Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Legal Symposium On Wetlands: An Executive Summary, Roger D. Anderson, David Garten, Ted Smolen

Reports

In 1969 the Virginia Institute of Marine Science published a report stating that although marshlands represented only one-half of one percent of the total area of the state, 95 percent of Virginia 's annual harvest of sport and commercial fisheries were dependent to some degree upon these valuable wetlands . The report went on to urge some form of public control over these vital areas in order to relieve some of the pressures created by dredging, filling, diking and bulkheading.

Recognizing the need to address this issue, the 1971 General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution Number 60, creating a Wetlands …

Virginia And The Outer Continental Shelf : Problems, Possibilities, And Posture, The Committee

Reports

The Outer Continental Shelf Advisory Committee was \ established.by the Secretary of Commerce and Resources, Earl J. Shiflet, in July, 1974. This action was taken based upon the realization that the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) was a likely area for the development of offshore oil and gas resources, and that such development could have profound and far reaching impacts upon the Commonwealth. Such impacts could either be beneficial or detrimental or both, depending greatly upon the preparations made by the Commonwealth beforehand. Accordingly, Secretary Shiflet charged the OCS Advisory Committee to consider all facets of the situation, and to …

A Report On The Concentration, Distribution And Impact Of Certain Trace Metals From Sewage Treatment Plants On The Chesapeake Bay, Robert J. Huggett, O. P. Brickner, G. R. Helz, S. E. Sommmer

Reports

Population densities are ever increasing on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and hence the flow of goods and services is being shifted to supply these people. This self perpetuating system demanismore and more of the surrounding envirorunent f or recreation, work and waste disposal. This is the case f or the Chesapeake and its sub- estuaries.

According to Brush (1974), of the total fresh water input into the Chesapeake Bay, between 1 and 2 percent is treated sewage. Toxic components on these waters may be of paramount importance in the Bay ecosystem and ma;y have disastrous effects on the …

The Chesapeake Bay System, Effluent And Ambient Water Quality Conditions : An Interim Report To National Commission On Water Quality, Virginia Institute Of Marine Science

Reports

The Chesapeake Bay, lying in the eastern portions of Maryland and Virginia, is the largest estuary in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. It is approximately 180 statute miles long (156 nautical miles) from the mouth of the Susquehanna River'to the mouth of the Bay at the Cape Henry/Cape Charles line. The width ranges from 3.4 miles to 35 miles with an average depth of 27.7 feet. More than 50 rivers contribute fresh water. The five largest are the Susquehanna, the Potomac, the James, the Rappahannock and the York.

Acute Effect Of Free Chlorine On Selected Estuarine Invertebrates And Vertebrates : Final Report, Morris H. Roberts, Robert J. Diaz

Reports

The objective of this project was to determine acute toxic effects of chlorine on selected estuarine organisms found adjacent to the projected outfall of a sewage treatment plant in the lower York River. The test species specified under contract were ovster (Crassostrea virginica) and clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) larvae, Acartia tonsa (a dominant copepod), and the fishes, menhaden (Brcvoortia tyranus), pipefish (Svngnathus fuscus), blennies (Hypsoplennius hentzi) and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). The parameter of interest in the tests was mortality when the animals were exposed to a constant level of chlorine for a 48 or 96 hr period.

A Program To Monitor The Environmental Effects Of Shipyard Expansion : A Final Report, Robert J. Diaz, M. E. Bender

Reports

Dredging and land reclamation are two of the potentially most damaging activities that man undertakes in estuarine areas. Hampton Roads, the world's largest natural harbor, is a multiple use port, being a major center for fishing and shellfishing, transportation, recreation and industrial sitings. Dredging which is a necessary perpetuation for some of these activities, could be directly or indirectly detrimental to others. It is in such a multiple use situation that environmental alterations, real or potential, must be carefully planned and closely monitored. Projects of the type underway can cause changes in circulation, water depth, turbidity, and patterns qf siltation, …

Final Report On Environmental Effects Of The Second Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Construction To Virginia Department Of Highways : Effects On Benthic Communities, Donald F. Boesch, David H. Rackley

Reports

A sampling program was undertaken from July 1973 to June 1974, to assess the effects of construction of the second Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on the benthic communities in the vicinity. Macrobenthic animals (defined as those retained by a 1.0 mm mesh sieve) were quantitatively sampled along three transects perpendicular to the new tunnel and in and around the fill "borrow areas" nearby on Willoughby Bank and Sewell's Point Spit. The effects of construction practices on the benthic communities·was assessed through interpretation of faunal composition, sediment characteristics, and bottom profiles.

Function Of Marshes In Reducing Eutrophication Of Estuaries Of The Middle Atlantic Region, D. M. Axelrad, M. E. Bender, K. A. Moore

Reports

Annual nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon budgets for two Virginia salt marshes were determined by monthly measurements of water discharge and constituent concentrations over tidal cycles.

Considering all three forms of phosphorus measured (total, dissolved organic and orthophosphate) there was a net loss from the estuary to the marshes. The data reveal a loss of particulate μhosphorus of estuarine origin to marsh sediments and mineralization of this phosphorus in the marshes with subsequent export of dissolved inorganic and organic phosphorus back to the estuary.

Nitrogen flux data show a loss of nitrate and nitrite to the marshes. Particulate nitrogen is imported …

Ecological Survey, Upper James River, Surry Nuclear Power Station Site, August 1974, M. Bender, R. Jordan, M. Ho, M. Cavell

Reports

In May of 1969 field surveys to characterize selected biological communities in the Hog Island area of the James River were begun. The objective of these surveys has been to determine if significant changes occurred in the species composition or population levels of certain communities which could be related to the operation of the nuclear power generation station. Although during the period of study, methods and stations have been changed to adjust the study to changing regulations, its basic character has remained. Communities studied have included benthos, zoo- and phytoplankton and fouling organisms.

Report On Water Quality Data Evaluation And Program Design Services For The James And York Rivers In Conjunction With The "208" Planning Program For The Tidewater Region Of Virginia, Michael E. Bender, C. S. Fang, Bruce J. Neilson

Reports

The study area considered in this report includes the following: The James River from Fort Monroe to the mouth of the Chickahominy River (statute mile 45) including the small tributaries on the north shore but not the Chickahominy; the York River from its mouth to the confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey at West Point (statute mile 33.5) including the small tributaries along the south shore; and the small drainage area adjacent to Chesapeake Bay lying between the York and James basins. The two rivers included in this basin are Poquoson River and Back River.

Shoreline Situation Report Newport News, Virginia, Carl H. Hobbs Iii, Gary L. Anderson, William D. Athearn, Robert J. Byrne, John M. Zeigler

Reports

No abstract provided.

Shoreline Situation Report Northampton County, Virginia, William D. Athearn, Gary L. Anderson, Robert J. Byrne, Carl H. Hobbs Iii, John M. Zeigler

Reports

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of The Potential Environmental Effects Of The Proposed Marina At York River State Park, Kenneth Marcellus, Gene M. Silberhorn, George M. Dawes

Reports

No abstract provided.

Ecological Survey, Upper James River, Surry Nuclear Power Station Site, July 1973, Michael E. Bender, Marion Y. Hedgepeth, Et Al

Reports

Beginning in Hay of 1969 field surveys have been conducted in the Hog Island area of the James River to characterize the biota of the region. The objective of these surveys has been to determine any significant changes in the biota related to the operation of the nuclear power station. Although during the period of study, methods and stations have been changed to adjust the study to changing regulations, its basic character has remained. Communities surveyed have included benthos, epibenthos, zoo- and phytoplankton, fish, and fouling organisms. In addition, special studies of thermal tolerance have been conducted on oysters and …

Investigation Of Surface Films - Chesapeake Bay Entrance, William G. Macintyre, Craig C. Smith, Et Al

Reports

Experimental point source oil releases have been conducted in the Chesapeake Bay mouth area. Predictions of oil slick motion were tested, and slicks were sampled and analyzed to measure their aging rates over periods up to 32 hours. Remote sensing. techniques were used to detect and measure the spreading rate of oil. Some laboratory oil film aging experiments were done to further document and elucidate aging processes. Results indicate· a,reasonable motion prediction, an explanation of the non-biological initial aging of oil films, and a fair corroboration of a theoretical oil spreading model.

A Report On Salinity And Oxygen Values In The Great Wicomico River In 1971 And L972 With Comments On The Low Set, Dexter Haven

Reports

Our studies in the Great Wicomico River showed that in 1971°':·oystefr larvae did not strike during early July in the usual number. In looking for a reason, we began to take samples for dissolved oxygen beginning on 12 July 1971. · Our studies showed that DO was low at the bottom from at least 12 July to 27 July. Salinity, according to limited data, ,~ appeared about average for the· season. (...)

Special Purpose Areas In Virginia's Coastal Zone, J. B. Pleasants

Reports

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is charged with the responsibility of advising state management agencies on matters relating to the environments and resources of the coastal zone of Virginia. Under this broad requirement, we have been specifically assigned the task of recommending an ocean-dumping policy for the Commonwealth. This paper, a survey of specially designated areas in coastal waters of the state, is designed to provide some of the background material required in the development of such a policy.

Study Of Channel Sediments, James River & Hampton Roads Area, R. J. Huggett

Reports

Bottom sediment samples were collected from 3 locations transecting the channel in the lower James and Elizabeth rivers.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls In The Elizabeth River : Final Report, Robert J. Huggett

Reports

For the past eight years, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science has been a participant of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program. Within the framework of this program, oyster samples have been collected from areas throughout the Chesapeake Bay.and analyzed for chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides. The data from the last three years show that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) are being concentrated by the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. The highest concentrations found were always from one station, Hospital Point, in the Elizabeth River. Samples from this station, collected during the spring of 1971, contained residues of the PCB, Aroclor(R) 1254 of 2.8 ppm. For …

The Environmental, Resource-Use And Management Needs Of The Coast Zone, A Compendium, William J. Hargis Jr., Beverly L. Laird

Reports

As part of art extensive effort to develop a better understanding and evaluation of the problems imposed upon the Chesapeake Bay System by the activities of man and the management and informational needs related to their solution, we decided to examine a number of documents of ranging authorship and origin. The reports, papers, and manuscripts, comprising the resource materials utilized, range from the massive study entitled National Estuary Study -- recently completed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the U. S. Department of the Interior, to internal study manuscripts of the Institute, itself. Included were studies. aimed …

Report To The York River Oyster Research Corporation On The Physiological Response Of Oysters To Several Polymeric Materials And Their Derivatives, Dexter S. Haven

Reports

The physiological responses of several polymeric materials and their derivatives, associated with the manufacturing process of pulp, were tested on oysters. It was thought that, when fed in small quantities, these substances might increase shell or meat size or be of value as possible nutritive supplements . The substances tested were divided into two classes. The first, consisting of basic polymeric materials, may occur in natural water s as the result of chemical changes. Representatives of these were indulin C and dextrose. The second class is composed of chemically pure derivatives of the preceding substances. These may appear in trace …

Concentration Of Suspended Radioactive Wastes Into Bottom Deposits., Dexter S. Haven

Reports

During recent years rapid advances in nuclear technology have increased the probability of accidental contamination of our coastal estuarine waters by several routes. The chances of such contamination appear remote, but in the event of a nuclear accident, it would be imperative to understand processes which will disperse or concentrate radioactive materials. In coastal waters the disposal or transport of radionuclides in concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible concentration is affected by tidal action and by the volume of inflowing fresh waters. During the period of transport by coastal or estuarine currents, physical and chemical forces will produce abiotic sedimentation. The …

Heavy Metals Tolerance Limits : Terminal Progress Report, M. L. Brehmer

Reports

The toxicity of .metal ions Lo fresh-water organisms has received considerable attention but little is known regarding their effects on estuarine and marine forms. These studies were initiated to aid in the evaluation of marine pollution problems.

The Ugly Faces Of Pollution, Morris L. Brehmer, Fred C. Biggs

Reports

• Pt. 1. [no title]
• pt. 2. Toxic wastes
• pt. 3. Oxygen-removing wastes
• pt. 5. Over-enrichment
• pt. 5. Other pollutants.

Lower James River Pollution Study, City Point To Chickahominy, August 6 - September 6, 1951 : A Preliminary Report Of Findings, Conclusions And Recommendations, William H. Massman, Ernest C. Ladd

Reports

Hopewell,m Virginia.is ·a highly industrialized city, the Celanese Corporation of .America, the Continental Can Company, the Hercules Powder Company and the Solvay Process: Division of· Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation having plants there. All of these plants have industrial and human wastes, the combined amount of which is great from. the standpoint of both volume and strength. In addition, there. are human wastes from the City cf Hopewell and its suburbs in Prince George County and from Camp Lee. All of those wastes, sewage and industrial are discharged into the James River, Bailey Creek and into other tributaries of the …

Review Of The Effects Of Ddt In The Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus, Willard A. Van Engel

Reports

Notes on the usage and effects of DDT.

The Effect Of Ddt Spraying In The Langley-Messick Area, 1947, Willard A. Van Engel

Reports

Observations and notes on the effects of DDT spraying.