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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Long-term benthic monitoring programs near the Morgantown and Calvert Cliffs power plants - second annual report. Volume 1. Text. Interim report Jul 80-Jun 82

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5378533

This report summarizes the findings of a long-term study of the benthic biota of the mesohaline regions of the Potomac estuary and the Maryland portion of the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay. The primary objective of the program was to determine if power plant operations had measurable effects on benthic resources over time periods greater than 5 yrs. Salinity was the major environmental factor controlling regional benthic distributions and sediment properties were the major environmental factor contributing to local distributions. Seasonal fluctuations in abundance and biomass were the largest source of variation for most species. Higher standing stocks and more successful recruitment of several benthic populations occurred at thermally affected locations than at reference areas.

Research Organization:
Martin Marietta Corp., Baltimore, MD (USA). Environmental Center
OSTI ID:
5378533
Report Number(s):
PB-84-104512
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English