Meiofauna distribution in a mangrove forest exposed to shrimp farm effluents (New Caledonia)

• Published in: Marine environmental research Vol. 119; pp. 100 - 113
• Main Authors: Della Patrona, L., Marchand, C., Hubas, C., Molnar, N., Deborde, J., Meziane, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2016; Elsevier science
• Subjects: Aquaculture; Aquatic Organisms - physiology; Avicennia marina; Biodiversity and Ecology; Copepoda; Decapoda; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Sciences; Environmental status; Mangrove; Marine; Meiofauna; Nematoda; New Caledonia; Shrimp farming; Waste Water - analysis; Waste Water - statistics & numerical data; Waste Water - toxicity; Wetlands; ISEW, Pacific, New Caledonia; Meiofauna; Shrimp farming; Mangrove; Environmental status; New Caledonia
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.05.028

Meiofauna abundance, biomass and individual size were studied in mangrove sediments subjected to shrimp farm effluents in New Caledonia. Two strategies were developed: i) meiofauna examination during the active (AP) and the non-active (NAP) periods of the farm in five mangrove stands characteristics of the mangrove zonation along this coastline, ii) meiofauna examination every two months during one year in the stand the closest to the pond (i.e. Avicennia marina). Thirteen taxonomic groups of meiofauna were identified, with nematodes and copepods being the most abundant ones. Meiofauna abundance and biomass increased from the land side to the sea side of the mangrove probably as a result of the increased length of tidal immersion. Abundance of total meiofauna was not significantly different before and after the rearing period. However, the effluent-receiving mangrove presented twice the meiofauna abundance and biomass than the control one. Among rare taxa, mites appeared extremely sensitive to this perturbation. •13 taxonomic groups of meiofauna were identified in mangrove sediments.•Meiofauna abundance and biomass increased from the land side to the sea side.•Meiofauna distribution was controlled by the mangrove zonation.•Short term effect of aquaculture effluents on meiofauna distribution were not evidenced.•Long term effects were higher meiofaunal diversity, abundance and biomass.