Confounding response of macrofauna from a confluence of impacts: brine and sewage pollution

作     者：Rodrigo Riera Fernando Tuya Myriam Rodríguez óscar Monterroso Eva Ramos 

作者机构：Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico (CIMA SL)Arzobispo Elías Yanes 4438206 La LagunaTenerifeCanary IslandsSpain BIOGESUniversity of Las Palmas de G.C.35017 Las Palmas de Gran CanariaCanary IslandsSpain 

出 版 物：《Acta Oceanologica Sinica》 (海洋学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2013年第32卷第10期

页      面：74-81页

核心收录：

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 0908[农学-水产] 07[理学] 0707[理学-海洋科学] 0713[理学-生态学] 

基　　金：The Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (Project:"Minimisation of environmental impacts from brine disposals over marine seabed biodiversity with special reference to Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows"2007–2010) under contract No.056/SGTB/2007/2.4 

主　　题：macrofauna amphipoda polychaeta brine sewage Canary Islands 

摘      要：Throughout the shores of the world, a confluence of different sources of pollution is common, e.g., through outlets releasing brine, industrial, and domestic sewage. In this study, we assessed whether a combined disposal of domestic sewage and brine altered the patterns of abundance and assemblage structure of sub- tidal macrofauna inhabiting sandy seabeds on the south coast of Gran Canaria （Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean）. Samples were collected in two surveys （May 2008 and January 2009） at three distances （0, 15, and 30 m） away from the discharge point. Macrofaunal abundances showed different patterns with varying proximity from the disposal point in the two surveys. In May 2008, lower abundances were observed at 0 m （53.89±46.82 ind.） than at 15 m （120±91.7 ind.） and 30 m （283.89±189.33 ind.） away from the dis- posal point. In January 2009, however, higher abundances were observed at 0 m （131.33±58.69 ind.） than at 30 m （100±24.44 ind.） and 15 m （84.78±58.39 ind.） away from the disposal point. Significant differ- ences in macrofaunal assemblage structure were found with varying proximity from the discharge point in both surveys. The effect of proximity from the disposal point was confounded by changes in sedimen- tary composition between surveys, which contributed to explain differences in macrofaunal abundances and assemblage structure with varying proximity from the discharge point. As a result, confounding driver- s of macrofaunal assemblage structure, here, changes in sediment composition, accounted for changes in macrofaunal abundances and assemblage structure with varying proximity from a combined disposal point of brine and sewage.