3.0. Results and Discussion 
Presentation of results for individual indicators utilizes cumulative distribution 
functions (CDFs) representing the percentage area of the sample frame associated with 
given values of the indicator. In the case of some parameters, estimates of the 
percentage of shelf area above or below published benchmark values of the indicator 
are also presented. For example, estimates are made of the percentage of area having 
sediment contaminants in excess of corresponding Effects Range Median (ERM) or 
Effects Range Low (ERL) sediment quality guideline values of Long et al. (1995) where 
such values are available (see Section 3.2.2). In other cases where there are no 
relevant benchmarks available from the literature, common statistical percentiles (e.g., 
50 th , 90 th , upper and lower quartiles) are used to assist in the interpretation of spatial 
patterns. 
3.1 Sampling Locations 
A total of 146 stations from Cape Flattery, WA, to Pt. Conception, CA were 
successfully sampled as part of Cruise AR-03-01-NC (Figures 3.1.1- 3.1.5, Appendix 
Table 1). Data from one additional station off Santa Catalina Island that was a part of 
the NCA continental shelf assessment design were also provided by SCCWRP. An 
additional three stations within the NCA that were within the Channel Islands could not 
be sampled because of rocky bottom and were abandoned. Data from fifty stations 
were obtained within Washington waters. Data from fifty stations were also obtained 
within Oregon waters, although a sample for sediment infauna was not obtained at 
Station OR03-0010. Data from forty-seven stations were obtained in California waters 
(46 north of Pt. Conception and one off Santa Catalina Island). Although there was 
some evidence of washing of the sediments from the infaunal sample at Station CA03- 
0140, the data were included in the analyses. Of those 147 stations, 57 occurred within 
National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) boundaries, including 30 in the Olympic Coast NMS, 
12 in the Gulf of Farallones NMS, 14 in Monterey Bay NMS, and one in Cordell Bank 
NMS. 
A total of 110 additional stations were successfully sampled for some or all of the 
NCA parameters within the target depth range by participants in the Bight ’03 survey. 
These stations were located within the Channel Islands NMS (27 stations) and 
throughout the SCB (83 stations, Figures 3.1.5). The 83 stations were distributed in five 
multi-density categories that were part of the Bight ’03 survey design, with sample 
numbers per category ranging from 6 to 29 (Appendix Table 1). Rocky bottom was 
prevalent in the Channel Islands NMS and many stations in the original sampling design 
could not be sampled. 
Fish from a total of 91 stations within Washington, Oregon, and California waters 
(Fig. 3.1.6- 3.1.9) were collected for EPA for fish tissue contaminants as part of 
NOAA’s FRAM Groundfish survey. Due to resource limitations, samples from 63 
stations were actually analyzed, while three of these stations were excluded when they 
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