The structure and taxonomic composition of sublittoral meiofauna assemblages as an indicator of the status of marine environments

Schratzberger, Michaela; Gee, J. M.; Rees, H.L.; Boyd, S.E.; Wall, C.M.

doi:10.1017/s0025315400003039

Cited by 103 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Oberbeckmann et al [12] suggested that microplastics could carry pathogens encountered in the feces of marine organisms, and transport of human fecal bacteria on plastics has also been discussed [13]. There is a particular requirement to determine how this debris affects organisms at low trophic levels, such as invertebrates used for biomonitoring purposes [79,80]. Impacts of plastisphere assemblages on processes such as nutrient cycling and primary production should also be investigated.…”

Section: Interactions With Higher Organisms and The Wider Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Harrison

Hoellein

Sapp

et al. 2017

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

123

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Microplastics (<5 mm particles) occur within both engineered and natural freshwater ecosystems, including wastewater treatment plants, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. While a significant proportion of microplastic pollution is likely sequestered within freshwater environments, these habitats also constitute an important conduit of microscopic polymer particles to oceans worldwide. The quantity of aquatic microplastic waste is predicted to dramatically increase over the next decade, but the fate and biological implications of this pollution are still poorly understood. A growing body of research has aimed to characterize the formation, composition, and spatiotemporal distribution of microplastic-associated ("plastisphere") microbial biofilms. Plastisphere microorganisms have been suggested to play significant roles in pathogen transfer, modulation of particle buoyancy, and biodegradation of plastic polymers and co-contaminants, yet investigation of these topics within freshwater environments is at a very early stage. Here, what is known about marine plastisphere assemblages is systematically compared with up-to-date findings from freshwater habitats. Through analysis of key differences and likely commonalities between environments, we discuss how

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Section: Interactions With Higher Organisms and The Wider Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Harrison

Hoellein

Sapp

et al. 2017

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

123

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“…These characteristics make meiofaunal organisms excellent candidates to test general ecological hypotheses and theories (Jessup et al 2004;Nascimento et al 2011Nascimento et al , 2012Bonaglia et al 2014). However, this group represents an often neglected component of marine biodiversity (Curini-Galletti et al 2012) and is generally poorly studied (particularly in the deep sea) because most applied programmes target the larger macrofauna, which are more readily identifiable and countable than meiofauna (Schratzberger et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the meiofauna a good indicator for climate change and anthropogenic impacts?

et al. 2015

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Our planet is changing, and one of the most pressing challenges facing the scientific community revolves around understanding how ecological communities respond to global changes. From coastal to deep-sea ecosystems, ecologists are exploring new areas of research to find model organisms that help predict the future of life on our planet. Among the different categories of organisms, meiofauna offer several advantages for the study of marine benthic ecosystems. This paper reviews the advances in the study of meiofauna with regard to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. Four taxonomic groups are valuable for predicting global changes: foraminifers (especially calcareous forms), nematodes, copepods and ostracods. Environmental variables are fundamental in the interpretation of meiofaunal patterns and multistressor experiments are more informative than single stressor ones, revealing complex ecological and biological interactions. Global change has a general negative effect on meiofauna, with important consequences on benthic food webs. However, some meiofaunal species can be favoured by the extreme conditions induced by global change, as they can exhibit remarkable physiological adaptations. This review highlights the need to incorporate studies on taxonomy,

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“…An increase in meiofauna abundance has already been qualitatively related to organic input (SCHRATZBERGER et al, 2000;DALTO et al, 2006) and to sediment redox potential (LAMPADARIOU et al, 2005). Widbom and Elmgren (1988) observed that only some meiofauna groups presented a positive response to an increase in organic input.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Response of estuarine meiofauna assemblage to effects of fertilizer enrichment used in the sugar cane monoculture. Pernambuco, Brazil

et al. 2009

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In situ application of inorganic fertilizer was used to simulate environmental eutrophication associated with the sugar cane monoculture. Meiofauna community structure is herein used to assess this experimental impact. Nine quadrangular areas (4m² each) were randomly defined in the midlittoral estuarine area. Three of these areas received a high dose of sugar cane fertilizer (375 g/m² Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium), three areas received a low dose of the fertilizer (187.5 g/m²) and the other three areas represented the control. The fertilizer was applied every week. Environmental parameters and meiofauna were sampled using three-to-four week intervals. Six samplings were subsequently performed maintaining this interval. Meiofauna was counted and identified to major taxonomic groups. Meiofauna community structure varied throughout the experimental areas. Control areas maintained their abundance values during the study period, but within the enriched areas meiofauna abundance decreased greatly. MDS and ANOSIM analysis showed significant variation in the meiofauna community structure among experimental areas and also along the experimental period in the enriched areas.
A aplicação in situ de fertilizantes inorgânicos foi utilizada para simular a eutrofização associada ao cultivo da cana-de-açúcar. A estrutura da associação de meiofauna foi analisada com o objetivo de avaliar este impacto. O experimento de enriquecimento do sedimento foi desenvolvido em nove áreas quadrangulares de 4m² distribuídas de forma aleatória no mediolitoral da área estuarina. Três áreas foram enriquecidas com alta concentração (375 g/m²) de NPK (Nitrogênio-Fósforo-Potássio), três com baixa concentração (187,5 g/m²) e as demais tratadas como controle. Os fertilizantes foram aplicados semanalmente. Os parâmetros físico-químicos do sedimento e a meiofauna bentônica foram coletados após três a quatro semanas da aplicação dos fertilizantes. Obedecendo este intervalo foram realizadas 6 amostragens subseqüentes. As amostras foram triadas e a meiofauna contada e identificada em nível de grande grupo. As respostas da meiofauna variaram de acordo com a área: enquanto a área Controle manteve sua abundância total durante todo o experimento, as áreas tratadas apresentaram forte queda nas densidades totais. A ordenação MDS e a análise ANOSIM evidenciaram mudanças significativas na estrutura da associação de meiofauna entre as áreas e também ao longo do experimento nas áreas tratadas

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The structure and taxonomic composition of sublittoral meiofauna assemblages as an indicator of the status of marine environments

Cited by 103 publications

References 16 publications

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Microplastic-Associated Biofilms: A Comparison of Freshwater and Marine Environments

Is the meiofauna a good indicator for climate change and anthropogenic impacts?

Response of estuarine meiofauna assemblage to effects of fertilizer enrichment used in the sugar cane monoculture. Pernambuco, Brazil

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