Use and relevance of artificial organic matter substrates to assess the functional effects of metals on natural sediment communities
Utilisation de substrats organiques artificiels pour évaluer les effets fonctionnels de métaux sur des communautés naturelles de sédiments (microorganismes et invertébrés)
Résumé
Benthic ecosystems are important areas both in terms of biodiversity and functioning. They are receiving direct or indirect inputs from the water column or from the watershed and may therefore be accumulating zones for contaminants. Many benthic and epibenthic organisms may be exposed to these substances, with as consequences, disruption of ecological traits and functions at the ecosystem level such as changes in benthic community structure and ecosystem functioning. However, knowledge about the ecotoxicological effects of accumulated contaminants at the benthic community level is scarce. Accordingly, the present study aimed at assessing the functional impact of chronic exposure to environmental concentrations of metals on natural sediment communities. We evaluate the usefulness of assessing/studying feeding activity and organic matter breakdown as endpoints, using two kinds of artificial organic matter substrates.
Domaines
Sciences de l'environnement
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