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sludge dump site. The communicy is atypical , with few macro- 

 benthic species present and an otherwise rare polychaete, 

 Caoitella caoitata , in abundance. Several important species are 

 absent, particularly amphipods which are among the most 

 important prey species known for dimcrsal fishes in the Bight 

 region. This community alteration may resiilt from organic 

 enrichment contributed by sewage sludge dumping, although other 

 factors also may contribute. Dr. Swanson pointed in particular to 

 one such factor: the reduction in cropping by predators excluded 

 from the area by factors such as h3n50xia or toxicants. (Ex. A, 

 pp. 8-10). As was noted previously, the dumping of sewage 

 sludge contributes to the presence of these factors which might 

 exclude predators . 



6. Dr. Swanson also mentioned several other impacts 

 that may be attriburable to a polluted environment to which 

 sludge dtmping contributes. These include the possible impairment 

 of the capacity of the Bight Apex to sustain living resources 

 harvested by man; the development of bacterial strains resistent 



to antibiotics and heavy metals; the development of fish and shell- 

 fish diseases including fin rot, shell disease, black gill 

 and ulcers ; and the development of organismic and sublethal 

 effects such as disruption of respiratory and glycolytic 

 patterns , impairment of physiological control mechanisms , 

 lowered resistance to disease, decreased survival of offspring, 

 reduction or inhibition of reproductive functions and early 

 deaths of individuals organisms. (Ex A, pp. 10, 12, 1^-17). 



7. With regard to the goal of environmental rehabil- 

 itation of the Bight Apex, Dr. Swanson noted that continued 

 sludge dumping "will almost certainly retard . . . future 

 recovery." (Ex. A, p. 17)'. He noted further, however, that 



