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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Heavy metal pollution reshapes macrofaunal biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships in intertidal zones
Qi Wang1, Yao Liang2, Haixiang Qiao3
1College of Finance and Economics, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao, 266555, China; College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; MoE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
None:
Most research on the patterns and determinants of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships concentrates on terrestrial ecosystems, with marine ecosystems remaining largely understudied. This study examined how heavy metal pollution influences BEF-relationships between macrofaunal multidimensional diversity and both primary productivity and community stability in intertidal zones along the Qingdao coast (eastern China). We used 2021-2022 field data and focused on functional trait-mediated effects. Results revealed positive relationships between species, functional, and phylogenetic diversity with both productivity and stability, with functional-phylogenetic and species diversity serving as optimal indicators for productivity and stability, respectively. Functional traits significantly mediated the effects of metal pollution on BEF-relationships: Arsenic (As) pollution stress shifts traits from infauna and burrowers to epifauna, filter-feeders and swimmers, accelerating benthic algae consumption while reducing biodiversity-stability coupling, and As and Zn are regarded as critical ecosystem health indicators. These findings advance understanding of intertidal BEF-relationships, informing marine management and ecosystem health assessment.
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