EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 



sediments require a longer period to recolonize than harbor silts, but their biological 

 characteristics are very close to the reference areas of NLDS. 



Physical and chemical analysis of sediment cores collected in 1997 and 1998 

 confirmed that the top 50 cm of the mound was chemically consistent with the suitable 

 capping material. There was no evidence of migration or release of contaminants from 

 layers beneath the cap. Only long cores (>2 m) clearly penetrated beneath the cap into either 

 ambient sediments or unsuitable material. These results are consistent with the conclusion 

 that the cap is a stable, thick layer that has effectively isolated the unsuitable sediments from 

 the environment of Long Island Sound. 



