Complex spatial and temporal variation of subtropical benthic macrofauna under sewage impact.

To better understand variation in sewage-impacted benthic macrofauna from subtropical tidal flats over time and space, we applied a five-factor linear model at a hierarchy of spatial (Condition - Contaminated or Non-Contaminated, Tidal Flat and Plot) and temporal scales (Season and Fortnight). The Contaminated site showed high levels of coprostanol and the presence of Paranais cf frici as markers or indicators of organic enrichment. Differences between Seasons were more pronounced for the faunal variation patterns than for the other parameters, with lower species richness and abundance in summer. There were significant interactions between Fortnight and Tidal Flat for most variables, reflecting marked heterogeneity within Tidal Flats. Benthic community has significantly changed over short periods of time. These rapid changes may lead to erroneous interpretations and mask the true sources of variation. Our results clearly demonstrate the need to better understand benthic temporal variability even at small scales.

The effect of urban sewage on benthic macrofauna: a multiple spatial scale approach.

We investigated the spatial scales of variation of macrofauna in intertidal flats subjected to different levels of contamination from urban effluents in two areas sampled in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex. The scales considered were: Conditions; Tidal flats and Plots. Although the numerically dominant taxa showed the greatest variability at a scale of Tidal flats, the variability at the Condition scale was also significant. Tubificinae sp. 1, Laeonereis culveri and Heteromastus sp. were the most abundant organisms in the Contaminated area, while Heleobia australis was most abundant in the Non-contaminated area. Our results, contrary to those frequently observed in the literature, showed that the variability was significant at the scale of hundreds of metres (Tidal flats). At this scale, the intrinsic characteristics of each tidal flat are more important in determining macrofaunal distribution, while the effects of the urban sewage contamination represent the primary forces acting at a greater spatial scale.