Contaminant transport and accumulation in Massachusetts Bay and Boston Harbor: A summary of U.S. Geological Survey studies

Bradford Butman; Michael H. Bothner; J. C. Hathaway; H. L. Jenter; H. J. Knebel; F. T. Manheim; R. P. Signell

doi:10.3133/ofr92202

Contaminant transport and accumulation in Massachusetts Bay and Boston Harbor: A summary of U.S. Geological Survey studies

Open-File Report 92-202

By: Bradford Butman, Michael H. Bothner, J. C. Hathaway, H. L. Jenter, H. J. Knebel, F. T. Manheim, and R. P. Signell

https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr92202

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting studies in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Cod Bay designed to define the geologic framework of the region and to understand the transport and accumulation of contaminated sediments. The region is being studied because of environmental problems caused by the introduction of wastes for a long time, because a new ocean outfall (to begin operation in 1995) will change the location for disposal of treated Boston sewage from Boston Harbor into Massachusetts Bay, and because of the need to understand the transport of sediments and associated contaminants in order to address a wide range of management questions. The USGS effort complements and is closely coordinated with the research and monitoring studies supported by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the Massachusetts Bays Program, and by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. The USGS study includes (1) geologic mapping, (2) circulation studies, (3) long-term current and sediment transport observations, (4) measurements of contaminant inventories and rates of sediment mixing and accumulation, (5) circulation modeling, (6) development of a contaminated sediments data base, and (7) information exchange. A long-term objective of the program is to develop a predictive capability for sediment transport and accumulation.

Study Area

Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	Contaminant transport and accumulation in Massachusetts Bay and Boston Harbor: A summary of U.S. Geological Survey studies
Series title	Open-File Report
Series number	92-202
DOI	10.3133/ofr92202
Year Published	1992
Language	English
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s)	Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description	43 p.
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
Other Geospatial	Boston Harbor, Cape Cod Bay
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page