of two of Bermuda's controversial developments.

The possible impact of the Tyne's Bay incinerator and the ash block artificial reefs in Castle Harbour have come under the microscope in a detailed survey.

The report, prepared by the Ministry of Environment and the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, examined the long term impact of the two sites.

In particular, the impact that the thermal effluent from Tynes Bay had on water life in the surrounding area and what influence the ash blocks -- made from the by-product of incineration -- had on organisms in Castle Harbour. The report stated that heated water from the incinerator had not affected seagrass plants within the study area.

And no rise in bottom sea temperature was recorded that could be connected to Tyne's Bay.

But in the area close to where the water is discharged, temperatures were recorded up to 13 degrees above normal when the incinerator was operating at peak.

The seagrass beds off North Shore are home to spiny lobster, crab, shrimps and many other species.

Further studies revealed that even modest increases in water temperature can induce stress or bleaching -- which can lead to loss of reproduction -- but not death of coral.

But those reefs closest to the outfall were sufficiently far enough away not to experience any detrimental affects.

In Castle Harbour, the ash block reefs -- made from ash from Tyne's Bay -- were found to remain in their original state after four years of immersion and had attracted a wide variety of marine life.

Trace metal concentrations have been found in the area and the report raises fears that fish or other species could transfer contamination away from the blocks. They were higher at Castle Harbour than at Tynes Bay.

But the study was complicated by the leaching of toxins from the Castle Harbour dump.

A statement from the Ministry of Environment said they were encouraged by the results of the two studies but that they intended to continue to monitor the incinerator blocks.

ENVIRONMENT ENV GOVERNMENT GVT