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low in organic content. Therefore, the addition of organic matter 
to sediments will increase the productivity and diversity of the 
benthic organisms. The enhancement of the benthic community as a 
result of the application of wastewater solids in the shelf area 
has been studied extensively.22524;5,6,7 In all instances, zones 
existed around the sites studied where biological productivity 
was beneficially enhanced. This zone of enhancement was present 
even around those areas where large quantities of wastewater solids 
have been deposited over long periods of time. Unfortunately, no 
studies have been designed to determine management strategies to 
optimize this enhancement. 
The increased productivity and diversity of the benthic 
community provides food for higher levels of the marine food 
chain. Many marine animals feed on benthic organisms which in 
turn provide food for larger predatory fish. Increased 
quantities and diversity of species have been observed in the 
zone of enhanced benthic communities around wastewater solids 
application areas.®»9,10,11,12,13 Therefore, the potential exists 
for enhancement of offshore fishing via recycling of wastewater- 
borne nutrients in the ocean. An additional benefit to be 
derived would be the potential for reduced harvesting costs because 
of the tendency of fish to concentrate in areas of high food avail- 
ability. This potential would need to be studied in order to 
quantify benefits. 
Bioaccumulation has been cited as a negative factor in the 
recycling of wastewater solids in the ocean. This concern, 
