might help integrate small scale patchiness and thus provide better estimates of density, species diversity 

 and patterns in community composition. Following this report, a more intensive study examined the 

 effects of sample size on the various parameters used to characterize infaunal communities (e.g., species 

 area curves, indices of dispersion, species diversity, abundance, dominance patterns) (Battelle 197R). 

 Results showed that larger cores (25-cm (i.d.) x 10-cm deep) were more effective than smaller cores 

 (10-cm (id.) X 5-cm deep) in collecting less abundant species, although significant differences in density 

 were evident for only three species. Based on this study, a recommendation for increasing the numbers 

 of replicate cores from 10 to 15 was implemented in March 1979. In addition, samples were processed 

 with a 0.7 mm and a 0.5 mm mesh sieve to provide a comparison of the numbers of individuals retained 

 by each sieve. Because of the increased numbers of replicates, several sampling stations were eliminated 

 and use the 10-cm core was adopted to allow sufficient time to process the additional samples. 



In 1981, data collected during the previous two years were analyzed to evaluate the effects of 15 

 vs 10 replicates (NlJSCo 1982). This study revealed that 10 cores were needed to collect 90% of the 

 species found in 15 cores. Species composition was similar using both methods, overall estimated 

 densities were not significantly different, and the estimates of community variance were not substantially 

 lower based on 15 replicates. Based on this study, the replicate number was reduced to 10 cores per 

 station/quarter. As might be anticipated, use of the smaller mesh sieve significantly increased both the 

 numbers of individuals and species collected (NUSCo 1986). 



Current Sampling Practices 



From March 1979 to March 1986, infaunal communities were sampled at four subtidal and three 

 intertidal stations (Fig. 1). The Giants Neck subtidal (GN-S) and intertidal (GN-1) stations are located 

 5.5 km west of the power plant and serve as reference stations. The Intake subtidal station (IN-S) is 

 located 0. 1 km seaward of the Millstone Uriit 2 intake structure and the Fffluent subtidal station (EF-S) 

 is approximately 0.1 km offshore and adjacent to the cooling water discharge into Long Island Sound. 

 The FF-S station is located as close to the effluent as possible given the current produced by the 

 discharge. Jordan Cove subtidal (JC-S) and intertidal (JC-I) stations are located 0.5 km east of the 

 power plant and based on thermal plume mapping studies (and modeling of Unit ?>) (NUSCo 1983) are 

 located in areas potentially influenced by the plant discharge during two and three-unit operation. The 



