Monitoring of the Port Nelson dredge disposal area for contamination.

Temporal coverage: first record 1992 (ongoing)

Number of sites: 9 sites (3 in each of three zones - dumping area, spreading zone, control zone)

Sampling frequency: Once in the second year after consent (1995) and thereafter at 3-yearly intervals. In 2007 this changed to 5-yearly intervals.

Main marine environment sampled: Marine

Depth zone: Subtidal

Sedimentary type: Soft

Community association: Mud

Sampling method: Sediment cores, infauna cores, shellfish collection

Parameters collected: Sediment contamination, infauna community composition, shellfish tissue contamination

Measured variables: Infaunal community composition, sediment metals (Cu. Pb, ZN), sediment grain size, shellfish tissue (Austrofusus glans) contamination (organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, Hg), shellfish imposex assays

Species/community data: Benthic infauna

Other data collection: There was a baseline/preliminary survey carried out by the Cawthron Institute in 1992 (Roberts 1992)

Ongoing as part of their consent

Quality assurance: Yes