Marine Benthic Invertebrate Analysis

Marine Benthic Invertebrate Analysis 1.2 Introduction Scientists within Fisheries and Oceans Canada regularly use sediment sampling to explore the invertebrate biodiversity of benthic environments. Benthic sampling occurs in coastal marine environments throughout British Columbia. Samples of benthic fauna will be collected and support services will be required to assist the Pacific Region scientists in the separation, sorting, taxonomic identification and quantification of benthic fauna in these samples. 1.3 Objectives of the Requirement By the completion of the contract, the Contractor will deliver a database of all organisms identified in each sample. The database will document the number of organisms of each identified taxon, in addition to wet weights where possible. The Contractor will also store the samples with appropriate preservation methods for a period of three years, unless otherwise instructed by the Technical Authority. 1.4 Background, Assumptions and Specific Scope of the Requirement Benthic sediment samples will be collected by Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists, as a part of ongoing marine monitoring and environmental research. Biodiversity will be quantified as a regular metric of ecosystem health. 2.0 Requirements 2.1 Tasks, Activities, Deliverables and Milestones The work will include the sorting and identification of benthic fauna from marine samples. The Contractor will separate the faunal organisms contained within each sample from any debris (e.g., sand, wood, algae). Subsampling will be permitted if required to balance effort with the available contract amount; the specific proportion subsampled will be agreed upon following discussion with the Project Authority. Taxonomic identification is expected to take approximately 60 days, following receipt of the samples by the Contractor. The deliverable will be an electronic spreadsheet of the estimated number of organisms of each identified taxon within each of the samples, in addition to wet weights where possible and any other information deemed pertinent by the Contractor. The database spreadsheet will be provided in English and the format will be agreed upon through discussion with the Project Authority. Following taxonomic analysis, the Contractor will be responsible for disposing of all waste formalin. The Contractor will also be responsible for storing all taxa for three years in case further analysis is required. The Contractor will prepare all samples for this three-year storage period and will supply all necessary ethanol or other suitable preservative.