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

Results of benthic studies at Calvert Cliffs. Interim report August 1976--March 1977

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6439347
Three macrofaunal communities (i.e., 10-ft sand community, 30-ft mud community, and 20-ft shell community) with statistically different structural characteristics were identified from the Calvert Cliffs region of the Chesapeake Bay. Each community was restricted to a specific substrate type and their structure varied seasonally in a predictable manner with natural changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen regime. Because of these characteristics the structure of macrofaunal communities at Calvert Cliffs is well-suited to be used as an indicator of gradual environmental perturbations such as would result during power plant operations. However, before a macrofaunal community study will be useful to a vigorous assessment scheme at Calvert Cliffs, natural variation in community structure will have to be separated from power plant induced changes.
Research Organization:
Maryland Univ., Solomons (USA). Chesapeake Biological Lab.; Martin Marietta Corp., Baltimore, MD (USA). Environmental Technology Center
OSTI ID:
6439347
Report Number(s):
PB-280279; UMCEES-REF-77-91-CBL
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English