Computer Simulation of Ddt Distribution in Palos Verdes Shelf Sediments
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 115, Issue 1
Abstract
Prior to the imposition of effective source‐control measures in 1970, large quantities of DDT were discharged to the Los Angeles County municipal sewer system and, subsequently, to the Pacific Ocean. A fraction of this material accumulated among sediments of the Palos Verdes shelf. While the bulk of the DDT lies 10–40 cm below the sediment surface, its fate may be affected by future wastewater‐treatment decisions at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP), Los Angeles County's 385‐mgd treatment plant. To assess the impact of impending JWPCP secondary treatment requirements on shelf sediment quality (processes that potentially affect the distribution of chemical tracers among those sediments, including background sedimentation rate), contributions from effluent‐related solids, sediment mixing, and diffusive transport were incorporated in mathematical models. Model projections of surface‐sediment quality at the most heavily contaminated sites are sensitive to projected effluent solids concentrations, and thus treatmentlevel decisions at JWPCP. Full secondary treatment projections of surface‐sediment DDT concentration are 75% higher than those corresponding to continuation of present treatment practice.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Cross, J. N. (1984). “Tumors in fish collected on the Palos Verdes shelf.” Southern Calif. Bien. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Rep., 1983–1984. W. Bascom, ed., Long Beach, Calif.
2.
Gossett, R. W., et al. (1982). “Levels of trace organic compounds in sportfish from southern California.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Bien. Rep. 1981–1982. W. Bascom, ed. Long Beach, Calif.
3.
Gossett, R. W., et al. (1983). “DDT, PCB and benzo(a)pyrene levels in white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) from Southern California.” Marine Pollut. Bull. 14(2), 60–65.
4.
Hendricks, T. J. (1978). “Forecasting changes in sediments near outfalls.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. An. Rep. 1978. W. Boscom, ed., Long Beach, Calif.
5.
Hendricks, T. J. (1982). “An advanced sediment quality model.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Bien. Rep. 1981–1983. W. Boscom, ed., Long Beach, Calif.
6.
Hendricks, T. J. (1984). “Predicting sediment quality around outfalls.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Bien. Rep. 1983–1984. W. Bascom, ed., Long Beach, Calif.
7.
Hendricks, T. J. (1988). “Development of methods for estimating the changes in marine sediments as a result of the discharge of sewered municipal wastewaters through submarine outfalls: Part II—Resuspension processes—draft copy.” Final report for the Envir. Protec. Agcy.
8.
Keith, J. O., Woods, L. A., and Hunt, E. G. (1970). “Reproductive failure in brown pelicans on the Pacific coast.” Trans. North Am. Wildl. Nat. Resour. Conf., 56–63.
9.
Koh, R. C. V. (1982). “Initial sedimentation of waste particulates discharged from ocean outfalls.” Environ. Sci. Technol. 16, 757–763.
10.
Myers, E. P. (1974). “The concentration and isotopic composition of carbon in marine sediments affected by a sewage discharge,” thesis presented to the California Institute of Technology, at Pasadena, Calif., in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering.
11.
Oshida, P. S. and Wright, J. L. (1976). “Acute responses of marine invertebrates to chromium.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Ann. Rep. 1976. El Segundo, Calif.
12.
Risebraugh, R. W., Sibley, F. C., and Kirven, M. N. (1971). “Reproductive failure of the brown pelican on Anacapa Island in 1969.” Amer. Birds 25, 8–9.
13.
Risebraugh, R. W., et al. (1967). “DDT residues in Pacific seabirds: a persistent insecticide in marine food chains.” Nature 216, 589–591.
14.
Sherwood, M. (1976). “Fin erosion disease induced in the laboratory.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Ann. Rep. 1976. El Segundo, Calif.
15.
Stull, J. K., et al. (1986). “Long‐term changes in the benthic community on the coastal shelf of Palos Verdes, Southern California.” Mar. Biol. 91, 539–551.
16.
Word, J. Q. (1978). “The infaunal trophic index.” Southern Calif. Coast. Water Res. Proj. Ann. Rep. 1978. W. Bascom, ed., Long Beach, Calif.
17.
Young, D. R., Gossett, R. W., and Heesen, T. C. (1988). “Persistence of chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination in a California marine ecosystem.” Urban Wastes in Coast. Mar. Environ., D. Wolfe and T. P. O'Connor, eds., Ocean. Process, in Mar. Pollut. Ser., 5.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 ASCE.
History
Published online: Feb 1, 1989
Published in print: Feb 1989
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.