The incoming ocean water entering Grays Harbor, Washington on flood tide was observed periodically to contain abnormally low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations ( G5.0 mg/L or 3.5 ml/L) were associated generally with significantly lower than normal ocean water tempcraturcs which presumably results from upwelling along the coast. On a given tidal cycle the oxygen dcficicncy from normally assumed saturation levels for ocean water is cquivalcnt to the oxygen demand associated with the domestic sewage discharge of 20 million persons. It appears that upwelling phenomena may negate conclusions based on oxygen balances in pollutional analyses of estuaries unless the actual dissolved oxygen concentration at the ocean source is determined.
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