Destabilization of Cohesive Intertidal Sediments by Infauna

• Published in: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 665 - 669
• Main Authors: de Deckere, E.M.G.T, Tolhurst, T.J, de Brouwer, J.F.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; benthos; Biological and medical sciences; bioturbation; British Isles, England, Humber R; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; erosion; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humber; intertidal flats; Marine and brackish environment; Marine and continental quaternary; Nereis diversicolor; Oligochaeta; sediment stability; Surficial geology; United Kingdom; Europe; British Isles, England, Humber Estuary; ANE, British Isles, England, Humberside, Humber Estuary; erosion; intertidal flats; benthos; sediment stability; Humber; Brackish water environment; Marine sediments; Insecticide; Stability; Fauna; Polychaeta; Tidal flat; Pesticides; Nereis diversicolor; Estuaries; Zoobenthos; Perturbation; Annelida; Infauna; Mud flats; Bioturbation; Intertidal zone; Animal activity; Water pollution; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0272-7714; 1096-0015
• DOI: 10.1006/ecss.2001.0811

Bioturbation activity was reduced in four plots on an intertidal mudflat in the Humber estuary (UK) during 4 days, by spraying the sediment with an insecticide, namely vydate. Macrofaunal, especially Nereis diversicolor and oligochaeta, and meiofaunal densities decreased, while the diatom biomass did not change. This resulted in a 300% increase in sediment stability, caused by a reduction in bioturbation and grazing pressure and a decrease in the water content.