Aquatic Worm Assemblages along the Danube: A Homogenization Warning
2020
Authors:
Atanacković, AnaŠporka, Ferdinand
Marković, Vanja
Slobodnik, Jaroslav
Zorić, Katarina
Csányi, Bela
Paunović, Momir
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
In this study, we analyzed the impacts of different environmental conditions on aquatic
worm communities along the Danube River, based on two longitudinal surveys, the Joint Danube
Surveys 2 and 3 (JDS; 2007 and 2013). We identified the most important environmental factors
(among analyzed groups) that shape worm communities: hydromorphlogical alterations, flow
velocity and substrate (HYMO group), dissolved oxygen, nitrates and nitrites (physico-chemical
parameters), zinc and nickel (metals), monobutyltin cation, benzo(b) fluoranthene and
benzo(k)fluoranthene, polychlorinated biphenyls PCB 77 and PCB 118 (selected chemical
determinants—organotin compounds, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—PAHs and PCBs). A
homogenization of species composition of Oligochaeta assemblages along the Danube was
confirmed. As one of main factors related to biotic homogenization, hydromorphological
alterations represented by similar changes in flow velocity and substrates along Danube’s course
could be singled out. Our results indicate that Oligochaeta could be used for the identification of
the level of hydromorphological degradation in large rivers (homogenization), rather than for
stressors classified as nutrient and organic pollutants. Our results provide additional evidence in
risk assessment of the environment, contributing in water management and monitoring of the
ecological status as proposed by the Water Framework Directive.
Keywords:
Oligochaeta; Large lowland rivers; Longitudinal distribution; Multiple stressors; PollutionSource:
Water, 2020, 12, 9, 2612-Funding / projects:
- Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, institutional funding - 200007 (University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković') (RS-MESTD-inst-2020-200007)
DOI: 10.3390/w12092612
ISSN: 2073-4441