Offshore sand resources along the south shore of Tutuila Island, American Samoa
Dingler JR, Wolf SC, Carlson D. 1986. Offshore sand resources along the south shore of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 86-112. United States Geological Survey. Menlo Park, CA
The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether significant sand deposits exist outside the reef in water shallow enough to be dredged. At present, suction dredges can operate in depths less than about 20m. This depth limitation occurs because the maximum vacuum that can be pulled is less than one atmosphere. Mechanical dredges can operate in deeper water, though costs increase and efficiency decreases with increasing depth. Assuming that dredging technology will improve, a maximum depth of 30m was chosen for this survey.