Spatial-temporal variations of a SW Atlantic macrobenthic community affected by a chronic anthropogenic disturbance

SARACHO BOTTERO, M.A.; JAUBET, M.L.; LLANOS, E.N.; BECHERUCCI, M.E.; ELÍAS, R.; GARAFFO, G.V.

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2020 vol. 156 p. 1 - 11

0025-326X

The effect of the chronic anthropogenic disturbance in a coastal area of the Southwestern Atlantic was tested, and the ecological status of the area was evaluated through the use of environmental quality indices AMBI and M-AMBI. A total of 144 biological samples were taken during spring and autumn in four sampling sites. The site placed in the outfall showed high percentages of organic matter, silt, and clay in sediment and high concentration of Enterococcus in seawater. The invasive polychaete Boccardia proboscidea dominated the outfall site during the study period, while the ecosystem engineer Brachidontes rodriguezii dominated the non-impacted sites. Regarding the AMBI and M-AMBI indices, the outfall site presented the lowest environmental health values in both spring and autumn. The benthic community in this coastal area responds to sewage pollution by a change in species composition.