on
by Trawling in the
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EPA REVIEW NOTICE
This report has been reviewed by the Office of Radiation Programs,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and approved for publication.
Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views aru
policies of the EPA. Neither the United States Government nor the EPA makes
any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes am Segal liability or
responsibility for any information, apparatus, product or process disclosed,
or represents tnat its use would not infringe on privately owned rights.
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EPA 52GA-83-C29
REPORT ON THE INVERTEBRATE MEGAFAUNA SAMPLED BY TRAWLING IN THE
ATLANTIC 3800 METER LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL SITE
Prepared by:
Robert S. Carney, Ph.D.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Moss Landing, California 95039
August, 1983
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contract Number
WA-8-2095-J.
Project Officer
Robert S. Dyer
Office of Radiation Programs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
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FOREWORD
In response to the mandate of Public Law 92-532, The Marine
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amendeds the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a program to
promulgate regulations and criteria to control the ocean disposal of
radioactive wastes. As part of that program, the EPA Office of Radiation
Programs initiated feasibility studies in 1974 to learn whether present
technologies could be used to determine the fate of radioactive wastes
dumped in the past.
In 1978, the Research Vessel ADVANCE II conducted four bottom
trawls at the deepest of the previously-used, United States low-level
radioactive waste disposal sites. That site, located approximately
320 kilometers (200 miles) offshore in the Atlantic at a depth of
approximately 3800 meters (12,500 feet), is situated in the axis of the
Hudson Canyon channel. Two of the trawls were slightly south and east
of the 3800-meter dumpsite, and the other two trawls were near the Block
Canyon channel north and east of the 3800-meter dutnpsite.
The present report provides a detailed description of the
invertebrate megafauna collected from the four trawls. Megcfauna are
defined here as those benthic organisms larger than one centimeter in
diameter. The most abundant species are identified and compared with the
results of historical and contemporary studies. Differences between the
Block and Hudson channel trawl catches are noted and discussed. The
feeding behavior of the most numerous invertebrates, the brittle stars
(ophiuroids), is presented as it relates to bioturbation of the sediment.
The report makes tentative conclusions regarding design of durapsite-
related biological monitoring programs, and notes the need to
differ-antiate between natural spatial variation of organisms and
variations resulting from man's activities.
The Agency invites all readers of this report to send any comments
or suggestions to Mr. David E. Janes, Director, Analysis and Support
Division, Office of Radiation Programs (ANR-461), Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460.
Glen L. Sjoblomy Director
Office of Radiation Programs
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION ... 1
EQUIPMENT AND METHODS 1
RESULTS , 2
PREVIOUS STUDIES OF THE ABYSSAL FAUNA NEAR THE SITE . . 2
REVIEW OF HISTORICAL MUSEUM MATERIAL 6
COMPARISON WITH THE RESULTS OF HAEORICH AND ROWE 8
NATURAL HISTORIES OF PREDOMINANT LARGE INVERTEBRATES 9
ADDITIONAL FAUNAL GROUPS 11
CONCLUSIONS 11
REFERENCES 14
FIGURE 1 3
TABLE 1 4
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INTRODUCTION
Biomass for radionuclide analysis and information on deep-sea faunal
composition wen successfully collected from four otter traw! samples taken
from the R/V ADVANCE II. The samples were collected at four stations during
June 24-27, 1978, in the general location of the 3800m radioactive waste disposal
site centered at 37°50'N, 70°35'W. While the small numbor of samples allows
for neither a comprehensive characterization of the megafauna nor an assessment
of any ecological impact, it does serve two very useful purposes. First, even
a rudimentary comparison with existing information on deep-sea ecology serves
to identify those data and concepts that may be useful in future site-specifir
or generic ecology studies. Second, the relative abundance of the captured
species can be used when designing cost-effective sampling programs.
The megafauna in the vicinity of the dumpsite can be described as an
ophiuroid-pagurid (brittle starfish and hermit crab) dominated, soft-bottom
abyssal assemblage. It resembles assemblages collected at similar depths, with
similar equipment, off the coast of New England in a series cf studies conducted
by R. Haedrich and G. Rowe (Haedrich et al., 1980; and Carney, Haedrich and Rowe,
1983). This similarity suggests that germane research could be conducted outside
of the actual dumpsite. Additionally, the preponderance of ophiuroids and
pagurids suggests that these animals would provide a cost-effective focus for
any radionuclide accumulation or biological effects studies requiring large
sample sizes.
EQUIPMENT AND METHODS
John Musick, of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, conducted the
trawl sampling using a 13.7 meter, semi-balloon otter trawl with a 4.45 centi-
meter stretch mesh in wings and body, and 1.27 centimeter stretch mesh lines in
the cod end. The nature of the equipment is fully discussed in his report
(Musick and Sulak, 1979). Tow duration was approximately three hours of bottom
time for faci of the four samples.
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RESULTS
T: fauna collected i', all four trawl samples can be characterized as an
ophiuroid-pagurid dominated assemblage. As such, it is typical of western
north Atlantic abyssal megafaunal communities at these depths (3900m) (Carney,
Haedrich and Rowe, 1983). While there are too few samples for any meaningful
statistical analysis, the composition suggests that there is considerable faunal
variation, which may be related to topography. There is an apparent difference
in trawl contents corresponding to station location (Figure 1). Samples 70f
and 7014 were in close proximity to the Block Canyon axis, whereas 7011 and
7013 were taken between the Hudson and Block Canyon channel axes at a slightly
greater depth. In the 7009-7014 sample pair, ophiuroids were abundant, with
Ophiomusium armgerutt^eing more abundant than Amphiophiura buViata (Table 1).
_—_™— **«"'- — ^^^^fc- fc ^ ,^^^^.,=Ja-:,:=,:,
The small ascidian Mugula sp. Was numerous, as was the pagurid Parapagurus
pilosomanus. In the 7011-7013 pair of samples, the dominance of ophiuroids
was reversed; there were no Mugula «frp., and the overall abundance of ophiuroids
and pagurids wl?" reduced (Table 1).
PREVIOUS STUDIES OF THE ABYSSAL FAUNA NEAR THE SITE
The disposal site lies between areas that have been relatively well
studied when compared with most abyssal environments. The Gay Head-Bermuda
transect (Sanders, Hessler, and Hampson, 1965), lying east of the site, is one
of the most comprehensively studied parts of the deep-sea. The fish fauna of
the deep-sea mid-Atlantic region to the south has been well studied by Musick
(1976). Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
conducted studies in Deepwater Oumpsite 106 (NOAA, 1975), a report on the
megafauna was never produced due to the death of the principal investigator,
Dr. Robert Menzies of Florida State University.
The trawl-based data of Haedrich and Rowe (Haedrich and Rowe, 1977;
Carney, Haedrich, and Rowe, 1983) and Musick (Musick, 1976; and Musick and
Sulak, 1979) afford the greatest potential for comparison with the disposal
site. Unfortunately, the limited data reported herein cannot support rigorous
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afw1
3S°M'
378
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TABLE 1
MEGAFAUNAL INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED BY TRAWLING
ECHINODERMS
Ophiuroids
Ophi'omusiui a ran gerurn
Amphiophiura bujlata
Asteroids
Dytaster grandis
Benthopecten spinosus
Pseudarchaster pare Hi
Solaster sp.
EChi noids
Aeropsis sp.
Holothuroids
Mo1 padia blakei
MojpadTa rnusculus
Benthodytestypica
Protankyra sp.
Myriotrochus sp.
ASCIDIANS
Hugy1 a sp.
COELENTERATES
Flabellula qoodei
7009
3560-
3655m*
1543
992
3
3
0
0
. EPA STATIONS
7014 7011
1
0
0
0
10
405
0
3975-
4000m
1921
797
7
0
1
1
1
0
3
2
6
75
0
3670-
3750m
42
205
1
1
3
0
10
2
0
0
8
7013
4025-
4050m
22
157
Parapagurus pilosomanus
Ethysina abyssicol a
Pontophilus abyssj
Pleisiopenaeus armatus
Ac a ntft ep hy ra pu rp ure a
64
6
6
2
1
240
13
2
2
2
39
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
7
CRUSTACEA (dominants only, see Musick and Sulak (1979) appendix 1)
23
0
6
H&R**
3244-
3740m
P
P
P
P
A
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TABLE 1 (Continued)
7009
3560-
3655m*
EPA STATIONS
7014 7011
3975- 3670-
4000m 3750m
7013
4025-
4050m
MOLLUSCA (smaller than trawl mesh, retained fortuitously)
Pelecypoda (mixed) 23 10 16
Gastropoda
PI eurotome 1 la jeffreysii
Hangeliabandella
CoJ_us profundicola
Pleurotoma emertoni
Pleurotoma
Pleurotoma
C1lonella brychia
Lacuna sp.
sp,
circumcinctum
Turbonilla
Aceton sp.
Aceton sp.
Aceton sp.
Limpet
sp.
(tnegafaunal)
(megafaunal)
(megafaunal)
5
42
3
4
0
2
1
3
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
2
8
0
6
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
5
8
1
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
2
1
H&R**
3244-
3740m
^Sampling depth range.
**Due to the differences in sampling, only the presence (P) or absence (A)
of a species in the results of Haedrich and Rowe are considered. These
comparisons are based upon Haedrich and Rowe (1977) and unpublished data
provided by them. The absence of the ascidian, Mugula sp., from Haedrich
and Rowe's data may be a sampling artifact. Since most of the listed
molluscs are below the raegafauna size class, comparisons with the data of
Haedrich and Rowe are not justified.
-------
comparisons. Even with the required comprehensive sampling program, comparison
of trawling results collected with a variety of equipment by different investi-
gators must be made with extreme caution. The techniques are nonquantitative
and are subject to unknown sources of error (Rice et a 1 , 1982), which could
reduce the reliability of even qualitative analyses.
Should future investigations include a more comprehensive faunal survey,
then the extensive taxonomic literature produced from Howard Sanders' sampling
program could prove to be of great value (Allen and Sanders, 1973; Clark, 1977;
Cook, 1970; Cutler, 1973; Cutler and Duffy, 1972; Gardiner, 1975; Hartman, 1955;
Hartman and Fauchald, 1971; Messier, 1970; Jones, 1973; Laubitz and Mills, 1972;
Mills, 1971; Monniot and Monm'ot, 1968, 1970a, 1970b; Sanders and Allen, 1973,
1977; Southward, 1971; and Zezina, 1975). However, the trawl samples of the
present study cannot be compared with the core and epibenthic sledge samples on
which the just referenced literature is based.
REVIEW OF HISTORICAL MUSEUM MATERIAL
The deep-sea off New England and the mid-Atlantic states has been sampled
at various times for over a century, raising the possibility that some of the
historical data might be of value in establishing species identities and
assemblage compositions. A review of specimens in the collections of the
U.S. National Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Comparative Zoology
at Harvard University confirmed that adequate reference material exists to
allow for identification, to the generic or species level, of most of the
megafaunal organisms that can be collected in the disposal site. In addition,
these collections demonstrate that the dominant echinoderm species in the
present study have been present near the 3800m Atlantic dumpsite for almost
100 years. Unfortunately, museum collections cannot be used to determine the
quantitative composition uf hi^to* ical Camples since entire samples were seldom
preserved and detailed records were not kept.
In spite of relatively intense sampling over the last two decades, many
of the easily accessible museum specimens are still those collected by the
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Fisheries Vessel (F/V) ALBATROSS in the 1880's, which are housed primarily at
the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. The lack of more recent material
is due to three main factors. First, historical expeditions were undertaken
specifically to build national collections, while collection-building is only
an ancillary part of modern deep-sea ecology. Second, collections have been
largely built to serve as taxonomic resources; thus there is little use for
recently collected duplicates. Finally, even when recent material has been
donated to museums, the cataloguing and identification may be deferred for
decades.
Three F/V ALBATROSS stations occupied in the ]880's, for which data are
available, were near the Atlantic 3800m disposal site (Figure 1).
Station Number
2097
2098
2223
Depth
3506m
4062m
4060m
Location
37°56'20"N, 70°57'30"W
37°40'30"N, 70°37'30"W
37°48'30"N, 69°43'30"W
Since the ALBATROSS expeditions were undertaken for the primary purpose
of collecting samples, no comprehensive scientific account of the ALBATROSS
cruises was ever produced, and faunal lists by station were not compiled
following taxonomic studies. Because no records were kept as to how much of a
particular trawl sample was preserved, attempts to recreate faunal lists from
museum catalogues are useless.
In an attempt to partially reconstruct the faunal assemblages of the 1800's,
the echinoderms from stations 2097, 2098, and 2223 were reexamined. This effort
was restricted to the echinoderms due to their abundance and relative taxonomic
stability. The two common ophiuroids at the Atlantic 3800m site, Amphiophiura
bullata and Ophiomusium armigerum, were also collected at ALBATROSS stations
2097 and 2098. In addition, the starfish, Dytaster grandis and Benthopectin
spingsus, collected at the 3800m dumpsite, were also taken at station 2097.
As pointed out in the above paragraph, the lack of records on ALBATROSS sample
processing and disposition makes negative information (the lack of a particular
species from a particular station in a museum collection) uninterpretable. We
-------
can only conclude that the four species listed above have been collected from
the general area around the disposal site for about 100 years. There is no
historical data on thei^ distribution among stations.
COMPARISON WITH THE RESULTS OF hAEDRICH AND ROWE
As has been stressed in this report, it is not possible to conduct a
rigorous statistical comparison between the results of this study (Table 1)
and the data of Haedrich and Rowe. Sampling techniques were not strictly
comparable, and sampling designs differed markedly. Haedrich and Rowe sampled
extensively in order to establish vertical trends, whereas the present study
took only four samples in a smaller area. Likewise, it is not possible to
compare the present results with earlier work by Musick, since his studies have
been restricted to a few taxa, primarily the fishes, A few simple comparisons
are, however, informative and suggest that the disposal site fauna is appreciably
similar to that encountered at similar depths elsewhere on the U.S. Atlantic
coast.
A comparison of the presence or absenc^ of invertebrate species collected
from the disposal area with the data collected to the north and east by Haedrich
and Rowe (1977) shows similar composition (Tablp 1). Furthermore, the three
most abundant invertebrates are the same. Between 3244m and 3740m Haedrich
and Rowe (Haedrich et al., 1980) found Ophiomusium armigerum most abundant,
followed by Amphiophiura bul1 ata and Parapagurus pi lj)somanus. When all the
3800m disposal site samples are pooled, the same sequence of rank abundance is
found. The absence of the ascidian, Mugula sp., from Haedrich and Rowe's data
may reflect either real ecological differences or a sampling artifact arising
from the organism's small size.
In spite of the overall similarity between disposal site fauna and that
found relatively nearby, there is some indication of variation within the site.
The samples in or near the Hudson Canyon (7011 and 7013) had large numbers of
Amphiophiura buljata relative to Ophiomusium armigerum, and Mugula was absent.
The Block Canyon samples (7009 and 7014) showed a reversed order of ophiuroid
-------
abundance, and Mugula was present. This apparent faunal-topographic correspondence
may be a sampling artifact or a real difference due to some unmeasured substrate
parameter.
NATURAL HISTORIES OF PREDOMINANT LARGE INVERTEBRATES
In general, little is known about the biology of deep-sea organisms. The
submersible ALVIN was employed during the June 1978 survey at t'ie 3800m disposal
site for observation of the condition of radioactive waste containers and
surrounding topographic features (Figure 1). However, schedule limitations
precluded its use in the present study of megafaunal invertebrates. But pub-
lished information and unpublished observations from the submersible ALVIN at
Woods Hole Permanent Deep Station 2 at a depth of 3659m to the northeast of
the disposal site provide some detail (Rowe et al., 1982).
Ophioinusium armigerum
The biology of the various species of echinoderms is particularly interest-
ing, especially the ophiuroids (brittle starfish). Representatives of the phylum
are common at abyssal depths, comprising a reliable portion of the deep-sea
samples. In addition, a considerable amount of information on deep-sea echinoderm
biology is b^ing collected in a comprehensive deep-sea study in the Rockall
Trough in the northeast Atlantic (see Gage, 1982).
Ophiomusium armigerum and its related species, 0^ lyir:: \ (common at
shallower depths and studied by Gage (1982)), appear to be relatively sedentary
deposit feeders and scavengers. Observed j_n situ. they appear to be immobile.
The arms protrude into the sediment, and the i;sk is held a centimeter or two
above the sediment-water interface. Of 200 ^ecnens examined for stomach
contents, only two had any ingested -aterial, and that was a nondescript
mucoid-fibrose, grey-green mass. In time-lapse fi ;«s, these animals have been
observed to move slowly over the sediment (Rowe et aj., 1975). Because they
dig with their arms, 0_._ armigerum can be expected to contribute to bioturbation
{see Carney, 1981, for a general discussion) to a depth of approximately
4 centimeters.
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Only a few incidental aspects of the species' ecology are known. It is
host to an external parasitic gastropod, which is a previously undescribed genus
and species (Waren and Carney, 1981), and the ophiuroid's early post-larval
stages have been identified (Schoener, 1966 and 1967). This latier point is
especially important because it makes detailed life history studies feasible,
Amphiogh^ura bulTata
The shorter arms of A_,_ bul1ata and the more numerous tube feet suggest a
natural history different than that of (X_ a_rmigerum. The species has been
observed to crawl rapidly for short distances wnen disturbed. Litvinova and
Sokolova (1971) published a survey of the stomach contents of several species
°^ Amphiophiura that suggested a predatory/scavenging habit. Amphiophiura
convexa has also been reported from similar depths in the western Atlantic,
but the two species appear to be identical upon direct comparison.
Molpadid Holothurians
H~>lothuroids of the genus Mplpadia are found at all ocean depths. Since
they a.e infaurial, trawl samples probably underestimate their abundance.
Although the habits of the deep-sea forms are unknown, they resemble shallow-
water for.r.i so closely that similar ecologies are likely. If this is the case,
then the deep-sea species M._ blakei and related forms may be important agents
of bioturbation, contributing to the maintenance of a mixed surface-sediment
layer about 10 centimeters thick in the disposal area.
This suggestion is based upon extensive shallow-water work in Buzzard's
Bay, Massachusetts, where M^ po]itica has been found to be a major agent of
bioturbation (Rhodes and Young, 1971). It is so common and so act ve a burrower
that it may be the principal determinant of mixed layer thickness and turnover
rates. M. po1it ica and M. blakei share a common morphology.
10
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ADDITIONAL FAUNAL GROUPS
In spite of the mesh size of the otter trawl used in the present study,
numerous small benthic gastropods were retained in the net (Table 1). While
not an intended part of the benthic sample, the relative ease with which many
specimens can be collected suggests that they can be of value in future studies
that seek to characterize the site fauna. In addition to abundance, their
importance as a focus of investigation is increased because their taxonomic
and functional classificatiuns in the region of the dumpsite have been estab-
lished (Rex, 1977 and 1981),
CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the limited data, the results point to three tentative
conclusions. The first two can be rigorously tested if appropriate sampling
and analytical designs are adopted.
1. The megafauna of the disposal site is quite similar in composition
to that found at comparable depths at other locations in the
northwestern Atlantic off the United States coast. This hypothesis,
if confirmed, would greatly simplify the task of site selection and
monitoring, because highly detailed investigations of the ecology
and radioecology of target species would not need to be site-specific.
Common organisms, such as Ophiomusium armigerum, could be collected
in large numbers by trawling at 4000m at convenient locations.
Similarly, j/J sTt u work by submersibles would not need to take place
within a particular disposal site.
2. There appears to be substantial place-to-place variation in the
numbers of species, even within the 3800m disposal site. Therefore,
formally designed studies must avoid confusing this type of variation
in future data with variations that might be due to some form of impact,
such as changes which might arise from waste disposal operations.
11
-------
3. The previous research on megafaunal zonation off New England by
Haedrich and Rowe and that on the macrofauna by Sanders and Ms
collaborators provides a context for precise description of most of
the 3800m disposal site fauna when sufficient samples are available.
These same studies, along with historical expeditions, have provided
an extensive taxonomic base, which w;i, 1 greatly reduce the time and
effort devoted to sample identification.
While verification of points one and two is amenable to sampling and
analysis within an analysis-of-variance context, it cannot, in a strict sense,
answer the two central questions that arise with the issue of deep-sea radio-
active waste disposal. First, is there a significant threat to man via a
biological pathway? Second, will there be a significant detrimental impact on
the deep-sea fauna? Both questions require research into basic functional
ecology of deep-sea organisms, which cannot be accomplished by simple survey
sampling.
The identification of major links in the deep-sea food web is necessary
in order to anticipate the spread of any pollutant through the biota and
possibly to man. Such determinations are difficult under ideal conditions and
are impossible on the basis of the limited data presented herein. However, it
is possible to narrow the approaches that might be valuable in the future.
For example, two dominant taxa, brittle starfish and hermit crabs, masticate
their food to the point at which traditional gut analyses are useless. However,
the immunoassay techniques developed by Feller (1981) may be of value in future
studies of pollutant transfer.
The only demonstrated feeding connection on the basis of the present data
is that between the rattail fish, Coryphaenoides sp., and the infaunal holothuroid
Molpadia. One specimen of Mo1padia blakei was found in the stomach of a rattail.
Since the molpadids are infaunal detritus feeders, they could serve as a vector
for introducing buried contaminants into the food web.
An assessment of bioturbation in the 3800m site, which was part of the
original intent of this study, was precluded due to the lack of submersible
12
-------
time. As noted, both the brittle starfish and the holothuroid Molpadia blakej
can be expected to be important in the process of bioturbation.
13
-------
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Carney, R.S. 1981. Bioturbation and biodeposition. In A. Boucot, Principles
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA 520/1-83-029
A. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Report of the Invertebrate Megafauna Sampled by
Trawling in the Atlantic 3800 Meter Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Disposal Site
5. REPORT DATE
August 1983
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOFt(S)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
Robert S. Carney, Ph.D
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
S, PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Moss Landing, California 95039
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
Contract Number
WA-8-2095 J
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Office of Radiation Programs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
ANR-461
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
Four otter trawls were carried out in 1978 near the Atlantic deepsea
low-level radioactive waste dumpsite located at a depth of 3800 meters, approxi-
mately 320 kilometers offshore, centered at 37°50'N, 70°35'W, and situated
in the axis of the Hudson Canyon Channel. Two of the trawls were slightly
south and east of the 3800-meter dumpsite, while the other two trawls were made
near the Block Canyon Channel north and east of the 3800-meter dumpsite.
The megafauna collected in the vicinity of the dumpsite can be described
as an ophiuroid-pagurid (brittle starfish-hermit crab) dominated, soft-bottom
abyssal assemblage. It is typical of western north Atlantic abyssal megafaunal
communities. The ophiuroids were most abundant at all four trawl stations.
However, differences in distribution of individual species were noted between
the trawls made southeast and northeast of the dumpsite. In particular, an
ascidian, Mugula sp., and a pagurid crab, Parapagurus pilosomanus were numerous
only at the trawl area northeast of the dumpsite. This may be related to
topographic differences between the two trawl areas.
Available information on the life histories of the predominant large
invertebrates is presented and discussed. The report makes particular note of
the need to differentiate between natural spatial variation of organisms and
spatial variations resulting from man's activities, when designing
duapsite-related biological monitoring programs.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
ocean disposal
ocean dumpsite surveys
low-level radioactive waste disposal
marine benthic biology
marine invertebrate megafauna
deepsea trawling
ophiuroids, deepsea
asteroids, deepsea
holothuroids, deepsea
Crustacea, deepsea
Hudson Canyon biology
COSATI l-icld/Group
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Unlimited Release
19. SECuaiTY CLASS
Unclassified
Report!
21. NO. OF PAGES
23
20. SECURITY CLASS (Tins
Unclassified
22. PRICE
_l
Form 2220-1 (R»». 4-7?)
PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
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