Sediment characteristics and macrofauna distribution along a human-modified inlet in the Gulf of Oristano (Sardinia, Italy)

Como, S.
Magni, P.
Casu, D.
Floris, A.
Giordani, G.
Natale, S.
Fenzi, G.
Signa, G.
DE FALCO, G.

Open link

Publication date

January 2007

DOI

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.01.007

Publisher

Elsevier BV

ISSN

0025-326X

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

We studied the spatial variability and within-year temporal changes in hydrological features, grain size composition and chemical characteristics of sediments, as well as macrofaunal assemblages, along a heavily modified inlet in the Gulf of Oristano (western Sardinia, Italy). The inlet connects the Cabras lagoon to the gulf through a series of convoluted creeks and man-made structures, including a dam and fish barriers built in the last three decades. Sediments were muddy and mainly composed of the "non-sortable" fraction (i.e., <8 \u3bcm particle size) in all four areas investigated: Lagoon, Creeks, Channel and Seaward. Along the inlet, however, the ratio between the <8 \u3bcm and the 8-64 \u3bcm fractions was highest in Creeks and Channe...