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Underwater experiments on the effect of sewage sludge on a marine ecosystem
Eleftheriou, A.; Moore, D.C.; Basford, D.; Robertson, M.R. (1982). Underwater experiments on the effect of sewage sludge on a marine ecosystem. Neth. J. Sea Res. 16: 465-473
In: Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Groningen; Den Burg. ISSN 0077-7579; e-ISSN 1873-1406
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Non-open access 332237 [ request ]
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Eleftheriou, A.
  • Moore, D.C.
  • Basford, D.
  • Robertson, M.R.
Abstract
    The experimental addition of different concentrations of sewage sludge to clean marine deposits resulted in a degradation of the sediments and a modified benthic macrofauna. The addition of a large amount of sludge (100 l.m-2.a-1) resulted in a sparse Capitella dominated fauna of low density and high biomass. The lower amount (50 l.m-2.a-1) allowed the presence of a normal fauna but of an enhanced abundance and biomass. Though recovery was good there was evidence that the addition of large amounts of sludge had lasting toxic effects. Comparisons of the results of these experiments with the effects observed in sludge dumping grounds are made and the significance of the different input levels in a marine ecosystem is discussed.
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