REPORT DOCUMENTATION 

 PAGE 



l.REPOfiTNO. 



OCS study MMS 89-001 6 



3. Recipient's Accassjon No. 



4. Title and Subtttle 

 Proceedings ol ihe North Atlantic Submarine Canyons Workshop: February 7-9, 1989 



S. Report Date 



Dale Published; June 1989 



7. Aulhor(s) 



D. Aurand. R. Ayers. P. Boehm. M. Bothner, B. Butman, R. Cooper, F, Grassle, J. Hain, B. Hecker, 

 P. Hughes, J. Kraeuter, J. Lane, N. Maaoiek, R Miller, J, Nett, J. Flay, J. Teal, P. Valentine, B. Vlld 



8. Performing Organization RepL No. 



9. Performing Organization Name and Addreaa 



WaJcolt i Assoaates, Inc. 

 635 Slaters Lane, Suite 102 

 Alexandna, Virginia 2231 4 



10. Project/Taak/Work Unit No. 

 Tasks 



1 1 . Contract (C) or Grant (G) No. 



(0)14-12-0001-30430 

 (G) 



12. Sponaoring Organization Name and Addreaa 



U.S. Depanmenl ol the interior 



Minerals Management Sen/ice. Allantic OCS Region 



381 Elden Street. Suite 1 109 



Hemdon, Virginia 22070 



1XTypeofReport& Period Covered 



Final Report 



14. 



15. Supplementary Note* 



16. Abstract (Llmh: 200 words) 



A three-day workshop on North Atlantic submarine canyons was held in February 1989. About 20 participants reviewed available Intormalion and made 

 recommendalions. 



There are nine major submarine canyons along the southern flank ol Georges Bank and several smaller ones. The canyons are unk^ue habitats. Physical 

 and biological features are complex and heterogeneous-within canyons and between canyons. Of the total, two canyons-Lydonia and Oceanograplier- 

 have been studied in detail. Lydonia is smaller, primarily low-energy, with deposition ot fine-{|rained sediments. Oceanographer is larger, reiaivaly high- 

 energy, with arosional scouring and little deposition. 



The canyon heads, paniculariy those with boulder fields and "pueblo villages." are habitats and nursery grounds tor commercial species that Include tileflsh 

 and lobsters. Attached fitter-feeding faunas are common in some areas. 



Metals and other contaminants from exploratory drilling are unlikely to cause environmental impacts beyond the vicinity ot the wellsile. Many oontaminarts 

 are in lorms biologically unavailable to manne organisms. 



An oil spill would primarily cause surface-layer impacts-aHecting fish eggs and larvae. Water-column impacts are unlikely. Transport ol oil to the bottom 

 may occur, pnmarily in shallow water. Mechanisms are unknown, but may include adsorption onto sinking fine sediments and particles ("scavenging"), in- 

 cluding krill fecal pellets. Chemical effects on settling larvae may be more imporiant than physical effects on the benthos. 



Recommendalions and findings Include: 1 ) no rigs within 500 m ot canyon boundary; 2) worsl-case calculations indicate contaminants from drill site unlike- 

 ly to cause impacts; 3) pnxjuced water must meet discharge standards, with monitoring; and 4) there Is insufficient information on possible impacts from 

 gas blowouts. 



Research needs Included studies on sedimentary processes, canyon fisheries, additional canyon types, and studies linked to future drilling. 



Ravewers' comments, abstracts, an agenda, and an attendee list are appended. 



1 7. Document Analysis a Descriptors 



Nonh Atlantic, submarine canyon, sedimentary processes, fishery, contaminants, drilling muds, continental shelf and slope, benthic fauna 



b. Identif lers/Open-Ended Terms 



c. COSATI Field/Group 



18. Availability Statement 



Unlimited 



(See ANSI — Z39. IB) 



1 9. Security Claaa (Thia report) 

 Unclassified 



20. Security Class (Thia page) 

 Unclassified 



See Instructions on Reverse 



2l.No. of Page* 

 593 



22.Pnce 



OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77) 

 (Formeriy NT1S-3S) 

 Department of Commerce 



