1983, sediments at JC and EF were similar to previous years while those 

 at GN and IN exhibited notable differences in grain size (GN) or silt/clay 

 (IN), Since the GN station is located well beyond any potential power 

 plant influence, the changes in sediment size observed during 1983 were 

 assumed to be natural. At IN, the observed increase in silt/clay 

 content was attributed to the erosion of soils used during construction 

 of the Unit 3 Intake structure. 



Intertidal and subtidal communities were dominated by annelids 

 (i.e., polychaetes and oligochaetes) both in terms of species and 

 numbers of individuals. Community parameters (density and numbers of 

 species) at intertidal and subtidal stations were well within the range 

 of values observed over the last several years. In addition, the 

 seasonal values of these parameters exhibited patterns that were consistent 

 with those observed in the past. Infaunal species composition during 

 1983 was also consistent with previous years. The most notable changes 

 in dominance occurred at subtidal stations, where both Polydora 

 caulleryi and Exogone hebes were present in much higher abundance than 

 in previous years. The increased abundances of P^. caulleryi at subtidal 

 stations was considered natural, since these increases occurred at 

 stations both within and beyond the potential influences of the 

 Millstone Point Station. While densities of Exogone hebes were higher 

 at all stations during 1983, the unusually high density observed at IN 

 may have been due to increased silt/clay caused by construction activity 

 and erosion of soils at the Unit 3 Intake. 



During 1983, spatial differences observed among infaunal 

 communities at our sampling sites and the temporal variations in 

 abundance and numbers of species were typical of those observed 

 previously. Natural, physical processes were apparently most 

 responsible for the different spatial distribution of species and 

 temporal variations exhibited by the communities located within and 

 beyond the potential influence of the Millstone Station. Although some 

 changes in community parameters were observed in 1983 relative to 

 previous years, (some of apparent natural origin and some attributed to 

 Unit 3 construction activities) there were no short-term or long-term 

 changes in density or numbers of species nor any shifts in community 



