Copper Loading to U.S. Navy Harbors Norfolk, VA; Pearl Harbor, HI; and San Diego, CA

摘要

This document identifies several sources of copper loading into four Navy harbors within the continental United States and Hawaii. The degree of copper loading as dissolved copper is quantified by source within each harbor. Although copper sources and their respective percent of the total load vary between harbors, some similarities are apparent. Hull anti-fouling bottom paint leachate is the principal dissolved copper source in all harbors followed by certain vessel flow-through discharges. Other sources were calculated to be smaller loading factors, sometimes contributing less than 1% of the total dissolved copper load. The dissolved copper calculations in this report are based on numerous assumptions, which in turn were supported by data that also varied in terms of quality and availability. Consequently, some loading estimates are considered potentially more accurate than others.