounder were most common in specimens

from the New York Bight and near-coastal areas, particularly the

western end of Long Island Sound and along the New Jersey coast.

Frequencies were sometimes three times that of fish from cleaner

areas.

Data were gathered on the antibodies to human pathogens in summer

flounder and tautog. Experimentally, these fish formed antibodies to

human bacteria isolated from the sewage sludge dumpsite. These

antibodies in fish blood are specific for bacteria to which the fish

have been exposed. The antibody titer can be used to determine

whether exposures detrimental to the health of either the fish or the

human consumer occurred.

65
The incidences of "black gill disease", tissue pathology, and

microbial fouling of gills of the rock crab were monitored in

specimens from the New York Bight Apex, the former Philadelphia

sewage disposal site, and the Sheepscot River, Maine. Black gills

were observed in some specimens. from all areas except Maine.

Three species of ocean bivalves (sea scallops, surf clams, and ocean

quahogs) were examined for specific parasites and histopathology.

There were no significant differences between animals from different

stations, and all were within the range of "healthy" individuals.

Prevalences of integumental and skeletal fish diseases were monitored

in commercially important bottom fishes from the northeastern

shelf. Except for fin rot and lymphocystis, diseases (ulcers,

skeletal anomalies and ambicoloration) were randomly distributed.

Overall disease prevalence in 105,042 fishes was 0.99%.

Numbers of vertebral anomalies of 5000 sand lance were tabulated and

their geographical locations plotted. A high prevalence of anomalies

was associated with nearshore, shallow water environments and with

major estuaries.

Parasites and pathological conditions in benthic amphipods collected

on one NEMP cruise from 1981 and three from 1982 were studied grossly

and through histological sections. The data provided adequate

baseline information on kinds and prevalences of common parasites in

the populations studied. Two parasites - a microsporidian from an

ampeliscid amphipod, and a dinoflagellate from several species --

were seen. During 1982, none of the amphipod populations examined

exhibited changes from pollution stress.

Evidence was found that concentrations of organochlorine components

in field-collected female striped bass may be related to increased

larval mortality. Also, juvenile striped bass from the Hudson River

had poor swimming stamina and a high prevalence of parasitic

infestation and liver necrosis compared to striped bass from other

areas.

There were correlations between numbers of Vibrio in sediments,

waters, and animals from the same areas. The distribution of this

bacterium was not always related to sewage pollution.

Hard clams exposed to sublethal levels of oiled sediment burrowed

more slowly and to a significantly shallower depth than clams, in

unoiled sediment. Sand lance decreased the amount of time spent

buried in oil-contaminated sediment, thus increasing predation risk.

5.1.4 1983 Findings

5.1.4.1 Water Quality

° Hypoxia appeared confined to the New York Bight Apex and the head of

the Hudson Shelf Valley. Dissolved oxygen measurements ranged

between 1.4 and 2.9 ppm, with intermittent increases from mid July

66
through September. Local storms mixing the water column probably

prevented the Apex from becoming anoxic. 'Wind mixing moved the

thermocline deeper, to just above the bottom, in September.

Freshets in the Hudson River plume from June until early July carried

high concentrations of phytoplankton.

The hypoxic area increased in size from August to September,.

decreasing vertically and spreading horizontally, and moved deeper

into the Hudson Shelf Valley. Higher ammonia values were associated

with hypoxic areas.

The rate of decline of oxygen decreased from nearshore (10 m) to

offshore.

The movement of local hypoxic areas in response to wind events was

tracked from nearshore to offshore.

Precipitation of 5.7 inches above normal fell in May. This resulted

in low salinities at the mouths of estuaries in June, particularly

the Hudson-Raritan and Chesapeake.

The Hudson-Raritan, Delaware, and Chesapeake estuaries all contribute

dissolved silicates to surface waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight,

providing enrichment of this nutrient for diatom growth.

Patches of high silicate concentrations were found in areas of high

chlorophyll a These possibly are due to regeneration of silicate by

bacteria and zooplankton.

The Hudson-Raritan system is a major source of nitrate and ammonia

for the Middle Atlantic Bight in April through June. By August the

primary nitrate source is from offshore, deeper waters. Bottom

concentrations of ammonium increase in the nearshore from spring

through fall.

Phytoplankton spores in sediments are accumulating at the head of the

Hudson Shelf Valley compared with similar shelf depths. Large

numbers were at the sewage sludge dumpsite, particularly during low

concentrations of dissolved oxygen in August and September.

5.1.4.2 Sediments and Benthos

° Trace metal concentrations in New York Bight sediments did not change

appreciably between samplings in the summers of 1980, 1981 and

1982. Since earlier analyses had shown no gross changes between

1973-74 and 1980, the inner Bight has been in a "steady state" of

metal contamination for at least a decade.

° Portland Harbor sediments were contaminated with PCBs (80-340 ppb).

This contrasts with a 1980 survey of 32 stations in the harbor and

Casco Bay, which had not revealed PCB contamination. Traces of PCBs

were also found at a station at the mouth of the bay earlier

considered uncontaminated.

67
°

°

°

Traces (much less than 100 ppb) of PCBs were found at all but two of

49 stations sampled in a summer 1982 baseline survey of Penobscot

Bay. A station outside Searsport Harbor had 200 ppb, and one in

Rockland Harbor had 120 ppb.

The Penobscot Bay survey revealed PAHs at every station, with

distinct gradients of increasing concentration toward the inner

(northern) end of the bay and toward urban areas (Camden, Rockland)

bordering the southwest part of the bay. Values exceeding 5.9 ppm

dry wt. (similar to moderately contaminated parts of the inner New

York Bight) were found in all these areas.

By June 1983, sediments in and near the deactivated Philadelphia

sewage sludge dumpsite had low occurrences of pathogenic amoebae

(found at 6% of stations sampled) compared to densities while dumping

was ongoing and shortly afterward (35% of stations). The surveys

were cooperative with FDA and EPA, who also reported substantial

decreases in densities of fecal coliform bacteria. Based on these

data, FDA recommended reopening the site to shellfishing.

Clostridium perfringens was again most abundant (to 105 or more per

ml of sediment Just west of the New York Bight's sewage sludge

dumpsite. Clostridium and fecal coliform densities in the Bight in

summer 1983 were similar to those found 1980-82 and in the early

1970s. This reinforces the conclusion from the trace metals data

that the Bight has been in an approximate equilibrium state of

contamination since at least the early 197Os, when surveys began.

The benthic macrofauna of the Bight Apex likewise changed little from

the early 1970s to the early 1980s. The macrofauna of the regionwide sampling sites was consistent over the (generally shorter)

periods for which data were available. There were no apparent

contaminant effects outside the Bight.

Benthic biomass (127-344 g/m2 wet weight) and production (201-383

Kcal /m2 /yr) in the inner Bight were equal to or greater than most

reported values for North Atlantic waters. Several of the

dominant benthic species were common in stomach contents of the

area's demersal fish and lobsters.

Several years of observations on inner Bight surf clam beds indicated

that over 99% of all clam set is consumed by predators, especially

rock crabs (Cancer spp.), and calico crabs (Ovalipes ocellatus). In

continuing tray experiments, sediments contaminated with domestic

sewage sludge alone were avoided by settling surf clams (and most

other invertebrates) nearly as much as domestic sludge with

industrial wastes.

There were significant changes in seabed oxygen consumption at the

New York Bight sewage sludge dumpsite (+ 57%) and dredged material

dumpsite (- 36%) between 1974-75 and 1982-83, paralleling changes in

amounts of wastes dumped at those sites.

68
° Baseline characterization of the proposed dumpsite off Norfolk,

Virginia was completed after five years of quarterly sampling.

Results indicated faunal consistency similar to that of the regional

monitoring. The fauna of the area was diverse and typical of

uncontaminated areas on the inner shelf. No populations of

commercially important benthic invertebrates were present.

° Continued submersible work in depths between 150 and 700 m in the

canyons south of Georges Bank led to the description of five bottom

habitat types, each with a distinct faunal assemblage. The canyons

provided nursery grounds for about 20 species, and shelter for adults

of some 25 species, including lobster and tilefish.

5.1.4.3 Biological Effects

Physiology and Biochemistry:

° A field study of a dumpsite in central Long Island Sound provided

evidence of physiological stress in lobsters held in cages near the

site. Spoils from maintenance dredging of a Bridgeport harbor had

been dumped there as part of a study by the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers and EPA on long-term effects of dredging operations. The

dredge spoils were heavily contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons,

heavy metals, and bacteria. Measured by relative counts of

Clostridium perfringens in sediments, dispersion of the spoils

material followed patterns of currents in the area, extending 500

meters east and west of the dumpsite.

° Baseline information on seasonal metabolic patterns in sea scallops

was applied to the interpretation of field observations. Muscle

glycogen levels differ from year to year primarily with respect to

available nutrients in the spring. Seasonal flux of glycogen

provided an estimate of relative potential for reproductive success

in different scallop populations. Kidney G6PDH activity (a marker

for biosynthetic activity) was used to judge overall scallop

health. Biochemical data from deepwater (>130 m) scallops again

showed that their metabolic reserves are too low for successful

spawning.

° Monitoring of larval fish was expanded to include juveniles and

additional species. Differences were found in RNA/DNA ratios and

growth of haddock larvae collected at three sites on southern Georges

Bank. Differences were associated with food availability and the

presence of a thermocline. Mackerel were spawned and reared through

metamorphosis, and their growth and RNA/DNA ratios recorded. The

relationships between temperature, RNA/DNA ratios, and growth of

temperate marine fish were modeled. Cooperative studies with EPA

began on the effects of contaminants on early life stages of marine

fish.

° Preliminary work with measures of the adenylate energy charge (AEC)

in the soft-shelled clam, showed significant differences between

clams caged in Raritan Bay and Arthur Kill and clams caged at a Long

Island Sound control station.

6 9
Genetics:

° Winter and windowpane flounders and Atlantic mackerel from coastal

mid-Atlantic waters have statistically higher frequencies of red

blood cell (RBC) chromosome mutation than fish from offshore. No

significant relationship has been found between these frequencies and

any natural variables that might influence mutation rates.

° Field studies on embryo cytopathology and on mutations in embryo,

juvenile, and adult resource fish suggest that present levels of

coastal pollution may adversely influence recruitment. Mitotic

spindle effects and abnormal division of chromosomes account for the

higher incidences of chromosome mutation found in some areas, more

than does any increase in chromosome breakage.

Pathobiology and Immunology:

° A high percentage of summer and winter flounder taken from coastal

areas had antibody titers indicating they had been exposed to

Aeromonas hydrophila, a bacterial species, isolated from the New York

Bight sludge dumpsite. Windowpane flounder had antibodies

predominantly to E. coli. Large numbers of red hake had antibody

titers to E. coli. in March, May, and August. In November, however,

60% of red hake collected had titers to A. hydrophila coinciding

with reports of an outbreak of red-sore disease in the hake. Caged

tautog near the sludge dump had depressed immune states, compared

with fish held at the same sites in 1982. Laboratory testing showed

that exposure to PCB lowered the immune response in summer flounder.

° Field monitoring for the occurrence of a protozoan parasite, Glugea

stephani, in winter flounder showed that prevalence varied with

site: in Massachusetts Bay, 52% of the fish were infected; 38% in

Cape Cod Bay; and at Nantucket Shoal, only 12%. Along the coastal

mid-Atlantic Bight, incidence of cysts of the parasite generally

reflected the condition of the inshore waters where the flounder

spawn, with higher incidence at higher water temperatures.

° A survey of the incidence of parasites and general pathology of sea

scallops, surf clams, and ocean quahogs throughout the NEMP

monitoring areas showed all to be in good health. No abnormal

incidence of infections or parasites was observed.

Behavior:

° In sediments contaminated with sublethal concentrations (74-5222 ppm)

of crude oil, initial burrowing of sand worms did not differ from

worms in unoiled sediments. Sand worms buried in unoiled sediments,

however, did not emerge, whereas emergence of exposed worms was

related to the oil concentration and to the extent of weathering of

the oiled sediment. Such oil-induced behavioral aberrations may

increase vulnerability to predation. This work corroborates similar

studies with hard clams, sand lance, and three life stages of red

hake.

70
5.1.5 1984 Findings

5.1.5.1 Water Quality

While continuing the long-term monitoring of water quality elements,

the Water Quality Group recognized the need for a unified data base

to document the occurrence and extent of hypoxic areas, changes in

phytoplankton species, increases in nutrient loadings, changes in

rates of productivity, and variability in physical conditions. This

activity was begun during Summer 1984.

Episodic events of phytoplankton blooms occurred throughout the

summer with associated reductions in dissolved oxygen at depths. In

August, surface dissolved oxygen values of 15.7 ppm were found in the

Hudson-Raritan plume while near-bottom water downstream of this area

had

10°

1.6 ppm. Cell counts deposited in the sediments numbered over

cells/cm3 of sediment. During the spring bloom fall-out the

sedimented cell count measured 3 x 10° /cm3.

The residues of the phytoplankton blooms seen in the bottom nearshore

(10 m) appeared to be transient where fine-grained sand sediment

indicated a physically dynamic area. In contrast,, at the head of the

Hudson Shelf Valley (60 m), in fine black mud, the viable cell counts

were more constant and with lower numbers except for 105cells/cm in

July.

Persistent low dissolved oxygen in bottom waters did not occur in

1984. Episodic events occurred, and critical values were recorded,

but were not area-wide or long-lasting. Lobster mortalities in pots

off Manasquan Inlet, associated with large numbers of decaying

phytoplankton cells and low dissolved oxygen. (0.04 ppm).

Persistent upwelling occurred from late June through July along the

coast from the New York Bight Apex to Chesapeake Bay, with a

temperature anomaly of about -2°C. By August the upwelling wind

stress decreased and the nearshore water (< 20 m) was nearly

isothermal. Upwelling transports sedimented phytoplankton to the

photic zone, where they may contribute to bloom conditions. The

blooms experienced in August may have resulted from these physical

conditions. Upwelling also brings nutrient-rich bottom waters to the

surface.

The rates of decline of lower water mass dissolved oxygen during

summer were less in 1984 than 1983.

Low dissolved oxygen (1.4 ppm) and elevated sulfide

 (4 micromoles/liter) concentrations were found in the near bottom

waters of the Christiaensen Basin in 1983 and 1984. The condition is

associated with reducing sediments which develop seasonally as the

result of the accumulation of organic material from the nearby sewage

sludge dumpsite.

71
Lowest salinities since 1980 were encountered in April and June off

estuaries (17‰ from the Hudson-Raritan system and Chesapeake

Bay).

Counts of Clostridium perfringens were higher in surface waters near

estuaries and river mouths. This may be attributable to surface

runoff, especially in early spring.

Concentrations of ammonium found in outer shelf bottom layers in

April reflected decomposition of the spring bloom.

Ammonium concentrations inshore at the head of the Hudson Shelf

Valley in August suggested reduced amounts of organic material in the

bottom water layer offshore.

High ammonium concentrations found in August on the inner and middle

shelf south of the Shelf Valley probably were related to production

of the Hudson-Raritan estuary OF inner shelf region.

Bottom chlorophyll distributions (an indicator of organic loading)

were high in April, particularly over the shelf north of Delaware Bay

and south of Chesapeake Bay. Chlorophyll concentrations in August

were relatively high at the mouths of the Hudson-Raritan and Delaware

estuaries and lower along the Delmarva Peninsula.

5.1.5.2 Sediments and Benthos

An extensive survey of PCBs and PAHs in sediments and selected biota

confirmed the heavy pollution of Boston Harbor sediments, and

identified sewage discharges and storm water runoff as the dominant

sources, Massachusetts Bay sediments landward of Stellwagen Bank

also had elevated levels of sediment PCBs (to 84.2 ppb) and PAHs (to

33.3 ppm), whereas levels were lower in Cape Cod Bay and the deep

Gulf of Maine.

Analyses of samples from 19 stations in the deep Gulf of Maine

provided baseline information on sediment PCBs there. Concentrations

ranged from traces (<0.01 ppm dry weight) to 0.13 ppm; the latter

value is similar to maximum concentrations found in an earlier NEMP

survey of the New York Bight (0.16 ppm) and Long Island Sound (0.05

ppm.

In August 1984, spores of Clostridium perfringens ens (300/ml) occurred

to approximately 53 n. mi.

the Hudson Shelf Valley.

seaward of t e inner Bight dumpsites down

maximum of 1.8 x 105

 /ml

Densities increased fairly uniformly to a

3 n. mi. west of the sewage sludge

dumpsite.

sampling

That value is typical of densities found during past

in the same area.

72
Samples from 44 stations in the vicinity of the Philadelphia Dumpsite

revealed no pathogenic amoebae. Collaborators from EPA and FDA

concurrently documented the continued decline in numbers of fecal

coliform bacteria. Within four years after cessation of waste

disposal, the site completely recovered with respect to human enteric

pathogens.

Links between abundances of sea urchins, kelp and lobsters have been

demonstrated conclusively at Cape Neddick, Maine, where increases in

urchin populations began creating areas barren of kelp about 10 years

ago. Divers have removed all urchins from two large rocks for the

past five years. The removal site now has a small but healthy kelp

bed with lobster abundance three times that of the adjacent urchininfested areas.

5.1.5.3 Trace Contaminants in Tissues

The PCB-PAH survey of Massachusetts Bay revealed only low levels of

these contaminants in biota. The highest PCB concentrations measured

were in Jonah crabs, and were about a tenth of the 2 ppm action

level. Winter flounder and American dab had roughly an order of

magnitude fewer PCBs than the crabs.

Concentrations of PCBs in fish from the lower Hudson-Raritan estuary

were at least 10 times lower than the FDA cautionary limit of 2

ppm. Winter flounder contained/the highest quantities of PCBs,

followed closely by American eel. No spatial trends were apparent in

the PCB concentrations.

Dioxin (TCDD) levels were determined in winter flounder, fluke, blue

crab, tomcod, tautog and American eel from in the Hudson-Raritan

estuary. Levels were below the limit of detection except at Kill Van

Ku11 where the values ranged from not detectable to 3.8 parts per

trillion.

Physiology and Biochemistry:

Field sampling and laboratory exposures were used to differentiate

normal seasonal changes from pollutant-related changes in the blood

chemistry of winter and windowpane flounders. Windowpane flounder

were collected from 3 stations along a pollutant gradient in -Long

Island Sound, sampled at monthly intervals over a period of three

years. Three blood parameters (osmolality, hematocrit, hemoglobin)

differed from the most polluted station compared with the cleanest.

In supportive laboratory work, windowpane flounder exposed to mercury

(10 ppb, 2 mo.) had altered plasma sodium and calcium, whereas

exposure to 10 ppb cadmium or 20 ppb copper produced no such changes

in blood chemistry.

Winter and windowpane flounder collected from sites subject to

contaminant loading (NY Bight Apex, Buzzards Bay, Block Island Sound,

mouth of Delaware Bay) showed signs of early metabolic stress (high

kidney G6PDH, a marker enzyme for biosynthetic activity). Flounder

from cleaner stations did not. High values (>95) indicate a

73
stimulatory response to sublethal toxicant stress, and the condition

is usually transient in fish that move away from contaminated

habitats.

Information on the sea scallop from Resource Assessment and NEMP/OP

monitoring cruises corroborates earlier findings indicating that

deepwater populations in the Gulf of Maine are probably unsuccessful

at spawning. Most other populations apparently are in good health.

Some stressed scallops were found in the area of the Mud Patch, and

along the transect from the outer Hudson Shelf Valley south to the

Baltimore Canyon Trough station.

Copper (20 ppb, 7 wk exposure) produced strongly inhibitory effects

in the reproductive system and lethal effects in the kidney of

experimentally exposed sea scallops. Cadmium (20 ppb, 7 wk), on the

other hand, almost entirely sequestered and immobilized in the

kidneys, produced little observable effect other than to stimulate an

earlier-than-normal gamete maturation.

Lobsters held in cages at a dredged material dumpsite in central Long

Island Sound showed physiological stress, evidenced by a "cough" rate

(gill flushing) stronger and more frequent (greater than twofold)

than in lobsters held at a control site.

Enrichment cultures for anaerobes on gills of blue crabs and

butterfish taken from Chesapeake Bay were toxic to mice, and appeared

to be a type of botulinum. Pathogenic bacteria associated with gill

tissue from the same animals appeared in other enrichment cultures.

Genetics:

Multivariate analysis was performed on cytogenetic, biological,

chemical, and physical: oceanographic data for eggs of Atlantic

mackerel from 20 polluted or clean sites in the NY Bight. Aromatic

hydrocarbon pollutants and salinity were co-associated with adverse

conditions in all stages of embryo development -- mortality, gross

anatomical abnormality, developmental delay, and mitotic chromosomal

abnormality. Trace heavy metals were associated with malformation of

the mid-states of embryo development. PCBs and other chlorinated

hydrocarbons, with temperature, were associated with adverse effects

at later stages of embryo development.

Pathobiology and Immunology

We added 800 specimens and 18 stations to the data base for skeletal

anomalies in sand lance. The entire area sampled was divided into 9

sub-areas (6 inshore, 3 offshore) to test for differences between

clean and degraded areas. Preliminary analysis indicates some

significant differences.

An infectious sarcoma was discovered in 50% of Chesapeake Bay soft

clams. This disease was not present in Chesapeake populations before

1978. In both laboratory and field studies, high mortality rates were

associated with the disease.

74
Four years after dumping stopped at the Philadelphia disposal site,

rock crabs caught there show no evidence of black gill disease.

Crabs caught near the New York dump site continued to show evidence

of black gill disease in 10-20% of samples. Accumulations of black

sand and silt from dumpsite sediment account for a high prevalence of

gill blackening in rock crabs.

No abnormally high parasite burdens or pathology levels were observed

in mollusks examined from 33 NEMP stations. Icelandic scallops from

the Great South Channel are being examined in light of increased

commercial interest.

The fish-pathology data base was expanded by NMFS Resource Assessment

cruises on the shelf in winter, spring, and fall, and by

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries cruises in spring and

fall. Ulcerated red hake occurred in the Boston area during the

fall. Collections near New Haven in Long Island Sound had high

prevalences of severe fin erosion in winter flounder, but not in

windowpane or summer flounder. Spring prevalences in winter flounder

were 17% (N=133) ranging from 13-30%. At Bridgeport, tomcod had a 2%

(N=39) prevalence or hepatoma during the spring.

A wide variety of fish species from the Northeast coastal region were

shown to have antibodies indicating exposure to human. enteric

bacteria. The most prevalent antibody in fish blood tested, however,

was to a bacterium indicative of sewage sludge. Cage studies showed

evidence of increasingly stressful conditions for fish life at the

New York sewage sludge dumpsite. For the first time in three years

of study, tautog were unable to survive in cages there.

Behavior:

After exposure to oil-contaminated sediments, both sandworms and

bloodworms burrowed less effectively than control worms and had

impaired feeding responses. Shallow burrowing increases predation

risk for these important commercial baits for sportfishing.

Three species of marine polychaetes (sandworms, bloodworms and rag

worms) concentrated substantial quantities of cadmium after burial in

cadmium-contaminated sediment. This poses a probable threat to

predators in terms of food-chain transfer.

75
5.2 Bibliography of Reports Prepared by NEMP Participants

Annual Reports of Principal Investigators or Contractors- 1980

Alden, R., D. Dauer and J.

open ocean disposal of

estuary.

Rule. An assessment of the ecological impact of

materials dredged from a highly industrialized

Bisagni, J. and G. Behie. Water mass changes and circulation patterns in the

vicinity of the 106-Mile Industrial Waste Dumpsite.

Bodammer, J. Disease and

fish tissues.

stressed environment: ultrastructural anomalies in

Brooks, J. Chemical studies at the DWD-106.

Brooks, J. and C. Schwab. Laboratory phytoplankton toxicity studies at the

DWD-106.

Buckley, L. and G. Laurence;. Larval fish physiology and biochemistry.

Burn, P. Effects of environmental quality on parasitism in the winter

flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, and implications for ecological

monitoring.

Calabrese, A., F. Thurberg, E. Gould and J. Graikoski. Physiological effects

of pollutant stress.

Campbell, J. Chesapeake Bay plume studies: Remote sensing of chlorophyll,

seston and fronts.

Chang, Sukwoo. Environmental statistics and data management.

Esser, S. Report on the netphytoplankton in coastal shelf waters of the

Atlantic Ocean.

Farley, C. Comparative shellfish pathology: Molluscan histopathology.

Gadbois, D. Ocean Pulse analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons and

polychlorinated biphenyls in marine samples.

Graikoski, J. Distribution of Clostridium perfringens and Vibrio spp. in the

northwest Atlantic Ocean.

Hargraves, P. Manual of marine plankton diatoms for the northeastern coast of

the United States - program report.

Harris, R. Metal distributions in suspended sediment in the Chesapeake Bay

plume and adjacent Atlantic continental shelf.

76
Ingham; M. Circulation and water masses in the NEMP area - October 1979-

September 1980.

Johnson, P. Comparative shellfish pathology: histopathological survey of

benthic amphipods.

Kator, H. and P. Zubkoff. An assessment of bacterial biomass and

heterotrophic potential in water samples from the Chesapeake Bay plume and

Atlantic continental shelf.

Kern, F. Comparative shellfish-pathology: Ocean mollusk pathology.

Klemas, V. Remote-sensing of coastal water properties.

Larsen, P. and L. Doggett. Benthic monitoring in the northern Gulf of Maine.

Lear, D. Ecological investigations at the Philadelphia sewage sludge site and

DuPont acid waste site.

Longwell, A. Reproductive success of commercial fish species relative to

natural environmental variables and to ocean pollution as measured

cytologically and cytogenetically on their eggs prior to and after

spawning.

Mahoney, J. Biological oceanography investigation: Phytoplankton growth

potential subtask.

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. Phytoplankton in the U. S. northeastern shelf

waters.

Maurer, D. Monitoring of Delaware Bay benthos.

McLean, S. Comparative shellfish pathology: Deepwater Dumpsite 106 (DWD

106)- biological effect of ocean dumping.

Munday, J. and M. Fedosh. Landsat analysis of the dynamics of the Chesapeake

Bay plume on the continental shelf.

Murchelano, R. Disease and stressed environments: Diseases of North Atlantic

groundfish.

Nagle, J; and J. Stolen. Monitoring the immunocompetence of fishes in both

normal and contaminated locations along the Atlantic Coast.

Newman, M. Disease and stressed environments: Skeletal anomalies of

Ammodytes.

Olla, B. Behavior of marine fishes and invertebrates.

77
O'Reilly, J., C. Evans, V. Zdanowicz, A. Draxler, R. Waldhauer and A. Matte.

Baseline studies on the distribution of phytoplankton biomass, organic

production, seawater nutrients and trace metals in coastal waters between

Cape Hatteras and Nova Scotia.

Pecci, K. and A. Hulbert. Manned undersea research and technology (MURT).

Phoel, W. Seabed metabolism subunit of biological oceanography.

Reid, R., F. Steimle and C. MacKenzie.

Sawyer, T. Black gill disease in rock

Sawyer, T. and D. Lear. Microbial 

Dumpsite; crab histopathology.

Coastal ecosystems investigation.

crab, Cancer irroratus.

ecology and parasitology of Philadelphia

Sick, L. and C. Johnson. Distribution

Gulf of Maine.

and partitioning of trace metals in the

Thomas, J. and C. Robertson. Biological oceanography and stressed ecosystems:

Total plankton respiration and remote sensing.

Vukovich, F. and B. Cross. Monitoring the Chesapeake Bay using satellite

data.

Witman, J., A. Hulbert, L. Harris, K. Pecci, K. McCarthy and R. Cooper;

Community structure of the macrobenthos of Pigeon Hill in the Gulf of

Maine: A baseline report.

Data Reports

Boehm, P. Gulf and Atlantic Survey (GAS I): Cape Hatteras to Gulf of Maine

survey for selected organic pollutants in finfish and benthic animals.

Boehm, P. New York Bight benthic sampling survey: Coprostanol,

polychlorinated biphenyl and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon measurements

in sediments [1980].

Cooper, R. Georges Bank and submarine canyon living resources and habitat

baselines in proposed drilling areas.

Howarth, R. Measurements of ocean spectral irradiance for correlation with

satellite remote sensing.

Steimle, F., J. O'Reilly, D. Radosh and R. Waldhauer. Hydrographic data,

Ocean Pulse environmental monitoring surveys, April 1978 - April 1980.

Wade, T. and G. Oertel. Hydrocarbons associated with suspended materials.

78
Waldhauer, R., A. Matte and J. O'Reilly. 1980. Summary of ammonium-nitrogen

measurements made during six cooperative US-USSR MARMAP Surveys. NOAA,

NMFS, Sandy Hook Laboratory Report No. SHL 80-16.

Whitledge, T. Water column monitoring cruise I, New York Bight, 21-15 April

1980, Data Report.

Whitledge, T. Water column monitoring cruise II, New York Bight, 2-6 June

1980, Data Report.

Whitledge, T. Water column monitoring cruise III, New York Bight, 14-18 June

1980, Data Report.

Whitledge, T. Water column monitoring cruise IV, New York Bight, 2-6

September 1980, Data Report.

Wong, G. Salinity and nutrient data from R/V Delaware II (17-23 June) and R/V

Kelez (24-27 June) to the Virginia shelf.

Cruise Reports

Azarovitz, T. Summer bottom trawl survey (DL-80-05, I), NOAA Ship Delaware II

(11-15 July 1980).

Azarovitz, T. Summer bottom trawl survey (AL-80-08, II), NOAA Ship Albatross

IV (12-22 August 1980).

Marak, R. Ocean Pulse petroleum hydrocarbons and ecosystem productivity

survey (AL-80-01), NOAA Ship Albatross IV (4-25 February 1980).

Millett, N. New York Bight water column monitoring project (RP-22-KE-80),

NOAA Ship George B. Kelez (21-25 April 1980).

Millett, N. Water column monitoring program, New York Bight (KE-80-09), NOAA

Ship George B. Kelez (2-6 June, 1980).

Millett, N. Water column monitoring program, New York Bight (KE-80-10), NOAA

Ship George B. Kelez (14-18 July 1980).

Phoel, W. Spring NEMP/Ocean Pulse monitoring (KE-80-04), NOAA Ship George B.

Kelez (24 March-10 April 1980).

Reid, R. New York Bight benthic sampling survey (KE-80-07), NOAA Ship George

B. Kelez (28 July-5 August 1980).

Smith, W. Ichthyoplankton-zooplankton, oceanographic, and primary

productivity survey and petroleum hydrocarbon survey (AL-80-02) NOAA Ship

Albatross IV.

79
Smith, W. Ichthyoplankton-zooplankton, oceanographic and primary productivity

survey (AL-80-10, I-II), NOAA Ship Albatross IV (24 Sept.-30 Oct. 1980).

Smith, W. Ichthyoplankton-zooplankton, oceanographic and primary productivity

survey (AL-80-12, I-II), NOAA Ship Albatross IV (17 Nov.-23 Dec. 1980).

Smith, W. Ichthyoplankton-zooplankton, oceanographic and primary productivity

survey (DE-80-03) NOAA Ship Delaware II, and EV-80-04, USSR R/V Evrika

(21 May-30 June 1980).

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (AL-80-07), NOAA Ship Albatross IV

(8-24 July 1980).

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (Al-80-09), NOAA Ship Albatross IV

(3-18 September 1980).

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (KE-80-10), NOAA Ship George B. Kelez

(28 Oct.-6 Nov. 1980).

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (DE-80-09, I-II), NOAA Ship Delaware II

(2-19 December 1980).

Thomas, J. Chesapeake Bay plume study (DE-80-03 and KE-80-06), NOAA Ships

Delaware I I and George B. Kelez (17-27 June 1980).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring program, New York Bight (KE-80-11), NOAA

Ship George B. Kelez (2-6 September 1980).

Published Articles

Longwell, A. Crosby and J. B. Hughes. 1980. Cytologic, cytogenetic, and

developmental state of Atlantic mackerel eggs from sea surface waters of

the New York Bight, and prospects for biological effects monitoring with

ichthyoplankton. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer 179: 275-291.

Olla, B. L., W. H. Pearson and A. L. Studholme. 1980. Applicability of

behavioral measures in environmental stress assessment. p. 162-173. In:

A. D. McIntyre and J. B. Pearce (eds.), ICES Workshop on Pollution Effects

Monitoring, Beaufort, N.C., Feb. 26-Mar. 2, 1979. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons.

Int. Explor. Mer 179. 346 p.

Pearson, W. H., P. C. Sugarman, D. L. Woodruff, J. W. Blaylock and B. L.

Olla. 1980. Detection of petroleum hydrocarbons by the Dungeness crab,

Cancer magister. Fish. Bull., U.S. 78: 821-826.

Symposium Reports or Abstracts

Waldhauer, R., A. Matte, A. Draxler and J. O'Reilly. 1980. Seasonal

ammonium-nitrogen distributions across the New York Bight shelf. Proc.

Ramapo Water Conference, 1980.

80
Others

Esser, S., J. O'Reilly and D. Busch. 1980. Monitoring of Ceratium tripos

continues between Nova Scotia and Cape Hatteras. Coastal Oceanography and

Climatology News 2(3): 25-35.

Marshall, H. Phytoplankton composition in the Chesapeake Bay plume I: March

1980.

Marshall, H. Phytoplankton composition in the Chesapeake Bay plume II: June

1980.

Marshall, H. Phytoplankton distribution -along the eastern coast of the

U.S.A. Part III: Checklist of phytoplankton.

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. Phytoplankton community structure in northeastern

waters of the United States, October 1978.

Millett, N., T. Whitledge and C. Warsh. Northeast water column monitoring.

Annual Reports of Principal Investigators or Contractors - 1981

Adams, W. Biological effects survey: Bacteriologic studies. Cooperative

Report.

Alden, R., D. Dauer and J. Rule. An assessment of the ecological impact of

open ocean disposal of materials dredged from a highly industrialized

estuary.

Bodammer, J. Disease and stressed environments: Ultrastructural anomalies in

fish tissues.

Brooks, J. and R. Fay. Field and laboratory phytoplankton toxicity studies at

the DWD-106.

Buckley, L. and G. Laurence. Larval fish physiology and biochemistry.

Calabrese, A., F. Thurberg, E. Gould and J. Graikoski. Physiological effects

of pollutant stress: Analysis of the metabolic state of marine animals in

coastal waters of the North and Mid-Atlantic and the distribution therein

of anaerobic bacteria.

Cooper, R. and J. Uzmann. Georges Bank and submarine canyons - living

resources and habitat baselines in oil and gas drilling areas.

Farley, C. A. Comparative shellfish pathology: Molluscan histopathology.

Fedosh, M. Determination of Raritan Bay plume locations in relation to the

New York Bight disposal sites from satellite imagery.

Gadbois, D. Analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls

in marine samples.

Graikoski, J. New York Bight benthic samples - bacteriological aspects.

81
Hargraves, P. and J. Bullinger. Manual of marine plankton diatoms for the

northeastern coast of the United States.

Harris, L. and J. Witman. In situ monitoring of macrobenthos at Isle of

Shoals in the Gulf of Maine

Harris, R. L. Metal distribution in suspended sediment in the Chesapeake Bay

plume and adjacent Atlantic continental shelf.

Johnson, P. T. Comparative shellfish pathology: Historical survey of benthic

amphipods.

Kern, F. Comparative shellfish pathology: Ocean mollusk pathology.

Klemas, V. Remote sensing of coastal water properties.

Lear, D. Ecological investigations at the Philadelphia sewage sludge site and

the DuPont acid waste site.

Longwell, A. Monitoring fish and key food chain species with mutation and

cytologic tests.

MacLean, S. Comparative shellfish pathology: Deepwater Dumpsite 106 (DWD

106).

Mahoney, J. Biological oceanography investigation: Phytoplankton growth

potential and blooms.

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. Phytoplankton community structure in northeastern

coastal waters of the United States.

Munday, J. C. and M. S. Fedosh. Landsat analysis of the dynamics of the

Chesapeake Bay plume on the continental shelf.

Murchelano, R. Disease and stressed environments: Disease of North Atlantic

groundfish.

Newman, M. Disease and stressed environments: Skeletal anomalies of

Ammodytes.

Olla, B. Behavior of marine fishes and invertebrates.

O'Reilly, J., V. Zdanowicz, T. Ruiz, A. Matte, R. Waldhauer, A. Draxler, I.

Desvousges, C. Evans and D. Busch. Environmental chemistry

investigation.

Pecci, K., A. Hulbert and J. Sears. Manned undersea research and

technology.

Phoel, W. Seabed metabolism.

Reid, R., D. Radosh, A. Frame, S. Fromm, F. Steimle, J. Ward and C.

MacKenzie. Coastal ecosystems investigation.

82
Ridlon, J. NODC support for NEMP.

Sawyer, T. Black gill disease in rock crab, Cancer irroratus.

Stolen, J. and J. Nagle. Monitoring the immunocompetence of fishes in both

normal and contaminated locations along the Atlantic Coast.

Thomas, J. and C. Robertson. Biological oceanography of stressed ecosystems

and remote sensing investigation.

Thurberg, F. P. and M. A. Dawson. Biological effects: Physiology and

biochemistry.

Vukovich, F. Dynamic. aspects of a coastal boundary layer.

Whitledge, T., B. Gottholm and C. Warsh. Water quality monitoring in the

Middle Atlantic Bight.

Data Reports

Boehm, P. Gulf and Atlantic Survey (GAS I): Chesapeake Bay to Port Isabel,

Texas - Survey for selected organic pollutants in finfish. Energy

Resources Co., Inc.

Boehm, P. New York Bight benthic sampling survey: Coprostanol,

polychlorinated biphenyl and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon measurements

 in sediments (1980-1981).

Boehm, P. NEMP Final Report, -Hudson-Raritan Project: Polynuclear aromatic

hydrocarbon and polychlorinated biphenyl, content of sediment samples.

Gadbois, D. F. Analysis of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in the muscles

of fish and shellfish collected from the N. Y. Bight (1980).

Gadbois, D. F. Survey of polynuclear biphenyls in selected finfish species in

U. S. coastal waters.

Larsen, P., A. Johnson and L. Doggett. Environmental benchmark studies in

Casco Bay-Portland Harbor, Maine. April 1980.

Whitledge, T. Northeast water column monitoring cruise, NEMP-81-03, 15-20

April 1981. Data Report.

Whitledge, T. Northeast water column monitoring cruise, NEMP-81-07, 3-9 June

1981. Data Report.

Whitledge, T. Northeast water column monitoring cruise, NEMP-81-09, 1-7

August 1981. Data Report.

Whitledge, T. Northeast water column monitoring cruise, NEMP-81-17, 9-15

September 1981. Data Report.

83
Cruise Reports

Cooper, R. Georges Bank and submarine canyon baseline and monitoring studies

in oil and gas exploration areas. (Charter Vessel R/V Johnson and

research submersible Johnson-Sea-Link, 10-21 July 1981).

Holloman, D. NEMP biological effects survey. Cruise Report (DE-II-81-07,

NOAA Ship Delaware II 16-25 Nov. 1981).

Lear, D. and M. O'Malley. Philadelphia Dumpsite and New York Bight

Monitoring. Cruise Report - Operation Rebound (NOAA Ship G. B. Kelez 14-

21 May 1981).

Sherman, K. Warm core ring study with special reference to the distribution

and abundance of Atlantic saury. (USSR R/V Boguslav 19 Nov. - 02 Dec.,

1981).

Simpson, D. Norfolk Dumpsite monitoring.

27 March 1981).

Cruise Report (NOAA Ship Laidly 25-

Simpson, D. Norfolk Dumpsite monitoring.

April - 01 May 1981).

Cruise Report (NOAA Ship Laidly 28

Simpson, D. Norfolk Dumpsite monitoring.

25 June 1981).

Cruise Report (NOAA Ship Laidly 24-

Simpson, D. Norfolk Dumpsite monitoring.

27 Aug. 1981).

Cruise Report (NOAA Ship Laidly 26-

Simpson, D. Norfolk Dumpsite monitoring.

21 Oct. 1981).

Cruise Report (NOAA Ship Laidly 20-

Steimle, F. NEMP biological effects survey. Cruise Report (KE-81-04, NOAA

Ship G. B. Kelez, 23 April 1981).

Steimle, F. NEMP biological effects survey. Cruise Report (AL-81-07, NOAA

Ship Albatross IV, 07-21 July 1981).

Steimle, F. NEMP biological effects survey. Cruise Report (AL-81-10, NOAA

Ship Albatross IV, 26 Aug.-O4 Sept. 1981).

Thomas, J. Nantucket Shoals upwelling studies (1st Cruise), Cruise Report

(AL-81-04, NOAA Ship Albatross IV, 05-16 May 1981).

Warsh, C. New York Bight water column monitoring. Cruise Report (S-C501-MKE-81, NOAA Ship G. B. Kelez, 15-20 April 1981).

Warsh, C. Northeast water column monitoring. Cruise Report (S-C501-M-K-81,

NOAA Ship G. B. Kelez, 3-9 June 1981).

Warsh, C. NEMP water column monitoring survey. Cruise Report (AL-81-08, NOAA

Ship Albatross IV, 31 July - 07 Aug. 1981).

84
Warsh, C. NEMP water

81, NOAA Ship Mt.

column monitoring survey. Cruise Report (S-C504-M-MIMitchell, 09-15 Sept. 1981).

White, H. NEMP sediment quality monitoring survey. Cruise Report (Al-81-09

NOAA Ship Albatross IV, 10-19 Aug. 1981).

Published Articles

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. 1981. Phytoplankton community structure in

northeastern waters of the United States. I. October 1978. NOAA Tech.

Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-8. 14 p.

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. 1981. Phytoplankton community structure in

northeastern waters of the United States. II. November 1978. NOAA Tech.

Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-9. 14 p.

Marshall, H. and L. Kalenak. 1981. Fall phytoplankton distribution in

northeastern waters of the continental shelf. Va. J. Sci. 32:103.

Marshall, H. and C. Rutledge. 1981. Phytoplankton communities: Discrete or

continuous? Va. J. Sci. 32:105.

Pearce, J., M. Lockwood, H. Stanford and M. Ingham (Managers). Northeast

Monitoring --Program, 1980 Annual Report. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-10. 79

p. + apps.

Pearson; W. H., S. E. Miller, J. W. Blaylock and B. L. Olla. 1981. Detection

of the water-soluble fraction of crude oil by the blue crab, Callinectes

sapidus. Mar. Environ,., Res. 5: 3-11.

Pearson, W. H., D. L. Woodruff, P. C. Sugarman and B. L. Olla. 1981. Effects

of oiled sediment on predation on the littleneck clam, Protothaca

staminea, by the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister. Estuar. Coast. Shelf

Sci. 13: 445-454.

Symposium Reports or Abstracts

Campbell, J. and J. Thomas. (eds.). 1981. Chesapeake Bay plume studies:

Superflux 1980. NASA Conference Publication No. 2188. Proc. Symp.

Williamsburg, VA, Jan. 21-23, 1981. 516 p.

Graikoski, J. 1981. Distribution of Clostridium perfringens in bottom

sediments from the western Atlantic Ocean. Abst. Q627. Annual Meeting,

Am. Soc. of Microbiol., Wash., D.C., p. 205.

Graikoski; J. 1981. Bacteriology of ocean dumping. Third International

Ocean Dumping Symposium, WHOI. Abstract.

Marshall, H. Phytoplankton assemblages used to identify the Chesapeake Bay

plume in its movement over the continental shelf. XIII International

Congress, Sydney, Australia. August 1981. Abstract, p. 302.

85
Marshall, H. 1981. Phytoplankton assemblages within the Chesapeake Bay plume

and adjacent waters of the continental shelf. Chesapeake Bay plume study;

Superflux 1980. NASA Conference Publication No. 2188. Proc. Symp.

Williamsburg, VA, Jan. 21-23, 1981, p. 439-467.

Olla, B. L. 1981. Oil effects on the behavior of marine invertebrates and

fishes. National Academy of Sciences Workshop on Petroleum in the Marine

Environment. Nov. 9-13, 1981, Clearwater Beach, FL.

O'Reilly, J., C. Evans-Zetlin and J. P. Thomas. 1981. The relationship

between surface and average water column concentrations of chlorophyll a

in northwestern Atlantic shelf waters. ICES C.M. 1981/L:17. 19 p.

Rutledge, C. and H. Marshall. 1981. Use of ordination and classification

procedures to evaluate phytoplankton communities during Superflux II.

Chesapeake Bay plume study; Superflux 1980. NASA Conference Publication

No. 2188. Proc. Symp. Williamsburg, VA, Jan. 21-23, 1981, p. 469-489.

Others

Hughes, J. B. and A. Crosby Longwell. 1981. Cytological-cytogenetic analyses

of rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda

ferruaina) eggs from

Gould. E. 1981.

plankton at the Ocean 250 gasoline spill. p. 21-

29. In: The Barge Ocean 250 Gasoline Spill.

Field stress the scallop Placopecten magellanicus. ICES

C.M. 1981/E:7. 16 p.

Graikoski, J. 1981. Bacteriological aspects of ocean dumping research. ICES

C.M. 1981/E:10. 15 p.

Longwell, A. Crosby. 1981. Cytologic-cytogenetic perspectives on petroleum

effects in the marine environment - chromosome aberrations. Background

paper for the National Academy of Sciences updated review of Petroleum in

the Marine Environment. 45 pages, 2 referenced tables, 285 references.

Olla, B. L., W. H. Pearson, P. C. Sugarman, D. L. Woodruff and J. W.

Blaylock. 1981. The effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on chemoreception

and behavior in the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister. U.S. EPA-600/7-81-

093.

O'Reilly, J. and S. Esser. 1981. Monitoring of Ceratium tripos off New

Jersey coast in March. Coastal Oceanography and Climatology News, 3(3):8-

9.

Annual Reports of Principal Investigators or Contractors - 1982

Bodammer, J. E. Light and electron microscopic studies of anomalies in fish

tissue.

Buckley, L. J. and G. C. Laurence. Biochemical indicators of condition and

growth rate of larval and juvenile fishes.

Cali, A. and P. Takvorian.

flounder.

Glugea stephani infections in American winter

86
Draxler, A. Detectable seaward extent of inorganic nutrients issuing from

Middle Atlantic Bight estuaries.

Evans-Zetlin, C., J. O'Reilly and A. Matte. Gradients in surface

phytoplankton biomass on and around Georges Rank.

Farley, C. A. Coastal molluscan pathology.

Gadbois, D. F. Hydrocarbon analysis of targeted fin and shellfish species and

sediments collected from northeastern coastal waters.

Gould, E. Biochemical monitoring of sea scallops.

Graikoski, J. T. Distribution of Clostridium perfringens and Vibrio spp. in

the. northwest Atlantic.

Hartman, W. D. and M. E. Stewart. The effect of chlorinated compounds

produced in seawater on the larvae of Crassostrea virginica and its

application to biological effects monitoring.

Johnson, P. T. Parasites and pathologies in benthic amphipods.

Kern, F. G. A parasite and pathology survey of three species of ocean

mollusks.

Klemas, V. Remote sensing of coastal water properties.

Larsen, P. F. and A. C. Johnson. Sediment quality studies in Casco Bay and

Penobscot Bay, Maine.

Longwell, A. Crosby. Mutation and the environment.

Mahoney, J. B. Algal assay determination of relative availability of

phytoplankton nutrient and trace growth factors and detection of

unfavorable water quality in northeast coastal and shelf waters.

Marshall, H. G. and M. S. Cohn. Phytoplankton community structure in

northeast coastal waters of the U.S.

Matta, J. F. and H. G. Marshall. A multivariate analysis of phytoplankton

assemblages in the western North Atlantic.

Matte, A., R. Waldhauer, A. F. Draxler and J. E. O'Reilly. Nutrient baseline

studies in relation to site characterization of the Philadelphia and 106

Deepwater Disposal sites.

Murchelano, R. A. Prevalence and distribution of fish diseases in the western

North Atlantic.

Newman, M. W. Vertebral anomalies of Ammodytes spp. from the northwest

Atlantic.

O'Reilly, J. E. Environmental chemistry investigation.

87
Pecci, K. and A. Hulbert. Buzzards Bay initial program set-up.

Phoel, W. and P. Kube. Total oxygen consumption by the seabed of the New York

Bight Apex during the summers of 1974, 1975, and 1982.

Reid, R., D. Radosh, A. Frame, F. Steimle, J. Ward, D. Jeffress, R. Terranova,

S. Howe, W. Leathem and C. MacKenzie. Coastal ecosystems investigation:

Benthic ecology.

Sawyer, T. Distribution of pathogenic and non-pathogenic protozoa in

sediments at the Philadelphia-Camden disposal site.

Sawyer, T. K., D. W. Lear and M. L. O'Malley. Black gill disease and gill

pathology in the rock crab, Cancer irroratus Say.

Stolen, J. The use of immunological methods to monitor the effects of

pollutants on fish health and population dynamics along the Atlantic

coast.

Stolen, J., T. Gahn, V. Kasper and J. Nagle. The effect of environmental

temperature on the immune response of a marine teleost (Paralichthys

dentatus).

Studholme, A. Behavior investigation.

Thomas, J., H. Mustafa, A. Tvirbutas, A. McPherson and J. Suomala. Seasonal

patterns of surface temperatures and phytoplankton pigments in the Gulf of

Maine-Georges Bank region.

Thurberg, F. P. and M. A. Dawson. Physiological monitoring of fish and

mollusks in the Northeast Monitoring Program.

Whitledge, T. E. and C. Warsh. Middle Atlantic Bight water quality

monitoring-chemistry, nutrients and chlorophyll.

Zdanowicz, V. S. and R. A. Bruno. Concentrations of seven metals in surface

sediments and livers of animals of the New York Bight and Hudson Canyon.

Data Reports

Boehm, P. Analysis of marine sediment samples for physical and chemical

properties. 9 July 1982. Data Report.

Draxler, A. F., A. Matte, R. Waldhauer and J. E. O'Reilly. Nutrient

distributions on and around Georges Bank in 1979. Data Report.

ERGO/Energy Resources Co., Inc. Organic pollutant levels in the ocean quahog

(Arctica islandica) from the northeastern United States. Data Report.

Malone, T. C. Primary productivity, Part II Cruise NEMP 82-03, 19-26 April

1982; Cruise NEMP 82-08, 26 July-2 August 1982. Data Report.

Marshall, H. G. and M. S. Cohn. 1982. Seasonal phytoplankton assemblages in

northeastern coastal waters of the United States. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFSF/NEC-15. 31 p.

88
Marshall, H. G. Phytoplankton relationships on Georges Bank and adjacent

areas. Special Report. NOAA, NMFS, Sandy Hook, NJ. 37 p. May 1982.

Marshall, H. G. Observations of phytoplankton composition in the Gulf of

Maine and adjacent waters. Special Report. NOAA, NMFS, Sandy Hook, NJ.

7 p. July 1982.

O'Reilly, J. E. and C. Evans-Zetlin. A comparison of the abundance

(chlorophyll a) and size composition of the phytoplankton communities in

20 subareas of Georges Bank and surrounding waters. Data Report.

Whitledge, T. E. and K. von Bock. Part I, Nutrients, relative fluorescence

and phytoplankton. Cruise NEMP 82-11, 8-15 Sept. 1982 - Data Report.

Whitledge, T. E. Northeast water column monitoring cruise NEMP-82-03, 19-26

April 1982. Data Report, July 1982. 172 p.

Whitledge,

4 June

Whitledge,

July-2

Zdanowicz,

quahog

T. E. Northeast water column monitoring cruise NEMP-82-05, 28 May1982. Data Report, July 1982. 230 p.

T. E. Northeast water column monitoring cruise NEMP-82-08, 26

August 1982. Data Report, October 1982. 225 p.

V. S. and R. A. Bruno. Concentrations of seven metals in the ocean

(Arctica islandica), from the northeastern United States. Sandy

Hook Laboratory Report.

Cruise Reports

Azarovitz, T. Scallop survey - NEMP Coop. (AL-82-06, NOAA Ship Albatross IV,

2-10 June 1982).

Azarovitz, T. Scallop survey - NEMP Coop. (AL-82-08, NOAA Ship Albatross IV,

12 July-6 Aug. 1982).

Azarovitz, T. Fall bottom trawl survey - MARMAP/NEMP Coop. (AL-82-11, NOAA

Ship Albatross IV, 13 Sept.-19 Oct. 1982).

Cooper, R. Pigeon Hill and southern New England -benthic monitoring survey

(R/V Gloria Michelle, 3-4 Mar. and 10 Mar. 1982).

Cooper, R. Pigeon Hill and southern New England benthic monitoring survey

(R/V Gloria Michelle, 1-18 June 1982).

Cooper, R. Submersible monitoring on Georges Bank (R/V Johnson-Sea Link,

10-22 July 1982).

Cooper, R. Submersible monitoring on Georges Bank and continental slope (NOAA

Ship Lulu-Alvin, 23 Aug.-l Sept. 1982).

Holloman, D. Biological effects survey (NOAA Ship Albatross IV, AL-82-01, 25

Jan.-l2 Feb. 1982).

Holloman, D. Biological effects survey (NOAA Ship Albatross IV, AL-82-03, 30

Mar. 9-Apr. 1982).

89
Holloman, D. Biological effects survey (NOAA Ship Albatross IV, AL-82-10, 23

Aug. 4-Sept. 1982).

Holloman, D. Biological effects survey (NOAA Ship Albatross IV, AL-82-12, 15

Nov.-10 Dec. 1982).

Reid, R. New York Bight benthic survey (NOAA Ship Delaware II, 8-17 Sept.

1982).

Sagalow, M. Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumpsite (NOAA Ship Laidly, 19-23

Apr. 1982).

Sagalow, M.

1982).

Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumpsite (NOAA Ship Laidly, 17-19 May

Sagalow, M. Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumpsite (NOAA Ship Laidly, 28 Jun.-2

July and 19-21 July 1982).

Sagalow, M. Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumpsite (NOAA Ship Laidly, 16-26

Aug. 1982).

Sagalow, M. Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumps

1982).

ite (NOAA Ship Laidly, 7-9 Sept.

Sagalow, M. Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumps

1982).

ite (NOAA Ship Laidly, 4-8 Oct.

Sibunka, J. MARMAP - NEMP cooperative survey (NOAA Ship Albatross IV, AL-82-

02, 16 Feb.-25 Mar. 1982).

Sibunka, J. MARMAP - NEMP cooperative survey (NOAA Ship Delaware II, DL-82-

03, 17 May-11 June 1982).

Warsh, C. Chesapeake Bay dredge spoil dumpsite (NOAA Ship Mt. Mitchell,

S-D501-M-M1-82, 18-19 Jan. 1982).

Warsh, C. Water quality monitoring,

Henlopen, 19-26 Apr. 1982).

New York Bight (Charter Vessel Cape

Warsh, C. Water quality monitoring,

Henlopen, 28 May-4 June 1982).

New York Bight (Charter Vessel Cape

Warsh, C. Water and sediment quality-monitoring, New York Bight (Charter

Vessel Cape Henlopen, 26 Jul.-2 Aug. 1982).

Warsh, C . Water quality monitoring, New York Bight (NOAA Ship Mt. Mitchell,

8-15 Sept. 1982).

Published Articles

Boehm, P. and P. Hirtzer. 1982. Gulf and Atlantic survey for selected

organic pollutants in finfish. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-13. 111 p.

90
Fedosh, M. and J. Munday. 1982. Satellite analysis of estuarine plume

behavior. p. 464-469. In: Oceans '82 Conference Record. Washington,

D.C., 20-22 Sept. 1982.

Hulbert, A., K. Pecci, J. Witman, L. Harris, J. Sears and R. Cooper. 1982.

Ecosystem definition and community structure of the macrobenthos of the

NEMP monitoring station at Pigeon Hill in the Gulf of Maine. NOAA Tech.

Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-14. 143 p.

Humason, A. and D. Gadbois. 1982. Determination of polynuclear aromatic

hydrocarbons in the New York Bight area. Bull. Envir. Contam. Toxicol.

29:645-650.

Ingham, M., R. Armstrong, J. Chamberlin, S. Cook, D. Mountain, R. Schlitz, J.

Thomas, J. Bisagni, J. Paul and C. Warsh. 1982. Summary of the physical

oceanographic processes and features pertinent to pollution distribution

in the coastal and offshore waters of the northeastern United States,

Virginia to Maine. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-17. 166 p.

Larsen, P., D. Gadbois and A. Johnson. 1982. PCB monitoring in the Casco Bay

region of the Gulf of Maine. Mar. Poll. Bull. 13: 32.

Longwell, A. Crosby and J. B. Hughes. 1982. Cytologic, cytogenetic, and

embryologic state of Atlantic mackerel eggs from surface waters of the New

York Bight in relation to pollution. p. 381-388 In: G. F. Mayer, ed.

Ecological Stress and the New York Bight: Science and Management.

Estuarine Research Federation, Columbia, SC. 715 p.

Marshall, H. 1982. The composition of phytoplankton within the Chesapeake

Bay plume and adjacent waters off the Virginia coast, USA. Estuar. Coast.

and Shelf Sci. 15: 29-43.

Marshall, H. 1982. Phytoplankton dynamics of the United States northeastern

continental shelf. Va. J. Science. 33: 127.

Marshall, H. G. and M. C. Cohn. 1982. Phytoplankton populations and

distribution patterns over the northeastern continental shelf of the

United States. pp. 797-802. In: Oceans '82 Conference Record.

Washington, D. C., 20-22 Sept.1982.

Marshall, H. and L. Kolenak. 1982; Vertical distribution of phytoplankton

for Nantucket Shoals. Va. J. Science. 33: 126.

Mearns, A., E. Haines, G. Kleppel, R. McGrath, J. McLaughlin, D. Segar, J.

Sharp, J. Walsh, J. Ward, D. Young and M. Young. 1982. Effects of

nutrients and carbon loading on communities and ecosystems. pp. 53-56.

In: G. F. Mayer (ed.), Ecological Stress and the New York Bight: Science

and Management. Estuarine Res. Fed., Columbia, SC. 715 p.

Phoel, W. C. and A. F. Draxler. 1981. In situ measurements of nitrogen

excretion and oxygen consumption as determinations of stress in Asterias

vulgaris. p. 154-171. In: N. Bermingham (ed.), Proceedings of the

Seventh Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop. Montreal, Canada. Canadian

Technical Report of Fishes and Aquatic Science, No. 990.

91
Reid, R. N., J. E. O'Reilly and D. E. Gadbois. 1982. Monitoring fates and

effects of contaminants in benthos of the New York Bight. p. 1005-1009.

In: Oceans '82 Conference Record, Washington, D. C., 20-22 Sept. 1982.

Reid, R., J. O'Reilly and V. Zdanowicz (eds.). 1982. Contaminants in New

York Bight and Long Island Sound sediments and demersal species, and

contaminant effects on benthos, summer 1980. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC16. 96 p.

Warsh, C., B. Gottholm, T., Whitledge and S. Oakley. 1982. Water quality

monitoring in the Middle Atlantic Bight - A monitoring tool. p. .1136-

1141. In: Oceans '82 Conference Record, Washington, D.C., 20-22 Sept,

1982. 

Symposium Reports or Abstracts

Bell, J. Z. 1982. Multiparameter oceanographic profiling and data quality

control with the Northeast Monitoring Program. Proc. of the Intern. STD

Conf. & Wkshop., Feb. 8-11, 1982, San Diego, CA, 6 pp.

Draxler, A. F. J., A. Matte and R. Waldhauer. 1982. An examination of

inorganic nitrogen data on and off of Georges Bank in 1979. ICES C.M.

1982/L:50. 11 p.

Evans-Zetlin, C., J. E. O'Reilly and A. Matte. 1982. Gradients in surface

phytoplankton biomass in and around Georges Bank. ICES C.M. 1982/L:48.

19 p.

Graikoski, J. T. and J. E. Hauser. 1982. Distribution of Vibrio spp. from

areas of the western Atlantic Ocean - Abstract 069. Ann. Mtg. Am. Soc.

Microb., Washington, D.C. p. 221.

Marshall, H. G. 1982. Long-term comparisons of diatom meso-scale

distribution patterns over the northeastern continental shelf of the

U.S. VII International Symposium on Living and Fossil Diatoms.

Philadelphia, PA, August 1982. Abstract, p. 15.

Marshall, H. G. 1982. Phytoplankton assemblages of the northeastern

continental shelf waters of the United States. 1st International

Phycological Congress. St. Johns, Newfoundland. Abstract, August,

1982. p. 31.

Marshall., H. G. 1982. Phytoplankton of the northeastern continental shelf of

the United States in relation to abundance, composition, cell volume,

seasonal and regional assemblages. In: The Biological Productivity of

 North Atlantic Shelf Areas, A Symposium held in Kiel, 2-5 March 1982.

Rapp. P.v. Reun. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer 183:.41-50.

Marshall, H. G. 1982. Mesoscale concentration and composition patterns from

the United States northeastern continental. shelf. ICES C.M. 1982/L:21.

19 p.

92
O'Reilly, J. E. and C. Evans-Zetlin. 1982. A comparison of the abundance

(chlorophyll a) and size composition of the phytoplankton communities in

20 subareas of Georges Bank and surrounding water. ICES C.M.

1982/:L:49. 18 p.

Phoel, William C. 1982. A comparison of the seabed oxygen consumption rates

of different benthic environments along the northeast United States

continental shelf. ICES C.M. 1982/E:23. 10 p.

Thomas, J. P., H. Mustafa, A. A. Tvirbutas and J. B. Suomala, Jr. Seasonal

patterns of surface temperature and phytoplankton pigments in the Georges

Bank region. ICES C.M. 1982/L:14 (Poster).

Warsh, C. and B. Gottholm. 1982. The use of a CSTD for pollution

monitoring. Proc. of the Intern. STD Conf. & Wkshp., Feb. 8-11, 1982, San

Diego, CA, 6 p.

Others

Gottholm, B. and C. Warsh. 1982. Water quality monitoring as a tool for

understanding environmental changes. Proc. Coastal Society Workshop,

October 11-13, 1982, Baltimore; MD.

Olla; B. L., W. W. Steiner and J. J. Luczkovich. 1982. Effects of drilling

fluids on the behavior of juvenile red hake, Urophycis chuss (Walbaum)

II. Effects on established behavioral baselines. U.S. EPA, 1981 Progress

Report.

Warsh, C. E. 1982. Informal NEMP report, Middle Atlantic Bight - Water

column monitoring. In: Environmental Conditions in Coastal and Offshore

Zones of the Northeastern USA, April-September 1982. Assembled by the

Atlantic Environmental Group, NOAA, Narragansett, RI, November 10, 1982,

70 p.

Annual Reports of Principal Investigators or Contractors - 1983

Bisagni, J. Water conditions and industrial waste disposal at the 106-Mile

Dumpsite, October 4, 1982 - October 3, 1983.

Buckley, L. and G. Laurence. Biochemical indicators of condition and growth

rate of larval. and juvenile fishes.

Cali, A. and P. Takvorian. Environmental variability as reflected in Glugea

stephani incidence in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Cosper, E. The production potential of diatom resting spores in surface

sediments of the New York Bight and the influence of biologically

interactive heavy metals on their viability.

Cristini, A. An in situ study on the adenylate energy charge and other

biochemical parameters of the bivalve Mya arenaria in Raritan Bay and Long

Island Sound.

93
Gould, E. Biochemical monitoring of sea scallops, 1983: Baseline studies

their application to field observations.

Graikoski, J. Distribution of Clostridium perfringens and

northwest Atlantic Ocean.

Hopkins, T. Pollutant dispersal at the Philadelphia Dumpsite

 and

Kern, F. A parasite and pathology survey of three species

Vibrio spp. in-the

of ocean mollusks.

Larsen, P. and A. Johnson. Sediment quality studies in the Gulf of Maine:

Casco Bay, Penobscot Bay and offshore. Bigelow Lab. Tech. Report No.

43. 31 p.

Longwell, A. and A. Calabrese. Mutation and the environment.

Mahoney, J. Biological oceanography investigation: Algal bioassay study "of

water quality for phytoplankton.

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. Phytoplankton community structure in northeastern

coastal waters of the United States.

Reid, R., D. Radosh, A. Frame, S. Fromm, F. Steimle, J. Caracciolo-Ward and C.

MacKenzie. Benthic ecology.

Robertson, C. Remote sensing of the Middle Atlantic Bight estuarine and

coastal waters.

Sawyer, T., D. Lear and M. O'Malley. Black gill disease and gill pathology in

the rock crab, Cancer irroratus Say.

Stolen, J. The use of immunological methods to monitor the effects of

pollutants on marine fish populations along the North Atlantic coast.

Studholme, A. Behavior investigation.

Thurberg, F. P. and M. A. Dawson. Physiological monitoring of environmental

stress.

Warsh, C. Water quality monitoring in the Middle Atlantic Bight - physical

results.

Whitledge, T. Water quality monitoring in the Middle Atlantic Bight -

chemistry, nutrients and chlorophyll.

Data Reports

Boehm, P. 1983. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analytical survey of Buzzards

Bay, Mass. Final Report.

ERCO/Energy Resources Co., Inc. 1983. Analysis of marine sediment samples

for physical and chemical properties. Final Report.

94
Hoge, F. and B. Swift. NASA Informal Report (1983), Data Summary, Airborne

Oceanographic Lidar, FLP-2 M-24, flown; Aug. 4, 1983, Supporting NEMP 83-

09. Ocean Assessment Division, Ocean Monitoring Cruise, 13 p.

Kim, G., J. O'Reilly and R. Reid. On a differentiability of four subregions

of the New York Bight based on 1980 benthic monitoring data. NOAA, NMFS,

Sandy Hook Laboratory Report No. SHL-83-01. 18 p.

Larsen, P. and A. Johnson. 1983. Sediment quality studies in Casco Bay and

Penobscot Bay, Maine. Bigelow Lab. Tech. Report No. 33. 56 p.

Matta, J. and H. Marshall. A multivariate analysis of phytoplankton

assemblages in the western North Atlantic. Old Dominion University Spec.

Rep. No. 102. 22 p.

Matte, A., R. Waldhauer, J. O'Reilly and A. Draxler. Quality assurance:

Inorganic nutrients. NOAA, NMFS, Sandy Hook Laboratory Report No. SHL-83-

13. 23 p.

O'Reilly, J. Quality assurance: Primary productivity.

Whitledge, T. and K. von Bock. Water column chemistry. Data Report, NEMP-83-

03, 8-15 April 1983.

Whitledge, T. and K. von Bock. Water column chemistry. Data Report, NEMP-83-

06, 31 May-7 June, 1983.

Whitledge, T. and K. von Bock. Water column chemistry. Data Report, NEMP-83-

12, 15-22 Sept. 1983.

Zdanowicz, V. Quality Assurance: Trace metals in marine samples.

Cruise Reports

Reid, R. Sediment quality monitoring survey (AL-83-06, NOAA Ship Albatross

IV, 18-22 July 1983).

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (AL-83-05, NOAA Ship Albatross IV, 1-15

July 1983).

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (AL-83-09, NOAA Ship Albatross IV, 14-

23 Nov. - 28 Nov.-9 Dec., 1983).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey (NEMP-83-03, Charter Vessel Cape

Henlopen, 8-15 April 1983).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey (NEMP-83-06, Charter Vessel Cape

Henlopen, 31 May-7 June 1983).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey (NEMP-83-09, Charter Vessel Cape

Henlopen, 30 July-6 Aug. 1983).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey (NEMP-83-12, NOAA Ship Mt. Mitchell,

15-22 Sept. 1983).

95
on the Health of the Northeast Coastal Waters of the United

NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-20. xii + 86 p.

Published Articles

Annual NEMP Report

States, 1981.

Cosper, E. 1983. Viability of planktonic diatoms in surface sediments of the

New York Bight. EOS Transactions, Amer. Geophys. Union, Vol. 64, No. 52,

1049-1050.

Evans-Zetlin, C. and J. O'Reilly. 1983.

size composition. p. 5.1-5.22.

Phytoplankton biomass and community

In: 106-Mile Site Characterization

Update. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/KC-26. 483 p.

Larsen, P., D. Gadbois, A. Johnson and L. Doggett. 1983. Distribution of

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Surficial sediments-of Casco Bay,

Maine. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 30:530-535.

Larsen, P., A. Johnson and L. Doggett. 1983. Environmental benchmark studies

in Casco Bay-Portland Harbor, Maine, April 1980. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFSF/NEC-19. 173 p.

Larsen, P., D. Gadbois, 4. Johnson and L. Doggett. 1983. PCB monitoring in

the Casco Bay region of the Gulf of Maine. Mar. Poll. Bull. 14:32.

Larsen, P., V. Zdanowicz, A. Johnson and L. Doggett. 1983. Trace metals in

New England marine sediments: Casco Bay, Maine, in relation to other

sites. Chemistry in Ecology I: 191-200.

Luczkovich, J. J. and B. L. Olla. 1983. Feeding behavior, prey consumption

and growth of juvenile red hake. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 112: 629-637.

Malone, T., P. Falkowski, T. Hopkins and T. Whitledge. 1983. Meoscale

responses of diatom populations to a wind event in the plume of the Hudson

River. Deep Sea Res. 30: 149-170.

Malone, T., C. Thomas, S. Hopkins, P. Falkowski and T. Whitledge. 1983.

Production and transport of phytoplankton biomass over the continental

shelf of the New York Bight. Contin. Shelf Res. 1: 305-337.

Marshall, M. and M. Cohn. 1983. Distribution and composition of

phytoplankton in northeastern coastal waters of the United States. Est.

Coast. Shelf Sci. 17: 119-131.

Matte, A., R. Waldhauer, A. Draxler and J. O'Reilly. Nutrient variability. p.

4.1-4.21. In: 106-Mile Site Characterization Update. NOAA Tech. Mem.

NMFS-F/NEC-26. 483 p.

Olla, B. L., A. J. Bejda and W. H. Pearson. 1983. Effects of oiled sediment

on the burrowing behavior of the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria. Mar.

Environ. Res. 9: 183-193.

Pearce, J. R., D. C. Miller and C. Berman (eds.). 1983. Northeast Monitoring

Program 106-Mile Site Characterization Update. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFSF/NEC-26. xxxi + 483 p.

96
Pearson, W. Y., D. L. Woodruff, P. C. Sugar-man and B. L. Olla. 1983. The

burrowing behavior of sand lance, Ammodytes hexapterus: effects of oilcontaminated sediment. Mar. Environ. Res. 11: 17-32.

Redwood, W. W. Nantucket Shoals Flux Experiment Data Report I.

Hydrography. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC-23. 105 p.

Regan, J. D., R. D. Snyder, A. A. Francis and B. L. Olla. 1983. Excision

repair of ultraviolet- and chemically-induced damage in the DNA of

fibroblasts derived from two closely related species of marine fishes.

Aquatic Toxicol. 4: 181-188.

Sawyer, T. K. and S. M. Bodammer. 1983. Marine amoebae (Protozoa: Sarcodina)

as indicators of healthy or impacted sediments in the New York Bight apex,

pp. 337-352. In: I. W. Duedall, B. H. Ketchum, P. K. Park, and D. R.

Kester, eds., Industrial and Sewage Wastes in the Ocean. John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., New York.

Sawyer, T. K., E. J. Lewis, M. Galasso, S. Bodammer, J. Ziskowski, D. Lear, M.

O'Malley and S. Smith. 1983. Black gill conditions in the rock crab,

Cancer irroratus, as indicators of ocean dumping in Atlantic coastal

waters of the United States. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer

182: 91-95.

Stolen, J. 1983. Monitoring environmental pollution by immunological

techniques. Biotech. 1:66.

Symposium Reports or Abstracts

Bill, R. G. and F. P. Thurberg. 1983. Effects of pollutants on heart

gill bailer activity of the lobster Homarus americanus. ICES C.M.

58.

and

1983/E:

Cali, A. and P. M. Takvorian. 1983. Environmental variability as ref lected

in Glugea stephani incidence in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes

americanus). ICES C.M. 1983/E:64. 16 p.

Gould E. 1983. Seasonal patterns for a single population of sea scallops,

Placopecten magellanicus, and their use in interpreting field data. ICES

C.M. 1983/E:57.

Gottholm, B. and P. Eichleberger. 1983. The development of a real time

acquisition system for the collection and display of

conductivity/salinity/temperature/depth (CSTD) data. Proc. of the IEEE

Third Working Symposium on Ocean Data Systems, Oct. 4-6, 1983. WHOI,

Woods Hole, MA, 5 pp.

Hopkins, T. S. 1983. (1) Definition of the nearshore (2) Modeling

ageostrophic flow in the New York Bight. Middle Atlantic Bight Physical

Oceanography and Meteorology (MABPOM) Workshop, Oct. 19-20, 1983,

Palisades, NY.

97
Kern, F. G. and S. Sherburne. 1983. A bacterial infection of the deep-sea

scallop, Placopecten magellanicus. Soc. Invertebrate Pathol., University

Park, PA.

Longwell, A. Crosby, D. Perry, J. Hughes and A. Hebert. 1983. Frequencies of

micronuclei in mature and immature erythrocytes of fish as an estimate of

chromosome mutation rates - results of field surveys on windowpane

flounder, winter flounder, and Atlantic mackerel. ICES C.M. 1983/E:55.

16 p. 

Marshall, H. G.

Cyanophyceae

International

Switzerland.

Marshall, H. G.

northeastern

SC. Oct. 6-8,

Marshall, H. G.

The seasonal composition and distribution patterns of

in the northeastern coastal waters of the United States 9th

Symposium on Taxonomy of Cyanophytes. Dubendorf,

August 20-24, 1983.

Tropical and sub-tropical phytoplankton in waters of the U.S.

shelf. Fifth Southeastern Phycological Colloquy, Georgetown,

 1983.

Seasonal concentration patterns and cell volume levels for

major phytoplankton groups over the northeastern continental shelf of the

United States. Amer. Soc. Limnol. Oceanogr., St. Johns, Newfoundland.

June 1983.

Marshall, H. G. 1983. Broad scale distribution and concentration patterns of

cyanobacteria over the northeastern continental shelf. EOS Trans. Amer.

Geophysical Union 64: 1084. Dec. 1983. Abstract.

Marshall, H. G. Phytoplankton spatial distribution from Georges Bank across

the continental shelf. ICES C.M. 1983/E:61. 12 p.

Marshall, H. G., L. Jugan, P. Zimba and D. A. Randolph. 1983. Seasonal cell

volume and concentration patterns for major phytoplankton groups over the

NE continental shelf. Va. J. Sci. 34: 165. Abstract.

Marshall, H. G. and R. Lacouture. 1983. Seasonal composition of.

phytoplankton in the lower Chesapeake Bay region. Va. J. Sci. 34: 165.

Abstract.

Marshall, H. G. and R. Lacouture. 1983. Seasonal phytoplankton assemblages

in the Lower Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 6: 258.

Marshall, H. G. and P. Zimba. The distribution of Ceratium spp. in the midAtlantic Bight. Atlantic Estuarine Research Society, Cape May, NJ. April

1983.

Matta, J. F. and H. G. Marshall. 1983. A multivariate analysis of

phytoplankton populations in the Gulf of Maine. ICES C.M. 1983/E:60.

14 p.

Parker, C. Recurrent sybpycnocline hypoxia in nearshore waters (30 m) off New

Jersey. Middle Atlantic Bight Physical Oceanography and Meteorology

(MABPOM) Workshop, Oct. 19-20, 1983, Palisades, NY.

98
Pearce, J. B., M. Cohn, J. Mahoney, J. P. Thomas and J. O'Reilly. 1983. The

use of phytoplankton and production measurements in environmental

assessment programs. ICES, W.G. MPMS, North Atlantic, Copenhagen,

Denmark. February 1983.

Thomas, J., J. O'Reilly, J. Pearce, J. Mahoney, M. Cohn and H. G. Marshall.

1983. The use of phytoplankton measurements in monitoring environmental

trends. ICES C.M. 1983/E:63. 16 p.

Tvirbutas, A. A. and A. McPherson. Application of Series of Infrared

Satellite Images to Estimate Tidal Motion in the Georges Bank/Gulf of

Maine Region. American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting, Paper #: 012B10. May 1983.

Tvirbutas, A. A. and A. McPherson. Application of Series of Infrared

Satellite Images for the Estimation of Surface Current and Tidal Motion in

the Georges Bank Region. ICES C.M. 1983/C:26. Poster.

Whitledge, T. E. 1983. Application of desk top computers for automated

nutrient analysis. Proc. of the IEEE Third Working Symp. on Oceanographic

Data Systems, Oct. 4-6, 1983, WHOI, Woods Hole, MA, pp. 154-155.

Other

Evans, C. A. and J. E. O'Reilly. 1983. A Handbook of Chlorophyll a in

Netplankton and Nannoplankton. Biomass Handbook No. 9. 44 pp.

SCAR/SCOR/IABO/ACMRR Group of Specialists on Living Resources of the

Southern Oceans.

MacKenzie, C., D. Radosh and R. Reid. 1983. Reduced numbers of early stages

of mollusca and amphipoda on experimental sediments containing sewage

sludge. Coast. Ocean Poll. Assmt. News 3(1):7-8.

O'Reilly, J. E. and J. P. Thomas. 1983. A manual for the measurement of

total daily primary productivity. BIOMASS Handbook No. 10. 80 pp.

SCAR/SCOR/IABO/ACMRR Group of Specialists on Living Resources of the

Southern Oceans.

Phoel, W. C. 1983. Rate measurements of benthic oxygen consumption and

nutrient regeneration. In: NOAA's Quality Assurance Survey for

Biological Rate Measurements. Vol. III, Sect. 14. Nov. 1983.

Warsh, C. E. 1983. Informal NEMP Report. Middle Atlantic Bight water column

monitoring. In: Environmental Conditions in Coastal and Offshore Zones

of the northeastern USA, April-Sept. 1982. Assembled by the Atlantic

Environmental Group, NOAA, Narragansett, R. I. Nov. 10, 1983.

Annual Reports of Principal Investigators or Contractors - 1984

Bisagni, J. Final report of water mass conditions and 'industrial waste

disposal at the 106-Mile Dumpsite. October 2, 1983 - October 7, 1984.

Bodammer, J. E. Experimental studies on the effects of Cu++ on sensory

tissues of larval fish.

99
Cosper, E. Phytoplankton in New York Bight sediments: 1. Significance as a

food source for scallops. 2. Significance to recurrent hypoxia.

Draxler, A., 9. Kothe and P. Lyons. Dissolved oxygen and hydrographic

features along the Long Branch transect and oxygen, sulfide and sediment

redox potential in the Christiaensen Basin in 1983.

Farley, C. A. Coastal mollusk pathology.

Gadbois, G. Hydrocarbon analysis of targeted fin and shellfish species and

sediments collected from northeastern U. S. coastal waters.

Graikoski, J. T. Anaerobic bacteriology.

Johnson, P. T. Survey of parasites and pathological conditions in benthic

amphipods.

Kern, F. G. Ocean mollusk pathology.

MacKenzie, C. Coastal Ecosysystems Investigation: Surf Clam Ecology Subtask.

Mahoney, J. Algal assay of relative abundance of phytoplankton nutrients in

northeast United States coastal and shelf waters.

Marshall, H. and M. Cohn. Phytoplankton community structure in northeastern

coastal waters of the United States.

Newman, M. W., S. Everline and D. Kent. Skeletal anomalies of Ammodytes in the

northwest Atlantic.

Sawyer, T. K. Persistence of pathogenic protozoans (amoebae) associated with

enteric bacteria and viruses in sediments at ocean disposal sites.

Sawyer, T. K. and E. J. Lewis. Black gill disease in rock crabs.

Stolen, J. The use of immunological methods to monitor the effect of

pollution on marine fish populations along the Atlantic Coast.

Studholme, A. 1984. Behavior investigation.

Waldhauer, R., A. Draxler, A. Matte, P. Lyons, D. McMillan and G. Pyramides.

Nutrient dynamics along the New York Right transect at Long Branch, NJ

from. May to October 1983.

Whitledge, T. Middle Atlantic Bight water quality monitoring - chemistry,

nutrients and chlorophyll.

Yentsch, C. and R. Selvin. Report Summary. Dinoflagellate resting cyst

survey.

Ziskowski, J. J. Fish Pathology.

100
Data Reports

Boehm, P., W. Steinhauer and J. Brown. Organic pollutant biogeochemistry

studies, northeast U.S. marine environment. Final Report.

Gottholm, B. and P. Eichelberger. 1984. NEMP water quality cruise and data

report.

MacKenzie, C., D. Radosh, A. Draxler and R. Reid.. Invertebrate settling

densities in field trays containing eight clean and contaminated

sediments. Data Report.

Matte, A. and R. Waldhauer. 1984. Mid-Atlantic Bight nutrient variability.

NOAA, NMFS, Sandy Hook Lab. Report No. 84-15.

Warsh, C., G. Gottholm and P. Eichelberger. Northeast Monitoring Program,

water quality cruise and data reports, NEMP-84-04. 16-24 April 1984.

Warsh, C., B. Gottholm and P. Eichelberger. Northeast Monitoring Program,

water quality cruise and data report, NEMP-84-06. 02-09 June 1984.

Warsh, C., B. Gottholm and P. Eichelberger. Northeast Monitoring Program,

water quality cruise and data report, NEMP-84-10. 14-22 Aug. 1984.

Warsh, C., B. Gottholm and P. Eichelberger. Northeast Monitoring Program,

water quality cruise and data report, NEMP-84-13. 22-31 Oct. 1984.

Whitledge, T. and D. Veidt. Northeast Monitoring Program cruise 84-04, 16-24

April 1984 - Data Report.

Whitledge, T. and K. von Bock. Northeast Monitoring Program cruise 84-06, 2-9

June 1984 - Data Report.

Whitledge, T. and K. von Bock. Northeast Monitoring Program cruise, Charter

Vessel Cape Henlopen, 14-22 Aug. 1984. Water column chemistry data

report.

Whitledge, T. and K. von Bock. Northeast Monitoring Program cruise, 84-13,

22-31 Oct. 1984.

Cruise Reports

Steimle, F. Biological effects survey (AL-84-06 NOAA Ship Albatross IV, 02-09

July 1984).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey, Mid-Atlantic Bight (NEMP-84-04,

Charter Vessel Cape Henlopen, 16-24 April 1984).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey, Mid-Atlantic Bight (NEMP-84-06,

Charter Vessel Cape Henlopen, 02-09 June 1984).

Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey, Mid-Atlantic Bight (NEMP-84-10,

Charter Vessel Cape Henlopen, 14-22 August 1984).

101
Warsh, C. Water column monitoring survey, Mid-Atlantic Bight (NEMP-84-13,

NOAA Ship Mt. Mitchell, 22-31 October 1984).

Published Articles

Buckley, L. J. 1984. RNA-DNA ratio: An index of larval fish, growth in the

sea. Mar. Biol. 80: 291-298.

Draxler, A., R. Waldhauer, A. Matte and J. Mahoney. 1984. Nutrients,

hydrography and their relationship to phytoflagellates in the HudsonRaritan estuary. Bull. NJ Acad. Sci. 29: 97-120.

Howe, S. and W. Leathem. 1984. Secondary production of benthic macrofauna at

three stations of Delaware Bay and coastal Delaware. NOAA Tech. Mem.

NMFS-F/NEC-32. 62 p.

Larsen, P., D. Gadbois and A. Johnson. 1984. Sediment PCB distribution in

the Penobscot Bay region of the Gulf of Maine. Mar. Poll. Bull. 15: 34-

35.

Larsen, P., D. Gadbois, A. Johnson and R. Maney. 1984. On the appearance of

PCBs in the Surficial sediments of Casco Bay, Maine. Mar. Poll. Bull. 15:

452-453.

Marshall, H. 1984. Mesoscale distribution patterns for diatoms over the

northeastern continental shelf of the United States. In: D. G. Mann, ed.,

Proceedings of the Seventh International Diatom Symposium. O. Koeltz

Publ. p. 393-400.

Marshall, H. 1984. Phytoplankton distribution along the eastern coast of the

USA. Part V. Seasonal density and cell volumn patterns for the

northeastern continental shelf. J. Plankton Res. 6: 169-193.

Marshall, H. 1984. Phytoplankton of the northeastern continental shelf of

the United States inrelation to abundance, composition, and cell volume,

seasonal and regional assemblages. Rapport et Proces-Verbaux. Reun.

Cons. int. Explor. Mer. 183: 41-50.

Matta, J. and H. Marshall. 1984. A multivariate analysis of phytoplankton

assemblages in the western North Atlantic. J. Plankton Res. 6: 663-675.

Olla, B. L., A. J. Bejda, A. L. Studholme and W. H, Pearson. 1984. Sublethal

effects of oiled sediment on the sand worm, Nereis (Neanthes) virens:

Induced changes in burrowing and emergence. Environ. Res. 121-

139.

O'Reilly, J. and D. Busch. 1984. Phytoplankton primary production on the

northwestern Atlantic shelf. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer.

235-268.

Pearce, J. 1984. Assessing the health of the oceans: An international

perspective. p. 285-313. In: Contaminant, Effects on Fisheries. V. W.

Cairns, P. V. Hodson and J.T. Nriagu (eds,). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,

New York, NY.

102
Pearson, W., D. Woodruff, P. Sugarman and B. Olla. 1984. The burrowing

behavior of sand lance, Ammodytes hexaterus: Effects of oil-contaminated

sediment. Marine Environ. Res. 11: 17-32.

Rude, R. A., G. J. Jackson, J. W. Bier, T. K. Sawyer and N. G. Risty. 1984.

Survey of fresh vegetables for nematodes, amoebae, and Salmonella. J.

Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 67: 613-615.

Sawyer, T.‘ K., E. J. Lewis, M. E. Galasso and J. J. Ziskowski. 1984. Gill

fouling and parasitism in the rock crab, Cancer irroratus Say. Mar.

Environ. Res. 14: 355-369.

Takvorian, P. M. and A. Cali. 1984. Seasonal prevalence of the

microsporidian Glugea stephani in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes

americanus) from the New York-New Jersey Lower Bay complex. J. Fish.

Biol. 24: 655-663.

Tvirbutas, A. A. and A. McPherson. Application of image processing techniques

to marine fisheries. Oceans 84 Conference Record. September 10-12,

1984.

Symposium Reports or Abstracts

Chang, S. and A. Crosby Longwell. 1984. Examining statistical associations

of malformation, cyto-pathological and cytogenetic abnormality of 1977 and

78 planktonic Atlantic mackerel embryos with indicator levels of

environmental contamination. ICES C.M. 1984/E:11. 15 p.

Longwell, A. Crosby. 1984. Variable frequencies of chromosome mutation in

embryo, juvenile and adult fish of resource species and the marine

environment. AAAS, New York, N.Y., 24-29 May 1984.

Longwell, A. Crosby, D. Perry, J. Hughes and A. Hebert. 1984. Embryological,

cyto-pathological and cytogenetic analyses of '74, '77 and '78 planktonic

Atlantic mackerel eggs in the New York Bight. ICES C.M. 1984/E: 13. 8 p.

MacKenzie, C., D. Radosh and R. Reid. 1984. Sediment preferences and

mortality in young surf clams (Spisula solidissima). J. Shellfish Res. 5.

Marshall, H. Diatom associations across the northeastern continental shelf of

the United States. Eighth International Symposium on Recent and Fossil

Diatoms. Paris; France, Aug. 27 - Sept. 1, 1984.

Marshall, H., R. O'Reilly, D. Randolph, and' B. Wagoner. Phytoplankton

composition along the outer northeastern continental shelf of the United

States. Va. J. Sci. 35: 96. Abstract.

Marshall, H., D. Randolph, R. 0'Reilly and P. Zimba. Tropical phytoplankton

off Georges Bank. Va. Acad. Sci. 35: 96. Abstract.

Marshall, H. G. 1984. A comparison of seasonal distribution and

concentration patterns of phytoplankton species over the continental shelf

of the United States. ICES C.M. 1984/L:10. Poster.

103
Perry, D. and A. Herbert. 1984. Hematopoiesis in germ-line primordia in

embryonic and larval fish. ICES C.M. 1984/E:12. Poster. 7 p.

Phoel, W., J. Thomas and J. Duggan. 1984. Changes in oxygen consumption by

the seabed of the New York Bight Apex, 1974-1983. ICES C.M. 1984/E:10.

16 p.

Sawyer, T. K. 1984. Pathogenic amoebae as indicators of 'sludge pollution in

shellfish beds and coastal sediments. Fifth Ann. Montclair State

College/Hoffman-LaRoche Toxicol. Symp., Montclair State College,

Montclair, NJ. May 12, 1984.

Sawyer, T. K., M. E. Galasso and D. L. Sawyer. 1984. Recovery of

Acanthamoeba (Amoebida: Acanthamoebidae) from a 240-mile transect of the

Mississippi River (Natchez, Mississippi, to Venice, Louisiana). 37th Ann.

Meeting Soc. Protozool., Univ. Georgia, Athens. August 19-24, 1984.

Sawyer, T. K., E. J. Lewis, J. Musselman, W. N. Adams, J. Gaines, L. Chandler

and S. Rippey. 1984. Sewage-associated bacteria and protozoans as

indicators of water and sediment quality of shellfish beds. Fifth Int.

Ocean Disposal Symp., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR. September 10-14,

1984.

Thomas, J., E. Carpenter, H. Curl, R. Ferguson, G. Knauer, P. Kremer, J.

O'Reilly, S. Nixon, P. Ortner, M. Pamatmat, J. Sharp and S. Tarapchak.

1984. Biological rate measurements working group report to the NOAA

Quality Assurance Program. ICES C.M. 1984/1-:19. 15 p.

Ziskowski, J. J. 1984. Gross external lesions on commercially important

fishes of the Northwest Atlantic. Ninth Ann. Eastern Fish Health

Workshop, Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL. June 12-14, 1984.

Other

Olsen, P., M. Cohn, J. Mahoney and E. Ferrst. 1984. Gonyaulax excavata

monitoring in New Jersey. Coast. Ocean Poll. Assmt. News 2: 25-26.

Reports and Publications Since 1984 (Partial List)

Publications

Buckley, L. J., T. A. Halavik, G. C. Laurence, S. J. Hamilton and P. Yevich.

1985. Comparative swimming stamina, biochemical composition, backbone

mechanical properties, and histopathology of juvenile striped bass from

rivers and hatcheries of the eastern United States. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.

114: 114-124.

Buckley, L. J. and R. G. Lough. (Submitted). Recent growth, chemical

composition, and prey field of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and cod

(Gadus morhua) larvae and post-larvae on Georges Bank, May 1983. Can J.

Fish. Aquatic Sci.

104
Dawson, M. A. Submitted. Hematology of the windowpane flounder, S

aquosus, in Long Island Sound: Geographical, seasonal and expe

variations. J. Fish Biol.

Fowler, B. A., D. W. Engel and E. Gould. In press. Ultrastructural

biochemical effects of prolonged cadmium and copper exposure on

the scallop Placopecten magelianicus. Mar. Environ. Res.

 and

kidneys of

Cali, A., P. M. Takvorian, J. J. Ziskowski and T. K. Sawyer. 1986.

Experimental infection of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

with Glugea stephani (Microsporida). J. Fish. Biol. 28 (in press).

Gould, E., R. A. Greig, D. Rusanowski and B. C. Marks. 1985. Metal-exposed

sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin): A comparison of the

effects of uptake of cadmium and copper. In: Marine Pollution and

Physiology: Recent Advances (F. J. Vernberg A. Thurberg, A. Calabrese,

and W. B. Vernberg, eds.). Univ. South Carolina Press, Columbia, p. 157-

186.

Gould, E., R. J. Thompson and L. J. Buckley. In press. Exposure of the

scallop Placopecten magellanicus to sublethal copper and cadmium:

Mar. Environ. Res.

Effects

on the reproductive effort.

Johnson, A. C., D. F. Gadbois, P. F. Larsen and A. W. Humason. 1985. The

distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Surficial

sediments of Penobscot Bay (Maine, USA) in relation to possible sources

and to other sites worldwide. Mar. Environ. Res. 15: 1-16.

MacKenzie, C. L., Jr., David J. Radosh and Robert N. Reid. In press.

Densities, growth and mortalities of juvenile surf clams (Spisula

solidissima) in the New York Bight. J. Shellf. Res.

Marshall, H. G. In press. Comparison of numerical and cell volume

measurements in phytoplankton groups of the continental shelf off Cape

Cod, Massachusetts. Hydrobiologia.

Marshall, H. G. Submitted. Diatom associations of the northeastern

continental shelf and slope waters of the United States. Proceedings of

the 8th International Diatom Symposium.

Northeast Fisheries Center, NMFS. In preparation. Middle Atlantic Water

Management Unit Characterizations. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-F/NEC.

O'Reilly, J. E., C. Evans-Zetlin and D. Busch. In Press. Primary production

on Georges Bank. In: R. H. Backus (ed.). Georges Bank. MIT Press.

Boston, MA. 

Phoel, William C., R. Reid, D. Radosh, P. Kube and S. Fromm. 1985. Studies

of the water column, sediments and biota at the New York Bight acid waste

dumpsite and a control area. Oceans 85 Conference Record, San Diego, CA,

Nov. 12-14, 1985.

105
Stolen, J. S. 1985. The effect of the PCB Aroclor 1254 and ethanol on the

humoral immune response of a marine teleost to a sludge bacterial isolate

of E. coli. pp. 419-426. In:

Advances (F.J.

Marine Pollution and Physiology: Recent

Vernberg, F. P. Thurberg, A. Calabrese and W. B. Vernberg,

eds.), Univ. South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.

Walsh, J. J., T. E. Whitledge, P. G. Falkowski, A. Stoddard, J. P. Thomas, W.

C. Phoel and S. A. Macko. Submitted. Nitrogen sources and sinks within

the Chesapeake, Delaware and Hudson estuaries and the adjacent shelf

waters. Limnol. Oceanogr.

Walsh, John J., T. E. Whitledge, J. O'Reilly, W. C. Phoel and A. F. Draxler.

In press. Nitrogen cycling on Georges Bank and on the New York Shelf: A

comparison between well-mixed and seasonally stratified waters. In: R.

H. Backus (ed.). Georges Bank. MIT Press, Boston, MA.

Reports

Cristini, A. C. 1985. An in situ study on the adenylate energy charge and

other biochemical parameters the bivalve M a arenaria in Raritan Bay

and Long Island Sound. Final Report, Contract no. NA-83-FA-C-0037.

Chang, S. and A. Crosby Longwell. 1985. Interpretation of synergistic and

antagonistic effects of multiple factor combinations in nature. ICES C.M.

1985/E:21. 23 p.

Draxler, A. F. J., A. Matte, R. Waldhauer and J. O'Reilly. In press.

Nutrient distributions for Georges Bank and adjacent waters. NOAA Tech.

Report, Special Sci. Publ. Fish.

Warsh, C., B. Gottholm and P. Eichelberger. In press. National Status and

Trends Program, 1982 Water Quality Annual Report, NOS contributions to the

Northeast Monitoring Program.

Warsh, C., B. Gottholm, P. Eichelberger and C. Robertson. In press. National

Status and Trends Program, 1983 Water Quality Annual Report, NOS

contributions to the Northeast Monitoring Program.

106
5.3 Data Bases Developed by NEMP Participants

107
108
109
110
111
* pH measurements were collected on this cruise only.

112
* Nutrient data only

** Dr. Marshall and T. Whitledge both contributed phytoplankton data beginning

in 1982.

*** Beginning in 1982, E. Cosper contributed diatom resting spore data.

113
5.4 Partial List of NEMP Data and Information Users

Within NOAA

Northeast and Southeast Center and Regional Offices, NMFS

Ocean Assessments Division, National Ocean Service

Estuarine Programs Office

National Undersea Research Center

National Sea Grant

Other Federal Agencies

Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Research Laboratories, Narragansett, R.I.;

Gulf Breeze, FL; Corvallis, OR

Region I, II, III Offices

Army Corps of Engineers

New England Division

New York Division

Department of Energy

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Argonne National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Department of Interior

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Boston, MA; Cortland, NY;

Newton, PA; Washington, D.C.; Lacrosse, WI; Columbia, MO

Minerals Management Service - Washington, D.C.; New York, NY

U. S. Navy

Naval Undersea Research Center - Hawaii

Naval Underwater Systems Center - New London, CT

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Bureau of Reclamation - Denver, CO

Smithsonian Tropical Research Inst.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

National Academy of Sciences - Washington, DC

New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils

114
Congressional Offices

Senator Edward Kennedy

Representative James Howard

Office of Technology Assessment

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

State Agencies or Offices

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Florida Department of Natural Resources

New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Maryland Fisheries Administration

New York Public Service Commission

Florida Department of Environmental Regulation

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

115
Universities and Colleges (U.S.)

Rutgers University

Florida Atlantic University

University of South Carolina

Univ. of Southern Mississippi

University of Washington

University of Connecticut

SUNY - Stony Brook

Humboldt State University

Florida State University

North Texas State University

Utah State University

Oregon State University

Univ. of California, Santa Barbara

Virginia Inst. of Marine Science

Boston University

Univ. of North Carolina

Johns Hopkins University

Long Island University

Louisiana State University

Univ. of New England

College of Charleston

Mississippi State University

Texas A&M University

Univ. of Puerto Rico

Univ. of Rhode Island

City College of New York

University of Miami

University of West Florida

University of Massachusetts

Portland State University, Oregon

Duke University

Monmouth College

T. H. Morgan School of Biol. Science

University of Illinois

Adelphi University

University of Maryland

Winthrop College

Calif. State U., Long Beach

Clemson University

University of Pennsylvania

Northern Illinois University

University of Hawaii

University of Georgia

E. Stroudsburg State College

Southern Calif. Ocean Studies Consortium

Old Dominion University

University of Alaska

University of Arizona

North Carolina State University

University of Michigan

Columbia University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

and State University

University of Maryland.

University of Texas

University of Maine

University of Vermont

Colorado State University

Skidway Institute of Oceanography

California State College,

Fullerton

Harvard University

Franklin and Marshall College

University of Minnesota

University of Wisconsin

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Roanoke College

Montana State University

Pennsylvania State University

Herbert H. Lehman College

Brown University

Southeastern Mass. University

Stanford University.

Southern Conn. State College

Tulane University

University of West Florida

Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore

Princeton University

Cornell University

Stockton State College

Va. Commonwealth University

Miami University

University of Cincinnati

Jacksonville University

West Virginia University

Michigan State University

University of Virginia

University of Delaware

Lehigh University

Tufts University

Manhattan College

116
Universities and Colleges (Foreign)

Academy of Scientific Research and

Technology, Cairo, Egypt

University of Stockholm

University of Montreal

University of Tokyo

Univ. of Sao Paolo, Brazil

Univ. of Sar es Salaam, Tanzania

University of Lund, Sweden

Univ. of Queensland, Australia

University of Oslo

Brock University

Trent University

Queens University

University of Glasgow

Univ. of Rio Grande, Brazil

University of Guelph

University of Pisa

University of Dakar

University of Quebec

The New University of Ulster

University of Algiers

University of Umea, Sweden

University of Bergen, Norway

University of Trieste

Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Germany

University of Aberdeen

Dalhousie University

University of Alberta

Univ. Autonoma de Barcelona

Mount Allison University

Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland

University of Haifa

University of Nigeria

University of Trondheim

University of Auckland

University of Uppsala, Sweden

University College, Galway, Ireland

University of Pisa, Italy

University of West Ontaria

University of Karachi, Pakistan

University of Southampton

Adam Mickiewicy University, Poland

McGill University

University of Tunis

University of St. Andrews

University of Nice

Unvi. of Juvaskyla, Finland

University of Calgary

University of Victoria

Univ. of Rajastban, India

Univ. Claude Bernard

University of Malaysia

University of Cordoba

Madras University

University of Lancaster

Queen Mary College

Universite Sainte Ursule

University of North Bengal

Kyushu University

University of Hohenheim

Pacharyappa's College

University of Edinburgh

University of Lima

University of Sydney

University of Liverpool

The Chinese University of

Hong Kong

University of Salzburg

Univ. of Santiago, Spain

University of York

Jiwaji University, India

University of Dundee

University of Jodhpur, India

The Hebrew University

Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris

117
Public or Private Institutions

Center for Energy & Environmental Research - San Juan, PR

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea - Copenhagen

Pacific Gamefish Foundation

Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium - Dauphin Is., Alabama

Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology

Max Planck Institute

Harbor Branch Foundation

New York Aquarium

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia

The Nature Conservancy

New England Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium

Mote Marine Science Center

New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium

Environmental Consulting and Industrial Firms

Battelle Laboratories, Columbus, OH; Duxbury, MA; Sequim, WA

Dames and Moore - Los Angeles, CA

SEAMocean -Wheaton, MD

Ecological Analysts -Sparks, MD

Camp, Dresser and McKee - New York

TETRA TECH - Bellevue, WA

Metcalf & Eddy - Woburn, MA

Goldberg Zoino Assoc. - Newton, MA

Science Applications, Inc. - Newport, RI; Oak Ridge, TN; La Jolla, CA

Boston Edison

NASA Slidell Company

Atlantic Oceanics Co., LTD.

Steimle and Associates, Inc.

Shell International Research:

Woodward-Clyde Consultants

Dalton-Dalton, Newport

Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc.

Carolina Power and Light Co.

Lockheed Center for Marine Research

Yankee Atomic Electrical Co.

Water Resources Engineers

Wapora, Inc.

Texas Instruments, Inc.

Bionomics

Bechtel Corporation

ESE Environmental Science and

Engineering, Inc.

Applied Biology, Inc.

L.G.L. Limited

Garden State Seafood

EG&G - Waltham, MA

Henry Ford Hospital

Normandeau Associates, Inc.

118
Recreational Fishing Interest Groups

International Game Fish Association - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Public Environmental Conservation Groups

Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater, Inc.

American Littoral Society

Clean Ocean Action

Conservation Law Foundation

National Wildlife Federation

Media

New York Times

Cape Cod Times

Palm Beach Post

Long Island Newsday

Asbury Park (NH) Press

Shrewsbury (NJ) Register

Newark (NJ) Star Ledger

National Geographic

National Fisherman Magazine 

The Long Island Fisherman

Foreign Marine Science Research Institutions and Agencies

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - England

Swedish Salmon Research Institute

Institute of Applied Zoology, Poland

Scottish Marine Biological Assoc.

Fisheries Research Board of Canada

Nederlands Institute voor Hersenonderzoek

Institut Europeen d' Ecologic

Marine Biological Laboratory, India

National Institute for the Investigation of Fishes - Portugal

Rkysinstituit voor Visserijondezoek

Hydrometeorological Services of the USSR

National Agency of Environmental Protection, Denmark

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center - Philippines

Oceanographical Museum and Sea Aquarium, Poland

Dept. Fisheries and Fauna - Australia

Inland Fisheries Institute, Poland

Natural Environment Research Council, Scotland

Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Fisheries Research Branch - St. Johns, NF, Canada

Vetinary Hygiene Research Station, Gdansk, Poland

119
5.5 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms

BCF

BNL

FY

MARMAP

MESA

NEFC

NEMP

NMFS

NOAA

NODC

NOS

NS&T

OA

OAD

OD

PAE

PAH

PCB

PDP

PHC

RAP

RD

TDP

Bioconcentration factor (here the ratio of concentrations

in organisms to concentrations in sediments)

Brookhaven National Laboratory of Department of Energy

Fiscal Year (1 October through 30 September)

Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction

Program of NOAA

Marine Ecosystems Analysis Program of NOAA

Northeast Fisheries Center, NMFS

Northeast Monitoring Program of NOAA

National Marine Fisheries Service of NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanographic Data Center of NOAA

National Ocean Service of NOAA

National Status and Trends Program of OAD and NMFS

Oceanic and Atmospheric Services of NOAA (prior to 1983)

Ocean Assessments Division of NOAA (1983 - present;

formerly OA)

Ocean Dumping Program of AO, NOAA

phthalate acid ester

polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

polychlorinated biphenyl

Program Development Plan

petroleum hydrocarbon

Regional Action Plan of the Northeast Region and

Center of NMFS

Research and Development of NOAA

Technical Development Plan

120
5.6 Common and Scientific Names of Species Discussed in Text

COMMON NAME

American dab

American eel

ampeliscid amphipod

anaerobic spore-forming bacterium

Atlantic mackerel

blood worm

blue crab

blue mussel

butterfish

calico crab

ceriantharian anemone

diatom

Dungeness crab

false quahog

flabelligerid worm

fourspot flounder

haddock

hard clam (quahog)

Jonah crab

little neck clam

little skate

lobster

lumbrinerid thread worm

marine bacillus bacterium

nut clam

ocean quahog

pathogenic amoeba

protozoan flatfish parasite

rag worm

red hake

red-lined worm

rock crab

sand lance

sand worm

sea scallop

silver hake

sludge-indicating bacterium

sludge-indicating coliform

bacterium

soft clam

striped bass

summer flounder

surf clam

tautog

tomcod

windowpane flounder

winter flounder

yellowtail flounder

SCIENTIFIC NAME

121
Appendix 5.7. Trace Metal Body Burdens for Species Measured in the Northeast as Part

of the NEMP.

Notations for "Number of samples and types of values", and abbreviations,

are encoded as follows:

12c (3-5) = 12 composites of 3-5 individuals each

9m (1-6) = 9 mean values calculated from 1-6 individual measurements each

12- = individual analyses

NYB = New York Bight

NA = Not available

122
123
124
125

127
128
129

Source/Cruise (for complete citations see Literature Cited for Section 3.2.3, Trace Contaminants

in Tissues):

AL8109

AL8007

- R/V ALBATROSS IV survey, August 1981 (Zdanowicz and Bruno 1982a)

- R/V ALBATROSS IV survey, September 1980 (Zdanowicz and Ruiz 1981)

AL7907 - R/V ALBATROSS IV survey, September 1979 (Zdanowicz and Ruiz 1981)

KE8007 - R/V KELEZ survey, August 1980 (Zdanowicz and Ruiz 1981; Reid et al. 1982)

DL8105, 8205

1982b)

- R/V DELAWARE surveys, August 1981 and July-September 1982 (Zdanowicz and Bruno

KY8101 - R/V KYMA survey, May 1981 (Zdanowicz unpublished data)

KY8102 - R/V KYMA survey, June 1981 (Zdanowicz unpublished data)

KY8103 - R/V KYMA survey, July 1981 (Zdanowicz unpublished data)

KY8104 - R/V KYMA survey, August 1981 (Zdanowicz unpublished data)

KY8105 - R/V KYMA survey, September 1981 (Zdanowicz unpublished data)

KY8106 - R/V KYMA survey, October 1981 (Zdanowicz unpublished data)

GR 83 - Greig et al. 1983.

GR 85 - Greig and Sennefelder (1985)

131
Appendix 5.8. Summary of Trace Organic Concentrations in Tissues of Species Collected in the

Northeast as Part of the NEMP.

Notations for "Number of samples and types of values," and other symbols and

abbreviations, are encoded as follows:

5c(3-6) = 5 composites of 3-6 individuals each

6 = 6 individual analyses

NYB = New York Bight

NA = Not Available

ND = Not Detectable

* = Number of composites/individuals is estimated

132
133
134
135
136
137
138