Recolonization and succession of subtidal macrobenthic infauna in sediments contaminated with cadmium

Environ Pollut. 2003;121(1):27-38. doi: 10.1016/s0269-7491(02)00210-5.

Abstract

Recolonization and succession of macrobenthic infauna in defaunated sediment contaminated with Cd were studied over a period of 14 months. Trays with defaunated sediment contaminated with cadmium, and trays with defaunated (control) sediment, were exposed at the subtidal in a subtropical environment. Macrobenthic succession exhibited different patterns in Cd-contaminated and control sediments. Abundance and species number were significantly higher in Cd-contaminated sediment during early succession, suggesting that cadmium may facilitate recolonization of certain species of macrobenthos. Cadmium also led to a significant change in species composition in initial colonization and subsequent succession. No significant difference in abundance, species number, diversity and species composition was found between Cd-contaminated and control sediments at the end of experiment, suggesting a stable benthic community was arrived within 14 months.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadmium*
  • Geologic Sediments*
  • Hong Kong
  • Industrial Waste
  • Seawater*
  • Soil Pollutants*
  • Species Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Zooplankton / growth & development*

Substances

  • Industrial Waste
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Cadmium