| one publication added to basket [61689] | Studies on the bottom deposits and meiofauna of Shatt-Al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf
Saad, M.A.H.; Arlt, G. (1977). Studies on the bottom deposits and meiofauna of Shatt-Al-Arab and the Arabian Gulf. Cah. Biol. Mar. 18(1): 71-84
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more
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| Abstract |
Sediment samples were collected from the Euphrates and Tigris estuary (Shatt-al-Arab), and the entrance of the Arabian Gulf in January 1974 and subjected to some physico-chemical investigations. The qualitative and quantitative distribution of the meiofauna was also studied. The external events had a remarkable effect on the nature and composition of the sediments. The different components of the sediments (organic matter, calcareous and allochthonous materials) were deposited in variable amounts on the bottom, mainly due to certain factors which were discussed. The meiofauna were sorted into 13 groups; some were represented by small numbers of individuals and only in few stations, whereas others (Nematoda and benthic Copepoda) were found in all stations and in exceedingly great numbers. The total number of animals was irregular at all stations. Regarding the salinity, the studied region was differentiated into 3 different water bodies, the fresh, the mixed and the marine. The total number of animals found in the region of mixed waters was notably lower than that in the fresh and marine waters, mainly due to the unstable environmental conditions caused by the tidal currents. The high abundances of Nematoda and benthic Copepoda in the marine region were found to depend mainly upon certain factors which were discussed. The distribution of meiofauna in the investigated region was related to local environmental conditions (mainly temp, dissolved oxygen, food and currents) more than to the nature and composition of the sediments. |
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