National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program

As part of the National Mussel Watch Program conducted by NOAA, AMS collected bivalves from 36 sites along the West Coast of the United States for analysis of trace metals and organic compounds. The program is designed to document trends in contaminant concentrations in coastal areas of the United States and the Great Lakes. Complex logistic planning and coordination were implemented for low-tide sampling along remote parts of the west coast, including interacting with multiple levels of government in three states.

Baseline Monitoring in Point Reyes National Seashore, California

This project monitored intertidal assemblages and petroleum hydrocarbons for the US National Park Service at Point Reyes National Seashore.

The objective of this program was to describe baseline conditions for Natural Resources Damage Assessment actions which may be necessary in the event of an oil spill in the area. The rocky intertidal areas and seagrass beds of the park were assessed for the percentage of cover of plants and animals and the intertidal mud flats were assessed for bivalve densities.

Sediments and selected bivalve species were tested for concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons.

A key component of this program was the development of a monitoring handbook which provides National part Service staff the information needed to continue monitoring activities.