Short-term impact of deep sand extraction and ecosystem-based landscaping on macrozoobenthos and sediment characteristics

Maarten F de Jong; Martin J Baptist; Han J Lindeboom; Piet Hoekstra

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.002

Short-term impact of deep sand extraction and ecosystem-based landscaping on macrozoobenthos and sediment characteristics

Mar Pollut Bull. 2015 Aug 15;97(1-2):294-308. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.002. Epub 2015 Jun 26.

Authors

Maarten F de Jong¹, Martin J Baptist², Han J Lindeboom³, Piet Hoekstra⁴

Affiliations

¹ IMARES Wageningen UR - Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies, Department of Ecosystems, PO Box 167, 1790 AD Den Burg, The Netherlands; Wageningen UR - Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: maarten.dejong@wur.nl.
² IMARES Wageningen UR - Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies, Department of Ecosystems, PO Box 167, 1790 AD Den Burg, The Netherlands.
³ IMARES Wageningen UR - Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies, Department of Ecosystems, PO Box 167, 1790 AD Den Burg, The Netherlands; Wageningen UR - Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.115, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 26119627
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.002

Abstract

We studied short-term changes in macrozoobenthos in a 20m deep borrow pit. A boxcorer was used to sample macrobenthic infauna and a bottom sledge was used to sample macrobenthic epifauna. Sediment characteristics were determined from the boxcore samples, bed shear stress and near-bed salinity were estimated with a hydrodynamic model. Two years after the cessation of sand extraction, macrozoobenthic biomass increased fivefold in the deepest areas. Species composition changed significantly and white furrow shell (Abra alba) became abundant. Several sediment characteristics also changed significantly in the deepest parts. Macrozoobenthic species composition and biomass significantly correlated with time after cessation of sand extraction, sediment and hydrographical characteristics. Ecosystem-based landscaped sand bars were found to be effective in influencing sediment characteristics and macrozoobenthic assemblage. Significant changes in epifauna occurred in deepest parts in 2012 which coincided with the highest sedimentation rate. We recommend continuing monitoring to investigate medium and long-term impacts.

Keywords: Dredging; Hydrodynamics; Mining; North Sea; Sedimentation rate.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Biodiversity*
Biomass
Bivalvia
Ecosystem
Environment
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Geologic Sediments*
Silicon Dioxide*

Substances

Silicon Dioxide