Appendix E: Field Scientist Report 



COSTA RICA 



Gulf of Nicoya Area (01/15/92). Three sites were sampled in the Gulf of Nicoya, located on 



the Pacific coast of Costa Rica about 140 km from San Jose. The first site, Estero Jicaral, is 



located on the west coast of the Gulf of Nicoya, opposite Puerto Morales. Duplicate samples 



(Anadara tuberculosa and Prototaca sp.) were collected by hand from within the roots of 



mangroves. The second site, Isla Paloma, is a very small island located in the upper portion of 



the Gulf of Nicoya. Duplicate samples {Anadara grandis) were collected from a single station. 



The third site, Estero Cocoroca, is located on the east costa of the Gulf of Nicoya a few 



kilometers south of Puerto Morales and opposite Estero Jicaral. Duplicate samples (Anadara 



tuberculosa and Anadara similis) were collected from one station within the roots of the 



mangroves. Distances between Estero Jicaral and Isla Paloma, between Isla Paloma and Estero 



Cocoroca and between Estero Cocoroca and Estero Jicaral are about 20, 30 and 25 km, 



respectively. Access to the sampling sites is by car from San Jose - and by boat from Puerto 



Morales. 



Contamination:: Except for the area close to the city of Puntarenas (not sampled), the Gulf of 



Nicoya seems to be a pristine area 



Golfo Dulce Area (01/17/92-01/18/91). Golfo Dulce is located about 350 km from San Jose on 



the Pacific coast and near the border between Costa Rica and Panama. Two sites were sampled at 



this location. The first one, Golfito, is within the city limits of the city of Golfito. Duplicate 



samples (Anadara tuberculosa, Anadara similis and Prototaca sp.) were collected from two stations 



The second site, Punta Zancudo, is located about 50 km from Golfito. The sampling site is 



located near the mouths of the Coto and Sabalo rivers. Duplicate samples (Anadara tuberculosa) 



were collected from one station. Access to the sites is by car from San Jose\ 



Contamination:: Golfi to-Domestic effluents. Punta Zancudo-No sources of contamination were 



observed. 



PANAMA (cont.) 



Puerto Almirante (01/22/91). The sampling location is located in the Bocas del Toro area, close 



to the border between Panama and Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast. The site is located about 



1000 meters from the port of Puerto Almirante, toward open water. Duplicate samples were 



collected by hand by divers from two stations about 300-400 meters apart. Water Depth was 



between 1.5 to 2.5 meters. Access to the site is by boat. 



Contamination:: Port activities (most of the banana production from this area is shipped from 



Puerto Almirante). Domestic effluents are discharge from houses directly into the coastal waters. 



Cholera. 



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