Ecological Impact Assessments
Applied Marine Sciences, Inc. (AMS) has an established
reputation along the North American West Coast as one of the premier
consultant companies specializing in designing and performing scientific
investigations of pollutant impacts on aquatic habitats and ecosystems.
The experience and training of our professional staff allows us
to design impact studies using highly focused measurements with
appropriate experimental controls. This produces quality results
that can be effectively applied by our clients to identify environmental
impacts and mitigation strategies, or to document the performance
of impact-control programs.
AMS has designed and conducted impact studies using a variety of
chemical and biochemical measures as well as ecological indications
of impact at both the population and community levels. These measurements
include trace element and organic chemistry in water, sediment,
and biota, histopathological and biochemical markers of disease
or pollutant exposure, and species abundance and diversity. In all
cases, our strategy is to apply the appropriate techniques in a
cost effective manner to achieve the project objectives. This frequently
results in using simple and straightforward measurements, rather
than expensive state-of-the-art techniques, which provide acceptable
scientific data at a reasonable cost.
Because of AMS’s success and reputation for performing legally
defensible and the highest quality scientific work, our clients
include not only local, state and federal government agencies (US.
National Park Service, US Minerals Management Service, State of
California, State of Alaska, Counties of Monterey and Marin, etc.),
but industry (Wickland Oil, Cargill Salt, Canadian Pacific Rail)
and other engineering and environmental service firms as well (Michael
Brandman & Associates, Arthur D. Little, Inc., EDAW, Inc., Fugro
McClellan Engineering).
Recent Projects in Ecological Impact
Assessment
Assessment of Impacts Related to Expansion
of Houseboat Docks
This on-going project for the County of Marin, California, is investigating
the potential impacts resulting from the disturbance and resuspension
of sediments in San Francisco Bay during relocation and modification
of houseboat docks.
Effects of Dredged Materials on Nearby
Sediment Concentrations of Mercury
Proposed levee maintenance dredging by Cargill Salt Company raised
regulatory agency concern regarding potential mercury concentration
increases in nearby saltwater marsh sediments and potential impacts
on the endangered California clapper rail.
Effects of Industrial Wastes on Fishes
Petroleum from an industrial vehicle wash-down area operated by
Canadian Pacific Rail escaped containment and entered a nearby river.
Bioaccumulation Monitoring Investigations
at a Slag Disposal Site
In an ongoing five-year study for Wickland Oil Company, AMS is collecting
and transplanting bivalves (mussels and oysters) from non-polluted
sites of the California coast to locations adjacent to an historic
slag disposal site near Carquinez Strait in San Francisco Bay.
Effects of PCB and DDT Discharges to
the Southern California Bight
AMS managed studies on the effects of PCB’s and DDT’s
on the reproduction of fishes in the Southern California Bight.
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