Benthic fauna in the south-eastern part of the Pechora-sea: Current state and analysis of ecological quality

In recent decades, economic activity has sharply increased in the Pechora Sea, one of the most hydrologically unique areas of the Barents Sea. Hence, the information about the current state of its ecosystems is quite important for assessing their possible changes in the future. The aim of the presen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine environmental research 2023-10, Vol.191, p.106151-106151, Article 106151
Main Authors: Gerasimova, Alexandra V., Filippova, Nadezhda A., Lisitsyna, Kseniya N., Shunatova, Natalia N., Filippov, Andrew A., Nikishina, Darya V., Kiyko, Olga A., Timofeeva, Margarita A., Maximovich, Nikolay V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Distribution
Ecological state
Macrobenthos
Pechora sea
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Summary:In recent decades, economic activity has sharply increased in the Pechora Sea, one of the most hydrologically unique areas of the Barents Sea. Hence, the information about the current state of its ecosystems is quite important for assessing their possible changes in the future. The aim of the present study was to analyze the distribution of macrobenthos and assess its ecological quality in the southeastern part of the Pechora Sea at the beginning of the 21st century (based on data collected in 2012–2013). The results showed that since 1920s there have been no serious changes in the macrobenthos in the studied area. The weak shifts detected in the benthic fauna were either within the natural range of fluctuations in population of common species, or may be associated with differences in the methodological approaches of different researches. Heterogeneity in the macrobenthos distribution, the most significant abiotic factors identified in relation to it, quantitative indicators of biota, and species dominating in communities were similar to those revealed in previous studies. As of 2013, the characteristics of benthic communities in the southeastern part of the Pechora Sea, including their ecological quality, allow us to refer them as undisturbed biosystems. •In 2012–2013 the detailed studies of macrobenthos in the south-eastern part of the Pechora-Sea were carried out.•No serious changes in the macrobenthos structure since the 1920s had registered.•The ecological status of benthic communities is assessed as undisturbed.•The obtained data can be used as a reference point when tracking future ecosystem changes.
ISSN:0141-1136
1879-0291
DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106151