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Contribution 58

April 1989

US Army Corps
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New England Division

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BUZZARDS BAY
DISPOSAL SITE
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Report No.
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Contract No. DACW33-85-D-0008
Work Order No. 12
Submitted to:

Regulatory Branch
New England Division

== U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
— 424 Trapelo Road
— Waltham, MA 02254-9149
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US Army Corps
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION al
‘BUZZARDS BAY DISPOSAL SITE HISTORY a
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS at
3.1 Physiography of Buzzards Bay ab
3.2 Sediments 2
3.3 Hydrography of Buzzards Bay 3
3.4 Physical Implications for Dredged

Material Disposal 4
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS 4
4.1 Water Column 4
4.2 Sediments : 5
4.3 Chemical Implications for Dredged

Material Disposal 6
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS 6
5.1 Benthos 6
Bae | Bashi 8
5.3 Biological Implications for Dredged

Material Disposal 10

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LIST OF TABLES

Nutrient and water quality data for Buzzards Bay
(from Gilbert et al; 1973).

Water column trace metal concentrations in Buzzards
Bay (from Gilbert et al; 1973).

Sediment trace metal data for Buzzards Bay. Values
obtained from Moore, 1963 are compared with those
obtained from Gilbert et al; 1973. (The data of
Gilbert et al are enclosed in parentheses.) Figure
8 shows the station locations (from Gilbert et al;
1973).

The organic matter values in sediments of Buzzards
Bay (from Gilbert et al; 1973). Figure 8 shows the
sample locations.

Various sedimentary, physical and chemical
parameters at four stations in Buzzards Bay, MA
(from Driscoll, 1975).

Dominant infauna of a soft-bottom community (after
Sanders, 1958).

The dominant infauna of a sand-bottom community
(after Sanders, 1958).

Weight (kilograms) and number for fish and shellfish
species during the 1983 spring and autumn bottom
trawl surveys, Massachusetts territorial waters.
The asterisk indicates some of the commercially
important species (from Howe et al; 1985).

Weight (kilograms) and number for species collected
during the 1984 spring and autumn bottom trawl
surveys, Massachusetts territorial waters. The
asterisk indicates some of the commercially
important species (from Howe et al; 1985).

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LIST OF FIGURES

The Buzzards Bay Disposal Site, Buzzards Bay, MA.

Disposal area locations in Buzzards Bay,
Massachusetts. Site A is the old Cleveland Ledge
Disposal Site, Site B is the Fairhaven Disposal Area
and Site C is the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site.

Buzzards Bay bathymetry chart (from Moore, 1963).

Buzzards Bay sediment distribution map based upon
data taken from X-ray diffraction, petrographic and
chemical studies (from Moore, 1963).

Visual grain measurements (major mode and range)
obtained from REMOTS® photographs for each
topographic region (Menzie et al; 1982).

Tidal currents in Buzzards Bay (from Moore, 1963).

Bottom water characteristics at four stations in
northwestern Buzzards Bay from October, 1971 to
November, 1972. Dashes indicate Sta. 2 (depth -
0.9m); dots indicate Sta. 1 (depth - 5.6m); dots and
dashes indicate Sta. 3 (depth - 7.0m); solid line
indicates Sta. 4 (depth - 12.5m) (from Driscoll,
1975).

Station locations from Gilbert et al. (1973).
Surface and bottom water nutrients, chlorophyll and
coliform levels were measured in May 1973. See
Tables 1 - 4 for associated data.

Sediment characteristics at four stations in
northwestern Buzzards Bay from October, 1971 to
November, 1972. Dashes indicate Sta. 2 (depth -
0.9m); dots indicate Sta. 1 (depth - 5.6m); dots and
dashes indicate Sta. 3 (depth - 7.0m); solid line
indicates Sta. 4 (depth - 12.5m) (from Driscoll,
1975).

Figure 10.

Figure 11.

Figure 12.

LIST OF FIGURES (Cont. )

The deposition/resuspension cycle characteristic of
a soft-bottom deposit feeding community (from Young,
1971).

Dominant infaunal successional stages at each
topographic area indicated in Figure 5. (See text
for further discussion.) (from Menzie et al; 1982).

Sampling area and stations used in Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries inshore bottom trawl
survey. Region 1 of the 5 regions encompasses
Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound and coastal waters
south of Martha's Vineyard (from Howe et al; 1985).

BUZZARDS BAY DISPOSAL SITE - LITERATURE REVIEW

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Buzzards Bay Disposal Site, formerly referred to as
the Cleveland Ledge Disposal Area, is located approximately 1.4
nautical miles from Chappaquiot Point, West Falmouth, MA. The
disposal site consists of a circular area 500 yards in diameter,
centered at coordinates 41°36 OON, 70°41 OOW, with a depth range
of 9-12 meters (Figure 1). The purpose of this report is to
summarize environmental conditions at and adjacent to the Buzzards
Bay Disposal Site in terms of the potential impacts of continued

dredged material disposal. Because of the paucity of literature
solely addressing the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site itself, this
report includes data gathered throughout Buzzards Bay. In

particular, data obtained in or near the Fairhaven Disposal Site
and around New Bedford are discussed. The Fairhaven Disposal Site
is located on the western side of Buzzards Bay, near the mouth of
the Acushnet River (Figure 2). The New Bedford region, in general,
has been the focus of recent studies because the upper Acushnet
River/New Bedford Harbor region is highly polluted with PCB's and
is a potential source of PCB contamination for the entire bay.

Due to its proximity to the oceanographic research
community at Woods Hole, MA, Buzzards Bay has been extensively
studied. While a majority of these studies are included in the
bibliography for this report, only that subset of this large volume
of literature bearing directly on the potential impacts of dredged
material disposal at the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site are summarized
in the text that follows.

2.0 BUZZARDS BAY DISPOSAL HISTORY

The Buzzards Bay Disposal Site has received a wide range
of dredged material types. The most recent disposal activities
have occurred between February 1979 and November 1985. In the 5
year period from February 1979 to January 1984, an average of
22,500 cubic yards of material have been disposed annually. The
sources of this dredged material were small harbor and river
channels located throughout the Buzzards Bay region. From September
24, 1985 to November 3, 1985, 73,800 cubic yards from the Mass.
Maritime Academy were disposed. The disposal site has not been
utilized since November 1985.

3.0 PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
3.1 Physiography of Buzzards Bay

A number of studies of various aspects of the geology

1

and hydrography of Buzzards Bay have been performed (Peck, 1896;
Sumner et al., 1913; Fish, 1925; Hough, 1940; Moore, 1963; Anraku,
1962, 1964; Strahler, 1966; Pearce, 1969; Driscoll, 1975; Rosenfeld
et al., 1984). The survey branch of the New England Division (NED)
of the Army Corps of Engineers also performed a bathymetric survey
of the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site in July 1985. Buzzards Bay lies
along the southern boundary of the crystalline bedrock forming the
interior Massachusetts lowlands and to the west of the glacial
debris-covered insular complex of the Cape Cod-Elizabeth Islands
(Figure 2). The long axis of the bay runs northeast-southwest for
approximately 46 kilometers from Onset Bay to Penikese Island. At
its widest, the Bay is approximately 19.5 kilometers across. The
Bay is open to the south and, along part of the eastern boundary,
there is appreciable water exchange with Vineyard Sound. There is
also some water exchange with Cape Cod Bay through the Cape Cod
Canal. Buzzards Bay is relatively shallow, averaging 11 meters in
depth. The disposal site is located in the northern half of the
Bay and lies within a slight depression, between the 9m (30') and
12m (40') isobaths (Figure 3).

3.2 Sediments

Silt-clay sediments occupy the deeper portions of the

Bay. Fine sand occurs in nearshore, depositional areas in the
north, while medium sand predominates in southern, nearshore
regions. Coarse and medium sands are found in the vicinity of

rocky exposures around New Bedford Harbor, off Nasketucket Bay,and
along the entire northeast shoal areas of the upper bay (Figure 4).
In general, the main portion of the Bay is dominated by two major

textural facies. Fine-grained silts occur throughout the deeper
portions and troughs, while sands are found in the shallow, higher
kinetic energy areas. On the basis of the thickness of

fine-grained sediment that has accumulated since the Pleistocene
epoch, Hough (1940) estimated an average sedimentation rate of 2.3
mm/yr. More recent radiocarbon dating estimated range from 0.52
CoO). S4imm Ayn MOUNG), mS )) ic.

In the region of the disposal site, a complex topography
and mixture of sediment types are evident. Sidescan sonar and
REMOTS® sediment-profile surveys were performed to illustrate
efficient and cost-effective techniques of mapping the geological
and biological properties of the seafloor. The two systems mapped
topographic features, sediment texture, and biological successional
stages within the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site (Menzie et al., 1982).
Six major textural regions were revealed (Figure 5): 1) a disposal
mound top, 2) a small wave-like field possibly consisting of large
sand waves overlying silt-clay sediments, 3) a cratered bottom, 4)
a rubble bottom, 5) an eastern flat bottom, and 6) a western flat
bottom. Menzie et al. (1982) interpreted the east and west flat
bottom regions to represent ambient seafloor, unaffected by
disposal operations. Them mounds ecoOp, ada circular, region
approximately 500 meters across, apparently reflects the center of

2

prior disposal operations. At the time of the study, it rose to
within seven meters of the sea surface. The cratered bottom
consisted of circular depressions surrounded by an elevated rin.
The authors suggested that these may have been formed by the
disposal of sand onto a mud bottom. The rubble field, which
occupies most of the region surveyed, represents numerous small
topographic highs apparently associated with the wider disposal of
dredged material. The "wave field", evident in the sidescan sonar
records, is located just north of the disposal mound. The authors
could not determine whether it was related to bottom forces (i.e.,
bedforms) -or to disposal operations. If the "wave field" does
represent bedforms, a localized high energy region may be present,
and fine-grained material deposited in this region may be
dispersed. The sand waves may be due to recent storm activity,
however sidescan sonar records indicate that this is an isolated
area and evidence of sand waves is not seen elsewhere in the Bay.

3.3 Hydrography of Buzzards Bay

Tidal currents are the dominant circulation forces in
Buzzards Bay (Figure 6). The dominance of tidal flow results from
the island complex to the southeast that protects the Bay from
large, long period open ocean waves. Tidal current strength is low
(20 cm/sec; 0.4 knots) in the region of the disposal site, when
compared to much of the Bay. Complete tidal mixing of Bay water
with ocean water is estimated to occur approximately every 10 days.
Water temperatures in the Bay range from a summer maximum of 22°C
to O°C in winter. During colder winters, the upper reaches of the
Bay often freeze over. Because there are no large streams bringing
fresh water into the Bay, the salinity is essentially the same as
that of Block Island and Vineyard Sounds, ranging from 29.5 to 32.5
ppt. (Sanders,1958). Groundwater seepage may represent a
significant portion of freshwater inflow (Rosenfeld et al., 1984).
A weak and transient thermocline (Figure 7) was present from April
to October (Anraku, 1962; Rosenfeld et al., 1984). However, the
shallowness of the Bay, combined with surface wave mixing and
turbulent tidal flow prevents strong thermal stratification. An
extensive hydrographic study of Buzzards Bay was carried out in
1982 and 1983 (Rosenfeld et al., 1984). Overall, the Bay is a
tide-dominated, well-mixed estuarine system.

Detailed, seasonal changes in near-bottom hydrographic
conditions at four stations located northwest of the Cleveland
Ledge channel have been described by Driscoll (1975). Two of these
stations were located in nearshore, sandy facies, while two were
located in deeper, silt-clay dominated regions (Figure 8). Driscoll
concluded that bottom-water dissolved oxygen and pH levels were
largely a function of sediment type. Lower dissolved oxygen and
PH levels occur over finer-grained, more organic-rich sediments
presumably due to higher biochemical and chemical oxygen demand.

-

3.4 Physical Implications for Dredged Material Disposal

Overall, the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site appears to lie
within a relatively low kinetic energy portion of Buzzards Bay.
Tidal currents, which represent the strongest physical forces in
the Bay, are generally low in the area. Large storm waves are
precluded due to the region's physiography and limited fetch. The
disposal site is dominated by fine-grained sediments; much of the
coarse material (sand and gravel) present apparently represents
deposited dredged materials. However, observations indicate some
dispersion of disposed materials is possible. The presence of
coarse-grained sediments atop the existing disposal mound at
Buzzards Bay suggests that scour of fine-grained sediments may
occur on shallow topographic features. Bathymetric monitoring of
future disposal operations may aid in documenting changes in these
topographic features.

4.0 CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
4.1 Water Column

Sanders (1958) noted that dissolved nutrient and
chlorophyll levels in Buzzards Bay were significantly lower than
levels observed in Long Island Sound. This contrast apparently
reflects the relatively small drainage basin which feeds Buzzards
Bay. Gilbert et al. (1973) ‘measured nutrients, chlorophyll, and
coliform bacteria levels in surface and bottom waters at 14
stations in the Bay during May 1973 (Table 1, Figure 8). Surface
water NO, levels ranged from 2.24 to 20.45 micrograms/liter with
the highest values occurring at the mouth of the Bay northwest of
Cuttyhunk Island. Near-bottom NO, levels ranged from 0.3 to 25.33
micrograms/liter. Again, relatively high levels were observed at
the mouth of the Bay. This pattern may illustrate the influence of
organic inputs from the Acushnet River/New Bedford Harbor region.
The highest bottom NO, concentration was observed in the Fairhaven
Disposal Area located near the mouth of the Acushnet River.
Chlorophyll levels, both surface and bottom, were generally uniform
throughout the Bay, ranging from 1.4 to 4.6 micrograms/liter.
Highest levels occurred over the Fairhaven Disposal Area and at the
mouth of the Bay. Coliform counts were low (less than 4 counts/100
ml) throughout the Bay, except for the Fairhaven Disposal Area
where 14 and 19 coliform counts/100 ml were measured in surface and
bottom waters, respectively. The high levels of nutrients and
coliform bacteria in waters above the Fairhaven Disposal Area
suggest that either disposal operations were taking place around
the time of the Gilbert study or other factors such as sewage
outfalls or ground seepage may have played a role. Excluding the
mouth of the Bay and the Fairhaven site, the distribution of
dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll did not show any distinct
Spatial pattern. In particular, at the two stations (2 and 3,
Figure 8) located in and just to the west of the Buzzards Bay

4

Disposal Site, dissolved nutrients, chlorophyll, and coliform
bacteria values reflect the values observed throughout much of the
Bay. This pattern reflects the well-mixed nature of the water
column.

Gaaibert. =jety jade. (1973) also measured trace metal
concentrations (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr) in Buzzards Bay surface
and bottom waters (Table 2); these values further illustrate the

homogeneous nature of the water column. Elevated levels of trace
metals, particularly Cu, Zn, and Cd, were evident only over the
Fairhaven -Disposal Area. Typical values for the Bay were evident
at the two stations located nearest to the Buzzards Bay Disposal
Site. The effects of disposal operations at the site on water
column chemistry since 1973 are not’ known. However, the
highly-mixed nature of the embayment precludes the establishment
of any persistent steep chemical gradients in the water column.

4.2 Sediments

Hough (1940) and Moore (1963) have characterized the
mineralogical composition of bottom sediments throughout Buzzards
Bay. In large part, deposits reflect the composition of the
regional terrigenous material from which the sedimentary materials
are derived. Gilbert et al. (1973) measured sediment trace metal
concentrations at 14 stations (Figure 8, Table 3) approximately
corresponding to the stations sampled by Moore (1963). In general,
values did not vary widely between the two studies. Station 2,
located within the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site, and station 3,
located just west of the site, showed metal concentrations that are
comparable to the rest of the Bay.

Several studies have documented the levels of organics
(e.g. hydrocarbons and PCB's) in bottom sediments of the Bay
(Gilbert et. al., 1973; Sanders, 1974; Summerhayes et al., 1977;
Teal et al., 1978; Sanders et al., 1980; Genest and Hatch, 1981;
Boehm, 1983). Oil and grease concentrations measured by Gilbert
et al. (1973) ranged from 80.1 to 377.5 ppm (Table 4). Hydrocarbon
concentrations were generally higher in the southern and western
portions of the Bay. This likely reflects the influence of New
Bedford Harbor. Interestingly, station 2, which was located in the
Buzzards Bay Disposal Site and just south of the site of the 1969
West Falmouth oil spill (see Sanders et al., 1980), showed the
lowest total oil and grease content. It is known, however, that
the oil from that spill drifted northeast toward Wild Harbor
(Sanders, 1974; Deslauriers and Seeyle, 1977; Schrier and Eidan,
1979; Sanders et al., 1980). PCB levels showed increased values
near the entrance of New Bedford Harbor. Overall, PCB levels
ranged from 0.032 to 0.543 ppm. There was no evidence of PCB
enrichment at the stations in or near the Buzzards Bay Disposal
Site (Table 4).

The organic content of the fine-grained Buzzards Bay

5

sediments averages about 2% (Hough, 1940). Gilbert et al. (1973)
found that sediment organic content ranged from 0.88% to 6.65%
throughout the Bay. Driscoll (1975) found that the mean annual
total organic content of the sediment in the northwest portion of
the Bay ranged from 0.48 to 3.20% (Table 5). Ope AMES Woah .ne©
0.97% was total organic carbon and 0.026 to 0.147% was total
organic nitrogen. The concentration of carbonates ranged from 3.91

ce) La sGas > The levels of all three organic parameters are
inversely related to grain-size. The carbonate content of the
sediment was also generally greater in finer sediments. Minimum

organic values occurred in mid-winter, values peaked in late
July/early August (Figure 9). Carbonate also peaked in the summer,
with a secondary peak occurring in November/December. Driscoll
(1975) concluded that these seasonal patterns in sediment organic
concentrations were due primarily to changes in the abundance and
activity of benthic microorganisms.

4.3 Chemical Implications for Dredged Material Disposal

Given the generally well-mixed nature of the water column
in Buzzards Bay, dilution of low-levels of dissolved pollutants
seems probable. Excluding the entrance to New Bedford Harbor,
sediment-associated contaminants, both metals and organics, show
no distinct spatial gradients in the Bay. The only data available
for the sites within the Buzzards Bay region are from 1973.
Sediment chemistry data from this area subsequent to the disposal
occurring from 1979 to 1984 might show elevated contaminant levels
depending on the source of the dredged material. However, as
indicated by the baywide chemical data as well as the physical
data, there was no evidence that contaminants were influencing
regions away from the disposal areas (both Buzzards Bay Disposal
Site and Fairhaven).

Aspects of bioaccumulation and the introduction of
contaminants into commercial species are discussed in section 5.3.

5.0 BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Much of the pioneering work regarding animal-sediment
interactions in shallow water marine ecosystems has been carried
out in Buzzards Bay. This research has important biological,
sedimentological, and disposal management implications. An
overview of this extensive literature is presented below.

Ses al Benthos

Sanders (1958, 1960) performed extensive quantitative
benthic sampling programs in Buzzards Bay. These data showed that
average macrofaunal benthic population densities in Buzzards Bay
were 2-4 times less than similar assemblages in Long Island Sound.
Low water column nutrient and chlorophyll levels in Buzzards Bay

6

relative to Long Island Sound suggested that the greater benthic
biomass in Long Island Sound was due to larger phytoplankton
populations (see section 4.1).

Sanders described two major faunal assemblages from
Buzzards Bay: one, present in fine-grained sediments (78-91%
silt-clay) was dominated by deposit-feeders, particularly the
bivalve Nucula proxima and the polychaete Nephtys incisa; the
other, characterized by filter-feeding species of the amphipod
genus Ampelisca, was restricted to sandier sediments (Tables 6 and
Dc

During the same sampling program, Weiser (1960)
characterized the meiofauna of Buzzards Bay. Nematodes and
kinorhynchs comprised 89 to 99% of the total meiofauna. A sandy
bottom community, characterized by nematodes of the genus
Odontophora and Leptonemella, and a muddy bottom community
characterized by the nematode Terschellinga longqicaudata and three
kinorhynch species was recognized.

Subsequent to Sanders' descriptive work, research was
carried out to characterize the ecological and sedimentological
implications of the community types evident in Buzzards Bay
(Rhoads, “L963, “1967, “1973, “197 48" Young, “-19163),"4197 1 -*®Rhoads “and
Young, 1970; Driscoll, 1975; Young and Southard; 1976). Much of
this work focused on the effects of the Nucula-Nephtys assemblage
on surface sediment properties. For example, Rhoads (1963, 1967)
found that relatively low-densities of deposit feeders extensively
reworked the top 2-3 cm of the bottom over a two-month period.
This biogenic reworking was limited to the top 10 cm of sediment
and resulted in biogenically graded deposits, irregular layering,
mottling, and fecal pellet layers. This intensive bioturbation is
an important agent in the physical diagenesis of marine sediments.
Young (1968, 1971) found that the fine-grained facies in Buzzards
Bay were characterized by a 2-3 cm surface floccular layer
comprised of fecal pellets, organic detritus, plankton, and
colloidal mud. This "zone of fecal production" was found to be
readily resuspendable (Young and Southard, 1978) and, therefore
could be an important mechanism in nutrient exchange between
benthic and pelagic ecosystems (Figure 10). Young estimated that
between 98.0 and 99.5 % of the top 2-5 cm of deposited sediment in
silt-clay facies of Buzzards Bay is resuspended. In a related
study, performed immediately south of the Buzzards Bay Disposal
Site, Rhoads and Young (1970) concluded that the physical
instability of this floccular, fecal surface layer tended to: 1)
clog the filtering structures of suspension-feeding organisms, 2)
bury newly-settled suspension-feeder larvae, and 3) prevent sessile
epifauna from attaching to the unstable mud bottom. This
modification of the benthic environment by deposit feeders,
resulting in the exclusion of many suspension feeders and sessile
epifauna, is an example of "trophic-group amensalism" (Rhoads and
Young, 1970).

Evidence that the presence of high near-bottom turbidity
is due to the intensive reworking and sediment pelletization by
deposit feeders is presented in Rhoads (1974). Following the 1969
West Falmouth oil spill (Sanders et al., 1974, 1980), the mud
bottom deposit-feeder community was replaced by surface tube mats
of the opportunistic polychaete Capitella and the
suspension-feeding, mactrid bivalve Mulinia lateralis. This change
in infaunal composition was accompanied by a notable reduction in
near-bottom turbidity levels. Prior to the oil spill seasonal
turbidity levels ranged between 5 to 10 mg/l, however no turbidity
was registered with the transmissometer after the spill (personal
communication, D.Rhoads). Following the disappearance of
polychaete tube mats and the re-establishment of deposit-feeders,
high near-bottom turbidity levels returned.

Driscoll (1975) studied the coupling between infaunal
activity, sediments, and bottom waters at four stations in
northwest Buzzards Bay. He concluded that sediment microbial
activity was correlated with the sediment reworking activity of
deposit-feeders. Bioturbation and fecal production enhance
microbial populations, which, in turn, increase deposit-feeder
abundance. This "microbial gardening" is temperature dependent,
therefore distinct seasonal trends in the abundance of sedimentary
organic matter, sediment erodibility, and bottom-water pH and
dissolved oxygen levels are present (see Figures 9 and 10).

Some information is available on the infaunal community
structure within the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site. Menzie et al.
(1982) performed a REMOTS® survey of the site based on the six
topographic regions identified previously with the sidescan sonar
(see Figure 5). The coarse-grained, disposal mound top consisted
of an epifaunal community dominated by hydrozoans (Figure 11). All
of the sand bottom areas (western flat area, wave field, rubble
field) were characterized by low-order successional infauna, i.e.,
Stage I and II as classified by Rhoads and Germano (1982). The
western flat area apparently represented the ambient, sand botton,
suspension-feeding community described by Sanders (1958, 1960).
The rubble field (the majority of the area surveyed) appeared to
be disturbed by disposal operations. The cratered area exhibited
both low-order and high-order successional infauna, indicating a
patchy disturbance pattern. Finally, the eastern flat region
appeared to be the least disturbed region; it was dominated by
high-order successional infauna, i.e., Stage III as classified by
Rhoads and Germano (1982). This fine-grained area apparently
represer:ted the ambient mud bottom described by Sanders.

5.2 Fish

In the late 1800's, the Massachusetts Division of Marine
Fisheries prohibited finfishing in Buzzards Bay by seine, trap, or

8

trawl in an effort to protect the area as a nursery for commercial
fish species (Moss, 1986, personal communication). This ban is
still in effect and only hook and line fishing is allowed in
Buzzards Bay.

Published literature on fish stocks in Buzzards Bay is
rather scarce; a Buzzards Bay finfish database is being compiled
by Dr. S.A. Moss at Southeastern Massachusetts University with
funding from the EPA. At present, this unfinished database
contains approximately 90% of the existing collection of scientific
data gathered in the Bay for the last 25 years.

The other known source of unpublished fisheries data is
the results of the stock assessment survey carried out by the
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. This is a semi-annual
standardized bottom trawl survey program to monitor relative
abundance of fish stocks in state territorial waters (a 3 nautical
mile wide border extending from the Rhode Island to the New
Hampshire boundaries, including Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound).
The entire Massachusetts territorial water is divided into 5
regions. These 5 regions are then subdivided into stations that
are defined by depth (Figure 12). The data are summarized for the
entire 5 region area so that bay-specific information could not be
obtained.

As part of the standardized trawling program, 20-minute
daytime tows were made along depth contours. General station
locations were predetermined by random selections. iE a
pre-determined site could not be sampled, an alternative site
within that depth interval was selected.

In the spring of 1983, some commercially important
species (Table 8) were recorded at a higher level of biomass than
in 1982; however, the total number of species showed a 9% decrease.
In spring of 1984, the biomass of the commercially important
species was at a lower level than in 1983, and the biomass for all
species decreased 29% from 1981. This represented a decline in
coastal fishery resources for the third consecutive year (Howe et
al., 1985).

In autumn, surveys are typically characterized by low
groundfish abundance (due to maximum water temperature) and to
large populations of commercially pre-exploitable sized fish
(Tables 8 and 9). The autumn surveys of 1983 and 1984 showed
sequential decreases in abundance for adults and juveniles for both
finfish and groundfish. The 1984 groundfish levels were
dramatically lower than those normally encountered. The only
species that demonstrated an increase was the black sea bass, with
numbers more than 10 times greater the time series average (Howe
et al., 1985).

The seasonal changes reflected by these data may just

9

indicate fluctuations in areal distribution and availability and
do not necessarily signify changes in population abundance. It
also appears that offshore conditions may have delayed the seasonal
immigration to shallow waters for some species (Howe et al., 1985).
In terms of the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site, it is difficult to make
inferences with these data concerning the fish population at or
adjacent to the disposal site. The aforementioned data and trends
represent the entire region of Massachusetts state territorial
waters. A more accurate assessment of impacts to fisheries
resources at the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site could be made by
employing BRAT (Benthic Remote Assessment Technique) studies in the
immediate area.

5.3 Biological Implications for Dredged Material Disposal

If the REMOTS® data obtained at the Buzzards Bay Disposal
Site (Menzie et al. 1982) are still accurate, then some aspects of
the potential impacts of future disposal operations at this site
can be assessed. Past disposal operations at the site appear to
have altered the benthic community structure of the region relative
to the ambient mud bottom community (hydrozoa and Stages I and II,
versus Stage III). As of 1982, however, there was no evidence of
any significant impacts immediately to the east or west of the
site. This suggests that the benthic disturbance caused by
disposal has been limited to the confines of the site.

Disposal of dredged material on areas characterized by
the ambient, soft bottom community of Buzzards Bay (e.g., the
eastern flat community) would compromise those assemblages.
Experiments on the burial of natural assemblages of invertebrates
in Buzzards Bay (Nichols et al., 1978) show that most muddy bottom

animals can escape burial in 5-10 cm of sediment. However, no
infauna can escape depositional layers in excess of 30 cm. As
observed in previous DAMOS monitoring programs, surface-dwelling
tubicolous polychaetes rapidly recolonize disposal mounds. In

Buzzards Bay, these pioneering assemblages will likely be dominated
by capitellid polychaetes (Sander et al., 1980). In the absence
of further disposal, return to the mature soft bottom community
typical of Buzzards Bay will eventually occur. However, because
much of the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site has been "disturbed" by past
disposal efforts, return to pre-disposal levels (i.e., a Stage I
or II community) at the disposal site will probably occur rapidly
(less than one year).

Localized disturbance and the associated replacement of
deep-dwelling infauna with a near-surface community may enhance

secondary productivity (Rhoads et al., 1978). Low-order
successional stage, surface-dwelling assemblages are more
productive and more readily available to demersal fish than
deep-dwelling' seres. An important implication of this

recolonization pattern at any disposal site and at the Buzzards Bay

10

Disposal Site is the possibility of making contaminants available
to the important commercial fish species by introducing
contaminated dredged material to prey benthic species. In order to
minimize dredged material disposal impacts, proper use of
management techniques such as disposal project evaluations, project
sequencing, and disposal site monitoring are imperative.

skal

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Literature Cited and Publications on Buzzards Bay

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natural environment: a summary. Contributions to Symposium
on Zooplankton Production, 1961. Rapp. et Proc. Verb., Cons.
ISEVAao Wiate.cn Ja oMLOie ce IMiere kas} Sale Goal 7G).

Anraku, M., 1964. Influence of the Cape Cod Canal on the hydrology
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Limnol. Oceanog. 9:46-60.

Mintcawaye, ) Di. Sand Psi. Parker, 1 197.0) Stenols in recent marine
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Batchelder, J.H., J.H. Ryther and J.G. Sanders, 1981. Dominance
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Blumer, M., H.L. Sanders, J.F. Grassle and G.H. Hampson, 1971.
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Boehm PD, cugi8sr. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analytical
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NOAA/NMFS, Contract NA-81-C-0013, Energy Resources Co.,
Inc., cambridge, Ma.

Baiggs;S.R. and Ald so Widliams)] Dri oiomsen Bedtormernoughness in
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Briggs, S.R. and J.B. Southard, 1978. Sand wave observations in
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Briggs, S. and J.B. Southard, 1980. Tidal-current sand waves in
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Gilree, R.C., AsG: Dahl “and'3 7S. Booth, "19845." Geotechnical’ index
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Pp.

Coates, P.G., A.B. Howe and A.E. Peterson, Jr., 1970. Analysis of
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Marine Fisheries. National Marine Fisheries Service,

Washington, DC, 82 pp.

Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, 1980. Environmental Atlas of New
England Channel and Harbor Bottom Sediments. Vioisem pices.
Federal Projects within Narragansett Bay, Mount Hope Bay,
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Deslauriers, P.C. and M. Seeyle, 1977. Behavior of the Bouchard
#65 oil spill in the ice-covered waters of Buzzards Bay.
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1978, Vol.1, pp. 267-275.

Wigleol oe VW5Go, LWAS Oxygen, salinity, pH and temperature
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43(2):459

Driscoll, E.G., 1975. Sediment-animal-water interaction, Buzzards
Bay, Massachusetts, USA. J. Mar. Res. 33(3):275-302.

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Ellis, 35. P., Bucs Kelly, (Pau Stotters, IMiG. Fitzoerald andi ec. >.
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Farrington, J. W., S.M. Henrichs and R. Anderson, 1977. Fatty
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41(2):289-296.

Farrington, J. W., C. L. Lee. S. M. Henrichs and R. B. Gagosian,
1977. Lipid biogeochemistry of a Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
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Genest, P.E. and W.I. Hatch, 1981. Heavy metals in Mercenaria
mercenaria and sediments ffrom the New Bedford Harbor region
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TOXxXxLeCOM 3. 216i (e244 — Ol

Gilbert, T.,8/AconClay, lander. Barker, #11973); Site selection and
study of ecological effects of disposal of dredged materials
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BI2ZT(C2)F uizio Ss = 28:4":

Hough Ji.2.% 140. - SedumentseoL Buezardsm Bay, Massachusetts. iar
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HOWC mA S Be) -DoP. = -Currvern-liS. bw sassy and Buca ~Kellly,, ) ge8sr
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Howe, A.B., T.P. Currier; S.L. Sass and B.C." Kelly, 1984.
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O'Hara, C.J. and R.N. Oldale, 1982. Marine geologic studies of
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Pearce, J.B., 1969. Thermal addition and the benthos, Cape Cod
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Peck, Jsiip, 13896. The sources of marine food. Fishery Bull.
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Peterson, S. and L.J. Smith, 1981. Small-scale commercial fishing
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Rhoads, D.C., 1963. Rates of sediment reworking by Yoldia limatula
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Rhoads, D.C., 1967. Biogenic reworking of intertidal and subtidal
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Table 1.

Nutrient and Water Quality Data
for Buzzards Bay

S = Surface, B = Bottom (from Gilbert et al., 1973)

WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS RESULTS

Total P Chlorophyll Coliform NH, NO;-
Station mg/i ug/l Counts/100 ml ppb ug N/1l
1S Ao) ab y/ PRES) 0 161 S75)
B -026 4.7 3 154 12.00
2S -019 Pee) 0 66 W695)
B -019 PAU al 147 1/0) 3:0
BS O20 Dene al 266 6.05
B OZ Pests) ; (e) 203 10.92
4s -061 1.4 0 77 <0.3
B OZ ab gS at 105 <0.3
5S -074 4.6 14 60 9.89
B -054 4.4 19 65 PAV e5 Sh}
6S .022 2S | ) aS 5.46
B -029 2.8 4 98 6s
VS -058 2.6 0 OU BE ays}
B -054 PA 10) ak 67 4.86
8S -043 ab gis} 0 Ud 5.34
B 044 1.8 6) 63 ALO) AsaG7/
9S a)/sak Siew 0 We 60H
B 029 PROP alk 67 8.74
10S 10 :557 2.9 ab Spe So
B -024 2.6 at 42 S42
mS 032 2.5 at, 56 6.90
B -032 tS) fe) 55 Bg ak
12S a Olsi2: abot} ak 57 2.24
B 70310 AGS) al 55 3/505
13S -074 Bh5 al al. 82 20.45
B -038 Sy5 Ss} 0 63 21.28
14S -063 Siew), ie) aba) 10.43
B -029 3.8 4 Sh7/ skis 5)9)

Table 2
Water Column Trace Metal Concentrations in

Buzzards Bay
S = Surface, B = Bottom (from Gilbert et al., 1973)

TRACE METALS IN WATER COLUMN

(ppb)

Station Cu zn cd Pb cr
1s 2h AS) ow, 0.4 nud:
B 6.2 16.4 Bixee 105 2.8
2S 8.6 6.0 9.7 Be2 0.9

B Wed 202 1.80 alg 0) Medic
3S aye) shale al 0.9 Deal mde
B 8.6 26.4 0.62 0.9 neds
4S 44 70 0.66 0.9 pglarole
3B 2102 5.8 0.37 MO Mee.
5S a8 18.1 143 2.94 10
B 6.0 28105 1.36 5.6 al sal.
6S EO 4.32 0.20 2.09 ne
B 4.9 29.7 O22 0.9 nia
7S 515 14.0 ORS 410 nid
B ales aS) 1.60 0.64 n.d
8s 8.8 IU 6S) eG 2.55 n.d
B 3207.4 25.8 0.66 54 n.d
9S ed 8.4 16.6 ba n.d
B 3.56 delesr2 0.61 5.94 0.6
10S peobegel 5.5 0.92 hes Gly) Tite
B NeN719 5.4 0.60 0.56 Tide
11S 9.6 254 0.42 173 nud.
B Ona, aes} maids
12S M7, aL gy 6S 0.641 19315 nied’
B a. 4 16.0 0.43 toi, mia.
13'S 9.2 9.5 1.04 56 al O55
gel 7.9 O55 4.5 Ola7.

14S Bag 6.2 2.81 lve18 Big
B 6.0 PMS) 0.94 6.6 Midis

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Table 4

The Organic Matter Values in
Sediments of Buzzards Bay
(from=eGilbert etivale 1973)

Figure 8 Shows the Sample Locations.

ORGANIC MATTER IN SEDIMENTS

Polychlorinated
Oil & Grease Biphenyls Organic Content
Station (opm dry weight) (ppm dry Wt. ) (Sandee Wier)
aL 88.6 0.032 6.65
2 80.1 Geta 1.58
3 90.3 0.034 Pe2
4 197.9 0.274 4.54
5 110.4 0.543 3,65
6 91.4 0.226 6.72
U/ alo’) | 0.406 6.82
8 239.8 ; 0.077 239
9 226.7 0.201 4.82
10 377.5 0.175 6.2) 193
atat 159.8 0.222 5.30
12 207.4 0.242 5.81
a3 620.8 0.072 I ON

14 81.4 0.079 0.88

Various Sedimentary,

at Four Stations in Buzzards Bay, MA

Mean -
Grain
Diameter
(phi)

Standard
Deviation of
Grain
Diameter

Mean
Annual
Total
Organics

(%)

Mean
Annual
Organic
Carbon
(3%)

Mean
Annual
Nitrogen
(%)

Mean
Annual
Carbonate

(3)

Depth
(m)

Mean
Annual
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mgl"')

Mean
Annual

pH

Table 5

Physical and Chemical Parameters

GernomaDrilscolie

1975)

Station Number

(0.14)

(0.90)

oat

2

(0.49)

(0.30)

0.060

(0.022)

(0.09)

(0.16)

(0.05)

0.026

(ie), 07 =)))

(0.02)

(0.

-26

-96

-20

.65)

97

.24)

147

7019)

Table 6

Dominant Infauna of a
Soft-Bottom Community (after Sanders, 1958)

Percent
Species Composition

Polychaeta

Nephtys incisa i 7aaples

Nerinides sp. 6.85

Ninoe nigripes 3} ei()au

Lumbrinereis tenuis Ise)

Tharyx acutus 1.08
Crustacea :

Ampelisca spinipes 2.92

Unciola irrorata SSS
Lamellibranchia

Nucula proxima AS ASE

Cerastoderma sp. 2.69

Pitar morrhuana Bos
Gastropoda

Turbenilawsp. ea al

Retusa canaliculata 6.00

Cvlichna orzya 4.56

Table 7

The Dominant Infauna of a
Sand-Bottom Community (after Sanders, 1958)

Percent
Srecies Composition

Polychaeta

Glycera americana 5.47

Nephtys bucera 4.47

Ninoe nigripes 2.97

Lumbrinereis tenuis 2.69

Nephtys incisa 1.99
Crustacea

Ampelisca spinipes 18.59

Byblis serrata abaleus} al

Ampelisca macrocephala Gesu

Unciola irrorata LES
Lamellibranchia

Cerastoderma pinnulatum SLO\e al7/

Tellina tenera 3.29
Tunicata

Molaqula complanata? Ne SS)

Table 8

Weight (kilograms) and Number for Fish and Shellfish Species Collected
during the 1983 Spring and Autumn Bottom Trawl Surveys, Massachusetts
Territorial Waters. The Asterisk indicates some of the Commercially
Important Species (from Howe et al; 1985).

Spring Autumn

Species Wes No. (en Mion:
Ocean pout 4,886.7 6,228 169.0 5a
Northern searobin 4,289.6 25,543 69.3 1,404
Winter skate ¥ Os ats! aU) 1,486.8 LOS
Winter flounder 2,197.9 7,565 778.4 3,647
Little skate, 1,001.4 1,709 944.3 1,885
Atlantic cod 867.9 2,686 4.7 UL
Windowpane 704.3 2,299 92.5 470
Longhorn sculpin Es}{5} Gal 3,534 63.9 794
American plaice 438.1 Bn Ue 222730 4,054
Tautog 435.6 251 24.5 90
Yellowtail flounder 397.2 e227 164.8 1 OMG
Spider crab | 364.4 4,595 69.4 1,047
Longfin squid 358.4 4,500 288.02 39,818
Spiny dogfish SIL 5 81 4,891.3 1 OO
Red hake 307.0 oS 633.2 2S:
Silver hake 257.0 2,106 185.6 alr jabz/
Scup 7 Se D 1,262 1,174.6 140,003
Summer flounder DES 115 83.0 gal
Rock crab 93.9 738 456.3. SAIS
Atlantic herring 84.6 2,106 63155 743
Black sea bass 75.8 235 50.8 8,933
Sea raven 72.8 82 2S 52
American lobster 70.0 208 350.9 1,364
Moonsnail (unclassified) 69.1 691 BCkaral 336
Goosefish 64.3 12 94.6 19
Smooth dogfish 60.1 18 297.9 409
Pollock 49.0 502 2yends 8
Fourspot flounder 48.0 243 EXE} 5 7/ 359
Witch flounder 47.8 102 69.9 aba)
Alewife 40.7 1,350 18.6 176
tlantic wolffish 39.8 shy) 6.2 2
Haddock Ap eial 126 0.9 36
Knobbed whelk 2267 50 98.0 201
Thorny skate Zeliien9) 19 61.6 72
Cunner AT EeE 14 310 116
American sand lance U552 Ar ORO 0.0 3
Butterfish aay a 213 229.4 20,809
Snakeblenny Akal g 7 183 975 257
Fourbeard rockling HO. 2 190 alate abate)
Blueback herring S42 586 abe ab 22
White hake Shi gal 107 AU ot} 137
Horseshoe crab Wigs) 8 24.9 24
Lady crab WAS 82 74.5 1,958
Striped searobin Vos 19 By 53} 23
Cnanneled whelk Bee 16 14.8 64

Tanle & (Continued)

Species 7 ‘Sprang Autumn
Wt. No. Wt. No.
Sea scallop 3) gel 12 18.0 shale
Daubed shanny 3.0 516 OV2 42
Jonah crab BS 20 43.4 220
Atlantic mackerel Bas 3 - -
Rainbow smelt 2710) 73 0.6 30
American shad 2.0 37 Dod LY
Mussel (unclassified) 1va5 8 17S S235
Conger eel 3 1 S =
Redfish 1.0 8 OR AL
Bay scallop O55) 10 LORS aL Dal
Ocean quahog 0.4 2 0.3 2
Shortfin squid 0.2 al Bot Aal
Spotted hake Os 8- 1.4 12
Alligatorfish 0.0 al) ORS 107
Rock gunnel 0.0 6 O70 aval
Northern pipefish 0.0 2 OFZ 186
Atlantic tomcod 0.0 1 - -
Mailed sculpin 0.0 1 0.0 at
Torpedo ray = = 50.0 2
Wrymouth = = BS) 5
Bluefish - = Sere 25
Surf clam = = S57) 7
Mackerel scad = - 15S 281
Hogchoker = = lear 12
Weakfish = = 0.8 48
Gray triggerfish - ; - OAT a,
Northern stonecrab = = Ore a
Round herring - - 0.5 8
Menhaden = - Ors5 2
Northern puffer = = 0.4 88
Gulf Stream flounder = = Ons 4
Fawn cusk eel = - O42 10
Octopus (unclassified) - j - Oiaz 3
Blue crab = = On 2
Oyster toadfish = - OFZ al
Bay anchovy a = OoL 195
Striped anchovy - - Oeal, 39>:
Atlantic moonfish = - @s al 3
Atlantic silversides - - Ope 3
Northern kingfish = = One: at
Blue runner = = (o)5 al 1
Snowy grouper 2 c 0.0 8
Short bigeye - - 0.0 4
Lumpfish - - 0.0 3}
Guaguanche = S 0.0 2
Radiated shanny - = 0.0 al,
Planehead filefish = - 0.0 al
Seasnail = = 0.0 al
TOTAL 21 2000" 180264 USO IA Ge Bers, 0)3b3}

Weight (kilograms)

during the 1984 Spring and Autumn Bottom Trawl Surveys,

Territorial Waters. The Asterisk Indicates Some of

Important Species

Species

Ocean pout
Winter skate

Winter flounder
Spiny dogfish

Tautog
Little skate

Longhorn sculpin

Silver hake
Windowpane

Yellowtail flounder

Atlantic cod

Northern searobin

Scup

American plaice
Longfin squid

Red hake
Sea Raven

American lobster

Goosefish
Rock crab
Sand lance

Smooth dogfish
Fourspot flounder
Atlantic herring

Moonsnail
Spider crab

Witch flounder

Alewife

Summer flounder
Black sea bass

Wolffish
Snakeblenny
Butterfish
Cunner

Channeled whelk

Sea scallop
Haddock

Knobbed whelk

Thorny skate

Horseshoe crab
Blueback herring

Mackerel

Taple 9g

and Number for Fish and Shellfish Species Collected

(from Howe et al;

OV
uo
DONWWVODORPPHAKPULLHDWDOADAPUAWArHLWOUNUMNNWOMWNWO WO UWI WOW oO Oo}

1985).

Spring

is

PMUVIIOUNBDHAPNMWOWONHAUDLNYNUPWOHDKrPWOWFr WO}

OUNPNDONNA &

Massacnusetts
the Commercially

Species

Mussel, unclassified
White hake
Lumpifiash

Daubed shanny

Lady crab
Fourbeard rockling
Jonah crab

Ocean quahog
Wrymouth

American shad
Striped searobin
Surf clam

Pollock

Bay scallop

Oyster toadfish
Quahog

Menhaden

Atlantic tomcod
Alligatorfish

Blue crab

Grubby

Rock gunnel
Pipefish

American eel
Gulfstream flounder

Octopus, unclassified
Rainbow smelt
Bluefish

Atlantic torpedo
Spotted hake
Hogchoker
Northern kingfish
Rough scad
Shortfin squid
Round herring
Mackerel scad
Atlantic moonfish
Northern puffer
Banded rudderfish
Short bigeye
Striped anchovy
Bigeye

Bigeye scad
Guaguanche
Weakfish
Moustache sculpin
Red goatfish
Planehead filefish

Total

Taple 9 (Continued)

Spring

=

é |

PRPPPPRPNUUWU LAW
CODDDODOOPKPNWEDHAAPUNUUNHYAN YI OYY

US eA SZ peop

ww =
DPNPOPIDARWODOYN PS)

NP

DOVOOKFRPKRPNWWWWYIWWOWWWON PW

Bes Sksy al

148,972

“NORTH
FALMOUTH

NYES NECK

WILD

SILVER BEACH
HARBOR z

“BEAC

/ Sg WEST
~>, FALMOUTH
i | HARBOR NG
|
|
|

\ vou
i; PROS
;
/ .
rf NEW DISPOSAL SITE i

CHAPPAQUOIT
POINT

OLD DISPOSAL SITE

BUZZARDS BAY

x

Figure 1. The Buzzards Bay Disposeél Site, Buzzards Bay, MA.

PENIKESE Re
ISLAND Y

|

Figure 2. Disposal Area Locations in Buzzards Bay,
Massachusetts. .Site A is the old Cleveland Ledge
Disposal Site, Site B is the Fairhaven Disposal Area
and Site C is the Buzzards Bay Disposal Site.

ONSET BAY

§0

~ PENIKES
ISLAND

BATHYMETRY
FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL

Figure 3. Buzzards Bay bathymetry chart (from Moore, 1963):

J : SILT = MEDIUM SAND SSS] = VERY COURSE SAND
[anil : FINE SAND :course SAND [B= GRAVEL

Figure 4. Buzzards Bay sediment distribution map based upon
data taken from x-ray diffraction, petrographic
and chemical studies (from Moore, 1963).

aZis Nivuo Tvaow —

-(zg6l {Te 3e eTzUaW) uoThexr oTYydearbodoy
yora aAoj sydeabojoyud eSLOWdd wotgs pouteqyqo
(ebuer pue opow azofew) squeweinseow uteib TensTA

SNOID4Y DIHdVEYDOdOL NVOS-AdIS

Lv14 aqald aials aiald dol LV14
isva y31lVY¥yD JTIGENy JAVM dWNnd 1sSam

JOnvyY |_|

JONVY [|

°G oanbtd
0
z9>
3NId
OGe
oos
OGZ
asYyvoo

OOOL

(win) SZIS-NIVYS SLOWSAY

MASSACHUSETT:!
TIDAL CURRENTS

ONSET BAY

Figure 6. Tidal currents in Buzzards Bay (from Moore, 1963).

m@g/i

OCT. wov. CCE) JAN. FEB. BAR. APR. WAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT mov.
197! 1972

Figure 7. Bottom water characteristics at four stations
in northwestern Buzzards Bay from October, 1971 to November,
1972.. Dashes indicate sta.2 (depth - 0.9m); dots indicate

sta.l (depth - 5.6m); dots and dashes indicate sta.3 (depth -
7.0m); solid line indicates sta.4 (depth - 12.5m) (from
Driscoll, 1975).

AASSACHUSETTS _

“ONSET BAY

@ 11

PENIKESE
ISLAND @i2

39

STATION LOCATIONS

Figure 8. Station locations from Gilbert et al. (1973).
Surface and bottom water nutrients, chlorophyll
and coliform levels were measured in May 1973.
See Tables 1-4 for associated data.

TOTAL ORGANICS i

ee ee CERES ELS)

1971 1972

Figure 9. Sediment characteristics at four stations in
northwestern Buzzards Bay from October, 1971 to November,
1972. Dashes indicate sta. 2 (depth - 0.9m); dots indicate
sta. 1 (depth - 5.6m); dots and dashes indicate sta. 3
(depth = 720m); solid Vine indicates sta. 4 (depth = 255m)
(from! Disuscoll,2975))-

Seston .

Sol ution

a ey b

Decomposition \

Resuspension

\
Solution

2-5cm P|
= SeDecomposition

re eets of:
ecto'cee of oy *ee® ws mse
sds is Seas ness

Yar manent Deposi

Y 05-20% 7
“jigs

Figure 10. The deposition / resuspension cycle characteristic
of a soft-bottom deposit feeding community (from Young, 1971).

“(786T ‘12 2a

atZua_ WOIJ) (*UOTSSNISIp JayIiny IO0OJ 1xaI
29S) °¢ aindiq ul payeostpurt eaie asrydeido0doy
yoea Je sadeqs [vuotssaz0ns [eunejyur queulMOg -“{T[ aindry

JINVEUNLSIG ONISWRONE =
viuv lvls *3
Q1314 wilvyd
aq314 31eanu¥
01314 AVM
dOL dwna

Vidv lvld oA

Il Itt-t1 UI 1 | I

JIWLS TWNOISSIIINS

Figure 12.

Sampling area and stations used in Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries inshore bottom
trawl survey. Region 1 of the 5 regions en-
compasses Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound and
coastal waters south of Martha's Vineyard

(from Howe et al; 1985).

3)5)
34 =9.5
3 3.4 = 18.3
3)8)
18.4 = 27.4
27.5 = 36.6

36.7 - 5a.9

REGIONS (© srmara sets)

agsicn |: srmara l) - 18
Qe&gion 2: srmara 15 - 16
aecios ?: stmara 17 - 2]
eoron 4: srmata 75 - 30
aegis §: srmara 2] - 36

SEM ae: \
WY
oS

Se

Figure 12. Sz
Sy

36

18
15

16

17

neo

i a
; i
gi i i
ey

i)

3 i : i vente Br
Ay | tdemchananies flim i hy
; Pos Aas wis

es ;
Oc ii ele

sR mig a De

ne
Sh