Seasonal variation in the behavior of tailing wastes in Buyat Bay, Indonesia

Seasonal variations in temperature, salinity, sigma-t and light transmittance were investigated in Buyat Bay, Indonesia, related to the dumping activity there. More than 2000 tons per day of tailings were disposed through a Submarine Tailing Disposal (STD) method at 82 m depth in Buyat Bay. An 80 m depth of the assumed pycnocline was not well confirmed. The seasonal variability of temperature, salinity and sigma-t showed the pycnocline of 40 m to 135 m at the deepest observation station (140 m) during 1997. Furthermore, the Mixed Layer Depth was in good agreement with the wind stress, and the wind stress affected the spreading of tailings there. The outlet of submarine tailing disposal must be below 135 m in Buyat Bay.