Macrobenthic community in the Douro estuary: relations with trace metals and natural sediment characteristics

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2003

Authors

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

Journal

Title: Environmental Pollution

Vol. 121

Pages: 169-180

ISSN: 0269-7491

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 136 Citations

Scopus - 159 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-JJ2

DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(02)00229-4

Abstract (EN): The relationship between macrobenthic community structure and natural characteristics of sediment and trace metal contamination were studied in the lower Douro estuary (Portugal, NW, Iberian Peninsula), using an innovative threefold approach (SQG, Sediment Quality Guidelines), metal normalization to Fe, and macrobenthic community structure. This study allowed detection of a clear signature of anthropogenic contamination, in terms of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cr in the north bank of the estuary, which experiences high urban pressure. Using the SQG approach, metal concentrations above ERM (effects range-median) were observed only at one sampling station, but several stations had levels above ERL (effects range-low). The macrobenthic community had a low diversity, with only 19 species found in the entire estuarine area, dominated by opportunistic species. The granulometric distribution of the sediments (estimated from the combination of organic matter, Fe and Al) seemed to be the major structuring factor for the communities, establishing the natural macrobenthic distribution pattern. The metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cr) seemed to act as a disturbing factor over the natural distribution, with deleterious consequences for the macrobenthic communities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12