In June 1978, Document No: IRG/WP/442 entitled 'Microbial Biofouling of 10-40% Naphthalene in Creosote Treated and Untreated Wooden Pilings in the Marine Environment" was released to the IRG members as a report on the early results of a long term (about 5 years) study of whether the naphthalene content of creosote was importart in protecting wood pilings in the marine environment from borers, principally Limnoria tripunctata. In addition to this information, the project was designed to provide information relative to whether creosote treated wood pilings constituted a serious problem in the marine environment due to the leaching of the creosote. Data was, therefore, collected on the concentration of creosote and naphthalene in the water argund the pilings, in the sediment near the pilings and did filter feeder marine organisms such as clams, mussels, oysters, etc. concentrate creosote and naphthalene in their tissues in sufficient quantity to cause mutagenesis by the Ames mutagenic fest. Finally, a study of the microbial species and populations of these pilings at the intertidal and submerged surfaces was also followed versus timet Accordingly, a total of 464 pilings were treated as follows: 313 with 40% naphthalene in creosote, 49 with 30% naphthalene in creosote, 51 with 20% naphthalene in creosote and 51 with 10% naphthalene in creosote. These pilings were southern pine pilings procured in accordance with ASTM D25 kiln dried and treated by Koppers Company, Inc. in accordance with the American Wood Preserver's Association Standard C3 for creosote treatment of marine piles. The pilings were systematically positioned argund Pier No. 3 at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico from November 1977 to January 1978. Baseline data on the normal bacterial and fungal species and bacterial counts in and chemical analyses of the sediment, water column and on the pilings was taken at Pier No. 3 and at some distance from the pier where no pier existed. IRG/WP/428 provided the microbial studies on these baseline samples. Periodically (approximately two times per year) repeat samples were taken in these same areas to determine the change of flora and chemical analyses versus time. This is a progress report of the data obtained approximately two years after placement of the pilings.

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