Abstract
Abstract Ambient communities and recolonization pattern of soft-bottom macrofauna was studied at two localities on the Swedish east coast (Baltic Sea). One was polluted by a steelworks and a municipal sewage treatment plant (Oxelosund), and the other was a reference site (Tvaren). The naturally occurring macrofauna at the polluted site was less diverse and had lower abundance and biomass compared to the reference site. These differences could, by deduction, be attributed to toxic effects of heavy metals, oils and/or PAH since there were no differences between the sites regarding depth, bottom substrate, oxygen, Eh, salinity or temperature. Recolonization by macrofauna in boxes containing an artificial sediment was faster at the polluted site. Abundance and biomass increased more rapidly and to a higher level compared to the reference site. This could be explained by enhanced nutrition conditions, measured as higher sedimentation rate and a higher nutritive value (organic content and nitrogen) of the sedim...
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
