Effect of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on meiobenthic communities established in an experimental system

Abstract

Aquaria containing clean sand received a continuous supply of seawater from Santa Rosa Sound, Florida, USA, mixed with known concentrations (7, 76 and 622 μg l-1) of pentachlorophenol (PCP). After 9 weeks, nematodes accounted for 87% of the total meiofauna. Nematode biomass and densities were greatest in aquaria exposed to 76 μg PCP l-1 and were least in aquaria exposed to 622 μg PCP l-1. Epistrate feeders were abundant in control aquaria and aquaria exposed to 7 and 76 μg PCP l-1, but not in aquaria exposed to 622 μg PCP l-1. Selective deposit feeders were not abundant in the control aquaria and aquaria exposed to 7 μg PCP l-1, but comprised 19% of the nematodes in aquaria exposed to 76 μg PCP l-1 and 61% in aquaria exposed to 622 μg PCP l-1.