A variety of animals was found in these sediment samples. Annelid worms were the 

 most abundant marine organisms collected in the vicinity of Test Site I. Other mud 

 dwellers collected were nemertean (round worms), holothurian (sea cucumbers), 

 amphipods, molluscans, and Foraminifera tests. The Foraminifera tests found in the 

 sediment samples have been classified and are reported in Reference 2, 



Test Materials 



For evaluating deep-sea biological effects on nonmetallic specimens, two 

 bio-racks were attached to the STU. Each rack held several 3-foot-long plastic 

 rods and tubes and a 12x30x l/8-inch laminated phenolic plastic sheet (Figure 6), 

 Numerous smaller test specimens were attached to the plastic sheet; one sheet was 

 secured to the upper section of a bio-rack, and an identical sheet was secured to 

 the bottom section. In order to expose the test materials to biodeterioration in mud 

 as well as in water, the two racks were attached to the STU so that the lower portions 

 would be either exposed near or buried in the bottom sediment and the upper portions 

 would be exposed to seawater 3 to 4 feet above the mud line. 



The bio-rack test specimens are listed in the Appendix. The 2x6x 1/2-inch 

 wooden panels were cut from sound lumber, and the surfaces were cleaned with 

 alcohol and then covered with plastic to avoid contamination. The plastic covers 

 were removed just before the test specimens were submerged. The wooden panels 

 were employed to collect specimens of any deep-sea fungi and marine borers which 

 may have been present on the ocean floor. 



The sections of the 3-foot-long plastic rods, tubes, and pipe, and the rubber 

 tubes were treated in different ways. One section of each specimen was roughened, 

 a second section was wrapped in burlap, a third section was taped with plastic and 

 rubber electrical tape, and a fourth section was left smooth. The various wrappings 

 provided a favorable foothold for the attachment and growth of deep-sea fouling 

 and boring organisms. A large piece of untreated fir wood was fitted around both 

 ends of each specimen to act as bait to attract and lead borers into direct contact 

 with the specimen materials. 



Four different kinds of rope, such as synthetic plastic fiber rope (nylon and 

 polypropylene) and natural fiber rope (cotton and Manila), were placed on the 

 bio-racks. Electrical cables covered with rubber or plastic insulation of various 

 thicknesses were also placed on the racks. A small piece of pine wood was fitted 

 around each cable specimen to act as bait for marine borers. Another group of 

 electrical conductors placed on the bio-racks consisted of 0.015-inch-thick insu- 

 lation over a No. 16 tin-coated copper wire. The materials used in the formulation 

 of the insulation are presented in Table 8. The wire specimens were 15 inches long; 

 some were stressed (coiled) and some were nonstressed (straight). Stress was applied 

 by coiling a 15-inch specimen lightly around a l/4-inch-diameter glass rod and 

 then removing the rod. Both ends of each specimen were sealed with two coats of 



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