PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILLS IN NEWARK BAY, NEW-JERSEY, USA FROM 1982 TO 1991

Newark Bay, New Jersey, is particularly vulnerable to ecological damag e from petroleum and chemical spills, as a result of the enclosed natu re and shallow depth of the bay, the high frequency of shipping traffi c, and the numerous chemical and petroleum transfer terminals located along its shores. To evaluate the potential impacts to the natural res ources of this coastal estuarine ecosystem, chemical and petroleum acc idents reported to the US Coast Guard (USCG) between 1982 and 1991 wer e compiled to determine the frequency and volume of these incidents in Newark Bay and in each of its major tributaries. Records obtained fro m the USCG National Response Center's computerized database indicated that more than 1453 accidental incidents, resulting in the release of more than 18 million US gallons of hazardous materials and petroleum p roducts, occurred throughout Newark Bay during this period of time. Th e bulk of the materials released to the aquatic environment consisted of petroleum products, specifically No. 6 Fuel Oil (103 spills, 12 829 272 US gal) and gasoline (207 spills, 48 816 US gal). The majority of the reported incidents occurred in the Arthur Kill and its tributarie s, as well as in the Kill Van Kull and the Passaic River. The results of this study indicated that the accidental discharge of petroleum and hazardous chemicals represents a significant source of chemical pollu tion in Newark Bay. Based on the frequency of spills and the volume of materials released to the aquatic environment, it is likely that thes e events are having a deleterious effect on the Newark Bay ecosystem.