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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Monitoring nitrogen pollution in seasonally-pulsed coastal waters requires judicious choice of indicator species

Full text
Author(s):
Gorman, Daniel ; Turra, Alexander ; Connolly, Rod M. ; Olds, Andrew D. ; Schlacher, Thomas A.
Total Authors: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 122, n. 1-2, p. 149-155, SEP 15 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 10
Abstract

We compared the sensitivity of algae and hermit crabs to seasonal shifts in the dominance of continuous sewage discharge vs. pulsed inputs of terrestrial material to a subtropical bay. During periods of low rainfall, when sewage was proportionately more important than diffuse loads from adjacent catchments, algae and crabs provided comparable information on the spatial distribution of N pollution. Conversely, during the wet season, when diffuse nitrogen loads from the catchment were of greater importance, the isotope signal of algae de coupled from that of crabs, indexing a greater magnitude of change and a more pronounced spatial gradient. Overall, algae better indexed the short-term impacts of anthropogenic nitrogen pollution whereas the signals provided by crabs provided a longer-term integrated measure of N inputs. Our results demonstrate the value of including multiple taxa with variable traits when monitoring the spatial and temporal extent of nitrogen inputs to coastal waters. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/50317-5 - Biodiversity and functioning of a subtropical coastal ecosystem: a contribution to integrated management
Grantee:Antonia Cecília Zacagnini Amaral
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants