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Disposal of Sewage in Dispersive and Non-Dispersive Areas: Contrasting Case Histories in British Coastal Waters

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The Role of the Oceans as a Waste Disposal Option

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 172))

Abstract

The effects of sewage sludge disposal on three contrasting areas round the British coastline are compared. In two, relatively shallow areas (20–30 m), where dumped material is widely dispersed, there is some evidence of localised accumulation of material occurring patchily, but extensively, in the surrounding sediments. In one of these areas summer plankton blooms cause localised eutrophic effects. In the third, deeper, accumulating, area (70 m), the effects of the dumped material are confined to a 100 km−2 around the disposal ground and planktonic eutrophication has not disturbed the system. The contrasting evidence from these areas is used to suggest that disposal of sewage sludge to non-dispersive areas overlaid by a relatively deep, well mixed water column might be a preferred policy option.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dunstaffnage Marine Research Laboratory, P.O. Box No 3, Oban, Argyll, Scotland

    T. H. Pearson

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  1. T. H. Pearson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Oceanography, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

    G. Kullenberg

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© 1986 D. Reidel Publishing Company

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Pearson, T.H. (1986). Disposal of Sewage in Dispersive and Non-Dispersive Areas: Contrasting Case Histories in British Coastal Waters. In: Kullenberg, G. (eds) The Role of the Oceans as a Waste Disposal Option. NATO ASI Series, vol 172. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4628-6_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4628-6_28

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8557-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4628-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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