Abstract
Macrobenthic fauna and sediment parameters were studied at 40 stations representing a 494 km2 survey area in the eastern part of the German Bight and encompassing the sewage sludge dumping site. Data were taken in July 1980, one month after dumping ended, and in April 1981. pH-value, redox potential of the interstitial water, amount of sand in the sediment as well as total number of species and diversity were lower in the dumping area than outside, whereas alkalinity and water content of the sediment were higher. Due to mass development of a few species around the dumping site, biomass and number of individuals were high in July. Abundance and biomass values were lower in April. 2 communities are described and related to abiotic parameters such as sediment structure. Due to disturbance effects of sewage sludge, 2 stages of the second successional phase (Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978) were ascertained, described by one of these communities each time. The first faunal community, characterized by anAbra alba assemblage, describes an early stage of the second successional phase. In summer (July) theAbra alba community showed a wider spatial range than in spring. The other, dominated byNucula nitida, indicated a later stage of the second succession phase that was passing to the third phase.
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