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Submarine outfall effect on subtidal macrobenthic communities in a southwestern Atlantic coastal city

Authors :
Graciela Verónica Cuello
María Andrea Saracho Bottero
Elizabeth Noemí Llanos
Griselda Valeria Garaffo
Emiliano Hines
Rodolfo Elías
María Lourdes Jaubet
Source :
Heliyon, Vol 9, Iss 7, Pp e18258- (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2023.

Abstract

Submarine outfalls are an effective alternative for the final discharge of wastewater. The aim was to evaluate the subtidal macrobenthic community's responses and the changes in bottom sedimentary dynamics due to submarine outfall (SO) location. Sampling stages were: before SO (BSO), after SO (ASO) and after treatment plant (AEDAR). Sampling sites were determined at different distances from the coastline (coastal, oceanic, and reference) on both sides of the pipe (North and South). Species shifts (from tolerant to sensitive) were observed along with a decrease in organic matter in the AEDAR Stage. There were changes in the sedimentary dynamic with sediment accumulation on the South side of the SO (finest sediments) and erosion on the North side (coarsest sediments) in the ASO and AEDAR Stages. Species turnover was higher than nesting in all stages. Functional trait analysis allowed the identification of temporal variations in benthic communities. The body size, development mode, feeding mode, habit, adult mobility and tolerance to pollution were useful functional traits to detect changes through Stages (BSO, ASO, and AEDAR). Biotic indices classified the sites as slightly disturbed, indicating a slight improvement in the AEDAR Stage.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
24058440
Volume :
9
Issue :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Heliyon
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b0941baa7a384b2b9b72e84b2562c1eb
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18258