Document Type

Report

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

12-16-2019

Abstract

A total of 30 samples were collected from eight locations in Hurds Cove, Lynnhaven River, VA. All samples were rinsed over a 500-μm mesh sieve and all material retained on the sieve was analyzed to determine benthic macrofaunal community identity, abundance and biomass. With the exception of one sample with relatively high biomass (50.68 g AFDW m-2) attributable to a single (Rangia cuneata), biomass across all locations was low, ranging from 0.16-0.67 g AFDW m-2. At five of the eight locations, all measurable biomass was contributed by polychaete worms. At the other three locations, polychaetes accounted for 45-57% of total biomass. At two locations, isopods contributed >25% biomass and, at one location, decapod crustaceans accounted for 13.7% of the total biomass. Polychaetes and/or ostracods were the most abundant organisms in all locations. However, despite being abundant, ostracod biomass was below detection limits (

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25773/c4e5-kj09

Keywords

Benthic macrofauna

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