Sampling of undisturbed sediments was achieved using a 0.1 m2 Day Grab with stainless steel bucket. Prior to deployment at each station the metal sample bucket of the grab was cleaned with pentane to ensure that there would be no cross contamination.
49.
Upon retrieval of each sample, the top 2cm of sediment was sampled with a pentane washed metal scoop used for hydrocarbon samples, and a plastic scoop for metals. Sediment was placed within labelled glass sample jars or plastic pots, depending upon the chemical analyses being undertaken and stored frozen prior to the laboratory testing.
50.
Where the on‐site video review and mini hamon grab sampling found the ground in the area, unsuitable for chemical sediment sampling at a chosen site, a decision was made in the field on the viability of moving the grab location to a site close to the original, or further afield to a more suitable substrate, or abandoned.
51.
The samples were subsequently submitted to a specialist UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory.
Benthic Characterisation Report November 2013
East Anglia THREE and FOUR Offshore Cable Corridor
