Seaham Sub

Background
Aims and Objectives
Method
Results
The Future
Back to DCCEP home page

The Seaham Sub-Aqua responded positively to the initial project idea and commented that they had taken part in a sample collection exercise in the past, when they took sediment samples for the harbour users at Seaham Docks. They had never received any feedback from that exercise and so were keen to take a more active , "hands-on" role in an environmental monitoring project in their immediate area.
(Back to top)

Aims and Objectives

1) To sample the sediment at three sites off the 'Turning the Tide' coast to characterise the present situation and contaminant burden.
2) To be able to repeat this sampling in the future so as to follow any changes that occur with time, as the effects of the dumped coal spoil diminish.
3) To identify, if possible, an inshore area of hard substrata on which biological communities can be monitored, so that any changes that occur with increased water clarity and reduced suspended solids are recorded.
4) To carry out a photographic monitoring project on an inshore area of hard substrata, if a suitable area can be identified.

After discussion and planning it was decided that the club should carry out a sediment sampling survey covering the area of the 'Turning the Tide' coast, with three sampling stations at the 5m depth contour offshore. The focus of the sample analysis was to be organic carbon and heavy metal contamination in the sediments.
The club would also recce the area for a site of inshore hard substrata, on which a photographic project could focus.
(Back to top)

Method

The SS-AC 6.0m Rigid Hull inflatable was launched at Seaham Harbour with 9 volunteer divers from the club present.

Sites were then located at three positions off the coast, which are shown in the table below. The locations were generally selected at the 5m depth contour (ACD). A shot weight was then dropped to the seabed to mark the site and to allow the pair of divers to maintain station at the seabed in the tidal stream.
(Back to top)

Results

Site Name / Location	Position (Lat.-Long) from GPS	*Depth (m) (ACD)**	Substrate description
Off Ryhope Dene	540 51' 569"N 10 20' 260"W	5.7m	Fine rippled sand with sand mason worm tubes.
Off Blast Beach	540 45' 732"N 10 17' 042"W	4.2m	Fine sand with silt.
Off Castle Eden Dene / Dene Mouth	540 45' 687"N 10 17' 009"W	4.0m	Fine sand with silt.

* ACD - 'Above Chart Datum'
The divers took a pair of cores to the seabed and sediment samples were collected in 'Diver Core tubes' by the in situ diver pair.

At the surface the cores were decanted into sample bags, labelled and later submitted to the Environment Agency for analysis of organic carbon and heavy metal contamination.

These results will follow when available.
(Back to top)

The Future

The enthusiasm shown by the nine members of the club who attended the field work day, underlines the commitment of the club to take an active part in future monitoring events in their region. Plans are in place to carry out a photographic project with the club, if a suitable site can be located. This should also help to sustain interest in the project, as will the feedback of results.
(Back to top)