TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatio temporal variation in octocoral assemblages along a water quality gradient in the northwestern region of Cuba
AU - Rey-Villiers, Néstor
AU - Sánchez, Alberto
AU - Caballero-Aragón, Hansel
AU - González-Díaz, Patricia
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
PY - 2020/4
Y1 - 2020/4
N2 - Rivers are the main sources of nutrients to coastal zones. Therefore, the effects of water quality degradation on octocoral assemblages and their relationship with microbiological and physical-chemical variables were determined in reefs close to river basins in the northwestern region of Cuba. The evaluations were carried out in 1 m2 frames at a depth of 10 m in 13 fore reefs. The highest concentrations of the microbiological variables and hydrochemicals and the lowest horizontal visibility in the water column were detected in the reefs near the river basins. The lowest richness, diversity and octocoral density were related to higher concentrations of fecal coliform, total coliform and fecal streptococcal bacteria, sediment accumulation on the bottom and lower visibility. The structure of the octocoral assemblages varied significantly between reefs due to fecal organic pollution. Water quality deterioration in the reefs near the river basins has negatively affected the octocoral assemblages.
AB - Rivers are the main sources of nutrients to coastal zones. Therefore, the effects of water quality degradation on octocoral assemblages and their relationship with microbiological and physical-chemical variables were determined in reefs close to river basins in the northwestern region of Cuba. The evaluations were carried out in 1 m2 frames at a depth of 10 m in 13 fore reefs. The highest concentrations of the microbiological variables and hydrochemicals and the lowest horizontal visibility in the water column were detected in the reefs near the river basins. The lowest richness, diversity and octocoral density were related to higher concentrations of fecal coliform, total coliform and fecal streptococcal bacteria, sediment accumulation on the bottom and lower visibility. The structure of the octocoral assemblages varied significantly between reefs due to fecal organic pollution. Water quality deterioration in the reefs near the river basins has negatively affected the octocoral assemblages.
KW - Cuba
KW - Fecal organic pollution
KW - Nutrient enrichment
KW - Octocoral assemblages
KW - Visibility
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85079377706&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110981
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110981
M3 - Artículo
C2 - 32275537
AN - SCOPUS:85079377706
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 153
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
M1 - 110981
ER -