[en] The purpose of this investigation was to determine the benthic fauna present in and near the vicinity of the United States Atlantic deepwater radioactive waste disposal site. Emphasis was placed on the polychaetous annelids because of their abundance and their role in the movement of sediments. In addition, the foraminifera were identified, counted, and the percent of aberrant forms recorded. The role of the benthic fauna to other forms of animal life, especially fish, as it relates to possible contamination from the radioactive waste material was determined and described