The macrobenthos of Sullom Voe

Abstract

SynopsisThe macrobenthos of Sullom Voe was investigated by grab sampling in 1976, 1977 and 1978. These surveys have provided data for future comparisons and have enabled a description to be made of the natural soft bottom macrobenthos of Sullom Voe in terms of species composition and abundance.The most common species encountered were Thyasira flexuosa, Glycera ?alba, Nephtys hombergi, Myriochele oculata and Rhodine gracilior, which are widely distributed throughout Sullom Voe. Other species such as Owenia fusiformis and Prionospio malmgreni were restricted to the outer regions whilst Scalibregma inflatum and Venus ovata were largely confined to the inner stations. The most intensive sampling was carried out around the proposed ballast water discharge site and in this area it was possible to define four faunal areas corresponding to the sediment characteristics. This subjective analysis based on species distribution maps was borne out by multivariate ordination and classification of the data.The macrobenthic diversity of Sullom Voe is compared with other coastal areas such as Milford Haven and some Scottish sea lochs. Sullom Voe supports a relatively diverse community which in terms of species richness compares with the benthos of other sheltered, undisturbed areas elsewhere in Scotland.