
Two
sediment profile images illustrating the subtle difference in the appearance of
dredged material (image A from station B100W) versus ambient sediment (image B
from station B300NE). Image A shows silty sediment with a relatively shallow
RPD of 0.7 cm and a mottled appearance due to the presence of small white clay
chips. Image B shows naturally-occurring fine-grained sediment with a
well-developed RPD of 4 cm. Biogenic surface roughness was detected in both
images, with macrofauna at the sediment-water interface. Due to the presence of
a Stage III feeding void at depth and the relatively deep RPD, image B has an
OSI value of +11, indicating undisturbed benthic habitat quality.