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| 479166666666667in"} | > **Aquatic Finfish/Epibenthic Invertebrate    |
|                     | > Sampling Data Report**                       |
| **Maine Office:**   | >                                              |
|                     | > **AES Sparrows Point LNG Terminal**          |
| **451 Presumpscot   | >                                              |
| Street**            | > **Prepared for:**                            |
|                     | >                                              |
| **Portland, Maine   | > **AES Sparrows Point LNG, LLC**              |
| 04103**             | >                                              |
|                     | > **Baltimore, Maryland**                      |
| **New York          | >                                              |
| Office:**           | > **Prepared by:**                             |
|                     | >                                              |
| **10 Lafayette      | > **Northern Ecological Associates, Inc.**     |
| Square**            | >                                              |
|                     | > **Portland, Maine**                          |
| **Suite 1601**      |                                                |
|                     | ###### JANUARY 2007                            |
| **Buffalo, New York |                                                |
| 14203**             |                                                |
|                     |                                                |
| []{.mark}           |                                                |
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| []{.mark}           |                                                |
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| []{.mark}           |                                                |
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| **Pennsylvania      |                                                |
| Office:**           |                                                |
|                     |                                                |
| **134 Broad         |                                                |
| Street**            |                                                |
|                     |                                                |
| Strouds             |                                                |
| burg[,]{.smallcaps} |                                                |
| Pennsylvania 18360  |                                                |
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**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

Section Page

[1.0 Introduction 1](#introduction)

[2.0 Objectives 2](#objectives)

[3.0 Methodology 2](#methodology)

[[3.1]{.smallcaps} [Sampling Tasks]{.smallcaps} 2](#sampling-tasks)

[3.1.1 Demersal Trawl Fish Sampling 2](#demersal-trawl-fish-sampling)

[3.1.2 Plankton Sampling 3](#plankton-sampling)

[3.1.3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling
3](#benthic-macroinvertebrate-sampling)

[3.1.4 Epibenthic Pile Sampling 4](#epibenthic-pile-sampling)

[3.1.5 Sediment Analyses 4](#sediment-analyses)

[3.1.6 Water Quality Measurement 4](#water-quality-measurement)

[3.1.7 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Survey
5](#submerged-aquatic-vegetation-survey)

[4.0 Results 5](#results)

[[4.1]{.smallcaps} [Finfish Sampling]{.smallcaps} 5](#finfish-sampling)

[[4.2]{.smallcaps} [Plankton Sampling]{.smallcaps}
9](#plankton-sampling-1)

[[4.3]{.smallcaps} [Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling]{.smallcaps}
12](#benthic-macroinvertebrate-sampling-1)

[[4.4]{.smallcaps} [Epibenthic Pile Sampling]{.smallcaps}
15](#epibenthic-pile-sampling-1)

[[4.5]{.smallcaps} [Grain Size Sampling]{.smallcaps}
17](#grain-size-sampling)

[[4.6]{.smallcaps} [Water Quality Sampling]{.smallcaps}
19](#water-quality-sampling)

[4.6.1 Fish Trawl Water Quality 19](#fish-trawl-water-quality)

[4.6.2 Benthic Grab Water Quality 22](#benthic-grab-water-quality)

[4.6.3 Plankton Tow Water Quality 23](#plankton-tow-water-quality)

[[4.7]{.smallcaps} [Submerged Aquatic Vegetation]{.smallcaps}
25](#submerged-aquatic-vegetation)

[5.0 Conclusion 25](#conclusion)

[6.0 References 26](#references)

**LIST OF APPENDIXES**

Appendix

**Appendix A. Fish Trawl, Benthic Grab, and Plankton Tow Coordinate
Locations**

**LIST OF TABLES**

Table Page

[Table 1. Trawl Catch Abundance, June 2006 Sampling.
5](#__RefHeading___Toc152663872)

[Table 2. Trawl Catch Biomass and Individual Means, June 2006 Sampling.
6](#__RefHeading___Toc152663873)

[Table 3. Combined Species Abundance, Length, Weight, and Diversity Data
from Fish Trawls, June 2006 Sampling. 6](#__RefHeading___Toc152663875)

[Table 4. Number of Species and Individuals per Fish Trawl Location,
June 2006 Sampling. 6](#__RefHeading___Toc152663876)

[Table 5. Trawl Catch Abundance, October 2006 Sampling.
7](#__RefHeading___Toc152663877)

[Table 6. Trawl Catch Biomass and Individual Means, October 2006
Sampling. 8](#__RefHeading___Toc152663878)

[Table 7. Combined Species Abundance, Length, Weight, and Diversity Data
from Fish Trawls, October 2006 Sampling.
8](#__RefHeading___Toc152663879)

[Table 8. Numbers of Species and Individuals per Fish Trawl Location,
October 2006 Sampling. 9](#__RefHeading___Toc152663880)

[Table 9. Plankton Collected In June 2006 Sampling Event.
10](#__RefHeading___Toc152663881)

[Table 10. Plankton Collected In October 2006 Sampling Event.
11](#__RefHeading___Toc152663882)

[Table 11. Benthic Invertebrates Collected in June 2006 Sampling Event.
13](#__RefHeading___Toc152663883)

[Table 12. Benthic Invertebrates Collected in October 2006 Sampling
Event. 14](#__RefHeading___Toc152663884)

[Table 13. Epibenthic Invertebrates Collected During the Pile Sampling,
October 2006. 16](#OLE_LINK7)

[Table 14. Grain Size Results From Benthic Sampling, June 2006.
17](#__RefHeading___Toc152663886)

[Table 15. Grain Size Results From Benthic Sampling, October 2006.
18](#__RefHeading___Toc152663887)

[Table 16. Water Quality Data Obtained During Fish Trawls, June 2006
Sampling. 20](#__RefHeading___Toc152663888)

[Table 17. Water Quality Data Obtained During Fish Trawls, October 2006
Sampling. 21](#__RefHeading___Toc152663889)

[Table 18. Water Quality Data Obtained During Benthic Grabs, October
2006 Sampling. 22](#__RefHeading___Toc152663890)

[Table 19. Water Quality Data Obtained During Plankton Tows, June 2006
Sampling. 23](#__RefHeading___Toc152663891)

[Table 20. Water Quality Data Obtained During Plankton Tows, October
2006 Sampling. 25](#__RefHeading___Toc152663892)

**LIST OF FIGURES**

[Figure 1. Site Location for the Sparrow's Point Project, Baltimore,
Maryland](#__RefHeading___Toc151883651)

[Figure 2. Finfish Trawl Locations for the June and October 2006
Sampling Events](#__RefHeading___Toc151883652)

[Figure 3. Plankton Tow Transects for the June and October 2006 Sampling
Events](#__RefHeading___Toc151883653)

[Figure 4. Benthic Grab Locations for the June and October 2006 Sampling
Events](#__RefHeading___Toc151883654)

[Figure 5. Epibenthic Pile Sampling Locations for the October Sampling
Event](#__RefHeading___Toc151883655)

[Figure 6. Water Quality Locations for the June and October 2006
Sampling Events](#__RefHeading___Toc151883656)

[**Figure 7. SAV Transects for the June 2006 Sampling
Event**](#__RefHeading___Toc151883657)

**Abbreviations and Acronyms**

bcsfd billion cubic standard feet of natural gas per day

°C degrees Celsius (temperature)

cy cubic yard

DO dissolved oxygen

ft foot/feet

g gram

GPS global positioning system

in inch

kt knot

LNG liquefied natural gas

LPIL lowest practical identification level

mg/l milligrams per liter (dissolved oxygen)

Max maximum

MW megawatts

mi mile

min minimum

min minute

mm millimeter

mS/cm microseimens (conductivity)

nm nautical miles

NTU nepthelometric turbidity unit

ppt parts per thousand (salinity)

SAV submerged aquatic vegetation

SD standard deviation

TL total length

## 1.0 Introduction

AES Sparrows Point LNG, LLC (Sparrows Point LNG) proposes to construct,
own, and operate a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import, storage, and
regasification terminal (LNG Terminal) at the Sparrows Point Industrial
Complex situated on the Sparrows Point peninsula east of the Port of
Baltimore in Maryland. LNG will be delivered to the LNG Terminal via LNG
marine traffic, offloaded from these ships to shoreside storage tanks,
regasified on the LNG Terminal site (Terminal Site), and transported to
consumers via pipeline. The LNG Terminal will have a regasification
capacity of 1.5 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day
(bscfd), with potential to expand to 2.25 bscfd. Regasified natural gas
will be delivered to markets in the Mid-Atlantic Region and northern
portions of the South Atlantic Region, through an approximately 88-mile,
30-inch outside diameter natural gas pipeline (Pipeline) to be
constructed and operated by Mid-Atlantic Express, LLC (Mid-Atlantic
Express). The Pipeline will extend from the LNG Terminal to
interconnections with existing natural gas pipeline systems near Eagle,
Pennsylvania. Together, the LNG Terminal and Pipeline projects are
referred to as the Sparrows Point Project or Project. Both Sparrows
Point LNG and Mid-Atlantic Express (hereinafter collectively referred to
as AES) are subsidiaries of The AES Corporation.

The Project footprint is located in the counties of Baltimore, Harford
and Cecil in Maryland, and in the counties of Lancaster and Chester in
Pennsylvania. The Terminal Site, which is located entirely within
Baltimore County, is a parcel located within a former shipyard. The
route proposed for the Pipeline (Pipeline Route), which crosses all of
the listed counties, includes industrial, commercial, agricultural, and
residential lands. Together, the Terminal Site and the Pipeline Route
comprise the Project Area.

As described in Section 1.10 of Resource Report 1, *General Project
Description*, The AES Corporation is considering the possibility of
building a combined cycle cogeneration power plant (Power Plant) on the
Terminal Site. The Power Plant would be configured with one F-Class
combustion gas turbine, one steam turbine, and associated auxiliaries.
It would operate only on natural gas and would produce approximately 300
megawatts (MW) of clean electric power within an area of high energy
demand. The Power Plant would be connected to the local utility electric
system via an overhead transmission line.

Two separate biological assessments of aquatic organisms were conducted
between June 27 and June 30, 2006 and between October 17 and October 20,
2006 in the Patapsco River, Maryland, in attempt to characterize the
distribution of local flora and fauna; this work was performed as part
of the survey work being conducted for the LNG Terminal. In order to
support berthing operations at the facility, it is proposed that an
existing marine channel be deepened and widened to a depth of
approximately 44 feet and a width of approximately 650 feet.
Additionally, it is proposed that a turning basin be created to allow
ships to be turned under tug support and be berthed at the marine
terminal. The areas adjacent to each of the berths will also be dredged
to a depth of approximately 44 feet. Total dredged material quantities
could range from 2.5 million cubic yards (cy) to 4 million cy.

This report documents the collection, processing, and analyses of data
collected for the following communities: demersal finfish,
benthic/epibenthic macroinvertebrates (including sampling of pier
structures), plankton, and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Water
quality parameters were also recorded throughout the duration of the
survey effort.

## 2.0 Objectives

Data from these surveys will be used to provide both a pre-construction
baseline for future monitoring efforts and for comparison in evaluating
the environmental impacts of the dredging that is proposed as part of
the Project. Further, results of these collection efforts were used to
characterize the finfish, planktonic, and benthic communities that are
found within the dredge footprint and surrounding areas. SAV surveys
were also completed to document the presence or absence of any SAV.
Water quality data were collected in conjunction with plankton and
finfish trawl sampling in order to establish a biological baseline and
for comparison with past studies.

This data documentation report presents and summarizes data that were
collected during two sampling events, which were conducted during June
2006 and October 2006.

## 3.0 Methodology

The site location for this study is the Patapsco River in the City of
Baltimore, Maryland, approximately four nautical miles west of the main
stem of Chesapeake Bay and within the Baltimore Harbor region (Figure
1). Data regarding finfish, plankton, benthic invertebrates, sediment
grain size and water quality were collected within the proposed dredge
impact area. Reference samples were taken from stations in the vicinity
of the proposed Project Area but outside of the proposed Project
footprint. Two replicate sampling events were conducted, one during the
summer and one during the fall, to better account for seasonal
variability. A 42-ft vessel was used to conduct all of the sampling
tasks with the exception of the pier sampling effort, in which case, a
shore-deployed dive team was used.

### [3.1 Sampling Tasks]{.smallcaps}

#### 3.1.1 Demersal Trawl Fish Sampling 

To determine species composition and abundance, 11 finfish trawls were
conducted in the proposed Project Area during each sampling event, as
shown in Figure 2. A Magellan Global Positioning System (GPS) was used
for navigation; GPS coordinates are provided in Table A-1 in Appendix A.

Trawls were conducted within the Project footprint and outside the
proposed dredging area in the vicinity of the proposed Project Area.
Finfish and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected by towing a
30-foot trawl net (1-1/2 in body mesh and 1-1/4 in bag mesh) from a
42-ft research vessel at speeds between 1.7 and 2.2 knots (kt) for a
straight-line distance of approximately 0.3 nautical miles (nm). The tow
time for each trawl was approximately 10 minutes (min). The vessel
captain, familiar with the safe operation of the research vessel, was
responsible for operation of the research vessel. An additional field
crew of four, biologists from Northern Ecological Associates, Inc.
(NEA), were responsible for trawl deployment and retrieval and
processing of trawl contents.

Trawl contents were processed onboard the vessel. The catch was
identified and separated to the species level. All species were weighed
and enumerated. Total capture abundance was estimated when large numbers
of a particular species were caught, by weighing and enumerating random
subsamples of 30 individuals per species; only white perch (*Morone
americanus*) were subsampled. Lengths were measured for up to 30
individuals per species for all finfish (one exception occurred during
the October sampling event where 35 spot (*Leiostomus xanthurus*) were
captured and each individual was measured. Length measurement was
conducted using a measuring board consisting of a linear metric scale on
a flat wooden base with a rigid headpiece. Total length (TL)
measurements (the distance from the closed mouth to the extreme tip of
the caudal fin) were recorded to the nearest millimeter. Biomass of each
species caught was measured in grams using various Pesola® spring
scales.

#### 3.1.2 Plankton Sampling

To determine species composition and abundance of the planktonic
community, plankton tows were conducted (15 tows during June and 10 tows
during October) in the proposed Project Area by towing a 80-micron mesh
plankton net, with tows both within and outside the proposed Project
footprint (Figure 3). A Magellan GPS was used for navigation. GPS
coordinates for the tow locations are provided in Table A-2 in Appendix
A. The net was towed from a 42-ft research vessel at a speed of
approximately 1.7 to 2.2 kt for a distance of approximately 0.3 nm. The
in-water time for each tow was approximately 10 min. The tow locations
depicted in Figure 3 include only the beginning and end points of the
tows and do not depict any navigational curvature. A dedicated captain,
was responsible for operation of the research vessel. A field crew was
comprised of four biologists from NEA. Plankton samples were preserved
in the field for subsequent laboratory processing with a buffered 10%
formalin.

#### 3.1.3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling

During each sampling event( June 2006 and October 2006), benthic grab
samples were collected from randomly selected locations with a Smith
McIntyre (0.1 square meter) benthic grab (Figure 4). A Magellan GPS was
used for navigation. GPS coordinates are provided in Table A-3 in
Appendix A. During June, 20 stations were located within the proposed
dredge area and 10 reference stations were selected outside of the
proposed dredge footprint. During October, 15 stations were located
within the proposed dredge area and five reference stations were
selected outside of the proposed dredge footprint. Benthic meiofana
samples were sieved through a 0.5 millimeter (mm) mesh screen, stained
with Rose Bengal, and preserved with a buffered 10% formalin solution in
the field. In the laboratory, all macroinvertebrates were inventoried
and subsequently stored in 70% isopropanol alcohol until processing.

#### Epibenthic Pile Sampling

#### 

A qualitative assessment of existing finger pier (pile) structures was
conducted to determine presence/absence of epibenthic fauna on October
20, 2006. Four piers were selected within the Project Area; samples were
collected by scraping the substrate with a 4-in paint scraper (Figure
5). A team consisting of two SCUBA divers, one diver tender, and one
senior biologist conducted the effort. Three samples were collected from
each side of each pier (north, west and south). Twelve 0.5-liter samples
were collected overall by vertically scraping multiple pier segments
from top to bottom. Epibenthic meiofana samples were stained with Rose
Bengal and preserved with a buffered 10% formalin solution in the field.
In the laboratory, all macroinvertebrates were inventoried and stored in
70% isopropanol alcohol until processing. Subsequently, samples were
sorted and identified to the lowest practical identification level
(LPIL), which, in most cases, was to species. Each sample was weighed
for wet weight biomass for the major taxonomic groups identified.

 

#### 3.1.5 Sediment Analyses

Sediment subsamples were collected from the 30 benthic grabs samples at
pre-determined, randomly selected benthic site locations (Figure 4; GPS
coordinates in Table A-3 in Appendix A). These samples were placed in
whirly-pacs® and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Each sample was
sifted through a 3 mm sieve and spread onto a drying tray. Samples were
positioned in a 40 C ± 5 C oven for 48 ± 12 hours until dry. Oven-dried
samples were cooled before being weighed using a Metter® PC440 scale.
Samples were then passed through nested sieves using the Wentworth
textural classes (Wentworth 1922). The sieve nest included sieves with
openings of 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.125 mm and 0.0625 mm (sieve
No. 10, 18, 35, 60, 120, and 230, respectively). A bottom pan was
attached to the bottom of smallest sieve used. The nest of sieves was
placed in a reciprocating shaking machine and vibrated for 15 min or
until the shaking no longer produced an appreciable change in the amount
of material on each sieve. After dispersion, material collected from
each sieve was weighed separately using a Metter® PC440 scale to the
nearest one hundredth of a gram (0.01 g). Percentage of material (POM)
was determined by dividing material per sieve size (g) by total sample
weight post drying (g) for each sieve size. All results are expressed as
a percentage (%) of total sample dry weight.

[]{.mark}

#### 3.1.6 Water Quality Measurement

Water quality data were collected at the end of each finfish trawl and
each plankton tow during both sampling efforts (Figure 6). At each
station, water quality data were collected near the surface, in the
middle, and near the bottom of the water column. The water quality
parameters observed included pH, temperature in degrees Celsius (°C),
dissolved oxygen (DO) in milligrams per liter (mg/l) and percent
saturation (%), salinity in parts per thousand (ppt), conductivity in
microseimens per cm (mS/cm), and turbidity in nepthelometric turbidity
units (NTU). Data were collected using a YSI multi-parameter meter,
model 6920.

#### 3.1.7 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Survey

The presence or absence of submerged aquatic vegetation beds was
determined by evaluating a series of transects located within and
adjacent to the proposed Project footprint, and extending radially
approximately two miles into the Patapsco River estuary (Figure 7). This
sampling effort was conducted only during the June 2006 effort. Sampling
consisted of visual observations and the towing of a small chain for
approximately 0.3 nm per transect at a speed of approximately 2 kt. At
the completion of each transect, any vegetation collected was identified
to the species level.

## 

## 4.0 Results

### [Finfish Sampling]{.smallcaps}

***June 2006***

Finfish species were identified, enumerated, measured and weighed.
Additionally, invertebrate species were identified and their presence
noted. Data were collected and analyzed to determine species composition
and density.

462 individuals representing five finfish species were collected (Table
1). In addition, one crustacean species, the blue crab (*Callinectes
sapidus*), was also collected. The total biomass collected was 17,624 g
(Table 2), with a mean individual weight of 38.3 g and a mean individual
length of 130 mm (Table 3). Averages of three species comprising 43
individuals were captured during each trawl (Table 4).

Overall, white perch represented 84% of the total catch and 88% of the
total biomass (Table 1 and Table 2). In total, two blue crabs were
captured and accounted for the largest average biomass per species (mean
weight of 250 g). Spot (*Leiostomus xanthurus*), croaker (*Micropogonias
undulates*), striped bass (*Morone saxatilis*) and Atlantic menhaden
(*Brevoortia tyrannus*) made up the rest of the finfish species captured
(Table 3), each accounting for less than 10% of the total catch and
total biomass. Locations where the highest densities of fish were
collected (as indicated in Table 4) were the same as those where white
perch was also collected.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663872 .anchor}Table 1. Trawl Catch Abundance,
June 2006 Sampling.

  ---------------- --------------------- -------------- ------------------
  **Common Name**  **Scientific Name**   **Total**      **Percent of
                                                        Total**

  White perch      *Morone americana*    390            84

  Atlantic croaker *Micropogonias        42             9
                   undulatus*                           

  Spot             *Leiostomus           19             4
                   xanthurus*                           

  Striped bass     *Morone saxatilis*    6              1

  Atlantic         *Brevoortia tyrannus* 3              1
  menhaden                                              

  Blue crab        *Callinectes sapidus* 2              \< 1

  **Total:**                             **462**        **100**
  ---------------- --------------------- -------------- ------------------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663873 .anchor}Table 2. Trawl Catch Biomass and
Individual Means, June 2006 Sampling.

  ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------- -----------
  **Common     **Scientific     **Total   **Mean       **Mean     **Percent
  Name**       Name**           (g)**     Length       Weight     of Total**
                                          (mm)**       (g)**      

  White perch  *Morone          15,563    132          40         88
               americana*                                         

  Atlantic     *Micropogonias   976       127          24         6
  croaker      undulatus*                                         

  Spot         *Leiostomus      368       116          19         2
               xanthurus*                                         

  Striped bass *Morone          162       147          32         1
               saxatilis*                                         

  Atlantic     *Brevoortia      105       136          35         1
  menhaden     tyrannus*                                          
  ------------ ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------- -----------

Table 2. Trawl Catch Biomass and Individual Means, June 2006 Sampling
(Continued).

  ------------ ---------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -----------
  **Common     **Scientific     **Total      **Mean       **Mean     **Percent
  Name**       Name**           (g)**        Length       Weight     of Total**
                                             (mm)**       (g)**      

  Blue crab    *Callinectes     450          156          225        2
               sapidus*                                              

  **Total:**                    **17,624**                           **100**
  ------------ ---------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -----------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663875 .anchor}Table 3. Combined Species
Abundance, Length, Weight, and Diversity Data from Fish Trawls, June
2006 Sampling.

  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
  **Parameter**                      **Result**

  Total abundance                    462

  Mean individual fish length (mm)   130

  Mean individual fish weight (g)    118

  Mean individual blue crab length   156
  (mm)                               

  Mean individual blue crab weight   225
  (g)                                

  Total biomass (g)                  17,624

  Species diversity                  6
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663876 .anchor}Table 4. Number of Species and
Individuals per Fish Trawl Location, June 2006 Sampling.

  ------------ ---------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Trawl**    **Number of species**  **Number of individuals**

  1            1                      3

  2            2                      5

  3            2                      12

  4            2                      11

  5            1                      1

  6            5                      33

  7            5                      91

  8            3                      43

  9            5                      90

  10           5                      59

  11           3                      119

  **Mean**     **3**                  **43**
  ------------ ---------------------- -----------------------------------

[]{.mark}

***October 2006***

[]{.mark}

Finfish species were identified, enumerated, measured and weighed.
Additional invertebrate species were identified and their presence
noted. Data were collected and analyzed to determine species composition
and density.

The total number of finfish collected during the October sampling effort
was 359 individuals that represented 11 finfish species and one
crustacean species, the blue crab (*Callinectes sapidus*) (Table 5). The
total biomass collected was 14,735 g (Table 6), with a mean individual
weight of 56 g and a mean individual length of 144 mm (Table 7).
Averages of five species comprising 30 individuals were captured during
each trawl (Table 8).

White perch were collected during each trawl and represented the largest
percentages of both total abundance and total biomass, accounting for
44% of the total number of individuals caught and 32% of the total catch
weight. Spot was the second most abundant species caught, representing
32% of the total number of individuals captured, and was the third most
abundant in terms of total biomass (27%). With the exception of blue
crab, all of the other species collected (bay anchovy, *Anchoa
mitchilli*; weakfish, *Cynoscion regalis*; summer flounder,
*Paralichthys dentatus*; alewife, *Alosa pseudoharengus*; Florida
pompano, *Trachinotus carolinus*; striped bass, *Morone saxatilis*;
bluefish, *Pomatomus saltatrix*; and gizzard shad, *Dorosoma
cepedianum*) individually represented less than 10% of the total
abundance and total biomass for all 11 trawls combined. Blue crab
represented 8% of the total catch abundance and 30% of the total catch
biomass when all species were combined (Table 5 and Table 6).

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663877 .anchor}Table 5. Trawl Catch Abundance,
October 2006 Sampling.

  ---------------- --------------------- -------------- ------------------
  **Common Name**  **Scientific Name**   **Total**      **Percent of
                                                        Total**

  White perch      *Morone americana*    158            44

  Spot             *Leiostomus           114            32
                   xanthurus*                           

  Bay anchovy      *Anchoa mitchilli*    32             9

  Blue crab        *Callinectes sapidus* 30             8

  Weakfish         *Cynoscion regalis*   8              2

  Summer flounder  *Paralichthys         5              1
                   dentatus*                            

  Alewife          *Alosa                3              1
                   pseudoharengus*                      

  Florida pompano  *Trachinotus          3              1
                   carolinus*                           

  Striped bass     *Morone saxatilis*    3              1

  Bluefish         *Pomatomus saltatrix* 2              1

  Gizzard shad     *Dorosoma cepedianum* 1              \< 1

  **Total:**                             **359**        **100**
  ---------------- --------------------- -------------- ------------------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663878 .anchor}Table 6. Trawl Catch Biomass and
Individual Means, October 2006 Sampling.

  ----------- ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------- -----------
  **Common    **Scientific     **Total   **Mean       **Mean     **Percent
  Name**      Name**           (g)**     Length       Weight     of Total**
                                         (mm)**       (g)**      

  White perch *Morone          4,705     126          30         32
              americana*                                         

  Blue crab   *Callinectes     4,448     140          149        30
              sapidus*                                           

  Spot        *Leiostomus      3,921     146          34         27
              xanthurus*                                         

  Summer      *Paralichthys    1,048     283          210        7
  flounder    dentatus*                                          

  Weakfish    *Cynoscion       110       126          14         1
              regalis*                                           

  Striped     *Morone          240       205          80         2
  bass        saxatilis*                                         

  Bluefish    *Pomatomus       82        155          41         1
              saltatrix*                                         
  ----------- ---------------- --------- ------------ ---------- -----------

**Table 6. Trawl Catch Biomass and Individual Means, October 2006
Sampling (Continued).**

  ------------ ----------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -----------
  **Common     **Scientific      **Total      **Mean       **Mean     **Percent
  Name**       Name**            (g)**        Length       Weight     of Total**
                                              (mm)**       (g)**      

  Alewife      *Alosa            61           132          20         \< 1
               pseudoharengus*                                        

  Florida      *Trachinotus      53           74           18         \< 1
  pompano      carolinus*                                             

  Bay anchovy  *Anchoa           47           56           1          \< 1
               mitchilli*                                             

  Gizzard shad *Dorosoma         20           135          20         \< 1
               cepedianum*                                            

  **Total:**                     **14,735**                           **100**
  ------------ ----------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -----------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663879 .anchor}Table 7. Combined Species
Abundance, Length, Weight, and Diversity Data from Fish Trawls, October
2006 Sampling.

  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
  **Parameter**                      **Result**

  Total abundance                    359

  Mean individual fish length (mm)   129

  Mean individual fish weight (g)    47

  Mean individual blue crab length   140
  (mm)                               

  Mean individual blue crab weight   149
  (g)                                

  Total biomass (g)                  14,735

  Species diversity                  11
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663880 .anchor}Table 8. Numbers of Species and
Individuals per Fish Trawl Location, October 2006 Sampling.

  ------------ ---------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Trawl**    **Number of Species**  **Number of Individuals**

  1            4                      84

  2            6                      12

  3            4                      4

  4            2                      3

  5            5                      44

  6            5                      29

  7            3                      16

  8            9                      63

  9            2                      5

  10           5                      37

  11           5                      37

  **Mean**     **5**                  **30**
  ------------ ---------------------- -----------------------------------

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

### [4.2 Plankton Sampling]{.smallcaps}

***June 2006***

Plankton samples were identified and enumerated in the laboratory. In
most cases, organisms were identified to the species level. However, in
some cases, the LPIL was used. The term "taxa" is used henceforth to
refer to total diversity, including species, unless otherwise noted.
Table 9 lists collected plankton from the June 2006 plankton sampling
efforts.

Due to the actual size of the individual plankton (microscopic), the
sample jars were subsampled to either a ratio of 1/64 or 1/128 of the
actual size. For some of the larger specimens, a ratio of 1/1 sample
size was obtainable and thus conducted. A total of 22,811 individual
vertebrates and invertebrates (number based on 1/64 and 1/1 of actual
sample size, depending on specimen) representing 11 plankton species
were collected during June sampling event (Table 9). The samples had an
abundance of 628 to 2,618 individuals (number based on 1/64 and 1/1 of
actual sample size, depending on specimen) and varied in diversity
between four and eight species per sample (Table 9).

*Acartia tonsa* (nauplii stage) was the most abundant group collected,
accounting for 17,987 individuals (79%) of all individuals collected,
and was found in every plankton sample. The second most abundant species
was the copepodite stage of *Acartia tonsa*, which accounted for 3,856
individuals (17%) of all collected individuals, and was also present in
every plankton sample. The third most abundant species was Spionidae
(larval stage), a polychaetae worm that accounted for 732 individuals
(3%) of all collected individuals. Similar to *Acartia tonsa*, Spionidae
was collected in every plankton sample. The fourth most abundant species
was *Rhithropanopeus harrisii* (zoea stage), which accounted for 92
individuals (less than 1%) of all collected individuals. This species
was also collected in every plankton sample. The fifth most abundant
species collected was the egg stage of bay anchovy, *Anchoa mitchilli*,
which accounted for 88 individuals (less than 1%) of all collected
individuals; this species was found in all but one plankton sample.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663881 .anchor}Table 9. Plankton Collected In
June 2006 Sampling Event.

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 18%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="15"><strong>Species</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Tow Number</strong></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Acartia tonsa</em> (copepodite)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Acartia tonsa</em> (nauplii)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Harpacticoida (copepodite)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Balanus</em> sp. (nauplii)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Rhithropanopeus harrisii</em> (zoea)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Spionidae (larvae)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Gastropoda (larvae)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Invertebrate eggs<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Individuals</strong><sup>2</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Anchoa mitchelli</em> (eggs)<sup>3</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Anchoa mitchelli</em> (larvae)<sup>3</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Medusae (pieces)<sup>4</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Individuals</strong><sup>5</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Species</strong></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Higer Taxa</strong></p>
</blockquote></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>1</td>
<td>245</td>
<td>294</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>78</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>624</strong></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2</td>
<td>254</td>
<td>1,632</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>154</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>2,048</strong></td>
<td>10</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>10</strong></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>3</td>
<td>159</td>
<td>1,190</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>1,392</strong></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>8</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>4</td>
<td>236</td>
<td>2,174</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td><strong>2,432</strong></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>8</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>5</td>
<td>179</td>
<td>968</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>1,206</strong></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>3</strong></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>6</td>
<td>129</td>
<td>1,047</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>92</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>1,272</strong></td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>- -</strong></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>7</td>
<td>176</td>
<td>782</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>991</strong></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>8</td>
<td>245</td>
<td>1,378</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>1,661</strong></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>1</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>9</td>
<td>196</td>
<td>617</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>824</strong></td>
<td>11</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>11</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>10</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>11</td>
<td>390</td>
<td>1,608</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>2,032</strong></td>
<td>17</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>17</strong></td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>12</td>
<td>444</td>
<td>2,102</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>2,614</strong></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>4</strong></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>13</td>
<td>366</td>
<td>1,444</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>62</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>1,886</strong></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2</strong></td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>14</td>
<td>478</td>
<td>1,886</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>2,420</strong></td>
<td>16</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>16</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>15</td>
<td>358</td>
<td>864</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>94</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td><strong>1,320</strong></td>
<td>16</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>16</strong></td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
<td>3,855</td>
<td>17,986</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>91</td>
<td>731</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td><strong>22,722</strong></td>
<td>88</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>89</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Note:

> ^1^ Result of sample was from 1/64 of actual sample size.
>
> ^2^ Number calculated based on the 1/64 sample size.
>
> ^3^ Result of sample was from 1/1 of actual sample size.
>
> ^4^ Result of sample was from 1/1 of actual sample size. However,
> Medusae present were broken pieces, which were unidentifiable and
> unable to be counted.
>
> ^5^ Number calculated based on the 1/1 sample size, but does not
> include Medusae.

***October 2006***

[]{.mark}

Plankton samples were identified and enumerated in the laboratory. In
most cases, organisms were identified to the species level. However, in
some cases, the LPIL was used. The term "taxa" is used henceforth to
refer to total diversity including species, unless otherwise noted.
Table 10 lists collected plankton from the October 2006 plankton
sampling efforts.

[]{.mark}

Due to the actual size of the individual plankton (microscopic), and
quantity of sample obtained, the sample jars were subsampled to either a
1/16 or 1/8 ratio of the actual size. For some of the larger specimens,
a 1/1 sample size was obtainable and thus conducted. A total of 22,811
individual vertebrates and invertebrates (number based on 1/16 and 1/1
of actual sample size, depending on specimen) representing 10 plankton
species were collected during the October sampling event (Table 10). The
samples had an abundance of 1,395 to 3,399 individuals (number based on
1/16 and 1/1 of actual sample size, depending on specimen) and varied in
diversity between five and eight species per sample (Table 10).

[]{.mark}

*Acartia tonsa* (nauplii stage) was the most abundant group collected,
accounting for 21,081 individuals (90% of all individuals collected),
and was found in every plankton sample collected. The second most
abundant species was the copepodite stage of *Acartia tonsa*, which
accounted for 1,612 individuals (7% of all individuals collected), and
was also present in every plankton sample collected. The third most
abundant species was *Balanus* sp. (nauplii stage), a barnacle that
accounted for 491 individuals (2% of all collected individuals). Similar
to *Acartia tonsa*, *Balanus* sp. was collected in every plankton
sample. The fourth most abundant species was Harpacticoida (copepodite),
which accounted for 264 individuals (1% of all collected individuals)
and was collected in every sample. No fish species were collected during
the October plankton trawls.

[]{.mark}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663882 .anchor}Table 10. Plankton Collected In
October 2006 Sampling Event.

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 15%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"><strong>Species</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Tow Number</strong></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Acartia tonsa</em> (copepodite)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Acartia tonsa</em> (nauplii)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Harpacticoida (copepodite)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Oithona</em> sp. (copepodite)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Balanus</em> sp. (nauplii)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Balamus</em> sp<em>. (</em>cypris<em>)</em><sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Spionidae (larvae)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Gastropoda (larvae)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><em>Corophium</em> sp. (early juvenile<em>)<sup>1</sup></em></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Bivalvia (larvae)<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>Medusae (pieces)<sup>3,4</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Individuals</strong><sup>2</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Species</strong></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td><blockquote>
<p><strong>Total No. of Higer Taxa</strong></p>
</blockquote></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>1</td>
<td>196</td>
<td>2,473</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2,795</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2</td>
<td>142</td>
<td>2,111</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>47</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2,319</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>3</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>4</td>
<td>161</td>
<td>3,127</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>3,399</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>5</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>6</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>7</td>
<td>178</td>
<td>1,657</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>1,900</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>8</td>
<td>130</td>
<td>2,577</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2,798</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>9</td>
<td>158</td>
<td>1,681</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>1,898</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>10</td>
<td>176</td>
<td>1,898</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2,117</strong></td>
<td>8</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>11</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>12</td>
<td>131</td>
<td>1,173</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>1,396</strong></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>13</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>14</td>
<td>125</td>
<td>1,826</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2,037</strong></td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>15</td>
<td>215</td>
<td>2,558</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>- -</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>2,860</strong></td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
<td>1,612</td>
<td>21,081</td>
<td>264</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>491</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>UK</td>
<td><strong>23,519</strong></td>
<td>8</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Note:

> ^1^ Result of sample was from 1/16 of actual sample size.
>
> ^2^ Number calculated based on the 1/16 sample size.
>
> ^3^ Result of sample was from 1/1 of actual sample size.
>
> ^4^ Result of sample was from 1/1 of actual sample size. However,
> Medusae present were broken pieces, which were unidentifiable and
> unable to be counted.
>
> ^5^ Number calculated based on the 1/1 sample size, but does not
> include Medusae.

### 

### [4.3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling]{.smallcaps}

***June 2006***

Twenty benthic locations were selected within the proposed dredge area,
while 10 locations were reference samples taken within the study area
but outside the potential dredge footprint. In most cases, organisms
were identified to the species level. However, in some cases, the LPIL
was used. Table 11 lists the collected macroinvertebrates from the June
benthic sampling efforts.

A total of 2,161 individual macroinvertebrates representing 16 species
were collected during the June 2006 sampling event. The samples had an
abundance of zero to 277 individuals and varied in diversity between
zero and 14 species per sample (Table 11). The amphipod *Leptocheirus
plumulosus* was the most abundant species collected, accounting for 814
individuals (38% of all individuals collected) and was found in 17
samples. The second most abundant species was the bivalve *Macoma
balthica*, which accounted for 465 individuals (22% of all individuals
collected), and was present in 24 of the 30 samples. The third most
abundant species was the polychaete *Streblospio benedicti,* which
accounted for 276 organisms (13%), followed by the polychaete *Nereis
succinea*, which accounted for 238 (11%). The mean abundance for the
June sampling effort was 72 individuals per grab, while the mean
diversity was six species at each sample location.

##### October 2006

### []{.mark}

Twenty benthic locations were sampled within the study area in October
2006. In most cases, organisms were identified to the species level.
However, in some cases, the LPIL was used. Table 12 lists the collected
macroinvertebrates from the October benthic sampling efforts.

A total of 187 individual macroinvertebrates representing 13 species
were collected during the October sampling event. The samples had an
abundance of zero to 39 individuals and varied in diversity between zero
and six species per sample (Table 12). The polychaete *Nereis succinea*
was the most abundant species collected, accounting for 87 individuals
(47% of all individuals collected);found in 16 samples. The bivalve
*Tellina agilis* and the polychaete *Streblospio benedicti* both
accounted for 28 individuals (15% of all collected individuals) and were
present in two and seven of the 20 samples, respectively. The fourth
most abundant species was the polychaete *Eteone heteropoda*, which
accounted for 20 organisms (11% of all individuals collected). The mean
abundance for the October sampling was nine individuals per grab with a
mean diversity of two species at each sample location.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663883 .anchor}Table 11. Benthic Invertebrates
Collected in June 2006 Sampling Event.

  -------------------------------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

  **Species**                      **1**    **2**     **3**    **4**    **5**     **6**    **7**   **8**    **9**   **10**   **11**   **12**   **13**   **14**   **15**   **16**   **17**   **18**   **19**   **20**   **21**   **22**   **23**   **24**   **25**   **26**   **27**   **28**   **29**   **30**

  **[Annelida]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

  Polychaeta                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

  *Eteone heteropoda*                       1                  2        1                                                             1                                                              1        2                 2        36                2                          1        1        1

  *Heteromastus filiformes*        1                  1        1        6                          1                                  17       2        7        7        2                 7        3        9                 2        48       3        8                 3        6        3        12

  *Nereis succinea*                5        14                 12       14                         2                                  17       8        14       21                1        1        24       15                14       15       4        23                5        14       7        8

  *Scolecolepides viridis*                  2                  2        1                          9                                  6        5        1                                                     3                          20                3                 7        4        2        8

  *Streblospio benedicti*          3        5         5        15       12                         18                        4        30       23       1        55       2                 4                 5                          9        3        16                1        8        11       46

  **Oligochaeta** LPIL             1        1                                                                                         1                          3                                                                                1        1                                   1        3

  **[Mollusca]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

  **Bivalvia**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  *Macoma balthica*                30       21        8        24       26        9                30               4                 37       19       7        17       3        2                 15       26                18       43       12       24                26       23       16       25

  *Mulina lateralis*                                                                                                                                                                                                                     3                                                              

  *Mya arenaria*                            4                  1        2                          1                                           1                 2                                   3        1                 1        3                                   1                          1

  *Rangia cuneata*                                                                                                                                                                                                                       1                                                              

  *Tellina agilis*                 2        4                  1        7                          1                                                    2        1                                            1                 2        13                1                 4        2        1        3

  **[Cnidaria]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

  *Actiniaria* sp.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         4                                            

  **[Arthropoda]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  **Amphipoda**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

  *Leptocheirus plumulosus*                 1                  12       2                                                             79       53       59       155      5                 1                 54                         12       2        95                18       35       72       170

  *Monoculodes edwardsi*                                                                                                                                                                                                                 1                                                              

  **Anthurid Isopod**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

  *Cyathura polita*                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1                                                              

  [**Nematoda** LPIL]{.smallcaps}                                                                                                                                                                                                        5                                                              

  **[Osteichthyes]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
  Juveniles                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  **Total No. of Individuals**     42       52        14       71       71        9        0       62       0       4        4        188      111      91       262      12       3        13       46       116      0        39       210      25       177      0        65       93       114      277

  **Total No. of Species**         6        9         3        10       9         1        0       7        0       1        1        8        7        7        9        4        2        4        5        9        0        6        14       6        10       0        8        8        9        10

  **Total No. of Higher Taxa**     3        3         2        3        3         1        0       2        0       1        1        3        3        3        3        3        2        2        2        3        0        2        5        4        5        0        3        3        4        4

  ***Macoma/Tellina* WW(g)**       4.8500   3.0300    0.5800   3.6380   4.4800    1.1790   0       5.0300   0       0.2400   0.0830   4.7020   3.3190   1.1630   2.3880   0.3180   0.0      0.0      1.4860   4.2300   0        5.6600   5.9450   1.6130   2.2590   0        5.1140   3.7200    0.0     5.4200

  ***Mya arenaria***                0.0     8.4280    0.0      1.3430   7.2500     0.0     0       0.8340   0        0.0      0.0     0.0      2.2450    0.0     1.5300    0.0     0.0       0.0     6.4260   0.1900   0        1.3360   1.9940    0.0      0.0     0        1.8970    0.0      0.0      0.0

  **Other Organisms WW(g):**       0.5050   0.8630    \<.01     0.0     0.8600    0 .0     0       0.2050   0        0       \<.01    1.0510   0.4830   0.4610   1.3750   \<.01     0.0      0.0     0.8870   0.7100   0        0.4040   0.9470   0.3400   0.9500   0        0.4350   1.0500    0.0     1.7400

  **Total WW(g):**                 5.3550   12.3210   \>.58    0.6080   12.5900   1.1790   0       6.0690   0       0.2400   \>.083   5.7530   6.0470   1.6240   5.2930   \>.318   0.1950   \<.01    8.7990   5.1300   0        7.4000   8.8860   1.9530   3.2090   0        7.4460   4.7700   3.1400   7.1600
  -------------------------------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663884 .anchor}Table 12. Benthic Invertebrates
Collected in October 2006 Sampling Event.

  ------------------------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  **Species**                    **1**   **2**   **4**   **6**   **7**   **8**   **9**   **11**   **12**   **13**   **14**   **17**   **18**   **22**   **23**   **24**   **25**   **26**   **27**   **29**

  **[Annelida]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                         

  Polychaeta                                                                                                                                                                                         

  *Eteone heteropoda*                    1                       1                                         1                                            1        15       1                          

  *Heteromastus filiformes*                      1                                                1                                                     1        6                                   1

  *Nereis succinea*              1       2       4                                       13       3        2        39                1        1        5        8        4                 1        3

  *Polydora* sp*.*                                                                       6                                                                                                           

  *Scolecolepides viridis*                                                                                                                                       1                                   

  *Streblospio benedicti*        1               1               2                       17                                  1                 2                 4                                   

  **[Mollusca]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                         

  **Bivalvia**                                                                                                                                                                                       

  *Macoma balthica*                                                                                                                                     1                                            

  *Mulina lateralis*                                                                                                1                                                                                

  *Mya arenaria*                                                                                                                                                                                     

  *Rangia cuneata*                                                                                                                                                                                   

  *Tellina agilis*                       1                                                                                                                       27                                  

  **[Arthropoda]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                                                                       

  **Amphipoda**                                                                                                                                                                                      

  *Corophium* sp.                                                                                          1        3                                                                                

  **Tanaidacea**                                                                                                                                                                                     

  *Leptochelia savignyi*                                                                                                                                                  1                          

  **Total No. of Individuals**   2       4       6       0       3       0       0       36       4        4        43       1        1        3        8        61       6        0        1        4

  **Total No. of Species**       2       3       3       0       2       0       0       3        2        3        3        1        1        2        4        6        3        0        1        2

  **Total No. of Higher Taxa**   1       2       1       0       1       0       0       1        1        2        3        1        1        1        2        2        2        0        1        1

  ***Tellina* WW(g)**            0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.114    0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0

  ***Macoma balthica* WW(g)**    0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.361    0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0

  **Other Organisms WW(g):**     0.0     0.016   0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.078    0.018    0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.093    0.076    0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0

  **Total WW(g):**               \<.01   0.016   0.022   \<.01   \<.01   \<.01   \<.01   0.078    0.018    \<.01    0.036    \<.01    \<.01    \<.01    0.454    0.190    \<.01    0.00     \<.01    0.015
  ------------------------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

### [4.4 Epibenthic Pile Sampling]{.smallcaps}

### 

##### October 2006

Three epibenthic locations on four piles (a total of 12 samples) were
sampled within the proposed Project Area in October 2006. In most cases,
organisms were identified to the species level. However, in some cases,
the LPIL was used. Table 13 lists the collected invertebrates from the
October epibenthic sampling efforts.

Results of the pile scrapings revealed the presence of 175,642
individual macroinvertebrates representing 16 species. The samples
ranged in abundance from 9,849 to 21,901 individuals and varied in
diversity from nine to 13 species per sample (Table 13). The amphipod
*Corophium* *lacustre* was the most abundant species collected,
accounting for 131,465 individuals (75% of all individuals collected);
*C.* *lacustre* was found in all 12 samples. The second most abundant
set of species collected were nematodes, which accounted for 22,395
individuals (13% of all individuals collected);,nematodes were also
present in all 12 samples. The third most abundant species was a
polychaete in the genus *Polydora, which* accounted for 14,698 organisms
(8% of all individuals collected). Eight (8) of the 16 species collected
were observed at all 12 sample locations. The mean abundance for each
sample was 14,636 individuals per scraping sample and the mean diversity
was eight species at each sample location.

[]{#OLE_LINK7 .anchor}

Table 13. Epibenthic Invertebrates Collected During the Pile Sampling,
October 2006.

  ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
  Sample Location                                                                                                                             

  **Species**                    **1S**    **1W**    **1N**    **2S**    **2W**    **2N**   **3S**    **3W**    **3N**    **4S**    **4W**    **4N**

  **[Annelida]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                  

  Polychaeta                                                                                                                                  

  *Eteone heteropoda*            4         58        2         4                            8                   1         5         1         

  *Nereis succinea*              38        63        10        22        67        35       57        102       51        90        101       26

  *Polydora* sp*.*               337       963       3,621     451       877       417      654       1,271     1,717     1,305     2,140     945

  *Streblospio benedicti*                                                                             42                  52                  

  **Oligochaeta** LPIL           761       154       29        451       367       10       592       104       98        292       83        21

  **[Mollusca]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                  

  **Bivalvia**                                                                                                                                

  *Congeria leucophaeata*        116       95        67        203       101       58       126       122       47        89        192       14

  *Modiolus demissus*            2                   1         1         4         2        8         8                   3                   

  *Rangia cuneata*                                                                                                        1                   

  **[Arthropoda]{.smallcaps}**                                                                                                                

  **Amphipoda**                                                                                                                               

  *Corophium lacustre*           7,518     11,656    14,866    15,968    10,256    6131     11,635    10,227    10,550    7,557     15,440    9,661

  *Leptocheirus plumulosus*                                    1                                                                              

  *Gammarus palustris*                               15                  2         10                                                         

  **Insecta**                                                                                                                                 

  Chironomidae                                       12                  10        10                           16                            63

  **Cirripedia**                                                                                                                              

  *Balanus sp.*                  51        112       92        67        57        76       58        88        108       67        178       50

  **Decapoda**                                                                                                                                

  *Rhithropanopeus harrisii*     1         2         1         2                   1        4                   1         1         1         

  [**Nematoda**                  1,021     1,156     3,008     535       1,570     1,271    3,146     2,249     2,797     1,563     1,475     2,604
  LPIL]{.smallcaps}                                                                                                                           

  [**Turbellaria**                         117       177       2         21        33       16        167       65        121       146       1
  LPIL]{.smallcaps}                                                                                                                           

  **Total No. of Individuals**   9,849     14,376    21,901    17,707    13,332    8,054    16,304    14,380    15,451    11,146    19,757    13,385

  **Total No. of Species**       10        10        13        12        12        13       11        10        11        13        10        9

  **Total No. of Higher Taxa**   7         8         9         8         8         9        7         6         8         8         8         8

  *Balanus, Congeria, Modiolus*  179.775   287.939   405.212   500.041   299.418   204.38   320.129   358.857   299.597   419.851   501.607   256.832
  **WW(g)**                                                                                                                                   

  **Other Organisms WW(g):**     7.225     12.061    14.788    19.959    10.582    5.62     9.871     11.143    10.403    10.149    18.393    13.168

  **Total WW(g):\***             187       300       420       520       310       210      330       370       310       430       520       270
  ------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

> ^1^ \*Total weight was measured on scales sensitive to the nearest
> gram.
>
> ^2^ Grouped organisms were measured on a scale sensitive to 0.001 g.

### [4.5 Grain Size Sampling]{.smallcaps}

***June 2006***

[]{.mark}

Grain size analysis conducted in June revealed that mud, consisting of
silts and clays, dominates the Sparrows Point Study Area. Only trace
amounts of coarse, very coarse and gravel-sized sediment were collected
in each sample.

Gravel was the dominant sediment in one of the 30 benthic grab samples
collected and was present in 28 of the 30 sediment samples. Very coarse
size sand was present in 29 of the 30 benthic grabs and was at its
highest percentage at site location B19. Coarse sized sand was found in
minimal amounts and was present in all 30 benthic grab samples. Medium
sized sand was collected in all of the 30 available benthic grabs and
was also at its highest percentage at site location B19. Fine sand was
collected in all of the 30 available benthic grabs and was the dominant
sediment size in one of the 30 available benthic grabs. Very fine sand
sediment was collected in all 30 available benthic grabs and was
dominant in one of the 30 samples. Mud was present in every sample and
dominated the size classes in 28 of the 30 sediment samples. Overall,
mud, consisting of silts and clays, dominated the sediment size classes
present (Table 14).

[]{.mark}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663886 .anchor}Table 14. Grain Size Results
From Benthic Sampling, June 2006.

  ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -------- ---------
  **Sample    **Sieve                                                               
  ID**        Size**                                                                

              **Gravel**   **Sand**                                                 **Mud**

                           **Very     **Coarse**   **Medium**   **Fine**   **Very   
                           Coarse**                                        Fine**   

  **B1**      0.07         0.27       0.14         0.20         0.78       1.43     97.10

  **B2**      1.96         0.87       0.42         2.21         3.50       4.66     86.38

  **B3**      0.00         0.05       0.15         0.55         0.80       0.75     97.70

  **B4**      1.10         0.98       0.16         1.02         0.98       1.43     94.34

  **B5**      0.87         1.11       1.11         4.54         10.16      6.20     76.02

  **B6**      0.23         0.25       0.34         0.54         1.04       0.82     96.78

  **B7**      0.02         0.01       0.01         0.02         0.14       0.23     99.56

  **B8**      0.45         0.74       0.35         0.54         0.56       1.49     95.87

  **B9**      0.04         0.10       0.33         0.80         0.62       0.23     97.87

  **B10**     0.05         0.14       0.39         1.61         2.29       1.11     94.40

  **B11**     0.01         0.00       0.21         0.29         0.41       0.78     98.29

  **B12**     0.12         0.12       0.12         0.18         1.45       0.60     97.40

  **B13**     0.34         0.75       0.84         1.47         1.79       1.41     93.40

  **B14**     1.40         1.42       1.68         4.14         4.51       1.93     84.92

  **B15**     1.14         0.47       0.34         0.86         0.84       0.67     95.68

  **B16**     0.08         0.15       0.04         0.14         0.26       0.16     99.17

  **B17**     0.00         0.05       0.23         0.36         0.31       0.21     98.84

  **B18**     0.28         0.19       0.47         2.70         3.45       2.32     90.59

  **B19**     5.35         2.83       4.65         17.10        11.21      4.85     54.01

  **B20**     0.22         0.50       0.03         1.66         1.22       2.10     94.27

  **B21**     0.01         0.26       0.96         1.29         0.93       1.32     95.23

  **B22**     1.62         1.09       0.74         3.51         10.51      8.55     73.97

  **B23**     0.10         0.14       0.81         8.27         45.87      30.04    14.76
  ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -------- ---------

**Table 14. Grain Size Results From Benthic Sampling, June 2006
(Continued).**

+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **Sample | **    |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| ID**     | Sieve |       |       |       |       |       |       |
|          | S     |       |       |       |       |       |       |
|          | ize** |       |       |       |       |       |       |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|          | **Gra | **S   |       |       |       |       | **    |
|          | vel** | and** |       |       |       |       | Mud** |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|          |       | *     | **Coa | **Med | **F   | *     |       |
|          |       | *Very | rse** | ium** | ine** | *Very |       |
|          |       | Coa   |       |       |       | F     |       |
|          |       | rse** |       |       |       | ine** |       |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B24**  | 0.08  | 0.04  | 0.06  | 0.07  | 0.18  | 0.67  | 98.89 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B25**  | 55.87 | 1.28  | 1.31  | 1.99  | 1.58  | 0.85  | 37.13 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B26**  | 0.28  | 0.30  | 0.31  | 1.22  | 1.12  | 0.84  | 95.94 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B27**  | 0.05  | 0.25  | 0.46  | 1.28  | 1.85  | 1.79  | 94.32 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B28**  | 0.78  | 0.47  | 0.67  | 0.85  | 2.03  | 3.27  | 91.93 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B29**  | 9.03  | 0.20  | 0.17  | 0.34  | 0.64  | 1.02  | 88.61 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **B30**  | 0.43  | 0.06  | 0.23  | 0.40  | 0.66  | 0.72  | 97.51 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| **MEAN** | 2.73  | 0.50  | 0.59  | 2.01  | 3.72  | 2.75  | 87.70 |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| > ^1^    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| >        |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
|  Samples |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > c      |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| ollected |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > in     |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| >        |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
|  October |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > 2006.  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| >        |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > ^2^ na |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > =      |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > sample |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > not    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| > av     |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| ailable. |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+

***October 2006***

[]{.mark}

Grain size analysis for the Sparrows Point Study Area in October
revealed that mud, consisting of silts and clays, dominate the area.
Only trace amounts of coarse, very coarse and gravel-sized sediment were
collected in each sample.

Gravel was present in 18 of the 20 benthic grabs and was at its highest
percentage at site location B14. Very coarse size sand was present in
all 20 benthic grabs and was not dominant in any of the available
samples. Coarse sized sand was found in minimal amounts and was present
in all 20 benthic grab samples. Medium sized sand was collected in all
of the 20 available benthic grabs and was also at its highest percentage
at site locations B14 and B27. Fine sand was collected in all of the 20
available benthic grabs and was the dominant sediment size in one of the
20 available benthic grabs. Very fine sand sediment was collected in all
20 available benthic grabs and was at its highest percentage at site
location B24. Mud was present in every sample and dominated the size
classes in 19 of the 20 sediment samples. Overall, mud, consisting of
silts and clays, dominated the sediment size classes present (Table 15).

[]{.mark}

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663887 .anchor}Table 15. Grain Size Results
From Benthic Sampling, October 2006.

  ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -------- ----------
  **Sample    **Sieve                                                               
  ID**        Size**                                                                

              **Gravel**   **Sand**                                                 **Mud**

                           **Very     **Coarse**   **Medium**   **Fine**   **Very   
                           Coarse**                                        Fine**   

  **B1**      0.32         0.35       0.63         1.98         1.83       1.93     92.97

  **B2**      0.11         0.29       0.48         1.38         1.54       2.88     93.33

  **B4**      1.57         0.49       0.75         1.48         2.46       3.93     89.33

  **B6**      0.17         0.19       0.36         0.60         0.88       1.00     96.80

  **B7**      0.00         0.04       0.28         0.69         0.36       0.57     98.06
  ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -------- ----------

+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **Sample | **    |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| ID**     | Sieve |       |       |       |       |       |         |
|          | S     |       |       |       |       |       |         |
|          | ize** |       |       |       |       |       |         |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
|          | **Gra | **S   |       |       |       |       | **Mud** |
|          | vel** | and** |       |       |       |       |         |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
|          |       | *     | **Coa | **Med | **F   | *     |         |
|          |       | *Very | rse** | ium** | ine** | *Very |         |
|          |       | Coa   |       |       |       | F     |         |
|          |       | rse** |       |       |       | ine** |         |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B8**   | 0.15  | 0.68  | 0.85  | 1.40  | 1.70  | 1.63  | 93.59   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B9**   | 0.23  | 0.19  | 0.70  | 2.03  | 2.10  | 1.05  | 93.71   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B11**  | 0.08  | 0.11  | 0.60  | 1.35  | 1.20  | 1.70  | 94.96   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B12**  | 3.04  | 0.31  | 0.27  | 0.55  | 0.96  | 1.32  | 93.56   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B13**  | 3.78  | 2.24  | 2.83  | 4.40  | 4.38  | 2.12  | 80.23   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B14**  | 19.16 | 3.43  | 4.75  | 8.76  | 5.95  | 2.74  | 55.21   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B17**  | 0.31  | 1.07  | 0.94  | 0.99  | 1.28  | 1.29  | 94.13   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B18**  | 0.02  | 0.24  | 0.46  | 0.79  | 0.87  | 0.95  | 96.67   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B22**  | 0.00  | 0.11  | 0.37  | 1.88  | 1.54  | 1.13  | 94.96   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B23**  | 1.12  | 0.46  | 0.51  | 0.79  | 2.17  | 7.28  | 87.68   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B24**  | 0.20  | 0.18  | 0.54  | 7.78  | 61.05 | 23.98 | 6.28    |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B25**  | 0.49  | 1.20  | 1.17  | 2.16  | 8.70  | 7.11  | 79.17   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B26**  | 3.09  | 5.97  | 3.52  | 2.74  | 2.40  | 2.10  | 80.18   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B27**  | 5.40  | 2.00  | 3.31  | 8.60  | 3.35  | 1.94  | 75.41   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **B29**  | 0.86  | 1.40  | 0.99  | 1.55  | 3.35  | 3.05  | 88.80   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| **MEAN** | 2.01  | 1.05  | 1.22  | 2.60  | 5.40  | 3.49  | 84.25   |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+
| > ^1^    |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| >        |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
|  Samples |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > c      |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| ollected |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > in     |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| >        |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
|  October |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > 2006.  |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| >        |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > ^2^ na |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > =      |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > sample |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > not    |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| > av     |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
| ailable. |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+---------+

**Table 15. Grain Size Results From Benthic Sampling, October 2006
(Continued).**

### [4.6 Water Quality Sampling]{.smallcaps}

#### 4.6.1 Fish Trawl Water Quality

***June 2006***

Five water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
pH and turbidity) were measured at the end of each trawl at three
different depths (bottom, middle, and top) at each fish trawl location;
results are presented in Table 16.

Water depth for the bottom samples ranged from 3.18 m to 6.35 m with a
mean of 5.16 +/- 1 m. Temperatures on the bottom averaged 25.69 +/-
0.20°C with a minimum value of 25.27°C and a maximum value of 26.0°C.
Salinity varied from 6.98 ppt to 7.93 ppt and averaged 7.45 +/- 0.27 ppt
overall. DO values were at the low end of acceptable biological ranges
with an average of 4.36 +/- 1.02 mg/L, a minimum of 2.97 mg/L, and a
maximum of 6.32 mg/L. Only two DO values were greater than 5.0 mg/L.
Values for pH were between 5.62 and 7.40 with a mean of 6.80 +/- 0.58.
Turbidity was variable, ranging from less than 1 to over 1500 NTU. Note
that the high results from the turbidity survey likely could have
resulted from fouling of the optics of the turbidity meter.

Water depth for the middle samples ranged from 1.72 m to 3.29 m with a
mean of 2.43 +/- 0.5 m. Temperatures in the middle of the water column
averaged 25.86 +/- 0.13°C with a minimum value of 25.77°C and a maximum
value of 26.16°C. Salinity varied from 6.62 ppt to 6.87 ppt and averaged
6.77 +/- 0.09 ppt overall. DO values were at the lower end of acceptable
biological ranges with an average of 4.96 +/- 0.98 mg/L, a minimum of
3.34 mg/L, and a maximum of 6.60 mg/L. Four of the DO values were
greater than 5.0 mg/L. Values for pH were between 5.61 and 7.69 with a
mean of 6.86 +/- 0.67. Turbidity was less variable than at the bottom,
ranging from less than 1 to 9 NTU.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663888 .anchor}Table 16. Water Quality Data
Obtained During Fish Trawls, June 2006 Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
  **Sample   **Parameter**                                                                                                                            
  ID**                                                                                                                                                

             **Temperature                   **Salinity                   **DO                       **PH**                   **Turbidity**           
             (°C)**                          (ppt)**                      (mg/L)**                                                                    

             **B**           **M**   **T**   **B**        **M**   **T**   **B**      **M**   **T**   **B**    **M**   **T**   **B**           **M**   **T**

  **1**      \-              \-      \-      \-           \-      \-      \-         \-      \-      \-       \-      \-      \-              \-      \-

  **2**      25.72           25.81   25.94   7.51         6.84    6.63    3.87       4.48    5.47    7.33     7.42    7.62    286.7           3.4     1.8

  **3**      25.68           25.81   26.06   7.52         6.62    6.53    3.6        3.85    5.93    7.40     7.46    7.80    10.1            9.4     3.6

  **4**      25.47           25.86   26.10   7.78         6.63    6.58    3.49       6.60    6.30    7.23     7.69    7.72    13.4            1.5     1.0

  **5**      25.27           25.77   26.15   7.93         6.87    6.51    2.97       3.34    5.31    7.10     7.17    7.56    16.5            4.5     2.1

  **6**      26.00           26.16   26.56   6.98         6.81    6.61    4.11       4.80    5.49    6.70     6.68    6.91    5.4             5.4     3.1

  **7**      25.78           25.83   26.33   7.25         6.79    6.26    5.57       4.90    5.80    6.77     6.69    6.85    6.1             1.3     1.2

  **8**      25.68           25.77   25.99   7.52         6.74    6.17    4.95       6.12    6.96    6.92     7.04    7.27    0.9             -0.2    2.6

  **9**      25.67           25.78   26.92   7.41         6.83    5.68    4.69       4.76    5.94    6.99     6.96    7.24    5.6             3.1     2.3

  **10**     25.83           25.81   27.03   7.32         6.86    6.18    4.01       5.29    6.88    5.96     5.89    6.35    207.5           1.0     1.0

  **11**     25.76           26.02   27.42   7.25         6.69    6.02    6.32       5.50    7.05    5.62     5.61    6.08    1518.1          0.4     0.7

  **MEAN**   25.69           25.86   26.45   7.45         6.77    6.32    4.36       4.96    6.11    6.80     6.86    7.14    207.03          2.9     1.94

  **SD**     0.20            0.13    0.51    0.27         0.09    0.31    1.02       0.98    0.65    0.58     0.67    0.59    471.63          2.9     0.98
  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------

> ^1^ - = sample data not available.
>
> ^2^ SD = Standard deviation.

Water depth for the top (near surface) sampling ranged from 0.09 m to
0.57 m with a mean of 0.21 +/- 0.19 m. Temperatures were highest on the
surface and averaged 26.45 +/- 0.5°C with a minimum value of 25.94°C and
a maximum value of 27.42°C. Salinity varied from 5.68 ppt to 6.63 ppt
and averaged 6.32 +/- 0.31 ppt overall. DO values were higher than mid-
or bottom-waters and were within acceptable biological ranges with an
average of 6.11 +/- 0.65 mg/L, a minimum of 5.31 mg/L, and a maximum of
7.05 mg/L. Values for pH were between 6.08 and 7.80 with a mean of 7.14
+/- 0.59. Turbidity was not as variable as at the bottom or middle of
the water column, as it ranged from less than 1 to almost 4 NTU.

***October 2006***

Five water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
pH and turbidity) were measured at the end of each trawl at three
different depths (bottom, middle and top) at each fish trawl location;
results are presented in Table 17.

Water depth for the bottom samples ranged from 3.25 to 6.25 m with a
mean of 5.16 +/- 1 m. Temperatures on the bottom averaged 17.82 +/-
0.59°C with a minimum value of 17.39°C and a maximum value of 19.02°C.
Salinity varied from 8.61 ppt to 10.97 ppt and averaged 9.74 +/- 0.69
ppt overall. DO values were at the low end of acceptable biological
ranges with an average of 5.66 +/- 1.00 mg/L, a minimum of 3.52 mg/L,
and a maximum of 6.74 mg/L. Values for pH were between 7.81 and 8.09
with a mean of 7.98 +/- 0.09. Turbidity was variable, ranging from less
than 1 to 193 NTU.

Water depth for the middle samples ranged from 1.72 m to 3.29 m with a
mean of 2.43 +/- 0.5 m. Temperatures in the middle of the water column
averaged 17.58 +/- 0.12°C with a minimum value of 17.39°C and a maximum
value of 17.75°C. Salinity varied from 8.61 ppt to 10.97 ppt and
averaged 9.74 +/- 0.69 ppt overall. DO values were at the lower end of
acceptable biological ranges with an average of 5.46 +/- 1.02 mg/L, a
minimum of 3.49 mg/L, and a maximum of 6.74 mg/L. Values for pH were
between 7.91 and 8.25 with a mean of 8.03 +/- 0.15. Turbidity was
variable at the bottom, ranging from about 2.9 to over 1000 NTU. Note
that the high results from the turbidity survey likely could have
resulted from fouling of the optics of the turbidity meter.

Water depth for the top (near surface) sampling ranged from 0.09 m to
0.57 m with a mean of 0.21 +/- 0.19 m. Temperatures were highest on the
surface and averaged 17.42 +/- 0.11°C with a minimum value of 17.25°C
and a maximum value of 17.58°C. Salinity varied from 6.76 ppt to 7.92
ppt and averaged 7.24 +/- 0.32 ppt overall. DO values were higher than
mid- or bottom-waters and were within acceptable biological ranges with
an average of 6.07 +/- 1.15 mg/L, a minimum of 3.91 mg/L, and a maximum
of 7.87 mg/L. Values for pH were between 7.99 and 8.42 with a mean of
8.21 +/- 0.17. Turbidity was not as variable as the bottom or middle of
the water column, ranging from 3.1 to almost 6.1 NTU.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663889 .anchor}Table 17. Water Quality Data
Obtained During Fish Trawls, October 2006 Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- -------- -------
  **Sample   **Parameter**                                                                                                                             
  ID**                                                                                                                                                 

             **Temperature                   **Salinity                   **DO                       **PH**                   **Turbidity**            
             (°C)**                          (ppt)**                      (mg/L)**                                                                     

             **B**           **M**   **T**   **B**        **M**   **T**   **B**      **M**   **T**   **B**    **M**   **T**   **B**           **M**    **T**

  **1**      17.91           17.75   17.56   9.95         8.44    7.00    5.79       5.03    5.84    7.95     8.03    8.23    5.3             2.9      3.1

  **2**      18.91           17.52   17.58   10.88        9.56    7.40    3.52       3.49    6.15    7.81     7.79    8.25    33.1            12.8     3.1

  **3**      19.02           17.45   17.48   10.97        9.09    7.32    6.53       5.65    4.87    8.00     7.86    8.00    11.5            6.1      4.4

  **4**      17.66           17.67   17.40   9.6          7.6     7.19    6.74       5.74    7.28    8.07     8.09    8.40    6.1             3.9      3.7

  **5**      17.45           17.69   17.40   9.46         8.00    7.09    6.03       6.74    7.87    7.99     8.18    8.42    11.8            4.2      4.1

  **6**      17.43           17.60   17.25   9.46         7.81    6.76    5.28       6.23    7.22    7.87     8.25    8.40    6.0             3.2      3.9

  **7**      17.40           17.39   17.55   9.18         8.66    7.92    6.67       6.16    5.98    8.09     8.01    8.05    193.9           6.9      6.1

  **8**      17.75           17.72   17.39   9.98         8.89    7.08    6.38       5.83    5.43    8.08     7.96    8.07    101.0           5.6      4.0

  **9**      17.45           17.5    17.25   9.47         7.72    6.94    5.06       5.9     6.66    7.91     8.22    8.32    5.3             3.5      3.7

  **10**     17.62           17.66   17.39   9.6          9.58    7.45    4.48       3.66    3.91    7.97     7.91    7.99    86.7            1099.0   4.6

  **11**     17.39           17.45   17.40   8.61         7.68    7.45    5.73       5.59    5.58    8.02     8.02    8.13    3.0             3.0      3.3

  **MEAN**   17.82           17.58   17.42   9.74         8.46    7.24    5.66       5.46    6.07    7.98     8.03    8.21    42.15           14.65    4.00

  **SD**     0.59            0.12    0.11    0.69         0.75    0.32    1.00       1.02    1.15    0.09     0.15    0.17    61.05           31.42    0.85
  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- -------- -------

> ^1^ - = sample data not available.
>
> ^2^ SD = Standard deviation.

#### 

#### 4.6.2 Benthic Grab Water Quality

***October 2006***

In addition, five water quality parameters (temperature, salinity,
dissolved oxygen, pH and turbidity) were measured at the end of each
benthic sampling at three different depths (bottom, middle and top)
during the October 2006 benthic sampling effort. Results are presented
in Table 18.

Water depth for the bottom samples ranged from 5.13 m to 9.02 m with a
mean of 6.24 +/- 1.32 m. Temperatures on the bottom averaged 17.34 +/-
0.68°C with a minimum value of 16.85°C and a maximum value of 19.53°C.
Salinity varied from 8.46 ppt to 10.60 ppt and averaged 9.19 +/- 0.59
ppt overall. DO values were low with an average of 6.02 +/- 1.83 mg/L, a
minimum of 1.52 mg/L, and a maximum of 12.20 mg/L. Values for pH were
between 7.90 and 8.24 with a mean of 8.08 +/- 0.16. Turbidity was
variable, ranging from less than 1 to approximately 500 NTU. Note that
the high results from the turbidity survey likely could have resulted
from fouling of the optics of the turbidity meter.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663890 .anchor}Table 18. Water Quality Data
Obtained During Benthic Grabs, October 2006 Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
  **Sample   **Parameter**                                                                                                                            
  ID**                                                                                                                                                

             **Temperature                   **Salinity                   **DO                       **PH**                   **Turbidity**           
             (°C)**                          (ppt)**                      (mg/L)**                                                                    

             **B**           **M**   **T**   **B**        **M**   **T**   **B**      **M**   **T**   **B**    **M**   **T**   **B**           **M**   **T**

  **B1**     16.92           16.78   16.67   8.86         8.33    8.35    5.96       5.67    5.65    8.16     8.10    8.12    269.3           3.9     3.8

  **B2**     16.91           16.97   16.86   8.79         8.83    8.65    5.94       5.63    5.54    8.18     8.10    8.07    4.1             6.3     4.3

  **B4**     17.00           16.96   16.85   8.46         8.81    8.65    6.03       5.95    5.80    8.24     8.16    8.13    10.7            7.4     5.8

  **B6**     16.85           16.85   16.75   8.81         8.72    8.42    5.79       5.60    5.50    8.17     8.11    8.10    3.1             3.2     3.4

  **B7**     18.71           17.33   16.99   10.6         8.95    8.51    5.35       4.21    4.13    8.02     7.93    7.95    501.1           5.1     4.2

  **B8**     17.26           17.20   16.78   9.15         8.92    8.37    5.65       5.40    5.25    8.12     8.04    8.06    14.7            4.1     3.7

  **B9**     16.90           16.77   16.73   8.57         8.55    8.38    5.8        5.61    5.48    8.19     8.11    8.10    3.0             3.2     35.6

  **B11**    17.43           17.40   16.95   9.43         9.14    8.60    5.58       5.23    5.02    8.05     8.01    7.98    5.7             4.0     3.9

  **B12**    16.89           17.09   16.77   8.78         8.9     8.85    5.90       5.38    5.61    8.16     8.00    8.03    7.2             7.8     9.0

  **B13**    17.20           17.57   17.07   9.34         9.41    8.98    7.79       7.09    6.82    8.09     7.99    7.99    4.9             3.4     4.2

  **B14**    17.88           17.73   16.92   10.0         9.61    8.77    12.2       6.99    7.51    7.90     7.79    7.87    5.5             4.0     3.9

  **B17**    17.05           17.18   16.84   8.74         8.99    8.62    6.63       6.48    6.33    8.17     8.08    8.07    3.6             3.4     3.9

  **B18**    16.95           17.22   16.81   8.84         9.03    8.59    6.01       5.85    5.69    8.17     8.06    8.06    2.5             3.9     6.3

  **B22**    17.18           17.17   16.80   8.99         8.80    8.44    5.48       5.28    5.21    8.05     8.00    8.02    6.1             5.1     4.2

  **B23**    17.01           17.02   16.79   8.80         8.80    8.48    5.76       5.53    5.39    8.17     8.12    8.1     33.4            3.4     3.4

  **B24**    16.90           16.90   16.74   8.77         8.74    8.55    5.76       5.58    5.55    8.17     8.13    8.12    31.7            14.1    9.7

  **B25**    17.20           17.10   16.86   9.29         8.96    8.60    5.64       5.4     5.37    8.02     8.03    8.05    7.4             13.2    9.1

  **B26**    17.64           17.21   16.89   9.76         9.08    8.70    5.73       4.75    5.09    8.00     8.07    8.04    114.5           3.2     3.1

  **B27**    19.53           17.20   16.87   10.3         8.99    8.38    1.52       1.06    5.28    7.52     7.65    7.96    -0.5            6.2     5.0

  **B29**    17.43           17.09   16.91   9.42         8.96    8.42    5.84       5.08    5.37    8.05     8.00    8.08    83              3.9     4

  **MEAN**   17.34           17.14   16.84   9.19         8.93    8.57    6.02       5.39    5.58    8.08     8.02    8.05    55.55           5.44    6.53

  **SD**     0.68            0.25    0.10    0.59         0.27    0.17    1.83       1.22    0.69    0.16     0.12    0.07    122.4           3.14    7.13
  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------

> ^1^ - = sample data not available.
>
> ^2^ SD = Standard deviation.

Water depth for the middle samples ranged from 2.38 m to 4.78 m with a
mean of 3.63 m +/- 0.86 m. Temperatures in the middle of the water
column averaged 17.14 +/- 0.25°C with a minimum value of 16.77°C and a
maximum value of 17.73°C. Salinity varied from 8.33 ppt to 9.61 ppt and
averaged 8.93 +/- 0.27 ppt overall. DO values were low with an average
of 5.39 +/- 1.22 mg/L, a minimum of 1.06 mg/L, and a maximum of 7.09
mg/L. Values for pH were between 7.65 and 8.16 with a mean of 8.02 +/-
0.12. Turbidity was less variable than at the bottom, ranging from 3.2
to approximately 14 NTU.

Water depth for the top (near surface) sampling ranged from 0.01 m to
0.40 m with a mean of 0.09 +/- 0.10 m. Temperatures were highest on the
surface and averaged 16.84 +/- 0.10°C with a minimum value of 16.75°C
and a maximum value of 17.07°C. Salinity varied from 8.35 ppt to 8.98
ppt and averaged 8.57 +/- 0.17 ppt overall. DO values were at the low
end of acceptable biological ranges, with an average of 5.58 +/- 0.69
mg/L, a minimum of 4.13 mg/L, and a maximum of 7.51 mg/L. Values for pH
were between 7.95 and 8.13 with a mean of 8.05 +/- 0.07. Turbidity
ranged from 3.1 to approximately 35 NTU.

#### 

#### 4.6.3 Plankton Tow Water Quality

***June 2006***

Five water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
pH and turbidity) were measured at the end of each plankton tow at three
different depths (bottom, middle and top) during the June 2006 sampling
effort. Results are presented in Table 19.

Water depth for the bottom samples ranged from 5.26 m to 9.52 m with a
mean of 7.32 +/- 1.46 m. Temperatures on the bottom averaged 24.84 +/-
0.80°C with a minimum value of 23.52°C and a maximum value of 25.29°C.
Salinity varied from 7.42 ppt to 9.70 ppt and averaged 8.02 +/- 0.74 ppt
overall. DO values were at the low end of acceptable biological ranges
with an average of 4.02 +/- 1.10 mg/L, a minimum of 1.80 mg/L, and a
maximum of 5.04 mg/L. Only two samples were above 5.0 mg/L and two
samples were below 2.0 mg/L. Values for pH were between 7.30 and 7.65
with a mean of 7.52 +/- 0.10. Turbidity was variable, ranging from less
than 1 to approximately 600 NTU. Note that the high results from the
turbidity survey could likely have resulted from fouling of the optics
of the turbidity meter.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663891 .anchor}Table 19. Water Quality Data
Obtained During Plankton Tows, June 2006 Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
  **Sample   **Parameter**                                                                                                                            
  ID**                                                                                                                                                

             **Temperature                   **Salinity                   **DO                       **PH**                   **Turbidity**           
             (°C)**                          (ppt)**                      (mg/L)**                                                                    

             **B**           **M**   **T**   **B**        **M**   **T**   **B**      **M**   **T**   **B**    **M**   **T**   **B**           **M**   **T**

  **1**      \-              \-      \-      \-           \-      \-      \-         \-      \-      \-       \-      \-      \-              \-      \-

  **2**      25.29           25.37   25.46   7.64         7.49    7.40    4.16       3.06    4.69    7.49     7.49    7.56    2.5             3.6     0.6

  **3**      25.24           25.35   25.44   7.55         7.47    7.44    4.14       4.22    4.78    7.56     7.57    7.63    131.1           7       1.8

  **4**      25.23           25.40   25.42   7.56         7.43    7.42    4.50       4.53    4.85    7.53     7.52    7.55    587.3           2.5     0.4

  **5**      25.25           25.30   25.32   7.50         7.40    7.37    1.99       3.50    4.71    7.49     7.48    7.52    -7.1            6.2     2.9

  **6**      24.08           25.35   25.40   8.84         7.47    7.42    4.81       3.81    4.59    7.48     7.52    7.61    314.7           2.1     1.1

  **7**      23.52           25.28   25.35   9.31         7.46    7.42    2.58       3.75    4.62    7.38     7.49    7.58    367             4.4     1.2

  **8**      25.17           25.31   25.38   7.54         7.44    7.43    4.78       4.29    4.84    7.63     7.61    7.62    536.9           4.2     2
  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------

Table 19. Water Quality Data Obtained During Plankton Tows, June 2006
Sampling (Continued).

  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
  **Sample   **Parameter**                                                                                                                            
  ID**                                                                                                                                                

             **Temperature                   **Salinity                   **DO                       **PH**                   **Turbidity**           
             (°C)**                          (ppt)**                      (mg/L)**                                                                    

             **B**           **M**   **T**   **B**        **M**   **T**   **B**      **M**   **T**   **B**    **M**   **T**   **B**           **M**   **T**

  **9**      25.22           25.33   25.38   7.50         7.47    7.45    4.99       4.68    4.90    7.65     7.63    7.62    576.8           1.2     0.4

  **10**     25.28           25.39   25.44   7.42         7.45    7.43    5.04       4.48    4.96    7.64     7.60    7.66    210.8           1.7     0.6

  **11**     24.95           25.35   25.38   8.11         7.46    7.46    4.39       3.93    4.89    7.54     7.55    7.63    237             18.3    7.2

  **12**     25.25           25.36   25.39   7.53         7.42    7.40    4.92       4.32    4.79    7.61     7.55    7.58    602.5           6.8     2.8

  **13**     22.77           25.36   25.61   9.70         7.47    7.30    1.80       3.32    5.02    7.30     7.44    7.68    -0.7            1.9     0.0

  **14**     25.27           25.22   25.23   7.96         7.61    7.51    4.29       4.51    4.98    7.52     7.55    7.56    29.2            10      0.1

  **15**     25.28           25.26   25.24   8.06         7.80    7.76    3.94       4.41    4.92    7.48     7.48    7.52    11.2            3.6     1.1

  **MEAN**   24.84           25.33   25.39   8.02         7.49    7.44    4.02       4.06    4.82    7.52     7.53    7.59    257.1           5.25    1.59

  **SD**     0.80            0.05    0.094   0.74         0.10    0.10    1.10       0.50    0.13    0.10     0.06    0.05    241.2           4.51    1.86
  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------

> ^1^ - = sample data not available.
>
> ^2^ SD = Standard deviation.

Water depth for the middle samples ranged from 2.38 m to 4.78 m with a
mean of 3.63 m +/- 0.86 m. Temperatures in the middle of the water
column averaged 25.33 +/- 0.05°C with a minimum value of 25.22°C and a
maximum value of 25.40°C. Salinity varied from 7.40 ppt to 7.80 ppt and
averaged 7.49 +/- 0.10 ppt overall. DO values were at the low end of
acceptable biological ranges with an average of 4.06 +/- 0.50 mg/L, a
minimum of 3.06 mg/L, and a maximum of 4.68 mg/L. Values for pH were
between 7.44 and 7.63 with a mean of 7.53 +/- 0.06. Turbidity was less
variable than at the bottom, ranging from less than 1 to approximately
18 NTU.

Water depth for the top (near surface) sampling ranged from 0.01 m to
0.40 m with a mean of 0.09 +/- 0.10 m. Temperatures were highest on the
surface and averaged 25.39 +/- 0.09°C with a minimum value of 25.23°C
and a maximum value of 25.61°C. Salinity varied from 7.30 ppt to 7.76
ppt and averaged 7.44 +/- 0.10 ppt overall. DO values were higher than
the bottom or middle of the water column but were still at the low end
of acceptable biological ranges, with an average of 4.82 +/- 0.13 mg/L,
a minimum of 4.59 mg/L, and a maximum of 5.02 mg/L. One sample was
higher than 5.0 mg/L. Values for pH were between 7.52 and 7.66 with a
mean of 7.59 +/- 0.05. Turbidity was less variable than at the bottom or
middle of the water column, ranging from less than 1 to approximately 7
NTU.

***October 2006***

Five water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
pH and turbidity) were measured at the end of each plankton tow at the
surface during the October 2006 sampling effort; results are presented
in Table 20.

Water depth for the top (near surface) sampling ranged from 0.01 m to
0.40 m with a mean of 0.09 +/- 0.10 m. Temperatures on the surface
averaged 17.61 +/- 0.89°C with a minimum value of 16.90°C and a maximum
value of 17.87°C. Salinity varied from 7.71 ppt to 8.56 ppt and averaged
8.33 +/- 0.23 ppt overall. DO values had an average of 6.62 +/- 0.39
mg/L, a minimum of 6.17 mg/L, and a maximum of 7.4 mg/L. Values for pH
were between 8.25 and 8.52 with a mean of 8.34 +/- 0.09. Turbidity
ranged from 2.8 to approximately 9 NTU.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc152663892 .anchor}Table 20. Water Quality Data
Obtained During Plankton Tows, October 2006 Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------
  **Sample   **Parameter**                                                                                                                            
  ID**                                                                                                                                                

             **Temperature                   **Salinity                   **DO                       **PH**                   **Turbidity**           
             (°C)**                          (ppt)**                      (mg/L)**                                                                    

             **B**           **M**   **T**   **B**        **M**   **T**   **B**      **M**   **T**   **B**    **M**   **T**   **B**           **M**   **T**

  **1**      \-              \-      17.51   \-           \-      8.30    \-         \-      6.86    \-       \-      8.38    \-              \-      2.9

  **2**      \-              \-      17.17   \-           \-      8.44    \-         \-      6.34    \-       \-      8.25    \-              \-      3.3

  **4**      \-              \-      17.87   \-           \-      8.35    \-         \-      7.40    \-       \-      8.52    \-              \-      3.3

  **7**      \-              \-      16.93   \-           \-      8.39    \-         \-      6.35    \-       \-      8.30    \-              \-      3.4

  **8**      \-              \-      17.96   \-           \-      8.34    \-         \-      6.70    \-       \-      8.34    \-              \-      2.8

  **9**      \-              \-      17.04   \-           \-      8.56    \-         \-      6.51    \-       \-      8.25    \-              \-      3.1

  **10**     \-              \-      17.47   \-           \-      8.32    \-         \-      6.17    \-       \-      8.28    \-              \-      9.7

  **12**     \-              \-      16.90   \-           \-      8.49    \-         \-      6.37    \-       \-      8.30    \-              \-      5.6

  **14**     \-              \-      19.92   \-           \-      7.71    \-         \-      6.42    \-       \-      8.38    \-              \-      5.5

  **15**     \-              \-      17.32   \-           \-      8.38    \-         \-      7.11    \-       \-      8.43    \-              \-      3.0

  **MEAN**   \-              \-      17.61   \-           \-      8.33    \-         \-      6.62    \-       \-      8.34    \-              \-      4.26

  **SD**     \-              \-      0.89    \-           \-      0.23    \-         \-      0.39    \-       \-      0.09    \-              \-      2.17
  ---------- --------------- ------- ------- ------------ ------- ------- ---------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- --------------- ------- -------

> ^1^ - = sample data not available.
>
> ^2^ SD = Standard deviation.

### [4.7 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation]{.smallcaps}

The SAV surveys were performed in part to determine if SAV was present
in the proposed Project Area. The survey results indicated that no SAV
were present in the proposed Project Area. Sample locations surveyed
outside of the proposed Project Area, but in the proposed Project
vicinity, included the eastern side of the Patapsco River. Survey
results indicated that no species of SAV were present at those
locations.

## 5.0 Conclusion

During both 2006 sampling efforts, no rare, threatened, or endangered
finfishes were collected. Finfish trawls resulted in the collection of
blue crab, weakfish, summer flounder, striped bass, and bluefish, all of
which are of commercial and recreational importance, and all of which
were present in extremely low densities (the combined catch of each
species for each effort represents less than 7% of the total abundance).
Finfish sampling revealed a total diversity of 13 species with a
relatively low number of species present during the June effort (6) and
a higher diversity during October (11), a trend that can most likely be
attributed to higher water temperatures. White perch was the most
dominant in terms of abundance and biomass during both sampling efforts,
and a four-species overlap (white perch, spot, striped bass and blue
crab) was found between both sampling events.

Planktonic surveys indicated very little plankton diversity throughout
the project area. The nauplii and copepodite stages of *Acartia tonsa*
made up 96% of the total plankton collected. Additionally, only ten taxa
were collected throughout the Project Area in June and October. During
the June sampling effort, bay anchovy eggs were collected in all but one
plankton sample. However, the larval stage of bay anchovy was present in
only one of the plankton samples. This, in addition to the lack of bay
anchovy collected during the fish trawls, indicates that the eggs may
have been deposited in nearby Chesapeake Bay areas and transported into
the project area by various water currents.

[]{.mark}

The results of the benthic invertebrate sampling suggest that the
Project Area is populated with species that are (for the most part)\_
indicative of and/or tolerant of relatively polluted environments. The
amphipod *Leptocheirus plumulosus* and mollusks (such as *Mulina
lateralis* and *Mya arenaria*) are very common in the Chesapeake Bay and
are considered to be pollution-tolerant species. Additionally, the
annelid *Streblospio benedicti* is a common indicator of relatively
polluted sediments.

[]{.mark}

The water quality results are similar to previous studies of the
relatively well-studied harbor (e.g., MD DNR 2005; Hall et al. 2002;
Dail et al. 1998), which have indicated that dissolved oxygen is often
recorded at levels low enough to inhibit biological productivity.

[]{.mark}

Grain size analysis indicated that the substrate of the entire area
sampled was homogeneous in its make-up. Mud consisting of silts and
clays dominates the sediment composition throughout the proposed Project
Area.

The results of the SAV surveys confirmed other surveys that have
indicated a lack of SAV in the Project Area. The nearest SAV location
recently reported by Orth et al. (2005) is approximately three miles
south of the Project Area on the western side of the Patapsco River in
Stony Creek. Older records suggest a similar lack of SAV within three
miles of the Project Area (e.g., Orth et al. 1994).

[]{.mark}

## 6.0 References

Dail, H.M., P.F. Kazyak, D.M. Boward, S.A. Stranko. 1998. Patapsco River
Basin, Environmental Assessment of Stream Conditions. Annapolis, MD:
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Resource Assessment Service.
30 pages plus appendices.

Hall L.W., Ronald D. Anderson, Raymond W. Alden III. 2002. A Ten Year
Summary of Concurrent Ambient Water Column and Sediment Toxicity Tests
in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: 1990--1999. Environmental Monitoring
and Assessment, 76(3): 311 -- 352.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR). 2005a. Maryland
Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Status and Trends
Database.
<http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/tribstrat/patapsco/pb_status_trends.html>
(Retrieved January 9, 2006).

Maryland Department of the Environment. 2005b. Use Attainability
Analysis for navigation channels of the Patapsco River. Maryland
Department of the Environment Website.
http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/wqstandards/UAA_patapsco.pdf
(Retrieved January 12, 2006).

Orth, R. J., D. J. Wilcox, L. S. Nagey, A. L. Owens, J. R. Whiting, and
A. K. Kenne. 2005. *2004 Distribution of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in
the Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Bays*. VIMS Special Scientific Report
Number 146. Final report to U.S. EPA, Chesapeake Bay Program, Annapolis
MD. Grant No.CB973013-01-0. <http://www.vims.edu/bio/sav/sav04>

Orth, R.J., J.F. Nowak, G.F. Anderson, D.J. Wilcox, J.R. Whiting, and
L.S. Nagey. Distribution of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the
Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries and Chincoteague Bay -- 1994. Final
Report to U.S. EPA, Chesapeake Bay Program, Annapolis MD. Grant No.
CB003909-03. http://www.vims.edu/bio/sav/sav94/

Wentworth, C.R. 1922. A scale of grade and class terms for clastic
sediments. Journal of Geology. Vol.30: 377-392.

**Appendix A**

**Fish Trawl, Benthic Grab and Plankton Tow Coordinate Locations**

Table A-1. Fish Trawl Beginning and End Coordinates, June 2006 Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
  **Sample   **Beginning**                   **End**         
  ID**                                                       

             **Longitude**   **Latitude**    **Longitude**   **Latitude**

  1          -76.50755       39.21533        -76.50331       39.21768

  2          -76.50374       39.21622        -76.50731       39.21338

  3          -76.50661       39.21286        -76.50242       39.21658

  4          -76.50222       39.21558        -76.50581       39.21276

  5          -76.50427       39.21333        -76.50095       39.21632

  6          -76.50189       39.21982        -76.50345       39.22373

  7          -76.50451       39.21955        -76.50860       39.21615

  8          -76.50958       39.21550        -76.51272       39.21208

  9          -76.51460       39.21023        -76.51478       39.21197

  10         -76.51350       39.21272        -76.50966       39.21579

  11         -76.50479       39.20948        -76.50407       39.20526
  ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------

Table A-2. Plankton Tow Beginning and End Coordinates, June 2006
Sampling.

  ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
  **Sample   **Beginning**                   **End**         
  ID**                                                       

             **Longitude**   **Latitude**    **Longitude**   **Latitude**

  1          -76.50588       39.21100        -76.50633       39.21150

  2          -76.50573       39.21124        -76.50509       39.24238

  3          -76.50504       39.21232        -76.50317       39.21536

  4          -76.50367       39.21579        -76.50396       39.21586

  5          -76.50408       39.21660        -76.50279       39.21969

  6          -76.50274       39.22016        -76.50207       39.21507

  7          -76.50292       39.21586        -76.50530       39.21727

  8          -76.50539       39.21754        -76.50836       39.21637

  9          -76.50818       39.21690        -76.51022       39.21495

  10         -76.51005       39.21547        -76.50935       39.21628

  11         -76.50864       39.21762        -76.50795       39.21642

  12         -76.50800       39.21711        -76.50337       39.21525

  13         -76.50364       39.21549        -76.50316       39.21404

  14         -76.50379       39.20650        -76.50584       39.20221

  15         -76.50563       39.20174        -76.49925       39.19521
  ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------