Study of the Benthic Macrofauna at the Central Long Island Sound Disposal Site

摘要

Sediments of multiple sites within the Central Long Island Sound (CLIS) disposal site of New Haven, CT, were examined for grain size distribution, heavy metals content, volatile solids, and benthic organisms as part of a study of the effects of dredged material disposal and capping operations. CLIS sediments can be classified according to their grain size, content of heavy metals, and volatile solids. It is shown that a greater percentage of samples were collected from the natural bottom were higher in heavy metal and volatile solid content than was seen at the center of the capped disposal mounds. This indicated the success of the capping operation in isolating the highly contaminated underlying dredge spoil from the surrounding sediments. The study also showed the striking effect of sediment grain size and composition on the community structure of the benthic population as well as the remarkable ability of benthic organisms to recolonize recently deposited sedimentary material.