I helped the folks from NMFS collect benthic samples from Trestle Bay in
the Columbia Estuary. They collected all of their specimens in a solution
of formalin and Rose Bengal (a protien stain that stains all protienatious
matter pink). They let it stand for at least 48 hours then rinse with water
and pack in alcohol.
Most of the critters were crustacians, annelids, macoma type clams and
a couple of salps. Presumably, these are what keep the calidrids occupied
during low tide on Trestle Bay though we've yet to get our act together
to prove it.


--
******************************** A round man cannot be expected to fit into a
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * square hole right away. He must have time t
* mpatters at ednet1.osl.or.gov * modify his shape.
******************************** -Mark Twain