Coal Transfer: Can an Environmentally Safe Coal Transfer Operation Be Undertaken in the Lower Delaware Bay

摘要

Effective August 1983, the U.S. Coast Guard authorized coal transfer between vessels moored in Anchorage Area A, off Big Stone Beach in lower Delaware Bay. Two general methods may be used to transfer coal from shallow-draft barges to deep-draft colliers: auger or conveyor-belt operation and clamshell operation. Although dust emission is inherent in coal transfer, best available data from similar situations indicate dust emission can vary from 0.168 pounds per ton for clamshell to 0.0024 pounds per ton for auger/conveyor transfer. Air quality and bottom water deterioration are the major potential environmental impacts.