Benthic video landers reveal impacts of dredged sediment deposition events on mobile epifauna are acute but transitory

Abstract The “beneficial uses” of dredged sediment are increasingly being explored for habitat restoration and beach nourishment, but beneficial uses must be tempered by evaluating impacts to organisms. We studied a subtidal nearshore deposition site intended to aid beach nourishment where a “thin-layer” sediment deployment method was employed to minimize mounding and disperse sediment within a proscribed area. Baited benthic video landers (BVLs) in a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) experimental design were used to test the acute effects (within one hour of deposition) of sediment deposition on dominant epifaunal Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and dog whelk (Nucella spp). The effects of sediment deposition depths and the lateral surge (the turbidity front transiting the seafloor) were both considered. Observations revealed sedimentation levels were limited to