Differential responses of a benthic meiofaunal community to an artificial oil spill in the intertidal zone

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential short-term effects within 1 month after applying different amounts of oil spillage (0.125 to 1.25 L) to the intertidal sandy beach on meiofaunal assemblages. We confirmed the short-term toxic effects of an oil spill caused an immediate decline in meiofaunal community composition, but found that meiofaunal density returned to normal within 1 month, depending on the amount of oil. There was no observable difference in the structure of the meiofaunal community 1 month after oil application compared to that before application. Both harpacticoid and nematode abundance were beginning to recover between 4 and 8 days after oil application, with all nematode feeding types being present 1 month after application. The period of low density of meiofauna coincided with the maximum concentration of TPH.ts of an oil spill caused an immediate decline in meiofaunal community composition, but found that meiofaunal density returned to normal within 1 month, depending on the amount of oil. There was no observable difference in the structure of the meiofaunal community 1 month after oil application compared to that before application. Both harpacticoid and nematode abundance were beginning to recover between 4 and 8 days after oil application, with all nematode feeding types being present 1 month after application. The period of low density of meiofauna coincided with the maximum concentration of TPH.