Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Wastewater Management Alternatives For The Salt Pond Region Of Westerly, Rhode Island (With Special Emphasis On The Winnapaug Pond Watershed), John R. King

Theses and Major Papers

As people move toward the coasts in growing numbers, the coastal zone is faced with ever increasing development pressures. The Town of Westerly, Rhode Island is experiencing many of the problems associated with these pressures. In order to expand a motel in the Misquamicut section of Westerly, the current owner of the property has proposed to extend city sewer lines to this area at his own cost. Afterward the line would be turned over to the town. While extension of sewer lines may relieve some local septic system failure problems, it could also spur more rapid and extensive growth. Over-development …

Molting In The Mature Female Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus, Rathbun, Kirk J. Havens

OES Theses and Dissertations

The present study examines the hypothesis that mature female blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, do not have a terminal anecdysis. Induced molting via eyestalk ablation, size frequency distributions and gonad and limb regeneration indices from field collected animals are used as indicators of potential post maturity molts.

Eyestalk ablation of mature females resulted in ecdysis approximately 51 days after ablation, indicating a physiological ability if mature females to complete ecdysis. Analysis of size frequency distributions indicates two distinct shifts from smaller to larger females, one in early spring and a second in early fall. While migration of larger females into …

Sulfide In Shelf/Slope Waters Of The Western Atlantic, Christian F. Krahforst

OES Theses and Dissertations

Sulfide in the surface ocean has been recently considered as a source of hydrogen sulfide gas in the marine boundary layer. This "oxic" sulfide may also be important as a ligand in trace metal complexation. In the absence of actual data, the existence of sulfide in the ocean mixed layer remains speculative. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive technique (having picomolar detection limits) for the determination of sulfide in seawater, and to investigate the distribution of sulfide in the surface ocean.

In order to assess the abundance and distribution of sulfide in surface waters, samples were …

Sediment Budgets And Shoreline Dynamics Cape Henry, Virginia, Marcia R. Berman

OES Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of 1183 beach profiles from Cape Henry, Virginia indicated that the recession-erosion ''rule" established by the Army Corps of Engineers underestimates the short-term response of the shoreline to changes in sediment volume.

Correlation between bi-weekly backshore volume change and the change in high water line (HWL) position was stronger (0.67 < r < 0.88) than correlation between bi-weekly total volume change and the change in mean low water (MLW) shoreline position (0.33 < r < 0.52). The short-term change in position of MLW is influenced by minor features such as bars. The position of the HWL is controlled by volume change at the backshore.

Correlation between change in HWL and MLW shoreline positions improved from r = 0.01 tor·= 0.67 for intervals of two weeks to two years, respectively. This suggests parallel-shore retreat only may be operable for greater than two-year periods.

Phytoplankton Dynamics In The Very Low Salinity Region Of The James River Estuary, Virginia, U.S.A., Changho Moon

OES Theses and Dissertations

During summer and autumn discharge from the James River estuary, Virginia, was less than 120 _m³sec^-1. There was a peak phytoplankton biomass in the very low salinity region (defined as the location where surface salinity measured less than 0.5$ 0/00) and this peak represented five to ten times greater biomass than adjacent waters. The peak biomass occurred independent of the tidal state and the location of nutrient inputs. It disappeared during winter and spring, and nutrient limitation was not responsible for the low phytoplankton biomass, indicating there were physical, not chemical controlling factors.

The peak biomass …

Cross-Shore Sediment Transport In Relation To Waves And Currents In A Groin Compartment, Hyo Jin Kang

OES Theses and Dissertations

In nearshore areas waves are generally irregular, and the irregular wave-induced currents have different peak velocities (magnitude asymmetry) and durations (duration asymmetry) between forward and backward motions. These asymmetries may produce a net cross-shore sediment transport in one direction. The sediment transport mostly occurs as bedload where the waves are non-breaking.

Sediment transport on a sloping bed is also affected by gravity, and accordingly the Shields parameter should be re-evaluated for a grain on a sloping bed. It was also found that the affect of a steady current that interacts nonlinearly with the waves was important for the cross-shore sediment …

Analysis Of Phytoplankton And Particle Variability At A Warm Core Ring/Shelf Break Front Using Flow Cytometry, Kimberly G. Davis

OES Theses and Dissertations

Particle variability at a Gulf Stream warm core ring/ shelf break front on 09 Nay 1985 was analyzed. Single particle measurements of fluorescence, perpendicular light scatter, and volume were made using a FACS Analyzer flow cytometer. Advantages and disadvantages of at-sea use of the instrument are described. To evaluate the flow cytometry data, individual particle data were compared with bulk phytoplankton and particle measurements. Abundance and size distributions of fluorescent and non-fluorescent particles indicated a convergence zone at the front while upwelling was likely within the ring perimeter. Variability in fluorescence (approximating chlorophyll A) and cell biovolume exposed regions of …

Processes Which Create And Destroy Stratification In The South Atlantic Bight During Gabex Ii, Rebecca Lynn Lovingood

OES Theses and Dissertations

The stratification present on the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) during the summertime is influenced by creative forces, namely surface heating, precipitation, fresh water runoff and advection of Gulf Stream water, and destructive forces, these being wind, bottom currents, tides, evaporation and cooling. During the summer of 1981 the Georgia Bight Experiment II (GABEX II) was conducted to evaluate the Gulf Stream intrusions on the shelf dynamics. Calculations using potential energy as an indicator of stratification showed that the mixing forces were strong enough to destroy the stratification if the advection of buoyancy is ignored. During this period, however, the potential …

Growth Potential Of Young Black Sea Bass, Centropristis Striata, In Artificial Environments, Joung Won Kim

OES Theses and Dissertations

The growth potential of the commercially important marine finfish, black sea bass (Centropristis striata), was examined for aquaculture under controlled conditions. The effect of food and body weight on growth was evaluated using juveniles and young black sea bass cultured with a natural diet and a commercial diet at various feeding levels.

Growth was affected by type of food, food consumption rate, and fish body weight. For fish having positive weight gain, absolute growth rate (gram/day) increased exponentially as food consumption rate (percent of body weight per day) and/or body weight increased. Instantaneous growth rate (percent of body weight per …

Laminar Viscous Effects On Longitudinal Dispersion In Tidal Froude Models, Larry H. White

OES Theses and Dissertations

A laboratory investigation was designed to test the ability of a tidal Froude model operated according to the minimum Reynolds number criterion of 1400 to simulate the longitudinal dispersion of its turbulent, laboratory prototype in the absence of depth distortion and density stratification. To examine the model's performance, comparative tracer-dye dispersion tests were conducted in the model and in the prototype to determine spatial and temporal longitudinal dye distributions. Froude similitude of cross-sectional mean tide heights and current velocities was achieved. The minimum Reynolds number criterion did not guarantee turbulent flow throughout all tidal stages, prolonged periods of laminar flow …

An Annual Study Of Phytoplankton Composition And Associated Environmental Conditions Of Lake Trashmore, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Seba B. Sheavly

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A 12 month study of Lake Trashmore was conducted on phytoplankton composition, inorganic nutrients and their seasonal associations. The dominant phytoplankton groups observed were diatoms, chlorophyceans and cyanobacteria. Phytoplankton assemblage patterns were coupled with pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrites and silicates. Diatoms dominated during periods of high nutrient concentrations, cooler temperatures and an unstable water column. Cyanobacteria forms dominated during periods of warmer temperatures, higher pH and decreased nitrogen and dissolved oxygen concentrations. A seasonal community shift occurred from cyanobacterial dominance to chlorophycean dominance when pH levels decreased. The lake is eutrophic based on indices of chlorophyll a concentrations, transparency …

A Comparison Of Potential Fishing Methods Associated With Fish Aggregating Devices Off The Northeast Coast Of Puerto Rico, Alan M. Friedlander

OES Theses and Dissertations

Six fish aggregating devices (FADs) were deployed in June and monitored through December 1986. Emphasis was placed on trolling, live-bait handlining and longlining.

There was a significant difference (x2 = 7.815, pCoryphaena hippurus) which made up 64.2% of the catch.

Handlining at night around inshore buoys for one boat yielded 82.7 kg per trip. Pelagic fish comprised 83.9% of the catch, with the majority (81.4%) being kingfish (Scomberomorous cavalla). Catch rates were 50% higher and the species diversity much greater on the FADs versus control during experimental nightfishing, but the difference was not significant.

Longlining resulted in 3.4 …

The Geochemistry Of Selenium And Sulfur In A Coastal Salt Marsh, David Jay Velinsky

OES Theses and Dissertations

Investigation of the various chemical forms of selenium and sulfur in sediments and pore waters can provide information about various oxidation/reduction processes. Five cores were obtained from the Great Marsh, from April 1985 to June 1986. Sampling times coincided with the seasonal redox cycle known to occur within the marsh system. Sediments were analyzed for various selenium and sulfur phases.

Iron monosulfides and elemental sulfur both display large seasonal changes in concentration and distribution with depth, indicating a coupling with redox conditions. In contrast, the depth distribution of greigite did not show appreciable changes with season. Pyrite underwent large concentration …

United States Military Bases In The Philippines: Their Strategic Importance And Options For Relocation, William D. Barker

Theses and Major Papers

The role of the Philippine bases in augmenting the Maritime Strategy of the United States Navy's regional mission of deterrence and sea lane protection is being closely scrutinized due to a leadership change in the Philippines and possible military budget cuts at home. This study evaluates the assets of the Subic Bay Naval Station, Cubi Point Naval Air Station, and Clark Air Force Base and the support provided by these bases to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf. In the event of a peace-time loss of the bases, options for relocation of forces are evaluated. Historical development …

Oil Spill Liability And Compensation: A Review Of The Existing Mechanisms And A Look At The Future, Gary A. Reiter

Theses and Major Papers

This study provides an examination of the existing United States Federal laws and international regimes regarding oil spill liability and compensation, and the manner in which they have been implemented by regulation and policy. The presentation concludes with discussion of and arguments concerning various proposed Federal comprehensive liability and compensation legislation. Emphasis is placed on the unsuccessful legislative proposals of the 99th Congress and the effects that similar legislation, if passed by the 100th congress, may have on current response policies and Federal and state governments. In particular, the effects of the proposed legislation on state's sovereignty and response operations …

The Military Sealift Command: Their Potential Role In Providing Military Logistic Support To The Persian Gulf, Kevin W. Nicholas

Theses and Major Papers

The ultimate goal of the U.S. Maritime Strategy is to project power into all the oceans of the world. By projecting power over this vast a geographic area, the U.S. is able to provide a deterrent force that will inhibit the development of a significant hostile military action, anywhere in the world. The ability to support this global peacekeeping force hinges on the capability of the U.S. to provide a strong logistic support organization. From a waterborne perspective, the Indian Ocean is the one geographic area of the world that presents the greatest logistic challenge. The U.S. Navy and the …

Groin-Associated Rip Currents Measured Using A New Digital Current Meter, Dennis L. Lundberg

OES Theses and Dissertations

Rip currents have often been noted in physical model studies of groins and their effectiveness. Nevertheless, detailed field investigations of rip currents along a groin wall have not been heretofore conducted. A new digital current meter system was designed and built to study the groin-associated rip currents in a test groin compartment at Willoughby Spit, Norfolk, VA. Six ducted impeller current meters are controlled by a data acquisition system that utilizes an onboard microprocessor and solid state memory. The new system provides high quality data on horizontal water velocities associated with wave action. The velocities stored are time mean velocities …

A Simple Numerical Model For The Study Of Baroclinic Estuarine Shelf Interactions, Thomas J. Berger

OES Theses and Dissertations

A one and a half layer nonlinear f-plane numerical model was used to study estuarine-shelf interactions. The single active layer covered a domain consisting of a 100 km long by 20 km wide channel discharging onto a 100 km wide by 300 km long shelf. Channel and "western” shelf boundaries were no-slip, "eastern" or oceanic boundary was free-slip and "northern" and "southern" shelf boundaries were open. The channel was forced with a constant inflow velocity spun up from 2 cm s^-1 to 27 cm s^-1over five days. The model initial conditions were a flat interface at …

Tuna Fishery In The East Central Atlantic Region: The Feasibility Of Nigeria's Participation, Aderemi Olasupo Abioye

Theses and Major Papers

Tuna fishery is widely practiced in the east central Atlantic region by many fleets of different nationality. Most of the catch is taken by distant-water fleets. The new Law of the Sea convention, which gives coastal states an exclusive economic zone with outer limit of 200 miles, now allows the coastal states to make the most use of the living resources in their waters. The surplus shall be allocated to other states in the region and those traditionally fishing in the area before. Nigeria with a population of about 100 million people spends substantial foreign exchange annually on the importation …

Products Tanker Shipping And Shipbuilding, Di Jin

Theses and Major Papers

First the entire products tanker market system, including the petroleum products market, products tanker shipping market and the products tanker shipbuilding market, is introduced. The relationship among principal elements is discussed. General information about petroleum products and products tankers is described. Then, the world petroleum products market and products tanker shipping market are examined referring to 1985 Drewry report. Finally, the analysis of products tanker shipbuilding market is made by analyzing the statistics of the products tankers ordered between 1980 and 1986 according to Fairplay orderbook. Major aspects, such as flag, owner, shipbuilder, vessel tonnage, dimensions, speed and engine, are …

Study Of The Ocean Transportation Of Chemicals, Joseph A. Meyertholen

Theses and Major Papers

The growth of the chemical industry over the past 30 years has contributed significantly to the increased volume of hazardous cargo transported by ocean vessel. The properties of some chemicals in commerce, particularly intermediate products, are such that their movement represents a risk to society in terms of environmental damage, bodily injury, and carcinogenic effects that may not surface for years. This study traces the development of the ocean chemical transportation system with emphasis on the technology, management and regulatory regime that has evolved to control these risks. Selected incidents involving hazardous chemical cargoes are reviewed, highlighting the industry and …

The Exclusive Economic Zone: The Impact Of The 1982 Law Of The Sea Treaty On Worldwide U.S. Naval Operations, John C. Meyer

Theses and Major Papers

The focus of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) was on the development of an international legal regime for the peaceful use of the world's oceans. The maritime powers, particularly the United States, viewed this new regime in terms of preserving traditional high seas freedom of navigation and overflight, and limiting expanding coastal state claims over their adjacent water and airspace. Developing countries, emerging from a period of decolonization, sought to enhance their security and gain economic benefit from this new legal regime, through the seaward extension of claims to jurisdiction over what …

Licensing Of The U. S. Maritime Personnel: The International Impacts, Warren G. Schneeweis

Theses and Major Papers

This paper examines the international and Federal efforts to enhance safety at sea and the protection of the marine environment through the development of standards to improve the training and strengthen the professional qualifications of seafarers. Special regard is made to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, signed by the United States in 1979, and to the proposed amendments to the Federal regulations for licensing U. S. maritime personnel which will bring the U. S. licensing scheme in general conformance with that Convention. This research should lessen resistance to U. S. ratification of …

Objectives Of The Soviet Merchant Marine, James T. Sharp

Theses and Major Papers

In the years since the end of the Second World War, no aspect of merchant shipping has created greater controversy than the phenomenal growth of the merchant fleet of the Soviet Union. Starting in 1945 with a makeshift fleet that was a motley collection of obsolete vessels, ships received as reparations from the defeated Axis nations and Lend-Lease Liberty ships, the Soviets have fashioned a modern, efficient merchant marine that is currently second in the world in numbers of ships and sixth in deadweight tonnage. Employed as a powerful instrument of the Soviet state, this fleet now competes effectively with …

The Exclusive Economic Zone-Considerations For Management With Special Reference To Developing Nations, John G. Catena

Theses and Major Papers

Having successfully initiated and developed the legal aspects of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) the challenge which now arises for the developing coastal nations is to implement an ocean management system to more fully realize the potential benefits of extended jurisdiction. This study discusses the needs and problems developing nations may encounter in developing such a management system and also considers the ways and means to meet these needs and overcome these problems. The study suggests that coastal nations should adopt an integrated three phased ocean policy process consisting of a (1) priority establishment phase (policy formulation) (2) strategic phase …

An Analysis Of The Massachusetts Inshore Lobster Fishery, Peter Robertson Hoar

Theses and Major Papers

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the limited entry alternative of fishery management by examining the history of a particular limited entry scheme: the Massachusetts inshore commercial lobster fishery license limitation law. A review was made of existing limited entry theory, followed by a description of limited entry programs extant in U.S. fisheries. The legislative and political histories of the Massachusetts lobster fishery limited entry program was then examined. The limited entry law was then analyzed by comparing what actually occurred with what is supposed to occur according to limited entry theory. A quantitative analysis of changes in …

Boston-Halifax Ferry Service: Capturing An Existing Market, Melissa P. Madeira

Theses and Major Papers

The viability of a Boston to Halifax ferry service is examined in light of the existing vehicle traffic entering that Province from the United States. The current cruise ship industry is outlined and the role which the Port of Boston plays in this market describes the Port's incentive for instituting such a ferry service. Statistics provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism show that a significant volume of vehicle traffic which enters Nova Scotia originates at points in the United States which are to the south and west of Boston. The existence of this traffic supports the assumption that …

Alternative Federal Outer Continental Shelf Oil And Gas Leasing Procedures: Lessons From Programs In Alabama And Texas, Christopher Watson Lynch

Theses and Major Papers

This study is a comparative analysis of the offshore oil and gas leasing programs of Alabama, Texas, and the Federal government. It focuses upon the legal and political, rather than resource, technological, or economic problems that have left the Federal program with a record of unmet expectations and growing frustration. The long history of turmoil that has embroiled the Federal leasing program since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and Arab oil crises is reviewed. The leasing and regulatory programs of Alabama, Texas, and the Federal government are outlined. Alternatives to current Federal procedures, reflecting State practices, are considered, including …

Maritime Boundaries Between Trinidad And Tobago/Venezuela/Barbados And Grenada - Its Impact On Offshore Oil, Patty Marajh

Theses and Major Papers

The future of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago is heavily dependent upon the exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources in its continental shelf. Trinidad's geographical proximity to the Venezuelan mainland is relevant because both states share the same continental shelf in areas not delimited by the 1942 gulf of Paria Treaty. The continental shelves of Barbados and Grenada also intersect and these areas have not been delimited and defined by any agreement. The current expansion of the exploration and exploitation of crude oil and natural gas have raised several problems within recent years. This thesis will focus attention to the …

Balancing Conservation And Development In Maryland's Coastal Zone: A Program Evaluation, James G. Turek

Theses and Major Papers

An evaluation of a federal regulatory program administered by the Baltimore District Corps of Engineers (COE), governing certain development activities in Maryland's coastal zone, was conducted to (1) identify cumulative development and wetland impact outcomes that occurred over a 5-year (1981-1985) period; and (2) assess a component of the decision-making process that resulted in these outcomes. This study focuses specifically on program coordination between the COE and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to evaluate how the process has been affected by (1) programmatic changes resultant of the Reagan Administration's regulatory reform; and (2) societal demands as indicated by changes …