7.0 INTERTIDAL 



by Stephen Dudley and C. Drew Harvell 



Normandeau Associates, Inc. 

 Bedford, N. H. 



INTRODUCTION 



The intertidal zone is the most physically variable habitat in 

 an estuarine environment (Gaspers, 1967). Floral and faunal ecology is 

 regulated by a changing physical/chemical regime and biological pro- 

 cesses such as predation and competition (Connell, 1951; Paine, 1966; 

 Dayton, 1971) . Organisms inhabiting the intertidal flats are an impor- 

 tant component of the estuarine ecosystem since they act as a food 

 source for shore-zone fishes, shorebirds and waterfowl. 



New Haven Harbor is an urbanized estuary containing over 600 

 acres of intertidal habitat, consisting of soft-substrate flats with 

 little algal growth. More than half of this area is located in the 

 inner harbor (Figure 7-1) . Industrial and municipal wastes added to the 

 normally fluctuating physical/chemical regime produce a harsh environ- 

 ment for sessile marine taxa. New Haven Harbor intertidal taxa typify 

 those characterized by Anger (1975) as organic pollution indicators. 

 Organic waste enters New Haven Harbor from four sewage treatment 

 plant (STP) outfalls (Figure 7-1) rendering the inner harbor area 

 unsuitable for public recreational purposes according to state standards 

 (Conn. State D.E.P., 1978). 



The intertidal area is particularly sensitive to buoyant 

 effluents that can impact the habitat through contact or deposition by 

 tidal action. A small oil spill (not related to New Haven Harbor Sta- 

 tion operation) occurred in New Haven Harbor during the study period 

 (October 6, 1974) , but, a special study did not detect any significant 

 impact by the floating oil slick. Impingement of buoyant heated dis- 

 charge water is a possible source of powerplant impact on the intertidal 

 habitat; however, hydrographic data indicate that impingement of the 

 thermal plume on any intertidal area is minimal in New Haven Harbor. 



7-1 



