Long Island Beach pollution: June 1976. Mesa special report

Technical Report · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7091238

Information is given on the nature and possible sources of floating trash and pollutants that were washed up in large quantities on most of Long Island's beaches during June 1976. The general orientation of the report is defined and the roles played by the Federal, State and local agencies during the beach pollution event are described. The waste materials identified on the beaches are described; they include tar and grease balls, sewage-related items, garbage, trash, and charred wood. Historical surface wind data and the wind conditions during June 1976 were analyzed, surface drifter studies were examined and the U.S. Coast Guard and the Brookhaven National Laboratory surface transport models were applied to the events of June 1976. It was concluded that persistent southerly wind-driven transport was responsible for the stranding of the floatables. Southerly surface winds with about 8.0-kn velocities are not unusual for June over the Bight. The Hudson/Raritan estuarine outflow is a major source of floatables to the waters of the New York Bight. It is also suggested that sewage sludge dumping has been a minor contributor to the floatables found on the beaches. It is understood that effective corrective measures cannot take place until quantitative documentation of the sources of floatables has been accomplished. (Color illustrations reproduced in black and white.)

• Research Organization: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7091238
• Report Number(s): PB-266980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
ESTUARIES
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
RECREATIONAL AREAS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WASTES
WATER POLLUTION
WIND