135 



Field Designs Employed 



maximally, one cross shelf transect sampled seasonally at six depth intervals in each of six regions, 

 with three replicates of each sample (typically box core) 



minimally, two or more cross shelf transects at six depth intervals in only those two regions studied 

 by the TEXLA Ecosystem Study 



Specifically Addressing OCS Impacts 



initially, transects should avoid areas of existing contamination and focus upon future changes in 

 natural systems 



Linking with Physical Oceanography and Other Studies 



an intensive sampling and in situ monitoring program restricted to an area of approximately 4 km 

 square shall be carried out within the TEXLA area; the data from this area would be used to 

 establish physical links for the variables being monitored. 



Analysis, Synthesis and Modeling 



program design and coordination shall rest in a single group even though field work may be multi- 

 institutional 



a predictive modeling component will be developed to employ analysis of each season's data and 

 prediction of future results, continuing improvement of this model will be carried out for the 

 duration of monitoring 



4.3 Cross Project Coordination 



4.3.1 Outside of MMS 



The three studies considered during this workshop coincide with an overall increase in Gulf of Mexico research. 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is planning a major program as part of its Nutrient 

 Enriched Coastal Ocean Productivity study (NECOP). The Department of Defense is planning to locate two 

 Deep-Ocean Research Islands (DORIs) in the Gulf. And, various academic groups are considering submission 

 of unsolicited proposals dealing with specific oceanographic processes. 



Unfortunately, none of these planned efforts can be depended upon as a substitute for components of any of the 

 three MMS studies. None has yet to be initiated, and none has the specific goal of understanding oil and gas- 

 related impacts. Nevertheless, they can serve to enhance the scientific value of MMS supported studies by 

 providing complementary data in terms of greater areal coverage or nature of the processes being studied. 



4.3.2 Within-MMS Activities 



It is obvious that certain aspects of all three studies can benefit from coordination and unnecessary duplication 

 can be eliminated. This can be considered with respect to the selection of sites, the timing of sampling, and the 

 scope of each separate project. For the most part, the TEXLA Ecosystem Study and the Long-Term Monitoring 

 Study share the most needs in common. 



• Site Selection - Conceptually, the two of the Long-Term Monitoring Program's six transects can be used 

 as general locations for the TEXLA study. Since the Chronic Effects study must work close to possible 

 sources of contaminants, its sites should be somewhat separate. If funding limits the breadth of the 

 Long-Term Monitoring, then it could be restricted to the TEXLA region entirely. 



• Sampling Interval - For the duration of TEXLA, its frequent sampling (10 times per year) exceeds the 

 anticipated needs of the Long-Term Monitoring. Therefore, cruises could be combined for those 

 transects in the TEXLA region. 



With respect to the nature of components within each study, TEXLA and Long-Term Monitoring share the most 

 tasks in common. The benthic studies of TEXLA could be combined with the more descriptive program of Long- 



