Macrobenthic Communities of the Norfolk Disposal Site. II.
Abstract
The distribution, abundance, species composition, and temporal variation of subtidal macrobenthic invertebrates of the Norfolk Disposal Site were studied. The macrobenthic infauna and epibenthic fauna were sampled five times per year from 1979 to 1981, four times per year in 1982 and 1983, and three times in 1984. The purpose of the study was: (1) to present recent information concerning the structure of macrobenthic communities of the Norfolk disposal site, (2) to compare this study with previous studies of the inner continental shelf of the mid-Atlantic, Southeastern U.S. and of the lower Chesapeake Bay, and (3) to examine trends, variability, and periodicity int he data in order to assess future monitoring strategies. The macrobenthic infaunal community of the Norfolk disposal site can be characterized as a diverse and typical of undisturbed areas along the inner continental shelf of the mid-atlantic bight. The Norfolk Disposal Site does not contain any significant populations of commercially important macro-invertebrates. Analysis of seasonal and year to year trends in various community and species parameters indicates the need for continual updating of the baseline data set in order to avoid erroneous conclusions from future monitoring studies. Decreasing the frequency of sampling within each year could obscure impacts upon temporally restricted phenomena, such as, periods of peak juvenile recruitment. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA165193
Entities
People
- Daniel M. Dauer
- Rodney D. Bertelsen
Organizations
- Old Dominion University