20 



It is presently thought that if OCS oil and gas activities pose a problem, the impacts would be expressed as 

 changes in ecological processes or population, and that these processes and populations already possess a 

 tremendous variability. This should be the focus of this workshop's looking at long-term monitoring, i.e., what 

 is the natural variation in the Northern Gulf monitoring, both on a spatial and a temporal scale? 



SITE SELECTION 



Site selection will be critical to successfully observing impacts, if they are there. Ideally sample site selection 

 would be in an area strongly impacted by oil pollution (high hydrocarbon concentrations, low numbers and 

 diversity of organisms). A short distance away in a comparable benthic environment, there would be a 

 completely pristine site. Needless to say, such an ideal study site probably will not be found. 



Difficulties in data interpretation in past studies have resulted from the lack of consideration in sample site- 

 selection from conflicting signals due to the impacts of riverine input, especially from the Mississippi River, 

 proximity to shipping channels, and the effects of hurricane passages and winter storm events. The location of 

 control sites is also very important in generating data that can be meaningfully interpreted. 



Another factor in site selection should be the comparability of ecological regimes. It has certainly been learned 

 that sampling of a series of sites in different regions, whether due to depth, sediments, or numerous other 

 considerations, can only confuse comparability of the resulting data. 



A further consideration in site selection will be the possibility of utilizing previously occupied sites. How valuable 

 are the time-series data already gathered from previous baseline studies, whether MMS or other? Despite out- 

 of-date methodologies and changes in taxonomy, can some of the data be effectively utilized? 



SAMPLING METHODOLOGIES AND INTENSITY 



Although it is obvious that an understanding of processes is important in investigating environmental impacts, 

 the emphasis in sampling for this monitoring effort will be in the benthic environment, concentrating on this more 

 stable region of relatively sedentary organisms and populations of greatest longevity. Departing from the 

 "baseline" philosophy of sampling everything, however, the question becomes "what do we sample? 



Equally important is the intensity of sampling. A number of questions will have to be addressed. 



• Is diel sampling necessary? 



• Is seasonal or monthly sampling necessary? 



• Just how "long" is long-term monitoring? What information exists to indicate how long sampling should 

 continue? 



• How many sample replicates should be taken? It would appear that more attention should be given to 

 variance at each station in selecting the number of replicates. 



• Should there be an emphasis on spatial patterns in sampling? 



• Would transect sampling be useful or is enough information available related to spatial variability? 



OTHER RESEARCH PLANNING QUESTIONS 



Of course, it will be necessary to discuss the types of information to be gathered at each station. This will include 

 what physical, geological, and chemical information is needed in support of biological parameters; and which 

 biological elements (macroinfauna, meiofauna, epifauna, and fishes) should be sampled. 



