Biotic indexes reveal the impact of harbour enlargement on benthic fauna

Riera, Rodrigo; Monterroso, Óscar; Rodríguez, Myriam; Ramos, Eva

doi:10.1080/02757540.2011.570753

Cited by 21 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…; Riera et al . ). The dispersion of contaminants has previously been shown to result in massive mortalities of amphipods (Riera et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Harbor expansion works entail dredging, release and dispersion of accumulated contaminants and changes in water circulation (Riera et al . ), while sewage disposal can produce physical and chemical changes in sediments (Abessa et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dispersion of contaminants has previously been shown to result in massive mortalities of amphipods (Riera et al . a), due to the widely demonstrated sensitivity of this taxon to this type of pollution (Dauvin ; Nikitik & Robinson ). Moreover, the presence of sewage discharge may reinforce this impact in Alicante as the harbor has low levels of hydrodynamic mixing and exchange rates of sewage effluent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The expansion of Alicante docks, together with sewage discharge, could have caused the absence of amphipods at the shallowest station along transect A. Harbor expansion works entail dredging, release and dispersion of accumulated contaminants and changes in water circulation (Riera et al 2011), while sewage disposal can produce physical and chemical changes in sediments (Abessa et al 2005). These activities result in changes in benthic communities, the proliferation of opportunistic species and lower abundances of sensitive species (Saiz-Salinas & Urkiaga-Alberdi 1999;Mart ınez-Llad o et al 2007Callier et al 2009Riera et al 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Amphipoda assemblages in a disturbed area (Alicante, Spain, Western Mediterranean)

et al. 2015

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The distribution and composition of Amphipoda assemblages were analysed off the coasts of Alicante (Spain, Western Mediterranean), a disturbed area affected by several co-occurring anthropogenic impacts. Although differences among sampled stations were mainly related to natural parameters, anthropogenic activities were linked with changes in amphipod assemblages. Expansion of the Port of Alicante, a sewage outfall and a high salinity brine discharge could be causing the disappearance of amphipods at stations closer to these disturbances. However, the completion of port enlargement works and mitigatory dilution of the brine discharge has led to the recovery of the amphipod assemblage. Among the natural parameters, depth determines the distribution of some of the species. While Siphonoecetes sabatieri was abundant at shallow stations, Ampelisca spp., Photis longipes, Pseudolirius kroyeri, Apherusa chiereghinii and Phtisica marina were more abundant at deeper stations. Grain size and percentage of organic matter also influenced amphipod distribution, resulting in changes in species composition and in the relative percentages of different trophic groups. Species such as Ampelisca brevicornis, Perioculodes longimanus, Urothoe hesperiae and Urothoe elegans were more abundant at stations with a high content of fine sand. Carnivorous species, mainly of the Oedicerotidae family, were more abundant at those stations with a low organic matter content, while detritivorous species were more abundant at stations with a higher mud content. Among 62 identified species, three were reported for the first time from the Spanish Mediterranean coast, two species were recorded for the second time and a new species of Siphonoecetes was found, Siphonoecetes (Centraloecetes) bulborostrum. These results confirm the need for further data on amphipods from the Mediterranean Spanish coast.

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“…; Riera et al . ). The dispersion of contaminants has previously been shown to result in massive mortalities of amphipods (Riera et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Amphipoda assemblages in a disturbed area (Alicante, Spain, Western Mediterranean)

et al. 2015

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“…The three indices (BO2A, BPOFA and BPA) showed consistent effects in Puerto Calero, inside a harbour where hydrodynamics are limited and not exposed to the main current. Impacted stations in Puerto Calero were characterized by opportunistic polychaetes that dominate the macrofauna community, with a lack of amphipods (Riera et al, 2011). Consequently, these indices might be unsuitable for assessing environmental quality at this and other similar locations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polychaete/amphipod ratios: An approach to validating simple benthic indicators

Dauvin

Andrade

de-la-Ossa-Carretero

et al. 2016

Ecological Indicators

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a b s t r a c tAmong the macro-invertebrates used for the assessment of soft-bottom communities, most polychaetes are classified as tolerant/opportunistic to pollution while amphipods are considered as sensitive. These taxa have been used in several ecological indices, such as the simple abundance ratio between Polychaeta and Amphipoda or the Benthic Opportunist Annelids Amphipods (BO2A) index, to assess the Ecological Quality Status -EcoQs-of soft-bottom communities. In terms of Taxonomic Sufficiency (TS), the polychaete/amphipod ratio (i.e. at the level of the class/order) has been proved to be effective in identifying major changes in benthic communities following disturbances. However, an underlying issue is to assess the acceptable TS limit value needed to state accurately the quality of the benthic environment. We tested three indices using 18 series of observations carried out in five north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean zones impacted by oil spills, oil and gas production, brine and urban sewage, harbours and aquaculture farms within impacted and control areas. Similar results to BO2A were obtained when limiting the TS at the level of Polychaete opportunistic families, which required a lower degree of taxonomic expertise, and classifying all amphipods as sensitive taxa. In such a way that the EcoQs given by the BPOFA (Benthic Polychaete Opportunistic Families Amphipods) was very similar to those given by the BO2A (Benthic Opportunistic Annelids Amphipods).

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Ecological status assessment and non-indigenous species in industrial and fishing harbours of the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)

Mosbahi

Pezy

Neifar

et al. 2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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This study from January to December 2018 was the rst initiative of a Port Baseline Survey (PBS) aimed at assessing the impact of biological invasions in harbours of the Gulf of Gabès (GG). A total of 12 shing and industrial harbours were seasonally prospected during 2018. A total of 174 macrobenthos taxa were recorded, belonging to eight zoological groups, with a dominance of crustaceans (32%), molluscs (31%) and polychaetes (20%). Among these taxa, 57 were Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) for Tunisian waters, while 27 species were recorded for the rst time in GG harbours and three decapods ( Dyspanopeus sayi, Hippolyte prideauxiana and Pilumnus minutus ) and one amphipod ( Hamimaera hamigera ) were newly recorded from Tunisian waters. Two main categories of harbours are distinguished according to their macrobenthic communities and environmental features (essentially edaphic factors). The industrial harbours yield higher numbers of species and abundance of NIS than the shing ports. The ALEX metric is used to evaluate the biological invasion status of the Gulf of Gabès harbours, showing that their status ranges from unaffected in shing harbours to extremely affected in industrial harbours. Three biotic indices (AMBI, BO2A and BENTIX) are applied to assess the ecological status of harbours, which varies from moderate to good. ALEX and the other biotic indices are signi cantly correlated with harbour characteristics, maritime tra c and edaphic factors (organic matter and chemical contamination). The present study gives an overview of all available benthic data, the impact of biological invasions and the ecological quality status of harbours in the Gulf of Gabès. The results could be considered as providing important baseline data for the implementation of environmental policies and management plans in the future.

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Biotic indexes reveal the impact of harbour enlargement on benthic fauna

Cited by 21 publications

References 28 publications

Amphipoda assemblages in a disturbed area (Alicante, Spain, Western Mediterranean)

Amphipoda assemblages in a disturbed area (Alicante, Spain, Western Mediterranean)

Polychaete/amphipod ratios: An approach to validating simple benthic indicators

Ecological status assessment and non-indigenous species in industrial and fishing harbours of the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)

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