History Of Ocean Dumping In The Gulf Of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a unique ocean basin covering over 615,000 square miles. It is unique in that more than twenty major river systems in the United States and Mexico drain into this ocean. Through this diverse network two-thirds of the natural sediments and industrial pollutants of the United States find their way into the Gulf. Over 1.5 million square miles of the United States drain into the Gulf through this network. In addition to this, there is runoff from Mexico. The physical and chemical parameters of the Gulf of Mexico are important in assessing the nature of this water body. The main currents, temperature, and salinity are those of most importance. The principle current is a branch of the Equatorial Current which passes through the Florida Straits and constitutes a section of the Gulf Stream. The average winter temperatures are between 65° and 75°F. The summer average is 84°F. The salinity average is determined to be around 36 parts per thousand (ppt). Economically, the Gulf is very productive with respect to shrimp, oysters, and other fish. Offshore oil and gas leases also generate a substantial amount of income. The Gulf of Mexico has also been used as a dumping grounds for the coastal states. Initially there was no control over dumping, but the Corps of Engineers was eventually given authority to overview this practice. Then in 1973, the Environmental Protection Agency took over and imposed a stringent permit system and designated specific dump sites. Eight separate permits were issued since then to industries. This paper discusses each permit issued and the contents of the permit. The different methods of discharging wastes vary and are also presented. Funding: NOAA Office of Sea Grants; grant number: 04-6-158-44012;

墨西哥湾（Gulf of Mexico）是一片独特的海洋盆地，总面积逾61.5万平方英里。其独特性在于，美国与墨西哥境内共有二十余条主要河流水系汇入该海域。通过这一复杂多样的水系网络，美国境内三分之二的自然沉积物与工业污染物最终注入墨西哥湾。美国境内超过150万平方英里的流域通过该水系网络向墨西哥湾输送径流，此外墨西哥境内亦有径流汇入。
墨西哥湾的物理与化学参数对评估该水体的性质具有关键意义，其中以主流系、温度与盐度最为重要。其主流系为赤道洋流（Equatorial Current）的分支，途经佛罗里达海峡（Florida Straits），构成墨西哥湾流（Gulf Stream）的一部分。冬季平均水温介于65°F至75°F之间，夏季平均水温为84°F；盐度平均值约为36‰（ppt，千分比）。
从经济价值来看，墨西哥湾在虾类、牡蛎及其他鱼类养殖方面产能卓越，近海油气租赁业务亦能带来可观的经济收益。此外，墨西哥湾曾被美国沿岸各州用作废弃物倾倒场地。最初，倾倒行为不受任何管制，直至美国陆军工程兵团（Corps of Engineers）获得监管该活动的权限。1973年，美国环境保护署（Environmental Protection Agency）接管相关管理工作，推行严格的许可制度，并指定了专门的倾倒场址。自彼时起，相关机构已向各行业发放了八份独立的倾倒许可。
本文对每一份已核发的许可及其内容展开探讨，同时也介绍了各类废弃物排放的不同方式。本研究由美国国家海洋和大气管理局海洋补助金办公室（NOAA Office of Sea Grants）资助，资助编号：04-6-158-44012。