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Guerin AJ, Kidd KA, Maltais MJ, Mercer A, Hunt HL. Spatial patterns of sediment contamination and their influence on benthic infaunal communities in a highly tidal and industrial estuary in Atlantic Canada. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115872. [PMID: 38096692 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Sediment contamination can be elevated in ports, harbours, and estuaries with legacies of exploitation, negatively impacting infaunal invertebrate communities. Saint John Harbour (45.25° N, 66.05° W), New Brunswick, Canada, is an active harbour with strong tides and a long history of human activity. To examine spatial patterns of sediment contamination, samples were collected between 2011 and 2021 from subtidal sites near potential contaminant sources. Invertebrate data from the same samples were used to investigate potential effects on biological communities. Contaminant concentrations in the inner parts of the harbour were elevated compared to reference sites, but generally did not reach levels comparable to other highly contaminated harbours in the region. Effects on invertebrates were detectable, particularly at sites with higher contamination, although physical factors (depth, sediment grain size) were more important. Dynamic tidal conditions in the harbour may reduce the accumulation of contaminants in subtidal sediments and their impacts on infaunal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Guerin
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Karen A Kidd
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; School of Earth, Environment and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Marie-Josée Maltais
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Angella Mercer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Heather L Hunt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada
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Sawusdee A, Pokavanich T, Koolkalya S, Rattanarat J, Kaewrat J, Jutagate T. Catch assemblages in the small-scale trap fishery with relation to hydrographic features of a tropical bay in the Gulf of Thailand. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296135. [PMID: 38128060 PMCID: PMC10735179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Catches from the small-scale trap fishery in Bandon Bay, Suratthani, Thailand, were monitored from 14 sites around the Bay, then disturbance to aquatic communities and catch assemblage were examined. At the same time, the hydrographical features of the bay were surveyed. The study was conducted throughout 2019 except in December, when a tropical cyclone made sampling impossible. In total, 17,373 animals from 118 species or species groups of aquatic animals were collected. The main target of the fishery, blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus, contributed about 10% of the total catch in terms of number; meanwhile, another crab, Charybdis affinis, was the most dominant species (41% of total). W-statistics of Abundance-Biomass Comparison curves ranged between -0.025 and 0.031, indicating light disturbance to the communities in this fishing ground. The catch assemblage, based on number in catch composition, were divided into three main clusters and six sub-clusters by using the self-organizing map (SOM) technique. The SOM results showed that the catch assemblages differed based largely on temporal variation. The hydrographic features of Bandon Bay at times exhibited a layered structure and had strong spatial variation. The bay's current system was governed by motion of tidal currents; meanwhile, the circulation was governed by monsoonal wind and freshwater discharges. Tidal current was strong and ranged between approximately 0.6 m to 2.2 m. Water within the bay was always warmer than the outer sea. High water temperature was observed two times during the year: during monsoon transition 1 (April to May) and transition 2 (October). Salinity showed great spatial and temporal variation, differing by more than 5-10 ppt horizontally. It was possible to use these dynamic hydrological features of Bandon Bay to explain assemblage patterns of the trap-net catches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amonsak Sawusdee
- School of Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | | | - Sontaya Koolkalya
- Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rhambahibhanni Rajabhat University, Chantaburi, Thailand
| | | | - Jenjira Kaewrat
- School of Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Tuantong Jutagate
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
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Guerin AJ, Kidd KA, Maltais MJ, Mercer A, Hunt HL. Temporal and Spatial Trends in Benthic Infauna and Potential Drivers, in a Highly Tidal Estuary in Atlantic Canada. ESTUARIES AND COASTS : JOURNAL OF THE ESTUARINE RESEARCH FEDERATION 2023; 46:1612-1631. [PMID: 37520332 PMCID: PMC10371968 DOI: 10.1007/s12237-023-01222-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Infaunal invertebrate communities of coastal marine sediments are often impacted by human activities, particularly in harbours and estuaries. However, while many studies have attempted to identify the key factors affecting benthic infauna, few have done so for highly energetic tidal estuaries. Samples were collected over a decade (2011-2020) from a series of reference sites in Saint John Harbour (45.25° N, 66.05° W), a highly tidal estuary in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. These data were used to examine spatial and temporal trends in infaunal invertebrate communities and sediment properties and to determine the extent to which the biological patterns were driven by measured physical and chemical variables. There were substantial differences among sites in infaunal invertebrate abundance (median ranging from 688 to 13,700 individuals per square meter), infaunal species richness (median ranging from 8 to 22), and Shannon diversity (median ranging from 1.26 to 2.34); multivariate analysis also revealed variation in species composition among sites. Sediment contaminant concentrations also varied among sites, but differences tended to be smaller (e.g. median chromium concentrations ranging from 21.6 to 27.6 mg/kg). Sample contaminant concentrations were all below probable effect levels, and almost all below threshold effect levels (Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines), but relationships with biological data were still detectable. However, physical variables (depth, sediment characteristics) were better predictors of biological variables and community composition. These results confirm the importance of physical factors in shaping infaunal communities in soft-sediment habitats in tidally influenced coastal waters. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12237-023-01222-w.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen A. Kidd
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
- School of Earth, Environment and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Maltais
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB Canada
| | - Angella Mercer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB Canada
| | - Heather L. Hunt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB Canada
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Borland HP, Gilby BL, Henderson CJ, Connolly RM, Gorissen B, Ortodossi NL, Rummell AJ, Pittman SJ, Sheaves M, Olds AD. Dredging transforms the seafloor and enhances functional diversity in urban seascapes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 831:154811. [PMID: 35351501 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Landscape modification alters the condition of ecosystems and the complexity of terrain, with consequences for animal assemblages and ecosystem functioning. In coastal seascapes, dredging is routine practice for extracting sediments and maintaining navigation channels worldwide. Dredging modifies processes and assemblages by favouring species with wide trophic niches, diverse habitat requirements and tolerances to dredge-related eutrophication and sedimentation. Dredging also transforms the three-dimensional features of the seafloor, but the functional consequences of these terrain changes remain unclear. We investigated the effects of terrain modification on the functional diversity of fish assemblages in natural and dredged estuaries to examine whether dredging programs could be optimised to minimise impacts on ecological functioning. Fish assemblages were surveyed with baited remote underwater video stations and variation in functional niche space was described using species traits to calculate metrics that index functional diversity. Terrain variation was quantified with nine complementary surface metrics including depth, aspect, curvature, slope and roughness extracted from sonar-derived bathymetry maps. Functional diversity was, surprisingly, higher in dredged estuaries, which supported more generalist species with wider functional niches, and from lower trophic levels, than natural estuaries. These positive effects of dredging on functional diversity were, however, spatially restricted and were linked to both the area and orientation of terrain modification. Functional diversity was highest in urban estuaries where dredged channels were small (i.e. <1% of the estuary), and where channel slopes were orientated towards the poles (i.e. 171-189°), promoting both terrain variation and light penetration in urban estuaries. Our findings highlight previously unrecognised functional consequences of terrain modification that can easily be incorporated into dredging programs. We demonstrate that restricting the spatial extent of dredging operations and the orientation of dredged channel slopes, wherever this is practical, could help to limit impacts on ecosystem functioning and productivity in urban seascapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden P Borland
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia.
| | - Ben L Gilby
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Christopher J Henderson
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Rod M Connolly
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Bob Gorissen
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Nicholas L Ortodossi
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Ashley J Rummell
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Simon J Pittman
- Oxford Seascape Ecology Lab, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
| | - Marcus Sheaves
- College of Science and Engineering and Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Andrew D Olds
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
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Aarif K, Nefla A, Nasser M, Prasadan P, Athira T, Muzaffar SB. Multiple environmental factors and prey depletion determine declines in abundance and timing of departure in migratory shorebirds in the west coast of India. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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