2005, EMU Ltd., Lincs Offshore Wind Farm, Baseline Benthic Survey series https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=015_973e7d1e6b5e5d3f82d2da296f426785 The proposed Lincs Offshore Wind Farm is located off the Lincolnshire Coast in the Greater Wash Strategic Area. Emu Limited was commissioned by Centrica Renewable Energy Limited (CREL) to undertake the following surveys: • A survey of benthic habitats across two site options for the proposed Lincs Offshore Wind Farm. • A survey of benthic habitats along two potential export power cable routes into Skegness. The objectives of the survey were to identify the main habitats and associated benthic communities in the area with particular emphasis on the establishment of any areas of high sensitivity that may comprise of the biogenic reef formed by the polychaete worm Sabellaria spinulosa. The data given in this report is, therefore, based primarily on the output of the benthic survey, with the AGDS and other geophysical data provided separately in Emu (2005). Twenty benthic grab sites were investigated for the sediment particle size and faunal composition with 6 sites investigated for contaminants. The majority of sites were sand based, with mixtures of varying amounts of silt and gravel, the most frequently occurring type being Silty, Gravelly Sand. Several gravel based sediments were also recorded. Of the contaminants only the metal, Arsenic, exceeded recognized Threshold Effects Level value at all sites, although the values were well below the Probable Effects Level. Some exceedance of the TEL values occurred for Silver and Nickel also, but none were near the PEL. A total of 151 macro-invertebrate species were recorded. Sabellaria was sampled by the Hamon grab at several sites and in some cases in considerable abundance. This feature may constitute EC Habitats Directive biogenic reef habitat. Sabellaria spinulosa reef is also a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) Habitat. 20130118 20060301