Emu Limited was commissioned by Kentish Flats Limited to undertake a marine ecological survey of two turbine foundations, within the Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm.
The aims of the study were to investigate the faunal colonisation of the subsea monopile foundations, using diver collected stills photography and video footage, MNCR Phase II recording data, and collection of scrape samples. The survey was undertaken approximately three years after installation of the turbine foundations.
The survey of turbines numbered D2 and C4 (see Figure 1) was undertaken on the 30th July 2008.
The following data was collected at each of the 2 turbine monopiles;
- Stills photography of the monopiles from sea surface to seabed,
- Video footage from sea surface to the seabed,
- Video footage of the seabed within the immediate vicinity of the monopile,
- Four surface scrapes (0.01m2) on each monopile,
- MNCR Phase II biological recording.
The biomass values for the scrapes taken at each biological zone on the monopile confirmed that Mytilus edulis is the major biomass contributor and accounts for the intra-zonal variability in biomass observed.