Seasonal dynamics of the population density of meiobenthos in Amurskii Bay, Sea of Japan

Seasonal dynamics of population densities and the qualitative composition of meiobenthos were studied in a strait between Popova and Reineke islands in Amurskii Bay (Sea of Japan). Two peaks of population density were revealed: a spring-summer peak and an autumn peak. No correlation was found between the depth, qualitative characteristics of the ground, and population density of meiobenthos.     

Meiobenthos of the Former Nuclear Test Area and Nuclear Waste Disposal Grounds around the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago (Barents and Kara Seas)

The taxonomic composition and quantitative distribution of the meiobenthos were studied in materials collected from one of the former nuclear test sites by the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago in Chernaya Guba (Barents Sea) and from the grounds of nuclear waste disposal along the east coast of the Archipelago from Abrosimov Bay to Stepovoi Bay and the region of Novozemel'skaya Hollow (Kara Sea). Foraminifera and free living nematodes were the most numerous groups, and foraminifera prevailed in terms of biomass in the entire area studied. No correlation of the parameters of the meiobenthic communities with varying depth and type of ground was revealed. It was established that the taxonomic diversity increased and population density decreased with an increase in the concentration of ¹³⁷Cs. It was suggested that meiobenthic communities are able to respond quickly to the deterioration of environmental radioactivity, varying their taxonomic composition and parametrical indexes.