Sullivan's Squares

Michael & Austin Will & Joseph

Remy & Mary Cat

Sam

Abstract
For our project on the dredging trip, we chose to create an I-book. There we explained all of the things we experienced, and showed some pictures of organisms and sand testing that we did. We did testing on the biodiversity, sand composition, and currents of Sullivans island. We took photos of each organism we found, and identied them with the eld guide we created in class. Each student had their own job throughout the research of this project, and each of us had our own mini assignments to complete as well. Sullivans island dredging is happening because they want to deepen the harbor to increase shipping overseas. Dredging is a pretty costly job, and it is basically the removal of sediment in the ocean. The sediment that they pick-up may later show up on shore, or near shallow waters. (Where dredging usually happens)

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Intro
According to wikipedia, Dredging is often used to keep waterways navigable. It is also used as a way to replenish sand on some public beaches, where sand has been lost because of coastal erosion. Dredging is also used as a technique for shing for certain species of edible clams and crabs. Dredging can create disturbance to aquatic ecosystems, often with adverse impacts, such as: 1. Release of toxic chemicals (including heavy metals and PCB) from bottom sediments into the water column; 2. Short term increases in turbidity, which can aect aquatic species metabolism and interfere with spawning; 3. Secondary impacts to marsh productivity from sedimentation; 4. Possible contamination of dredge spoils sites. The Army Corps are saying that dredging in charleston would be benecial for national studies. This means a 50-foot deepening project for Charleston harbor can be realized within this decade. "The deepening of Charleston harbor is the No. 1 strategic priority for this port community," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "We are encouraged by today's news that Charleston's deepening project will be considered a national example for completing studies more expeditiously." The corps also announced a cost savings of about $5 million for the feasibility study of the project. The study is expected to cost about $15 million rather than $20 million as previously estimated. Both the time and cost savings are the result of a new initiative launched at the headquarters level of the Corps of Engineers to streamline the civil works planning process.

We went to sullivans island to work on a study of the biodiversity, sand composition, water currents, and many other kinds of things. Since sullians island was along the route in which they do their shipping, they started dredging near sullivans to be sure that they could hold more cargo. This could denitely affect not only the sea life, but also people as well. Dredging projects are always pretty costly, but the results are amazing. They say that for every 1 ft. of sand they pull from the seaoor, cargo ships can hold an extra 300 cargo crates. This can denitely increase shipping overseas, and it could also allow more ships to go and deliver crates as well. While on this trip, we saw about 3 or 4 cargo ships pass by us. I remember reading somewhere that the cargo ships are either carrying sediment for the dredging project itself, or they are carrying other products to ship overseas.

Background
The army corps is studying the cost and possible impacts of dredging the harbor

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Methods
How did we study? We collected data on: - water chemistry - sand composition - currents and tides - biodiversity

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Water Chemistry
We measured: Dissolved oxygen Salinity Temperature Phosphate Nitrate and ammonia Turbidity Tests were conducted using standards LaMotte eld kits. Materials included thermometer for temperature, refractometer for salinity, titration kit for DO, tablet tests for phosphate and nitrate and ammonia, and a secchi disk test for turbidity.

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G P S

We mapped the GPS points for Sullivan's island with the compass on our phones. The results weren't as accurate as we had hoped.

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Sand Composition
We took sand samples for microscopes and sieve analysis. We dug a trench to see layers and striations.

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SPECIES WE FOUND

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The Mushroom Jelly

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Sand Dollar

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Sheeps Head

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Cow-nose Ray

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Currents

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