The effects of chemical pollution on the bioturbation potential of estuarine intertidal mudflats |
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Authors: | K Mazik M Elliott |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences and Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK e-mail: k.mazik@biosci.hull.ac.uk, GB |
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Abstract: | Bioturbation by benthic infauna has important implications for the fate of contaminants as well as for changes to the sediment
structure, chemistry and transport characteristics. There is an extensive literature dealing with the influence of sedimentary
variables on the structure and function of infaunal marine and estuarine organisms but less is known of the converse, the
influence of biota on sedimentary structure. Although some work has been carried out regarding spatial and temporal patterns
of bioturbation, little attention has been given to the effects of pollution. The paper gives a framework of animal sediment
relationships in an intertidal environment and discusses the general role of macrofauna in structuring and modifying sedimentary
features. A brief outline of the various techniques used for quantifying the degree of bioturbation is given and some of these
techniques have then been used to demonstrate the effect of a petrochemical discharge on the bioturbation potential of intertidal
communities in the Humber estuary, eastern England. These studies indicate an increase in bioturbation with increasing distance
from the source of pollution, not only because of differences in abundance, animal size and depth of activity but also because
of the difference in species composition between the communities. As a means of interpreting the responses, the species present
have been broadly classified in terms of their feeding strategy and sediment modification potential. The paper concludes by
discussing the potential impact, in terms of effect on sediment transport, of selectively removing the different guilds (by
pollution).
Received: 8 February 1999 / Received in revised form: 10 May 1999 / Accepted: 14 May 1999 |
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Keywords: | Bioturbation Estuarine pollution Sediment properties Macrofauna Humber estuary |
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