[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 22]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR230.21]

[Page 261-262]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 230--SECTION 404(b)(1) GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFICATION OF DISPOSAL SITES 
FOR DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL--Table of Contents
 
Subpart C--Potential Impacts on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of 
                          the Aquatic Ecosystem
 
Sec. 230.21  Suspended particulates/turbidity.

    (a) Suspended particulates in the aquatic ecosystem consist of fine-
grained mineral particles, usually smaller than silt, and organic 
particles. Suspended particulates may enter water bodies as a result of 
land runoff, flooding, vegetative and planktonic breakdown, resuspension 
of bottom sediments, and man's activities including dredging and 
filling. Particulates may remain suspended in the water column for 
variable periods of time as a result of such factors as agitation of the 
water mass, particulate specific gravity, particle shape, and physical 
and chemical properties of particle surfaces.
    (b) Possible loss of environmental characteristics and values: The 
discharge of dredged or fill material can result in greatly elevated 
levels of suspended particulates in the water column for varying lengths 
of time. These new levels may reduce light penetration and lower the 
rate of photosynthesis and the primary productivity of an aquatic area 
if they last long enough. Sight-dependent species may suffer reduced 
feeding ability leading to limited growth and lowered resistance to 
disease if high levels of suspended particulates persist. The biological 
and the chemical content of the

[[Page 262]]

suspended material may react with the dissolved oxygen in the water, 
which can result in oxygen depletion. Toxic metals and organics, 
pathogens, and viruses absorbed or adsorbed to fine-grained particulates 
in the material may become biologically available to organisms either in 
the water column or on the substrate. Significant increases in suspended 
particulate levels create turbid plumes which are highly visible and 
aesthetically displeasing. The extent and persistence of these adverse 
impacts caused by discharges depend upon the relative increase in 
suspended particulates above the amount occurring naturally, the 
duration of the higher levels, the current patterns, water level, and 
fluctuations present when such discharges occur, the volume, rate, and 
duration of the discharge, particulate deposition, and the seasonal 
timing of the discharge.