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for management decisions can be obtained at less cost and in an expe- 

 ditious manner. Instrumentation must be developed which will sim- 

 plify data collection, will be reliable, and will require little mainte- 

 nance. With the technological advancement in data acquisition capa- 

 bilities such as remote telemetering systems, it is now possible to contin- 

 uously record pertinent environmental parameters for extended time 

 periods. In the recent past, man-hour requirements made sure intensive 

 data acquisition impossible, thereby excusing our present inability to 

 distinguish man-made alterations of estuarine biota from natural fluc- 

 tuations. However, we can no longer use the excuse. We must initiate 

 intensive long-term estuarine monitoring programs that reflect existing 

 capability in remote telemetering systems. Although the equipment 

 price tag is high, it is cheaper in the long run than any other method 

 and we can no longer afford not to develop this approach. A valuable 

 system would be one which would warn directly of variations in moni- 

 tored parameters which exceed previously determined limits. This 

 would allow a biological survey to assess immediate and/or delayed 

 effects on the biota from natural environmental fluctuations. 



Positioning data collection stations 



Another need is in positioning data collection stations. In order 

 to assure information relative to our research needs, the selection of 

 monitoring sites for data collection must be as carefully selected as 

 sampling sites for current methods of environmental analysis. While 

 it is recognized that intensive monitoring systems cannot be deployed 

 in every estuary or coastal area of the United States, all major geo- 

 graphic and ecological zones should be covered. The development of 

 buoy, barge, or other types of field stations offer a basis for the placing 

 of monitoring systems. 



Long-term synoptic monitoring 



Many short-term (2 to 4 years) baseline ecological studies have 

 been completed. Their results most frequently resemble a disjointed 

 mosaic when synthesis for practical application is attempted. One of 

 the major causes for a lack of unity among such studies is the "atypical 

 year" or the "atypical area" syndrome which in essence is an admission 

 that not enough detailed environmental data were taken before, during, 

 or after such surveys to pinpoint the effort in "ecological time" or 

 "ecological space." Long-term synoptic monitoring will identify and 

 satisfy many of the knowledge gaps that must be filled if there is to be 

 any hope for coordinating and synthesizing results of estuarine re- 

 search in the future. 



Water quality criteria 



Detailed, open ended, continuous monitoring of whatever environ- 

 mental parameters are recognized as requirements for, or potential 

 toxicants to, aquatic life and for which appropriate technological 

 capability exists, is necessary so that natural variation may be intelli- 

 gently incorporated into the establishment of water quality criteria 

 and the most productive use can be made of our coastal resources. 

 Existing computer capability allows for selective data storage and 

 reduction so that long-term trends, such as the saline encroachment 



