An investigation of the shallow water benthic communities in the Rinella area

Abstract

The benthic community in the shallow waters of the Rinella coast, as far down as the upper infralittoral was investigated. Sampling was carried out using the Belt transect method. Four sites were sampled and for each of these the quadrat technique was utilised. The results obtained were expressed as percentage coverage of the species. Statistical analysis include a number of diversity indices as well as cluster analysis, so as to reveal any apparent ecological groupings. An exposure Index was also calculated to help explain any pattern of occurrences of biota. The majority of algae sampled in the study area are known to be biological indicators of polluted waters and this helps to give an indication of the type of environmental conditions present in the locality. The results obtained indicate that pollution exerts a negative impact on the vegetation present. The limited number of species, consisting of 12 macro phytic algae and 5 benthic macroinvertebrates all of which are tolerant to organic, as well as other forms of water pollution denotes such a fact. We thus come to the conclusion that pollution exerts a major influence on the algal community prevailing in any area especially in a relatively sheltered one since only those species which are tolerant to heavily polluted environments survive. Consequently the number of algal species in such localities is greatly reduced.