Combining chemical and biological parameters to assess the ecological quality of a coastal ecosystem in the Levantine Basin

Abstract

For a better evaluation of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems, especially at the land–sea interface, a multidisciplinary holistic approach is crucial and various indices should be taken into account. The combined use of chemical and biological indices may be an efficient way to determine ecological status in highly dynamic coastal ecosystems. Therefore, the present study analysed grain size composition, organic carbon (OC), major and trace elements and macroinvertebrate communities in surface sediment samples collected from the coastal marine area facing the Ibrahim River. The stations studied were slightly contaminated by trace elements with no effect on biota. Based on the chemical indices and the polychaetes : amphipods ratio, the ecological status of the stations studied was considered good.