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Abstract
The discharges of sewage effluent treatment plants has a major impact on coastal communities. In our study area (western coast of Portugal) Melarhaphe neritoides (L. 1758) is the dominant high-shore gastropod. Two populations of M. neritoides were studied in order to understand the impact of sewage discharges on intertidal communities: one population in an impacted area and the other in a similar but unimpacted area (reference site). Environmental data and abundance, biomass, population structure and annual growth production of M. neritoides were estimated in the two areas. The results showed that M. neritoides density is higher in the impacted area as a result of massive settlement. The sewage discharge increases the nutrient concentrations in the water, which causes more microalgae to grow on the rocky surfaces. This higher availability of food may promote recruitment. However, we found high mortality in the juveniles in the impacted area, which affected density values on the upper shore levels (where we found the adults) of both areas. Moreover, the adults were bigger in the unimpacted area, which suggests that individuals grow more or live longer in this area.
Highlights
Organic and nutrient enrichments from domestic wastes have a great impact on marine nearshore ecosystems (Arévalo et al, 2007)
Terlizzi et al (2005) observed an increase in the number of recruits of some species (Pusillina philippi, Bittium latreilli, B. reticulatum) in the polluted area. It seems that the responses of gastropods to sewage pollution are complex, in most cases the density and growth rate were superior in the polluted areas
This study examines the influence of sewage pollution on the population structure and secondary production of Melarhaphe neritoides by providing data on the population dynamics of this species on southern European coasts
Summary
Organic and nutrient enrichments from domestic wastes have a great impact on marine nearshore ecosystems (Arévalo et al, 2007). Tablado and Gappa (2001) referred to the larger sizes and growth rates in the vicinity of sewage effluents observed in Patella vulgata by Fischer-Piette (1948) and in Siphonaria lessoni by Tablado et al (1994). Terlizzi et al (2005) observed an increase in the number of recruits of some species (Pusillina philippi, Bittium latreilli, B. reticulatum) in the polluted area. It seems that the responses of gastropods to sewage pollution are complex, in most cases the density and growth rate were superior in the polluted areas
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