4. Later detailed analysis of sediment samples to determine 

 hydrocarbon levels in the sediment and to determine if 

 high concentrations of hydrocarbons found by shipboard 

 screening are specifically from the Argo Merchant. 



B. To conduct a preliminary survey of the benthic community in the 

 oil spill area. The data will be used in conjunction with possible 

 long-term effect studies . This objective will be implemented by: 



1. Collection and preservation of benthic organisms for use in 

 later long-term studies; more extensive sampling in areas 

 where the sediment has been shown by shipboard screening to 

 contain significant concentrations of hydrocarbons. 



2. Collection of benthic organisms for later hydrocarbon analyses. 



3. Collection of benthic organisms for histopathologic study. 



4. Collection of oil-contaminated sediments and clean sediments 

 to be used in laboratory bioassay experiments, evaluating 

 possible impact of oil on winter flounder hatchability and 

 larval survival. 



C. To determine to what extent oil has become entrained in the water 

 column which may be moving with subsurface currents . This objec- 

 tive will be implemented by: 



1. Collection of seawater samples at a variety of locations in 

 the wreck vicinity at depths of 1 m, 6 m, and at the bottom 

 to be analyzed at URI for hydrocarbon content. 



2. Collection of seawater samples to determine the oil droplet 

 size distribution. 



D. To determine sea bird density and distribution in the oil spill 

 area, with possible future application to long-term studies . 

 This objective will be facilitated by: 



1. Observations of sea bird density and distribution at each 

 station during daylight hours. 



2. Observation of numbers and species of oiled birds and any 

 abnormal behavior patterns of these birds. 



3. Collection of dead birds for later autopsy. 

 Ancillary Objectives 



A. To determine how weathering changes the organic and inorganic 

 chemistry of Argo Merahant oil. 



V-30 



