10 



resulted in the formation of a broad, flat sediment mound encompassing material deposited at 

 both the US NAVY and NDA 95 buoys. Second, a Stage I to II benthic infaunal community 

 was expected over the majority of the Seawolf Mound, with some progression into Stage m on 

 the mound periphery. Third, contaminant levels in the top 50 cm of the mound were predicted 

 to be consistent with CDM material. 



1.3.2 July 1998 Monitoring Survey 



Field operations at the NLDS in July 1998 consisted of a 1000 x 1000 m bathymetric 

 survey, REMOTS® sediment-profile photography, and sediment coring over the Seawolf 

 Mound. These surveys repeated those conducted in 1997. 



The objectives of the 1998 monitoring surveys were to: 



• Document and delineate any changes in bottom topography over the Seawolf 

 Mound since September 1997; 



• Collect cores along cross-sections of the Seawolf Mound to continue 

 characterizing the physical and chemical composition of the sediments and verify 

 the presence of at least 50 cm of cap material; and 



• Assess the benthic recolonization status of the Seawolf Mound relative to the 

 three reference areas surrounding the NLDS and to the 1997 survey. 



Analyses of data collected during the July 1998 field effort at the NLDS were used to 

 test several hypotheses consistent with the DAMOS Tiered Monitoring Protocols (Germano 

 et al. 1994). First, it was hypothesized that consolidation over the Seawolf Mound would 

 decrease relative to that observed during the first year and a half after the postcap survey. 

 Second, geochemical analysis was predicted to show an absence of UDM in the top 50 cm of 

 the mound based on contaminant levels consistent with CDM material. Third, healthy 

 benthic assemblages with Stage HJ individuals were expected over the Seawolf Mound. 



Monitoring Cruise at the New London Disposal Site, Seawolf Mound 1995 - 1998 



