Ferrous Sulfate Barges; Waveland, Mississippi

Waveland, Mississippi | 1995-Jun-16

Initial Notification: The exact date and time of this release is uncertain but USCG and NOAA involvement began June 16, 1995. It is possible that the release was gradual over the course of weeks or months until the material released reached a level that caused a visible reaction in the waters of the barge canal. The spill site is actually two water bodies; an industrial barge canal in Bienville Industrial Park and a freshwater riverine/marsh habitat in the adjacent Mulatto Bayou. Mulatto Bayou runs somewhat parallel to the barge canal with several bank cuts allowing water interchange between the two. Hopper barges RL-224 and RL-229 had been alongside the industrial park at the dead end of the barge canal for several weeks and several months, respectively. Their cargo of dry ferrous sulfate was destined for Eaglebrook Inc. but was rejected because it was out of specification for their needs. Ferrous sulfate is reacted in a controlled situation by Eaglebrook to make a flocculating agent used in wastewater treatment. As the barges waited at the industrial park pending final disposition, it is believed that water entered the barges through holes in their wing tanks and then, through free communication with the hoppers themselves, made contact with the cargo. During the response the contaminated water in the hoppers was found to have a pH of approximately 2.0. The contaminated water in the wing tanks was found to have a pH of approximately 3.0. This water, carrying unreacted product, is thought to have escaped the barge and entered the barge canal. USCG district 8. Keyword: none.