gray sandy clay with shell fragments having approximately 62-88% 

 fines. The specific gravity of all the samples ranged from 2.60 

 to 2.68. The sediments at mound "A" showed slight decreases in 

 concentration of Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni when compared to 

 concentrations in the sediment collected there in August. 

 However, the sediment at mounds "B" and "C" showed no consistent 

 trends as to changes in metal concentration. Due to the large 

 variance in these data, many more sediment samples would be 

 required to detect significant changes in sediment metal 

 concentrations . 



5.0 IN-SITU OBSERVATIONS 



31. Direct underwater observations were made at Mounds "A" 

 and "B" at WLIS by the SAIC team of diver/scientists during the 

 August 1985 field investigation. Observations were made of the 

 sediment surface conditions, presence and abundance of 

 macrofauna, and f aunal-substrate interactions. Photo- 

 documentation was accomplished with a hand-held 35 mm camera, 28 

 mm lens with supplementary diopter (144 mm x 216 mm area of 

 coverage) , and electronic flash. Diver-operated epibenthic net 

 samples (0.50 m side x 0.20 m height net; 1 mm mesh; 15 m tow) 

 were taken at discrete points for enumeration of abundant smaller 

 species associated with the substrate surface. 



32. Recolonization by megafauna of both sites at WLIS seems 

 to be proceeding in a manner similar to other Long Island Sound 

 disposal sites. Although the estimate of the rate of 

 recolonization is qualitative based on visual observations, it 

 seems that the condition of the benthic community has not 

 significantly affected the larger species. Motile megafauna, 

 typical of the deep western Long Island Sound assemblage, are 

 present and abundant on the site. Lobster, Homarus americanus . 

 are present at both mounds "A" and "B". Juvenile rock crabs. 

 Cancer irroratus . utilized available space under bivalve shell 

 debris to excavate shelters. Due to the numerical dominance of 

 decapod crustaceans in the area and their typical interactive 

 behaviors with the substrate surface, they appear to be the major 

 bioturbators associated with these sites. 



33. Pelagic species present at the site (squid, Loligo 

 pealei and butter fish, Peprilus triacanthus ) are known predators 

 of a variety of benthic crustaceans. These species provide 

 trophic linkages from demersal to pelagic communities. 



34. Figures 5-1 to 5-10 depict conditions and f aunal- 

 substrate interactions typical of the WLIS site. The shell 

 debris material deposited at the site provides cover for the 

 juvenile forms of a variety of species. By increasing substratum 

 complexity, disposal activities appear to be providing refugia 

 for juvenile epibenthic megafauna, thereby increasing the 

 resource value of the site for these particular taxa. 



