Results of ecological monitoring of three beaches polluted by the 'Amoco Cadiz' oil spill: development of meiofauna from 1978 to 1984

Abstract

Following the 'Amoco Cadiz' oil spill, time-series sampling of the meiofauna was carried out from 1978 to 1984 in the intertidal zone of 3 sandy beaches on the northern Finistere coast (Brittany, France). Quantitative analysis documented 2 principal phases in the development of the main taxa (Nematoda and Copepoda). First came a degradation phase leading to impoverishment in density and diversity of the populations. Thls first phase could be subdivided into several stages corresponding mainly to the toxicity period and, on one beach (Kersaint), to a summer 'bloom'. Then came a recovery phase corresponding to a quantitative and qualitative reconstitution of the meiofauna. Each phase lasted a greater or lesser time according to station exposure and the considered taxon. A qualitative analysis of harpacticoid copepods illustrated the development of population dversity and 'ecological groups'. During the first phase, replacement of the original population by a substitute fauna was observed. Correspondence factorial analysis on the development of harpacticoid communities allowed a better understanding of the main pollution and recovery factors such as toxicity, organic matter, hydrodynamism and zoological groups. Meiofauna, particularly harpacticoid copepods, are significant bioindicators of ecological disturbances.

Soft sediment meiofauna community responses to environmental pollution gradients in the German Bight and at a drilling site off the Dutch coast

“…More recently however, the meiobenthos (animals passing through a 0.5 mm sieve but retained on a 63 pm sieve) have been increasingly used in benthic studies (Heip 1980, Gee et al 1985, Moore & Pearson 1986, Bodin 1988, Austen e t al. 1989, Warwick et al 1990) partly because they have a number of size-related advantages over the macrofauna in both field and laboratory studies , Warwick 1988a.…”

Perturbations in the reproduction cycle of some harpacticoid copepod species further to the Amoco Cadiz oil spill

“…As stated in previous papers dealing with the consequences of the 'Amoco Cadiz' oil spill (Gltmarec & Hussenot, 198 1;Boucher, 1985 ;Glemarec, 1986;Bodin, 1988), two phases can be distinguished : -first: a phase of direct toxicity which resulted in a drastic reduction of animal densities, this phase lasted only a few weeks after March 17, 1978; -second: a long phase of organic pollution, with an oxygen deficit in the sediment; this phase began by an extraordinary peak of meiofauna in June 1978.…”

“…Study sites were already presented (Bodin, 1988 methods. However, it is interesting to give here a brief description of these sites of the north Finist&-e coast (Brittany, France) ( Fig.…”

“…In a previous paper (Bodin, 1988) I showed quantitative and qualitative impact of the 'Amoco Cadiz' oil spill on the Breton meiofauna. The present study deals with consequences of this spill on the reproductive activity of eight dominant harpacticoid copepod species.…”

Meiofauna communities in exposed sandy beaches on the Galician coast (NW Spain), six months after the <i>Prestige</i> oil spill: the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

“…Wormald, 1976;Ansari and Ingole, 2002). After the Amoco Cadiz oil spill Bodin (1988) documented two different phases at 3 intertidal beaches on the French Atlantic coast. The first phase corresponds to an acute toxicity with severe reduction in density and diversity of the main meiofauna taxa, followed by a recovery phase at the end of which these taxa reach density and diversity values similar to those before the spill.…”