INTRODUCTION 



Extensive hydrographic and biological investigations have been 

 made of central and eastern Long Island Sound (Riley, et al., 1956) 

 and adjoining Block Island Sound (Riley, et al., 1952). No comparable 

 study of the extreme western end of Long Island Sound (hereafter LIS), 

 however, has been undertaken. The proposed construction of a steam 

 electrical station on Davids Island in western LIS prompted the present 

 study. The study was designed as a preliminary environmental survey, 

 and included chemical and biological inventories to ascertain water 

 quality and the abundance, distribution and seasonality of plant and 

 animal life. This report summarizes data from eight cruises, each last- 

 ing three or four days, made from April 12 through September 2, 1971. 



The study was, in part, funded by Battel le Northwest. A report 

 was submitted to them on 22 November 1971. Principal participants in 

 the various studies included Mr. Charles I. Gibson, Mr. Robert N. Reid, 

 Miss Leslie H. Rogers and Mr. G. Newell Eisele. 



