32. 



from the center of the capped mound (Figure 2-6; Table 2-6 A). The 1997 field effort 

 reported the survey center as 41° 16.244' N 72° 04.864' W in NAD 83. The 15-station, 

 radial pattern was re-occupied in September 1997 to allow comparisons between the data 

 sets (Table 2-6). 



2.2.4 Northern Region 



Due to the northerly shift in the surveyed NLDS boundaries in 1996, baseline 

 characterization of the sediments within the region north of the NL-Relic mound was 

 required. In September 1997, REMOTS® data were collected over the Northern Region to 

 evaluate the benthic habitat conditions within the sediments before they received any 

 further direct deposition of dredged material (this region received material prior to 

 DAMOS monitoring). In order to cover the 0.685 km 2 area of seafloor efficiently, a total 

 of 11 stations were occupied along two parallel, east- west trending lines. Five stations, 

 spaced 410 m apart, were established along the northern line (latitude 41° 16.779' N; 

 NAD 83) while the southern line (latitude 41° 16.633' N; NAD 83) was composed of six 

 stations, spaced at 350 m intervals (Figure 2-7; Table 2-7). 



2.2.5 NLDS Reference Areas 



Data from three reference areas (NLON REF, NE REF, and WEST REF) are used 

 for comparison of ambient eastern Long Island Sound sediments relative to the material 

 deposited at NLDS through disposal operations. These three established reference areas 

 are often sampled as part of sediment chemistry and benthic habitat surveys at NLDS. 

 From 1992 through 1998, the NLDS reference areas were sampled as part of the sediment- 

 profile photography surveys of the various project mounds within the disposal site. 



In 1992, three 13-station REMOTS® grids were occupied at the NLDS reference 

 areas: W-REF, NE-REF, and NLON-REF (Figure 2-8; Table 2-8). The REMOTS® 

 sampling grids over the NLDS reference areas formed a cross-shaped pattern with a center 

 station and three additional stations along each of four arms spaced at 100 m intervals. 

 The surveys over NLON REF, NE REF, and WEST REF were centered at 41° 16.660' N, 

 72°02.000' W, 41°16.680' N, 72°03.400' W, and 41°16.200' N, 72°06.000' W (NAD 

 27) respectively. 



In 1995 and subsequent surveys, the sampling rationale at the NLDS reference areas 

 changed somewhat, as a random sampling pattern was introduced (Figure 2-8). Four to six 

 stations were randomly selected within a 300 meter radius of the center of each reference 

 area. A total of fifteen REMOTS® stations (STA) were sampled at NLON REF, NE REF, 

 and WEST REF in 1995. NLON REF was sampled at four randomly selected stations. 



Monitoring Cruise at the New London Disposal Site, 1992 - 1998 



