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An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
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Metal-macrofauna interactions determine microbial community structure and function in copper contaminated sediments.

Daniel J Mayor1, Nia B Gray, Joanna Elver-Evans

  • 1Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. dan.mayor@abdn.ac.uk

Plos One
|June 7, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Copper contamination impacts marine ecosystems, but its effects on benthic communities depend on the presence of bioturbating animals like Corophium volutator. Management strategies must consider these interactions for effective environmental protection.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Ecology
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Copper is vital for cellular function but toxic at elevated levels.
  • Marine sediments face increasing copper contamination from antifouling paints.
  • Future environmental changes (lower pH, higher temperature) will exacerbate copper toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate copper's impact on soft sediment microbial communities.
  • To assess the role of the bioturbating amphipod Corophium volutator in mediating copper's effects.
  • To understand how copper affects ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling.

Main Methods:

  • Factorial mesocosm experiment manipulating copper concentrations and C. volutator presence.
  • Analysis of benthic nutrient release, bacterial biomass, and microbial community structure.
  • Measurement of isotopic composition of microbial membrane phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs).

Main Results:

  • Copper's effects on nutrient release, bacterial biomass, and microbial community structure varied with C. volutator presence.
  • The presence of C. volutator altered the isotopic composition of PLFAs.
  • Copper's impact on benthic functions is not solely concentration-dependent but influenced by bioturbation.

Conclusions:

  • Copper contamination has pervasive effects on benthic metabolic functioning, modulated by resident macrofauna.
  • Bioturbation by organisms like C. volutator can mitigate copper's negative impacts.
  • An ecosystem-based approach is crucial for managing copper contamination and its effects on ecosystem services.