                                 
                BASELINE MARINE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
     PEACOCK POINT OUTFALL AND OTHER POINT-SOURCE DISCHARGES
                    WAKE ATOLL, PACIFIC OCEAN





                                 













                            prepared by

U.S. Department of the Interior             and        U.S. Department of Commerce
Fish and Wildlife Service                         National Marine Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Ecoregion                         Pacific Islands Area Office
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850                       Honolulu, Hawaii 96822





                             prepared for

                      Department of the Army
           U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
                       Post Office Box 1500
                    Huntsville, Alabama 35807


                            March 1999


                                 
                        TABLE OF CONTENTS                   
                    

FIGURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I

TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

SURVEY METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

RESULTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
     Peacock Point Outfall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
          Station W-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
          Station W-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
          Station W-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
          Station W-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
          Station W-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
          Station W-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
     Other Point-Source Discharges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
          Power Plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
          Desalinization Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
          Airport Runway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
          Fuel Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
          Housing Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
     Peacock Point Outfall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
     Other Point-source Discharges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
     Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10


                             FIGURES



Figure 1. Marine Biological Survey Stations, Peacock Point Outfall, Wake Atoll11






































                                i
     
                              TABLES


Table 1.  Substrate cover at each of six stations surrounding the Peacock Point 
          Outfall, Wake Atoll, in June 1998. . . . . . . . . . 12

Table 2.  Reef-fish species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point 
          Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.. . . . . . . . . 13

Table 3.  Coral species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point 
          Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.. . . . . . . . . 18

Table 4.  Mollusc species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point 
          Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.. . . . . . . . . 20

Table 5.  Echinoderm species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point
          Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.. . . . . . . . . 21

Table 6.  Other macroinvertebrate species observed at six stations surrounding the 
          Peacock Point Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.. . 22

Table 7.  Macroalage species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point
          Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.. . . . . . . . . 23





















                                ii
                           INTRODUCTION

Wake Atoll, located approximately 2,100 miles west of Honolulu at 19 18' North Latitude and
166 35' East Longitude, is one of the most isolated atolls in the world.  The land closest to
Wake is Taongi Atoll in the Marshall Islands, which is approximately 300 miles (mi) to the
south.  Wake is a possession of the United States.  It is owned by the U.S. Air Force and leased
to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) in support of the Ballistic
Missile Defense Organization (BMDO).  The facility is operated by Chugach Development
Corporation (CDC), under contract to the SMDC, as a target missile launch complex.  The atoll
also serves as a refueling and logistical stop for various military and military-contracted aircraft. 
The atoll is inhabited by approximately 25 U.S. citizens and 100 foreign workers from Thailand,
and it hosts a transient population that fluctuates for brief periods throughout the year.

The emergent land area of Wake Atoll is approximately 1,828 acres (ac).  This area consists of
three low-lying coral islets (Wake, Peale and Wilkes) that border the north, south, and east sides
of a shallow lagoon.  The western side of the atoll is comprised of a reef flat that is partially
exposed at low tide.  The area of submerged coral-reef habitat at Wake Atoll is approximately
7,907 ac (Hunter 1995).  At the surface of the ocean, the atoll is approximately 4.5 mi long by
2.0 mi wide. The installation has only one sewage outfall pipe, which is located near Peacock
Point at the southeastern corner of the atoll.  Solids in the raw sewage are allowed an opportunity
to settle within a series of basins before the liquids are allowed to pass, untreated, through the
outfall pipe into the marine environment.  The end of the outfall pipe is located approximately
70 feet (ft) from shore, at a depth of 35 ft.  Normally, the effluent is discharged through the pipe
for approximately 15 minutes, twice daily.

On behalf of the SMDC, biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) were invited to Wake Atoll in June 1998.  The
purpose of the visit was to conduct baseline marine biological surveys in the vicinity of the
Peacock Point outfall pipe and to examine the sites of other point-source discharges to the marine
environment (i.e., power plant, desalinization plant, and stormwater outlets).  The biologists were
asked to (1) generally characterize the coral-reef habitats within the vicinity of the outfall, (2)
document the primary species of reef fishes, corals, other macroinvertebrates, and algae that exist
in those habitats, and (3) investigate whether the reef communities at the other sites appeared to
have been impacted by the discharges.  This report contains the results of these surveys.


                        SURVEY METHODOLOGY

For the purposes of the Peacock Point Outfall survey, six stations were established on the
seaward reef slope along the southern exposure of the atoll (Figure 1).  These included one
station upcurrent of the outfall (W-1), a station that was centered at the end of the outfall pipe
(W-2), two stations downcurrent of the outfall (W-3 and W-4), and two control stations that were
downcurrent and estimated to be outside the influence of the outfall (W-5 and W-6).


Station W-1 was located at coordinates 19 16.120' N and 166 39.318' E, approximately 500 ft
southeast (upcurrent) of the outfall pipe and within the discharge's Zone of Mixing (ZOM). 
Station W-2 was located at coordinates 19 16.190' N and 166 39.262' E, at the end of the
outfall pipe and at the center of the discharge's Zone of Initial Dilution (ZID), which was
estimated to have a radius of approximately 18 ft from the end of the pipe.  Station W-3 was
located at 19 16.213' N and 166 39.139' E, within the ZOM approximately 500 ft northwest
(downcurrent) of the pipe.  Station W-4 was located at coordinates 1916.359' N and 166
38.858' E, near the downcurrent limit of the ZOM approximately 1640 ft from the end of the
pipe.  Station W-5 was located  at 1916.819' N and  166 37.710' E, approximately 1.5 mi
northwest of the pipe.  Finally, Station W-6 was located at 1917.853' N and 166 35.902' E,
approximately 4.5 mi northwest of the pipe.

A standardized Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) technique was used to record observations
on species and habitat conditions at each station.  The technique included timed 30-minute scuba
dives from a 28-ft boat that was provided by the SMDC and operated by CDC staff.  During
each dive, biologists swam over the reef in a meandering fashion with a minimum amount of
backtracking.  Species of reef fishes, corals, other macroinvertebrates, and algae were recorded. 
Emphasis was given to identifying conspicuous, diurnally active species.  As a result, small,
cryptic, and nocturnally active species are under represented in the data.  For molluscs, many
species identifications were based on empty shells.  Observations on the presence of sea turtles
were made opportunistically.

The relative abundances of observed species were ranked as Abundant, Common, Occasional, or
Rare.  These categories were defined as follows:  Abundant (A) = the species contributes
substantial abundance or coverage (25+% of total) or is very numerous in the survey area or is
dominant within parts of the survey area; Common (C) =  the species is present as several or
more individuals or as a few larger colonies or is conspicuous in only one or a few parts of the
survey area; Occasional (O) = the species is uncommon or present only as a few individuals or
as a few large colonies but not contributing substantially to abundance or substrate coverage
anywhere within the survey area; and Rare (R) = the species is present on the basis of only one
individual seen within the survey area.

In addition, a general description of the reef habitat at each station, including the percent
composition of reef substrate cover, was recorded.  The latter was calculated from 50 observation
points that were evenly spaced along a 165-ft transect line located at a depth of 35 ft at each
station.  Seven  general types of cover were used to characterize the reef substrate including Hard
Coral, Soft Coral, Coralline Algae, Macroalgae, Turf-Covered Boulders, Coralline-Algal Rubble,
and Sand.

The survey team responsible for the investigation included USFWS biologists Michael Molina
(corals and reef substrate cover) and Kevin Foster (noncoral macroinvertebrates and algae) and
NMFS biologist John Naughton (fishes and station habitat descriptions).  The identity of certain
species of algae were confirmed by Dr. Isabella Abott, Department of Botany, University of
Hawaii.



                             RESULTS

Peacock Point Outfall

The types and percentages of substrate cover recorded at a depth of 35 ft at each of the six
stations established for the Peacock Point outfall survey are given in Table 1.  Lists of the
dominant species of marine organisms observed at the six stations are presented in tables 2
through 7.  These include reef fishes (Table 2), corals (Table 3), molluscs (Table 4), echinoderms
(Table 5), other macroinvertebrates (Table 6), and macroalgae (Table 7).

Station W-1:

Habitat
This station is located in a high energy environment near the eastern tip of the atoll, which is
exposed to the prevailing wind and swell.  The reef slopes seaward at 25 to 45 and drops
precipitously from approximately 30 to 60 feet.  Steep ridges and deep channels form an irregular
substrate that is comprised of coral (44%), macroalgae (22%), coralline algae (12%), sand (12%),
soft coral (8%), and coralline-algal rubble (2%).  Relatively high coral cover and bottom relief
provided excellent habitat for a variety of marine life.  Water clarity was relatively good with
visibility being estimated to be approximately 100 ft.  No evidence of algal fouling was observed. 

Biota
Seventy-seven reef-fish species belonging to 21 families were observed.  Most of these species
were wrasses, surgeonfishes, parrotfishes, and butterflyfishes.  The most abundant fish species
included  the surgeonfish Zebrasoma flavescens, the butterflyfishes Chaetodon ephippium and C.
ulietensis,  the damselfish Chromis acares, the snapper Lutjanus monostigmus, the goatfish
Mulloides vanicolensis, the squirrelfish Sargocentron spinniferum, the soldierfish Myrpristis
murdjan, and schools of the rudderfish Kyphosus cinerascens.  Twenty-one species of corals from
eight families were represented.  Most of these corals belong to the families Faviidae and
Acroporidae.    The most abundant corals included Pocillopora eydouxi and Porites lutea. 
Twenty-two species of other macroinvertebrates were observed, including six molluscs, six
echinoderms, and ten species from other phyla.  The sea urchins Echinometra mathaei and
Echinostrephus sp. were abundant.  Twelve species of macroalgae, primarily belonging to the
phyla Chlorophyta (green algae) and Phaeophyta (brown algae), were recorded.  The most
abundant algae were the blue-green alga Lyngbya majuscula and the brown alga Dictyota
divaricata.  An unidentified alga of the genus Dictyota was particularly abundant in the reef
channels.

Station W-2: 

Habitat
This station is located in a relatively low to moderate energy environment, which results from
the natural protection from wind and swell afforded to it by the orientation of the atoll.  The reef
slopes gradually seaward, and widely spaced coral-covered pinnacles are present at depths from
35 to
60 ft.  The pinnacles provided the best habitat for marine organisms.  Dense swarms of newly
recruited larval fish and suspended algal particles contributed to relatively poor water clarity with
visibility estimated to be approximately 50 ft.  In general, the substrate is comprised of sand
(52%), coralline-algal rubble (30%), coralline algae (8%), coral (6%), and macroalgae (4%).  No
signs of algal fouling were observed although debris (e.g., metal pipes, valves, wire, and parts
of netting) clutters the bottom in the vicinity of the outfall.

Biota
Fifty-nine species of reef fish from nineteen families were observed.  Most of these species were
surgeonfishes, wrasses, parrotfishes, and butterflyfishes.  The most abundant fish species included 
the surgeonfishes Acanthurus triostegus and Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis and the damselfish
Chromis acares.  Thirteen species of corals from six families were recorded.  Most of these
corals belong to the families Faviidae and Acroporidae.  The most abundant corals included
Pocillopora eydouxi and Porites lutea.  Twenty three species of other macroinvertebrates were
observed, including eight molluscs, ten echinoderms, and five species from other phyla.  None
of these species were considered abundant.  Sixteen species of macroalgae, primarily belonging
to the phyla Chlorophyta (green algae) and Phaeophyta (brown algae), were recorded.  The most
abundant alga present was the blue-green alga Lyngbya majuscula.

Station W-3:

Habitat
This station is also located in a relatively low to moderate energy environment due to it being
protected from wind and swell by the atoll.  The reef slopes gradually seaward with coral-covered
pinnacles being denser than at Station W-2.  Again, the pinnacles provided the best habitat for
marine life, and suspended algal particles and larval fish contributed to relatively poor water
clarity.  Visibility at this station was fair and estimated to be approximately 65 ft.  The substrate
is generally comprised of sand (36%), coralline-algal rubble (28%), macroalgae (26%), turf-
covered boulders (8%), and coral (2%).  No signs of algal fouling were observed although some
metal debris was observed on the bottom.

Biota
Fifty-eight species of reef fish within eighteen families were observed.  The majority of these
species were wrasses, butterflyfishes, parrotfishes, and surgeonfishes.  The most abundant fish
species included the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis and the damselfish Chromis acares. 
Observed corals included 15 species belonging to six families, with the family Faviidae being
most well represented.  The corals Favia pallida, Pocillopora eydouxi, and Porites lutea were
most abundant.  Thirteen species of other macroinvertebrates were observed, including two
molluscs, five echinoderms, and six species from other phyla.    None of these species were
considered abundant.  Twelve species of macroalgae, primarily belonging to the phyla
Chlorophyta (green algae) and Phaeophyta (brown algae), were recorded.  The blue-green alga
Lyngbya majuscula, the green alga Halimeda opuntia, the brown alga Dictyota divaricata, and
the same unidentified species of Dictyota that was seen in the channels at Station W-1 were most
abundant.

Station W-4:

Habitat
This station is also located in a relatively low to moderate energy environment.  The reef drops
sharply from 15 to 55 ft and from there slopes gradually seaward to a depth of approximately
90 ft with large pinnacles rising from the bottom.  At 90 ft, the reef drops vertically to greater
depths.  Water clarity was fair with visibility estimated to be approximately 65 ft.  The substrate
at this station is comprised of coralline-algal rubble (38%), sand (26%), turf-covered boulders
(16%), coral (14%), and macroalgae (6%).  

Biota
Sixty-three species of reef fish belonging to 20 families were recorded.  Most of these species
were wrasses and surgeonfishes.  The butterflyfish Heniochus acuminatus and the damselfishes
Chromis acares and C. agilis were the most abundant species observed.  Twenty-five species of
coral from six families were seen.  Most of these species belong to the families Faviidae and
Acroporidae.  Favia pallida, Pocillopora eydouxi, and Porites lutea were the most abundant
corals.  Twenty species of other macroinvertebrates were observed, including six molluscs, six
echinoderms, and eight species from other orders.  The giant clam Tridacna maxima was
observed to be abundant.  Three green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were seen at a depth of
approximately 45 ft.  Fourteen species of macroalgae, primarily belonging to the phyla
Chlorophyta (green algae) and Phaeophyta (brown algae), were recorded.  The blue-green alga
Lyngbya majuscula, the green alga Halimeda opuntia, the brown alga Dictyota divaricata, and
the same unidentified species of Dictyota that was seen in the channels at Station W-1 were most
abundant.

Station W-5:

Habitat
Station 5 is located in a relatively low to moderate energy environment.  A relatively wide reef
shelf extends out from the shoreline and slopes seaward at an angle of approximately 20 from
5 to 15 ft in depth.  From there, the reef drops sharply and levels at 55 ft before descending at
an angle of approximately 30 to a depth of 90 ft.  Below 90 ft, the reef drops sharply.  High
coral cover and vertical relief provides good habitat for marine life.  Water clarity was good at
this station with visibility estimated to be approximately 100 ft.  The substrate is comprised of
coral (54%), macroalgae (34%), coralline algae (10%), and soft coral (2%).

Biota
Sixty reef-fish species belonging to 19 families were observed.  The majority of these species
were surgeonfishes and wrasses.  Only one fish species, the fairy basslet Pseudanthias pascalus,
was considered abundant.  Twenty-one species of coral within seven families were recorded, with
the families Faviidae and Acroporidae being the most well represented.  The corals Favia pallida,
Pocillopora eydouxi, and Porites lutea were the most abundant species seen.  Eighteen species
of other macroinvertebrates, including five molluscs, seven echinoderms, and six species from
other orders were observed.  None of these species were considered to be abundant.  Two adult
Chelonia mydas were observed at a depth of approximately 40 ft.  Fourteen species of
macroalgae, primarily from the phyla Cholorophyta (green algae) and  Phaeophyta (brown algae),
were identified at this station.  The green alga Halimeda opuntia, the brown alga Dictyota
divaricata, and the blue-green alga Lyngbya majuscula were the most abundant of these species.

Station W-6:

Habitat
This station is located in a relatively moderate energy environment.  The reef gradually slopes
seaward to 25 ft and then drops abruptly to 50 ft where it continues to descend at an angle of
approximately 30 to a depth of 80 ft.  Below 80 ft, the reef drops sharply into deeper water. 
Water clarity at this station was good with visibility estimated to be 100 ft.  The substrate is
comprised primarily of macro-algae (40%), coral (38%), coralline algae (10%), sand (8%), and
coralline-algal rubble (4%).

Biota
Fifty-two species from eighteen families of reef fishes were seen at this station.  Among these
species, butterflyfishes, surgeonfishes, parrotfishes, and wrasses were most well represented.  The
most abundant species included the butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula, the parrotfish Bolbometopon
muricatum, and the damselfish Chromis acares.  Thirty-four species of coral within nine families
were recorded.  The majority of these species belong to the families Faviidae and Acroporidae. 
Favia pallida, Pocillopora eydouxi, and Porites lutea were the most abundant corals.  Seventeen
species of macro-invertebrates were observed.  Among these species were three molluscs, six
echinoderms, and eight species from other phyla.  The crab Trapezia sp. 1 was particularly
abundant at this location and could easily be found in the branches of the coral P. eydouxi.  One
green sea turtle was observed at a depth of approximately 55 ft.  Eleven species of macroalgae,
primarily from the phyla Chlorophyta (green algae) and Phaeophyta (brown algae) were
represented.  The green alga Caulerpa peltata was the most abundant algal species at this site.

Other Point-Source Discharges

Power Plant:

The power plant discharges cooling water into the lagoon.  The substrate fronting the plant was
primarily sand, with less than 5% coral cover.  Cooling water was being discharged at an
established point and from an unexpected second point located about 100 ft to the west.  A smell
similar to that of hydrogen sulfide emanated from both drainage streams, and metal debris littered
the bottom and shoreline adjacent to the plant.  The temperature of the discharge is cooler than
the ambient temperature of the receiving water in the lagoon, and no evidence of thermal stress
was observed.  Enteromorpha sp., a green alga, was present in the drainage plume, and corals
(Pocillopora damicornis), green algae (Caulerpa peltata) and giant clams (Tridacna maxima)
were commonly observed on the surrounding lagoon substrate.

Desalinization Plant:

Although the desalination plant was inactive during the survey period, it also discharges cooling
water into the lagoon when operational.  The ambient water temperature surrounding the
discharge point was estimated to exceed 100  Fahrenheit at the time of the survey.  The
substrate fronting the plant was primarily sand that appeared to lack the invertebrate and algal
species commonly seen at other locations in the lagoon, and this may be evidence of natural
thermal stress.  The bottom sediments near the discharge were dark colored and possibly anoxic
due to frequently stagnant water conditions.  When mobilized, the sediments gave off a strong
smell similar to that of hydrogen sulfide.

Airport Runway:

Stormwater from the airport is collected and discharged onto the shallow, seaward reef flat
located off the eastern end of the runway.  This reef flat appeared to be typical of other similar
reef flats found on Wake, with relatively low coral density and no sign of algal fouling. 
Surgeonfishes (Acanthurus sordidus and A. triostegus), parrotfishes (Scarus sp.), seacumbers
(Holothuria sp.), corals (Pocillopera verrucosa and P. eydouxi), algae (Caulerpa sp.), giant clams
(Tridacna maxima), and rock crabs (Grapsus sp.) were observed at the outfall site.  These species
appeared to be in good health and and behaving normally.  There was no sign of algal fouling.

Fuel Farm:

Stormwater collected at the fuel farm is discharged into the lagoon through three outlets.  The
algal community fronting these drains appeared normal, with no sign of algal fouling.  Animal
species casually observed at these discharge points included: flounders (Bothus mancus),
butterflyfishes (Chaetodon ariga), mullet (Crenimugil crenilabis), giant clams (T. maxima), rock
crabs (Grapsus sp.), octopus, tube worms, and bryozoans.  All of the organisms observed
appeared to be healthy and behaving normally.

Housing Area (near bridge between Wake and Peale islets):

The outlet appears to have been covered by sediments and is no longer operable.

                            DISCUSSION

A total of 122 species of reef fishes, 41 species of corals, 39 species of other macroinvertebrates,
and 19 species of macroalgae were recorded at Wake Atoll during this survey.  Undoubtedly,
many more species among all groups are present at the atoll, but a more complete inventory was
beyond the scope of the survey.  None of the species observed are considered to be endemic to
Wake.  Marine endemism at Wake is expected to be low due to the atoll's downcurrent proximity
to sources of planktonic larval recruitment.  Although relatively isolated, Wake receives larvae
transported by the North Equatorial Current and the Subtropical Countercurrent from reefs in the
Marshall, Caroline, and Mariana islands.  Nevertheless, overall marine species diversity at Wake
is expected to be much lower than it is within these other island chains due to its more northern
latitude.  For some marine species, Wake's location is very near or at the northern limit of their
known range.

Peacock Point Outfall

The survey results indicate that the marine resources at Wake are not at risk from exposure to
the sewage effluent discharged at the Peacock Point Outfall.  There did not appear to be any algal
fouling present either at the outfall or at any of the other survey stations.  Reef fish and
macroinvertebrate behavior appeared normal at all survey stations.  The relative abundances and
distributions of these species did not appear to vary significantly among stations.  Although coral
species diversity appeared to be least at and immediately downcurrent of the outfall, this is likely
the result of a paucity of suitable substrate for successful coral establishment at stations W-2, W-
3, and W-4, where sand, rubble, and boulders made up between 64% and 82% of the substrate
cover.  Furthermore, no sign of degradation or decay of corals was seen at any of the stations
within the ZID and ZOM.  However, without quantitative analyses of potential contaminant
bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the tissues of these organisms, it is difficult to be
absolutely certain of health of these resources.

A dense mat of blue-green algae was observed on the reef flat fronting the area between the
outfall and the east end of Peacock Point.  It does not appear that the outfall discharge is
adversely impacting the adjacent reef.  However, the continued presence of the algal mat may
be the result of elevated iron levels contained in runoff from the old dump at the end of Peacock
Point, which contains a very large concentration of metal debris.  If this is the case, it is possible
that the algal mat may grow in size and possibly spread to lower-energy subtidal areas as long
as the metal debris is present.  Due to the close proximity of the algal mat to the outfall, the
possibility of the algal mat fouling the outfall is plausible.

Other Point-source Discharges

The results of our inspections of the reef at the other point-source discharge sites revealed no
indication that either the reef habitats or the biotic communities they support have been degraded
by the discharges.  No algal fouling was seen at any of the discharge points.  Also, the marine
organisms present at each discharge point appeared to be healthy and behaving normally.

At the power plant, the temperature of the discharge is actually lower than the ambient receiving
water temperature and thermal stress from the discharge seems unlikely  However, the second
discharge noted at the power plant may have indicated the existence of a break in the discharge
pipe, and it was noted that this second discharge was causing some shoreline erosion.  At the
desalination plant, little marine life was seen near the discharge point.  This is probably the result
of naturally elevated water temperatures due to stagnant water conditions rather than due to a
discharge since the plant is currently not active.  The discharge points at the fuel farm and airport
runway exhibited no signs of algal fouling, and the marine communities present appeared healthy
and normal.

Recommendations

1.   Remove the metal debris at the eastern end of the Peacock Point as soon as possible;

2.   Monitor the effects of the metal removal-activities on the blue-green algal mat;

3.   Monitor the general reef area downcurrent (southwest) of Peacock Point for the
     establishment of similar colonies of blue-green algae;

4.   Sample and analyze tissues from reef organisms near the outfall for the presence of PCBs,
     metals, dioxin, and other contaminants; and

5.   Investigate the power plant's discharge pipe for breaks, and repair the pipe as soon as
     possible, if necessary.

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Randal, J.E. and Randal, H.A. 1987.  Annotated checklist of the fishes of Enewetak Atoll and 
     other Marshall Islands.  In: D.M. Devaney, E.S. Reese, B.L. Burch, and P.Helfrich (eds.),
     The Natural History of Enewetak Atoll, Volume II, Biogeography and Systematics. U.S.
     Department of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Oak Ridge,
     Tennessee. Pages 289-324.

Veron, J.E.N.  1993.  Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of 
     Hawaii Press.  644 p.
Figure 1. Baseline Marine Biological Survey Stations, Peacock Point Outfall, Wake Atoll


Table 1.  Substrate cover at each of six stations surrounding the Peacock Point Outfall,
          Wake Atoll, in June 1998.  Values are expressed as the percentage of total cover
          contributed by each substrate type.  Blanks in the table indicate that the respective
          substrate type was not recorded on the transect at a particular station.  See text for
          additional details.

SUBSTRATE TYPE	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

Hard Coral

Soft Coral

Coralline Algae

Macroalgae

Turf-Covered Boulders

Coralline-Algal Rubble

Sand
	 44

   8

 12

 22



   2

 12	   6



   8

   4



 30

 52	   2





 26

   8

 28

 36	 14

   

 

   6

 16
 
 38

 26	 54

   2

 10

 34



   

   	 38



 10

 40 

 

   4

   8

TOTAL	100	100	100	100	100	100


Table 2.  Reef-fish species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point Outfall,
          Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.  Relative abundance is indicated as A = Abundant, C
          = Common, O = Occasional, and R = Rare.  Observed fish schools are indicated
          by an asterisk (*).  Blanks in the table indicate that the respective species was not
          recorded at a particular station.  See text for additional details.

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

CARCHARHINDIDAE (Requiem Sharks)
   Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

MYLIOBATIDAE (Eagle Rays)
   Aetobatis narinari

MURAENIDAE (Moray Eels)
   Gymnothorax javanicus

CHANIDAE (Milkfish)
   Chanos chanos

HOLOCENTRIDAE (Squirrelfishes, Soldierfishes)
   Myripristis berndti
   M. murdjan
   Neoniphon opercularis
   Sargocentrum spiniferum

FISTULARIIDAE (Coronetfishes)
   Fistularia commersonii

SERRANIDAE (Fairy Basslets, Groupers)
   Pseudanthias pascalus
   Cephalopholis argus
   C. urodeta
   Epinephelus fasciatus
   E. merra
   E. microdon
   E. tauvina
   E. hexagonatus

CIRRHITIDAE (Hawkfishes)
   Paracirrhites arcatus
   P. forsteri
   P. hemistictus	
R


R


R





C
A

A






C


R
R
R
R


C

	















O


R



C

R

R




R
O
	









R


O


O






C
R
R

R
O



O
O
	
R





R











O*



C
R
R
R





O
O
R	












C
C
O
C





A
C


R

R



O
O
R	






R


C*








R


A
C

O

R
















Table 2.  (Continued)

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

CARANGIDAE (Jacks, Trevallies)
   Decapterus macarellus
   Carangoides orthogrammus
   Caranx lugubris
   C. melampygus
   C. sexfaciatus
   Scomberoides lysan
   Trachinotus bailloni

LUTJANIDAE (Snappers)
   Aphareus furca
   Macolor niger 
   Lutjanus fulvus
   L. monostigmus

LETHRINIDAE (Emperors)
   Monotaxis grandoculus
   Lethrinus kallopterus
   L. ramak

MULLIDAE (Goatfishes)
   Mulloides vanicolensis
   Parupeneus barberinus
   P. bifasciatus
   P. multifasciatus

PEMPHERIDAE (Sweepers)
   Pempheris oualensis

KYPHOSIDAE (Rudderfishes)
   Kyphosus bigibbus
   K. cinerascens

CHAETONDONTIDAE (Butterflyfishes)
   Chaetodon auriga
   C. ephippium
   C. lunula
   C. lineolatus
   C. ornatissimus
   C. oxycephalus
   C. quadrimaculatus
   C. punctatofasciatus
   C. ulietensis
   Hemitaurichthys thompsoni
   Heniochus acuminatus	


R
O





R
R
C
A


C

C


A

C
O





O
A*


O

A

O

R


A
R	
C

R
C

C*





O
C


O

R



R
O







C




C
R
O

C

O

	

R

C







O
R


R

R



O
O
R






O


C
R
C

R
R
C



	
O


C*







O
O


O
C




R
O






O
C


R

C



O

R
A
	
C


C*







O
C


O




O

O
O


C


R





O



O
R
O

	


O
O
C*
R
O


R

R



O
R
R




O



R


O
C


R
R
A

O

R

R





Table 2.  (Continued)

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                                Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

POMACANTHIDAE (Angelfishes)
   Centropyge flavissimus
   C. loriculus

OPLEGNATHIDAE 
   Oplegnathus punctatus

POMACENTRIDAE (Damselfishes)
   Chromis acares
   C. agilis
   C. vanderbilti
   Abudefduf saxatilis
   A. sordidus

LABRIDAE (Wrasses)
   Cheilinus chlorourus
   C. undulatus
   C. unifasciatus
   C. fasciatus
   Epibulus insidiator
   Novaculichthys taeniourus
   Anampses caeruleopunctatus
   Coris aygula
   Gomphosus varius
   Halichoeres hartzfeldii
   H. chrysus
   H. margaritaceus
   H. melanurus
   Hemigymnus fasciatus
   H. melapterus
   Stethojulis bandanensis
   Thalassoma amblycephalum
   T. lutescens
   T. quinquevittatum
   Labroides bicolor
   L. pectoralis

SCARIDAE (Parrotfishes)
   Bolbometopon muricatum
   Cetoscarus bicolor
   Hipposcarus longiceps	
C
R


O


A
C
C




R
R
O
O
O

R
R
R



R
R
R
R
O



R


R
O
O	
C
O





A
C





R
R
R

O



C


O

O
R


C





R

O	
O






A
C
C




O
R
R

O


R
C







C
C


R




O	
C






A
A

C
O



R
O

R
R
R
O





O

C
C
C


R


R

R	
C
R


R


C
C





R

R



R
R
O
R
O


R
R

C
C
R
R
R




	
O






A







R


R


R



O

R



O





A




Table 2.  (Continued)

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

SCARIDAE (continued)
   Scarus altipinnis
   S. forsteni
   S. frontalis
   S. ghobban
   S. globiceps
   S. microrhinus
   S. oviceps
   S. rubroviolaceus
   S. sordidus

SPHYRAENIDAE (Barracudas)
   Sphyraena barracuda

ACANTHURIDAE (Surgeonfishes)
   Acanthurus achilles
   A. blochii
   A. guttatus
   A. nigricauda
   A. nigrofuscus
   A. nigroris
   A. olivaceus
   A. triostegus
   Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
   C. striatus
   Zebrasoma flavescens
   Z. veliferum
   Naso hexacanthus
   N. lituratus
   N. unicornis

ZANCLIDAE (Moorish Idols)
   Zanclus cornutus

SIGANIDAE (Rabbitfishes)
   Siganus argenteus

BOTHIDAE (Lefteye Flounders)
   Bothus mancus	

C


O
C
O
O
R





R
O



C
O
C
C
C
A
O
R
C



O





R	

C
C
O



O



R



O
C
O
O
C
O
A
A

C
O

O






R


	
C
C
C


O
R










C

C
O
A
C

C


C
C


R


R


	
O
C












C



O
C

C
C

C

C*
C






O


	

C

C

R


O





C

C
O
C
C

C
C

C
R

C



R





	
O
C
C


C
R

O


R


C


O

C

O

O
O


O












Table 2.  (Continued).

FAMILY
   Genus species         	                                  Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

BALISTIDAE (Triggerfishes)
   Balistoides viridescens
   Melichthys niger
   M. vidua
   Rhinecanthus aculeatus
   R. rectangulus
   Sufflamen bursa

TETRAODONTIDAE (Puffers)
   Arothron meleagris
   A. stellatus
   Canthigaster amboinensis

DIODONTIDAE (Porcupinefishes)
   Diodon hystrix	

O
C


R







	

O
C


R







	


C
R

O







	
R
C
O


O


R
R



R	


C










	

C
O


O









TOTAL FAMILIES	21	19	18	20	19	18

TOTAL SPECIES	77	59	58	63	50	62


Table 3.  Coral species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point Outfall,
          Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.  Relative abundance is indicated as A = Abundant, C
          = Common, O = Occasional, and R = Rare.  Blanks in the table indicate that the
          respective species was not recorded at a particular station.  See text for additional
          details.

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                                Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

POCILLOPORIDAE
   Pocillopora eydouxi
   P. meandrina
   P. verrucosa

ACROPORIDAE
   Montipora danae
   M. foveolata
   M. hoffmeisteri
   M. informis
   M. monasteriata
   M. verrucosa
   Acropora aculeus
   A. nasuta
   A. valida
   Astreopora myriophthalma

PORITIDAE
   Porites lutea
   P. solida 
  
AGARICIIDAE
   Pavona varians
   Leptoseris mycetoseroides

FUNGIIDAE
   Fungia scutaria

MUSSIDAE
   Acanthastrea echinata
   Symphyllia radians
   S. recta

MERULINIDAE
   Merulina ampliata	
A
O





O

O




O


A







O


C

O


R	
A
R





O

O
R






A










C

R


R	
A








R
R






A



R






C

R	
A
R




R
C

O


O

O


A
O


R






C
R
	
A
O



R

C

O
R
R
R




A



C
R





C
R



	
A
R
R



O
C
R
O
O
R
R
R



A
R


O
R


R


C




R



Table 3.  (Continued)

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

FAVIIDAE
   Favia favus
   F. pallida
   F. stelligera
   F. abdita
   F. flexuosa
   F. halicora
   Goniastrea retiformis
   G. pectinata
   G. favulus
   Platygyra daedalea
   P. sinensis
   Leptoria phyrgia
   Montastrea curta
   M. valenciennesi  
   Leptastrea purpurea
   Cyphastrea microphthalma
   C. serailia
   Echinophora lamellosa

MILLEPORIDAE
   Millepora exaesa	
O
C
R
O


C


O
O




O
R
O


R	

C




O






R

O	
O
A

O


C



R
R


O


O	
O
A

O


C


O
R


R
O
C
O
R


	
C
A

R
R

C
R
R


R

R
O

R



R	
C
A

O
R
R
C
O

O
O
R
R
R

O
R
R


O

TOTAL FAMILIES	8	6	6	6	7	9

TOTAL SPECIES	21	13	15	23	25	34


Table 4.  Mollusc species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point Outfall,
          Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.  Relative abundance is indicated as A = Abundant, C
          = Common, O = Occasional, and R = Rare.  Blanks in the table indicate that the
          respective species was not recorded at a particular station.  See text for additional
          details.

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

TRIDACNIDAE (Giant Clams)
   Tridacna maxima

STROMBIDAE (Conchs)
   Lambis truncata

CONIDAE (Cones)
   Conus sp.
   C. imperialis
   C. flavidus
   C. marmoreus
   C. abreviata

TEREBRIDAE (Augers)
   Terebra maculata

FASCIOLARRIDAE (Tulips)
   Pleuroploca sp.
   Fasciolaria sp.

CYMATIIDAE (Tritons)
   Cymatium muricinum 

LIMIDAE (Files)
   Lima sp.

OCTOPODIDAE (Octopus)
   Octopus cyanea	
C


O


R
O


O





R	
C






O
O
R
O


R


R



R	
C








O
	
A


O



R


R


O



R





	
C






O
R

R












R


	
O







O

















R

TOTAL FAMILIES	4	5	2	5	3	3

TOTAL SPECIES	6	8	2	6            	5	3


Table 5.  Echinoderm species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point
          Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.  Relative abundance is indicated as A =
          Abundant, C = Common, O = Occasional, and R = Rare.  Blanks in the table
          indicate that the respective species was not recorded at a particular station.  See
          text for additional details.

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

OPHIDIASTERIDAE (Starfishes)
   Linckia multifora

OPHIONEREIDAE (Brittle Stars)
   Ophioneris sp.

OPHIOCOMIDAE (Brittle Stars)
   Ophiomastix sp.

HOLOTHURIDAE (Sea Cucumbers)
   Bohadschia sp.
   Holothuria atra
   Holothuria edulis

STICHOPODIDAE (Sea Cucumbers)
   Thelenota ananas
   T. anax
   Stichopus sp.

ECHINOMETRIDAE (Sea Urchins)
   Echinometra mathaei
   Heterocentrotus trigonarius
   Echinostrephus sp.

SPATANGIDAE (Heart Urchins)
   Maretia planulata	
C









 
C







A
C
A


C	
C


O





O
O
C


O

O


C
O
C
	
C









  
C



O



C

C	
C





O



 
C



C



C

C	
C





O




C



C



C
R
C	
C





O



O
C







C

C

TOTAL FAMILIES	4	5	4	5	5	4

TOTAL SPECIES	6	10	5	6	7	6















Table 6.  Other macroinvertebrate species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock
          Point Outfall, Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.  Relative abundance is indicated as A
          = Abundant, C = Common, O = Occasional, and R = Rare.  Blanks in the table
          indicate that the respective species was not recorded at a particular station.  See
          text for additional details.

FAMILY
   Genus/species	                               Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

PALINURIDAE (Spiny Lobsters)
   Panulirus pencillatus

XANTHIDAE (True Crabs)
   Trapezia sp. 1
   Trapezia sp. 2
   Trapezia sp. 3
   Trapezia sp. 4

STENOPODIDAE (Coral Shrimp)
   Stenopus hispidus

MELITHAEIDAE (Sea Fans)
   Acabaria sp.

SPONGIIDAE (Sponges)
   Hippospongia sp.

DIDEMNIDAE (Sea Squirts)
   Diplosoma virens

POLYCITORIDAE (Sea Squirts)
   Eudistoma sp.
   Clavelina sp.

SERPULIDAE (Tube Worms)
   Spirobranchus giganteus

TERREBELLIDAE (Tube Worms)
   Unidentified Terrebellid	
R


O
C
C
C





O





O


O



C


O	



C
C
C
C















R

	



O
C
C
C








O









O	
R


C
C
C
C


C





O









O	
R


C
C
C
C








R









	
R


A
C
C
C


C





O









O

TOTAL FAMILIES	6	2	2	5	3	5

TOTAL SPECIES	10	5	6	8	6	8

TOTAL OF ALL OBSERVED NONCORAL
MACROINVERTEBRATE SPECIES	
22	
23	
13	
20	
18	
17








Table 7.  Macroalage species observed at six stations surrounding the Peacock Point Outfall,
          Wake Atoll,  in June 1998.  Relative abundance is indicated as A = Abundant, C
          = Common, O = Occasional, and R = Rare.  Blanks in the table indicate that the
          respective species was not recorded at a particular station.  See text for additional
          details.

FAMILY
   Genus species         	                                  Survey Stations

	W-1	W-2	W-3	W-4	W-5	W-6

CYANOPHYTA (Blue-green Algae)
   Lyngbya majuscula
   Phormidium crosbyanum

CHLOROPHYTA (Green Algae)
   Halimeda opuntia
   Neomeris annulata
   Caulerpa peltata 
   Caulerpa cupressoides
   Caulerpa serrulata
   Chladophora sp.
   Rhipilia orientalis

PHAEOPHYTA (Brown Algae)
   Dictyota divaricata
   Dictyota sp. 1
   Dictyota sp. 2
   Dictyopteris repens
   Padina sp.
   Lobophora variegata
   Hincksia breviarticulata

RHODOPHYTA (Red Algae)
   Liagora sp.
   Jania micarthrodia
   Agloathamnion boergensenii	
A



C
R
C
C
C

O


A


O

O



R	
A
C


C
C
C
C
C
O
R


A
C

R
O
R




O
O	
A
O


A
C
C
O
C
O



A
O



O




R	
A
C


A
C
C
C
C
O
R


A
C



O
O



O
R	
A
O


A
C
C
C
C




A
C
C
O


O


 
O
	
O



C
C
A
O
O

C


C

C
C





R



TOTAL FAMILIES	4	4	4	4	4	4

TOTAL SPECIES	12	16	12	15	13	11


