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(e.g., fine verses whole sediment ratios) must be conducted. While most contaminants are associated 

 with fine grain sediments and examination of this component leads to good recovery of contaminants, 

 we must not lose sight of the whole sediment so as not to skew the date. 



Nephloid Layer Composition - for examining colloidal solids verses solid bottoms with respect to 

 partitioning (see Means, section 2.2.9). 



Surface versus Bottom Current Measurements - Resuspension transport is one of the biggest weaknesses 

 in this topic. 



Underwater T.V. and Video Surveys. 



Regarding actual sampling techniques, there were "differences" of opinion as to whether or not to examine 

 composite samples, or individual discharge streams. Individual streams would include discharges of drilling muds, 

 cuttings, and domestic (treated) sewage. While some of this information will be available from historical records, 

 such incidentals as the leachings from pipe dope and the paint chips from service boats sand blasting while on 

 station will be difficult to quantify. The MMS Pacific OCS Region is presently utilizing composite sampling 

 techniques in order to get a feel for the combined long-term effects of these releases. 



• Biological Parameters - Concerning the biological parameters to measure, the participants agreed on 

 three categories: classical techniques; state-of-the-art, but readily available; and "new technology," 

 techniques available in the near future. 



Classical Techniques - Standard measurements of abundance and diversity; recruitment, including 

 biofouling and hard bank communities, this was particularly in reference to macro- and mcgafauna as 

 opposed to meiofauna, there has been some recent advances in the latter which the participants felt 

 justified listing it under category number 2; measurements of growth as used with mollusks, corals, and 

 fish; bioaccumulation; fecundity/reproduction measurements, and studies of plants and seagrasses. 



State-of-the-Art (readily available) - New techniques for use in meiofauna studies; histopathology 

 techniques (e.g., neoplasms); the metabolism of contaminants; in situ exposure experiments; genetic 

 techniques which might be used for in situ exposure experiments to examine the impacts to populations; 

 biodegradation techniques; and techniques utilizing radionuclides. Concerning long-term development 

 type studies, there is probably insufficient data on bioaccumulation and metabolism. Specifically, most 

 work dealing with metabolism has assumed that there is a "leveling-off." However, this may not be the 

 case when dealing with organics where there may be no limit to exposure because materials may be 

 continuously metabolized and a steady state not achieved, but rather a chronic exposure whereby 

 molecules are continuously being passed through the gut and reacting chemically. This is of particular 

 interest when considering the amount of energy being utilized in metabolizing such contaminants and 

 thus not available for growth and reproduction. 



New Technology (available in the near future) - Behavior studies; bioaccumulation techniques, 

 particularly those which may utilize skeletal parts (e.g., mollusks and fish [otoliths]); cytochrome P-450 

 techniques; metalthion; scope of growth studies; nitrogen metabolism; techniques utilizing changes in 

 the concentration and composition of enzymes. As for genetic techniques, the Israelis are examining 

 the relationship between mercury and allele frequency. Such a technique could be particularly useful 

 in determing whether a population of organisms was not doing well over several generations (i.e., 

 sublethal effect). Tracing the genetic composition of the organism could be useful. It was also noted 

 that there are two levels of genetic response: (1) changes in gene frequency, and (2) actual changes in 

 the DNA composition. 



Examples of how biological/biochemical techniques could be tied into impact studies were explored in an attempt 

 to utilize information and observations already available. For example, in sediments with elevated hydrocarbon 

 levels there are microbial communities which naturally "biodegraded" the compounds. However, in areas which 

 experienced hypoxic events, the rate of the degradation is rcduced-what could be the ecological implications? 



