Spatial and seasonal variations of the macrobenthic community and metal contamination in the Douro estuary (Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

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

Journal

Title: Marine Environmental Research

Vol. 60

Pages: 531-550

ISSN: 0141-1136

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 25 Citations

Scopus - 31 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-0B3

DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.12.004

Abstract (EN): The macrobenthic community structure and characteristics of sediments were studied in samples collected seasonally at five stations in the lower mesotidal Douro estuary, Portugal. Sediment characterisation included grain size distribution, total-recoverable metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cd), acid-volatile sulphides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) and total organic matter contents. Spatial variation surpassed temporal variation both in terms of environmental parameters and community structure. Clear anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb, and a positive SEM-AVS, indicating the potential bioavailability of these metals, were detected on the north bank of the estuary. Multivariate analysis revealed that in addition to natural sediment characteristics, the anthropogenic metal contamination was influencing the macrobenthic community structure. In fact, greater concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb were associated with lower number of species and/or diversity. Finally, the dry weight-normalised metal concentrations appeared as a more useful tool than the SEM-AVS model in predicting disturbance of the macrobenthic community in the studied area. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20