The present study addressed the above criteria as follows to ensure, 

 the collection of an adequate, quantitative data base: 



(a) A diver-operated core was utilized to ensure consistent pene- 

 tration and the collection of samples satisfying the criteria defined by 

 Menzies and Rowe (1968) . The core is generally considered a better device 

 than conventional grabs (Word, Kauwling, and Mearns, 1976; Swartz, 1978). 



(b) A 0.701-millimeter mesh sieve was utilized to wash the samples. 

 This sieve size was considered by Saloman (personal communication, 



1979) to be adequate for collecting a majority of the macrofauna within 

 the study area. Other studies have shown that a 0.5-millimeter mesh sieve 

 is often necessary for quantitative benthic collections (Reish, 1959; 

 Mahadevan and Patton, 1979) . A quantitative comparison of the two sieve 

 sizes for the study area would be necessary to compare the results with 

 other studies that used the smaller mesh size. 



(c) Fixing and preserving methods were consistent and followed 

 acceptable procedures in the literature. 



(d) A total of 49 stations were sampled during the present study, 

 47 of which were sampled for the 1974-75 prenourishment study. These 

 stations encompass the nearshore zone, from the swash area to just beyond 

 the second sandbar. In view of the low variability in numbers and species 

 of animals at corresponding stations for the 9 transects, the 47 

 stations are believed to adequately sample the nearshore zone. However, 

 the study did not totally address the area most likely to receive fine 

 sediments resuspended by dredging activities, i.e., the area beyond the 

 second sandbar at depths of 9 to 10 meters. Stations CA and CB were the 

 only control areas at these depths. Optimal sampling strategy would have 

 required control stations placed in close proximity to the borrow sites. 

 Unfortunately, the borrow sites were not selected prior to Saloman 's 

 (1976) study. 



(e) Four replicates were analyzed from each station. Species 

 saturation curves (Gleason, 1922; Holme, 1953) were constructed for 5 

 stations for 12 replicates by Saloman (1976) . Based on those curves it 

 was determined that four cores adquately sampled the fauna of the study 

 area. Species area curves were constructed for the present study for 

 transect 5, stations 1-5, stations CA and CB, and borrow sites Bl and B2. 

 These curves are presented in Figures Dl to D5. Each curve i.s the average 

 of two randomly chosen combinations of replicate order. Only one-third 

 (6) of the plots indicate adequate replication (criterion: increase be- 

 tween replicates 3 and 4 less than or equal to 10 percent) . An additional 

 replicate sample at each station would probably have resolved this problem. 

 The four replicates analyzed give a total surface sampling area of 0.064 

 square meters. For most benthic studies, 0.1 square meter is considered a 

 sufficient sample size (Holme and Mclntyre, 1971). However, based on 

 Saloman 's (1976) species saturation curves and those generated for this 

 study, these data have been determined to be adequate for comparative 

 purposes. 



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