Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment

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 (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved