Multi-benthic size approach to unveil different environmental conditions in a Mediterranean harbor area (Ancona, Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Abstract

Harbors are hubs of human activity and are subject to the continuous discharge and release of industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste and contaminants. Benthic organisms are largely known to reflect environmental conditions they live in. Despite meio- and macrofauna interacting within the benthic system, they are ecologically distinct components of the benthos and as such may not necessarily respond to environmental conditions and/or disturbances in the same way. However, in a few field studies the spatial patterns of meio- and macrofauna have been simultaneously compared. In the present study, we assess the response and patterns in the abundance, diversity, and distribution of the two benthic size classes to the different environmental conditions they live in (i.e., sediment concentrations of selected trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); organic matter contents and grain size) characterizing the Ancona Harbor (Adriatic Sea). Meio- and macrofauna provided partially similar types of information depending on the indices used (univariate measures or community structure/species composition) and the different 'response-to-stress'. The community structure (i.e., taxa composition) of both benthic size components clearly showed differences among sampling stations located from inside to outside the harbor, reflecting the marked environmental heterogeneity and disturbance typically characterizing these systems. Notwithstanding, the univariate measures (i.e., meio- and macrofauna total abundance, diversity indices and equitability) didn't show similar spatial patterns. Meiofauna were likely to be more sensitive to the effects of environmental features and contaminants than macrofauna. Overall, trace metals and PAHs affected the community composition of the two benthic components, but only the meiofauna abundance and diversity were related to the environmental variables considered (i.e., quantity and quality of organic matter). Our results pinpoint the importance of studying both meio- and macrofauna communities, which could provide greater insight into the processes affecting the investigated area and reveal different aspects of the benthic ecosystems in response to harbor conditions.

Keywords: Adriatic sea; Benthic size; Contaminants; Harbor; Macrofauna; Mediterranean; Meiofauna.

Figure 1. Map of the sampling area (Ancona Harbor) and location of the five sampling stations.

The pink rectangle indicates the geographical position of the Ancona Harbor, Italy.

Figure 2. (A) Distribution pattern and (B) origin of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) characterizing the sediment at the investigated sampling stations.

Σ LMW = sum of low molecular weight compounds (Naphthalene, 1-Methylnaphtalene, 2-Methylnaphtalene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene); Σ HMW = sum of high molecular weight compounds (Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benz[a]anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[a]pyrene, 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene); Σ COMB = sum of 9 non-alkylated PAHs (Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benz[a]anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene).

Figure 3. Principal component analysis (PCA) with environmental variables.

BPC, Biopolymeric organic carbon; CPE, Chloroplastic pigment equivalent; BPER, Benzo[ghi]perylene; BAP, Benzo[a]pyrene; FLU, Fluorene; ANT/PHE, Anthracene/Phenanthrene; FLT/PYR, Fluoranthene/Pyrene.

Figure 4. (A) Meiofaunal community structure and (B) contribution of taxa others at each sampling station.

Mean values of replicated samples (n = 3) are shown. Bold values reported inside the bars are total abundances (ind.10 cm⁻²) of meiofauna (4A) and others (4B).

Figure 5. Meiofaunal univariate measures.

(A) Meiofauna abundance (N = no. of individuals 10 cm⁻²) and its diversity indices: (B) meiofauna taxa richness (S), (C) Shannon’s diversity index (H’, based on log₂), and (D) Pielou’s equitability index (J’). Bars represent 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 6. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) of benthic communities.

Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) plots on (A) meiobenthic and (B) macrobenthic community structures characterizing the sediment at the investigated sampling stations. Data presented were fourth root scale transformed prior to analysis.

Figure 7. Macrofaunal community structure at each sampling station.

Mean values of replicated samples (n = 3) are shown.

Figure 8. Macrofaunal univariate measures.

(A) Macrofauna abundance (N = no. of individuals m⁻²) and its diversity indices: (B) macrofauna taxa richness (S), (C) Shannon’s diversity index (H’, based on log₂), and (D) Pielou’s equitability index (J’). Bars represent 95% confidence intervals.