Investigations of subaqueous borrow pits as disposal sites for contaminated dredged material from New York Harbor

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7014480

Tavolaro, J F; Paula, M A

Past underwater sand mining has left many large depressions, called subaqueous borrow pits, on the floor of the Lower Bay of New York Harbor. Research has shown that borrow pits are natural sinks for contaminant-laden sediment and that they contain stressed benthic communities different from those found in nonpit areas. The disposal and capping of contaminated dredged material into borrow pits would obviate possible impacts at the ocean disposal site while reclaiming lost portions of the sandy bottom of New York Harbor. A demonstration project to prove the feasibility of borrow pit disposal was begun by the New York District (NYD). The project was not completed because of litigation, although research in other parts of the country showed that borrow pit disposal was technically feasible. Based on this information, the NYD is implementing an operational program for dredged material disposal into existing or new borrow pits. A Federal EIS is being prepared.

• Research Organization: Army Engineer District, New York, NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7014480
• Report Number(s): AD-P-006844/5/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BAYS
BENTHOS
COASTAL WATERS
CONTAMINATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DREDGE SPOIL
DREDGING
HARBORS
LEVELS
MANAGEMENT
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
SAND
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
UNDERWATER
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER POLLUTION