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The challenge of choosing environmental indicators of anthropogenic impacts in estuaries
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 19:54 authored by Dafforn, KA, Simpson, SL, Kelaher, BP, Clark, GF, Valeriya KomyakovaValeriya Komyakova, Wong, CKC, Johnston, ELEcological assessments over large spatial scales require that anthropogenic impacts be distinguishable above natural variation, and that monitoring tools are implemented to maximise impact detection and minimise cost. For three heavily modified and four relatively ‘pristine’ estuaries (disturbance category), chemical indicators (metals and PAHs) of anthropogenic stress were measured in benthic sediments, suspended sediments and deployed oysters, together with other environmental variables. These were compared with infaunal and hard-substrate invertebrate communities. Univariate analyses were useful for comparing contaminant loads between different monitoring tools and identified the strongest relationships between benthic and suspended sediments. However, multivariate analyses were necessary to distinguish ecological response to anthropogenic stressors from environmental “noise” over a large spatial scale and to identify sites that were being impacted by contaminants. These analyses provide evidence that suspended sediments are a useful alternative monitoring tool to detect potential anthropogenic impacts on benthic (infaunal and hard-substrate) communities.
History
Publication title
Environmental PollutionVolume
163Pagination
207-217ISSN
0269-7491Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Elsevier Sci LtdPlace of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox5 1GbRights statement
Copyright 2011 Elsevier Ltd.Repository Status
- Restricted