Vertical distribution of the macrobenthic community and its relationships to trace metals and natural sediment characteristics in the lower Douro estuary, Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Mucha, AP (Author) Other; Vasconcelos, MTSD (Author) Other; Adriano Bordalo (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Vol. 59

Pages: 663-673

ISSN: 0272-7714

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 35 Citations

Scopus - 40 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-AY3

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2003.11.010

Abstract (EN): Vertical distribution (0-15 cm) of the macrobenthic community and its relationships to natural sediment characteristics and trace metal contents and bioavailability were studied at five locations in the lower Douro estuary, Portugal. An analysis of vertical metal distribution, for the interpretation of anthropogenic impact on the estuarine sediments, was also investigated. Sediment characterisation included organic matter, grain size, metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, Zn and Mn), acid volatile sulphide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM). The macrobenthic community had low diversity (14 species), was dominated by small size opportunists and seemed to be controlled mainly by natural factors such as grain size distribution, Al and Fe contents and sediment depth. The vertically heterogeneous distribution of macrobenthic community appears to affect redox status of the sediments and consequently metal bioavailability. Despite anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Ni having already been detected in the north bank, the analysis of vertical distribution was essential for the identification of current anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Pb and Cd in the south bank.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11