Pollution monitoring with meiofauna, using the ratio of nematodes to copepods

Raffaelli, Dave; Mason, C. F.

doi:10.1016/0025-326x(81)90227-7

Cited by 213 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Many previously proposed biological indices to evaluate environmental quality face the limitation of the necessity of taxonomic skills (see Simboura and Zenetos 2002;Díaz et al 2004), but others, such as the oligochaete/chironomid ratio used for lake monitoring (Wiederholm 1980), the nematode/copepod ratio used in marine sediment monitoring (RaVaeli and Mason 1981;Warwick 1981;RaVaeli 1987), and the O/P ratio proposed here to evaluate environmental conditions in intertidal rocky shores, have the advantage of not requiring taxonomic expertise, which is scarce nowadays. At any rate, the use of the O/P ratio has to be taken as a rough Wrst tool, which by no way replaces accurate studies at the population level.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polychaetes and oligochaetes associated with intertidal rocky shores in a semi-enclosed industrial and urban embayment, with the description of two new species

et al. 2009

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The species composition and relative abundance of the annelid benthic macrofauna (Polychaeta and Oligochaeta) inhabiting the rocky intertidal zone of the ria of Ferrol (Galicia, NW Spain) were studied during Weld collections, from 2000 to 2002. A total of 14,619 specimens (11,585 polychaetes belonging to 76 species and 24 families and 3,034 oligochaetes belonging to 18 species and two families) were collected from 98 quantitative samples taken from 13 sampling sites. The general spatial distribution of the annelid fauna reXects an increase of the diversity from the inner to the outer part of the ria. The general patterns found in the annelid composition suggest that the assemblages were dominated by oligochaetes in the inner sheltered sampling sites and polychaetes in the outer more exposed sites. Several faunistical and taxonomical remarks on selected species are presented. Two new species of oligochaetes are described: Coralliodrilus artabrensis sp. n. and Pirodrilus fungithecatus sp. n. (Naididae, Phallodrilinae). A new biological index, based on the oligochaete/ polychaete ratio (O/P), is proposed as tool to evaluate environmental quality and to monitor future changes in the environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polychaetes and oligochaetes associated with intertidal rocky shores in a semi-enclosed industrial and urban embayment, with the description of two new species

et al. 2009

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“…We intend to verify this hypothesis in further research. The results of many studies have already indicated a relatively high sensitivity of copepods to different environmental stressors in comparison with other meiobenthic taxa, especially nematodes (McIntyre, 1977;McLachlan et al;1977, Heip, 1980Raffaelli and Mason, 1981;Sandulli 1986;Poizat and Boudouresque;, Travizi, 2000. Leaving aside the short-term decline in abundance of Copepoda, the autumn period generally should be denoted as the period of meiofauna stagnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenology of <i>Caulerpa taxifolia</i> and temporal dynamics of its epibiontic meiofauna in the port of Malinska (Croatia, northern Adriatic Sea)

Travizi¹,

Zavodnik²

2004

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY:The qualitative and quantitative composition of epibiontic meiofauna were studied in the C. taxifolia settlement recently recorded in the Malinska port (Krk Island, northern Adriatic Sea). The samples were taken monthly, from May 1998 till June 1999 covering the complete life cycle of C. taxifolia. In total, 14 meiofaunal taxa were recorded. The meiofauna assemblage was characterized by the dominance of Copepoda (58%), the subdominant position of Nematoda (25%), and the low single participation of other taxa. The results of monthly monitoring indicated a seasonal trend in meiofaunal distribution. The beginning of the summer was a period of a low meiofaunal abundance (139 ind. sample -1 ), and also a start of its exponential increase. The autumn was characterized by a fairly high abundance (~1000-1500 ind. sample -1 ) and moderate variation of the constituent taxa levels. During the winter exponential growth (to about 10000 ind. sample -1 ) and high faunal diversity was detected. In subsequent months meiofaunal abundance reached over 19.000 ind. sample -1 -remaining extremely high until May when C. taxifolia fronds disappeared. The increase of meiofaunal abundance was positively correlated with the increase of the algal frond's length during the summer-autumn period, and with the increasing quantity of sediment particles and detritus accumulated on algal fronds during the C. taxifolia vegetative cycle. This study has shown that C. taxifolia can provide a suitable habitat for numerous benthic invertebrates, although it is known as a species that reduces the benthic biodiversity. -Se estudió la composición cualitativa y cuantitativa de la meiofauna epibionte en la implantación de Caulerpa taxifolia recientemente registrada en el puerto de Malinska (isla de Krk, mar Adriático septentrional). Se tomaron muestras mensuales, desde mayo de 1998 a junio de 1999, cubriendo el ciclo biológi-co completo de C. taxifolia. En total, se registraron 14 táxones de meiofauna. La comunidad de la meiofauna se caracterizó por la dominancia de copépodos (58%), la posición subdominante de los nemátodos (25%) y la participación reducida de los demás grupos. Los resultados del seguimiento mensual indicaron una tendencia estacional en la distribución de la meiofauna. El inicio del verano fue un período de abundancia reducida de la meiofauna (139 ind. muestra -1 ), y también el comienzo de su aumento exponencial. El otoño se caracterizó por una abundancia relativamente elevada (~ 1000-1500 ind. muestra -1 ) y por la variación moderada de los niveles taxonómicos constituyentes. Durante el invierno se detectó un crecimiento exponencial (hasta cerca de 10.000 ind. muestra -1 ) y una elevada diversidad faunística. En los meses siguientes la abundancia de la meiofauna alcanzó unos 19.000 ind. muestra -1 , y siguió muy alta hasta mayo, cuando desaparecieron los frondes de C. taxifolia. El aumento en la abundancia de la meiofauna estuvo correlacionado positivamente con el aumento de la longitud de los frondes algales durante el período de...

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“…SQ and the values were much higher as compared to 1994 data (Ansari and Ingole 2002). The N/C ratio proposed by Raffaelli and Mason (1981) strongly suggests the use of meiofauna in monitoring pollution studies (Ansari and Ingole 2002;Lambshead 1986;Shiells and Anderson 1985;Lambshead 1984). Also, following oil pollution from Amoco Cadiz, N/C ratio in sublittoral habitats increased to 83 and then decreased to the normal pre pollution values (Boucher 1980).…”

Section: Meiobenthosmentioning

confidence: 88%

Ecotoxicological effect of grounded MV River Princess on the intertidal benthic organisms off Goa

Ingole

Sivadas

Goltekar

et al. 2006

Environment International

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Abstract:The ecotoxicological effects of oil spill from the grounded vessel MV River Princess on the intertidal benthic organisms of Sinquerim -Candolim beach at Goa were investigated. An intertidal expanse of 1km on either side of the grounded vessel was selected to evaluate the concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) in the sediment and its effects on the composition, abundance and diversity of micro-, meio-and macrobenthos. TPH in the intertidal sediment ranged from 7.8 to 89 µg g -1 (mean35.44 ± 26.35 SD). Microbenthos comprised of microalgae, protozoans and juvenile forms of meiobenthos. Apart from juvenile nematodes, which were abundant, Coscinodiscus spp, Navicula spp, and Nitzschia spp. representing microalgae were also observed in microbenthic samples. Meiobenthos was represented by 13 taxa and their total density ranged between 92-1057 no. 10cm -2 . Maximum meiobenthic abundance of 1057 no.10cm -2 was observed at Sinquerim. Nematodes were the dominant meiobenthic taxa followed by turbellarians and harpacticoid copepods. The macrobenthoc was numerically dominated by polychaetes, followed by crustaceans whereas bivalve molluscs were less represented. There was substantial increase in the petroleum concentration in the beach sediment compared to the previously reported values and highest TPH (89µg.g -1 sediment) values were in the vicinity of the grounded vessel. The polychaete/amphipod ratio and cumulative and partial dominance abundance-biomass curves showed significant negative impact of TPH on macrofauna. The benthic community structure also showed measurable changes, as there was significant decrease (60%) in the number of species. Given that the microalgal counts were low in sediment, it is assumed that the intertidal meiofauna was possibly using oildegrading bacteria as alternate food source. In conclusion, the results reported here suggest that the grounded ore carrier is not only detrimental to the beach community, that may take longer time for recovery, but also affect the beach morphology which may have long-term impact on local fishery.

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Pollution monitoring with meiofauna, using the ratio of nematodes to copepods

Cited by 213 publications

References 20 publications

Polychaetes and oligochaetes associated with intertidal rocky shores in a semi-enclosed industrial and urban embayment, with the description of two new species

Polychaetes and oligochaetes associated with intertidal rocky shores in a semi-enclosed industrial and urban embayment, with the description of two new species

Phenology of <i>Caulerpa taxifolia</i> and temporal dynamics of its epibiontic meiofauna in the port of Malinska (Croatia, northern Adriatic Sea)

Ecotoxicological effect of grounded MV River Princess on the intertidal benthic organisms off Goa

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