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Download Free PDFRelative importance of multiple environmental variables in structuring benthic macroinfaunal assemblages in chronically metal-polluted salt marshesDaisuke Goto

2010, Marine Pollution Bulletin

https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2009.11.002visibility

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Abstract

In this study, we assessed importance of sediment-associated trace metals in structuring benthic macroinfaunal assemblages along multiple environmental gradients in chronically polluted salt marshes of the Arthur Kill – AK (New York, USA). More than 90% of benthic macroinfaunal communities at the northern AK sites consisted of a considerably large number of only a few polychaete and oligochaete species. Approximately 70% of among-site variances in abundance and biomass of benthic macroinfaunal communities was strongly associated with a few environmental variables; only sediment-associated mercury consistently contributed to a significant proportion of the explained variances in species composition along natural environmental gradients (e.g., salinity). Although sediment-associated copper, lead, and zinc were substantially elevated at some of the AK sites, their ecological impacts on benthic macroinfaunal communities appeared to be negligible. These findings suggest that cumulative metal-specific impacts may have played an important role in structuring benthic macroinfaunal communities in chronically polluted AK ecosystems.

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downloadDownload free PDFView PDFchevron_rightSoft sediment meiofaunal community structure in relation to a long-term heavy metal gradient in the Fal estuary systemPaul J Somerfield

Marine Ecology-progress Series, 1994

The Fa1 estuary system, southwest England, is an ideal site for a natural experiment on the effects of long-term contamination by heavy metals on intertidal mudflat meiofauna communities. Five creeks were chosen in which sediment concentrations of heavy metals differed by orders of magnitude, namely Restronguet (mean Cu concentration 2532 pg g -' ) , Mylqr (1272 pg g-'), Pill (697 pg g -l ) , St Just in Roseland (332 pg g-l) and Percuil (165 pg g-l). Univariate and multivariate analyses of the meio-fauna1 community structure in these creeks suggest that nematodes are more responsive to sediment heavy metal concentrations than copepods, as indices of diversity and changes in nematode community structure as revealed by multivariate analyses were closely correlated with metal levels For copepods differences could only be detected in Restronguet creek, where endobenthic species were absent. Analyses suggest that some nematode species may have developed different tolerance mechanisms for survival in areas with high heavy metal concentrations.

downloadDownload free PDFView PDFchevron_rightAssessment of the Effects of Sediment-Associated Metals and Metalloids on Mangrove Macroinvertebrate AssemblagesMaria Schreider

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Although much previous research effort has examined the impacts of metal contamination on macrobenthic assemblages in subtidal sediments, little attention has been directed at macroinvertebrate responses in intertidal mangrove habitats. Thus, in order to assess the unique responses of mangrove macroinvertebrate assemblages to sediment metal(loid) contamination, total, normalised and bioavailable metal(loid)s (Mn, Pb, Cr, Cd, As, Se, Co, Ni, Zn and Cu) were assessed within and between four mangrove locations in Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia, and compared to resident macroinvertebrate assemblages over two sampling occasions. Mangrove biomass and physicochemical properties of sediment are known to influence macroinvertebrate assemblages, and as such, were also assessed to account for any potential confounding effect on macroinvertebrate assemblage composition. Significant differences in total and bioavailable metal(loid) contamination were found between and within locations and were consistent over time. Sediments at contaminated locations presented a high risk to biota with bioavailable concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn found to exceed sediment quality guidelines and concentrations of Se capable of adverse impacts to biota. Macroinvertebrate assemblage composition varied with metal(loid) contamination loads present at study locations. Metal(loid) contamination was significantly correlated with macroinvertebrate assemblages over two sampling periods. Further analysis revealed that 71% of macroinvertebrate assemblage composition could best be explained by a combination of five variables namely, bioavailable Mn, Zn, and Se, number of mangrove seedlings and mean mangrove biomass. Rather than tolerant polychaetes dominating metal(loid)-contaminated sediments (as is found generally in subtidal sediments), polychaetes in intertidal mangroves appeared to be relatively sensitive to metal(loid) stress. Further, decapod crustaceans in the family, Varunidae, and gastropod molluscs, in the family, Amphibolidae, were found to be metal-sensitive taxa and may be employed in future studies as indicator taxa of sediment metal(loid)-related impacts in southeastern Australian mangrove forests.

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