MATERIALS AND METHODS 



Since the beginning of infaunal monitoring, numerous modifications in sampling procedures and 

 laboratory techniques have been implemented to improve the quality of the data (Table 1). A chrono- 

 logical description of program changes are provided below; however, details of these changes, including 

 justification for, and the overall effect on the data, are provided as appendices to this report. 



Chronology of Previous Sampling Protocols 



Sampling of infaunal organisms began in 1969, with studies of intertidal habitats. These studies 

 provided comparisons between population sizes of the gem clam. Gemma gemma, at a potentially 

 impacted station (Jordan Cove) and a reference station (Giants Neck). This program also provided 

 meiofaunal biomass estimates; however, organisms were not identified. Sampling methods used during 

 these studies (May 1969 through March 1973) were developed to obtain abundance estimates of primarily 

 one species, thus corrmiunity parameters that are currently used to assess environmental impacts can not 

 be calculated. These data have been summarized elsewhere (Hillman et al. 1973) and will not be 

 considered further in this report. 



In March 1973, the scope of the benthic infaunal program was expanded and reflected adoption 

 of a "community" approach to assess environmental impacts rather than an "indicator species" approach. 

 In addition, sampling of subtidal habitats began and an additional intertidal station was established. 



Since 1973, the "community" approach to evaluating power plant impacts has continued, although 

 modifications in sample size, numbers of replicates, collection locations and schedules, preservation 

 methods, and mesh size used to process samples have influenced the data. For instance, the practice 

 of freezing samples, (from 1973 to June 1976), resulted in the loss of up to 75% of the organisms 

 (NUSCo 1982). These data can not be quantitatively compared to subsequent data and will not be 

 used in any future study of potential impacts of the Millstone facility. 



Infaunal data collected in June and September 1976 were analyzed to assess the adequacy of ten 

 replicate cores in sampling infaunal communities at each station (Battelle 1977). Results identified the 

 patchy distributions of infaunal organisms and concluded with a recommendation that increased replication 



