IIMYC   23581
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES MARINAS Y COSTERAS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Assessing environmental health using ecological indices for soft-bottom in sewage-affected rocky shores: The case of the largest seaside resort of SW Atlantic
Autor/es:
BECHERUCCI ME; ELIAS R; GARAFFO GV; JAUBET ML
Revista:
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Editorial:
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Referencias:
Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2017 p. 233 - 239
ISSN:
0025-326X
Resumen:
Efficient indices would reflect the differences between impacted and no-impacted sites, leading to significant variations at the contamination spatial scale. We evaluate the spatial-temporal variability of 3 ecological indices (AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX) in response to the distinct levels of sewage contamination. The indices were evaluated in two different ways: including Brachidontes rodriguezii (IBR) and excluding Brachidontes rodriguezii (EBR). The fact that mussel beds created a secondary infaunal habitat allows us to test these indices for soft-bottoms in areas with rocky-bottoms. Theses indices increased their effectiveness and the level of agreement when they were calculated without B. rodriguezii. BENTIX and M-AMBI produced under and overestimations of the ecological status of the studied sites. AMBI(EBR) seems to be better suited for environmental quality assessment in the study area. This reduces the processing time of samples so the AMBI(EBR) could be used as a robust management tool for monitoring-programs in areas with hard-substrate.