49_ 



polychaete worm tubes, indicative of the early stages of benthic recolonization (Figure 3- 

 25 A). Sediments supporting Stage I individuals usually require two weeks or more in a 

 zero to low disturbance regime to establish an infaunal population. In addition, Stage III 

 foraging activity appears to have incorporated a portion of the new material into the 

 subsurface sediments. Thus, the observed mud clasts appear related to other forms of 

 physical disturbance. 



Overall, the newest WLIS reference area, SW-REF, appeared to be relatively 

 undisturbed and supporting a stable benthic infaunal population. The REMOTS® 

 photographs detected Stage I organisms in all fourteen replicates with evidence of Stage III 

 activity represented in eight photographs. Median OSI values for SW-REF ranged from 

 4.0 at ST A 13 (moderate RPD/Stage I population only) to 11.0 at ST A 9 (deep RPD/Stage 

 I on III population; Figure 3-25B). 



Monitoring Cruise at the Western Long Island Sound Disposal Site, July 1996 



