Applying Earth Science to issues of immediate public concern
USING CIRCULATION MODELS TO COMPARE
OLD AND NEW OUTFALL LOCATIONS
Concern that the new sewage outfall
from Boston Harbor, located 9 miles offshore in Massachusetts Bay, might
turn Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays into new environmental problems, prompted
a series of computer simulations
by the USGS. These simulations of effluent dilution, displayed in the diagram
at right, indicate that significantly elevated effluent concentrations
will be found only within a few kilometers of the new outfall, and the effluent
concentrations will remain low throughout most of Massachusetts Bay.
In addition, the content of sewage effluent in Boston Harbor will decrease dramatically. Placing the new outfall site in deeper water will allow greater dilution and mixing with surrounding waters than having the outfall located in the more restricted harbor.
Despite cleaner waters, pollutants that settle to the bottom with sediments can accumulate in the ecosystem, creating the potential for long-term problems. The only viable solution for some contaminants is reduction at the source. The ocean outfall site will be complimented by a new secondary treatment plant that will greatly reduce the levels of solid sewage and toxic substances entering the ecosystem.
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The URL of this page is http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt/bostonharbor/boston8.html
Updated: 11 September 2000
