- 



10 - 

 ^ 20 - 



01 



^ 30- 

 ^ 40 - 

 §50- 

 ^50- 

 70 - 

 80 - 



\ \ W W <^ <^ ^^ '^^ <^^ <^^ -^o '^n '^c t^^ "^o^ t' % % % % % % 

 \ \ >> *= */ *o '*y \ \ \ \ \ \ \ */ *o \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 



Figure 13. Dendrogram resulting from classification of annual infaunal collections at Millstone subtidal stations from 

 September 1979 - June 1985. 



SUBTIDAL DISCUSSION 



I'he subtidal benthic monitoring program characterized infaunal communities inhabiting three areas 

 potentially impacted by power plant operations (IN, F.F and JC) and an unimpacted reference area 

 (GN). J'emporal and spatial changes in species abundance and overall community composition were 

 evident at IN and F,F and appear related to power plant to construction and related dredging. Differences 

 also occurred at GN and JC, but given the limited area influenced by two-unit operations, changes are 

 probably reflecting natural events. The following section is intended to summarize the spatial and 

 temporal changes observed over the monitoring period and assess whether these changes were related to 

 power plant operation. 



During the baseline period, infaunal community abundance and species composition at IN reflected 

 the unique nature of this station and exhibited impacts associated with construction and dredging activities 

 which have occurred in the area. Prior to construction, a variety of amphipods were present at this 

 tidally scoured station and infaunal communities were more typical of those found in offshore areas 



41 



