Structural Changes in Macrozoobenthic Communities due to Summer Hypoxia in Gamak Bay, Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the structural changes that macrozoobenthic communities underwent as a result of the annual summer hypoxia at the northern part of Gamak Bay, Korea. During this study period, summer hypoxia occurred at the northern part of Gamak Bay in July. Under hypoxic conditions, both the number of species and population density decreased rapidly. Species diversity also manifested lower values during this hypoxic period. Faunal composition changed seasonally with Capitella capitata dominant at the hypoxic sites in spring but disappearing in summer. The health condition of the benthic faunal community assessed by the composition of functional groups within community also changed due to the summer hypoxia from a slightly polluted condition to a highly polluted condition. From these results it has been shown that the recent macrozoobenthic community structure in Gamak Bay has returned to a state similar to what it was before dredging works commenced.