Seasonal Composition of Benthic Macroinfauna Exposed to Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico |
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| Authors: | Melissa M Baustian Nancy N Rabalais |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 1231 Energy, Coast and Environment Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;(2) Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, 8124 Highway 56, Chauvin, LA 70344, USA |
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| Abstract: | Bottom-water hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico has increased in severity (duration, frequency, and intensity) since the
1970s and has impacted the less-mobile benthos ever since. From September 2003 to October 2004, the macrobenthic density,
species richness, community composition, and vertical distribution were studied at a frequently hypoxic station, C6B (28°52.10′
N and 90°28.00′ W). The polychaete-dominated community was approximately three times less dense and diverse in post-hypoxic
months compared to pre-hypoxic months. The lowest oxygen concentrations in July 2004 did not significantly affect the infaunal
community as predicted; rather, the response was observed 1 month later after a longer, low-oxygen exposure. The opportunistic,
hypoxia-tolerant polychaete, Paraprionospio pinnata, population increased in July 2004 when other common species decreased, thereby maintaining pre-hypoxic densities. Determining
the duration and severity of hypoxia prior to sampling rather than at the time of sampling helps to better understand benthic
community responses to hypoxia. |
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