Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of pollution on the harpacticoid copepods of two North Sea estuaries

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seasonal monitoring of the meiobenthos in the Dutch estuaries revealed an anomaly in density and diversity of harpacticoid copepods in the Westerschelde.

Another Dutch estuary, the Eems Dollard, has comparable hydrodynamical, physical and sedimentological, characteristics and a similar fauna, but even in the severely organically polluted oligohaline mudflats of this estuary, annual average density and diversity of endo-epibenthic harpacticoid communities are higher than at similar less enriched meso- to polyhaline biotopes of the Westerschelde.

Besides the concentrations of inorganic pollutants, such as phosphates and nitrates, the concentrations of pesticides, cyanide, detergents, phenoles, oils, polychlorobenzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals were compared in both estuaries and compared to suggested permissive levels when available. From this it appears that these pollutants are present in the Westerschelde either in too low concentrations to be considered dangerous or at concentrations comparable to those occurring in the Eems Dollard, except for heavy metals.

The load of a.o. Zn, Cu and Pb is distinctly and persistently higher in sediments and suspensions of the Westerschelde than in the Eems Dollard and copper is continuously present in a concentration at which, according to bioassays, egg production and larval development of planktonic copepods are severely affected. The remarkable scarcity of harpacticoid life on nutrient rich mudflats of the Westerschelde is thus probably due to heavy metal pollution.

Since no other hardbodied meio- and macrobenthic taxa nor the plankton of this estuary show such a marked impoverishment, benthic harpacticoids prove to be suitable as indicators for the first stages of ecosystem-breakdown in estuarine and coastal zones polluted by trace-metals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arlt, G., 1975. Remarks on indicator organisms (meiofauna) in the coastal waters of the GDR. Merentutlaimuslaitoksen julkaisu/Havsforskingsinst. Skr. No. 239: 272–279.

  • Arnoux, A. & D. Bellan-Santini, 1972. Relations entre la pollution du secteur de Cortiou par les détergents anioniques et les modifications de peuplements de Cystoseira stricta. Téthys 4: 583–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, C. & G. R. Heerebaut, 1971. Nota over de verontreiniging van de Westerschelde. Med. Hydrobiol. Ver. 4: 17–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, C. & N. De Pauw, 1975. Comparison of plankton assemblages of identical salinity ranges in estuarine, tidal and stagnant evironments. II. Zooplankton. Neth. J. Sea Res. 9: 145–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, P., 1968. Distribution and ecology of harpacticoid copepods of an intertidal mudflat. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 53: 173–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayne, B. L., 1979. Assessing effects of marine pollution. Nature 280: 14–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayne, B. L., J. Anderson, D. Engel, E. Gilfillan, D. Hoss, R. Lloyd & F. P. Thurberg, 1980. Physiological techniques for measuring the biological effects of pollution in the sea. In A. D. McIntyre & J. B. Pearce (eds.), Rapport et procès-verbaux des Réunions Conseil International pour l'exploitation de la Mer 179: 88–90.

  • Bellan, G., 1976. Pollution par les tensio-actifs. In J. M. Pérès (ed.), La pollution des eaux marines. Gauthier-Villars, Bordas, Paris: 31–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billen, G., J. Smitz, M. Sombille & R. Wollast, 1976. Dégradation de la matière opganique et processus d'oxide-réduction dans l'estuaire de l'Escaut. Programme Nationale de Recherche et développement. Environnements - Project Mer. Services du Premier Ministre. Bruxelles. Rapport Final, Vol. 10: 102–152.

  • Bouwman, L. A. & A. J. Kop, 1979. De Dollard. De invloed van afvalwaterlozingen op het ecosysteem. Natuur & Techniek 47: 668–683.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, R. A., J. M. St. Onge, J. B. Jr., Colton & C. R. Price, 1972. Density-gradient centrifugation as an aid to sorting planktonic organisms. I. Gradient materials. Mar. Biol. 14: 242–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brand, P. J., 1975. Uit de geschiedenis van Saeftinge. In Saeftinghe boek (Vogelwacht OZ Vlaanderen De Steltkluut ed.) Antiquariaat Merlijn, Hulst, The Netherlands: 5–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryan, G. W., 1971. The effect of heavy metals (other than mercury) on marine and estuarine organisms. Proc. r. Soc. Lond., B 177: 389–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryan, G. W., 1976. Heavy metal contamination in the sea. In R. Johnston (ed.), Academic Press, London: 185–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J. B. & J. M. Kain, 1971. Measurement of the physical and chemical environment. In N. A. Holme & A. D. McIntyre (eds.), IBP Handbook No. 16, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford: 30–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corner, E. D. S. & B. W. Sparrow, 1956. The modes of actions of toxic agents. I. Observations on the poisoning of certain crustaceans by copper and mercury. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 35: 531–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coull, B. C., S. S. Bell, A. M. Savory & B. W. Dudley, 1979. Zonation of meiobenthic copepods in a South Eastern United States salt marsh. Estuar. coast. mar. Sci. 9: 181–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • d'Agostino, A. & C. Finney, 1974. The effect of copper and cadmium on the development of Tigriopus japonicus. In F. J. Vernberg & W. B. Vernberg (eds.), Pollution and Physiology of Marine Organisms. Academic Press, London: 445–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, J. K., 1979. Copepods. In C. W. Hart Jr. & S. L. H. Fuller (eds.), Pollution Ecology of Estuarine Invertebrates. Academic Press, London: 145–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Groot, A. J., 1973. Occurrence and behaviour of heavy metals in river deltas with special reference to the Rhine and Ems rivers. In E. D. Goldberg (ed.), North Sea Science. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.: 308–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Jonge, V. N. & L. A. Bouwman, 1977. A simple density separation technique for quantitative isolation of meiobenthos using the colloidal silica Ludox-TM. Mar. Biol. 42: 143–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Pauw, C., 1975. Bijdrage tot de kennis van milieu en plankton in het Westerschelde-Estuarium. Ph.D. thesis, State University of Ghent: 380 pp.

  • De Smet, L. A. & A. J. Wiggers, 1960. Einige Bemerkungen über die Herkunft und die Sedimentationsgeschwindigheit der Dollartablagerungen. In J. Van Voorthysen & Ph. Kuenen (eds.), Verh. k. Ned. geol. mijnbk. gen. Geol. Ser. 19: 129–135.

  • Dorrestein, R., 1960. On the distribution of salinity and of some other properties of the water in the Ems-Estuary. In J. Van Voorthuysen & Ph. Kuenen (eds.), Das Ems-Estuarium (Nordsee). Verh. k. ned. geol. mijnbk. gem., geol. Ser. 19: 83–193.

  • Duinker, J. C. & R. F. Nolthing, 1976. Distribution model for particulate trace metals in the Rhine estuary, Southern Bight and Dutch Wadden Sea. Neth. J. Sea Res. 10: 71–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duinker, J. C. & R. F. Nolthing, 1977. Dissolved and particulate trace metals in the Rhine estuary and the Southern Bight. Mar. Poll. Bull. 8: 65–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duursma, E. K. & M. Marchand, 1974. Aspects of organic marine pollution. Ocean. Mar. biol. annu. Rev. 12: 315–431.

    Google Scholar 

  • El Wakeel, S. K. & J. P. Riley, 1965. The determination of organic carbon in marine muds. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 22: 180–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Essink, K., 1976. Notitie betreffende het pesticidenonderzoek in de Eems-Dollard. RIZA-report (Governement Institute for Sewage and Waste water Treatment), advisor department Sappemeer, the Netherlands, 4 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Essink, K., 1980. Mercury pollution in the Ems estuary. In O. Kinne & H. P. Bulnheim (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th European Marine Biology Symposium ‘Protection of Life in the Sea’, Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 33: 111–121.

  • Farris, R. A. & M. Crezee, 1976. An improved Reineck box for sampling coarse sand. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 66: 703–705.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fava, G. & E. Crotti, 1979. Effetto di un detersivo commerciale e di uno dei suoi components, LAS, sulla produzione di nauplii in Tisbe holothuriae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) in condizioni di alto e basso affollemento. Atti Accad. naz. Linc. Rend., Ser. 8, 66: 223–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fava, G. & L. Dalla Venezia, 1976. Effeti di un detersivo commerciale in copepodi del genere Tisbe (Copepoda, Harpacticoida). Atti 1st. ven. sci., lett. art. 134: 221–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleeger, J. W., 1980. Community structure of an estuarine meiobenthic copepod assemblage. Estuar. coast. mar. Sci. 10: 107–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonds, A. W. & P. A. Greve, 1973. Onderzoek naar het voorkomen van bestrijdingsmiddelen en sporenelementen in de Waddenzee. R.I.V. Rep. nr 16/73 BW.L. Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giere, O., 1968. Die Fluktuationen des marinen Zooplanktons in Elbe-Aestuar. Arch. Hydrobiol. 31 (Suppl.): 379–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaere, J. C. R. & L. K. Thielemans, 1979. A simple device for taking undisturbed sediment cores in shallow water. Biol. Jaarb. Dodonaea 47: 137–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaere, J. C. R., L. K. Thielemans & R. De Boever, 1977. Studie van het macrobenthos in de zuidelijke Noordzee. In Inventaris van de fauna en flora. Nationaal Onderzoeks- en Ontwikkelingsprogramma. Leefmilieu. Project Zee. Programmatie van bet Wetenschapsbeleid, Brussel. Eindrapport Vol. 7: 115–165.

  • Govaere, J. C. R., D. van Damme, C. Heip & L. A. P. De Coninck, 1980. Benthic communities in the Southern Bight of the North Sea and their use in ecological monitoring. In O. Kinne & H. P. Bulnheim (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th European Marine Biology Symposium ‘Protection of Life in the Sea’, Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 33: 507–521.

  • Hagel, P. & L. G. M. T. Tuinstra, 1974. Het gehalte aan organochloorpesticiden en PCB's in nederlandse visserijprodukten. Visserij 27: 420–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heip, C., 1976. The life-cycle of Cyprideis torosa (Crustacea, Ostracoda) Oecologia 24: 229–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heip, C., 1980. Meiobenthos as a tool in the assessment of marine environmental quality. In A. D. McIntyre & J. B. Pearce (eds.), Rapport et Procés-verbaux des Réunions Conseil International pour l'exploration de la Mer 179: 182–187.

  • Heip, C., R. Herman, G. Bisschop, J. C. R. Govaere, M. Holvoet, D. Van Damme, C. Vanosmael, K. R. Willems & L. A. P. De Coninck, 1979. Benthic studies of the Southern Bight of the North Sea and its adjacent continental estuaries. Progress Report I. International Report. International Council of the Exploration of the Sea. C. M. 1979/L: 9. Biological Oceanography Committee: 30 pp.

  • Hinrinch, H., 1974. Schwebstoffgehalt, Gebietsniederschlag, Abfluss und Schwebstoffkracht der Ems bei Rheine und Versen in den Jahren 1965 bis 1971. D. gewässerk. Mitt. 18: 85–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoenig, M., 1978. polluants inorganiques dans les sédiments et les suspensions de la Mer du Nord et de l'Escaut. In Inventaris van de polluenten. Nationall Onderzoeks- en Ontwikkelingsprogramma. Leefmilieu. Projekt Zee. Programmatie van het Wetenschapsbeleid, Brussel. Eindrapport Vol. 6: 193–204.

  • Holvoet, M., 1978. Nematoda van de Westerschelde te Zandvliet - Een eerste benadering, M.A. thesis, State University of Ghent: 1–94.

  • Hoppenheit, M. & K. R. Sperling, 1977.On the dynamics of exploited populations of Tisbe holothuriae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida). IV. The toxicity to cadmium; Response to lethal exposure. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 29: 328–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koeman, J. H., 1971. Het voorkomen en de toxicologische betekenis van enkele chloorwaterstoffen aan de Nederlandse kust in de periode van 1965 tot 1970. Diss., State University Utrecht, the Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laane, R. W. P., 1980. Some observations on the lipid concentration in the Ems-Dollart Estuary and the Western Wadden Sea. Estuar. coast. mar. Sci. 10: 589–596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, K., 1948. Monographie der Harpacticiden. Håken Ohlssons Boktryckery, Lund, Sweden: 603 & 1291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, L. H., 1970. The possible transport of trace metals via moulted copepod exoskeletons. Limnol. Oceanogr. 15: 756–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntyre, A. D. & J. B. Pearce, 1980. Foreword. In A. D. McIntyre & J. B. Pearce (eds.), Rapport et Procès-verbaux des Réunions Conseil International pour l'exploration de la Mer 179: 5.

  • Michel, P., 1976. Pollution par les hydrocarbures: interaction avec les biocénoses. In J. M. Pé\`res (ed.), La pollution des eaux marines. Gauthier-Villars, Bordas, Paris: 105–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mironov, O. G., 1969. Effects of oil pollution upon some representatives of Black Sea zooplankton. Zool. z. 48: 980–984 (in Russian, Engl. summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nihoul, J. C. J. & C. Boelen, 1978. Niveau de pollution du réseau hydrographique et de la zone côtière belge. Recueil des données, tome B: Escaut, Yser et Affluents. Programme Nationale de Recherche et de Développement. Environment. Project Mer. Services du Premier Ministre, Bruxelles. Rapport Final, Vol. 11, 367 pp.

  • Noodt, W., 1958. Zur Ökologie der Harpacticoidea (Crust. Cop.) das Eulittorals der Deutschen Meeresküste und der angrenzenden Brackgewässer, Z. Morph. Oekol. Tiere 46: 149–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ott, F. S., R. P. Harris & S. C. M. O'Hara, 1978. Acute and sublethal toxicity of naphalene and three methylated derivatives to the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis. Mar. Env. Res. 1: 49–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérès, J. M., 1976. Pollution par les substances minérales autres que les sels nutritifs. In J. M. Pérès (ed.), La Pollution des eaux marines, Gauthier-Villars, Bordas, Paris: 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, E. J., 1976. The evaluation of biological response by toxicity and water quality assessments. In R. Johnston (ed.), Marine Pollution, Academic Press, London: 305–577.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, J. J., 1975. Model voor de studie van de verontreiniging van het Schelde estuarium. In H. Gijsels (ed.), De Gouden Delta, Pudoc, Centrum voor landbouwpublicaties en landbouwdocumentatie, Wageningen, The Netherlands: 5–31.

  • Peters, J. J. & A. Sterling, 1976. Hydrodynqmique et transports de sédiments de l'estuarre de l'Escaut. In J. C. J. Nihoul & R. Wollast (eds.), l'Estuaire de l'Escaut, Programme Nationale de Recherche et de Développement. Environnements. Projet Mer. Services du Premier Ministre, Bruxelles. Rapport Final. Vol. 10: 1–70.

  • Pielou, E. C., 1975. Ecological diversity. Wiley-Interscience, New York, 165 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Postma, H., 1960. Einige Bemerkungen über die Stikstoftransport im Ems-Dollard Gebiet. In J. Van Voorthuysen & Ph. Kuenen (eds.), Das Ems-Estuarium (Nordsee). Verh. k. ned. geol. mijnbk. gen. geol. Ser. 19: 103–111.

  • Reeve, M. R., G. D. Grice, V. R. Gibson, M. A. Walker, K. Darcy & T. Ikeda, 1976. A controlled environment pollution experiment (CEPEX) and its usefulness in the study of larger marine zooplankton under toxic stress. In A. P. M. Lockwood (ed.), Effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 145–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeve, M. R., J. C. Gamble & M. A. Walter, 1977. Experimental observations on the effects of copper on copepods and other zooplankton: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27: 92–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remane, A. & C. Schlieper, 1971. Biology of Brackish Water. E. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 372 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • RIZA, 1976. Kwaliteitsonderzoek in de Rijkswateren. Quarterly reports edited by the Government Institute for Sewage and Waste water Treatment RIZA, Lelystad, The Netherlands.

  • RIZA, 1977. Kwaliteitsonderzoek in de Rijkswateren. Quarterly reports edited by the Government Institute for Sewage and Waste water Treatment RIZA, Lelystad, the Netherlands.

  • RIZA, 1978. Kwaliteitsonderzoek in de Rijkswateren. Quarterly reports edited by the Government Institute for Sewage and Waste water Treatment RIZA, Lelystad, the Netherlands.

  • RIZA, 1979. Kwaliteitsonderzoek in de Rijkswateren. Quarterly reports edited by the Government Institute for Sewage and Waste water Treatment RIZA, Lelystad, the Netherlands.

  • Salomons, W. & W. G. Mook, 1977. Trace metal concentrations in estuarine sediments: mobilisation, mixing or precipitation. Neth. J. Sea Res. 11: 119–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schröder, H. G. J., F. B. Van Es & A. J. Kop, 1976. Microbiologische inventarisatie van het Eems-Dollard estuarium. B.O.V.A. Eems-Dollard project, Publ. Versl. 1976: 1–133.

  • Sherman, K. M. & B. C. Coull, 1980. The response of meiofauna to sediment disturbance. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol.: 46: 59–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surkyn, R., 1977. Vergelijking van de fauna van permanent ondergelopen slikken in de Grevelingen met bestaande slikken in de Oosterschelde. M. A. thesis, State University of Ghent, 56 pp.

  • Ten Berge, W. F. & M. Hildebrand, 1974. Organochlorine compounds in several marine organisms from the North Sea and the Dutch Wadden Sea. Neth. J. Sea Res. 8: 361–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theuns, J., 1975. De waterbouwkundige problematiek van de Westerschelde en geplande infrastruktuurwerken. In H. Gijsels (ed.), De Gouden Delta 2, Pudoc, Centrum voor landbouwpublicaties en landbbouwdocumentatie, Wageningen, The Netherlands: 31–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ustach, J. F., 1979. Effects of sublethal oil concentrations on the copepod Nitocra affinis. Estuar. 2: 273–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Damme, D. & C. Heip, 1977. Het meiobenthos in de Zuidelijke Noordzee. In Inventaris van de fauna en flora. Nationaal Onderzoeks-en Ontwikkelingsprogramma. Leefmilieu. Project Zee. Programmatie van het Wetenschapsbeleid, Brussel. Eindrapport Vol. 7: 1–113.

  • Van Damme, D., R. Herman, Y. Sharma, M. Holvoet & P. Martens, 1980. Benthic studies of the Southern Bight of the North Sea and its adjacent continental estuaries. Progress Report II: Fluctuations of the meiobenthic communities in the Westerschelde estuary. International Council of the Exploration of the Sea, ICES C.M. 1980/L: 23: 131–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Veen, J., 1950. Eb en vloedschaarsysteem in de Nederlandse getijdewateren. Ts. k. ned. aardr. gen. 67: 303–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeulen, Y., 1980. Studie van het macrobenthos van het Westerschelde Estuarium. M.A. thesis, State University of Ghent, 180 pp.

  • Ward, A. R., 1975. Studies on the sublittoral free-living nematodes of Liverpool Bay II. Influence of sediment composition on the distribution of marine nematodes. Mar. Biol. 30: 217–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warwick, R. M., I. R. Joint & P. J. Radford, 1979. Secondary production of the benthos in an estuarine environment. In R. L. Jefferies & A. J. Davy (eds.), Ecological processes in Coastal Environments. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford: 429–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, E. B., 1980. Ecological effects of waste water. Cambridge University Press, London, 337 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, W. J., 1973. The estuary as a habitat. Zool. Verh. Leiden, 126: 242 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, W. J. & W. G. Beeftink, 1975. Het verdronken land van Saeftinge: poging tot een waardebepaling. In Vogelwacht OZ Vlaanderen De Steltkluut (ed.), Saeftinghe boek, Antiquariaat Merlijn, Hulst, The Netherlands: 19–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wollast, R., 1976. Transport et accumulation de polluants dans l'estuarie de l'Escaut. In J. C. J. Nihoul & R. Wollast (eds.), l'Estuarie de l'Escaut, Programme Nationale de Recherche et de Développement. Environnement. Project Mer. Services du Premier Ministre, Bruxelles. Rapport Final, Vol. 10: 191–218.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sectie Mariene Biologie, Lab. voor Morfologie & Systematiek, Rijksuniversiteit, Gent, Belgium

    D. van Damme, C. Heip & K. A. Willems

Authors
  1. D. van Damme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Heip
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. A. Willems
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Damme, D., Heip, C. & Willems, K.A. Influence of pollution on the harpacticoid copepods of two North Sea estuaries. Hydrobiologia 112, 143–160 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006919

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006919

Keywords

Search

Navigation