EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (continued) 



characteristics of healthy, well-estabUshed benthic communities in ambient sediments for 

 comparison to the NHAV 93 and MQR mounds. 



Sediment samples were obtained for chemical analysis at the NHAV 93 and MQR 

 mounds, as well as the three CLIS reference areas. The sediments were tested for grain 

 size distribution, total organic carbon (TOC), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 

 and heavy metals. The results of the chemical analyses indicate that the sediments obtained 

 from the surface of both disposal mounds were, in general, similar to the samples collected 

 within the CLIS reference areas. In all cases, the sediment metals concentrations were 

 categorized as "low" to "moderate" in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the New 

 England River Basins Commission (NERBC). The PAH concentrations of the NHAV 93 

 and MQR mound sediments were found to be lower than the average values for several 

 National Stams and Trends (NS&T) stations within the central Long Island Sound region. 

 The results of this sampling and chemical analysis verify the placement of suitable capping 

 materials over both mounds. 



