northeast corner of the sample grid. Compared to the overall 
region surveyed in July, the RPD values measured at these stations 
in the southwest survey area were relatively high, with a major 
mode at 3 cm (Figure 3-21) as compared with a major mode of 2 cm 
in July (Figure 3-13). 
The shallow REMOTS® prism penetration also precluded the 
accurate assessment of infaunal successional stage across most of 
the southwest survey area. Where sufficient penetration was 
obtained (in the northeast quadrant), Stage III infauna were 
widespread (Figure 3-23). To the southwest, the region appeared 
to be dominated by epifauna, mainly Mytilus edulis. This mussel 
bed was apparently the source of much of the shell detritus 
associated with the sandy sediments in the area. 
Organism-Sediment Index values could only be calculated 
at those stations where RPD depth and infaunal successional stage 
could be determined. Again, these stations were restricted to the 
northeast corner of the sample grid (Figure 3-24). The indices 
ranged widely in value (Figure 3-21), indicative of a patchy 
benthic environment. 
Overall, the region southwest of the disposal site 
surveyed in August was not suitable as a containment disposal 
point. This area had generally high kinetic energy with net bottom 
transport apparently occurring downslope (northeast to southwest) . 
Due to these findings, an alternative disposal point was selected 
and surveyed in November 1985. 
November 1985 Survey 
An area located in the central and eastern portion of the 
New London Disposal Site (Figure 2-1) was surveyed in November 1985 
to locate a new disposal location. The entire area consisted of 
a thin sand layer (less than 1 to 3 cm) overlying a silty mud (>4 
phi, Figure 3-25). This sediment distribution corresponded to the 
results of the July survey from this region. The surface material 
ranged from very fine to medium sands. In general, the coarsest 
material occurred in the western half of this survey grid and may 
have represented disposed materials. Surface shell lag deposits 
were also evident throughout the area. The relatively large 
boundary roughness values were related to the presence of large 
disarticulated mollusc shells on the surface, tubicolous amphipod 
mounds, and mud clasts. 
The mapped distribution of the apparent RPD depths 
(Figure 3-26) suggests that an apparently hypoxic layer existed 
along the southernmost transect. This may be related to the 
region's bathymetry; this southern portion represents the deepest 
region surveyed (Figure 3-3). It is noteworthy that this apparent 
low oxygen bottom water condition was observed in November. In 
Cal 
