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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Effects of oil pollution on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in Gabon wetlands
African Journal of Aquatic Science, Volume 33, No. 3, Year 2008
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Description
Macroinvertebrate assemblages from uncontaminated and contaminated sites in the Gamba Complex (Gabon) were compared, the latter sites having been subjected to ongoing oil spills since the 1970s. Vegetation communities surrounding the sites included savannah, shrub-scrub, palm forest, gallery forest and thick jungle. Aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity was high, but abundances at individual sites were low. No living aquatic macroinvertebrates were found at sites with severe oil deposits, but they were present within a few metres of these sites and their abundance increased as the amount of oil present decreased, within a few metres of such sites. Abundance and taxonomic richness declined with increasing oil levels, suggesting that oil negatively affected macroinvertebrate assemblages. Based on preliminary observations, other significant factors that influenced biodiversity were pH, water permanence, terrestrial vegetation type, and canopy cover. Further sampling of contaminated and clean sites in the region will be crucial in determining the natural biodiversity of wetland habitats such that the restoration success of these areas can be more rigorously evaluated. Copyright © NISC Pty Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Vinson, M. R.
United States, Logan
Utah State University
Dinger, E. C.
United States, Logan
Utah State University
Kotynek, J.
United States, Logan
Utah State University
Dethier, M.
Gabon
National Zoological Park
Statistics
Citations: 16
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.2989/AJAS.2008.33.3.9.621
ISSN:
16085914
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Locations
Gabon