Impact of Anthropogenic Stressors on Marine Benthos

Anthropogenic Stress on Macrobenthic Invertebrate Assemblages along the Southern Coast of Kerala, India

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation , 2017 , 544 Pages

Biology - Zoology

In Kerala, no scientific research has been done to assess the impact of multiple anthropogenic stressors which is rampant along the southern coast. This thesis explores the kinetics of macroinvertebrates at three anthropogenically disturbed regions, along the coast of Kerala. A near- pristine site, which is supposed to serve as a control, was also included in the present study. A correlation of the spatio-temporal dispensation of the communities with environmental parameters has been attempted. Inventorizing the benthic invertebrate assemblages at the sites exposed to differing pollution load (both in quantity) has revealed some alarming observations which need to be addressed immediately. The study has also brought about the efficacy of biomonitoring coastal ecosystems using benthic assemblages.

The study highlights the strong deterministic nature of zoobenthic community and its ability to resist varying anthropogenic disturbances, while identifying new sentinel organisms. Investigating the temporal and spatial parameters of benthic macroinvertebrates and its impacts on trophic levels, determine the fate of energy and nutrient flow into the coastal waters. Estimating secondary production of major taxonomic groups and their value in the food chain, characterizes trophic dynamics within the system.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• GENERAL INTRODUCTION
• Chapter I STUDY AREA AND SAMPLING DESIGN
  • 1.1 Study sites
  • 1.2 Duration of the study
  • 1.3 Sampling Design
• Chapter II HYDROLOGY
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Review of Literature
  • 2.3 Materials and Methods
  • 2.4 Statistical Analysis
  • 2.5 Results
  • 2.6 Discussion
• Chapter III SEDIMENTOLOGY
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Review of Literature
  • 3.3 Material and Methods
  • 3.4 Statistical Analysis
  • 3.5 Results
  • 3.6 Discussion
• Chapter IV HEAVY METALS
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Review of Literature
  • 4.3 Material and Methods
  • 4.4 Statistical Analysis
  • 4.5 Results
  • 4.6 Discussion
• Chapter V POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs)
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Review of Literature
  • 5.3 Materials and Methods
  • 5.4 Statistical Analysis
  • 5.5 Results
  • 5.6 Discussion
• Chapter VI MACROBENTHIC INVERTEBRATE ASSEMBLAGES
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 Review of Literature
  • 6.3 Materials and Methods
  • 6.4 Statistical Analysis
  • 6.5 Results
  • 6.6 Discussion
• SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work examines the impact of anthropogenic stressors on marine benthic ecosystems, specifically focusing on macrobenthic invertebrate assemblages along the southern coast of Kerala, India. The study aims to understand how various stressors, including hydrological variations, sedimentological characteristics, heavy metal contamination, and polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution, influence the structure and functioning of these communities.

• Impacts of anthropogenic stressors on marine benthos
• Influence of hydrological variations on benthic communities
• Relationship between sedimentological characteristics and benthic assemblages
• Heavy metal contamination and its effects on benthic invertebrates
• Impact of PAH pollution on macrobenthic communities

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The research is organized into chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of the study. Chapter I provides an overview of the study area and sampling design, detailing the chosen locations, duration of the study, and sampling methods. Chapter II focuses on the hydrological characteristics of the study sites, exploring the influence of water quality parameters on benthic communities. Chapter III delves into the sedimentological analysis of the study area, investigating the relationship between sediment composition and benthic assemblages. Chapter IV explores the levels of heavy metal contamination in the study area and its potential effects on benthic invertebrates. Chapter V examines the occurrence of PAHs in the study area and its potential impact on macrobenthic communities.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key focus topics of this research are: marine benthos, anthropogenic stressors, macrobenthic invertebrates, Kerala coast, India, hydrology, sedimentology, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ecological impacts.

• College: University of Kerala
• Author: Mary Miranda (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 544
• Catalog Number: V437900
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668819184
• ISBN (Book): 9783668819191
• Language: English
• Tags: impact, anthropogenic, stressors, marine, benthos, stress, macrobenthic, invertebrate, assemblages, southern, coast, kerala, india