18 
Part B - Technical instructions 
Table 1.3: Grab sampling survey of infauna. 
Baseline study 
Construction 
phase 
Operation phase 
Objectives 
Description of infauna in the pro 
ject area and reference area and 
determination of a suitable refe 
rence area. 
Medium and small scale survey 
of status quo, to be used as a 
basis for assessing possible im 
pacts of wind turbines. 
Medium and small scale survey of 
relevant operation phase impacts 
on species communities. 
Scope 
Once a year in autumn. In the first year of the baseline study, description of seasonal 
conditions in the project area and reference area requires investigations in spring and 
in autumn. 
In the first year of the baseline study, the homogeneity of assessment areas must be 
investigated in autumn. 
A rough station grid (spacing 1 nmi) shall be established in the project and reference 
areas. The distribution of stations follows the habitat structures as determined by the 
SSS (see Table 1.1) as well as the wind turbine sites and, in the event of similar sta 
tions, is assigned randomly. 
At least 20 stations must be established in small areas (< 20 nmi 2 ). In large homogene 
ous areas, station spacing > 1 nm is possible in agreement with the BSH. 
Identified areas suspected to be protected habitat types as per § 30 BNatSchG shall 
be demarcated by additional investigations according to the currently valid mapping 
guidelines of the BfN. In the event of numerous small scale areas, the representative 
distribution of sampling stations is possible in agreement with the BSH. 
Timing 
At least two consecutive and 
complete years prior to const 
ruction start. 
In the first, third and fifth year of 
the operation phase. 
Method 
Sampling strategy: 
• The sampling dates are to observe the same limited time frame each year. The 
sampling interval in the project and reference areas must not exceed 2 weeks. The 
installation-based investigations (see table 1.5) shall be carried out in conjunction 
with the station grid. 
• The seasons are defined as follows: Spring: 01.03.-15.05./Autumn: 15.08.-15.11. 
• Equipment standard: Modified Van Veen grab, 0.1 m z sampling surface, 60-80 kg, 
sieve covered lid, warp-rigged. Grab sampling depth may vary depending on sedi 
ment conditions. Should the grab sampler weight require adaptation to the sedi 
ment structure (e. g. 25^0 kg for muddy/silted sand and 70-100 kg for coarser se 
diments, depending on the grab sampler's starting weight), this must be effected in 
such a manner so as to maintain the comparability of sampling stations with similar 
sediment structure. 
• Three parallel samples shall be taken per station. 
• Sieve with 1,000 pm mesh size. In case of large proportion of coarse and medium 
grained sand or gravel, the sample should first be decanted through the sieve and 
rinsed at least five times. This is followed by batch-wise sieving. Fixation of the 
sample in 4 % buffered formalin. 
• Documentation of the sample processing method has to be provided (according to 
ISO/DIS 16665). The condition of the catching device must be documented. 
• Biomass shall be determined as wet weight per species 
(according to ISO/DIS 16665, Annex C). 
Moreover, the following information must be determined and documented: 
• Hydrographic (T, Sal, 0 2 ) and meteorological data.