A spatial study of meiofauna on a sewage-polluted Lebanese sand beach
Abstract
The density of the meiofauna at Khalde beach, a sewage-polluted beach, was from 1 to 2 orders of magnitude greater than that of Sindbad beach, an unpolluted beach. This difference in density was attributed to organic input via sewage.
The frequent high density of Protodrilus similis Jouin, a detritus-feeding archiannelid, at Khalde beach indicated that it was an opportunist species in a sewage polluted beach. There were no significant differences in species diversity between Khalde and Sindbad beaches.
There was no seasonal pattern in total meiofaunal density in the wavewash zone at Khalde beach. There was an indication of seasonality at the water table but the pattern was not consistent. Sindbad beach exhibited spring and autumn peaks in meiofaunal density. The lack of seasonality in the Khalde beach wave-wash zone for the total meiofauna was attributed to continuous high organic input. The indistinct seasonality at the water table for the total meiofauna suggested reduced organic input.
The high meiofaunal density in the wave-wash zone and the low density at the water table of Khalde beach were attributed to differences in organic input and the heterogeneity of the environment at the water table.
