Influence of storm events on surf zone zooplankton in a Southwestern Atlantic sandy beach: A preliminary methodology using high-frequency physical data

BALEANI, C.A.; MAVO MANSTRETTA, G.M.; MENÉNDEZ, M.C.; VITALE, A.J.; PICCOLO, M.C.; PERILLO, G.M.E.

JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2021 vol. 220

0924-7963

Here we present a preliminary methodology and unprecedented data for sandy beach surf zones, focused onunderstanding the effects of the passage of storm events in surf- zooplankton communities. The main objectivesof the present study were to analyze the variation of surf zone physical parameters during several storm events,which have occurred on Pehuen Co beach (PC), using high-frequency physical data and to explore the influenceof these events on surf zooplankton taking into account some ecological community indicators such as taxarichness, abundance and diversity. We observed that the zooplankton community structure was significantlyaltered after the storms, mainly in terms of abundance, but also in the number of taxa and general diversity. Inaddition, important differences between storm duration were registered. The short-duration storms (< 6 h) wereassociated with an increase of zooplankton abundances after the events, whereas the long-duration ones (> 6 h)showed a sharp decrease in the number of organisms. Based on the present results, the coastal biological systemcould be completely altered during storm events, considering that the observed changes in the zooplanktoncommunity probably affect other species that interact with them, altering the trophic relationships in surf waters.Additionally, the high-frequency data provided us valuable information not only to visualize the hydrodynamicconsequences of the storms, but also to explain the changes in the zooplankton community. The presentcontribution provides an initial step toward comprehensive research about the physical-biological interactions insurf zone waters during storms, even more in the actual context of climate change where extreme events areexpected to increase in frequency and intensity.