reference areas, SOUTH and SW-REF, are currently used at WLIS because historic dredged 

 material has been detected at previously utilized areas. Therefore, the third objective of the 

 September survey was to identify a new potential reference area near WLIS. Selection of 

 the reference area is based on water depth, proximity to the disposal site, grain size, and 

 sediment chemistry (EPA, USAGE 1991). Because previous investigations of regions 

 surrounding WLIS have provided clear evidence of historic dredged material, potential 

 reference areas within close proximity to WLIS are limited. To locate an area free of 

 historic dredged material mounds, we utilized a high-resolution side-scan sonar survey that 

 provided real-time data. We were not able to complete the survey in September because 

 excessive lobster gear in the region interfered with the equipment and potentially could have 

 damaged the survey instrument. The side-scan survey was postponed to late winter/early 

 spring, when fishing gear was expected to be less intense in the area. 



Although lobster pots and trawl lines continued to pose obstacles in March, the side- 

 scan sonar survey was conducted near the disposal site. The survey was plaimed to be 

 conducted over a 2000 x 4000 m area east-southeast of the WLIS disposal site. The 

 presence of abundant lobster gear and dredged material on the seafloor prompted on-site 

 revisions to the survey plans. 



A potential reference area, SE-REF, was identified at 40°58.301 'N, 73°27.722'W 

 (NAD 27) and was recommended for further analysis as a reference area. We conducted a 

 REMOTS® sediment-profile photography survey and collected ten grab samples from SE- 

 REF, within a 300 m radius of the central reference point. The sediment-profile 

 photographs showed ambient sediments with a thin oxidized layer over dark, sulfidic mud 

 composed primarily of silts. No anomalous chemical values were detected in geochemical 

 analyses of the grab samples. The survey data in this report suggested that SE-REF is a 

 strong candidate for the third reference area at WLIS required by DAMOS protocols. 



Monitoring Cruise at the WLIS Disposal Site, September 1997 and March 1998 



