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Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment
Armenteros, M.; Pérez-García, J.A.; Ruiz-Abierno, A.; Díaz-Asencio, L.; Helguera, Y.; Vincx, M.; Decraemer, W. (2010). Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment. Mar. Environ. Res. 70(5): 374-382. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2010.08.001
In: Marine Environmental Research. Applied Science Publishers: Barking. ISSN 0141-1136; e-ISSN 1879-0291
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 215063 [ download pdf ]

Keywords
    Composition > Community composition
    Diseases > Human diseases > Hypoxia
    Microcosms
    Organic matter > Carbon > Organic carbon > Dissolved organic matter > Dissolved organic carbon
    Nematoda [WoRMS]
    ASW: Cuba
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Nematodes; Organic enrichment; Microcosm; Hypoxia; Tropical; Community composition; Effects community; Caribbean Sea

Authors  Top 
  • Armenteros, M.
  • Pérez-García, J.A.
  • Ruiz-Abierno, A.
  • Díaz-Asencio, L.
  • Helguera, Y.
  • Vincx, M.
  • Decraemer, W.

Abstract
    Marine nematodes from subtidal tropical sediments of Cienfuegos Bay were subjected to organic enrichment in a microcosm experiment for 32 days. Nematode abundance and diversity decreased, and the taxonomic and trophic structure was altered. The results suggested that the nematodes were not food limited in the microcosms or in their natural environment. Chemical stressors such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide derived from reduced conditions in sediments may be important factors affecting the assemblages. Hypoxic conditions occurred in all experimental units, as well as in the field, suggesting a nematode assemblage adapted to naturally enriched sediments. However, tolerant species showed a grade of sensitivity to reduced conditions. In agreement with the model by Pearson and Rosenberg (1978), we predict that further organic enrichment in sediments from Cienfuegos Bay may cause a phase shift into a strongly depleted benthic fauna and reduced conditions in water and sediments.

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